Cuproptosis and Cardiovascular Diseases: Mechanisms, Pathophysiology, and Therapeutic Strategies-A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading global cause of mortality despite advances in diagnosis and treatment.
• Understanding programmed cell death (PCD) mechanisms, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy, is crucial for CVD research.
• Cuproptosis, a recently identified copper-induced cell death, presents a distinct pathway with largely unexplored roles in CVD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the cellular mechanisms of cuproptosis.
• To elucidate the pathophysiological roles of cuproptosis in various forms of cardiovascular diseases.
• To explore novel therapeutic strategies for CVD based on cuproptosis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of cuproptosis mechanisms.
• Analysis of cuproptosis's role in cardiovascular pathophysiology.
• Identification of potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers related to cuproptosis.

Main Results:

• Cuproptosis is a distinct form of PCD regulated by copper, differing from classical PCD pathways.
• The specific molecular signature and regulatory mechanisms of cuproptosis in CVD are yet to be fully understood.
• Emerging evidence suggests cuproptosis as a potential novel therapeutic target for CVD.

Conclusions:

• Cuproptosis represents a promising new avenue for understanding and treating cardiovascular diseases.
• Therapeutic strategies involving copper chelation, antioxidants, and FDX1/LIAS biomarkers show potential for clinical application.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate cuproptosis's role and harness its therapeutic potential in CVD.