Unlocking the door to new therapies in cardiovascular disease: microRNAs hold the key

Curr Cardiol Rep. 2014 Nov;16(11):539. doi: 10.1007/s11886-014-0539-7.

Abstract

MicroRNAs are the most abundant class of regulatory noncoding RNA and are estimated to regulate over half of all human protein-coding genes. The heart is comprised of some of the most complex and highly conserved genetic networks and is thus under tight regulation by post-transcriptional mechanisms. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to regulate virtually all aspects of cardiac physiology and pathophysiology, from the development of inflammatory atherosclerosis to hypertrophic remodeling in heart failure. Owing to the wide-spread involvement of miRNAs in the development of and protection from many diseases, there has been increasing excitement surrounding their potential as novel therapeutic targets to treat and prevent the worldwide epidemic of cardiovascular disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism
  • Biomarkers
  • Cardiomegaly / metabolism
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / genetics
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipidemias / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / drug effects
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy* / trends
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional*
  • Ventricular Remodeling

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • MicroRNAs