MicroRNAs involve in bicuspid aortic aneurysm: pathogenesis and biomarkers

Abstract

The incidence of bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) is high in the whole population, BAV-related thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is accompanied by many adverse vascular events. So far, there are two key points in dealing with BAV-related TAA. First is fully understanding on its pathogenesis. Second is optimizing surgical intervention time. This review aims to illustrate the potential role of miRNAs in both aspects, that is, how miRNAs are involved in the occurrence and progression of BAV-related TAA, and the feasibilities of miRNAs as biomarkers.

How Important are Genetics in the Management of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Acute Aortic Syndromes? What do we Know Today?

“…They do not develop simultaneously and regress at different paces. The fourth arch is remarkable in this case as it contributes to the formation of the true aortic arch [16].…”

“…As a result, there is increased wall tension of the aorta and greater shear forces. It is still controversial whether the wall is weakened during pregnancy [16].…”

Update on biomarkers of bicuspid aortic disease: still a long road to run?

“…In the setting of BAV aortopathy, investigators have so far mostly focused on circulating proteins –including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), alpha1-antitrypsin, soluble form of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE), asymmetric dimethylarginine, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-b1), ratio of TGF-b1 to endoglin (ENG)–, or on small noncoding circulating RNA molecules, especially micro-RNAs (miRNA) [reviewed in ( 8 , 9 )]. Among investigated proteins, none have been demonstrated to be an optimal candidate biomarker on their own, leading to the suggestion that only a combination of several biomarkers could reach good predictivity.…”

“…Among miRNAs, miR-145 was linked to NOTCH1 mutations, miR-34a to deranged aortic wall properties [reviewed in ( 9 )] and others [including miR-15b, miR-17, miR-20a, miR-106a ( 5 )] have been shown to correlate with aortic diameter, thus representing markers of the presence—rather than prognostic predictors—of the aortopathy. Therefore, no miRNA appears as a promising candidate biomarker so far, inasmuch as we still ignore their unique role in BAV aortopathy pathobiology, and because no study has ever linked their alterations to significant clinical endpoints ( 12 ).…”

Patients with Bicuspid Aortopathy and Aortic Dilatation

“…Recently, micro-RNA (miRNA) has been studied regarding post-transcriptional regulation of genes in aortopathy manifestation. [ 8 , 9 ]. This paper aims to discuss the current knowledge about anatomical, pathophysiological, genetical, ultrasound, and radiological aspects of BAV disease, focusing on BAV classification related to imaging patterns and flux models involved in the onset of aortic dilatation and its developed process.…”