Exosomal microRNAs in the development of essential hypertension and its potential as biomarkers.

Exosomal microRNAs in the development of essential hypertension and its potential as biomarkers.

Tan PPS; Hall D; Chilian WM; Chia YC; Mohd ZS; Lim HM; Kumar DN; Ching SM; Low TY; Noh MFM; Pung Y-F

American Journal Of Physiology. Heart And Circulatory Physiology

2021

2021-02-12

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory molecules that are involved in post-transcriptional modifications. These non-coding RNAs are usually ferried by extracellular carriers such as exosomes or other protein and lipid carriers inside a range of body fluids including plasma and urine. Due to their ability to withstand harsh external conditions, exosomal miRNAs possess enormous potentials as non-invasive disease biomarkers for, notably hypertension, whereby exosomal miRNAs have been implicated in its pathophysiological processes. More importantly, alterations in the microenvironment as a result of disease progression can induce active and selective loading of miRNAs into exosomes. In this paper, we first review the mechanisms of miRNA loading into exosomes, followed by the roles of exosomal miRNAs in the development of hypertension; and the potentials of exosomal miRNAs as biomarkers in comparison to other free circulating miRNAs. Finally challenges and future research surrounding exosomal miRNAs will also be discussed. The information synthesized in this review summarizes current knowledge of non-invasive biomarkers for early hypertension diagnosis and for probing therapeutic efficacy.

extracellular vesicles; small non-coding RNA; clinical biomarker; high blood pressure; microvesicles

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1522-1539 0363-6135

NEOMED College of Medicine

Department of Integrative Medical Sciences

March 2021 List