Peripheral blood miRNAs as a biomarker for chronic cardiovascular diseases

Vascular diseases are the most prevalent diseases worldwide. This study intended to analyze peripheral blood miRNA levels and their correlation with NT-pro-BNP and cTN-I in patients with atherosclerosis or pre-atherosclerotic conditions to build a dynamic correlation between vascular diseases and their biomarkers. Serum NT-pro-BNP and cTN-I levels were measured by their respective ELISA kits. The miRNA levels were assayed by quantitative PCR. Unique miRNA signatures were identified for both atherosclerosis and pre-atherosclerosis. The levels of miR-92a, 126, 130a, 222 and 370 levels were decreased in the peripheral blood of pre-atherosclerotic subjects. In atherosclerosis, miR-21, 122, 130a and 211 were significantly increased whereas miR-92a, 126 and 222 were markedly decreased. Serum levels of NT-pro-BNP and cTN-I correlated with each other and increased with the progression of atherosclerosis. Moreover, the levels of cTN-I and NT-pro-BNP were positively correlated with miR-21 and negatively correlated with miR-126. Integrating specific pattern of miRNA levels with NT-pro-BNP and/or cardiac troponin may improve the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases.