Patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms have reduced levels of microRNA 122-5p in circulating exosomes.

ObjectiveThere are currently no specific biomarkers to identify patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Circulating exosomes contain microRNAs (miRNA) that are potential biomarkers for the presence of disease. This study aimed to characterize the exosomal miRNA expression profile of patients with AAAs in order to identify novel biomarkers of disease.MethodsPatients undergoing duplex ultrasound (US) or computed tomography (CT) for screening or surveillance of an AAA were screened to participate in the study. Cases with AAA were defined as having a max aortic diameter >3 cm. Circulating plasma exosomes were isolated using Cushioned-Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation and total RNA was extracted. Next Generation Sequencing was performed on the Illumina HiSeq4000 SE50. Differential miRNA expression analysis was performed using DESeq2 software with a Benjamini-Hochberg correction. MicroRNA expression profiles were validated by Quantitative Real-Time PCR.ResultsA total of 109 patients were screened to participate in the study. Eleven patients with AAA and 15 non-aneurysmal controls met study criteria and were enrolled. Ultrasound measured aortic diameter was significantly larger in the AAA group (mean maximum diameter 4.3 vs 2.0 cm, P = 6.45x10-6). More AAA patients had coronary artery disease (5/11 vs 1/15, P = 0.05) as compared to controls, but the groups did not differ significantly in the rates of peripheral arterial disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A total of 40 miRNAs were differentially expressed (P<0.05). Of these, 18 miRNAs were downregulated and 22 were upregulated in the AAA group compared to controls. After false discovery rate (FDR) adjustment, only miR-122-5p was expressed at significantly different levels in the AAA group compared to controls (fold change = 5.03 controls vs AAA; raw P = 1.8x10-5; FDR P = 0.02).ConclusionPlasma exosomes from AAA patients have significantly reduced levels of miRNA-122-5p compared to controls. This is a novel exosome-associated miRNA that warrants further investigation to determine its use as a diagnostic biomarker and potential implications in AAA pathogenesis

Rapidly Self-Renewing Human Multipotent Marrow Stromal Cells (hMSC) Express Sialyl Lewis X and Actively Adhere to Arterial Endothelium in a Chick Embryo Model System

There have been conflicting observations regarding the receptors utilized by human multipotent mesenchymal bone marrow stromal cells (hMSC) to adhere to endothelial cells (EC). To address the discrepancies, we performed experiments with cells prepared with a standardized, low-density protocol preserving a sub-population of small cells that are rapidly self-renewing.Sialyl Lewis X (SLeX) and α4 integrin expression were determined by flow cytometry. Fucosyltransferase expression was determined by quantitative realtime RT-PCR. Cell adhesion assays were carried out with a panel of endothelial cells from arteries, veins and the microvasculature in vitro. In vivo experiments were performed to determine single cell interactions in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). The CAM is a well-characterized respiratory organ allowing for time-lapse image acquisition of large numbers of cells treated with blocking antibodies against adhesion molecules expressed on hMSC.hMSC expressed α4 integrin, SLeX and fucosyltransferase 4 and adhered to human EC from arteries, veins and the microvasculature under static conditions in vitro. In vivo, hMSC rolled on and adhered to arterioles in the chick embryo CAM, whereas control melanoma cells embolized. Inhibition of α4 integrin and/or SLeX with blocking antibodies reduced rolling and adhesion in arterioles and increased embolism of hMSC.The results demonstrated that rapidly self-renewing hMSC were retained in the CAM because they rolled on and adhered to respiratory arteriolar EC in an α4 integrin- and SLeX-dependent manner. It is therefore important to select cells based on their cell adhesion receptor profile as well as size depending on the intended target of the cell and the injection route