Circulating exosome microRNA associated with heart failure secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease in a naturally occurring canine model.

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is functionally and histologically identical to mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in humans. Currently, there are no medical treatments that can delay the progression of this valvular disease or associated cardiac remodelling. Therefore, there is a need to understand the molecular pathology associated with MMVD and MVP better, and thus identify potential therapeutic targets. Circulating exosomes contain small RNA, including miRNA, which reflect cell physiology and pathology. This study explored the association between circulating exosomal miRNA (ex-miRNA) content and MMVD, heart failure due to MMVD (MMVD-CHF) and ageing, which is strongly associated with MMVD. Ex-miRNA was isolated from old normal/healthy dogs (n = 6), young normal dogs (n = 7), dogs with MMVD (n = 7) and dogs with MMVD-CHF (n = 7). Separately, total plasma miRNA was isolated from normal dogs (n = 8), dogs with MMVD (n = 8) and dogs with MMVD-CHF (n = 11). Using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, exosomal miR-181c (p = 0.003) and miR-495 (p = 0.0001) significantly increased in dogs with MMVD-CHF compared to the other three groups. Exosomal miR-9 (p = 0.002) increased in dogs with MMVD and MMVD-CHF compared to age-matched (old) normal dogs. Exosomal miR599 (p = 0.002) decreased in dogs with MMVD compared to old normal dogs. In total plasma, 58 miRNA were deemed significantly different (p < 0.04) between normal dogs, dogs with MMVD and dogs with MMVD-CHF. However, in contrast to ex-miRNA, none of the miRNA in total plasma remained statistically significant if the false discovery rate was <15%. Changes in ex-miRNA are observed in dogs as they age (miR-9, miR-495 and miR-599), develop MMVD (miR-9 and miR-599) and progress from MMVD to CHF (miR-181c and miR-495). Ex-miRNA expression-level changes appear to be more specific to disease states than total plasma miRNA.