Cardiovascular diseases in the elderly: possibilities for modulating autophagy using non-coding RNAs

Area of Science:

• Cellular Biology
• Cardiovascular Science
• Aging Research

Background:

• Autophagy is a critical cellular mechanism involved in aging and cardiovascular disease.
• These two conditions are closely interconnected, with autophagy playing a role in cellular aging and cardiovascular function.
• Modulating autophagy may impact age-related cardiovascular remodeling and disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the multifaceted impacts of autophagy on cardiovascular system aging.
• To analyze the roles of autophagy in vascular and cardiac tissues, including malignancies.
• To highlight the significance of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in epigenetic regulation and as biomarkers for cardiovascular pathologies.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of autophagy's role in cardiovascular aging.
• Analysis of vascular and cardiac tissues in various contexts.
• Emphasis on ncRNAs in epigenetic regulation and as biomarkers.
• Description of preclinical and clinical models involving ncRNAs and autophagy.
• Meta-analysis of transcriptomic data.

Main Results:

• Autophagy significantly impacts cellular aging and cardiovascular functions.
• ncRNAs play crucial roles in epigenetic regulation and as biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases.
• Autophagy is frequently dysregulated in cardiac and vascular cells under pathological conditions.
• Meta-analysis confirms the paramount importance of autophagy in cardiovascular health and disease.

Conclusions:

• Modulating autophagy is a potential therapeutic strategy for age-related cardiovascular disorders.
• Understanding autophagy's role in cardiovascular aging is crucial for developing novel treatments.
• Targeting autophagy, potentially through ncRNAs, could counteract age-induced cardiovascular damage.