MicroRNAs Determining Inflammation as Novel Biomarkers and Potential Therapeutic Targets

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become a predominant cause of death worldwide. Although CVDs encompass a variety of pathological conditions that affect the heart and blood vasculature, they can be classified into two major groups according to their basic pathophysiologic mechanisms, namely atherosclerosis and aneurysm formation. Increasing evidence implicates micro-RNAs (miRNAs or miRs) as vital factors both in the initiation and progression processes of CVDs. Some miRs have a promoting role in CVD development, while others have a protective role. Today, miRs have been shown to be potential biomarkers for several types of CVDs, while strategies targeting miRs are under consideration as potential tools for exploitation in therapeutic approaches for CVD treatments. In this review, we present the available data on the involvement of miRs in CVDs, focusing on their role as regulators of the inflammatory process as an initiating and driving component of CVDs.