The Association of Circulating MiR-29b and Interleukin-6 with Subclinical Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Background/Aims: Although it is widely acknowledged that atherosclerosis is mainly a chronic inflammatory process, in which both miR-29b and interleukin-6 (IL-6) play multifaceted roles, the association between miR-29b and IL-6 remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between miR-29b and IL-6 and to test whether circulating levels of miR-29b and IL-6 could predict atherosclerosis. Methods: A total of 170 participants were divided into two groups according to carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT): study group (CIMT ≥ 0.9mm) and control group (CIMT < 0.9mm). Levels of circulating miR-29b and IL-6 were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The association of miR-29b and IL-6 levels with CIMT was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The study group showed higher miR-29b levels (31.61 ± 3.05 vs. 27.91 ± 1.71 Ct, p < 0.001) and IL-6 levels (3.40 ± 0.67 vs. 2.99 ± 0.37 pg/ml, p < 0.001), compared with the control group. CIMT was positively correlated with miR-29b (r = 0.587, p < 0.001) and IL-6 (r = 0.410, p < 0.001), and miR-29b levels were also correlated with IL-6 (r = 0.242, p = 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis also showed that CIMT was positively correlated with miR-29b and IL-6. After adjustment for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and C-reactive protein, CIMT was still closely correlated with miR-29b and IL-6. The combination of miR-29b and IL-6 (AUC = 0.901, p < 0.001) offered a better predictive index for atherosclerosis than either miR-29b (AUC = 0.867, p < 0.001) or IL-6 (AUC = 0.747, p < 0.001) alone. Conclusion: Circulating levels of miR-29b and IL-6 may be independently correlated with subclinical atherosclerosis, and may serve as novel biomarkers for the identification of atherosclerosis.

MicroRNA-183-5p acts as a potential diagnostic biomarker for atherosclerosis and regulates the growth of vascular smooth muscle cell

“…For example, Huang et al have suggested that circulating miR-29b level is positively associated with CIMT, and may exert a potential biomarker for the identification of AS [23]. Another study also suggests that miR-126 and miR-143 have certain ability to differentiate AS patients from healthy controls, and their levels are related to the severity of cerebral AS [28].…”

MicroRNA-183-5p acts as a potential diagnostic biomarker for atherosclerosis and regulates the growth of vascular smooth muscle cell

“…During the last few years, specific miRNA signatures have been illustrated in numerous studies, suggesting that miRNAs can be used as diagnostic markers for various human diseases, including AS [17,18]. The abnormal expression of miR-183-5p has been widely reported in several human diseases.…”

“…For example, Huang et al have suggested that circulating miR-29b level is positively associated with CIMT, and may exert potential biomarker for the identification of AS [18]. Another study also suggests that miR-126 and miR-143 have certain ability to differentiate AS patients from healthy controls, and their levels are related to the severity of cerebral AS [23].…”

Diagnostic and theranostic microRNAs in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

“…Overexpression of miR‐29 is associated with secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and increased carotid intima‐media thickness. Consequently, miR‐29 could be a potential biomarker for predicting the development of atherosclerosis . In studies conducted by Li et al and Signorelli et al, the expression levels of a series of miRNAs, including miR‐130, miR‐210 and miR‐27b, in patients with atherosclerosis obliterans or peripheral artery disease increased significantly at every stage of the disease compared with the level in control patients.…”