Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the main cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis, the leading underlying cause of CAD, is a progressive inflammatory disease. miRNAs play a substantial role in inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) gene expression of IP10 and miRNA 296-a and serum levels of IP10 and serum inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) in CAD patients and controls. This is a case-control study conducted on 82 angiography confirmed CAD patients and 82 controls. PBMC expressions of miR-269a and IP10 were evaluated by real-time method, and serum concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the study population. A significant increase was found for serum IP10, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels, and PBMC expression of IP10 and miRNA 296-a genes expression of CAD as comparison with controls. No significant correlation was found between IP10 gene expression and miRNA 296-a. A significant positive correlation was found between PBMC gene expression level of IP10 and serum concentrations of IP10 and cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels. Taking together, in PBMC of CAD patients, the IP10 and 296-a miRNA genes expression levels were increased significantly than controls. IP10, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels in CAD patients were more than those in controls significantly. Concerning positive relationship between miRNA 269-a gene expression level and serum concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in CAD patients, it is proposed that IL-6 and TNF-alpha inhibitor could be the main targets of miRNA 296a and, thereby the IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were increased; however, further study is needed
