The crosstalk between immune activation and metabolism in heart failure. A scientific statement of the Heart Failure Association of the ESC.

Abstract

A better understanding of additional mechanisms of heart failure (HF) progression may allow a different and more complete phenotyping of the disease and identification of novel therapeutic targets. Persistent latent myocardial inflammation/immune activation in HF may represent an attempt to restore tissue homeostasis in the failing heart, where cardiomyocytes and immune cells undergo metabolic reprogramming, which allows them to deal with decreased availability of nutrients and oxygen. This status can trigger a metabolic crosstalk between immune cells and cardiomyocytes which, depending on the outcome, can either perpetuate the maladaptive remodelling of the heart, or determine an adaptive response. Therefore, the interplay between immune activation and metabolism is gaining recognition as a potential therapeutic framework. On these premises, future studies addressing novel HF treatments should attempt to evaluate the potential therapeutic role of direct metabolic and immunological crosstalk modulation. The aim of the present scientific statement from the Heart Failure Association of the ESC is to summarize the current evidence for the connection between inflammatory and immune activation and metabolic adaptation in the onset and progression of HF, in order to promote future strategies for the development of targeted-disease preventive and therapeutic measures.