miR‐29a attenuates cardiac hypertrophy through inhibition of PPARδ expression

SLC26A4-AS1 Aggravates AngII-induced Cardiac Hypertrophy by Enhancing SLC26A4 Expression

BACKGROUND

It has been reported that solute carrier family 26 members 4 antisense RNA 1 (SLC26A4-AS1) is highly related to cardiac hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE

This research aims to investigate the role and specific mechanism of SLC26A4-AS1 in cardiac hypertrophy, providing a novel marker for cardiac hypertrophy treatment.

METHODS

Angiotensin II (AngII) was infused into neonatal mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes (NMVCs) to induce cardiac hypertrophy. Gene expression was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Protein levels were evaluated via western blot. Functional assays analyzed the role of SLC26A4-AS1. The mechanism of SLC26A4-AS1 was assessed by RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull-down, and luciferase reporter assays. The P value <0.05 was identified as statistical significance. Student's t-test evaluated the two-group comparison. The difference between different groups was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

SLC26A4-AS1 is upregulated in AngII-treated NMVCs and promotes AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy. SLC26A4-AS1 regulates its nearby gene solute carrier family 26 members 4 (SLC26A4) via functioning as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to modulate the microRNA (miR)-301a-3p and miR-301b-3p in NMVCs. SLC26A4-AS1 promotes AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy via upregulating SLC26A4 or sponging miR-301a-3p/miR-301b-3p.

CONCLUSION

SLC26A4-AS1 aggravates AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy via sponging miR-301a-3p or miR-301b-3p to enhance SLC26A4 expression.

Fat-to-heart crosstalk in health and disease

According to the latest World Health Organization statistics, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death globally. Due to the rise in the prevalence of major risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus and obesity, the burden of CVD is expected to worsen in the decades to come. Whilst obesity is a major and consistent risk factor for CVD, the underlying pathological molecular communication between peripheral fat depots and the heart remains poorly understood. Adipose tissue (AT) is a major endocrine organ in the human body, with composite cells producing and secreting hormones, cytokines, and non-coding RNAs into the circulation to alter the phenotype of multiple organs, including the heart. Epicardial AT (EAT) is an AT deposit that is in direct contact with the myocardium and can therefore influence cardiac function through both mechanical and molecular means. Moreover, resident and recruited immune cells comprise an important adipose cell type, which can create a pro-inflammatory environment in the context of obesity, potentially contributing to systemic inflammation and cardiomyopathies. New mechanisms of fat-to-heart crosstalk, including those governed by non-coding RNAs and extracellular vesicles, are being investigated to deepen the understanding of this highly common risk factor. In this review, molecular crosstalk between AT and the heart will be discussed, with a focus on endocrine and paracrine signaling, immune cells, inflammatory cytokines, and inter-organ communication through non-coding RNAs.

MiR-423-5p Inhibition Exerts Protective Effects on Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a kind of bioactive peptide, which can contribute to cardiac hypertrophy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical role in various heart diseases. The cardioprotective effect of miR-423-5p inhibition has been confirmed by previous studies. But its role in cardiac hypertrophy induced by Ang II is unknown. This study focused on the potential of miR-423-5p in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy under the treatment of Ang II. Our results revealed that miR-423-5p expression was upregulated in Ang II-treated human cardiomyocytes (HCMs). Importantly, miR-423-5p knockdown suppressed Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and oxidative stress in HCMs. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay confirmed that the suppressor of Ty 6 homolog (SUPT6H) was a target gene of miR-423-5p. Interestingly, SUPT6H knockdown aggravated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and oxidative stress in Ang II-stimulated HCMs, which were then reversed by silenced miR-423-5p. In conclusion, miR-423-5p knockdown exerts its protective effects on Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in HCMs via modulating SUPT6H expression.

Circ-sh3rf3/GATA-4/miR-29a regulatory axis in fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation and myocardial fibrosis

The transdifferentiation from cardiac fibroblasts to myofibroblasts is an important event in the initiation of cardiac fibrosis. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Circ-sh3rf3 (circular RNA SH3 domain containing Ring Finger 3) is a novel circular RNA which was induced in hypertrophied ventricles by isoproterenol hydrochloride, and our work has established that it is a potential regulator in cardiac hypertrophy, but whether circ-sh3rf3 plays a role in cardiac fibrosis remains unclear, especially in the conversion of cardiac fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Here, we found that circ-sh3rf3 was down-regulated in isoproterenol-treated rat cardiac fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes as well as during fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts. We further confirmed that circ-sh3rf3 could interact with GATA-4 proteins and reduce the expression of GATA-4, which in turn abolishes GATA-4 repression of miR-29a expression and thus up-regulates miR-29a expression, thereby inhibiting fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation and myocardial fibrosis. Our work has established a novel Circ-sh3rf3/GATA-4/miR-29a regulatory cascade in fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation and myocardial fibrosis, which provides a new therapeutic target for myocardial fibrosis.

