The role of miRNAs in cardiac hypertrophy

Abstract

Cardiac hypertrophy and increased cardiomyocytes size are important triggers in the pathophysiology in heart failure. In this review, the role of miRNAs in cardiac hypertrophy is described. MiRNAs are small non-coding single stranded RNAs of approximately 18-22 nucleotides long. They are able to downregulate target mRNA. Past 10 years, it has become clear that many miRNAs are involved in cardiac diseases. In this review, the influence of miRNAs in cardiac hypertrophy is discussed. Also, the use of miRNA as biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases and as therapeutic potential will be considered. At the moment, therapeutic potentials of miRNAs in cardiac hypertrophy are not convincing. Only a couple of miRNAs can act as biomarkers. Moreover, only one cardiac specific miRNA is identified, miR-208. Targeting miRNAs in vivo is very complicated, concerning to the many possible side effects in other organs. The main challenge for future research will be to determine more cardiac specific miRNAs, as well as to find a way to target miRNAs in vivo.