MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short sequences of non-coding RNA that play an important role in the regulation of gene expression and thereby in many physiological and pathological processes. Furthermore, miRNAs are released in the extracellular space, for example in vesicles, and are detectable in various biological fluids, such as serum, plasma and urine. Over the last years, it has been shown that miRNAs are crucial in the development of several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
However, there is still a lot of knowledge to be gained in the field of miRNA research, especially in a clinical context. Due to the highly versatile character of miRNAs, still a lot of the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Furthermore, there are currently already a large amount of miRNAs identified, but this list is still growing. Because of their importance in light of CVD it is of crucial importance to investigate miRNA functions and the underlying mechanisms in detail.
Moreover, miRNAs have developed into interesting disease-specific diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for CVD. Several approaches have already been developed to alter miRNA expression and function (i.e. mimics, antagomirs, and target-site blockers), highlighting the promising therapeutic potential of miRNAs. Due to the wide variety of miRNAs, it is important that research focusses on the ones with the greatest potential for clinical translation and applicability. Therefore,this Research Topic will focus on revealing the most promising miRNAs to use as diagnostic or therapeutic tool in the context of CVD.
Sub-themes for this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:
1) Mechanistic insights into cellular effects of miRNAs in relation to cardiovascular pathologies.
2) miRNAs as novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
3) Novel tools and concepts for miRNA focussed research.
4) Insights into the potential therapeutic role of miRNA for CVD.
The editors welcome all manuscript types which focus on the various roles that miRNAs play in CVDs and its potential as a diagnostic or therapeutic target. Specific diseases covered in this Research Topic include atherosclerosis and plaque related disease.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short sequences of non-coding RNA that play an important role in the regulation of gene expression and thereby in many physiological and pathological processes. Furthermore, miRNAs are released in the extracellular space, for example in vesicles, and are detectable in various biological fluids, such as serum, plasma and urine. Over the last years, it has been shown that miRNAs are crucial in the development of several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
However, there is still a lot of knowledge to be gained in the field of miRNA research, especially in a clinical context. Due to the highly versatile character of miRNAs, still a lot of the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Furthermore, there are currently already a large amount of miRNAs identified, but this list is still growing. Because of their importance in light of CVD it is of crucial importance to investigate miRNA functions and the underlying mechanisms in detail.
Moreover, miRNAs have developed into interesting disease-specific diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for CVD. Several approaches have already been developed to alter miRNA expression and function (i.e. mimics, antagomirs, and target-site blockers), highlighting the promising therapeutic potential of miRNAs. Due to the wide variety of miRNAs, it is important that research focusses on the ones with the greatest potential for clinical translation and applicability. Therefore,this Research Topic will focus on revealing the most promising miRNAs to use as diagnostic or therapeutic tool in the context of CVD.
Sub-themes for this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:
1) Mechanistic insights into cellular effects of miRNAs in relation to cardiovascular pathologies.
2) miRNAs as novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
3) Novel tools and concepts for miRNA focussed research.
4) Insights into the potential therapeutic role of miRNA for CVD.
The editors welcome all manuscript types which focus on the various roles that miRNAs play in CVDs and its potential as a diagnostic or therapeutic target. Specific diseases covered in this Research Topic include atherosclerosis and plaque related disease.