title: MicroRNAs: Novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in atherosclerosis.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an emerging class of highly conserved, non-coding small RNAs that regulate gene expression on the post-transcriptional level by inhibiting the translation of protein from mRNA or by promoting the degradation of mRNA. The involvement of miRNAs in the regulation of lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, cell cycle progression and proliferation, oxidative stress, platelet activation, endothelial function, angiogenesis and plaque formation and rapture indicates important roles in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. In the light of this evidence we will review the role of miRNAs in atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, Athens Greece. gsiasos@med.uoa.gr
authors.forename: Gerasimos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siasos
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kollia
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tsigkou
authors.forename: Efthimia K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Basdra
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lymperi
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oikonomou
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kokkou
authors.forename: Porfyrios
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Korompelis
authors.forename: Athanasios G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Papavassiliou
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs