Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a novel class of molecules regulating gene expression. LncRNAs are present in body fluids, but their potential as biomarkers was never investigated in cardiovascular disease.
A team led by researchers at the Hannover Medical School performed global transcriptomic analyses in plasma RNA from patients with/without left ventricular (LV)-remodeling after myocardial infarction. Regulated candidates were validated in three independent patient cohorts developing cardiac remodeling and heart failure (788 patients). The mitochondrial lncRNA uc022bqs.1 (LIPCAR) was down-regulated early after MI but up-regulated during later stages. LIPCAR levels identified patients developing cardiac remodeling and were independently to other risk markers associated with future cardiovascular deaths.
- Kumarswamy R, Bauters C, Volkmann I, Maury F, Fetisch J, Holzmann A, Lemesle G, Degroote P, Pinet F, Thum T. (2014) The Circulating Long Non-Coding RNA LIPCAR Predicts Survival in Heart Failure Patients. Circ Res [Epub ahead of print]. [abstract]