Kevin Bermea1, Aashik Bhalodia1, Angelo Huff1, Sylvie Rousseau1, Luigi Adamo2. 1. Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. 2. Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. ladamo2@jhmi.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize the current knowledge on the role that B lymphocytes play in heart failure. RECENT FINDINGS: Several studies from murine models have shown that B cells modulate cardiac adaptation to injury and ultimately affect the degree of cardiac dysfunction after acute ischemic damage. In addition, a B cell-modulating small molecule was recently shown to have beneficial effects in humans with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. B lymphocytes are specialized immune cells present in all jawed vertebrates. They are characteristically known for their ability to produce antibodies, but they have other functions and are important players in virtually all forms of immune responses. A growing body of evidence indicates that B cells are intimately connected with the heart and that B cell dysregulation might play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of both heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. B cells are therefore gathering attention as potential targets for the development of novel immunomodulatory-based treatments for heart failure.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize the current knowledge on the role that B lymphocytes play in heart failure. RECENT FINDINGS: Several studies from murine models have shown that B cells modulate cardiac adaptation to injury and ultimately affect the degree of cardiac dysfunction after acute ischemic damage. In addition, a B cell-modulating small molecule was recently shown to have beneficial effects in humans with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. B lymphocytes are specialized immune cells present in all jawed vertebrates. They are characteristically known for their ability to produce antibodies, but they have other functions and are important players in virtually all forms of immune responses. A growing body of evidence indicates that B cells are intimately connected with the heart and that B cell dysregulation might play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of both heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. B cells are therefore gathering attention as potential targets for the development of novel immunomodulatory-based treatments for heart failure.
Authors: Alexander Staudt; Marko Böhm; Fabian Knebel; Yvonne Grosse; Claudia Bischoff; Astrid Hummel; Johannes B Dahm; Adrian Borges; Nicoline Jochmann; Klaus D Wernecke; Gerd Wallukat; Gert Baumann; Stephan B Felix Journal: Circulation Date: 2002-11-05 Impact factor: 29.690