Immunomodulation of Myocardial Fibrosis

Abstract

Immunotherapy is a potential cornerstone in the treatment of myocardial fibrosis. During a myocardial insult or heart failure, danger signals stimulate innate immune cells to produce chemokines and profibrotic cytokines, which initiate self-escalating inflammatory processes by attracting and stimulating adaptive immune cells. Stimulation of fibroblasts by inflammatory processes and the need to replace damaged cardiomyocytes fosters reshaping of the cardiac fibroblast landscape. In this review, we discuss new immunomodulatory strategies that manipulate and direct cardiac fibroblast activation and differentiation. In particular, we highlight immunomodulatory strategies that target fibroblasts such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells, interleukin-11, and invariant natural killer T-cells. Moreover, we discuss the potential of manipulating both innate and adaptive immune system components for the translation into clinical validation. Clearly, multiple pathways should be considered to develop innovative approaches to ameliorate myocardial fibrosis and hence to reduce the risk of heart failure.