title: miRNAs in atherosclerotic plaque initiation, progression, and rupture.
abstract: Atherosclerosis is a chronic immune-inflammatory disorder that integrates multiple cell types and a diverse set of inflammatory mediators. miRNAs are emerging as important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression in most, if not all, vertebrate cells, and constitute central players in many physiological and pathological processes. Rapidly accumulating experimental studies reveal their key role in cellular and molecular processes related to the development of atherosclerosis. We review current evidence for the involvement of miRNAs in early atherosclerotic lesion formation and in plaque rupture and erosion. We conclude with a perspective on the clinical relevance, therapeutic opportunities, and future challenges of miRNA biology in understanding the pathogenesis of this complex disease.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Andreou
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Xinghui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Peter H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Elazer R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Edelman
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: mfeinberg@partners.org.
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Feinberg
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: atherosclerosis; inflammation; miRNAs; shear stress; vulnerable plaque