Key result
Mechanosensitive non-coding RNAs emerge as promising therapeutic targets for cardiac remodeling and fibrosis.
Why the study?
Growing evidence supports the involvement of non-coding RNAs in cardiovascular physiology and disease, prompting this review of mechanosensitive ncRNAs in cardiovascular remodeling and fibrosis, as well as advances in their discovery and cardiac-specific delivery.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Mechanosensitive non-coding RNAs represent promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets in mechanically driven cardiovascular remodeling and fibrosis, though delivery and safety challenges remain prior to clinical translation.
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as major regulators of gene expression and cellular homeostasis, with growing evidence supporting their involvement in cardiovascular physiology and disease. This review summarizes the classification, mechanisms of action, and functional roles of ncRNAs, with particular focus on mechano-ncRNAs involved in cardiovascular remodeling and fibrosis. Different classes of ncRNAs are discussed in relation to their contributions to vascular, valvular, and myocardial homeostasis, as well as to pathological processes including inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and fibrotic responses. Special emphasis is placed on biomechanical stimuli, including increased matrix stiffness, cyclic strain, and altered shear stress, which can modulate ncRNA expression and activity through mechanotransduction pathways. Notable examples of mechano-ncRNAs include miR-21, miR-29, miR-132, MIAT, MALAT1, and MEG3, which have been implicated in maladaptive cardiac remodeling and fibrosis. Concurrently, we highlight the importance of technical advances in ncRNA discovery and cardiac-specific delivery systems, including viral and nanoparticle-based vectors, for the development of ncRNA-based therapeutic strategies with potential for clinical translation. Overall, ncRNAs are shown to represent promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cardiovascular diseases, particularly in mechanically driven pathological conditions. However, challenges related to delivery specificity, stability, off-target effects, and safety remain and will need to be addressed to enable the clinical translation of ncRNA-based therapies in precision cardiovascular medicine.
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Fancello et al. (2026) conducted a review in Cardiovascular disease, remodeling, and fibrosis. Mechanosensitive non-coding RNAs (mechano-ncRNAs) and cardiac-specific delivery systems was evaluated. Mechanosensitive non-coding RNAs (e.g., miR-21, miR-29, miR-132, MIAT, MALAT1, MEG3) represent promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets in mechanically driven cardiovascular remodeling and fibrosis.