MicroRNA Regulation in Cardiovascular Health
Summary
MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that modulate gene expression by directing mRNA degradation or translational repression. In the cardiovascular system, precise control of microRNA networks underpins the development, homeostasis and stress responses of cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. During embryonic cardiogenesis, distinct microRNA profiles guide cell fate and chamber morphogenesis, while in the adult heart dynamic microRNA shifts occur in response to haemodynamic load, ischaemia–reperfusion injury and oxidative stress. Dysregulation of specific microRNAs contributes to pathological hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, arrhythmogenesis and vascular dysfunction. Circulating microRNAs, packaged within extracellular vesicles or bound to RNA-binding proteins, serve as intercellular messengers and emerge as candidate biomarkers for myocardial infarction, heart failure and atherosclerosis. Therapeutic manipulation through antimiRs or microRNA mimics has demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models, attenuating adverse remodelling, restoring endothelial function and enhancing cardiomyocyte survival. Ongoing advances in delivery systems, target validation and safety profiling herald the translation of microRNA-based strategies into clinical practice, offering new avenues for precision cardiovascular medicine.
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MicroRNA Regulation in Cardiovascular Health publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna regulation in cardiovascular health across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
microRNA (miRNA): Small (~22 nucleotide) non-coding RNA that regulates gene expression post-transcriptionally.
Cardiomyocyte: Contractile cell of the heart muscle responsible for pumping blood.
Endothelial cell: Cell lining the interior surface of blood vessels, critical for vascular tone and barrier function.
Extracellular vesicle: Membrane-bound particle released by cells carrying proteins, lipids and RNAs for intercellular communication.
NIPBL: Cohesin-loading factor involved in chromatin architecture and gene transcription.
AntimiR: Synthetic oligonucleotide designed to inhibit specific microRNA activity.
References
- A Novel Pathway of Functional microRNA Uptake and Mitochondria Delivery. Advanced Science (2023).
- Elevated microRNA-187 causes cardiac endothelial dysplasia to promote congenital heart disease through inhibition of NIPBL. Journal of Clinical Investigation (2024).
- miR‐29 contributes to normal endothelial function and can restore it in cardiometabolic disorders. EMBO Molecular Medicine (2018).
- MicroRNA in cardiovascular biology and disease.. Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine (2017).
- Cell‐to‐cell communication: microRNAs as hormones. Molecular Oncology (2017).
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