Cytokines, Novel Cell Death Models and Pathways in Cardiovascular Diseases

Book excerpt: Cytokines are soluble proteins secreted by a wide variety of cells in the body, playing crucial roles in many physiological responses and are involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Recently, there is great progress in discoveries that some novel cytokines, including secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs), adiponectin, and C1q/TNF-Related Proteins (CTRPs), can perform a protective effect in cardiometabolic diseases, heart failure and coronary heart disease. However, the mechanisms underlying the molecular and pathophysiological actions of these cytokines in CVDs are still vague. Novel mechanisms of cell death including pyroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and PANoptosis have been considered novel therapeutic targets for CVDs. Some cytokines have been shown to regulate the cell death pathway in the incidence and development of CVDs. Further investigations are needed to understand the link between these novel cytokines and novel cell death models and pathways in CVDs.