MiRNAs in Neointimal Lesion Formation

Abstract

Several processes including endothelial angiogenesis, vascular neointimal lesion formation, vascular inflammation process, lipoprotein metabolism, and hypertension are critically involved in atherosclerosis. This chapter aims to introduce the role of miRNAs in neointimal formation. Neointimal formation is a common pathological lesion in diverse cardiovascular diseases occurring at sites of subclinical atherosclerosis but are also classical hallmarks of restenosis after stenting, angioplasty, endarterectomy, and arterial transplantation. Neointimal growth is the balance between proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells. A number of miRNAs, miR-21, miR-143, miR-145, miR-221, and miR-222, have been demonstrated to play important role in neointimal formation. Their corresponding target genes have also been established.