Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded small non-coding RNA (18–25 nucleotides) that until a few years ago were considered junk RNA. In the last twenty years, they have acquired more importance thanks to the understanding of their influence on gene expression and their role as negative regulators at post-transcriptional level, influencing the stability of messenger RNA (mRNA). Approximately 5% of the genome encodes miRNAs which are responsible for regulating numerous signaling pathways, cellular processes and cell-to-cell communication. In the cardiovascular system, miRNAs control the functions of various cells, such as cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, playing a role in physiological and pathological processes and seeming also related to variations in contractility and hereditary cardiomyopathies. They provide a new perspective on the pathophysiology of disorders such as hypertrophy, fibrosis, arrhythmia, inflammation and atherosclerosis. MiRNAs are differentially expressed in diseased tissue and can be released into the circulation and then detected. MiRNAs have become interesting for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools for various diseases, including heart disease. In this review, the concept of miRNAs and their role in cardiomyopathies will be introduced, focusing on their potential as therapeutic and diagnostic targets (as biomarkers).
Highlights
With age, the heart undergoes enormous stress and pathological stimuli that lead to cardiac remodeling and consequent cardiovascular disease [1,2]
This study identified 367 Micro RNA (miRNA) differentially expressed between hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) cardiac samples and healthy control samples, meaning that some miRNAs may be indispensable in the development of HCM
The discovery of miRNA changed our understanding of gene expression regulation
Summary
The heart undergoes enormous stress and pathological stimuli that lead to cardiac remodeling and consequent cardiovascular disease [1,2]. MiRNAs control physiological functions such as the proliferation and differentiation of stem and progenitor cells, the function of cardiac myocytes, pacemaker cells, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells [5]. These small sequences play a fundamental role in regulating cardiomyocyte contractility, maintaining heart rhythm, plaque formation, lipid metabolism and angiogenesis [6]. The characteristic that makes miRNAs possible biomarkers and even potential therapeutic targets are their stability and presence in circulating biofluids [12] Instead, their specificity concerning different cardiac diseases needs to be studied more. It will be mentioned the possible role that miRNAs could have as biomarkers of pathology, as well as an overview of future therapeutic approaches of miRNAs for cardiomyopathies
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