1IKDT - Institut Kardiale Diagnostik und Therapie GmbH Berlin, Deutschland; 2Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charite (DHZC) Klinik für Kardiologie, Angiologie und Intensivmedizin | CBF Berlin, Deutschland
Aims: Inflammation of the heart is a complex biological and pathophysiological response of the immune system to a variety of injuries leading to tissue damage and heart failure. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) emerge as pivotal players in the development of numerous diseases, suggesting their potential utility as biomarkers for inflammation and as viable candidates for therapeutic interventions. The primary aim of this investigation was to pinpoint and assess particular miRNAs in individuals afflicted by virus-negative inflammatory cardiomyopathy (DCMi).
Methods: The study involved the analysis of 152 serum samples sourced from patients diagnosed with unexplained heart failure through endomyocardial biopsy (EMB). Among these samples, 38 belonged to DCMi patients, 24 to DCM patients, 44 to patients displaying inflammation alongside diverse viral infections, and 46 to patients solely affected by viral infections without concurrent inflammation. Additionally, serum samples from 10 healthy donors were included. The expression levels of 754 distinct miRNAs were evaluated using TaqMan OpenArray.
Results: MiR-1, miR-23, miR-142-5p, miR-155, miR-193, and miR-195 exhibited exclusive downregulation solely in virus-negative DCMi patients (P < 0.005). These miRNAs enabled effective differentiation between individuals with inflammation unlinked to viruses (DCMi) and all other participant groups (P < 0.005), boasting a specificity surpassing 86%.