MicroRNAs Determining Inflammation as Novel Biomarkers and Potential Therapeutic Targets.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become a predominant cause of death worldwide. Although CVDs encompass a variety of pathological conditions that affect the heart and blood vasculature, they can be classified into two major groups according to their basic pathophysiologic mechanisms, namely atherosclerosis and aneurysm formation. Increasing evidence implicates micro-RNAs (miRNAs or miRs) as vital factors both in the initiation and progression processes of CVDs. Some miRs have a promoting role in CVD development, while others have a protective role. Today, miRs have been shown to be potential biomarkers for several types of CVDs, while strategies targeting miRs are under consideration as potential tools for exploitation in therapeutic approaches for CVD treatments. In this review, we present the available data on the involvement of miRs in CVDs, focusing on their role as regulators of the inflammatory process as an initiating and driving component of CVDs.

Ocular anomalies and holoprosencephaly in a lamb.

The brain and eyes from a 1-day-old, male mixed-breed lamb with bilateral microphthalmia were examined. Bilateral ventral colobomata of choroid, sclera, retina and optic nerve were accompanied by agenesis of the optic nerve, and dilated lateral and third ventricular cavities that communicated with the subarachnoid space. Abundant neuroretinal tissue extending through the colobomatous defect to retro-orbital connective tissue, the meningeal surface and ventricular system were identified by histologic examination. Positive immunolabeling of these structures for recoverin (a photoreceptor marker) established the retinal origin of ectopic structures. The optic nerve was replaced by a short fibrous stalk containing glial nests. Sections of brainstem revealed extensive architectural disorganization. A developmental abnormality resulting from defective optic nerve and retina compartmentalization, accompanied by abnormalities of midline development consistent with the holoprosencephaly syndrome, was diagnosed. These lesions are consistent with signaling defects in the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway. Genetic and toxic causes of sonic hedgehog signaling defects are discussed.