The role of MicroRNAs in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare inherited heart condition with structural and functional abnormalities of the right ventricle. Microribonucleic acids (miRNAs, miRs) could be a solution to detect ARVC earlier, more often, and in a less invasive way. Aims: We aimed to systematically review the current knowledge about the role of miRNAs in ARVC. Material and methods: Primary original research written in English assessing miRNAs in ARVC was included. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, reviews, case reports, letters to editors, commentaries, conference abstracts, guidelines/statements, expert opinions, pre-prints, and book chapters were excluded at the screening stage. Five databases were searched: Embase, Medline Ultimate, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, up to October 4, 2024. Finally, 13 original studies relevant to the discussed area were included. The quality of research was assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: MiR-216a was consistently increased in mice ARVC models and in patients suffering from this disease. Based on the reviewed literature, miR-1, miR-21, and miR-122 are other most important miRNAs in the ARVC. Nevertheless, the research that has already been performed on these miRNAs gives evidence only for their diagnostic potential. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that the following miRNAs are the most important ones involved in ARVC: let-7b, miR-10b-5p, miR-15a-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-29b-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-144-3p, miR-149-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-186-5p, miR-320a, miR-494-3p, and miR-590-3p. Conclusions: Developing a miRNA panel that could identify ARVC patients with high sensitivity and specificity would be helpful. Currently, there are many gaps in the existing knowledge, which makes miRNA in ARVC an attractive field for future investigation.