Angiogenic Growth Factors in Cardiac Allograft Rejection

Abstract

Normal adult vasculature is in a quiescent state. In transplanted hearts, peri- and postoperative ischemic and alloimmune stimuli may be interpreted as inadequate tissue perfusion leading to activation of angiogenic signaling. Although this may have protective functions, improper activation of cardiac allograft endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells may actually result in impaired survival of cardiac allografts. In this paper, we review the current knowledge on angiogenic growth factors, vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietins, and platelet-derived growth factor in cardiac allografts. We also discuss the potential for therapies aimed at angiogenic growth factors in preventing and treating cardiac allograft rejection and transplant coronary artery disease.

Inflammation in Myocardial Diseases

“…Increased vascular endothelial growth factor expression has been observed in cardiac allografts in relation to both acute and chronic rejection, as well as in regards to inflammatory cell recruitment and infiltration. 199 Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a polypeptide released in the ventricles in response to increased pressure and stretching of cardiomyocytes, has been used as a marker to assess acute and chronic cardiac rejection. 200,201 More recently, proteomic evidence generated using human samples has correlated proinflammatory cytokines with circulating BNP levels during acute cellular cardiac rejection.…”