Long Noncoding RNAs in Pathological Cardiac Remodeling: A Review of the Update Literature

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Cardiac remodeling is a complex response involving cardiomyocytes, vascular cells, and fibroblasts, crucial in cardiovascular disease.
• Current therapeutic strategies for cardiac remodeling are insufficient, highlighting the need for novel targets and mechanistic understanding.
• Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their regulatory roles in cellular processes and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the emerging roles of lncRNAs in various forms of cardiac remodeling, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction.
• To elucidate the mechanisms by which lncRNAs, particularly through lncRNA-miRNA interactions (ceRNA), regulate gene expression during cardiac remodeling.
• To highlight potential therapeutic targets within lncRNA pathways for managing maladaptive cardiac remodeling.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating lncRNAs in cardiac remodeling.
• Analysis of identified lncRNAs associated with specific cardiovascular conditions (hypertension, atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysm, post-ischemia remodeling, hypertrophy).
• Examination of the lncRNA-miRNA interaction network (ceRNA mechanism) in the context of cardiac remodeling.

Main Results:

• Specific lncRNAs (e.g., TUG1, H19, MALAT1) are implicated in hypertension-related vascular remodeling, atherosclerosis, and aortic aneurysm.
• A distinct set of lncRNAs (e.g., Neat1, MALAT1, MIAT) are involved in post-ischemia myocardial remodeling and myocardial hypertrophy.
• lncRNAs primarily regulate cardiac remodeling by acting as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) that sponge specific microRNAs (miRNAs).

Conclusions:

• lncRNAs are critical regulators of maladaptive cardiac remodeling across diverse cardiovascular pathologies.
• The lncRNA-miRNA axis represents a significant regulatory mechanism in cardiac remodeling.
• Targeting specific lncRNAs and their interactions offers promising therapeutic avenues for cardiovascular diseases.