Role of PDE4 Family in Cardiomyocyte Physiology and Heart Failure

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is a key regulator of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signalling in cardiomyocytes, controlling contractility, calcium handling, and hypertrophic responses. PDE4 provides spatial and temporal precision to cAMP signalling, particularly under β-adrenergic stimulation,...

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Main Authors: Ivan Sherstnev, Aleksandra Judina, Giovanni Battista Luciani, Alessandra Ghigo, Emilio Hirsch, Julia Gorelik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Cells
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/6/460
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author Ivan Sherstnev
Aleksandra Judina
Giovanni Battista Luciani
Alessandra Ghigo
Emilio Hirsch
Julia Gorelik
author_facet Ivan Sherstnev
Aleksandra Judina
Giovanni Battista Luciani
Alessandra Ghigo
Emilio Hirsch
Julia Gorelik
author_sort Ivan Sherstnev
collection DOAJ
description Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is a key regulator of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signalling in cardiomyocytes, controlling contractility, calcium handling, and hypertrophic responses. PDE4 provides spatial and temporal precision to cAMP signalling, particularly under β-adrenergic stimulation, through its compartmentalised activity in subcellular nanodomains, including the sarcoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane and nuclear envelope. This review highlights the cardiac PDE4 isoforms PDE4A, PDE4B and PDE4D, focusing on their distinct localisation and contributions to cardiac physiology and pathophysiology, particularly in heart failure and arrhythmias. Although PDE4 plays a smaller role in overall cAMP hydrolysis in human hearts than in rodents, its compartmentalised function remains critical. Recent therapeutic advances have shifted from pan-PDE4 inhibitors to isoform-specific approaches to enhance efficacy while minimising systemic toxicity. We discuss the potential of selective PDE4 modulators, gene therapies and combination strategies in restoring cAMP compartmentation and preventing maladaptive cardiac remodelling. By integrating rodent and human studies, this review underscores the translational challenges and therapeutic opportunities surrounding PDE4, positioning it as both a key regulator of cardiac signalling and a promising target for heart failure therapies.
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spelling doaj-art-d4e939a2b56042d1be48c2ac32221cdf2025-08-20T02:11:01ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092025-03-0114646010.3390/cells14060460Role of PDE4 Family in Cardiomyocyte Physiology and Heart FailureIvan Sherstnev0Aleksandra Judina1Giovanni Battista Luciani2Alessandra Ghigo3Emilio Hirsch4Julia Gorelik5Cardiac Section, National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UKCardiac Section, National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UKDepartment of Surgery, Dentistry, Pediatrics and Gynecology, Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, ItalyDepartment of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, ItalyCardiac Section, National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UKPhosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is a key regulator of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signalling in cardiomyocytes, controlling contractility, calcium handling, and hypertrophic responses. PDE4 provides spatial and temporal precision to cAMP signalling, particularly under β-adrenergic stimulation, through its compartmentalised activity in subcellular nanodomains, including the sarcoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane and nuclear envelope. This review highlights the cardiac PDE4 isoforms PDE4A, PDE4B and PDE4D, focusing on their distinct localisation and contributions to cardiac physiology and pathophysiology, particularly in heart failure and arrhythmias. Although PDE4 plays a smaller role in overall cAMP hydrolysis in human hearts than in rodents, its compartmentalised function remains critical. Recent therapeutic advances have shifted from pan-PDE4 inhibitors to isoform-specific approaches to enhance efficacy while minimising systemic toxicity. We discuss the potential of selective PDE4 modulators, gene therapies and combination strategies in restoring cAMP compartmentation and preventing maladaptive cardiac remodelling. By integrating rodent and human studies, this review underscores the translational challenges and therapeutic opportunities surrounding PDE4, positioning it as both a key regulator of cardiac signalling and a promising target for heart failure therapies.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/6/460Phosphodiesterase 4cAMP signallingcardiomyocyteβ-adrenergic signallingarrhythmiacAMP compartmentation
spellingShingle Ivan Sherstnev
Aleksandra Judina
Giovanni Battista Luciani
Alessandra Ghigo
Emilio Hirsch
Julia Gorelik
Role of PDE4 Family in Cardiomyocyte Physiology and Heart Failure
Cells
Phosphodiesterase 4
cAMP signalling
cardiomyocyte
β-adrenergic signalling
arrhythmia
cAMP compartmentation
title Role of PDE4 Family in Cardiomyocyte Physiology and Heart Failure
title_full Role of PDE4 Family in Cardiomyocyte Physiology and Heart Failure
title_fullStr Role of PDE4 Family in Cardiomyocyte Physiology and Heart Failure
title_full_unstemmed Role of PDE4 Family in Cardiomyocyte Physiology and Heart Failure
title_short Role of PDE4 Family in Cardiomyocyte Physiology and Heart Failure
title_sort role of pde4 family in cardiomyocyte physiology and heart failure
topic Phosphodiesterase 4
cAMP signalling
cardiomyocyte
β-adrenergic signalling
arrhythmia
cAMP compartmentation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/6/460
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