The effect of macrophage-cardiomyocyte interactions on cardiovascular diseases and development of potential drugs.

Abstract

The interaction between macrophages and cardiomyocytes plays an important role not only in maintaining cardiac homeostasis, but also in the development of many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure (HF). In addition to supporting cardiomyocytes, macrophages and cardiomyocytes have a close and complex relationship. By studying their cross-talk, we can better understand novel mechanisms and target pathogenic mechanisms, and improve the treatment of CVDs. We review macrophage-cardiomyocyte communication through connexin 43 (Cx43)-containing gap junctions (GJs) directly, secreted protein factors indirectly, and discuss the implications of these interactions in cardiac homeostasis and the development of various CVDs, including MI, HF, arrhythmia, cardiac fibrosis and myocarditis. In this section, we review various drugs that work by modulating cytokines or other proteins to reduce inflammation in CVDs. The clinical findings from targeting inflammation in CVDs are also discussed. Additionally, we examine the challenges and opportunities for improving our understanding of macrophage-cardiomyocyte coupling as it relates to pathophysiological disease processes, extending our research scope, and helping identify new molecular targets and improve the effectiveness of existing therapies.