Differences in MicroRNA Expression in Pericoronary Adipose Tissue in Coronary Artery Disease Compared to Severe Valve Dysfunction

Abstract

Pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) is a source of microRNAs (miRs) that act as messengers for intercellular communication. We investigated whether the PCAT surrounding significant coronary atherosclerotic lesions shows specific miR expression patterns compared with PCAT surrounding plaque-free segments. We included 49 patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) and 19 patients with severe valvular disease but no CAD, who underwent elective cardiac surgery. The PCAT was harvested from two sites: adjacent to a significant atherosclerotic coronary lesion and from plaque-free segments. miR-133a, miR-21, miR-26b, miR-9, and miR-143 levels in PCAT cells were quantified by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (data expressed as arbitrary units). Expression of miR-133, miR-21, and miR-26b in adipose tissue at a site without atherosclerotic lesion was much lower in patients with CAD than in those without CAD (0.82 ± 1.37 vs 1.86 ± 0.52, P < .001, 0.45 ± 1.3 vs 1.51 ± 1.11, P < .001, 0.3 ± 1.25 vs 1.2 ± 0.73, P = .02, respectively). In addition, miR-133, miR-21, and miR-143 in CAD patients showed significantly greater expression in PCAT from atherosclerotic lesion compared with plaque-free segments (1.32 ± 0.96 vs 0.82 ± 0.37 (P = .011), 0.91 ± 1.7 vs 0.3 ± 1.25 (P = .012), 1.2 ± 1.59 vs 0.43 ± 0.54 (P < .001), respectively). Our findings open new perspectives for the role of PCAT in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and should be further investigated.

Pericoronary Adipose Tissue in Atherosclerosis: Current and Future Perspectives

“…1 As mentioned by the authors, despite study limitations (e.g., sample size, controls consisting of patients without CAD but with valvular disease and co-existing CAD risk factors), these findings open new perspectives regarding atherosclerosis progression potentially representing novel targets for therapeutic intervention. 1…”

“…1 There were differences in the expression of miRs by PCAT when comparing CAD patients and controls and also in relation to proximity with significant atherosclerotic lesions compared with PCAT obtained close to plaque-free segments. 1 As mentioned by the authors, despite study limitations (e.g., sample size, controls consisting of patients without CAD but with valvular disease and co-existing CAD risk factors), these findings open new perspectives regarding atherosclerosis progression potentially representing novel targets for therapeutic intervention. 1 Apart from the above mentioned miRs, miR-382-5p (reduces macrophage foam cell formation) was found to be expressed at lower levels in perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) from coronary atherosclerotic heart disease patients compared with healthy individuals.…”

“…In this issue of Angiology , Marketou et al 1 evaluated the expression of microRNAs (miRs) (miR-133a, miR-21, miR-26b, miR-9, and miR-143) within pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) close to coronary atherosclerotic lesions and plaque-free segments. miRs are small non-coding regulatory RNAs that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases, including cardiovascular (CV) disease.…”

“…miRs are small non-coding regulatory RNAs that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases, including cardiovascular (CV) disease. 1 The study population consisted of 49 patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and 19 age- and sex-matched controls with severe valvular disease (but without CAD) who underwent aortic or mitral valve replacement. 1…”

“…1 The study population consisted of 49 patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and 19 age- and sex-matched controls with severe valvular disease (but without CAD) who underwent aortic or mitral valve replacement. 1…”