Journal
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
Volume 64, Issue 12, Pages 1539-1557Publisher
SPRINGER BASEL AG
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-007-6543-y
Keywords
relaxin; RXFP1; therapeutic; fibrosis; inflammation; cardioprotection; vasodilation; wound healing
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The peptide hormone relaxin is emerging as a multi-functional factor in a broad range of target tissues including several non-reproductive organs, in addition to its historical role as a hormone of pregnancy. This review discusses the evidence that collectively demonstrates the many diverse and vital roles of relaxin: the homeostatic role of endogenous relaxin in mammalian pregnancy and ageing; its gender-related effects; the therapeutic effects of relaxin in the treatment of fibrosis, inflammation, cardioprotection, vasodilation and wound healing (angiogenesis) amongst other pathophysiological conditions, and its potential mechanism of action. Furthermore, translational issues using experimental models (to humans) and its use in various clinical trials, are described, each with important lessons for the design of future trials involving relaxin. The diverse physiological and pathological roles for relaxin have led to the search for its significance in humans and highlight its potential as a drug of the future.
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