A GRIP-1-EZH2 switch binding to GATA-4 is linked to the genesis of rhabdomyosarcoma through miR-29a

Terminal differentiation failure is an important cause of rhabdomyosarcoma genesis, however, little is known about the epigenetic regulation of aberrant myogenic differentiation. Here, we show that GATA-4 recruits polycomb group proteins such as EZH2 to negatively regulate miR-29a in undifferentiated C2C12 myoblast cells, whereas recruitment of GRIP-1 to GATA-4 proteins displaces EZH2, resulting in the activation of miR-29a during myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells. Moreover, in poorly differentiated rhabdomyosarcoma cells, EZH2 still binds to the miR-29a promoter with GATA-4 to mediate transcriptional repression of miR-29a. Interestingly, once re-differentiation of rhabdomyosarcoma cells toward skeletal muscle, EZH2 was dispelled from miR-29a promoter which is similar to that in myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells. Eventually, this expression of miR-29a results in limited rhabdomyosarcoma cell proliferation and promotes myogenic differentiation. We thus establish that GATA-4 can function as a molecular switch in the up- and downregulation of miR-29a expression. We also demonstrate that GATA-4 acts as a tumor suppressor in rhabdomyosarcoma partly via miR-29a, which thus provides a potential therapeutic target for rhabdomyosarcoma.

Leveraging Extracellular Non-coding RNAs to Diagnose and Treat Heart Diseases

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, emerge to be crucial mediators of cell-to-cell communication in multiple organs. Non-coding RNAs loaded inside EVs contribute as one major mechanism for remote information transfer among different cell types or organs. Increasing evidence suggests that EV-associated non-coding RNAs derived from cardiovascular or non-cardiac cells regulate cardiovascular pathophysiology in heart development and diseases. The functional relevance of the EV-associated ncRNAs in heart diseases provides an avenue to develop novel diagnostic tools and therapies for heart diseases. In this review, we summarize the recent advancement of EV-associated ncRNAs in different cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, cardiac hypertrophy, and heart failure, with an emphasis on the underlying molecular mechanisms.

MicroRNAs in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment potential and roles as clinical biomarkers

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heritable cardiomyopathy and is characterized by increased left ventricular wall thickness, but existing diagnostic and treatment approaches face limitations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are type of noncoding RNA molecule that plays crucial roles in the pathological process of cardiac remodelling. Accordingly, miRNAs related to HCM may represent potential novel therapeutic targets. In this review, we first discuss the different roles of miRNAs in the development of HCM. We then summarize the roles of common miRNAs as diagnostic and clinical biomarkers in HCM. Finally, we outline current and future challenges and potential new directions for miRNA-based therapeutics for HCM.

Cardiac protection induced by urocortin-2 enables the regulation of apoptosis and fibrosis after ischemia and reperfusion involving miR-29a modulation

Urocortin-2 (Ucn-2) has demonstrated cardioprotective actions against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injuries. Herein, we explored the protective role of Ucn-2 through microRNAs (miRNAs) post-transcriptional regulation of apoptotic and pro-fibrotic genes. We determined that the intravenous administration of Ucn-2 before heart reperfusion in a Wistar rat model of I/R recovered cardiac contractility and decreased fibrosis, lactate dehydrogenase release, and apoptosis. The infusion of Ucn-2 also inhibited the upregulation of 6 miRNAs in revascularized heart. The in silico analysis indicated that miR-29a and miR-451_1∗ are predicted to target many apoptotic and fibrotic genes. Accordingly, the transfection of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes with mimics overexpressing miR-29a, but not miR-451_1∗, prevented I/R-induced expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes such as Apaf-1, Hmox-1, and Cycs, as well as pro-fibrotic genes Col-I and Col-III. We also confirmed that Hmox-1, target of miR-29a, is highly expressed at the mRNA and protein levels in adult rat heart under I/R, whereas, Ucn-2 abolished I/R-induced mRNA and protein upregulation of HMOX-1. Interestingly, a significant upregulation of Hmox-1 was observed in the ventricle of ischemic patients with heart failure, correlating negatively with the left ventricle ejection fraction. Altogether, these data indicate that Ucn-2, through miR-29a regulation, provides long-lasting cardioprotection, involving the post-transcriptional regulation of apoptotic and fibrotic genes.

