miR-126 in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Negatively Correlates with Risk and Severity and is Associated with Inflammatory Cytokines as well as Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of miR-126 with risk and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as its correlation with inflammatory cytokines and endothelial related proteins.

METHODS

In total, 215 patients suspected of CAD who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled in this case control study and were divided into a CAD group (n = 119) and control group (n = 96). miR-126 relative expression was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The relative expression of miR-126 decreased in CAD patients compared to controls (p < 0.001), and the receiver operating characteristic curve showed a good diagnostic value of miR-126 for CAD risk with an area under the curve of 0.801 (95% CI 0.740-0.861). Additionally, miR-126 was negatively correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (p < 0.001) and reversely associated with TNF-α (p = 0.008) and IL-6 (p < 0.001) levels, while it was positively correlated with the IL-10 level (p < 0.001). In addition, miR-126 was negatively associated with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) levels (p = 0.001), and no association of miR-126 with vascular endothelial growth factor was detected (p = 0.142). Meanwhile, the miR-126 relative level was negatively associated with the Gensini score (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell miR-126 predicts risk and severity and correlates with inflammatory cytokines as well as ICAM-1 in patients with CAD.