Long Non-Coding RNAs: Crucial Players of Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have gained more attention in recent years as a potential new regulator of nearly all biological regulation. LncRNAs are over 200 nucleotides in length, and it can interact with other non-coding RNAs or specific proteins to influence the gene expression. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is associated with cardiovascular diseases. Accumulating studies have uncovered novel lncRNAs-mediated regulation of cardiovascular diseases; however, the knowledge of the mechanisms by how to act is still limited. This review highlights the role of lncRNAs involved in cardiomyocyte apoptosis with a focus on the regulatory axis. These examples may provide helpful insights on how lncRNAs interfere with cardiomyocyte apoptosis.