microRNA-Mediated Regulation of Oxidative Stress in Cardiovascular Diseases

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality globally, often linked to oxidative stress. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as significant regulators of oxidative stress within the cardiovascular system.

OBJECTIVE

This review examines the complex relationship between miRNAs and oxidative stress, clarifying their effects on gene expression pathways related to ROS production and detoxification in CVDs.

METHODS

From August to October 2024, we conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2014 and 2024 investigating the role of miRNAs in oxidative stress and cardiovascular diseases.

RESULTS

Specific miRNAs have been identified as critical regulators in the pathophysiology of CVDs, with distinct expression patterns correlated with conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure. For instance, miR-21 exacerbates oxidative stress by targeting genes essential for redox homeostasis, while miR-210 promotes endothelial cell survival under hypoxic conditions by mitigating ROS levels.

CONCLUSION

The reciprocal relationship between miRNAs and oxidative stress highlights the potential for therapeutic interventions targeting miRNA expression and activity in managing CVDs. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is vital for developing innovative strategies to address oxidative damage in cardiac tissues and improve cardiovascular health outcomes.

Recent advances of the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling in mesenchymal stem cells

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase involved in a variety of cellular functions, such as cell proliferation, metabolism, autophagy, survival and cytoskeletal organization. Furthermore, mTOR is made up of three multisubunit complexes, mTOR complex 1, mTOR complex 2, and putative mTOR complex 3. In recent years, increasing evidence has suggested that mTOR plays important roles in the differentiation and immune responses of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In addition, mTOR is a vital regulator of pivotal cellular and physiological functions, such as cell metabolism, survival and ageing, where it has emerged as a novel therapeutic target for ageing-related diseases. Therefore, the mTOR signaling may develop a large impact on the treatment of ageing-related diseases with MSCs. In this review, we discuss prospects for future research in this field.