Serum expression of microRNA-21, microRNA-125a, microRNA-125b, microRNA-214 in coronary artery disease patients

Background. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is determined by interaction of environmental factors with epigenetic and genetic factors. MicroRNA-21, microRNA-125a, microRNA-125b and microRNA-214 are small non-coding RNAs and the most important regulators of gene expression. MicroRNA-21, -125a, -125b and -214 are insufficiently studied in CAD patients. Objective. To explore serum expression of microRNA-21, microRNA-125a, microRNA-125b, microRNA-214 in CAD patients with different features of clinical course. Material and methods. The study included 129 CAD patients (men 56.6% and women 43.4%) aged 63.17±8.57 years. The comparison group consisted of 45 people without CAD (men 55.6% and women 44.4%) aged 62.09±8.79 years (p>0.05). Serum microRNA expression was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Relative microRNA expression was estimated in accordance with standard 2-ΔCt procedure. Results. Serum expression of microRNA-21, microRNA-125a, microRNA-125b and microRNA-214 is higher in CAD patients (p<0.001). MicroRNA-21 expression >16.43 units increases the risk of CAD by 3.49 times (HR 3.49, 95% CI 1.70—7.17, p<0.001), microRNA-125a expression >7.21 units — by 5.18 times (HR 5.18, 95% CI 2.29—11.69, p<0.001), microRNA-125b expression >3.49 units — by 4.03 times (HR 4.03, 95% CI 1.86—8.72, p=0.0001), microRNA-214 expression >2.47 units — by 3.99 times (HR 3.99, 95% CI 1.91—8.37, p<0.001). Expression of microRNA-21 and microRNA-214 was higher in patients with early CAD than in older patients (p<0.05). Expression of microRNA-21, microRNA-125a, microRNA-125b and microRNA-214 was higher in CAD patients with myocardial infarction (MI) than in patients without MI (p<0.05). Conclusion. Expression of microRNA-21, microRNA-125a, microRNA-125b and microRNA-214 was higher in CAD patients than in the comparison group, as well as in CAD patients with MI. Expression of microRNA-21 and microRNA-214 was higher in patients with early CAD than in older patients.