Circulating miRNAs as mediators in cell-to-cell communication

Abstract

Since their discovery in the blood circulation in 2008 [1], miRNAs have emerged as the subclass of the noncoding RNA superfamily that has gained most attention in biomarker development. Due to their biochemical properties, the number of publications that have explored the clinical application of circulating miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic indicators of cardiovascular disease has grown exponentially over the last decade [2]. Surprisingly, despite the enormous research and economic interest, the biology of these small noncoding RNAs in circulation is far from being completely understood.