[Epigenetic factors in atherogenesis: microRNA]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (~22 nucleotides in length) noncoding RNA sequences regulating gene expression at posttranscriptional level. MicroRNAs bind complementarily to certain mRNA and cause gene silencing. The involvement of miRNAs in the regulation of lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, cell cycle progression and proliferation, oxidative stress, platelet activation, endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) function, angiogenesis and plaque formation and rapture indicates important roles in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. The key role of microRNAs in pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including atherosclerosis, was demonstrated in recent studies. Creating antisense oligonucleotides is a novel technique for selective changes in gene expression both in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we draw attention to the role of miRNAs in atherosclerosis progression, using miRNA as the potential biomarkers and targets in the CVDs, as well as possible application of antisense oligonucleotides.