Title:MicroRNAs and the Heart: Small Things Do Matter
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Nikolaos Papoutsidakis, Spyridon Deftereos, Andreas Kaoukis, Georgios Bouras, Georgios Giannopoulos, Andreas Theodorakis, Christos Angelidis, Georgios Hatzis and Christodoulos Stefanadis
Affiliation:Cardiology Department and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Athens General Hospital “G. Gennimatas”, Mesogeion 154, 11527, Athens, Greece.
Keywords:Biomarker, cardiovascular, gene, heart failure, microRNA, myocardial infarction
Abstract:MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules and constitute a relatively novel class of gene expression regulators,
found in the great majority of eukaryotic cells. Their role in human physiology and pathology is actively being researched
with new exciting discoveries continuously coming to the forefront. MicroRNAs play a crucial role in the biogenesis and
function of the cardiovascular system and act as important regulators of various metabolic and signaling pathways in cardiovascular
disease. In this review there will be a summary on current knowledge about the expression, regulation and
function of microRNAs in the most common diseases of the cardiovascular system as well as a presentation of and discussion
about their promising future role as new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
