title: MicroRNA-21: from cancer to cardiovascular disease.
abstract: MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) expression is activated in multiple types of cancers, such as breast, liver, brain, prostate, myometrial cancers but also in cardiovascular diseases. MiR-21 regulates a plethora of target proteins which are involved in cellular survival, apoptosis and cell invasiveness. MiR-21 regulation is complex due to an own promoter that is target for various transcription factors and hormones. The consistent miR-21 overexpression under pathophysiological conditions points to miR-21 as a valuable tool for new therapeutic strategies. In this review, we present and analyze current data about miR-21 expression in various pathologies ranging from cancer to cardiovascular disease. Further, miR-21 regulatory mechanisms and miR-21 downstream targets are discussed. Finally, we highlight the particular role of miR-21 as a therapeutic target in various diseases.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Medical School Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Virginija
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jazbutyte
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thum
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002470:Cell Survival; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: C524940:MIRN21 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs