Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry

Author(s): Gerasimos Siasos, Christina Kollia, Vasiliki Tsigkou, Efthimia K. Basdra, Maria Lymperi, Evangelos Oikonomou, Eleni Kokkou, Porfyrios Korompelis and Athanasios G. Papavassiliou

DOI: 10.2174/15680266113139990099

MicroRNAs: Novel Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Atherosclerosis

Page: [1503 - 1517] Pages: 15

  • * (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an emerging class of highly conserved, non-coding small RNAs that regulate gene expression on the post-transcriptional level by inhibiting the translation of protein from mRNA or by promoting the degradation of mRNA. The involvement of miRNAs in the regulation of lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, cell cycle progression and proliferation, oxidative stress, platelet activation, endothelial function, angiogenesis and plaque formation and rapture indicates important roles in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. In the light of this evidence we will review the role of miRNAs in atherosclerosis.

Keywords: microRNAs, atherosclerosis, inflammation, endothelial function.