Molecular Mechanisms of the Failing Heart: A Fatal Regression?

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is one of the most common causes of death, and the number of HF patients is increasing worldwide due to population ageing. The pathogenesis of HF has been extensively studied by many researchers with a focus on cardiomyocytes, but its complex pathophysiology has yet to be elucidated. Non-cardiomyocytes account for >70% of the cells that comprise the heart, and there is close communication between non-cardiomyocytes and cardiomyocytes, suggesting that non-cardiomyocytes might play a pivotal role in the development of HF. Neurohumoral factors, such as the autonomic nerves and hormones, regulate the heart’s function. Conversely, the heart affects many other organs through blood perfusion, underscoring the importance of interorgan communication. This review discusses the role of non-cardiomyocytes and interorgan communication between the heart and other organs in the development of HF, a topic that has not been extensively explored.