The Role of miRNA-146a and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Carotid Atherosclerosis

Abstract EN

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and significance of miRNA-146a in peripheral blood of patients with carotid atherosclerosis (CAS).

Patients with CAS were selected as the stenosis (CAS) group (n=180).

According to the degree of stenosis, they were divided into the mild stenosis group (MS group, n=64), moderate stenosis group (M group, n=62 cases), and severe stenosis group (SS group, n=54).

According to the plaque type, patients were divided into a stable plaque group (SP group, n=96) and a vulnerable plaque group (VP group, n=84).

Patients without CAS represented the normal group (n=90).

The expression levels of miRNA-146a as well as IL-6 and TNF-α in peripheral blood were detected by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively.

The expression levels of miRNA-146a, IL-6, and TNF-α in the CAS group were higher than those in the normal group and positively correlated with the degree of stenosis and plaque vulnerability.

The expression levels of miRNA-146a, IL-6, and TNF-α in the stable plaque group were lower than those in the vulnerable plaque group.

The area under the curve of miRNA-146a predicting the vulnerability of plaques was significant at 0.641.

The expression level of miRNA-146a in the CAS group was positively correlated with IL-6 and TNF-α levels.

Our results indicate that miRNA-146a may participate in the occurrence and development of CAS by regulating the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α, which may be potential biomarkers of CAS.