Novel biomarkers in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes: the role of circulating miRNAs

Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2014 Sep;12(9):1119-24. doi: 10.1586/14779072.2014.953483.

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease, in particular acute coronary syndromes (ACS), is still one of the leading causes of death in industrialized countries. ACS including ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and unstable angina pectoris (UA) are associated with lower mortality if diagnosed early. The diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, ECG and circulating biomarker-level changes. Recent studies have shown that there are alternatives to the known biomarkers such as ultrasensitive troponin I or T and creatine kinase Mb; there are, in fact, novel biomarkers such as miRNAs. These are 22-nucleotide-long non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at post-transcriptional level. Several recent studies have shown that miRNAs play a physiological role in cardiovascular homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Expression-pattern studies of myocardial tissue reveal that several miRNAs are up- or down-regulated during myocardial infarction. The purpose of the present review is to highlight the state of the art and future views on this topic.

Keywords: RNA; ST – segment elevation myocardial infarction; acute coronary syndrome; atherosclerosis; biomarkers; cardiovascular disease; miRNA; microparticles; non ST – segment elevation myocardial infarction; unstable angina pectoris.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / genetics
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / mortality
  • Angina, Unstable / diagnosis
  • Angina, Unstable / genetics
  • Angina, Unstable / mortality
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Myocardial Infarction / genetics
  • Myocardial Infarction / mortality
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • FILIP1L protein, human
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • MicroRNAs