Advances of long noncoding RNAs in myocardial fibrosis

Accumulating studies have recently shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the initiation and progression of myocardial fibrosis,a common histological characteristic of heart conditions and prominent global health issues. LncRNAs are prominently served as regulatory molecules via interaction with DNA,RNA and proteins in transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes. They can change morphological structure and biochemical metabolism of cardiac cells and regulate homeostasis of the cardiac extracellular matrix. Therefore,lncRNAs show great potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for anti-fibrotic treatment.