MicroRNAs: roles in cardiovascular development and disease.

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cardiology
• Genetics

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading global cause of mortality despite therapeutic advances.
• Gene and microRNA (miRNA) expression significantly influences cellular pathways and organism physiology.
• miRNAs are critical regulators of gene expression, impacting cellular pathways and disease onset, including CVDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the fundamental aspects of microRNAs (miRNAs).
• To explore the role of miRNAs in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development and progression.
• To highlight the potential of miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CVDs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific publications on miRNAs and cardiovascular diseases.
• Analysis of miRNA biogenesis, processing, and functional mechanisms.
• Synthesis of evidence implicating miRNAs in cardiac development, remodeling, and pathology.

Main Results:

• miRNAs are expressed in the heart throughout development and adulthood.
• Aberrant miRNA expression or genetic deletion is linked to cardiac abnormalities and dysfunction.
• miRNAs play a significant role in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusions:

• MicroRNAs are integral to heart development and function.
• Dysregulated miRNAs are implicated in the progression of cardiovascular diseases.
• miRNAs represent promising avenues for future CVD diagnostics and therapeutics.