Generic placeholder image

Current Pharmaceutical Design

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1381-6128
ISSN (Online): 1873-4286

The Role of microRNAs in the Initiation and Progression of Stable Atheromatous Plaque

Author(s): Nikolaos Papageorgiou, Dimitris Tousoulis, Emmanuel Androulakis, Anna Kontogeorgou, Marietta Charakida, Anastasios Giolis, Katerina Siama, Athanasios Trikas, Alexandros Briasoulis, Christos Pitsavos and Christodoulos Stefanadis

Volume 19, Issue 9, 2013

Page: [1651 - 1657] Pages: 7

DOI: 10.2174/1381612811319090012

Price: $65

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a chronic process related to several underlying mechanisms leading to the formation and evolution of atherosclerotic plaque. Of great interest are during the last years short, non-coding RNAs, called microRNAs and responsible for several aspects of homeostasis and disease. According to the available data microRNAs are expressed in the cardiovascular system and have key roles in normal states, as well as in disease development and progression. Moreover, it has been shown that they contribute to atherogenesis, coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. Importantly, microRNAs circulate in the bloodstream, while they exist in tissues, affect plaque initiation and progression and seem to be essential biomarkers of atherosclerosis. Therefore, understanding the role of these molecules may be of great importance in the understanding of the pathogenesis of atheromatous plaque providing new evidence for diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis and its' clinical presentation.

Keywords: miRNAs, atherosclerosis, plaque progression, non-coding RNAs, homeostasis, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, biomarkers, cardiovascular system, plaque initiation


Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy