Circulating microRNAs as potential non-invasive biomarkers for the early detection of hypertension-related stroke

Hypertension is one of the most important risk and modifiable factors for stroke. Crucial in managing the cerebrovascular damage caused by long-lasting and inadequately treated hypertension is not only lowering arterial blood pressure but also early predicting subtypes of hypertension-related stroke and applying more effective interventions. Accumulating evidence suggested that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) could be developed as biomarkers for early recognition of the onset of a variety of diseases. The role of miRNAs has been extensively reviewed, involving cardiac hypertrophy, hypertensive heart failure, kidney failure and renal fibrosis. miRNA research in stroke is still in its infancy, although there are few literatures reviewing the role of miRNAs in the processes of hypertension-related stroke. This review summarizes current advances in miRNAs regulation of critical pathogenic process underlying hypertension, ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke, and highlights the potential of using circulating miRNAs as noninvasive biomarkers for the early detection of hypertension-related stroke.