Atrial fibrillation and microRNAs.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, especially in the elderly, and has a significant genetic component. Recently, several independent investigators have demonstrated a functional role for small non-coding RNAs (microRNAs) in the pathophysiology of this cardiac arrhythmia. This report represents a systematic and updated appraisal of the main studies that established a mechanistic association between specific microRNAs and AF, focusing both on the regulation of electrical and structural remodeling of cardiac tissue.
Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University Hospital Naples, Italy ; Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University Hospital Naples, Italy ; Columbia University Medical Center, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York Presbyterian Hospital - Manhattan New York, NY, USA.
Gaetano
G
Santulli
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno Salerno, Italy ; IRCCS "Multimedica," Milano, Italy.
Guido
G
Iaccarino
Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University Hospital Naples, Italy.
Nicola
N
De Luca
Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University Hospital Naples, Italy.
Bruno
B
Trimarco
Humanitas Clinical and Research Center Rozzano (Milan), Italy ; University of Milan Milan, Italy.
Gianluigi
G
Condorelli
apoptosis; atrial fibrillation; electrical remodeling; electrophysiology; fibrosis; microRNA (miRNA); structural remodeling