Immune cells drive new immunomodulatory therapies for myocardial infarction: From basic to clinical translation

The high incidence of heart failure secondary to myocardial infarction (MI) has been difficult to effectively address. MI causes strong aseptic inflammation, and infiltration of different immune cells and changes in the local inflammatory microenvironment play a key regulatory role in ventricular remodeling. Therefore, the possibility of improving the prognosis of MI through targeted immunity has been of interest and importance in MI. However, previously developed immune-targeted therapies have not achieved significant success in clinical trials. Here, we propose that the search for therapeutic targets from different immune cells may be more precise and lead to better clinical translation. Specifically, this review summarizes the role and potential therapeutic targets of various immune cells in ventricular remodeling after MI, especially monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils, as a way to demonstrate the importance and potential of immunomodulatory therapies for MI. In addition, we analyze the reasons for the failure of previous immunomodulatory therapies and the issues that need to be addressed, as well as the prospects and targeting strategies of using immune cells to drive novel immunomodulatory therapies, hoping to advance the development of immunomodulatory therapies by providing evidence and new ideas.

Automated summary

The high prevalence of heart failure following myocardial infarction (MI) has been a challenging issue. MI triggers strong non-infectious inflammation, and the infiltration of various immune cells and changes in the local inflammatory microenvironment play a vital role in ventricular remodeling. Therefore, targeting the immune system to improve the prognosis of MI has gained interest; however, previous immune-targeted therapies have not shown significant success in clinical trials. This review focuses on the role and potential therapeutic targets of different immune cells, particularly monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils, in ventricular remodeling after MI, highlighting the importance and potential of immunomodulatory therapies for MI. Additionally, the reasons for the failure of previous immunomodulatory treatments and the issues that need to be addressed are analyzed, along with the prospects and strategies of using immune cells to drive novel immunomodulatory therapies, aiming to advance the development of immunomodulatory treatments through providing evidence and new insights.