Retinoid signaling in pathological remodeling related to cardiovascular disease

Retinoids, the active derivatives of vitamin A, are critical signaling molecules in crucial biological processes such as embryonic development, the maintenance of immune function, and cellular differentiation and proliferation. Preclinical studies have shown that retinoids also regulate morphological changes during the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is complexly formed in a mutual chain reaction of various modern lifestyle-related risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. These factors induce the pathological remodeling of adipose tissue, the vasculature, and the ventricles, which are a potential target for retinoid signaling. This perspective highlights emerging topics and future prospectives on the relationship between CVD and retinoid signaling.