MicroRNA regulators of vascular pathophysiology in chronic kidney disease

Area of Science:

• Biomedical science
• Cardiovascular research
• Nephrology

Background:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a serious complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• CKD-associated CAD involves medial calcification, inflamed plaques, chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular calcification, accelerating atherosclerosis.
• Delayed diagnosis of CAD in CKD patients due to non-specific symptoms and unreliable diagnostic tools contributes to increased mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential biomarkers for CAD in CKD patients.
• To investigate the potential of circulating miRNAs as stable messengers in extracellular vesicles for cell-to-cell communication relevant to CAD pathophysiology.
• To assess the translational potential of miRNAs from basic research to clinical practice for diagnosing CAD in CKD.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on CAD in CKD pathophysiology.
• Analysis of miRNA biogenesis and function as post-transcriptional regulators.
• Examination of circulating miRNAs within extracellular vesicles as potential diagnostic markers.

Main Results:

• miRNAs are implicated in the complex pathophysiologic mechanisms of CAD within the CKD context.
• Extracellular vesicle-encapsulated miRNAs in circulation offer stability and act as intercellular messengers.
• miRNAs present a promising avenue for advancing diagnostic capabilities for CAD in CKD.

Conclusions:

• Circulating miRNAs hold significant potential as non-invasive biomarkers for early CAD detection in CKD patients.
• Further research into miRNA-based diagnostics could improve patient outcomes by enabling timely intervention.
• Translational studies are crucial to integrate miRNA analysis into clinical practice for managing CKD comorbidities.