title: MicroRNAs in right ventricular (dys)function (2013 Grover Conference series).
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are molecules increasingly investigated for both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Whereas information about their role in the left ventricle has been studied for many years, there is scarce information about the right ventricle. We thus here review known details about the expression, regulation, and function of miRNAs in right heart diseases. Current identified therapeutic strategies using miRNA modulators to treat pulmonary hypertension and thus also having beneficial effects on the right ventricle are also discussed. Finally, the current knowledge about the diagnostic and predictive use of circulating miRNAs in patients with pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure is presented. There is strong hope that the increasing knowledge about miRNAs in the right heart will finally help to improve the treatment of patients with pulmonary and right ventricular heart diseases.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS) and Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation (IFB-Tx), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ; Excellence Cluster REBIRTH, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; and National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thum
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS) and Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation (IFB-Tx), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Sandor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Batkai
keywords: gene expression; gene regulation; genetics of cardiovascular disease; remodeling