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Published on: May 5, 2020
Programmed Cell Death: Complex Regulatory Networks in Cardiovascular Disease
Liuhua Zhou1, Jiateng Sun1, Lingfeng Gu1
1Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Abstract:
Abnormalities in programmed cell death (PCD) signaling cascades can be observed in the development and progression of various cardiovascular diseases, such as apoptosis, necrosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and cell death associated with autophagy. Aberrant activation of PCD pathways is a common feature leading to excessive cardiac remodeling and heart failure, involved in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases. Conversely, timely activation of PCD remodels cardiac structure and function after injury in a spatially or temporally restricted manner and corrects cardiac development similarly. As many cardiovascular diseases exhibit abnormalities in PCD pathways, drugs that can inhibit or modulate PCD may be critical in future therapeutic strategies. In this review, we briefly describe the process of various types of PCD and their roles in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. We also discuss the interplay between different cell death signaling cascades and summarize pharmaceutical agents targeting key players in cell death signaling pathways that have progressed to clinical trials. Ultimately a better understanding of PCD involved in cardiovascular diseases may lead to new avenues for therapy.
Insights
Programmed cell death (PCD) abnormalities drive cardiovascular diseases. Modulating these pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for heart conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Cell Death Signaling
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Programmed cell death (PCD) signaling cascades, including apoptosis, necrosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy-related cell death, are implicated in cardiovascular disease development and progression.
- Aberrant activation of PCD pathways contributes to cardiac remodeling and heart failure, while timely activation can aid cardiac repair.
- Understanding the complex roles of PCD in cardiovascular pathologies is crucial for therapeutic advancements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the various types of programmed cell death (PCD) and their specific roles in cardiovascular diseases.
- To explore the intricate interplay between different cell death signaling pathways.
- To summarize current pharmaceutical agents targeting PCD pathways that are in clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of programmed cell death (PCD) mechanisms.
- Analysis of PCD's role in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.
- Compilation of data on pharmaceutical agents targeting PCD in clinical trials.
Main Results:
- Various PCD pathways are dysregulated in cardiovascular diseases, contributing to pathogenesis.
- Interactions between different cell death cascades influence disease outcomes.
- Several drugs targeting PCD pathways have reached clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- Abnormalities in programmed cell death (PCD) are central to cardiovascular disease.
- Targeting PCD pathways presents a promising therapeutic avenue for cardiovascular conditions.
- Further research into PCD mechanisms may unlock novel treatment strategies for heart diseases.
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