Peters Linsey J F, Biessen Erik A L, Hohl Mathias, Weber Christian, van der Vorst Emiel P C, Santovito Donato
Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands.
Front Physiol. 2020 Jul 7;11:793. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00793. eCollection 2020.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short sequences of non-coding RNA that play an important role in the regulation of gene expression and thereby in many physiological and pathological processes. Furthermore, miRNAs are released in the extracellular space, for example in vesicles, and are detectable in various biological fluids, such as serum, plasma, and urine. Over the last years, it has been shown that miRNAs are crucial in the development of several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This review discusses the (patho)physiological implications of miRNAs in CVD, ranging from cardiovascular risk factors (i.e., hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia), to atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and cardiac remodeling. Moreover, the intriguing possibility of their use as disease-specific diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for human CVDs will be discussed in detail. Finally, as several approaches have been developed to alter miRNA expression and function (i.e., mimics, antagomirs, and target-site blockers), we will highlight the miRNAs with the most promising therapeutic potential that may represent suitable candidates for therapeutic intervention in future translational studies and ultimately in clinical trials. All in all, this review gives a comprehensive overview of the most relevant miRNAs in CVD and discusses their potential use as biomarkers and even therapeutic targets.
微小RNA（miRNA）是非编码RNA的短序列，在基因表达调控中发挥重要作用，进而在许多生理和病理过程中起作用。此外，miRNA释放到细胞外空间，例如在囊泡中，并且在各种生物流体中可检测到，如血清、血浆和尿液。在过去几年中，已表明miRNA在几种心血管疾病（CVD）的发展中至关重要。本综述讨论了miRNA在CVD中的（病理）生理意义，范围从心血管危险因素（即高血压、糖尿病、血脂异常）到动脉粥样硬化、心肌梗死和心脏重塑。此外，还将详细讨论它们作为人类CVD疾病特异性诊断和预后生物标志物的有趣可能性。最后，由于已经开发了几种改变miRNA表达和功能的方法（即模拟物、抗miR和靶位点阻断剂），我们将重点介绍具有最有前景治疗潜力的miRNA，它们可能是未来转化研究乃至临床试验中治疗干预的合适候选者。总而言之，本综述全面概述了CVD中最相关的miRNA，并讨论了它们作为生物标志物甚至治疗靶点的潜在用途。
