Let-7 in cardiovascular diseases, heart development and cardiovascular differentiation from stem cells

Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Nov 21;14(11):23086-102. doi: 10.3390/ijms141123086.

Abstract

The let-7 family is the second microRNA found in C. elegans. Recent researches have found it is highly expressed in the cardiovascular system. Studies have revealed the aberrant expression of let-7 members in cardiovascular diseases, such as heart hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), myocardial infarction (MI), arrhythmia, angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. Let-7 also participates in cardiovascular differentiation of embryonic stem cells. TLR4, LOX-1, Bcl-xl and AGO1 are by now the identified target genes of let-7. The circulating let-7b is suspected to be the biomarker of acute MI and let-7i, the biomarker of DCM. Further studies are necessary for identifying the gene targets and signaling pathways of let-7 in cardiovascular diseases. Let-7 might be a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases. This review focuses on the research progresses regarding the roles of let-7 in cardiovascular development and diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases / genetics*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / pathology
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Heart / growth & development*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • mirnlet7 microRNA, human