MicroRNA-378: An important player in cardiovascular diseases (Review)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common chronic clinical condition and is the main cause of death in humans worldwide. Understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of CVD is essential to develop effective prevention strategies and therapeutic measures. An increasing number of CVD-related genetic studies have been conducted, including those on the potential roles of microRNAs (miRs). These studies have demonstrated that miR-378 is involved in the pathological processes of CVD, including those of myocardial infarction, heart failure and coronary heart disease. Despite the potential importance of miR-378 CVD, a comprehensive summary of the related literature is lacking. Thus, the present review aimed to summarize the findings of previous studies on the roles and mechanisms of miR-378 in a variety of CVDs and provide an up-to date basis for further r research targeting the prevention and treatment of CVDs.