title: MicroRNAs and atherosclerosis.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, ~22 nucleotide (nt) sequences of RNA that regulate gene expression at posttranscriptional level. These endogenous gene expression inhibitors were primarily described in cancer but recent exciting findings have also demonstrated a key role in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including atherosclerosis. MiRNAs control endothelial cell (EC), vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC), and macrophage functions, and thereby regulate the progression of atherosclerosis. MiRNA expression is modulated by different stimuli involved in every stage of atherosclerosis, and conversely miRNAs modulates several pathways implicated in plaque development such as cholesterol metabolism. In the present review, we focus on the importance of miRNAs in atherosclerosis, and we further discuss their potential use as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in CVDs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology and the Marc and Ruti Bell Vascular Biology and Disease Program, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Madrigal-Matute
authors.forename: Noemi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rotllan
authors.forename: Juan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Aranda
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernández-Hernando
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs