title: miRNAs as biomarkers of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a highly prevalent arrhythmia with pronounced morbidity and mortality. Genetics analysis has established electrophysiological substrates, which determine individual vulnerability to AF occurrence and maintenance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) found in virtually all organisms function as negative regulators of protein-coding genes. Several studies have suggested a role for miRNAs in the regulation of cardiac excitability and arrhythmogenesis. This review is based on 18 studies conducted between 2009 and 2013 to investigate the association of miRNAs with AF. miRNAs are discussed here as candidate biomarkers for AF in blood and cardiac tissues and as potential targets for AF therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Toxicologic Analyses, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte , Natal, RN , Brazil.
authors.forename: Ananília Medeiros
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gomes da Silva
authors.forename: Vivian Nogueira
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Silbiger
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D064752:Atrial Remodeling; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; PCR; biomarker; fibrosis; ion channels; miRNA