The overexpression of lncRNA H19 as a diagnostic marker for coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of lncRNA H19 for coronary artery disease (CAD) and to explore its possible mechanisms. Methods: A total of 30 CAD patients and 30 healthy individuals, as well as patients with different cardiovascular diseases, were included in this study. Blood was drawn from each participant to prepare serum samples, and the expression of lncRNA H19 was detected using qRT-PCR. The ROC curve analysis was used to analyze the diagnostic value of H19 for CAD. The effects of patients' basic information and lifestyle on H19 expression were analyzed. The plasma level of TGF-beta 1 was measured by ELISA. The H19 overexpression in the human primary coronary artery endothelial cell (HCAEC) line was constructed, and the effects of H19 overexpression on the TGF-beta 1 expression were analyzed using Western blot. The results of H19 expression were specifically upregulated in patients with CAD but not in healthy individuals and patients with other types of cardiovascular diseases. The ROC curve analysis showed that the H19 expression level could be used to predict CAD accurately. Gender, age, and patients' lifestyle had no significant effects on H19 expression, but H19 expression was higher in patients with a longer course of disease in comparison with the controls. H19 expression was positively correlated with the serum level of TGF-beta 1, and H19 overexpression significantly increased TGF-beta 1 protein level in HCAEC. Conclusion: H19 overexpression participates in the pathogenesis of CAD by increasing the expression level of TGF-beta 1, and H19 expression level may serve as a diagnostic marker for CAD.