Review Article
Year: 2017 | Month: Aug | Volume: 7 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 449-461
Caveolae and Caveolin: Potential Targets for Cardioprotection
Dr Manika Das
Assistant Professor, J.D.Birla Institute, 11, Lower Rawdan Street, Kolkata 700020, West Bengal, India
ABSTRACT
Caveolae are sphingolipid and cholesterol rich micro-domains of the plasma membrane that coordinate and regulate varieties of signaling processes. Caveolae present in essentially all cell types of the cardiovascular system, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages, cardiac myocytes, and fibroblasts. Numerous functions have been ascribed to this omega-shaped sphingolipid and cholesterol rich micro-domains. Caveolae are receiving increasing attention as cellular organelles contributing to the pathogenesis of several structural and functional processes including cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. At present, very little is known about the role of caveolae in cardiac function and diseases, although recent studies with caveolin knock-out mouse have shown that caveolae and caveolins play a pivotal role in various human pathobiological conditions. This review will discuss the possible role of caveolae in cardiac health and disease.
Key words: caveolae, caveolin, heart, cardioprotection.