Different levels of microRNA expression (miR-30c-5p, miR-221-3p and miR-375-3p) in heart failure patients with preserved and reduced ejection fraction

MicroRNAs are key regulators of gene expression controlling components of signaling cascades involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF). The expression profile of microRNAs may serve as a sensitive indicator of different types of HF. The aim of the present study was to compare the gene expression of microRNAs miR-148b-3p, miR-30c-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-328-3p, miR-146a-5p, miR-375-3p, miR-22-3p, miR-15b-3p, miR-148a-3p, miR-590-5p in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and epicardial adipose tissue of coronary heart disease (СHD) patients with and without HF (Non-HF). Among СHD patients with HF, the groups with mildly reduced/reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFmr/rEF and HFpEF, respectively) were compared. Our study revealed a significant increase in the expression of miR-30c-5p, miR-221-3p and miR-375-3p microRNAs in PBMCs of patients with HFmr/rEF and HFpEF compared with the group of СHD patients without HF. Accordingly, the relative level of miR-30c-5p expression in PBMC of HFF/EFV patients was significantly higher by 1.99 times in comparison with patients without HF (P<0.0001). The expression of this microRNA in PBMC of HFpEF patients relative to patients without HF is significantly higher by 2.94-fold (P<0.0001). The expression level of miR-221-3p in PBMC of HFpEF patients was increased 4.04-fold relative to patients without HF (P<0.0001). A 2.63-fold increase in miR-221-3p expression was detected in PBMC of HFmr/rEF patients (P<0.0001). The expression of miR-375-3p in PBMCs of HFmr/rEF and HFpEF patients compared with Non-HF patients was significantly higher by 2.09- and 1.77-fold (P<0.0001). For all other investigated microRNAs, no significant expression changes were detected in PBMC. Similarly, we did not detect significant expression changes for any of the investigated microRNA genes in the epicardial adipose tissue of CHD patients. Thus, the obtained data can be used to determine the role of the investigated microRNAs in the pathogenesis of HF in СHD patients. The results of the present study can be used for further studies of HF pathogenesis. Accordingly, they can be used for the development of modern clinical strategies to assess the risk of HF development in СHD patients. Keywords. Heart failure, preserved ejection fraction, reduced ejection fraction, microRNA.