New factors in heart failure pathophysiology
Leukocyte-shed extracellular vesicles have been found to play effector roles in the pathophysiology of many different diseases. There are often high levels of leukocyte-shed extracellular vesicles found in inflamed tissues; this indicates immunity cell activation. Within this study, the link between chronic heart failure and release of leukocyte-shed extracellular vesicles was investigated. They explored, in 119 patients, whether specific amounts or patterns of vesicles underscores heart failure aetiology and disease severity. Results demonstrated that numbers of such extracellular vesicles correlated with the severity of symptoms. The conclusions of this study drew upon immunity cell messengers potentially contributing to the progression of chronic heart failure. In this sense, they may affect distant organs, and contribute to clinical deterioration.
This review by Vilella-Figuerola A et al. aimed to understand the role of leukocyte-shed extracellular vesicles in chronic heart failure.
Key learnings:
It has previously been explored that extracellular vesicles can predict the presence and composition of atherosclerotic plaques. In this study, these vesicles seemed to contribute to the progression of chronic heart failure. Further research is required into fully understanding the role of leukocyte-shed extracellular vesicles in cardiovascular diseases, and their correlation with disease progression.