title: MicroRNAs and the heart: small things do matter.
abstract: MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules and constitute a relatively novel class of gene expression regulators, found in the great majority of eukaryotic cells. Their role in human physiology and pathology is actively being researched with new exciting discoveries continuously coming to the forefront. MicroRNAs play a crucial role in the biogenesis and function of the cardiovascular system and act as important regulators of various metabolic and signaling pathways in cardiovascular disease. In this review there will be a summary on current knowledge about the expression, regulation and function of microRNAs in the most common diseases of the cardiovascular system as well as a presentation of and discussion about their promising future role as new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Athens General Hospital G. Gennimatas, Athens, Greece. npapouts2@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papoutsidakis
authors.forename: Spyridon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deftereos
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaoukis
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bouras
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giannopoulos
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Theodorakis
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Angelidis
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hatzis
authors.forename: Christodoulos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000235:genetics; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000235:genetics; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006321:Heart / Q000196:embryology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000235:genetics; D020521:Stroke / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D035683:MicroRNAs