Endothelial‐cardiomyocyte cross‐talk in heart development and disease

Abstract

The cross‐talk between endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes has emerged as a requisite during normal cardiac development, but also a key pathogenic player during the onset and progression of cardiac disease. Endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes are in close proximity and communicate through the secretion of paracrine signals, as well as through direct cell‐to‐cell contact. Here, we provide an overview of the endothelial cell‐cardiomyocyte interactions controlling heart development and the main processes affecting the heart in normal and pathological conditions, including ischemia, remodeling and metabolic dysfunction. We also discuss the possible role of these interactions in cardiac regeneration and encourage the further improvement of in vitro models able to reproduce the complex environment of the cardiac tissue, in order to better define the mechanisms by which endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes interact and having the final aim to develop novel therapeutic opportunities.

Cardiomyocytes (labeled in red by anti‐α‐actinin antibodies) and endothelial cells (labeled in green by anti‐CD31 antibodies) crosstalk in multiple ways, including paracrine communication (dashed arrows) through either secreted molecules or vesicles (red circles), direct cell‐cell contact (hinges) and autocrine signaling (curved arrows). This crosstalk plays an important role during embryonic development, normal post‐natal life and several pathological conditions, thus representing a novel target for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.2

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