The present invention relates to a modulator, in particular an inhibitor, of microRNA-24 (miR-24) and to direct and indirect miR-24 targets for use in a method of treatment and/or prevention of ischemia, in a method of prevention of endothelial apoptosis or in a method of induction of angiogenesis. The present invention further relates to a precursor of miR-24 and to siRNAs or shRNAs against direct or indirect miR-24 targets for use in a method of treatment of angiogenesis associated with cancer. The present invention also relates to an in vitro method for diagnosing ischemia or prevalence or disposition for ischemia, and to a method for identifying a modulator of miR-24 and/or direct or indirect miR-24 targets. In addition, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions or kits comprising any of the above agents, to endothelial cells devoid of expressing functional miR-24, and to a non-human, transgenic animal comprising these endothelial cells.
1. A method for treatment of ischemia or endothelial apoptosis, and/or for inducing angiogenesis, wherein said method comprises administering, to a subject in need of such treatment or induction, an inhibitor of microRNA-24 (miR-24), wherein said inhibitor is a nucleic acid.
2. The method, according to claim 1 , wherein the ischemia is associated with at least one of the group consisting of acute and/or chronic myocardial infarction, chronic heart failure, peripheral vascular occlusive disease, liver and/or kidney ischemia, stroke, bowel ischemia and chronic ulcers of the skin and/or the mucosa.
3. The method, according to claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor is an antagomir or an antisense oligonucleotide.
4. The method, according to claim 3 , wherein the antagomir or the antisense oligonucleotide is essentially complementary to SEQ ID NO: 1.