MicroRNA-Related Strategies to Improve Cardiac Function in Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) describes a group of manifestations caused by the failure of heart function as a pump that supports blood flow through the body. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as one type of non-coding RNA molecule, have crucial roles in the etiology of HF. Accordingly, miRNAs related to HF may represent potential novel therapeutic targets. In this review, we first discuss the different roles of miRNAs in the development and diseases of the heart. We then outline commonly used miRNA chemical modifications and delivery systems. Further, we summarize the opportunities and challenges for HF-related miRNA therapeutics targets, and discuss the first clinical trial of an antisense drug (CDR132L) in patients with HF. Finally, we outline current and future challenges and potential new directions for miRNA-based therapeutics for HF.

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs) and Oxidative Stress in Physiological Conditions and in Cancer

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) belong to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. Originally described as “orphan nuclear receptors”, they can bind both natural and synthetic ligands acting as agonists or antagonists. In humans three subtypes, PPARα, β/δ, γ, are encoded by different genes, show tissue-specific expression patterns, and contribute to the regulation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolisms, of different cell functions, including proliferation, death, differentiation, and of processes, as inflammation, angiogenesis, immune response. The PPAR ability in increasing the expression of various antioxidant genes and decreasing the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators, makes them be considered among the most important regulators of the cellular response to oxidative stress conditions. Based on the multiplicity of physiological effects, PPAR involvement in cancer development and progression has attracted great scientific interest with the aim to describe changes occurring in their expression in cancer cells, and to investigate the correlation with some characteristics of cancer phenotype, including increased proliferation, decreased susceptibility to apoptosis, malignancy degree and onset of resistance to anticancer drugs. This review focuses on mechanisms underlying the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of PPARs in physiological conditions, and on the reported beneficial effects of PPAR activation in cancer.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles as probable triggers of radiation-induced heart disease

BACKGROUND

Radiation-induced heart disease has been reported, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), also residing in the heart, are highly susceptible to radiation. We examined the hypothesis that the altered secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from MSCs is the trigger of radiation-induced heart disease.

METHODS

By exposing human placental tissue-derived MSCs to 5 Gy γ-rays, we then isolated EVs from the culture medium 48 h later and evaluated the changes in quantity and quality of EVs from MSCs after radiation exposure. The biological effects of EVs from irradiated MSCs on HUVECs and H9c2 cells were also examined.

RESULTS

Although the amount and size distribution of EVs did not differ between the nonirradiated and irradiated MSCs, miRNA sequences indicated many upregulated or downregulated miRNAs in irradiated MSCs EVs. In vitro experiments using HUVEC and H9c2 cells showed that irradiated MSC-EVs decreased cell proliferation (P < 0.01), but increased cell apoptosis and DNA damage. Moreover, irradiated MSC-EVs impaired the HUVEC tube formation and induced calcium overload in H9c2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

EVs released from irradiated MSCs show altered miRNA profiles and harmful effects on heart cells, which provides new insight into the mechanism of radiation-related heart disease risks.

A miRNA's insight into the regenerating heart: a concise descriptive analysis

Manipulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression has been shown to induce cardiac regeneration, consolidating their therapeutic potential. However, studies often validate only a few miRNA targets in each experiment and hold these targets entirely accountable for the miRNAs' action, ignoring the other potential molecular and cellular events involved. In this report, experimentally validated miRNAs are used as a window of discovery for the possible genes and signaling pathways that are implicated in cardiac regeneration. A thorough evidence search was conducted, and identified miRNAs were submitted for in silico dissection using reliable bioinformatics tools. A total of 46 miRNAs were retrieved from existing literature. Shared targets between miRNAs included well-recognized genes such as BCL-2, CCND1, and PTEN. Transcription factors that are possibly involved in the regeneration process such as SP1, CTCF, and ZNF263 were also identified. The analysis confirmed well-established signaling pathways involved in cardiac regeneration such as Hippo, MAPK, and AKT signaling, and revealed new pathways such as ECM-receptor interaction, and FoxO signaling on top of hormonal pathways such as thyroid, adrenergic, and estrogen signaling pathways. Additionally, a set of differentially expressed miRNAs were identified as potential future experimental candidates.

Neuropeptide Y Induces Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy via Attenuating miR-29a-3p in Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocytes

BACKGROUND

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been well known to induce Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy (CH), which is possibly caused by disruption of cardiac cell energy balance. As mitochondria is losely related to energy metabolism, in this study, we investigated the changes in mitochondrial Dynamics-related protein (Drp1) expression under the action of NPY. miRNA-29a, a endogenous noncoding small molecule RNA which is involved in many cardiac diseases, by using a bioinformatics tool, we found a potential binding site of miRNA-29a on the Drp1 mRNA, and suggesting that miRNA-29a might play a regulatory role.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of miR-29a-3p in the process of NPY-induced CH, and further explore it's predicted relationship with Drp1.

