The role of small noncoding RNAS in the pathogenesis of coronary arteries atherosclerosis

Abstract

Background.Cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease (CAD), remains a leading cause of mortality. The results of recent studies demonstrate that microRNA engages in pathogenesis of different pathological states, including coronary atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestation — CAD.Objective.To evaluate microRNA-27а, microRNA-133а and microRNA-203 expression in cardiomyocytes and blood serum of CAD patients with different degrees of coronary artery lesion.Design and methods. 100 patients were included in the study, they formed 3 groups: 40 patients with CAD and significant atherosclerosis of 1-2 coronary arteries; 40 patients with multi arterial coronary disease and 20 persons without CAD and significant comorbidity. The microRNA-27a, microRNA-133а and microRNA-203 expression was determined in cardiomyocytes and blood serum of these patients by real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results.Level of microRNA-27a, microRNA-133а and microRNA-203 expression in left atrium cardiomyocytes of CAD patients with significant stenosis of 3 or more coronary arteries was higher, then their expression in the patients with 1-2-vessel and in group without coronary atherosclerosis. Examination of the microRNA expression level in blood serum and in left atrium cardiomyocytes revealed a significant difference. The expression of microRNA-27a and microRNA-133а in cardiomyocytes is above than in blood serum, while the expression of microRNA-203 in the myocardium is lower, than in the blood serum. Level of microRNA-27a, microRNA-133а and microRNA-203 expression in blood serum in CAD patients with significant stenosis of 3 or more coronary arteries was significantly higher, than in patients with 1-2 stenosis of coronary arteries. Furthermore, classification tree method established that risk of atherosclerotic heart disease increases five-fold if microRNA-203 expression in blood serum is more than 100 REU.Conclusion.MicroRNA-27а and microRNA-133а expression in cardiomyocytes of left atrium is higher than in blood serum in CAD patients. MicroRNA-203 expression level in blood serum may be a new predictive marker of coronary artery degree atherosclerotic stenosis in CAD patients.