MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding, RNA molecules approximately 22 nucleotides in length which act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Individual miRNAs have been shown to regulate the expression of multiple genes. Conversely, the expression of individual genes can be regulated by multiple miRNAs. Consequently, since their discovery just over 20 years ago, miRNAs have been identified as key regulators of complex biological processes linked to multiple cardiovascular pathologies, including left ventricular hypertrophy, ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, hypertension and arrhythmias. Furthermore, since the finding that miRNAs are present in the circulation, they have been investigated as novel biomarkers, especially in the context of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure. While there is little convincing evidence that miRNAs can outperform traditional biomarkers, such as cardiac troponins, in the diagnosis of AMI, there is potential for miRNAs to complement existing risk prediction models and act as valuable markers of post-AMI prognosis. Encouragingly, the concept of miRNA-based therapeutics is developing, with synthetic antagonists of miRNAs (antagomiRs) currently in phase II trials for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. In the cardiovascular field, promising preclinical studies suggest that they could be useful in treating disorders ranging from heart failure to dyslipidaemia, although several challenges related to specificity and targeted delivery remain to be overcome. Through this review, we provide clinicians with a brief overview of the ever-expanding world of miRNAs.

MicroRNAs in cardiovascular disease: an introduction for clinicians / S.P.R. Romaine, M. Tomaszewski, G. Condorelli, N.J. Samani. - In: HEART. - ISSN 1355-6037. - 101:12(2015), pp. 921-928.

MicroRNAs in cardiovascular disease: an introduction for clinicians

G. Condorelli
Penultimo
;
2015

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding, RNA molecules approximately 22 nucleotides in length which act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Individual miRNAs have been shown to regulate the expression of multiple genes. Conversely, the expression of individual genes can be regulated by multiple miRNAs. Consequently, since their discovery just over 20 years ago, miRNAs have been identified as key regulators of complex biological processes linked to multiple cardiovascular pathologies, including left ventricular hypertrophy, ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, hypertension and arrhythmias. Furthermore, since the finding that miRNAs are present in the circulation, they have been investigated as novel biomarkers, especially in the context of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure. While there is little convincing evidence that miRNAs can outperform traditional biomarkers, such as cardiac troponins, in the diagnosis of AMI, there is potential for miRNAs to complement existing risk prediction models and act as valuable markers of post-AMI prognosis. Encouragingly, the concept of miRNA-based therapeutics is developing, with synthetic antagonists of miRNAs (antagomiRs) currently in phase II trials for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. In the cardiovascular field, promising preclinical studies suggest that they could be useful in treating disorders ranging from heart failure to dyslipidaemia, although several challenges related to specificity and targeted delivery remain to be overcome. Through this review, we provide clinicians with a brief overview of the ever-expanding world of miRNAs.
circulation micrornas; heart-failure; atrial-fibrillation; atherosclerosis; inhibition; hypertrophy; biogenesis
Settore MED/11 - Malattie dell'Apparato Cardiovascolare
   TITOLO: Epigenetics and microRNAs in Myocardial Function and Disease (CARDIOEPIGEN)
   CARDIOEPIGEN
   EUROPEAN COMMISSION
   FP7
   294609
2015
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
HCO300310.pdf

accesso riservato

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 558.32 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
558.32 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Heart-2015-Romaine-921-8.pdf

accesso riservato

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 2.08 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.08 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/341500
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 151
  • Scopus 383
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 348
social impact