title: Circulating microRNAs and hypertension--from new insights into blood pressure regulation to biomarkers of cardiovascular risk.
abstract: Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet the molecular mechanisms underpinning the development of high blood pressure remain incompletely understood. MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNA molecules approximately 22 nucleotides in length that act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. We highlight, through a review of recent literature, that studies on circulating microRNAs have provided novel insights into blood pressure regulation. They have also complemented tissue-based and animal-based experiments in shedding new light on our understanding of established pathways in hypertension, such as the renin-angiotensin system. Despite a number of challenges, we believe microRNAs herald particular potential in becoming effective biomarkers of target-organ damage in hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; NIHR Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: Simon P R
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Romaine
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Technology, School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Federation University Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Fadi J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Charchar
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; NIHR Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: Nilesh J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Samani
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. Electronic address: maciej.tomaszewski@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomaszewski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs