Role of miRNAs on the Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Diseases.

MiRNA (or microRNA) is a subclass of non-coding RNAs that is responsible for post-transcriptional gene regulation. It has approximately 22 nucleotides and regulates gene expression in plants and animals at the post-transcriptional level, by the cleavage of a target mRNA or by suppression of its translation. Although many of the processes and mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated, there is a strong association between miRNA expression and several diseases. It is known that miRNAs are expressed in the cardiovascular system, but their role in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has not been clearly established. In this non-systematic review of the literature, we first present the definition of miRNAs and their action at the cellular level. Afterward, we discuss the role of miRNAs as circulating biomarkers of CVDs, and then their role in cardiac remodeling and atherosclerosis. Despite the complexity and challenges, it is crucial to identify deregulated miRNAs in CVDs, as it allows a better understanding of underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms and helps in the development of more accurate diagnostic and prognostic circulating biomarkers, and new therapeutic strategies for different stages of CVDs.

Role of miRNAs on the Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Diseases / Papel dos miRNAs na Fisiopatologia das Doenças Cardiovasculares

Abstract MiRNA (or microRNA) is a subclass of non-coding RNAs that is responsible for post-transcriptional gene regulation. It has approximately 22 nucleotides and regulates gene expression in plants and animals at the post-transcriptional level, by the cleavage of a target mRNA or by suppression of its translation. Although many of the processes and mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated, there is a strong association between miRNA expression and several diseases. It is known that miRNAs are expressed in the cardiovascular system, but their role in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has not been clearly established. In this non-systematic review of the literature, we first present the definition of miRNAs and their action at the cellular level. Afterward, we discuss the role of miRNAs as circulating biomarkers of CVDs, and then their role in cardiac remodeling and atherosclerosis. Despite the complexity and challenges, it is crucial to identify deregulated miRNAs in CVDs, as it allows a better understanding of underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms and helps in the development of more accurate diagnostic and prognostic circulating biomarkers, and new therapeutic strategies for different stages of CVDs.

Resumo O miRNA (ou microRNA) constitui uma subclasse de RNAs não codificantes responsáveis pela regulação gênica pós-transcricional. Ele possui aproximadamente 22 nucleotídeos e regula a expressão gênica em plantas e animais ao nível pós-transcricional, pela clivagem de um mRNA alvo ou da repressão de sua tradução. Embora muitos processos e mecanismos ainda não estejam completamente elucidados, existe uma forte associação entre a expressão de miRNAs e diversas doenças que acometem o organismo. Os miRNAs são expressos no sistema cardiovascular, contudo o seu papel no desenvolvimento das doenças cardiovasculares (DCVs) ainda não está totalmente elucidado. Diante disso, realizou-se uma revisão não sistemática da literatura a fim de se discutir a relação entre os miRNAs e as DCVs. Nesta revisão, primeiramente é discutido o que são os miRNAs e a sua ação a nível celular. Após, é discutido o papel dos miRNAs como biomarcadores circulantes de DCVs e então o seu papel no remodelamento cardíaco e na aterosclerose. Apesar da complexidade e dos desafios, a identificação dos miRNAs desregulados nas DCVs é crucial, uma vez que possibilita uma melhor compressão dos mecanismos celulares e moleculares envolvidos, assim como auxilia o desenvolvimento de marcadores circulantes de diagnóstico e prognóstico mais acurados e de novas estratégias terapêuticas para os diferentes estágios da DCV.