Plasma-derived small extracellular vesicle miR-660-5p as a predictor for carotid plaque vulnerability and postoperative major adverse cardiovascular event risk
Quick Facts
- Publication title: Plasma-derived small extracellular vesicle miR-660-5p as a predictor for carotid plaque vulnerability and postoperative major adverse cardiovascular event risk
- Journal: Atherosclerosis Plus
- Year: 2026
- DOI: 10.1016/j.athplu.2026.100561
- PMID/PMCID: 42007427; PMC13091415
Research overview
Building on our previous isolation of plaque-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) from carotid atherosclerotic stenosis (CAS) patients, this study aimed to identify plasma sEV-encapsulated miRNAs that reflect plaque vulnerability and predict clinical outcomes, based on differentially expressed miRNAs identified in sEVs from stable versus vulnerable plaques. Plasma-derived sEV miR-660-5p represents a promising non-invasive biomarker for assessing carotid plaque vulnerability and predicting 3-year MACE risk following carotid endarterectomy, offering potential for improved risk stratification and therapeutic targeting.
Key findings
MiRNA sequencing revealed significant upregulation of miR-660-5p in vulnerable plaque-derived sEVs.
Its expression levels showed a significant positive correlation between matched plaque- and plasma-derived sEVs from the same patient.
Moreover, plasma-derived sEV miR-660-5p levels were independently associated with carotid plaque vulnerability in both validation cohorts, defined either by histopathological criteria (endarterectomy cases) or the clinically validated Plaque-Reporting and Data System (RADS) criteria (stenting cases).
Additionally, elevated plasma-derived sEV miR-660-5p levels were also associated with a higher risk of 3-year post-endarterectomy MACE.
Study design
CAS patients were retrospectively enrolled into four complementary cohorts: (1) a sequencing cohort (n = 12) for miRNA profiling of plaque-derived sEVs; (2) a discovery cohort (n = 62) to identify candidate plasma-derived sEV miRNAs associated with plaque vulnerability; and (3) validation cohort 1 (n = 180; endarterectomy cases) and (4) validation cohort 2 (n = 326; stenting cases) for validating the diagnostic efficacy of the identified plasma-derived sEV miRNAs.
Candidate miRNAs were quantified using a High-throughput nano-bio chip integrated system (HNCIB).
Their associations with plaque vulnerability and 3-year post-endarterectomy major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were analyzed.
Echo Biotech Role
Echo Biotech contributed EV isolation and purification, miRNA profiling/sequencing and bioinformatic analysis; the study also used or cited Exosupur®.
Related platforms: Exoomics®, Research Reagents & Tools
Related services and capabilities: Biofluid EV Isolation & Purification, Tissue EV Isolation & Purification, EV miRNA Profiling / Sequencing, Research Reagent / Product Supply
Related products or reagents: Exosupur® EV Isolation/Purification Kit
References
Original publication: Plasma-derived small extracellular vesicle miR-660-5p as a predictor for carotid plaque vulnerability and postoperative major adverse cardiovascular event risk Atherosclerosis Plus. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.athplu.2026.100561. PMID/PMCID: 42007427; PMC13091415.