Abstract
During the past decade numerous studies highlighted the importance of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in orchestrating cardiovascular cell signaling. Classified only by a transcript size of more than 200 nucleotides and their inability to code for proteins, lncRNAs constitute a heterogeneous group of RNA molecules with versatile functions and interaction partners, thus interfering with numerous endogenous signaling pathways. Intrinsic transcriptional regulation of lncRNAs is not only specific for different cell types or developmental stages, but may also change in response to stress factors or under pathological conditions. Regarding the heart, an increasing number of studies described the critical regulation of lncRNAs in multiple cardiac disorders, underlining their key role in the development and progression of cardiac diseases. In this review article, we will summarize functional cardiac lncRNAs with a detailed view on their molecular mode of action in pathological cardiac remodeling and myocardial infarction. In addition, we will discuss the use of circulating lncRNAs as biomarkers for prognostic and diagnostic purposes and highlight the potential of lncRNAs as a novel class of therapeutic targets for therapeutic purpose in heart diseases.
Highlights
Classified only by a transcript size of more than 200 nucleotides and their inability to code for proteins, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) constitute a heterogeneous group of RNA molecules with versatile functions and interaction partners, interfering with numerous endogenous signaling pathways
Numerous studies demonstrated the involvement of small ncRNAs like microRNAs in cardiovascular disease (Quiat and Olson, 2013; Thum, 2014), whereas the importance of long noncoding RNAs as key regulators in the development and progression of cardiac diseases is only beginning to be understood
LncRNA in Cardiac Disease during cardiac disease focusing on pathological hypertrophic cardiac growth and myocardial infarction (MI), and their potential to serve as novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers
Summary
The term cardiovascular disease (CVD) comprises a wide range of pathologies. In order to adequately address the importance of lncRNAs in distinct diseases and to highlight specific molecular modes of action, we will focus on a selection of lncRNAs associated with cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial infarction. LncRNAs have been shown to play essential roles in embryonic development and cardiac lineage commitment [such as Fendrr and Braveheart (Grote et al, 2013; Klattenhoff et al, 2013)] and are important regulators of accurate heart functionality. More details on lncRNAs in organogenesis and heart development have been extensively reviewed elsewhere; (Devaux et al, 2015; Grote and Herrmann, 2015)
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