MicroRNAs: Midfielders of Cardiac Health, Disease and Treatment

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules that play a role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. It is generally accepted that their main mechanism of action is the negative regulation of gene expression, through binding to specific regions in messenger RNA (mRNA) and repressing protein translation. By interrupting protein synthesis, miRNAs can effectively turn genes off and influence many basic processes in the body, such as developmental and apoptotic behaviours of cells and cardiac organogenesis. Their importance is highlighted by inhibiting or overexpressing certain miRNAs, which will be discussed in the context of coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and heart failure. Dysregulated levels of miRNAs in the body can exacerbate or alleviate existing disease, and their omnipresence in the body makes them reliable as quantifiable markers of disease. This review aims to provide a summary of miRNAs as biomarkers and their interactions with targets that affect cardiac health, and intersperse it with current therapeutic knowledge. It intends to succinctly inform on these topics and guide readers toward more comprehensive works if they wish to explore further through a wide-ranging citation list.

Circulating miRNA-21 is an innovative biomarker for cardiovascular events in erectile dysfunction patients

“…In this questionnaire, higher scores indicate lower dysfunction levels. The domain that assesses erectile function (IIEF-EF) comprises six questions with a maximum score of 30 and serves as a reliable tool for categorizing the degree of ED as severe (1-10), moderate (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16), mild (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25), and normal or no dysfunction (≥26) (17).…”

“…miRNAs are short non-coding transcripts of approximately 22 nucleotides. Post-transcriptional gene regulation at the gene expression level is significantly promising as a diagnostic and therapeutic approach for managing various diseases ( 11 , 12 ). By interrupting protein synthesis, miRNAs can effectively turn genes off and influence many fundamental processes in the body, such as developmental and apoptotic behaviors of cells and cardiac organogenesis.…”