Abstract

Several processes including endothelial angiogenesis, vascular neointimal lesion formation, vascular inflammation process, lipoprotein metabolism, and hypertension are critically involved in atherosclerosis. This chapter aims to introduce the role of miRNAs in hypertension. Angiotensin II, the major bioactive peptide of the renin–angiotensin system, plays a crucial role in controlling various cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension. Endothelium-dependent nitric oxide (NO) formation has been reproducibly demonstrated to be reduced in patients with essential hypertension compared with normotensive control subjects. Formation of NO in endothelial cells depends on an adequate and continuing supply of its key substrate, L-arginine. Studies on miRNAs in hypertension have been rather sparse, though miRNAs have been reported to play a role in hypertension. In particular, miR-155 regulates angiotensin II type 1 receptor and miR-122 regulates L-arginine transport.