Cardiomyocytes Among Physiology and Pathophysiology: Molecular Insights and Therapeutic Implications
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 3568
Special Issue Editors
Interests: cardiovascular disease; cardiomyocyte; cardiac troponin; heart failure; atherosclerosis
Interests: coronary artery disease; cardiomyopathy; cardiac troponin; heart disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Among all developing organs, the heart is the first to become functionally active during embryogenesis. Cardiac development is orchestrated by a complex and highly regulated network of molecular and metabolic pathways involving various cell types. These networks integrate signaling molecules, transcriptional regulators, and metabolic cues to ensure the proper formation and function of the heart. Cardiomyocytes, the contractile cells of the myocardium, convert chemical energy into mechanical force through myosin ATPases, which utilize high-energy phosphate compounds to power the cross-bridge cycling of sarcomeres.
Perturbations in the molecular mechanisms that govern cardiac development and sarcomere organization—whether of genetic or epigenetic origin—can lead to a spectrum of congenital heart defects (CHDs), among which ventricular septal defects (VSDs) represent the most prevalent subtype.
Historically, the adult mammalian heart was considered a terminally differentiated organ with negligible regenerative potential. However, accumulating evidence indicates that physiological stimuli, such as endurance exercise, can promote cardiomyocyte renewal. This regenerative response is believed to be mediated, at least in part, by epigenetic reprogramming involving non-coding RNAs. Elucidating the molecular pathways activated by exercise may uncover novel therapeutic targets for enhancing cardiac regeneration, particularly in the context of ischemic injury.
Conversely, cardiac aging is characterized by progressive declines in contractile function, mitochondrial integrity, and telomere length, alongside increases in myocardial mass and fibrosis. The cumulative burden of senescent and dysfunctional cardiomyocytes impairs intracellular signaling, promotes chronic low-grade inflammation, exacerbates metabolic stress, and contributes to adverse structural remodeling, including hypertrophy and cell death.
This Special Issue aims to explore the molecular and cellular regulatory mechanisms underlying cardiac development, regeneration, and aging. A deeper understanding of these processes will be essential for the development of targeted therapies for congenital anomalies, myocardial injury, and age-associated cardiovascular pathologies.
Dr. Rosetta Ragusa
Dr. Chiara Caselli
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- sarcomere
- metabolic stress
- epigenetic mechanisms
- exercise
- aging
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