[MSB-10] The biomarker potential of serum-derived exosomes carrying autophagic regulators in carotid artery stenosis patients

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the biomarker potential of exosomes as autophagic regulators for discriminating ulcerated from smooth ones by serum-derived exosome isolation and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis.

Eight carotid artery stenosis (CAS) patients (6 males, 2 females; mean age: 65.7±11 years) were included in the study conducted. Plaque ulceration was determined by Doppler ultrasonography. Afterward, the serum was separated and exosome/exosomal RNA isolation was performed using an exoRNeasy Midi Kit. Transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis were performed for exosome characterization. Finally, the expression of autophagy-related genes (Atg5, Atg12, Beclin, and LC3) was analyzed by RT-qPCR.

Five (62.5%) patients had ulcerated carotid plaques. The patients' stenosis degree was 70% or greater. Based on the RT-qPCR (120 nm), Atg12, Beclin, LC3, and Atg5 levels were downregulated by 3.79-, 5.28-, 2.40- (p>0.05), and 4.83-fold (p=0.02) in ulcerated plaques, respectively.

Although further validation is needed, data suggests that autophagy-related mRNA cargoes of serum-derived exosomes may be potential biomarkers for risk stratification based on plaque surface morphology in CAS patients.