Abstract TMP55: Circulating MicroRNA Expression Pattern in Acute Stroke
Background: MicroRNAs (miRNA) are short sequenced non-coding RNAs that control gene expression by post-transcriptional RNA silencing. Recent studies reported that circulating miRNA can be detected in various disease models such as cancer and myocardial infarction. In this study we examined the expression level of circulating miRNA in acute ischemic stroke patients. Methods: Between August 1st 2011 and March 31st 2012, those patients who admitted due to acute cerebral infarction were included. We determined to measure five miRNA candidates including miR-17, 21, 106a, 126, and 200b, which are related with atherosclerosis and vascular injury from previous studies. We obtained 5 ml of venous sample from each patient after informed consent and reviewed clinical variable and laboratory data. The expression level of miRNA was calculated by quantitative real-time PCR. The patients without acute stroke were compared as control. Results: Total of 108 patients was included in the study and 75 patients were diagnosed as acute ischemic stroke. Acute stroke patients showed higher level of circulating miR-17 level than control patients, which was confirmed by multiple logistic regression analysis including age, gender, systolic blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and white blood cell count (p=0.018, odds ratio=2.149, confidence interval=1.142-4.046). The level of miR-126 was correlated with the degree of atherosclerosis on brain MR angiography (r=0.319, p=0.001). Among the stroke subtypes, cardioembolic stroke patients had lower level of miR-126 than non-cardioembolic patients (p=0.015). Conclusion: This study shows that circulating miR-17 was increased after acute ischemic stroke and miR-126 level was related to atherosclerosis. These miRNAs might serve as potential markers of cerebral infarction pathogenesis and warrants further investigation.