MiR-202-3p Inhibits Foam Cell Formation and is Associated with Coronary Heart Disease Risk in a Chinese Population

Abstract

A previous study and a gene-annotation enrichment analysis for potential targets of the microRNA miR-202-3p both suggest that this microRNA might be implicated in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In the present study, the role of miR-202-3p in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease (CHD) was explored. We conduct a case-control study to detect the expression levels of miR-202-3p in peripheral blood cells and found that miR-202-3p expression was significantly higher in CHD cases than in controls (P < 0.001). miR-202-3p levels were negatively correlated with platelet distribution width (r = −0.348, P = 0.002) and mean platelet volume (r = −0.29, P = 0.01). Further functional analyses suggested that stimulation with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) induced miR-202-3p expression, and that this microRNA suppressed the formation of ox-LDL-induced macrophage foam cells derived from THP-1 cells in a feedback manner. In addition, miR-202-3p overexpression modulated the expression of several key genes involved in foam cell formation, including that of ABCG4, NCEH1I, and SCARB2. In summary, miR-202-3p was associated with CHD, exerting a protective role against CHD by feedback suppression of ox-LDL-induced macrophage foam cell formation.

MicroRNA as Biomarkers for Platelet Function and Maturity in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

“…miR Analyses ►Table 1 summarizes characteristics of the miR analyses in the included 16 studies. One study used blood cells, 31 1 study used leukocyte suspension 32 and 14 studies used plasma samples. [33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] Among the studies using plasma samples, seven studies used platelet-rich plasma (PRP), 34,36,37,39,42,43,46 whereas two studies used plateletpoor plasma (PPP).…”

“…33,39,44,46 The remaining 12 studies used only RT-qPCR to investigate pre-selected miRs. 31,32,[34][35][36][37][38][40][41][42][43]45 Subgroups, Laboratory Analyses, and Treatment In 12 of 16 included studies, the patient cohort was divided into subgroups. [32][33][34][35][36][37]39,[42][43][44][45][46] The methods and cut-offs employed to define subgroups varied between studies.…”

“…To categorize patients, 9 of 16 included studies used platelet aggregation measurements (multiple electrode aggregation [MEA], light transmission aggregation [LTA] or optical aggregation), 32,35,[37][38][39][40]43,44,46 2 studies used platelet reactivity index (PRI) by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) measurements, 36,45 4 studies used a combination of these 33,34,41,42 and 1 study used MPV. 31 In five of the included studies, blood samples were obtained at different time points. 33,34,37,40,43 The results were only presented if the studies also investigated the corresponding association between miRNA and platelet function.…”

“…All included studies, except one, 31 provided information on antiplatelet therapy. In studies on patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), all patients were treated according to guidelines with dual antiplatelet inhibitors consisting of aspirin and clopidogrel preceded by loading dose (►Table 2).…”

“…Only one study reported on platelet maturity by measurements of MPV. 31…”