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Published on: December 15, 2011
Roles and potential clinical implications of tissue transglutaminase in cardiovascular diseases
Shiqi Chen1, Jingwei Ma2, Jiangyang Chi1
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
Insights
Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) plays a key role in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Targeting TG2 offers a promising strategy for treating conditions like heart failure and hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Cardiovascular science
- Enzymology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a significant global health burden with limited treatment efficacy.
- Understanding the complex pathogenesis of CVDs is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies.
- Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) has emerged as a key player in various CVD pathological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding the role of tissue transglutaminase (TG2) in cardiovascular diseases.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which TG2 contributes to CVD progression.
- To explore the potential of TG2 as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for CVDs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific publications on TG2 and CVDs.
- Analysis of TG2's involvement in cellular and molecular pathways relevant to cardiovascular pathology.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on TG2's role in specific CVDs such as heart failure, hypertension, and atherosclerosis.
Main Results:
- TG2 is implicated in extracellular matrix cross-linking, fibroblast activation, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy/apoptosis.
- TG2 influences smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, contributing to vascular remodeling.
- TG2 is involved in inflammatory reactions associated with cardiovascular disease progression.
Conclusions:
- Modulating TG2 activity and expression presents a promising therapeutic avenue for various cardiovascular disorders.
- TG2's multifaceted role highlights its potential as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for CVDs.
- Further research into TG2 mechanisms could lead to improved treatments for heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality and morbidity are among the most critical disease burdens worldwide. CVDs encompass many diseases and involve complex pathogenesis and pathological changes. While research on these diseases has advanced significantly, treatments and their efficacy remain rather limited. New therapeutic strategies and targets must, therefore, be explored. Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is pivotal to the pathological development of CVDs, including participating in the cross-linking of extracellular proteins, activation of fibroblasts, hypertrophy and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and inflammatory reactions. Regulating TG2 activity and expression could ensure remarkable improvements in disorders like heart failure (HF), pulmonary hypertension (PH), hypertension, and coronary atherosclerosis. In this review, we summarize recent advances in TG2: we discuss its role and mechanisms in the progression of various CVDs and its potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic target.