METHODS

The expression levels of miR-29a-3p and Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) were performed by the method of fluorescence quantitative PCR, in addition, expression of Drp1 in treated and control groups were performed by western blot analysis.] Results: We found NPY leads to the CH and up-regulation of ANP expression levels. We also found significant up-regulation of Drp1 expression and down-regulation of miR-29a-3p expression in NPY-treated cells. The decrease in miR-29a-3p expression may lead the increase expression level of Drp1. We found that the expression of ANP increased after NPY treatment. When Drp1 protein was silenced, the high expression of ANP was inhibited.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found up-regulation of Drp1 in cells treated with NPY. Drp1 mRNA is a predicted target for miR-29a-3p, and the expression of Drp1 was attenuated by miR-29a-3p. Therefore, NPY leads to down-regulation of miR-29a-3p expression, up-regulation of Drp1 expression, and NPY leads to CH. Correspondingly, miR-29a-3p can counteract the effects of NPY. This may be a new way, which could be used in diagnosis and treatment plan for CH.

The role of miR-29 family in disease

MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that can bind to the target sites in the 3’‐untranslated region of messenger RNA to regulate posttranscriptional gene expression. Increasing evidence has identified the miR‐29 family, consisting of miR‐29a, miR‐29b‐1, miR‐29b‐2, and miR‐29c, as key regulators of a number of biological processes. Moreover, their abnormal expression contributes to the etiology of numerous diseases. In the current review, we aimed to summarize the differential expression patterns and functional roles of the miR‐29 family in the etiology of diseases including osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, cardiorenal, and immune disease. Furthermore, we highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting members of miR‐29 family in these diseases. We present miR‐29s as promoters of osteoblast differentiation and apoptosis but suppressors of chondrogenic and osteoclast differentiation, fibrosis, and T cell differentiation, with clear avenues for therapeutic manipulation. Further research will be crucial to identify the precise mechanism of miR‐29 family in these diseases and their full potential in therapeutics.

Plasma MIR-212-3p as a biomarker for acute right heart failure with pulmonary artery hypertension

Background

Acute right heart failure occurs in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) with exposure to acute inflammation, the mortality rate is very high when right heart failure occurs. Biomarkers that can be used to detect acute right heart failure in patients with pulmonary hypertension need to be studied.

Methods

A PAH rat model was established using monocrotaline, and lipopolysaccharide was used to induce acute right heart failure. The Agilent rat miRNA microarray, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were used to assess the microRNA expression of PAH rats. The expression of up- and downregulated miRNAs in plasma from PAH patients with acute right heart failure was validated with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Then, the Wilcoxon matched paired test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed.

Results

Thirty-three miRNAs were upregulated, and 7 miRNAs were downregulated in plasma of PAH rats with acute right heart failure. In the plasma of PAH patients, the miR-212-3p level was inversely correlated with the level of NT-pro BNP, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.751.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the reduction of the expression of MIR-212-3p may be a biomarker for PAH patients with right heart dysfunction.

MiR-625-5p Inhibits Cardiac Hypertrophy Through Targeting STAT3 and CaMKII

Cardiac hypertrophy is an adaptive cardiac response to heart stress. Sustained cardiac hypertrophy indicates higher risk of heart failure. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) has been proved to be a key regulator of cardiac hypertrophy, but its mechanism remains largely unknown. Our study proposed to explore the regulatory mechanism of CaMKII in cardiac hypertrophy. We validated that CaMKII was upregulated in cardiac hypertrophy models in vivo and in vitro and that knockdown of CaMKII attenuated Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrated that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was highly expressed in cardiac hypertrophy and could stimulate the transactivation of CaMKII. Moreover, we predicted through TargetScan and confirmed that miR-625-5p targeted and inhibited STAT3 so as to reduce the expression of CaMKII. Interestingly, we also found that miR-625-5p directly targeted CaMKII and inhibited its expression. Rescue assays suggested that miR-625-5p attenuated Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy through CaMKII/STAT3. Consequently, this study elucidated that miR-625-5p inhibited cardiac hypertrophy through targeting STAT3 and CaMKII, suggesting miR-625-5p as a novel negative regulator of cardiac hypertrophy. Graphical abstract [Figure: see text].

