Viral Infection and Connexin Dysfunction in the Heart.

IF 3.1 3区医学 Q2 CARDIAC & CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS

Current Cardiology Reports Pub Date : 2025-03-27 DOI:10.1007/s11886-025-02227-6

Chelsea M Phillips, James W Smyth

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose of review: Gap junctions, comprising connexin proteins, enable the direct intercellular electrical coupling of cardiomyocytes, and disruption of this process is arrhythmogenic. In addition, gap junctions effect metabolic coupling and of relevance to this review, propagate host antiviral immune responses. Accordingly, connexins have emerged as viral targets during infection. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding contributions of inflammation vs virally encoded factors in driving alterations to cardiac gap junction function.

Recent findings: In addition to host immune-mediated effects on cardiac electrophysiology and gap junctions in myocarditis, there is now increasing appreciation for virally encoded factors targeting connexin function in acute/active infection. We now know diverse viral species have independently evolved to directly target connexin function during infection. Understanding both the direct and indirect effects of viral infection on cardiac gap junctions is critical to inform treatment strategies and development of novel therapeutics for acute infection as a distinct disease process from chronic myocarditis.

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来源期刊

Current Cardiology Reports CARDIAC & CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS-

CiteScore

6.20

自引率

2.70%

发文量

209

期刊介绍： The aim of this journal is to provide timely perspectives from experts on current advances in cardiovascular medicine. We also seek to provide reviews that highlight the most important recently published papers selected from the wealth of available cardiovascular literature. We accomplish this aim by appointing key authorities in major subject areas across the discipline. Section editors select topics to be reviewed by leading experts who emphasize recent developments and highlight important papers published over the past year. An Editorial Board of internationally diverse members suggests topics of special interest to their country/region and ensures that topics are current and include emerging research. We also provide commentaries from well-known figures in the field.