Apoptosis in cardiovascular diseases: mechanism and clinical implications

Abstract

Apoptosis is a tightly regulated, cell deletion process that plays an important role in various cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, reperfusion injury, and heart failure. Since cardiomyocyte loss is the most important determinant of patient morbidity and mortality, fully understanding the regulatory mechanisms of apoptotic signaling is crucial. In fact, the inhibition of cardiac apoptosis holds promise as an effective therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases. Caspase, a critical enzyme in the induction and execution of apoptosis, has been the main potential target for achieving anti-apoptotic therapy. Studies suggest, however, that a caspase-independent pathway may also play an important role in cardiac apoptosis, although the mechanism and potential significance of caspase-independent apoptosis in the heart remain poorly understood. Herein we discuss the role of apoptosis in various cardiovascular diseases, provide an update on current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms that govern apoptosis, and discuss the clinical implications of anti-apoptotic therapies.

Keywords: Apoptosis inducing factor; Caspase; Cell death; Heart; Necrosis.

Fig. 1

Schematic diagram of apoptotic signaling. Apoptosis can be initiated by caspase-dependent or -independent mechanisms. In caspase-dependent mechanism, either death receptor or mitochondria (or both) are involved in initiation of apoptosis. In the caspase-independent mechanism, apoptotic factors, such as AIF, are released from the mitochondria, which trigger the apoptotic cascade. AIF: apoptosis inducing factor.