Twelve-month kinetics of circulating fibrosis-linked microRNAs (miR-21, miR-29, miR-30, and miR-133a) and the relationship with extracellular matrix fibrosis in dilated cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Introduction: A single measurement of any biomarker may not reflect its full biological meaning. The kinetics of fibrosis-linked microRNAs and their relationship with extracellular matrix (ECM) fibrosis in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) have not been explored. Material and methods: We evaluated 70 consecutive DCM patients (48 ±12.1 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 24.4 ±7.4%). All patients underwent right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy in order to quantify ECM fibrosis and measure collagen volume fraction (CVF). Circulating microRNAs (miR-21-5p, miR-29b, miR-30c-5p, and miR-133a-3p) were measured with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at baseline and at 3 and 12 months. Results: Based on the biopsy results, two groups of patients were identified: with (n = 24, 34.3%) and without (n = 46, 65.7%) ECM fibrosis. Except for a single measurement of miR-29b at 3 months (DCM with fibrosis: 6.03 ±0.72 vs. DCM without fibrosis: 6.4 ±0.75 ΔCq; p < 0.05), baseline, 3-and 12-month kinetics of microRNAs did not differ between the two groups. Moreover, 12-month microRNA kinetics did not differ in patients with new-onset DCM (duration < 6 months; n = 35) and chronic DCM (> 6 months; n = 35). Only miR-29 at 3 months correlated with CVF (r =-0.31; p < 0.05), whereas other microRNAs did not correlate with CVF either at 3 or at 12 months. Conclusions: Regardless of ECM fibrosis status or duration of the disease, 12-month patterns of circulating microRNAs are similar in DCM. Correlations between microRNAs, measured at 3 and 12 months, are lower than expected. In this study, regardless of the time point, circulating microRNAs were not able to differentiate between DCM patients with versus without fibrosis.

Association between Circulating MicroRNAs (miR-21-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-29b-3p, miR-126-3p and miR-101-3p) and Chronic Allograft Dysfunction in Renal Transplant Recipients

“…Although miR-29 is upregulated in fibrotic tissue, serum level has not frequently been reported to be correlated with fibrosis. Rubis et al found decreased miR-21-5p and elevated miR-29b in biopsy-proven fibrotic dilated cardiomyopathy patients [ 53 ]. Therefore, miR-29b-3p could be a promising therapeutic target for allograft dysfunction.…”