title: Editorial: microRNAs: Potential Targets for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease.
abstract: Several non-coding microRNAs (miRs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Some of these miRs are beneficial but others are hazardous. Silencing of the latter by antisense oligonucleotides has been attempted in animal models with promising results. However, the replacement of down-regulated beneficial miRs, by manufactured miR mimics, or increasing their expression is much more demanding and has several limitations. The treatment of cardiovascular diseases through miR manipulation shows potential, provided safety and cost effectiveness issues are considered carefully before implementation in humans.
authors.affiliation: Head of Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Disease Units 2nd Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece 15 Marmara St, Thessaloniki, 551 32, Greece. vathyros@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vasilios G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Athyros
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katsiki
authors.forename: Asterios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karagiannis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000187:drug effects; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D022661:RNA, Untranslated