Chapter 10 - MicroRNA-Linked Heart Disease and Therapeutic Potential

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is one of the largest contributors to disease burden and healthcare expenditure. Despite significant progress in the treatment of HF, the prognosis of HF remains poor. Thus, understanding the molecular pathways in the transition from cardiovascular diseases to HF is important for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against HF. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as powerful regulators of gene expression with the ability to regulate entire molecular networks. The basic mechanisms and roles of miRNAs in cardiovascular diseases and the potential for miRNA-based therapeutic approaches will be reviewed here.