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MicroRNAs in Hypertension: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets

  • Vascular Mechanisms (F Ruschitzka, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Hypertension is a complex, multifactorial disease, and its development is determined by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Several mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension: increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, overactivation of the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), dysfunction of vascular endothelium, impaired platelet function, thrombogenesis, vascular smooth muscle and cardiac hypertrophy, and altered angiogenesis. MicroRNAs are short, noncoding nucleotides regulating target messenger RNAs at the post-transcriptional level. MicroRNAs are involved in virtually all biologic processes, including cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Thus, microRNA deregulation often results in impaired cellular function and disease development, so microRNAs have potential therapeutic relevance. Many aspects of the development of essential hypertension at the molecular level are still unknown. The elucidation of these processes regulated by microRNAs and the identification of novel microRNA targets in the pathogenesis of hypertension is a highly valuable and exciting strategy that may eventually led to the development of novel treatment approaches for hypertension. This article reviews the potential role of microRNAs in the mechanisms associated with the development and consequences of hypertension and discusses advances in microRNA-based approaches that may be important in treating hypertension.

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Disclosure

The authors disclose support from the IFB-Tx (BMBF 01EO0802; T.T.), DFG TH 903/10-1 (T.T.) and FP7 ERG 294278 (S.B. and T.T.). T.T. has filed patents in the field of cardiovascular microRNA diagnostics and therapeutics.

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  1. Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 0625, Hannover, Germany

    Sándor Bátkai & Thomas Thum

  2. Centre for Clinical and Basic Research, IRCCS San Raffaele, Rome, Italy

    Thomas Thum

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  1. Sándor Bátkai
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Bátkai, S., Thum, T. MicroRNAs in Hypertension: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets. Curr Hypertens Rep 14, 79–87 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-011-0235-6

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