Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Circulating exosomal miRNAs in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis: New emerging hopes
Amirsaeed S Aghabozorgi1, Najmeh Ahangari2, Tasnim E Eftekhaari3,4
1Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Insights
Exosomes, tiny vesicles carrying microRNAs (miRNAs), are key in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. These exosomal miRNAs show promise as biomarkers for early CVD detection and potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Molecular biology
- Cardiovascular science
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major cause of death, with limited success in current therapies and early diagnosis.
- Conventional screening methods often fail to detect CVDs in their early stages.
- Exosomes, nano-sized vesicles in body fluids, contain biomolecules like microRNAs (miRNAs) reflecting their cell of origin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of exosomal miRNAs in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.
- To discuss the potential of exosomal miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic agents for CVDs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on exosomal miRNAs and cardiovascular diseases.
- Analysis of the regulatory roles and biomarker potential of exosomal miRNAs in CVD.
- Synthesis of current research on exosomal miRNA applications in clinical settings.
Main Results:
- Exosomal miRNAs play a regulatory role in the development of cardiovascular diseases.
- Differential expression of exosomal miRNAs in CVD suggests their utility as early diagnostic biomarkers.
- Exosomal miRNAs are being investigated for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications in CVD.
Conclusions:
- Exosomal miRNAs are crucial in CVD pathogenesis and represent promising biomarkers for early detection.
- The unique properties of exosomal miRNAs position them as significant targets for future cardiovascular therapies and diagnostics.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Standard therapies have failed to significantly increase patients' survival. Moreover, the majority of conventional screening procedures are ineffective for the diagnosis of CVDs at early stages. Accumulating evidence suggests that numerous cell types release a class of nano-sized vesicles named exosomes into the extracellular space. Exosomes are widely distributed in various body fluids and contain a number of diverse biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and both mRNA and noncoding RNAs which reflect host-cell molecular architecture. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which can be found in exosomes, could be taken up by both neighboring and distal cells. Not only has recent evidence indicated the regulatory role of exosomal miRNAs in the pathogenesis of CVD, but it has also been shown that differential expression of exosomal miRNAs in CVDs has made them promising biomarkers for early detection of CVDs. Owing to these remarkable features, exosomal miRNAs have emerged as hot spots in research. This review summarizes the role of exosomal miRNAs in the pathogenesis of CVDs and discusses their potential application in the clinical setting as both therapeutic and diagnostic tools.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
01:27Emerging Adulthood
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:23Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
01:14Overview of the Cardiovascular System
Heart
The heart is the central pump of the cardiovascular system that circulates blood throughout the body. It comprises two atria receiving the blood and two ventricles pumping blood out of the heart. Their rhythmic contractions, called heartbeats, ensure that blood flow remains continuous.
Blood Vessels
Blood...
01:36Overview of Exosomes
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...