title: Functional Long Non-coding RNAs in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.
abstract: Increasing evidence shows that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are not "transcriptional noise" but function in a myriad of biological processes. As such, this rapidly growing class of RNAs is important in both development and disease. Vascular smooth muscle cells are integral cells of the blood vessel wall. They are responsible for relaxation and contraction of the blood vessel and respond to hemodynamic as well as environmental signals to regulate blood pressure. Pathophysiological changes to these cells such as hyperproliferation, hypertrophy, migration, and inflammation contribute to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as restenosis, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in these pathophysiological changes to VSMCs is paramount to developing therapeutic treatments for various cardiovascular disorders. Recent studies have shown that lncRNAs are key players in the regulation of VSMC functions and phenotype and, perhaps also, in the development of VSMC-related diseases. This chapter describes our current understanding of the functions of lncRNAs in VSMCs. It highlights the emerging role of lncRNAs in VSMC proliferation and apoptosis, their role in contractile and migratory phenotype of VSMCs, and their potential role in VSMC disease states.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diabetes Complications and the Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Department of Diabetes Complications and the Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stapleton
authors.affiliation: Department of Diabetes Complications and the Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA. RNatarajan@coh.org.
authors.forename: Rama
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Natarajan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000502:physiology*; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding