Longitudinal dynamics of circulating miRNAs in a swine model of familial hypercholesterolemia during early atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease involving multiple biological mechanisms. A study aimed to identify changes in miRNA expression at early stages using a large swine model. 18 female pigs were studied, 9 with familial hypercholesterolemia and 9 normal controls. Plasma was collected at 3, 6, and 9 months of age. In vivo imaging and histopathology were performed to document the presence of coronary atherosclerosis. miRNA sequencing was carried out on plasma cell-free RNA. Results showed that circulating miRNA dynamics change over time during atherosclerosis development and specific DE miRNAs may be promising biomarkers for early detection of coronary atherosclerosis. To investigate the temporal changes of miRNAs in early atherosclerosis,a total of 18 female pigs; 9 familial hypercholesterolemic (WMS-FH) and 9 normal control swine (WMS-N) were studied. Plasma was collected at 3, 6, and 9 months of age.