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MicroRNA-based therapy in cardiology

Mikro-RNA-basierte Therapie in der Kardiologie

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Abstract

The pathogenic role of noncoding microRNA (miR, miRNA) has been demonstrated for several disease conditions in the heart. The underlying molecular mechanisms have been deciphered for numerous miRs that are deregulated as a result of cardiac stress. Innovative therapeutic strategies based on antifibrotic, antihypertrophic, or proangiogenic effects of miRNAs are being currently developed to improve the function of the failing heart. Identifying a safe and efficient miR-based strategy remains challenging, yet these novel approaches offer enormous potential for the treatments for heart failure. In this review we highlight the latest development in the cardiac miRNA field.

Zusammenfassung

Die Beteiligung nichtkodierender Mikro-RNA (miR, miRNA) an pathologischen Veränderungen wurde für verschiedene Herzerkrankungen gezeigt. Für einzelne, nach kardialem Stress herauf- oder herunterregulierte miR sind die zugrunde liegenden molekularen Mechanismen aufgeklärt worden. Neuartige miR-basierte Therapiestrategien (antifibrotisch, antihypertroph oder proangiogen) zielen nun darauf, funktionale Parameter des insuffzienten Myokards zu verbessern. Die Identifizierung geeigneter Kandidaten-miR ist eine große Herausforderung, allerdings weisen diese Therapieoptionen auch ein großes Potenzial für die Behandlung der Herzinsuffizienz auf. In diesem Übersichtsartikel werden miR-basierte therepeutische Strategien vorgestellt.

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Compliance with ethical guidelines

Conflict of interest. J. Fiedler, S. Batkai, and T. Thum receive support from IFB-Tx (BMBF 01EO0802; TT) and DFG TH 903/10–1 (TT). T. Thum and J. Fiedler state that they have filed patents in the field of cardiovascular miRNA diagnostics and therapeutics. The accompanying manuscript does not include studies on humans or animals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany

    J. Fiedler, S. Batkai & T. Thum MD, PhD

  2. Excellence Cluster REBIRTH, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

    S. Batkai & T. Thum MD, PhD

  3. National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK

    T. Thum MD, PhD

Authors
  1. J. Fiedler
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  2. S. Batkai
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  3. T. Thum MD, PhD
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Correspondence to T. Thum MD, PhD.

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Fiedler, J., Batkai, S. & Thum, T. MicroRNA-based therapy in cardiology. Herz 39, 194–200 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00059-013-4047-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00059-013-4047-0

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