The Role of microRNA in the Development, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease: Recent Developments

Abstract

Since their discovery in 1993, microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) have emerged as important regulators of many crucial cellular processes and their dysregulation have been shown to contribute to multiple pathological conditions, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). miRNAs have been found to regulate the expression of various genes involved in cardiac development and function, and in the development and progression of CVD. Many miRNAs are master regulators fine-tuning the expression of multiple, often interrelated, genes involved in inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis, senescence, and other processes crucial for the development of different forms of CVD. This article presents a review of recent developments in our understanding of the role of miRNAs in the development of CVD and surveys their potential applicability as therapeutic targets and biomarkers to facilitate CVD diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. There are currently multiple potential miRNA-based therapeutic agents in different stages of development, which can be grouped into two classes: miRNA mimics (replicating the sequence and activity of their corresponding miRNAs) and antagomiRs (antisense inhibitors of specific miRNAs). However, in spite of promising preliminary data and our ever-increasing knowledge about the mechanisms of action of specific miRNAs, miRNA-based therapeutics and biomarkers have yet to be approved for clinical applications.

Crosstalk of NLRP3 inflammasome and noncoding RNAs in cardiomyopathies

“…This pairing process ultimately leads to mRNA deadenylation, degradation, and translational suppression 87 . miRNAs have been identified as regulators of gene expression in the context of inflammation, which is a critical determinant in the advancement of cardiomyopathies 88 . As an illustration, certain miRNAs exert a negative regulatory influence on the production of proteins associated with inflammation, including NF‐κB, MAPK, IL‐22, MAP3K2, and CHI3L1, hence impacting the advancement of myocardial infarction (MI) 86 .…”

“…87 miRNAs have been identified as regulators of gene expression in the context of inflammation, which is a critical determinant in the advancement of cardiomyopathies. 88 As an illustration, certain miRNAs exert a negative regulatory influence on the production of proteins associated with inflammation, including NF-κB, MAPK, IL-22, MAP3K2, and CHI3L1, hence impacting the advancement of myocardial infarction (MI). 86 For instance, miR-21 has been demonstrated to suppress the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines in monocytes/macrophages found in cardiac tissue, resulting in reduced inflammatory reactions in the heart following myocardial infarction.…”

Micro RNAs: The Game Changers of Diagnosis and Therapy of Human Cardiovascular Diseases

“…Since long-term arrhythmias lead to impaired atrial and cardiac functions, the duration of the arrhythmia is an important factor in predicting the clinical outcomes that may occur after the arrhythmia [31]. miR-483-5p levels were elevated in atrial fibrosis patients 1 and 2 years after arrhythmia diagnosis, regardless of arrhythmia duration.…”

Associations between circulating microRNAs and lipid-rich coronary plaques measured with near-infrared spectroscopy

“…They are essential mediators of many molecular pathways and functions and known to be involved in most processes related to the pathology of coronary atherosclerosis, contributing to plaque formation, progression, rupture, and erosion 9 . To date, several circulating miRs have been suggested as potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers of both acute- and chronic cardiovascular disease (CVD) 10 – 12 . Still, few studies have investigated the association between circulating miRs and vulnerable coronary plaque characteristics assessed with advanced imaging techniques 13 – 18 .…”