Non-coding RNAs as orchestrators of autophagic processes

• Balanced autophagy is essential for proper functioning of the heart.
• MicroRNAs are important regulators of cardiac autophagy.
• Modulation of microRNAs could be harnessed to target autophagic processes in the heart and other organs.
• Other non-coding RNAs such as long noncoding RNAs likely also regulate cardiac autophagy.

Autophagy is an important quality control mechanism present in all cells to maintain their cellular homeostasis. An imbalance in the autophagic process had been reported in numerous diseases including cardiovascular disease and is associated with serious consequences. Thus, knowledge of key regulators of cardiac autophagy is helpful to regain a balanced autophagic activity and to maintain healthy myocardial function. In this review we summarize all microRNAs which had been reported to regulate cardiac autophagy to date. In addition, we discuss long noncoding RNAs and circular RNAs as potential modulators of autophagy. Altering non-coding RNAs in-vivo by novel therapeutics offers a promising approach to treat autophagy-related diseases.