microRNAs in cardiac regeneration and cardiovascular disease

Abstract

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs, which have been shown important to a wide range of biological process by post-transcriptionally regulating the expression of protein-coding genes. miRNAs have been demonstrated essential to normal cardiac development and function. Recently, numerous studies indicate miRNAs are involved in cardiac regeneration and cardiac disease, including cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction and cardiac arrhythmia. These observations suggest miRNAs play important roles in cardiology. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of studying miRNAs in cardiac regeneration and cardiac disease. We also discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of miRNAs in heart disease.