title: MicroRNA deregulation in symptomatic carotid plaque.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Embolization of carotid stenotic plaques is the direct cause of stroke in nearly 20% of cases. Genetic mechanisms and especially the roles played by microRNAs in the regulation of plaque destabilization and rupture are mostly unknown. The aim of this pilot study was to compare the expression of seven microRNAs allegedly involved in plaque growth and instability (miR-100, 125a, 127, 133a, 145, 155, and 221), between symptomatic and asymptomatic human carotid plaques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy in our department were prospectively included. Carotid plaques were subdivided into symptomatic (n = 15) and asymptomatic (n = 15) according to the presence or absence of stroke. After isolation of total RNA from atherosclerotic plaques, microRNAs were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups of patients were comparable in terms of age, gender, risk factors for cerebral ischemia, medication, and stenosis severity. All seven microRNAs were quantified in extracted carotid plaques. miR-100, miR-125a, miR-127, miR-133a, miR-145, and miR-221 were significantly overexpressed in symptomatic vs asymptomatic plaques. miR-125a expression was significantly inversely correlated with the circulating level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the symptomatic group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study evaluated the expression of seven selected miRNAs in human carotid plaques from a small group of patients and suggested a potential regulatory role for these miRNAs in evolution of the plaque towards growth, instability and rupture. Studies based on larger sample sizes are required to determine the potential use of miR-100, miR-125a, miR-127, miR-133a, miR-145, and miR-221 as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Amiens University Hospital, Amiens, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unit 1088: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications, Centre Universitaire de Recherche en Santé, Amiens, France. Electronic address: maitrias.pierre@chu-amiens.fr.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maitrias
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unit 1088: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications, Centre Universitaire de Recherche en Santé, Amiens, France.
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Metzinger-Le Meuth
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unit 1088: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications, Centre Universitaire de Recherche en Santé, Amiens, France; Division of Nephrology, Ambroise Pare Hospital, Boulogne Billancourt, France.
authors.forename: Ziad A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Massy
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unit 1088: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications, Centre Universitaire de Recherche en Santé, Amiens, France.
authors.forename: Eléonore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: M'Baya-Moutoula
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Amiens University Hospital, Amiens, France.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reix
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Amiens University Hospital, Amiens, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unit 1088: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications, Centre Universitaire de Recherche en Santé, Amiens, France.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Caus
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unit 1088: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications, Centre Universitaire de Recherche en Santé, Amiens, France; Center of Human Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Amiens University Hospital, Amiens, France.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Metzinger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000601:surgery; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004617:Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D010865:Pilot Projects; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids; D035683:MicroRNAs; D003404:Creatinine