Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is a therapeutic option for patients with severe hypercholesterolemia who have persistently elevated LDL-C levels despite attempts at drug therapy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), important posttranscriptional gene regulators, are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Our study aimed to monitor the dynamics of twenty preselected circulating miRNAs in patients under long-term apheresis treatment. Plasma samples from 12 FH patients (men = 50%, age = 55.3 ± 12.2 years; mean LA overall treatment time = 13.1 ± 7.8 years) were collected before each apheresis therapy every sixth month over the course of four years of treatment. Eight complete follow-up (FU) samples were measured in each patient. Dynamic changes in the relative quantity of 6 miRNAs (miR-92a, miR-21, miR-126, miR-122, miR-26a, and miR-185; all p < 0.04) during FU were identified. Overall apheresis treatment time influenced circulating miR-146a levels (p < 0.04). In LDLR mutation homozygotes (N = 5), compared to heterozygotes (N = 7), we found higher plasma levels of miR-181, miR-126, miR-155, and miR-92a (all p < 0.03). Treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors (N = 6) affected the plasma levels of 7 miRNAs (miR-126, miR-122, miR-26a, miR-155, miR-125a, miR-92a, and miR-27a; all p < 0.04). Long-term monitoring has shown that LA in patients with severe familial hypercholesterolemia influences plasma circulating miRNAs involved in endothelial dysfunction, cholesterol homeostasis, inflammation, and plaque development. The longer the treatment using LA, the better the miRNA milieu depicting the potential cardiovascular risk.

• Keywords
• PCSK9 inhibitor, apheresis, cardiovascular risk, endothelial function, familial hypercholesterolemia, miRNA,
• MeSH
• Circulating MicroRNA * genetics   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II * genetics   therapy   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• MicroRNAs * genetics   MeSH
• Proprotein Convertase 9 genetics   MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Blood Component Removal * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Circulating MicroRNA * MeSH
• MicroRNAs * MeSH
• PCSK9 protein, human MeSH Browser
• Proprotein Convertase 9 MeSH