Abstract: The present invention associates multiple circular (circRNA) with key functions of endothelial cells. The present invention provides circRNA transcripts that are correlated with cardiovascular diseases, in particular acute myocardial infarction. The circRNA of the invention therefore serve as biomarkers in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disorders. The invention provides the new nucleic acid molecules as well as diagnostic kits and compositions comprising the nucleic acids. Modulation of the expression of the circRNA of the invention further leads to endothelial cell sprouting, and therefore is applied as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases or pathological angiogenesis. The invention provides therapeutic agents modulating circRNA expression or function. Further aspects of the invention provide novel circRNA for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The present invention associates multiplelong non-coding RNA (lncRNA) with key functions of endothelial cells. The lncRNA of the present invention are therefore useful as novel drug targets for the manufacturing of medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases or pathological angiogenesis in context of proliferative diseases such as cancer. Modulation of the function or expression of the lncRNA of invention can induce or repress angiogenesis and vessel growth or repair in endothelial cells. Provided are further methods for the modulation of endothelial cell functions in vitro, for example, in the context of tissue engineering.