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A change of heart: new roles for cilia in cardiac development and disease

Lydia Djenoune1, Kathryn Berg2,3, Martina Brueckner4,5

  • 1Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Nature Reviews. Cardiology
|December 4, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Primary cilia, once thought only for embryonic development, are now known to impact congenital heart disease, valve disorders, and heart regeneration. Understanding these cellular structures is key to new cardiac therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Primary cilia are cellular organelles with largely unknown roles in the adult heart.
  • Their function was primarily associated with left-right axis patterning during embryogenesis.
  • Recent discoveries suggest broader involvement in cardiac development and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evolving understanding of primary cilia function in the heart.
  • To highlight their roles beyond embryogenesis, including in congenital heart disease and valvulogenesis.
  • To explore their involvement in mechanosensation, fibrosis, and regeneration.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature and findings.
  • Synthesis of evidence on primary cilia in cardiac development and pathology.
  • Exploration of mechanisms linking cilia to cardiac function.

Main Results:

  • Primary cilia are implicated in congenital heart disease pathogenesis.
  • They play roles in valvulogenesis, mechanosensation, and cardiac fibrosis.
  • Evidence suggests involvement in myocardial regeneration and fibroblast function.

Conclusions:

  • Primary cilia have multifaceted roles in cardiac development and disease.
  • Further research into cardiac cilia function is crucial for understanding and treating heart conditions.
  • Targeting cilia may offer novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disorders.

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