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(Circulation Research. 2007;101:1225.)
© 2007 American Heart Association, Inc.

Review

Emerging Role of MicroRNAs in Cardiovascular Biology

Michael V.G. Latronico, Daniele Catalucci, Gianluigi Condorelli

From the Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico "MultiMedica" (M.V.G.L., D.C., G.C.), Scientific and Technology Pole, Milan, Italy; and Division of Cardiology (D.C., G.C.), Department of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.

Correspondence to Gianluigi Condorelli, MD, PhD, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093-0613. E-mail gcondorelli{at}ucsd.edu

The heart is among the most conserved organs of the body and is susceptible to defects more than any other organ. Heart malformations, in fact, occur in roughly 1% of newborns. Moreover, cardiovascular disease arising during adult life is among the main causes of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. It is not surprising, therefore, that much effort is being channeled into understanding the development, physiology, and pathology of the cardiovascular system. MicroRNAs, a newly discovered class of small ribonucleotide-based regulators of gene expression, are being implicated in an increasing number of biological processes, and the study of their role in cardiovascular biology is just beginning. Here, we briefly overview microRNAs in general and report on the recent findings regarding their importance for the heart and vasculature, in particular. The new insights that are being gained will permit not only a greater understanding of cardiovascular pathologies but also, hopefully, the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Key Words: microRNA • heart development • hypertrophy • heart failure • arrhythmias • cardiovascular disease

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