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. Overall design: 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.