REVIEW: Role of microRNA in Development of Instability of Atherosclerotic Plaques

---

I. A. Koroleva¹, M. S. Nazarenko^1,2,3*, and A. N. Kucher¹

¹Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 634050 Tomsk, Russia; E-mail: maria.nazarenko@medgenetics.ru

²Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 650000 Kemerovo, Russia

³Siberian State Medical University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received July 12, 2017; Revision received September 11, 2017

---

MicroRNAs are small noncoding single-stranded RNAs that regulate gene expression. Today, we see an increasing number of studies highlighting the important role of microRNAs in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases caused by atherosclerotic lesions of arteries. We review the available scientific data on association of the expression of these biomolecules with instability of atherosclerotic plaques in animal models and humans. We made special emphasis on miR-21, -100, -127, -133, -143/145, -221/222, and -494 because they were analyzed in more than one study. We discuss the possibility of microRNAs using in the diagnosis and therapy of atherosclerosis and its complications.

---

KEY WORDS: atherosclerosis, instability of human atherosclerotic plaques, microRNA

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297917110165

---