Circular RNA expression in isoproterenol hydrochloride-induced cardiac hypertrophy

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a novel class of noncoding RNAs, and the roles of circRNAs in the development of cardiac hypertrophy remain to be explored. Here, we investigate the potential roles of circRNAs in cardiac hypertrophy. By circRNA sequencing in left ventricular specimens collected from 8-week-old mice with isoproterenol hydrochloride-induced cardiac hypertrophy, we found 401 out of 3323 total circRNAs were dysregulated in the hypertrophic hearts compared with the controls. Of these, 303 circRNAs were upregulated and 98 were downregulated. Moreover, the GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the majority of parental gene of differentially expressed circRNAs were not only related to biological process such as metabolic process and response to stimulus, but also related to pathway such as circulatory system and cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, total 1974 miRNAs were predicted to binding to these differentially expressed circRNAs, and the possible target mRNAs of those miRNAs were also predicted and analyzed in terms of functional annotation. Finally, we identified that ANF and miR-23a are downstream targets of circRNA wwp1, suggesting that circRNA wwp1 exerts inhibitory roles of cardiac hypertrophy via down-regulation of ANF and miR-23a, which underlying the potential mechanisms whereby circRNA regulates cardiac hypertrophy.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone attenuates isoproterenol hydrochloride‑induced cardiac hypertrophy in AC16 cells by inhibiting the NF‑κB signaling pathway

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a naturally occurring redox co-factor that functions as an essential nutrient and antioxidant, and has been reported to exert potent anti-inflammatory effects. However, the therapeutic potential of PQQ for isoproterenol hydrochloride (Iso)-induced cardiac hypertrophy has not yet been explored, at least to the best of our knowledge. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effects of PQQ were investigated in Iso-treated AC16 cells, a myocardial injury cellular model characterized by an increase in the apparent surface area of the cells and the activation of intracellular cardiac hypertrophy-associated proteins. The results revealed that pre-treatment with PQQ significantly inhibited the expression of cardiac hypertrophy marker proteins, such as atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide and β-myosin heavy chain. PQQ also inhibited the activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway in Iso-treated AC16 cells, thus inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and reducing the phosphorylation levels of p65. On the whole, the findings of this study suggest that PQQ may be a promising therapeutic agent for effectively reversing the progression of cardiac hypertrophy.

miR-29a promotes pathological cardiac hypertrophy by targeting the PTEN/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway and suppressing autophagy

AIM

Although miR-29 has emerged as a crucial non-coding RNA in the regulation of pathological cardiac hypertrophy, further exploration of its specific mechanisms is necessary to resolve controversy about its major role in this condition. This study therefore evaluated the role of miR-29a and whether it acts through the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway.

METHODS

In this study, a rat model of pressure-induced cardiac hypertrophy was established by transverse aortic constriction and verified by echocardiography, histological analysis and quantitative RT-PCR. At the cellular level, we explored the role of miR-29a in angiotensin II-stimulated hypertrophic H9c2 cardiomyoblasts by transfecting the cells with miR-29a inhibitor and mimic. The relationship between miR-29a and the signalling pathway was investigated with dual luciferase reporter assays, immunofluorescence analysis and Western blotting. We also examined whether autophagy is involved in the regulatory mechanism of miR-29a through transmission electron microscopy and detection of autophagy-associated proteins.

RESULTS

The results showed that miR-29a was upregulated both in rats 4 weeks after surgery and in 10^-6  M angiotensin II-stimulated cells. In contrast, inhibition of miR-29a partially attenuated angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis revealed that PTEN was one of the target genes of miR-29a, which was also verified by luciferase assay. The results of immunofluorescence and Western blotting indicated that overexpression of miR-29a inhibited the expression of PTEN, activated the AKT/mTOR pathway and suppressed autophagy, which ultimately led to cardiac hypertrophy.

CONCLUSION

In pathological cardiac hypertrophy, miR-29a was overexpressed and promoted cardiac hypertrophy by regulating the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway and suppressing autophagy.

MicroRNAs in Cardiac Hypertrophy

Like other organs, the heart undergoes normal adaptive remodeling, such as cardiac hypertrophy, with age. This remodeling, however, is intensified under stress and pathological conditions. Cardiac remodeling could be beneficial for a short period of time, to maintain a normal cardiac output in times of need; however, chronic cardiac hypertrophy may lead to heart failure and death. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to have a role in the regulation of cardiac hypertrophy. This paper reviews recent advances in the field of miRNAs and cardiac hypertrophy, highlighting the latest findings for targeted genes and involved signaling pathways. By targeting pro-hypertrophic genes and signaling pathways, some of these miRNAs alleviate cardiac hypertrophy, while others enhance it. Therefore, miRNAs represent very promising potential pharmacotherapeutic targets for the management and treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.