MicroRNA expression data for post-bifurcation internal carotid atheroma

There are regional differences in plaque morphology and protein expression. MicroRNA expression profiles were determined for post-bifurcation carotid plaques to identify gene regulation mechanisms differentially expressed between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Carotid plaques were collected from 9 symptomatic patients and 9 asymptomatic patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Symptomatic patients underwent CEA up to 184 days from one or more ipsilateral ischemic cerebral or retinal symptoms, in accord with the clinical definition of a symptomatic carotid stenosis covering up to 6 months after the onset of neurological symptoms. Patients were classified as symptomatic if they suffered a transient ischemic attack, transient monocular blindness ipsilateral to the study artery, or minor or non-disabling ipsilateral stroke. Otherwise, patients were classified as asymptomatic. Asymptomatic and symptomatic patients presented with significant carotid stenosis (60%-100%).

斑块形态及蛋白质表达存在区域异质性。本研究对分叉后颈动脉斑块的微小RNA（microRNA）表达谱进行检测，以明确有症状与无症状患者间差异表达的基因调控机制。研究共收集了接受颈动脉内膜剥脱术（CEA）的颈动脉斑块样本，其中有症状患者与无症状患者各9例。有症状患者在出现1次或多次同侧缺血性脑或视网膜症状后的184天内接受CEA，符合神经症状发作后6个月内症状性颈动脉狭窄的临床定义。若患者存在短暂性脑缺血发作、与研究动脉同侧的一过性单眼失明，或轻度非致残性同侧脑卒中，则被归类为有症状患者；反之则为无症状患者。所有纳入研究的有症状与无症状患者均存在重度颈动脉狭窄（狭窄程度60%~100%）。