High serum miR-15b-3p levels were independently associated with a more than 4-fold increased risk of carotid artery stenosis (OR 4.222) and demonstrated strong diagnostic value (AUC 0.853).
Case-Control (n=268)
No
Serum miR-15b-3p is significantly elevated in patients with carotid artery stenosis and shows potential as a diagnostic biomarker, while mechanistically promoting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation via PTEN targeting.
Effect estimate: OR 4.222 (95% CI 2.253-7.914)
p-value: p=<0.001
Abstract Background and aim Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is a significant contributor to cerebral infarction. miR-15b-3p shows aberrant expression in various diseases. This research sought to assess serum miR-15b-3p expression in CAS, its diagnostic value, and the underlying mechanisms. Methods This study recruited 111 CAS patients and 157 healthy controls. miR-15b-3p’s diagnostic potential was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The role of miR-15b-3p for human vascular smooth muscle cells (HA-VSMCs) was examined using cell transfection, proliferation assays, and apoptosis analysis. Targets of miR-15b-3p were identified through bioinformatics analysis and validated using dual-luciferase assays. Results Patients with CAS exhibited significantly elevated serum miR-15b-3p levels relative to controls. miR-15b-3p demonstrated 75.68% sensitivity and 81.82% specificity in CAS detection (AUC = 0.853) and could distinguish severe CAS (AUC = 0.788, sensitivity = 74.51%, specificity = 76.67%). miR-15b-3p promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of HA-VSMCs by targeting PTEN. In CAS patients, PTEN showed a negative correlation with miR-15b-3p levels (r = -0.601, P < 0.001). Conclusion Serum miR-15b-3p is elevated in CAS patients. It promotes the proliferation of HA-VSMC cells via targeting PTEN. Although miR-15b-3p holds promise diagnostic value for CAS, it is not yet sufficient for clinical diagnosis.
Jiang et al. (Fri,) conducted a case-control in Carotid Artery Stenosis (n=268). High serum miR-15b-3p vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on Carotid artery stenosis risk (OR 4.222, 95% CI 2.253-7.914, p=<0.001). High serum miR-15b-3p levels were independently associated with a more than 4-fold increased risk of carotid artery stenosis (OR 4.222) and demonstrated strong diagnostic value (AUC 0.853).