Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a complex multifactorial disease that, despite advances in lifestyle management and drug therapy, remains to be the major cause of high morbidity and mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in industrialized countries. Therefore, there is a great need in reliable diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and effective treatment alternatives to reduce its burden. It was established that microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs), a class of non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules, can regulate the expression of genes at the post-transcriptional level and, accordingly, coordinate the cellular protein expression. Thus, they are involved not only in cell-specific physiological functions but also in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of human pathologies, including atherosclerosis. MiRNAs may be significant in the dysregulation that affects endothelial integrity, the function of vascular smooth muscle and inflammatory cells, and cellular cholesterol homeostasis that drives the initiation and growth of an atherosclerotic plaque. Besides, distinct expression patterns of several miRNAs are attributed to atherosclerotic and cardiovascular patients. In this article, the evidence indicating the multiple critical roles of miRNAs and their relevant molecular mechanisms related to atherosclerosis development and progression was reviewed. Moreover, the effects of miRNAs on atherosclerosis enabled to exploit them as novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets that may lead to better management of atherosclerosis and CVDs.
Highlights
Atherosclerosis is the common cause of ischemic heart disease, stroke, and sudden death
Inflammatory mechanisms mediate all stages of the atherosclerotic lesion development by coupling up dyslipidemia to the formation of complex vulnerable plaques that are responsible for the clinical complications of atherosclerosis, namely, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or stroke [4]
It is well known that the exposure of the endothelium to various stimuli, such as hypoxia, proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, hypertension, hyperglycemia, shear stress, ageing, or injury, compromises the function of endothelial cells resulting in their increased proliferation, migration, apoptosis, senescence, angiogenesis, and inflammation
Summary
Atherosclerosis is the common cause of ischemic heart disease, stroke, and sudden death These conditions are responsible for the total mortality of over 50%, in technologically advanced countries [1]. Inflammatory mechanisms mediate all stages of the atherosclerotic lesion development by coupling up dyslipidemia to the formation of complex vulnerable plaques that are responsible for the clinical complications of atherosclerosis, namely, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or stroke [4]. Both the innate and adaptive immune systems become intimately involved in the development of atherosclerotic plaque [5]. We will discuss the evidence indicating that cellular and molecular processes associated with atherosclerosis pathophysiology are affected by numerous miRNAs that, can be used as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the development of novel therapies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
