Circulating miRNAs as potential marker for pulmonary hypertension

PLoS One. 2013 May 23;8(5):e64396. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064396. Print 2013.

Abstract

MircoRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that govern the gene expression and, play significant role in the pathogenesis of heart failure. The detection of miRNAs in circulation of pulmonary hypertensive (PH) human subjects remains elusive. In the current study, we determined the pattern of miRNAs of mild-to-severe human PH subjects and, compared them with the control subjects by miRNA array. Blood was obtained using fluoroscopic and waveform guided catheterization from the distal (pulmonary artery) port of the catheter. A total 40 human subjects were included in the study and, the degree of PH was determined by mean pulmonary arterial pressure. Among several miRNAs in the array, we validated 14 miRNAs and, the data were consistent with the array profile. We identified several novel downregulated miRNAs (miR-451, miR-1246) and upregulated miRNAs (miR-23b, miR-130a and miR-191) in the circulation of PH subjects. Our study showed novel set of miRNAs which are dysregulated in PH and, are directly proportional to the degree of PH. These miRNAs may be considered as potential biomarker for early detection of PH.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Buffy Coat / metabolism
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / blood*
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / blood*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Sex Characteristics

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • MicroRNAs

Grants and funding

This study was partly supported by start-up funds from the Texas A & M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, by an American Heart Association -National Scientist Development Grant (0835227N) to S. Gupta (SG). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.