Immunometabolic Mechanisms of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Gabriele G Schiattarella, Pilar Alcaide, Gianluigi Condorelli, Thomas G Gillette, Stephane Heymans, Elizabeth A V Jones, Marinos Kallikourdis, Andrew Lichtman, Federica Marelli-Berg, Sanjiv Shah, Edward B Thorp, Joseph A Hill*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is increasing in prevalence worldwide, already accounting for at least half of all heart failure (HF). As most patients with HFpEF are obese with metabolic syndrome, metabolic stress has been implicated in syndrome pathogenesis. Recently, compelling evidence for bidirectional crosstalk between metabolic stress and chronic inflammation has emerged, and alterations in systemic and cardiac immune responses are held to participate in HFpEF pathophysiology. Indeed, based on both preclinical and clinical evidence, comorbidity-driven systemic inflammation, coupled with metabolic stress, have been implicated together in HFpEF pathogenesis. As metabolic alterations impact immune function(s) in HFpEF, major changes in immune cell metabolism are also recognized in HFpEF and in HFpEF-predisposing conditions. Both arms of immunity - innate and adaptive - are implicated in the cardiomyocyte response in HFpEF. Indeed, we submit that crosstalk among adipose tissue, the immune system, and the heart represents a critical component of HFpEF pathobiology. Here, we review recent evidence in support of immunometabolic mechanisms as drivers of HFpEF pathogenesis, discuss pivotal biological mechanisms underlying the syndrome, and highlight questions requiring additional inquiry.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)211-222
Number of pages12
JournalNature cardiovascular research
Volume1
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2022

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