DNA methylation alterations in MIR10B, MIR21, MIR100, MIR127 and MIR143 genes associated with advanced carotid artery atherosclerosis: a targeted bisulfite sequencing study of vascular tissues and peripheral blood

The study examined DNA methylation changes in five microRNA genes (MIR10B, MIR21, MIR100, MIR127, and MIR143) in 92 patients with advanced carotid artery atherosclerosis and 32 control participants using targeted bisulfite sequencing. Researchers identified specific methylation patterns in atherosclerotic tissues, with regulatory regions of MIR10B, MIR127, and MIR100 being hypomethylated in atherosclerotic plaques compared to intact vascular tissue. After adjusting for cell composition, methylation changes in MIR100 and MIR127 remained independently associated with atherosclerosis. Increased methylation in MIR100 was linked to metabolic syndrome. In peripheral blood, MIR10B and MIR143 methylation correlated with lipid metabolism and carotid stenosis. The results indicate that advanced carotid atherosclerosis is characterized by specific DNA methylation changes in microRNA genes that could serve as biomarkers for assessing plaque instability and cardiovascular risk.