The results of the study, published in the journal Circulation Research, demonstrated that a molecule — a circular RNA called circ-cdr1as — activates immune cells, shifting them into "recovery mode," which helps reduce inflammatory processes in the affected heart tissue.
Under normal conditions, macrophages, which are part of the immune system, first eliminate microbes and dead cells before moving on to regeneration processes. However, after a heart attack, the level of circ-cdr1as in heart tissue decreases, disrupting this process. The researchers found that restoring the level of this molecule in animals leads to faster heart healing and a significant reduction in the area of damage.
According to the authors of the study, this discovery could serve as a basis for developing new treatments for cardiovascular diseases. In the future, these approaches may activate natural regeneration mechanisms, helping patients recover more effectively after a heart attack.
