Revised: March 21, 2013
Accepted: April 27, 2013
Published online: May 6, 2013
Microparticles (MPs) are extracellular membrane vesicles released from normal, apoptotic and pathological cells following a process of detachment from cells of origin. MPs are typically defined by their size, exposure of phosphatidylserine, the expression of surface antigens, proteins and genetic material, originating from their donor cells, and as important vehicles of intercellular communication across numerous biological processes. MPs contain the major source of systemic RNA including microRNA (miRNA) of which aberrant expression appears to be associated with stage and progression of atherosclerosis. The involvement and influence of miRNA during the onset and progression of atherosclerotic disease have generated a lot of interest in assessing the feasibility of therapeutic regulation of miRNAs to manipulate them with a special focus on cardiovascular disease. We speculate on the future developments of MPs which contain miRNA as new therapeutic targets for proliferative vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis.
Core tip: Circulating microparticles (MPs) and microRNAs (miRNA) play an important role in atherosclerotic disease. MPs contain the major source of systemic RNA including microRNA of which aberrant expression appears to be associated with stage and progression of atherosclerosis. We speculate on the future developments of MPs which contain miRNA as new therapeutic targets for proliferative vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis.