MicroRNAs are a class of evolutionarily small non-coding RNAs of 19 to
25 nucleotides in length, that represent one of the most exciting areas
of current medical science as they can regulate a complex regulatory
network of gene expression and physiologic processes including
differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis in a highly context
dependent fashion. Recently, their role in cardiovascular disease and in
the regulation of cardiomyocyte size and function, in the action
potential, in angiogenesis and in mitochondrial function was recognized.
Importantly, they have been evaluated for their prognostic and
diagnostic role in heart failure and modification of specific microRNAs
levels has been tested as a therapeutic option in experimental heart
failure models. In this review article we refer the most emerging
evidence, concerning the role of microRNAs in myocardial development in
heart failure pathophysiology and prognosis, and their therapeutic
implications
