miRNAs in cardiac fibrosis and aging

Cardiac fibrosis is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, which stiffens the myocardium and predisposes individuals to heart failure, arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Cardiac aging has features of cardiac fibrosis and is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Small non-coding RNAs (microRNAs, i.e. miRNAs) play inextricable roles in regulating cardiac physiology and pathology, including cardiac fibrosis, and exhibit advantages of feasibility in detection of cardiac fibrosis at a stage before overt clinical symptoms. The aim of the present study was to identify miRNAs that hold potential in regulating and reflecting human cardiac fibrosis, and delineate their functions and effects in terms of cardiac fibrosis and aging.
This study sheds light on mechanisms of cardiac fibrosis and aging. The main finding further highlights and updates the list of miRNA candidates that have therapeutic and diagnostic potential for cardiac fibrosis.