Targeting cardiomyocyte Ca2+ homeostasis in heart failure
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Assessment of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Reserve and Intracellular Diastolic Calcium Removal in Isolated Ventricular Cardiomyocytes
Published on: September 18, 2017
Asmund T Roe, Michael Frisk, William E Louch1
1Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Kirkeveien 166, 4.etg. Bygg 7, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, 0407 Oslo, Norway. w.e.louch@medisin.uio.no.
Insights
Disrupted calcium (Ca2+) handling in heart muscle cells contributes to heart failure. Targeting key proteins like the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase and Na+-Ca2+ exchanger offers promising therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Disrupted cardiomyocyte calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis is a critical factor in heart failure.
- This disruption contributes to systolic/diastolic dysfunction, arrhythmias, and cell death signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of Ca2+ homeostasis in heart failure.
- To identify and discuss novel therapeutic targets for heart failure treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing knowledge on Ca2+ homeostasis in heart failure.
- Analysis of experimental data for potential therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- Four key targets identified: sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase, Na+-Ca2+ exchanger, ryanodine receptor, and t-tubule structure.
- Experimental data supports the clinical applicability of these targets.
Conclusions:
- Targeting Ca2+ handling mechanisms presents a promising avenue for improved heart failure treatments.
- Ongoing clinical trials and future approaches are discussed based on these targets.
Abstract:
Improved treatments for heart failure patients will require the development of novel therapeutic strategies that target basal disease mechanisms. Disrupted cardiomyocyte Ca(2+) homeostasis is recognized as a major contributor to the heart failure phenotype, as it plays a key role in systolic and diastolic dysfunction, arrhythmogenesis, and hypertrophy and apoptosis signaling. In this review, we outline existing knowledge of the involvement of Ca(2+) homeostasis in these deficits, and identify four promising targets for therapeutic intervention: the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase, the Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger, the ryanodine receptor, and t-tubule structure. We discuss experimental data indicating the applicability of these targets that has led to recent and ongoing clinical trials, and suggest future therapeutic approaches.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

