Objective—
MicroRNAs play a role in atherosclerosis-related diseases, such as cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease. However, the effect of
miR-146a
,
miR-149
,
miR-196a2
, and
miR-499
polymorphisms on stroke and silent brain infarction (SBI) susceptibility has not been reported.
Methods and Results—
Using polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA, microRNA polymorphisms were analyzed in 678 patients with ischemic stroke, 373 patients with SBI, and 553 control subjects. The
miR-146a
C>G polymorphism and
miR-146a
G/
-149
T/
-196a2
C/
-499
G allele combination was significantly associated with ischemic stroke prevalence. For SBI prevalence, there were no statistically significant genetic markers. However, some allele combinations were associated with increased SBI incidence (C-T-C-G and G-T-T-A of
miR-146a
/
-149
/
-196a2
/
-499
). In subgroup analyses,
miR-146a
C>G increased stroke risk in female, normotensive, and nondiabetic groups. There were significant combined effects between microRNA polymorphisms and homocysteine/folate levels on ischemic stroke and SBI prevalence.
Conclusion—
The
miR-146a
G allele and
miR-146a
G/
-149
T/
-196a2
C/
-499
G allele combination were associated with ischemic stroke pathogenesis. The combined effects between microRNA polymorphisms and homocysteine/folate levels may contribute to stroke and SBI prevalence.