Vascular miRNAs after balloon angioplasty.

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression through translational repression or degradation of the target mRNA. Available strategies to improve stent patency lead to the risk of potential stent thrombosis. Modulation of miRs could be a promising means of reducing VSMC proliferation while increasing endothelial regeneration at the same time. Therefore, the goal of this review is to summarize recent experimental evidences on the role played by miRNAs in vascular remodeling, and particularly on VSMC phenotype switch and in endothelial cells, in response to vascular injury.