Noncoding RNAs and myocardial fibrosis

During stress or injury-induced cardiac remodelling, fibroblasts increase production of extracellular matrix proteins, which leads to fibrosis formation, and consequently, heart failure. In this Review, Thomas Thum describes the contribution of noncoding RNAs to this process, with a specific focus on microRNAs that might be used as future therapeutic targets or biomarkers for cardiac fibrosis.