MiRNA Regulation of the Mitochondrion in Cardiovascular Disease (Sponsored by AJP - Heart and Circulatory Physiology)

Symposium — Wednesday, April 26, 2024 — 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM — , Room W196B
Cardiovascular Section — Chair: John Hollander — Co-Chair: Dharendra Thapa

Detrimental effects on mitochondria have been proposed to play important roles in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.  Strong evidence from a multitude of studies suggest that impairment of the mitochondrion may contribute to cardiac contractile dysfunction and atherosclerosis, both of which may be the result of disruption to critical mitochondrial processes. From an historical perspective, preservation of the mitochondrion as a therapeutic approach for treating cardiovascular disease has been viewed as an important research avenue. Recently, there has been great progress in the field of ribonomics, which uses genome-wide tools to study how RNAs and proteins interact to modulate transcriptional and translational processes. Among the central players in this process are microRNAs (miRNA) which are non-coding RNAs that have been shown to regulate protein expression by binding to the 3'-untranslated region of target mRNAs. MiRNAs have the ability to modulate physiological processes through the regulation of specific target genes, and studies have begun to elucidate how miRNAs regulate essential processes within the heart during pathological development. The intersection between miRNA-mediated gene regulation and mitochondrial processes during cardiovascular pathological development is rapidly gaining interest in the scientific community and its focus in an international conference setting will be essential for its continued growth. The purpose of this Experimental Biology minisymposium proposal is to highlight research advances that address miRNA regulation of mitochondrial processes in the context of cardiovascular pathology. This symposium will focus on several prominent cardiovascular pathologies (diabetes mellitus, heart failure, ischemia, atherosclerosis) and highlight the participation of miRNA in the regulation of mitochondrial processes. 

Speakers

• MiRNA regulation of the mitochondrial genome: impact of diabetes mellitus
  John Hollander — , West Virginia University


• MitomiRs: a new player in cardiovascular health
  Samarjit Das — , Johns Hopkins University


• MiRNAs in ischemic injury: a role for mitophagy
  Roberta Gottlieb — Cedars-Sinai, Advanced HSP, A9105, Cedars-Sinai Hospital


• Impact of anti-miR strategies on macrophage mitochondria and the development of atherosclerosis
  Katy Rayner — Heart Institute, University of Ottawa