Correlation between carotid atherosclerotic plaque properties and serum levels of lncRNA CCAT2 and miRNA-216b.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to uncover the clinical values of serum long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) CCAT2 and miRNA-216b in the properties of carotid atherosclerotic plaques. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques were assigned into stable plaque group (n=60) and unstable plaque (n=75) group based on their examination results of cervical contrast-enhanced CT examination. Maximal plaque thickness (MAPT) and intima-media thickness (IMT) in each group were determined. Serum levels of lncRNA CCAT2 and miRNA-216b in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques were detected by Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Moreover, the correlation between serum levels of CCAT2 and miRNA-216b was analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis. Besides, potential correlations of serum levels of CCAT2 and miRNA-216b with MAPT and IMT in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques were assessed as well. RESULTS Results revealed that MAPT and IMT were markedly higher in unstable plaque group than those in stable plaque group. Serum level of CCAT2 was higher in unstable plaque group, while miRNA-216b was lower than those in stable group. A negative correlation was identified between serum levels of CCAT2 and miRNA-216b. In addition, CCAT2 level was positively correlated with IMT and MAPT in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques, while miRNA-216b level was negatively correlated with them. CONCLUSIONS Detection of serum levels of CCAT2 and miRNA-216b could be applied for predicting the rupture of carotid atherosclerotic plaques. They may be potential biomarkers predicting ischemic stroke.