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Published on: February 22, 2022
Programmed death of cardiomyocytes in cardiovascular disease and new therapeutic approaches
Kexin Cai1, Haoyue Jiang1, Yuanming Zou1
1Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Cardiovascular diseases are linked to cardiomyocyte death via programmed cell death (PCD) pathways. Targeting these PCD mechanisms offers potential therapeutic strategies for treating heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular research
- Cellular biology
- Molecular medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a significant global health burden.
- Cardiomyocyte death is a critical factor in CVD progression and mortality.
- Programmed cell death (PCD) pathways, including apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, regulate cardiomyocyte survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of PCD in cardiomyocytes.
- To explore the intricate relationship between PCD and cardiovascular disease development.
- To summarize current and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting PCD in CVD.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on programmed cell death pathways.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying cardiomyocyte death.
- Synthesis of data on therapeutic interventions targeting PCD in cardiovascular models.
Main Results:
- Cardiomyocyte death, regulated by various PCD pathways, significantly impacts CVD pathogenesis.
- Interconnections exist between different PCD pathways within cardiovascular disease models.
- Dysregulation of PCD contributes to the development and severity of cardiovascular conditions.
Conclusions:
- Understanding PCD mechanisms in cardiomyocytes is crucial for CVD treatment.
- Targeting specific PCD pathways presents a promising therapeutic avenue for cardiovascular diseases.
- Further research into PCD modulation could lead to novel treatments for heart conditions.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have a complex pathogenesis and pose a major threat to human health. Cardiomyocytes have a low regenerative capacity, and their death is a key factor in the morbidity and mortality of many CVDs. Cardiomyocyte death can be regulated by specific signaling pathways known as programmed cell death (PCD), including apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, etc. Abnormalities in PCD can lead to the development of a variety of cardiovascular diseases, and there are also molecular-level interconnections between different PCD pathways under the same cardiovascular disease model. Currently, the link between programmed cell death in cardiomyocytes and cardiovascular disease is not fully understood. This review describes the molecular mechanisms of programmed death and the impact of cardiomyocyte death on cardiovascular disease development. Emphasis is placed on a summary of drugs and potential therapeutic approaches that can be used to treat cardiovascular disease by targeting and blocking programmed cell death in cardiomyocytes.
