Cytokines and their role in cardiovascular diseases

Habib Haybar1, Bita Bandar2, Ekhlas Torfi3

  • 1Atherosclerosis Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

Cytokine
|July 6, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Cytokines, immune system components, are key biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This review highlights interleukins (ILs) roles in diagnosing and predicting CVDs, aiding in inflammation and atherosclerosis research.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) present a significant global health burden.
  • Established biomarkers like cardiac troponin (cTn) and NT-proBNP are crucial for CVD evaluation.
  • Cytokines, integral to immune responses, significantly influence CVD pathogenesis through inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current evidence on cytokine roles in cardiovascular diseases.
  • To identify specific cytokines as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for CVDs.
  • To elucidate the dual role of interleukins in inflammation and atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search for recent studies on cytokines and CVDs.
  • Analysis of cytokine expression patterns in various cardiovascular conditions.
  • Synthesis of data linking specific cytokines to disease progression and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Elevated levels of IL-1α, IL-18, IL-33, IL-6, and IL-8 correlate with atherosclerosis.
  • Certain interleukins, such as IL-35, show negative correlation with acute myocardial infarction and cardiac angina.
  • The IL-1 super family and specific IL-10 family members (IL-20, IL-10, IL-19) exhibit distinct roles in atherosclerosis.

Conclusions:

  • Cytokines represent promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for CVDs.
  • Understanding cytokine profiles can enhance CVD risk stratification and management.
  • Targeting specific cytokines may offer novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular conditions.

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of the Cardiovascular System01:27

Regulation of the Cardiovascular System

The regulation of the cardiovascular system allows the body to adapt to various demands and maintain homeostasis.
The regulation of the cardiovascular system involves the autonomic nervous system (ANS), baroreceptors, and chemoreceptors, ensuring that heart rate and blood pressure are appropriately modulated in response to varying physiological demands.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system enhances...
1.2K
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
54
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors01:28

Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors

Hematopoietic growth factors are molecules that regulate the differentiation rate of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Erythropoietin (EPO), primarily produced by the kidneys, plays a crucial role in erythrocyte production. When oxygen levels in the blood are low, EPO is released into the bloodstream, reaching the bone marrow, where it stimulates HSCs to differentiate and mature into erythrocytes, which are vital for oxygen transport.
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...
1.4K
Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications01:18

Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications

Cardiovascular diseases, encompassing a range of conditions, can significantly affect the heart's operations and the overall circulatory system. These conditions impair the heart's ability to pump blood, leading to a deficit in oxygen supply to crucial organs. Anomalies in the heart's electrical system, known as arrhythmias, can cause heartbeats to accelerate or slow down. Usually, heart rates increase during physical activity and decrease while resting or sleeping. However,...
2.9K
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
25
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
14