STAT3, a key regulator of cell-to-cell communication in the heart

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Molecular Cardiology
• Cellular Signaling

Background:

• Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays a vital role in maintaining heart function and responding to stress.
• Aberrant STAT3 signaling is implicated in dilated cardiomyopathy, peripartum cardiomyopathy, and post-myocardial infarction remodeling.
• STAT3's activity is modulated by post-translational modifications and feedback loops, influencing diverse cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize current understanding of STAT3's role in intra- and intercellular communication within the heart.
• To explore STAT3-dependent mechanisms in coordinating complex biological processes in the myocardium.
• To discuss STAT3 as a potential therapeutic target for treating heart diseases.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on STAT3 signaling in cardiac cells.
• Analysis of STAT3's functions as a signaling protein, transcription factor, and mitochondrial regulator.
• Examination of STAT3's impact on cardiomyocyte, fibroblast, endothelial, progenitor, and inflammatory cell activities.

Main Results:

• STAT3 regulates cardiomyocyte proliferation, differentiation, survival, oxidative stress, and metabolism.
• STAT3 influences intercellular communication by modulating the cardiac cell secretome.
• STAT3 impacts cardiomyocyte crosstalk, cardiac microenvironment plasticity, vasculature, extracellular matrix, and inflammation.

Conclusions:

• STAT3 is a key regulator of cardiac homeostasis and response to stress.
• Understanding STAT3-mediated communication networks is essential for comprehending cardiac function.
• STAT3-targeted therapies hold promise for novel treatments of diverse heart conditions.