Autophagy in cardiovascular diseases: role of noncoding RNAs

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cardiology
• Genetics

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading global cause of mortality.
• Cardiomyocyte autophagy is crucial for heart function but has a dual role in CVD pathology.
• Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators of cellular processes, including autophagy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the regulatory roles of ncRNAs in autophagy within the context of cardiovascular diseases.
• To elucidate the dual role of autophagy in CVDs and its modulation by ncRNAs.
• To provide a theoretical basis for developing ncRNAs as therapeutic targets for CVDs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review summarizing existing research on ncRNAs and autophagy in CVDs.
• Analysis of the regulatory mechanisms of microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cardiac autophagy.
• Synthesis of information on the physiological and pathological roles of ncRNA-modulated autophagy.

Main Results:

• ncRNAs, including miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, significantly regulate cardiomyocyte autophagy.
• Both excessive and insufficient autophagy, influenced by ncRNAs, can contribute to CVD progression.
• ncRNAs play complex roles in maintaining cardiac homeostasis or exacerbating disease.

Conclusions:

• ncRNA-regulated autophagy presents a promising area for understanding CVD etiology and pathogenesis.
• Targeting ncRNAs involved in autophagy could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases.
• Further research into ncRNA-autophagy interactions is essential for advancing CVD treatment.