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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Isolation and Identification of Extravascular Immune Cells of the Heart
08:24

Isolation and Identification of Extravascular Immune Cells of the Heart

Published on: August 23, 2018

Immune Cell-Mediated Inflammation in Heart Failure: Subset Heterogeneity and Targeted Therapy

Yun Li1, Ping He2, Shuo Wang2

  • 1Department of Cardiac Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China.

International Journal of General Medicine
|August 15, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Persistent inflammation drives heart failure (HF). This review details immune cell heterogeneity, interactions, and targeted immunotherapies for HF, aiming to improve patient outcomes and guide future research.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Immunology
  • Translational Research

Background:

  • Heart failure (HF) affects over 64 million globally, with current therapies showing limited success, especially in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
  • Persistent low-grade sterile inflammation orchestrated by immune cells is a critical factor in HF pathogenesis and progression.
  • The intricate cardiac immune microenvironment and immune cell heterogeneity present challenges and opportunities for targeted immunotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the heterogeneity, functional characteristics, and interaction networks of key immune cell subpopulations in HF.
  • To summarize the current progress in targeted immunotherapies for HF based on immune cell heterogeneity.
  • To provide academic references for basic research and clinical translation in HF immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of studies published on PubMed from 2021 to 2026.
  • Analysis of immune cell heterogeneity, functional transitions, and interaction networks in HF.
  • Summary of therapeutic strategies targeting immune cells in HF.

Main Results:

  • Detailed characterization of heterogeneity and functional transitions in macrophages, T cells, neutrophils, and dendritic cells within the HF context.
  • Dissection of immune cell interactions with cardiac cells (cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts) and the immune-adipose-heart axis.
  • Comprehensive summary of recent advancements in small-molecule drugs, biological agents, and novel immunotherapies for HF.

Conclusions:

  • Immune cell heterogeneity is central to HF pathophysiology and presents a promising target for novel therapies.
  • Understanding immune cell interactions and cross-organ regulatory mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments.
  • Future research should focus on spatiotemporal immune dynamics, precise targeting, and individualized immune strategies for HF management.

Keywords:
heart failureimmune cellinflammatory responsemyocardial remodelingtargeted therapy

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