New Discovery in Heart Attack Recovery: Unveiling New Collagens in Scar Formation
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jun 18, 2024 6 months, 5 days, 5 hours, 30 minutes ago
Cardiology Updates: Heart attacks, medically known as myocardial infarctions (MI), are life-threatening events caused by the sudden blockage of a coronary artery. This blockage stops the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a part of the heart muscle, causing damage or death to the tissue. Following a heart attack, the body’s response involves the formation of a fibrotic scar, crucial for the healing process. Recently, researchers have discovered new types of collagens involved in this scarring process, shedding light on potential new treatments and better understanding of heart disease.
Graphical abstract. The participation of type II, VIII, XI, and XII collagen subunits is implicated in fibrotic scar formation after myocardial infarction as reflected by their mRNA upregulation in infarcted myocardium isolated from experimental models and their protein presence in autopsies isolated from patients diagnosed with chronic infarction.
The Heart's Healing Process
When a heart attack occurs, the immediate priority is to restore blood flow. Even with prompt medical intervention, the heart muscle undergoes significant changes. The healing process starts with inflammation, aimed at removing dead cells and debris. This is followed by the formation of a fibrotic scar, primarily composed of collagen fibers. Traditionally, types I and III collagen have been known to play major roles in this process. However, new research has identified other types of collagen that also contribute to scar formation.
New Collagens in Focus
The recent study covered in this
Cardiology Updates news report, led by researchers from INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute,Valencia-Spain, University of Valencia-Spain, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia-Spain, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER)-CV-Spain, Hospital Clínico Universitario-Spain and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe-Spain aimed to explore previously unreported collagens in post-MI fibrosis. They focused on four types of collagens: II, VIII, XI, and XII. Using advanced genetic and protein analysis techniques, they investigated these collagens in mice models and human heart tissues.
Research Methodology
The study utilized RNA-sequencing data from mice subjected to different durations of coronary artery occlusion, a condition mimicking heart attacks. The researchers also examined mouse models where the coronary artery was permanently or temporarily blocked. Additionally, they analyzed heart tissue samples from human patients who had suffered chronic heart attacks.
Key Findings
The study's findings were groundbreaking. In mice, the expression of collagens II, VIII, XI, and XII increased significantly within the first week after a heart attack. This expression persisted for 21 days, indicati
ng their crucial role in the early and mid-stages of healing. In human tissues, these collagens were also present in the fibrotic scars, confirming their involvement in the healing process.
-Collagen Type II: Traditionally associated with cartilage, type II collagen was found to be upregulated in heart tissue post-MI. This was surprising, as it is not usually present in the adult heart.
-Collagen Type VIII: Known for its role in vascular structures, type VIII collagen was found to help in the structural integrity of the scar tissue.
-Collagen Type XI: This collagen plays a role in the organization and size of collagen fibrils. Its presence in the heart indicates its importance in maintaining the structural framework of the scar.
-Collagen Type XII: Typically involved in connecting collagen fibers with other matrix components, type XII was found to be crucial for the mechanical strength of the scar tissue.
Implications for Treatment
Understanding the role of these new collagens opens up exciting possibilities for treatment. Therapies targeting these collagens could potentially improve scar formation, reduce adverse remodeling of the heart, and enhance recovery after a heart attack. This could be particularly beneficial in preventing heart failure, a common consequence of extensive heart damage.
Future Directions
The study is a significant step forward, but more research is needed to fully understand how these collagens interact with other components of the heart's extracellular matrix. Future studies could explore how modifying the expression of these collagens affects heart function and recovery.
Conclusion
The discovery of new collagens involved in heart attack recovery marks a pivotal advancement in cardiovascular research. By enhancing our understanding of the fibrotic process, these findings could lead to innovative treatments that improve outcomes for heart attack survivors. As research continues, the hope is that these insights will translate into better care and new therapies for those affected by heart disease.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/12/6625
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