Micro RNA-411 Expression Improves Cardiac Phenotype Following Myocardial Infarction in Mice.

ABSTRACT

Induction of endogenous regenerative capacity has emerged as one promising approach to repair damaged hearts following myocardial infarction (MI). Re-expression of factors that are exclusively expressed during embryonic development may reactivate the ability of adult cardiomyocytes to regenerate. Here, we identified miR-411 as a potent inducer of cardiomyocyte proliferation. Overexpression of miR-411 in the heart significantly increased cardiomyocyte proliferation and survival in a model MI. We found that miR-411 enhances the activity of YAP, the main downstream effector of the Hippo pathway, in cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, miR-411 induces cardiomyocyte regeneration and improves cardiac function post-MI likely by modulating the Hippo/YAP pathway.