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Mechanisms and inhibitors of apoptosis in cardiovascular diseases
1Cardiovascular Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Abstract:
Apoptosis or progress of programmed cell death is a tightly regulated process which plays an important role in various cardiovascular diseases particularly in myocardial infarction, reperfusion injury, and heart failure. Over the past two decades, investigations of several pathways have broadened our understanding of programmed cell death. Many anti-apoptotic interventions have targeted ischemia-reperfusion, however only a limited number have been considered at the chronic stage of heart failure. Endogenous inhibitors, caspase inhibitors, PARP-1 inhibitors, as well as various other agents have been implicated as anti-apoptotic interventions. This review summarizes the apoptotic pathways associated with heart failure, discusses the current anti-apoptotic interventions available and reviews the clinical implications.
Insights
Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is crucial in heart failure. This review covers apoptotic pathways and interventions for heart failure, focusing on chronic stages.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Cell Death Mechanisms
Background:
- Apoptosis plays a key role in cardiovascular diseases like myocardial infarction, reperfusion injury, and heart failure.
- While anti-apoptotic strategies exist for ischemia-reperfusion injury, fewer target the chronic phase of heart failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize apoptotic pathways implicated in heart failure.
- To discuss current anti-apoptotic interventions for heart failure.
- To review the clinical implications of these interventions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of apoptotic pathways in heart failure.
- Analysis of existing anti-apoptotic interventions.
- Evaluation of clinical relevance and implications.
Main Results:
- Several apoptotic pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure.
- Various endogenous inhibitors, caspase inhibitors, and PARP-1 inhibitors show anti-apoptotic potential.
- Limited interventions are currently focused on the chronic stage of heart failure.
Conclusions:
- Understanding apoptosis is critical for managing heart failure.
- Targeting specific apoptotic pathways offers therapeutic potential for heart failure.
- Further research is needed to translate anti-apoptotic strategies into effective chronic heart failure treatments.
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