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Cell-cell interactions in the heart: advanced cardiac models and omics technologies
Shuai Tan1, Jingsi Yang1, Shijun Hu2
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital & Institute for Cardiovascular Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China.
Insights
Understanding cardiac cell-cell interactions (CCIs) is key to heart health. New technologies reveal how CCIs change in heart disease, offering novel therapeutic targets for cardiovascular therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Cellular Communication
- Cardiac Pathophysiology
Background:
- The healthy heart relies on intricate cell-cell interactions (CCIs) for optimal function.
- Cardiac diseases disrupt cellular composition and alter CCIs, impacting homeostasis and structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of CCIs in normal and injured hearts.
- To highlight advanced methodologies for studying CCIs.
- To explore therapeutic applications of CCI research in cardiovascular disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cardiac CCIs.
- Emphasis on 3D co-culture systems.
- Integration of single-cell and spatial multi-omics technologies.
Main Results:
- CCIs are crucial for cardiac homeostasis and are significantly altered during disease progression.
- Advanced in vitro models and omics technologies offer high-resolution insights into CCIs.
- CCI research provides a basis for developing targeted cardiovascular therapies.
Conclusions:
- Studying CCIs in cardiac health and disease is vital for understanding heart function and pathology.
- Cutting-edge technologies are revolutionizing the investigation of CCIs.
- Targeting intercellular communication holds promise for novel cardiovascular treatments.
Abstract:
A healthy heart comprises various cell types, including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, immune cells, and among others, which work together to maintain optimal cardiac function. These cells engage in complex communication networks, known as cell-cell interactions (CCIs), which are essential for homeostasis, cardiac structure, and efficient function. However, in the context of cardiac diseases, the heart undergoes damage, leading to alterations in the cellular composition. Such pathological conditions trigger significant changes in CCIs, causing cell rearrangement and the transition between cell types. Studying these interactions can provide valuable insights into cardiac biology and disease mechanisms, enabling the development of new therapeutic strategies. While the development of cardiac organoids and advanced 3D co-culture technologies has revolutionized in vitro studies of CCIs, recent advancements in single-cell and spatial multi-omics technologies provide researchers with powerful and convenient tools to investigate CCIs at unprecedented resolution. This article provides a concise overview of CCIs observed in both normal and injured heart, with an emphasis on the cutting-edge methods used to study these interactions. It highlights recent advancements such as 3D co-culture systems, single-cell and spatial omics technologies, that have enhanced the understanding of CCIs. Additionally, it summarizes the practical applications of CCI research in advancing cardiovascular therapies, offering potential solutions for treating heart disease by targeting intercellular communication.
