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PI3K inhibitors in cardiovascular disease
Andreas Eisenreich1, Ursula Rauch
1Charitè - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Centrum für Herz- und Kreislaufmedizin, 12200 Berlin, Germany. andreas.eisenreich@charite.de
Insights
Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are crucial in cardiovascular disease development. Targeting PI3K isoforms with drugs offers new therapeutic strategies for treating these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of global mortality.
- Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) regulate vital cellular functions implicated in cardiovascular pathogenesis.
- Class I PI3Ks, with isoforms α, β, δ, and γ, have distinct roles in health and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiologic role of class I PI3Ks in cardiovascular diseases.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of pharmacological PI3K inhibitors for cardiovascular conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on PI3K isoforms and cardiovascular diseases.
- Analysis of data from studies utilizing isoform-selective, isoform-preferring, and pan-PI3K inhibitors.
- Synthesis of knowledge on PI3K functions in cellular processes relevant to cardiovascular health.
Main Results:
- Class I PI3Ks significantly influence cell migration, translation, survival, metabolism, vascular homeostasis, and thrombogenicity.
- Pharmacological inhibitors have enhanced understanding of individual PI3K isoform functions.
- Targeting specific PI3K isoforms presents novel therapeutic avenues.
Conclusions:
- Class I PI3Ks are key players in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases.
- Pharmacological inhibition of PI3K isoforms holds promise for novel cardiovascular therapies.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerotic disease and its thrombotic complications are one main cause of hospitalization and mortality in the world. The family of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases by regulating essential cellular functions, such as cell migration, translational responses, and cell survival, and thereby, modulating several essential biologic processes, such as metabolism, vascular homeostasis and thrombogenicity. PI3Ks can be divided into three classes, of which the class I-group is the best characterized. This group consists of four isoforms, named PI3Kα, β, δ, and γ. Each isoform has distinct functions under normal as well as pathophysiologic conditions. The development of several pharmacologic isoform-selective, isoform-preferring, and pan-PI3K inhibitors enlarged and potentiated the knowledge about the effect of the different PI3K isoforms on specific biologic processes as well as their role under pathophysiologic conditions. Moreover, this offered the possibility for novel therapeutic strategies targeting PI3K isoforms in cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this review will focus on the pathophysiologic role of class I PI3Ks in cardiovascular diseases as well as on the therapeutic potential of pharmacological PI3K inhibitors for the treatment of this scourge of humanity.
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