Serum exosomal microRNA-146a as a novel diagnostic biomarker for acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Background: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases. However, few studies have focused on the role of exosomal miRNAs in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The purpose of this study was to explore weather serum exosomal microRNA-146a (exo-miR-146a) could be used as a novel diagnostic biomarker for ACS and to investigate its relationship with inflammatory response.

Methods: A total of 63 ACS patients and 25 patients with normal coronary arteries (Control) were enrolled respectively. The serum exosomes were isolated and then identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), western blot, and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). The expression levels of exo-miR-146a in serum were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Spearman's correlation analysis was used to appraise the potential factors related to serum exo-miR-146a and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied for predicting the accuracy of ACS via the area under curve (AUC).

Results: Exosomes isolated from serum were of typical cup-like shape, with 50-150 nm diameter, and expressed CD9, CD63, CD81, and HSP70. The expression levels of serum exo-miR-146a, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly increased in ACS patients compared with the control group, Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that exo-miR-146a expression was markedly positively correlated with IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. The ROC curve analyses revealed that exo-miR-146a could distinguish ACS patients from their normal controls.

Conclusions: The serum exo-miR-146a may be used as a novel diagnostic biomarker for ACS patients, and it is also associated with inflammatory response.

Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS); exosome; inflammatory response; microRNA-146a.

Figure 1

Flow diagram of participants selected.

Figure 2

Characterization of exosomes isolated from serum. (A) The morphology of serum exosomes was analyzed by TEM. (B) The exosomal membrane markers (CD9, CD63, CD81, and HSP70) were confirmed by WB. (C) The particle size of exosomes was identified by NTA. TEM, transmission electron microscope; WB, western blot; NTA, nanoparticle tracking analysis.

Figure 3

The expression levels of miR-146a in different groups. (A) The expression levels of exo-miR-146a in STEMI, NSTEMI, UA, and control group. (B) The expression levels of miR-146a in exosome and exosome-free supernatant. *P<0.01, ***P<0.001, ****P<0.0001. STEMI, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; NSTEMI, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; UA, unstable angina.

Figure 4

Comparison of the expression levels of inflammation-related factors in different groups. (A) IL-1β; (B) IL-6; (C) TNF-α. ****P<0.0001. IL-1β, interleukin-1β; IL-6, interleukin-6; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α.

Figure 5

Correlation analysis between serum exo-miR-146a expression levels and the potential factors via Spearman’s correlation analysis. (A) Correlation of the exo-miR-146a with Cr; (B) correlation of the exo-miR-146a with cTnI; (C) correlation of the exo-miR-146a with NT-proBNP; (D) correlation of the exo-miR-146a with IL-1β; (E) correlation of the exo-miR-146a with IL-6; (F) correlation of the exo-miR-146a with TNF-α. Cr, creatinine; cTnI, cardiac troponin I; NT-proBNP, N-terminal-pro-B natriuretic peptide; IL-1β, interleukin-1β; IL-6, interleukin-6; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α.

Figure 6

ROC curve for discriminating ACS patients from control group by serum exo-miR-146a. (A) Exo-miR-146a expression in patients with STEMI; (B) exo-miR-146a expression in patients with NSTEMI; (C) exo-miR-146a expression in patients with UA. ROC, receiver operating characteristic; ACS, acute coronary syndrome; STEMI, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; NSTEMI, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; UA, unstable angina.