The role of miR-26a, miR-29a and miR-448-3p in the development of cerebral aneurysm.

Abstract

Cerebral aneurysms cause the weakening and abnormal expansion of the arterial wall. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs of approximately 22 nucleotides in length that regulate gene expression. This study aimed to elucidate the role of miRNAs in the development of cerebral aneurysms. This study compared the expression levels of miR-26a, miR-29a and miR-448-3p in 50 samples each of cerebral aneurysm tissues and normal superficial temporal artery tissues. The miRNA expression levels were also compared in terms of aneurysm location and rupture status, i.e., presence or absence of rupture. Expression levels of miR-26a, miR-29a and miR-448-3p were increased in aneurysm tissues compared with normal vascular tissues. No significant difference was found in the miRNA expression levels with respect to aneurysm location or rupture status. This study showed that miR-26a, miR-29a and miR-448-3p overexpression could play an important role in intracranial aneurysm development independent of aneurysm location and rupture status. miR-26a, miR-29a and miR-448-3p could act as potential therapeutic targets in patients with intracranial aneurysms; however, further studies are needed on this issue.