Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025
In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge
Published on: June 15, 2018
Role of miRNA in Cardiovascular Diseases in Children-Systematic Review
Marta Pasławska1, Aleksandra Grodzka1, Joanna Peczyńska1
1Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology with Cardiology Divisions, Medical University of Bialystok, J. Waszyngtona 17, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland.
Insights
Rising childhood cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) necessitate understanding genetic factors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for pediatric heart conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Childhood cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are increasing globally.
- Understanding genetic factors and molecular mechanisms is crucial for developing new prevention and treatment strategies.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression and cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and systematize information on miRNAs associated with pediatric CVDs.
- To investigate targeted genes and metabolic pathways influenced by these miRNAs.
- To explore the potential of miRNAs as novel biomarkers for childhood CVDs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Analysis of targeted genes and metabolic pathways affected by miRNAs in pediatric CVDs.
- Evaluation of current research on miRNA biomarkers for CVDs.
Main Results:
- Identified specific miRNAs implicated in pediatric arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, myocarditis, and congenital heart diseases.
- Detailed the molecular mechanisms and affected pathways by these miRNAs.
- Highlighted the diagnostic potential of miRNAs in differentiating healthy children from those with CVDs.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs play a significant role in the pathogenesis of pediatric cardiovascular diseases.
- miRNAs hold considerable promise as sensitive and specific biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of childhood CVDs.
- Further research into miRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics is warranted for pediatric cardiovascular health.
Abstract:
The number of children suffering from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is rising globally. Therefore, there is an urgent need to acquire a better understanding of the genetic factors and molecular mechanisms related to the pathogenesis of CVDs in order to develop new prevention and treatment strategies for the future. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a class of small non-coding RNA fragments that range from 17 to 25 nucleotides in length and play an essential role in regulating gene expression, controlling an abundance of biological aspects of cell life, such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, thus affecting immune response, stem cell growth, ageing and haematopoiesis. In recent years, the concept of miRNAs as diagnostic markers allowing discrimination between healthy individuals and those affected by CVDs entered the purview of academic debate. In this review, we aimed to systematise available information regarding miRNAs associated with arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, myocarditis and congenital heart diseases in children. We focused on the targeted genes and metabolic pathways influenced by those particular miRNAs, and finally, tried to determine the future of miRNAs as novel biomarkers of CVD.
