2008 | Carmen Urbich, Angelika Kuehbacher, and Stefanie Dimmeler
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation or degrading mRNA. They play crucial roles in various physiological and pathological processes, including angiogenesis, vascular development, and vascular diseases. The study highlights the role of miRNAs in vascular biology, particularly in endothelial cell function and angiogenesis. miRNAs such as let-7f, miR-27b, and miR-130a are pro-angiogenic, while miR-221 and miR-222 are anti-angiogenic. These miRNAs regulate endothelial cell migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis by targeting specific genes. Additionally, miRNAs are involved in tumour angiogenesis, such as the miR-17-92 cluster and miR-378. miRNAs also contribute to vascular inflammation and diseases, such as atherosclerosis. The study discusses the mechanisms of miRNA processing and their functions in the cardiovascular system, including the roles of Dicer and Drosha in miRNA maturation and function. Specific miRNAs, such as miR-21, miR-155, and miR-126, are implicated in vascular diseases and inflammation. The study also explores the potential of miRNAs as therapeutic targets for treating vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, improving neovascularization after ischaemia, and preventing tumour progression. The findings suggest that miRNAs may offer new therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases by targeting specific genes involved in vascular biology.MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation or degrading mRNA. They play crucial roles in various physiological and pathological processes, including angiogenesis, vascular development, and vascular diseases. The study highlights the role of miRNAs in vascular biology, particularly in endothelial cell function and angiogenesis. miRNAs such as let-7f, miR-27b, and miR-130a are pro-angiogenic, while miR-221 and miR-222 are anti-angiogenic. These miRNAs regulate endothelial cell migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis by targeting specific genes. Additionally, miRNAs are involved in tumour angiogenesis, such as the miR-17-92 cluster and miR-378. miRNAs also contribute to vascular inflammation and diseases, such as atherosclerosis. The study discusses the mechanisms of miRNA processing and their functions in the cardiovascular system, including the roles of Dicer and Drosha in miRNA maturation and function. Specific miRNAs, such as miR-21, miR-155, and miR-126, are implicated in vascular diseases and inflammation. The study also explores the potential of miRNAs as therapeutic targets for treating vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, improving neovascularization after ischaemia, and preventing tumour progression. The findings suggest that miRNAs may offer new therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases by targeting specific genes involved in vascular biology.