Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cardiovascular Diseases: Potential Function as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets of Exercise Training

Abstract

Despite advances in treatments and therapies, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The discovery that most of the human genome, although transcribed, does not encode proteins was crucial for focusing on the potential of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as essential regulators of cell function at the epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels. This class of non-coding RNAs is related to the pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system. The different expression profiles of lncRNAs, in different contexts of CVDs, change a great potential in their use as a biomarker and targets of therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, regular physical exercise plays a protective role against CVDs; on the other hand, little is known about its underlying molecular mechanisms. In this review, we look at the accumulated knowledge on lncRNAs and their functions in the cardiovascular system, focusing on the cardiovascular pathology of arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, and heart failure. We discuss the potential of these molecules as biomarkers for clinical use, their limitations, and how the manipulation of the expression profile of these transcripts through physical exercise can begin to be suggested as a strategy for the treatment of CVDs.

A novel lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA triple network identifies lncRNA XIST as a biomarker for acute myocardial infarction

“…Recent studies have proposed the essential role of lncRNAs in cardiovascular diseases [ 14 ]. Wang et al confirmed that a lncRNA cardiac and apoptosis-related RNA (CARL), which has previously been associated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis, functions as a miR-539 molecular sponge, leading to inhibited mitochondrial division and apoptosis by stimulating PHB2 gene function [ 15 ].…”

Dissecting miRNA–Gene Networks to Map Clinical Utility Roads of Pharmacogenomics-Guided Therapeutic Decisions in Cardiovascular Precision Medicine

“…To this end, the emerging role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) as potential biomarkers in CVDs has also been highlighted [ 20 , 21 ]. Furthermore, as recently pointed out, the long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that represent a heterogenous group of noncoding transcripts are capable of regulating complex molecular networks, and are therefore considered as potential biomarkers in CVDs [ 22 , 23 ]. The main focus of our work relies on the development and application of bioinformatic methodologies capable to uncover pharmacogenomics relevant biomarkers in the miRNAs-gene correlation axis to guide cardiovascular medicine decisions.…”

Signaling by LncRNAs: Structure, Cellular Homeostasis, and Disease Pathology

“…Whereas the lncRNA FENDRR, which is expressed in the lateral mesoderm of the heart, is required for the heart wall development through its interactions with PRC2, trithorax group of proteins (TrxG), and mixed lineage leukemia protein (MLL) in modifying the chromatin state and gene expressions [ 200 ]. In addition to the normal developmental functions, lncRNAs also serve as a critical regulator of cardiovascular pathology, which includes conditions such as arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, and heart failure [ 201 ].…”