MicroRNAs and PARP: co-conspirators with ROS in pulmonary hypertension. Focus on "miR-223 reverses experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension".

Abstract

PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION (PAH) is a progressive disease manifested by maladaptation of the pulmonary vasculature. The development of PAH can be influenced by genetic predisposition and/or by diverse endogenous or environmental stimuli. Regardless of the initial pathogenic factors, pulmonary vascular remodeling, sustained pulmonary vasoconstriction, in situ thrombosis, and increased pulmonary vascular wall stiffness are the major contributors to elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). The increase in PVR can lead to right ventricular failure and death in patients with PAH. While treatments for this disease are improving, it continues to be a life-threatening condition. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the development and progression of PAH. MiRNAs are small, noncoding RNAs that regulate gene and protein expression by promoting degradation or suppressing translation of target mRNAs. Several studies have demonstrated aberrant expres