Altered Plasma miR-144 as a Novel Biomarker for Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to be involved in coronary artery disease (CAD) and corresponding disease severity. The aim of this study is to determine plasma levels of miR-144 in CAD and its association with the severity of this disease.

METHODS

Plasma levels of miR-144 in 60 CAD patients including stable angina pectoris (SAP) (n=29), unstable angina pectoris (UAP) or non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI) (NSTEMI) (n=17), or ST-elevation MI (STEMI) (n=14) and 20 non-CAD subjects were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). Associations of miR-144 expression with basic clinical characteristics and the severity of CAD were then analyzed.

RESULTS

The QRT-PCR results showed that plasma miR-144 levels were increased in CAD patients, and among CAD patients, higher SYNTAX scores and STEMI were significantly associated with higher miR-144 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher plasma levels of miR-144 were significantly associated with the presence as well as severity of CAD. As a potential biomarker for CAD, plasma miR-144 may be useful in predicting CAD and its severity.