RNA Therapeutics: the Next Generation of Drugs for Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Purpose of Review RNA therapeutics are a new and rapidly expanding class of drugs to prevent or treat a wide spectrum of diseases. We discuss the defining characteristics of the diverse family of molecules under the RNA therapeutics umbrella. Recent Findings RNA therapeutics are designed to regulate gene expression in a transient manner. For example, depending upon the strategy employed, RNA therapies offer the versatility to replace, supplement, correct, suppress, or eliminate the expression of a targeted gene. RNA therapies include antisense nucleotides, microRNAs and small interfering RNAs, RNA aptamers, and messenger RNAs. Further, we discuss the mechanism(s) by which different RNA therapies either reduce or increase the expression of their targets. Summary We review the RNA therapeutics approved (and those in trials) to treat cardiovascular indications. RNA-based therapeutics are a new, rapidly growing class of drugs that will offer new alternatives for an increasing array of cardiovascular conditions.

Hydrogel armed with Bmp2 mRNA-enriched exosomes enhances bone regeneration

“…In vaccines, mRNA translation can serve as an antigenic target for the immune system, such as the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 in the Covid-19 mRNA vaccine [ 41 ]. At present, mRNA therapy has made great progress in cardiovascular diseases [ 42 ], respiratory diseases [ 43 ], metabolic diseases [ 44 ], infectious diseases [ 45 ], autoimmune diseases [ 46 ], and tumours [ 47 ]. Compared with other biomolecules, RNA molecules are hydrophilic and negatively charged, cannot diffuse through cell membranes, are unstable and easily degraded, and may trigger immunogenicity in vivo.…”

Emerging Roles of Micrornas in Veterinary Cardiology

“…This can be achieved by targeting miRNAs for degradation or by sequestering the miRNA so it can no longer attach to its targets. Several strategies target miRNAs, such as antagomiRs (cholesterol-conjugated anti-miRs), locked nucleic acids, and antisense oligonucleotides [ 116 ].…”

Using RNAi in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases - therapeutics based on siRNA overview

“…After transfection, siRNA is split by helicase (ATP-dependent), the non-degraded antisense strand is incorporated into the RISC interference complex (activation of the complex), this complex then attaches to the complementary siRNA messenger-RNA and cuts it (degradation of mRNA) and block the production of a specific protein. A similar mechanism involving the RISC complex is represented by miRNA, which apart from degradation causes very high specificic inhibition of translation [3,6,7,8,9,10]. The miRNA molecule generally bind to the untranslated region 3′UTR of mRNAs and then repress their translation or recruit deadenylases and/or decapping enzymes to simplify the degradation of specific mRNA [8].…”

“…A similar mechanism involving the RISC complex is represented by miRNA, which apart from degradation causes very high specificic inhibition of translation [3,6,7,8,9,10]. The miRNA molecule generally bind to the untranslated region 3′UTR of mRNAs and then repress their translation or recruit deadenylases and/or decapping enzymes to simplify the degradation of specific mRNA [8]. The main challenge in using RNAi-based therapies has been to find the ideal method of delivering such material to cells.…”