The Involvement of miRNA in Carotid-Related Stroke

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Stroke is associated with a marked disability burden and has a major economic impact; this is especially true for carotid artery stroke. Major advances in primary and secondary prevention during the last few decades have helped to tackle this public health problem. However, better knowledge of the physiopathology of stroke and its underlying genetic mechanisms is needed to improve diagnosis and therapy. miRNAs are an important, recently identified class of post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and are known to be involved in cerebrovascular disease. These endogenous, small, noncoding RNAs may have applications as noninvasive biomarkers and therapeutic tools in practice. Here, we review the involvement of several miRNAs in cell-based and whole-animal models of stroke, with a focus on human miRNA profiling studies of carotid artery stroke. Lastly, we describe the miRNAs' potential role as a biomarker of stroke.

Review of serum biomarkers in carotid atherosclerosis

“…Small regulatory RNA strands called micro-RNA have been related to atherosclerosis recently in both cellular and animal models. A huge variety of such molecules have been identified, and certain types may work as serum biomarkers of human atherosclerosis and carotid plaque, 118,119 but their potential in stroke prevention requires further investigation.…”

MicroRNA‐92a promotes vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration through the ROCK/MLCK signalling pathway

“…8,9 PDGF-BB was originally identified as the platelet and serum mitogen for regulating proliferation and migration of VSMCs. 8,9 PDGF-BB was originally identified as the platelet and serum mitogen for regulating proliferation and migration of VSMCs.…”

“…It is well-known that dysregulated proliferation and migration of VSMCs in response to environmental stimuli play key roles in the development of AS. 8,9 PDGF-BB was originally identified as the platelet and serum mitogen for regulating proliferation and migration of VSMCs. 12,30 To further determine the relationship between MLCK and miR-92a, we studied their roles in proliferation and migration of PDGF-BB stimulated VSMCs.…”

“…[3][4][5] VSMCs that provide structural integrity to the vessel wall are fine-tuned by adjacent ECs. [8][9][10][11] Among the various factors associated with the development of AS, the high expression of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) has been detected in nearly all cell types of the atherosclerotic aortic wall and in the infiltrating inflammatory cells. [8][9][10][11] Among the various factors associated with the development of AS, the high expression of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) has been detected in nearly all cell types of the atherosclerotic aortic wall and in the infiltrating inflammatory cells.…”

“…6,7 Aberrant proliferation and migration of VSMCs are the most studied key pathological processes in the initiation and development of AS. [8][9][10][11] Among the various factors associated with the development of AS, the high expression of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) has been detected in nearly all cell types of the atherosclerotic aortic wall and in the infiltrating inflammatory cells. 12 PDGF-BB is a known potent mitogen and chemoattractant for VSMCs and is found in atherosclerotic lesions.…”