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Microelectrode Array Recording of Sinoatrial Node Firing Rate to Identify Intrinsic Cardiac Pacemaking Defects in Mice
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Hypertension Induces Pro-arrhythmic Cardiac Connexome Disorders: Protective Effects of Treatment

Matus Sykora1, Katarina Andelova1, Barbara Szeiffova Bacova1

  • 1Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute for Heart Research, 84104 Bratislava, Slovakia.

Biomolecules
|February 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Arterial hypertension damages heart cell connections (connexomes), leading to arrhythmias and heart failure. Treatments may protect these vital connections, suggesting new therapeutic avenues for heart health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Cell Biology
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Population aging and lifestyle factors drive increasing rates of arterial hypertension.
  • Hypertension is linked to low-grade inflammation, heart dysfunction, and failure.
  • Hypertension-induced changes promote atrial and ventricular fibrillation, increasing stroke and sudden death risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate hypertension's detrimental effects on cardiomyocyte connexomes.
  • To explore the role of connexome dysfunction in cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure.
  • To review the impact of antihypertensive treatments on myocardial remodeling and connexome function.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on hypertension, cardiac remodeling, and connexome function.
  • Analysis of studies investigating connexome impairment in hypertensive hearts.
  • Examination of evidence regarding antihypertensive therapies and their effects on myocardial structure and connexomes.

Main Results:

  • Hypertension impairs connexome integrity, crucial for cell adhesion and signal propagation.
  • Connexome dysfunction is implicated as a key factor in cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure development.
  • Antihypertensive treatments show potential to mitigate myocardial remodeling and preserve connexome function.

Conclusions:

  • Connexome integrity is vital for maintaining normal heart function and preventing arrhythmias.
  • Antihypertensive agents may possess pleiotropic effects, including anti-inflammatory actions, that protect connexomes.
  • Further research is needed to identify molecular targets for connexome protection and develop novel heart failure therapies.

Keywords:
cardiac arrhythmias and treatmentconnexomeprimary and pulmonary hypertension

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