MicroRNAs intertwined with a heart, symbolizing early heart failure detection.

Heart Failure Breakthrough: Can MicroRNAs Be the New Early Warning System?

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research spotlights the potential of microRNAs as circulating biomarkers, offering hope for earlier heart failure detection and improved patient outcomes."

Heart failure remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited. The quest for reliable, early biomarkers is crucial to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Recent research published in Scientific Reports sheds light on the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as novel circulating biomarkers for heart failure. The study focuses on miRNAs that regulate superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), a critical enzyme involved in cellular stress response and antioxidant defense.

This article will explore the key findings of this research, examining how these specific miRNAs could serve as early indicators of heart failure, potentially revolutionizing diagnostic approaches and paving the way for more effective interventions.

MicroRNAs: Tiny Molecules, Big Impact on Heart Health

MicroRNAs intertwined with a heart, symbolizing early heart failure detection.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that play a vital role in regulating gene expression. They influence a wide range of biological processes, including cellular development, differentiation, and apoptosis. Their dysregulation has been implicated in various diseases, including cardiovascular disorders.

The Scientific Reports study identified a specific set of miRNAs that regulate SOD2, a crucial enzyme responsible for neutralizing harmful superoxide radicals within cells. SOD2 plays a critical role in protecting the heart from oxidative stress, a key contributor to the development and progression of heart failure.

miR-21-3p
miR-21-5p
miR-23a-3p
miR-145-5p
miR-222-3p

The researchers found that the expression levels of these miRNAs were significantly altered in animal models of heart failure. Specifically, some miRNAs were upregulated (increased), while others were downregulated (decreased) in the hearts of animals with induced myocardial infarction (MI), a condition that leads to heart failure.

A Promising Future for Heart Failure Diagnostics

The identification of these SOD2-regulating miRNAs as potential biomarkers offers a promising avenue for improving early detection of heart failure. By developing sensitive and specific assays to measure circulating levels of these miRNAs, clinicians could potentially identify individuals at risk of developing heart failure before significant damage occurs.

Furthermore, these findings could lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting these miRNAs. By modulating their expression levels, it may be possible to protect the heart from oxidative stress and prevent or delay the progression of heart failure.

Further research is needed to validate these findings in larger clinical trials and to determine the optimal clinical application of these miRNA biomarkers. However, this study represents a significant step forward in the fight against heart failure, offering hope for earlier diagnosis, more effective treatment, and improved outcomes for patients.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1038/s41598-018-35955-7, Alternate LINK

Title: Publisher Correction: Micrornas Regulating Superoxide Dismutase 2 Are New Circulating Biomarkers Of Heart Failure

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: Scientific Reports

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Emilie Dubois-Deruy, Marie Cuvelliez, Jan Fiedler, Henri Charrier, Paul Mulder, Eleonore Hebbar, Angelika Pfanne, Olivia Beseme, Maggy Chwastyniak, Philippe Amouyel, Vincent Richard, Christophe Bauters, Thomas Thum, Florence Pinet

Published: 2018-11-29

Everything You Need To Know

What are microRNAs (miRNAs) and how are they related to heart health?

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that play a critical role in regulating gene expression and various biological processes within cells. Their dysregulation has been linked to cardiovascular disorders. In the context of heart failure, specific miRNAs that regulate superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) have been identified as potential biomarkers. SOD2 is a crucial enzyme that neutralizes harmful superoxide radicals, protecting the heart from oxidative stress, which is a key contributor to heart failure.

Which specific microRNAs were identified in the Scientific Reports study as potential biomarkers for heart failure?

The Scientific Reports study identified several microRNAs that regulate superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), including miR-21-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-145-5p, and miR-222-3p. These specific miRNAs showed altered expression levels in animal models of heart failure. Some were upregulated (increased), while others were downregulated (decreased) in the hearts of animals with induced myocardial infarction (MI), a condition leading to heart failure.

What is the role of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and why is it important in the context of heart failure?

Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) is a critical enzyme within cells responsible for neutralizing superoxide radicals. These radicals contribute to oxidative stress, which can damage cells and tissues. SOD2 plays a vital role in protecting the heart from this oxidative stress. The study highlights that by regulating SOD2, these microRNAs can influence the progression of heart failure. Monitoring these miRNAs offers a window into the heart's health and its ability to withstand oxidative damage.

How can the discovery of these SOD2-regulating miRNAs potentially improve the early detection of heart failure?

The study showed that specific microRNAs, such as miR-21-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-145-5p, and miR-222-3p, can potentially serve as early warning signs of heart failure. These microRNAs regulate superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). If sensitive and specific assays are developed to measure circulating levels of these miRNAs, clinicians could identify individuals at risk of developing heart failure before significant damage occurs. This could allow for earlier interventions and potentially better patient outcomes.

While the study identifies specific microRNAs as potential early indicators of heart failure, what other factors should be considered for a comprehensive understanding of heart health?

Identifying microRNAs like miR-21-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-145-5p, and miR-222-3p, which regulate superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), offers a promising avenue for early detection of heart failure, it doesn't address all the complexities of this condition. Other factors like genetic predispositions, lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, smoking), and co-existing conditions (hypertension, diabetes) also play significant roles. Future research should integrate these microRNA findings with a more holistic view of heart health to improve risk assessment and treatment strategies.