Premium
Fibrosis in heart disease: understanding the role of transforming growth factor‐β 1 in cardiomyopathy, valvular disease and arrhythmia
Author(s) -
Khan Razi,
Sheppard Richard
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2006.02336.x
Subject(s) - medicine , fibrosis , atrial fibrillation , myocardial infarction , cardiology , valvular heart disease , hypertrophic cardiomyopathy , myocardial fibrosis , transforming growth factor , dilated cardiomyopathy , disease , heart failure , heart disease , cardiac fibrosis , hypertensive heart disease , infarction
Summary The importance of fibrosis in organ pathology and dysfunction appears to be increasingly relevant to a variety of distinct diseases. In particular, a number of different cardiac pathologies seem to be caused by a common fibrotic process. Within the heart, this fibrosis is thought to be partially mediated by transforming growth factor‐β 1 (TGF‐β 1 ), a potent stimulator of collagen‐producing cardiac fibroblasts. Previously, TGF‐β 1 had been implicated solely as a modulator of the myocardial remodelling seen after infarction. However, recent studies indicate that dilated, ischaemic and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies are all associated with raised levels of TGF‐β 1 . In fact, the pathogenic effects of TGF‐β 1 have now been suggested to play a major role in valvular disease and arrhythmia, particularly atrial fibrillation. Thus far, medical therapy targeting TGF‐β 1 has shown promise in a multitude of heart diseases. These therapies provide great hope, not only for treatment of symptoms but also for prevention of cardiac pathology as well. As is stated in the introduction, most reviews have focused on the effects of cytokines in remodelling after myocardial infarction. This article attempts to underline the significance of TGF‐β 1 not only in the post‐ischaemic setting, but also in dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies, valvular diseases and arrhythmias (focusing on atrial fibrillation). It also aims to show that TGF‐β 1 is an appropriate target for therapy in a variety of cardiovascular diseases.