MicroRNAs in heart failure: from biomarker to target for therapy

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized to play important roles in cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure. These small, non-coding RNAs have been identified in tissue and are involved in several pathophysiological processes related to heart failure, such as cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy. As a result, miRNAs have become interesting novel drug targets, leading to the development of miRNA mimics and antimirs. MicroRNAs are also detected in the circulation, and are proposed as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in heart failure. However, their role and function in the circulation remains to be resolved. Here, we review the potential roles of miRNAs as circulating biomarkers and as targets for therapy.