Advances in cardiac cell interaction studies: Implications for heart disease treatment

Heart disease remains a leading cause of significant health threats, posing substantial risks to global public health. However, owing to the incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying cell-cell interactions within the heart, effective clinical interventions and treatments remain limited. The heart is a cellularly heterogeneous organ comprising multiple cell types, such as cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, cardiac fibroblasts, macrophages, lymphocytes and pericytes. Interactions among these cell types play a critical role in cardiac injury and repair processes. In this review, we discuss the latest advancements in the study of cellular interactions within the heart, integrating findings from cellular models, animal studies, and organoid research. We highlight the roles of specific cell types during cardiac injury and repair. Additionally, we also discuss potential therapeutic strategies for injured hearts based on insights gained from cell interaction studies. In summary, understanding the mechanisms of cell-cell interactions offers promise for developing targeted therapeutic strategies.