Pivotal role of microRNAs in cardiac physiology and heart failure

Cardiac hypertrophy is a hallmark of heart failure (HF), a highly prevalent, debilitating and deadly condition in Western countries. Pronounced changes in molecular pathways governing cardiac physiology underlie hypertrophy and progression to HF. MicroRNAs, small nucleotide sequences that coordinate gene expression, may have a central role in orchestrating these changes since the hypertrophic and HF myocardium clearly shows disturbed microRNA profiles. Experimental interventions targeting miR disturbances have been shown beneficial in animal models of cardiac hypertrophy and HF. This short review discusses exciting potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications of microRNAs to cardiac hypertrophy and HF, highlighting the underlying molecular pathways.