microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs in heart failure: Biogenesis, subcellular functions, and clinical applications

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading causes of mortality and disability, with heart failure being the end stage of various cardiovascular diseases. The well-established biological pathogenesis of heart failure includes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, and endothelial dysfunction. Despite advanced therapies, mortality from heart failure remains high. Therefore, novel targets and therapeutic strategies for heart failure are urgently needed. The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) extends understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases and provides new perspectives on potential clinical applications. Emerging evidence shows that miRNAs and lncRNAs may be located in different subcellular fractions and possess various regulatory functions; this deepens the understanding of miRNA and lncRNA functions. Furthermore, miRNA- or lncRNA-based therapies may be optimized based on their subcellular functions. In this review, we have summarized the diverse functions of subcellular miRNAs and lncRNAs and the current clinical applications of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the treatment of heart failure.