Paracrine signaling pathways involved in cardiac repair and regeneration

Paracrine signaling pathways involved in cardiac repair and regeneration refer to the complex network of secreted factors—including growth factors (e.g., VEGF, IGF-1, HGF, FGF), cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α), microRNAs, and extracellular vesicles (EVs, exosomes)—released by various cardiac and stromal cells (including mesenchymal and cardiac progenitor or stem cells) following myocardial injury[1][3][5]. These molecules do not act at the site of release, but rather affect neighboring or distant target cells, orchestrating survival, proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation modulation, and tissue remodeling necessary for cardiac repair and regeneration[3][6]. While several critical signaling pathways (Wnt, PI3K/Akt, Notch, TGF-β, Hippo, VEGF) have been identified as central to these processes[2][4][7], the broad "paracrine signaling pathways" concept is not a druggable target itself but informs strategy for the identification and exploitation of specific factors or mediators for therapeutic purposes.

Other names

Paracrine mechanisms of cardiac repairParacrine factors in heart regenerationParacrine cell communication in the heart

Stimulation of endogenous repair via growth factor signaling (e.g., VEGF, IGF-1, FGF); Enhancement of cell survival and proliferation via paracrine trophic support; Inflammation modulation through cytokine secretion (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α); Angiogenesis promotion by vascular growth factors; Anti-apoptotic signaling in cardiomyocytes