Plasma microRNAs as biomarkers for Lamin A/C-related dilated cardiomyopathy

• Published in: Journal of molecular medicine (Berlin, Germany) Vol. 96; no. 8; pp. 845 - 856
• Main Authors: Toro, Rocío, Blasco-Turrión, Sara, Morales-Ponce, Francisco José, Gonzalez, Pablo, Martínez-Camblor, Pablo, López-Granados, Amador, Brugada, Ramon, Campuzano, Oscar, Pérez-Serra, Alexandra, Rosa Longobardo, Felix, Mangas, Alipio, Llorente-Cortes, Vicenta, de Gonzalo-Calvo, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.08.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; C gene; Cardiomyopathy; Coronary artery disease; Diagnosis; Dilated cardiomyopathy; Heart diseases; Heart transplantation; Human Genetics; Internal Medicine; miRNA; Molecular Medicine; Mutation; Original Article; Phenotypes; Population studies; Biomarkers; ); Circulating microRNAs; Dilated cardiomyopathy; Lamin A/C; Lamin A/C (LMNA)
• ISSN: 0946-2716; 1432-1440; 1432-1440
• DOI: 10.1007/s00109-018-1666-1

Lamin A/C gene ( LMNA )-related familial dilated cardiomyopathy (fDCM) is an aggressive heart disease that often leads to transplantation and sudden death. The aim of our study was to evaluate the circulating microRNA (miRNA) profiles of patients with LMNA pathogenic mutations. The study population ( N  = 75) included (i) patients with pathogenic LMNA mutations responsible for fDCM ( LMNA MUT ), (ii) age- and sex-matched LMNA wild-type controls ( LMNA WT control), and (iii) LMNA wild-type idiopathic DCM (iDCM) patients ( LMNA WT iDCM). Detailed clinical information was obtained from each participant. A panel of 179 plasma miRNAs was evaluated using RT-qPCR. An initial screening study was performed in LMNA MUT carriers and age-matched LMNA WT controls ( N  = 16). Forty-four miRNAs were specifically deregulated in LMNA MUT carriers. Ten miRNA candidates were selected for subsequent validation after coexpression analyses and filtered for expression levels and statistical significance. Among the candidates, let-7a-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-145-5p and miR-454-3p levels were significantly increased in LMNA MUT carriers compared to LMNA WT controls and iDCM patients ( P  < 0.050). These circulating miRNAs, and their combination, were also associated with the presence of pathogenic mutations in regression and ROC analyses. This signature also discriminates between LMNA WT healthy subjects and LMNA MUT carriers who are phenotypically negative for DCM and between LMNA WT iDCM and LMNA -related DCM patients. Correlation and functional enrichment analyses supported their association with the pathophysiology of the disease. We demonstrated for the first time that a specific miRNA signature could serve as a novel non-invasive tool to assist in the diagnosis of patients with fDCM caused by LMNA pathogenic mutations. Key messages Let-7a-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-145-5p and miR-454-3p are differentially expressed in LMNA MUT carriers. A composite score based on these miRNAs is a biomarker of mutations in the LMNA gene. This miRNA signature can be associated with the pathophysiology of familial DCM. The circulating miRNA profile can assist in the diagnosis of familial DCM.