Fig. 7

Links between RhoA-signaling, cardiac hypertrophy, and the immune system. Cardiac hypertrophy, in combination with other risks factors such as hypertension, leads to cellular stress and even injured myocardium. The damaged cells can release “danger signals”, which initiate an immune response. The immune response involves mainly cells of the innate immune system, namely macrophages, dendritic cells and neutrophils, and initiates the release of additional cytokines. The immune response includes pro- and anti-inflammatory signaling, but ultimately it leads to chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and progression to heart failure. For an effective response spatio-temporal regulated RhoA-expression in the immune cells is crucial. Details of the links between cardiac hypertrophy, the initiation of immune responses, and the subsequent deterioration of heart function are still unclear