Abstract:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which exert pathophysiological function by  targeting  3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) as an imperfect match, regulate gene expression over 30% in human genome on the posttranscriptional level by inhibiting the translation of protein from mRNA or by promoting the degradation or expression of mRNA to control cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in different types of cells. Angiogenesis is the necessary process of cardiovascular remolding. MiR-210 and miR-424 are identified as pro-angiogenic miRNAs. Endothelial specific miR-126 plays a vital role in angiogenesis, as well as regulates vascular endothelial integrity and inflammation distinctly. In contrast, miR-221, miR-222, miR-92a and miR-24 inhibit endothelial cell angiogenesis. Thus, further research of role of miRNAs on angiogenesis and novel pathways of therapeutic angiogenesis may offer new significant strategies to treat ischemic heart disease and vascular disease.

Key words: microRNAs, angiogenesis, gene expression, endothelial cells