中文摘要：

microRNA（miRNA）是一类长约18~24个核苷酸的高保守性的小分子非编码RNA,主要通过与特异性靶基因mRNA3＇-UTR区结合而调控基因的表达。miRNA与细胞增殖、分化、凋亡、胚胎发育、组织器官形成以及多种疾病的发生发展密切相关。部分miRNA在心血管组织中特异性表达使其在心血管系统发育及心脏疾病的发生发展中发挥重要作用。本文就miRNA在心血管系统发育和心血管疾病发病机制中的作用进行了系统的综述。

英文摘要：

microRNAs （miRNAs） belong to a large class of evolutionary conserved, small non-coding RNAs, typically 18~24 nucleotides in length, that primarily function at the posttranscriptional level by interacting with the 3＇ untranslated region （UTR） of specific target mRNAs. miRNAs proved to play important roles in cell proliferation and differentiation, cell apoptosis, embryonic development, morphogenesis as well as many human diseases. Some miRNAs are reported to be expressed with high abundance in the cardiovascular system and are important in both the development of cardiovascular system and pathology of cardiovascular diseases. Presently, we review comprehensively the role of miRNAs in cardiovascular development and cardiovascular diseases.