Apoptosis-Related Non-Coding RNAs in Cardiac Fibrosis and Heart Failure: Implications for Pathogenesis and Therapy

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Molecular Genetics
• Cellular Biology

Background:

• Heart failure (HF) and cardiac fibrosis are major global health burdens.
• Apoptosis is a key mechanism in the progression of HF and cardiac fibrosis.
• Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate gene expression and apoptosis; their dysregulation contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of ncRNA dysregulation in cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
• To explore therapeutic strategies targeting pro-apoptotic microRNAs (miRNAs) for HF and cardiac fibrosis.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on ncRNAs, apoptosis, and cardiovascular disease.
• Analysis of mechanisms linking ncRNA dysregulation to cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
• Evaluation of therapeutic approaches targeting miRNAs.

Main Results:

• ncRNA dysregulation is implicated in excessive cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
• Pro-apoptotic miRNAs play a critical role in the pathogenesis of HF and cardiac fibrosis.
• Therapeutic inhibition of specific miRNAs shows potential for treating these conditions.

Conclusions:

• Targeting ncRNAs, particularly pro-apoptotic miRNAs, is a promising therapeutic avenue for HF and cardiac fibrosis.
• Strategies like stem cell-derived exosomes and herbal medicine may offer novel treatments by modulating miRNA activity.