title: Improving stem cell therapy in cardiovascular diseases: the potential role of microRNA.
abstract: The initial promising prospect of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy in the setting of cardiovascular diseases has been overshadowed by functional shortcomings of the stem cell product. As powerful epigenetic regulators of (stem) cell function, microRNAs are valuable targets for novel therapeutic strategies. Indeed, modulation of specific miRNA expression could contribute to improved therapeutic efficacy of stem cell therapy. First, this review elaborates on the functional relevance of miRNA dysregulation in bone marrow-derived progenitor cells in different cardiovascular diseases. Next, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current evidence on the effect of specific miRNA modulation in several types of progenitor cells on cardiac and/or vascular regeneration. By elaborating on the cardioprotective regulation of progenitor cells on cardiac miRNAs, more insight in the underlying mechanisms of stem cell therapy is provided. Finally, some considerations are made regarding the potential of circulating miRNAs as regulators of the miRNA signature of progenitor cells in cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Translational Pathophysiological Research, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium;
authors.forename: Evelien
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nollet
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Translational Pathophysiological Research, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium;
authors.forename: Vicky Y
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: Hoymans
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Translational Pathophysiological Research, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Nephrology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; and.
authors.forename: Amaryllis H
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4728-9406
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Van Craenenbroeck
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Translational Pathophysiological Research, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Christiaan J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Vrints
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Translational Pathophysiological Research, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium emeline.vancraenenbroeck@uantwerpen.be.
authors.forename: Emeline M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Van Craenenbroeck
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D012038:Regeneration; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: cardiovascular diseases; microRNA; progenitor cells; stem cell therapy