Pathological Remodeling of the Myocardium in Chronic Heart Failure: Role of PGC-1α

Abstract

Pathological remodeling of the myocardium in chronic heart failure includes the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy, reactivation of the fetal genetic program, and disorders in cardiac energy metabolism. Coactivator-1α of receptor γ activated by peroxisome proliferator (PGC-1α), a transcription coactivator of nuclear receptors and metabolism master regulator, plays an important role in cardiac metabolism regulation. Studies on the animals models of chronic heart failure have demonstrated the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy, metabolic disorders, and reactivation of the fetal genetic program; these processes are mutually related. An important role in regulation of these processes belongs to PGC-1α; its low expression indicates low activity and down-regulation of this coactivator. Pathological cardiac hypertrophy, decrease of PGC-1α activity, and reactivation of the fetal genetic program in chronic heart failure are demonstrated.