CVD and COVID-19: Emerging Roles of Cardiac Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts

Cells

Chelsea Mendoza¹  Madison Clements¹  Laxmansa C. Katwa¹ 

[1] Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA;

关键词: TGF-β1;    fibroblast;    myofibroblast;    fibrosis;    COVID-19;   

DOI  :  10.3390/cells11081316

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Current data suggest that patients with cardiovascular diseases experience more serious complications with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) than those without CVD. In addition, severe COVID-19 appears to cause acute cardiac injury, as well as long-term adverse remodeling of heart tissue. Cardiac fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, being crucial in response to injury, may play a pivotal role in both contributing to and healing COVID-19-induced cardiac injury. The role of cardiac myofibroblasts in cardiac fibrosis has been well-established in the literature for decades. However, with the emergence of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, new cardiac complications are arising. Bursts of inflammatory cytokines and upregulation of TGF-β1 and angiotensin (AngII) are common in severe COVID-19 patients. Cytokines, TGF-β1, and Ang II can induce cardiac fibroblast differentiation, potentially leading to fibrosis. This review details the key information concerning the role of cardiac myofibroblasts in CVD and COVID-19 complications. Additionally, new factors including controlling ACE2 expression and microRNA regulation are explored as promising treatments for both COVID-19 and CVD. Further understanding of this topic may provide insight into the long-term cardiac manifestations of the COVID-19 pandemic and ways to mitigate its negative effects.

【 授权许可】

Unknown