MicroRNA Expression Profile in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO) continues to present a considerable challenge to global health, marked by substantial morbidity and mortality rates. Although definitive diagnostic markers exist in the form of neuroimaging, their expense, limited availability, and potential for diagnostic delay can often result in missed opportunities for life-saving interventions. Despite several past attempts, research efforts to date have been fraught with challenges likely due to multiple factors such as inclusion of diverse stroke types, variable onset intervals, differing pathobiologies, and a range of infarct sizes, all contributing to inconsistent circulating biomarker levels. In this context, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as a promising biomarker, demonstrating potential as biomarkers across various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological disorders. These circulating miRNAs embody a wide spectrum of pathophysiological processes, encompassing cell death, inflammation, angiogenesis, neuroprotection, brain plasticity, and blood-brain barrier integrity. This pilot study explores the utility of circulating exosome-enriched extracellular vesicle (EV) miRNAs as potential biomarkers for anterior circulation LVO (acLVO) stroke.

Methods: In our longitudinal prospective cohort study, we collected data from acute large vessel occlusion (acLVO) stroke patients at four critical time intervals post-symptom onset: 0-6 hours, 6-12 hours, 12-24 hours, and 5-7 days. For comparative analysis, healthy individuals were included as control subjects. In this study, extracellular vesicles (EVs) were isolated from the plasma of participants, and the miRNAs within these EVs were profiled utilizing the NanoString nCounter system. Complementing this, a scoping review was conducted to examine the roles of specific miRNAs such as miR-140-5p, miR-210-3p, and miR-7-5p in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This review involved a targeted PubMed search to assess their influence on crucial pathophysiological pathways in AIS, and their potential applications in diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. The review also included an assessment of additional miRNAs linked to stroke.

Results: Within the first 6 hours of symptom onset, three specific miRNAs (miR-7-5p, miR-140-5p, and miR-210-3p) exhibited significant differential expression compared to other time points and healthy controls. These miRNAs have previously been associated with neuroprotection, cellular stress responses, and tissue damage, suggesting their potential as early markers of acute ischemic stroke.

Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of circulating miRNAs as blood-based biomarkers for hyperacute acLVO ischemic stroke. However, further validation in a larger, risk-matched cohort is required. Additionally, investigations are needed to assess the prognostic relevance of these miRNAs by linking their expression profiles with radiological and functional outcomes.