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Oxidative Stress-Responsive MicroRNAs in Heart Injury
Branislav Kura1, Barbara Szeiffova Bacova1, Barbora Kalocayova1
1Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute for Heart Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Abstract:
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important molecules in the living organisms as a part of many signaling pathways. However, if overproduced, they also play a significant role in the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, ischemia/reperfusion injury (e.g., myocardial infarction and heart transplantation), and heart failure. As a result of oxidative stress action, apoptosis, hypertrophy, and fibrosis may occur. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent important endogenous nucleotides that regulate many biological processes, including those involved in heart damage caused by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can alter the expression level of many miRNAs. These changes in miRNA expression occur mainly via modulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), sirtuins, calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT), or nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways. Up until now, several circulating miRNAs have been reported to be potential biomarkers of ROS-related cardiac diseases, including myocardial infarction, hypertrophy, ischemia/reperfusion, and heart failure, such as miRNA-499, miRNA-199, miRNA-21, miRNA-144, miRNA-208a, miRNA-34a, etc. On the other hand, a lot of studies are aimed at using miRNAs for therapeutic purposes. This review points to the need for studying the role of redox-sensitive miRNAs, to identify more effective biomarkers and develop better therapeutic targets for oxidative-stress-related heart diseases.
Insights
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to heart disease. Redox-sensitive microRNAs (miRNAs) are key players, offering potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cardiovascular conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Molecular Medicine
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are integral to cellular signaling but implicated in cardiovascular diseases like arrhythmia and heart failure when overproduced.
- Oxidative stress induced by ROS can lead to detrimental cardiac remodeling, including apoptosis, hypertrophy, and fibrosis.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of biological processes, with altered expression linked to oxidative stress-induced heart damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of redox-sensitive miRNAs in cardiovascular diseases.
- To highlight miRNAs as potential biomarkers for ROS-related cardiac conditions.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of miRNAs in managing oxidative stress-induced heart damage.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on ROS, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Analysis of miRNA expression changes in response to oxidative stress.
- Examination of signaling pathways (Nrf2, sirtuins, NFAT, NF-κB) modulating miRNA expression.
- Identification of circulating miRNAs as potential biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Oxidative stress significantly alters miRNA expression profiles in the heart.
- Several circulating miRNAs (e.g., miRNA-499, miRNA-199, miRNA-21) show promise as biomarkers for myocardial infarction, hypertrophy, and heart failure.
- MiRNA dysregulation is often mediated by key signaling pathways involved in cellular redox balance.
Conclusions:
- Redox-sensitive miRNAs are critical in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.
- Further research into these miRNAs is essential for developing novel diagnostic biomarkers.
- Targeting miRNAs presents a promising therapeutic strategy for treating oxidative-stress-related heart conditions.
