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MicroRNAs and Sepsis-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction: A Systematic Review
Alice Chiara Manetti1, Aniello Maiese1,2, Marco Di Paolo1
1Department of Surgical Pathology, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa (PI), Italy.
Abstract:
Sepsis is a severe condition characterized by systemic inflammation. One of the most involved organs in sepsis is the heart. On the other hand, heart failure and dysfunction are some of the most leading causes of death in septic patients. miRNAs are short single-strand non-coding ribonucleic acids involved in the regulation of gene expression on a post-transcriptional phase, which means they are a part of the epigenetic process. Recently, researchers have found that miRNA expression in tissues and blood differs depending on different conditions. Because of this property, their use as serum sepsis biomarkers has also been explored. A narrative review is carried out to gather and summarize what is known about miRNAs' influence on cardiac dysfunction during sepsis. When reviewing the literature, we found at least 77 miRNAs involved in cardiac inflammation and dysfunction during sepsis. In the future, miRNAs may be used as early sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction biomarkers or as new drug targets. This could help clinicians to early detect, prevent, and treat cardiac damage. The potential role of miRNAs as new diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies worth deepening the complex network between non-coding RNA and biological pathways. Additional studies are needed to further investigate their role in sepsis-induced myocardium injury.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in sepsis-induced heart dysfunction. This review highlights 77 miRNAs involved, suggesting their potential as early biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cardiac damage.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Molecular Biology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Sepsis triggers systemic inflammation, frequently leading to heart dysfunction and failure, a major cause of mortality.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are epigenetic regulators of gene expression, with distinct expression patterns in various conditions.
- Altered miRNA expression in sepsis suggests their potential as diagnostic biomarkers for cardiac involvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize the current knowledge on the role of miRNAs in sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction.
- To identify specific miRNAs implicated in the inflammatory and functional changes of the heart during sepsis.
- To explore the potential of miRNAs as early diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for sepsis-related heart injury.
Main Methods:
- A narrative literature review was conducted.
- Relevant studies on miRNAs, sepsis, and cardiac dysfunction were systematically searched and analyzed.
- Findings were synthesized to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding.
Main Results:
- At least 77 different miRNAs have been identified as being involved in cardiac inflammation and dysfunction during sepsis.
- miRNA expression profiles differ significantly in sepsis, indicating their condition-specific regulatory roles.
- The identified miRNAs are implicated in various biological pathways affecting cardiac function.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs show significant promise as potential early diagnostic biomarkers for sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction.
- Targeting specific miRNAs could offer novel therapeutic strategies for preventing and treating myocardial injury in sepsis.
- Further research is essential to elucidate the complex roles of miRNAs in sepsis pathophysiology and their clinical applications.
