Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the result of atherosclerotic plaque development in the wall of the coronary arteries. The underlying mechanism involves atherosclerosis of the arteries of the heart which is a relatively complex process comprising several steps. In CAD, atherosclerosis induces functional and structural changes. The pathogenesis of CAD results from various changes in and interactions between multiple cell types in the artery walls; these changes mainly include endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction, vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) alteration, lipid deposition and macrophage activation. Various blood markers associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular endpoints have been identified; however, few have yet been shown to have a diagnostic impact or important clinical implications that would affect patient management. Noncoding RNAs, especially microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), can be stable in plasma and other body fluids and could therefore serve as biomarkers for some diseases. Many studies have shown that some miRNAs and lncRNAs play key roles in heart and vascular development and in cardiac pathophysiology. Thus, we summarize here the latest research progress, focusing on the molecular mechanism of miRNAs and lncRNAs in CAD, with the intent of seeking new targets for the treatment of heart disease.
Highlights
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the result of atherosclerotic plaque development in the wall of the coronary arteries
Many studies have shown that the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases are closely related with regulatory noncoding RNAs, which include microRNA, short interfering RNAs, and long noncoding RNAs
MiRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be stable in plasma and other body fluids and could serve as biomarkers for some diseases [12]
Summary
Many studies have shown that the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases are closely related with regulatory noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), which include microRNA (miRNA), short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Recent research on miRNAs and lncRNAs in heart disease has progressed rapidly [9]. The expression signatures of miRNAs and lncRNAs in tissues and blood have a potential role in the diagnosis and prognosis of disease and in the assessment of therapy. MiRNAs and lncRNAs can be stable in plasma and other body fluids and could serve as biomarkers for some diseases [12]. We summarize here the latest research progress, focusing on the molecular mechanism of miRNAs and lncRNAs in CAD, in an aim to seek new targets for the treatment of heart disease
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