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In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge
Published on: June 15, 2018
Extracellular vesicle microRNA transfer in cardiovascular disease
Samarjit Das1, Marc K Halushka1
1Division of Cardiovascular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Abstract:
microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small regulatory RNAs that decrease protein translation to fine-tune cellular function. Recently, miRNAs were found to transfer from a donor cell into a recipient cell via exosomes and microparticles. These microvesicles are found in blood, urine, saliva, and other fluid compartments. miRNAs are delivered with intact functionality and have been repeatedly shown to regulate protein expression in recipient cells in a paracrine fashion. Thus, transported miRNAs are a new class of cell-to-cell regulatory species. Exosomal miRNA transfer is now being reported in cardiovascular systems and disease. In the blood vessels, this transfer modulates atherosclerosis and angiogenesis. In the heart, it modulates heart failure, myocardial infarction, and response to ischemic preconditioning. This review describes our current understanding of extracellular vesicle miRNA transfer, demonstrating the roles of miR-126, miR-146a, miR-143, and other miRNAs being shuttled from endothelial cells, stem cells, fibroblasts and others into myocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells to activate cellular changes and modulate disease phenotypes.
Insights
Cell-to-cell communication is mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs) transferred via extracellular vesicles. These transported miRNAs regulate protein expression and impact cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis and heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs controlling cellular function by inhibiting protein translation.
- Recent research shows miRNAs can be transferred between cells via extracellular vesicles (EVs) like exosomes and microparticles.
- These EVs are present in various bodily fluids, including blood, urine, and saliva.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of extracellular vesicle-mediated miRNA transfer.
- To highlight the role of transported miRNAs in cardiovascular systems and disease.
- To demonstrate specific miRNA examples and their cellular origins and targets.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on extracellular vesicle miRNA transfer.
- Analysis of miRNA roles in cardiovascular contexts such as atherosclerosis, angiogenesis, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.
- Identification of specific miRNAs (e.g., miR-126, miR-146a, miR-143) and their cellular trafficking.
Main Results:
- Extracellular vesicles facilitate functional miRNA transfer between cells, acting as intercellular regulators.
- Transported miRNAs modulate protein expression in recipient cells through paracrine signaling.
- Specific miRNAs are actively shuttled between various cell types (endothelial cells, stem cells, fibroblasts) and target cells (myocytes, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells).
Conclusions:
- Exosomal miRNA transfer is a significant mechanism for cell-to-cell regulation in cardiovascular systems.
- This transfer plays a critical role in modulating cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and heart failure.
- Understanding these pathways offers potential therapeutic targets for cardiovascular conditions.
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