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Updated: May 11, 2026

In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge
Published on: June 15, 2018
Therapeutic Potential of Modulating microRNAs in Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease
Elisa Araldi1, Aranzazu Chamorro-Jorganes, Coe van Solingen
1New York University School of Medicine, 522 First Avenue, Smilow 703, New York, NY 10016. carlos.fernandez-hernando@nyumc.org.
Insights
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory arterial disease. MicroRNAs regulate vascular cell functions, offering potential therapeutic applications for atherosclerosis and related vascular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Molecular Medicine
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory arterial disease characterized by lipid-laden lesions.
- Endothelial cell activation recruits monocytes, leading to chronic inflammation and lesion progression.
- Advanced lesions can rupture, causing myocardial infarction and stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of microRNAs in regulating vascular cell functions.
- To explore the involvement of microRNAs in atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential of microRNAs in vascular diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of microRNA functions in vascular biology.
- Analysis of microRNA-mediated regulation in atherosclerosis.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on microRNA therapeutics for vascular conditions.
Main Results:
- MicroRNAs are key post-transcriptional regulators of vascular cell differentiation, migration, proliferation, and inflammation.
- MicroRNAs influence angiogenesis, neointimal formation, and lipid metabolism.
- Dysregulation of specific microRNAs is implicated in atherosclerosis development and progression.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs play a critical role in regulating cellular processes underlying atherosclerosis.
- MicroRNAs represent promising therapeutic targets for managing atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases.
- Further research into microRNA-based therapies holds significant potential for cardiovascular medicine.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis (also known as arteriosclerotic vascular disease) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall, characterized by the formation of lipid-laden lesions. The activation of endothelial cells at atherosclerotic lesion-prone sites in the arterial tree results in the up-regulation of cell adhesion molecules and chemokines, which mediate the recruitment of circulating monocytes. Accumulation of monocytes and monocyte-derived phagocytes in the wall of large arteries leads to chronic inflammation and the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The lesion experiences the following steps: foam cell formation, fatty streak accumulation, migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, and fibrous cap formation. Finally, the rupture of the unstable fibrous cap causes thrombosis in complications of advanced lesions that lead to unstable coronary syndromes, myocardial infarction and stroke. MicroRNAs have recently emerged as a novel class of gene regulators at the post-transcriptional level. Several functions of vascular cells, such as cell differentiation, contraction, migration, proliferation and inflammation that are involved in angiogenesis, neointimal formation and lipid metabolism underlying various vascular diseases, have been found to be regulated by microRNAs and are described in the present review as well as their potential therapeutic application.
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