MicroRNAs in heart failure.

Despite impressive advancements in the treatment of cardiac disease, heart failure continues to impose a growing burden. Hypertension induces left ventricular hypertrophy, which is considered a stepping stone towards heart faulure. Despite clinical standards, better understanding the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and the progression to heart failure is essential to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies. Recently, microRNAs, a new class of small molecules, have been shown to be involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy. MicroRNA expression is tissue-and developmental stage-specific. However, the regulation and function of these small microRNAs is still poorly understood. I propose to use a unique and highly innovative strategy to unravel the yet undiscovered world of microRNA-regulation and -function in heart failure. We aspire to characterize the exact biological significance of specifically selected microRNAs and elucidate the underlying mechanisms how they can persuade cardiac function and serve as novel therapeutic tools. Secondly, I aim to identify genomic differences in microRNAs that could be linked to human cardiac disease and could serve as novel diagnostic of prognostic applicance in patients with hypertrophy-induced heart failure. All together leading to an improved perceptive of heart failure and novel therapeutic approaches.

Keywords:Cardiac hypertrophy, MicroRNA, Heart failure