Heat Shock Proteins: Potential Modulators and Candidate Biomarkers of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

Tawanda Zininga¹  Addmore Shonhai²  Timothy F. Spracklen³  Stephen Kamuli³  Karen Sliwa³  Graham Chakafana³  Ntobeko A. B. Ntusi⁴ 

[1] Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa;Department of Biochemistry, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa;Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Heart Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Heart Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;Cape Universities Body Imaging Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;

关键词: heat shock protein;    stress;    cardiomyopathy;    pregnancy;    biomarkers;    drug targets;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fcvm.2021.633013

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a potentially life-threatening condition in which heart failure and systolic dysfunction occur late in pregnancy or within months following delivery. To date, no reliable biomarkers or therapeutic interventions for the condition exist, thus necessitating an urgent need for identification of novel PPCM drug targets and candidate biomarkers. Leads for novel treatments and biomarkers are therefore being investigated worldwide. Pregnancy is generally accompanied by dramatic hemodynamic changes, including a reduced afterload and a 50% increase in cardiac output. These increased cardiac stresses during pregnancy potentially impair protein folding processes within the cardiac tissue. The accumulation of misfolded proteins results in increased toxicity and cardiac insults that trigger heart failure. Under stress conditions, molecular chaperones such as heat shock proteins (Hsps) play crucial roles in maintaining cellular proteostasis. Here, we critically assess the potential role of Hsps in PPCM. We further predict specific associations between the Hsp types Hsp70, Hsp90 and small Hsps with several proteins implicated in PPCM pathophysiology. Furthermore, we explore the possibility of select Hsps as novel candidate PPCM biomarkers and drug targets. A better understanding of how these Hsps modulate PPCM pathogenesis holds promise in improving treatment, prognosis and management of the condition, and possibly other forms of acute heart failure.

【 授权许可】

CC BY