Glucocorticoids and programming of the microenvironment in heart

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Developmental Biology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Glucocorticoids are primary stress hormones crucial for neonatal survival.
• They play a critical role in late gestational cardiac maturation via glucocorticoid receptors.
• Altered glucocorticoid actions are implicated in heart disease development and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential roles of glucocorticoids in programming the fetal cardiac microenvironment.
• To highlight the impact on supporting cells like endothelial cells, immune cells, and fibroblasts.
• To discuss molecular mechanisms and clinical relevance of glucocorticoid functions in the heart.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on glucocorticoid actions in the fetal heart.
• Analysis of molecular mechanisms regulating cardiac microenvironment components.
• Synthesis of existing knowledge on clinical relevance.

Main Results:

• Glucocorticoids are key regulators of late fetal heart development.
• They influence cardiac microenvironment programming, affecting supporting cell functions.
• Specific molecular pathways and clinical implications are identified.

Conclusions:

• Glucocorticoids significantly influence fetal cardiac programming.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for preventing heart disease.
• Further research into glucocorticoid actions can inform therapeutic strategies.