Role of relaxin in heart disease and therapeutic potential / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Following a brief introduction of relaxin family members, receptors and related signalling pathways,we review effects of relaxin on cardiovascular system,particularly,its anti-fibrotic action.The heart and vessels are target organs of relaxin.Recent studies have documented that the relaxin genes are upregulated in the diseased heart of humans and experimental animals.In several animal disease models,relaxin can reverse cardiac fibrosis.Relaxin may also indirectly promote myocardial regeneration and repair by suppressing fibrotic healing.Further research needs to focus on elucidating the exact mechanisms utilized by relaxin to induce these cardiac actions and translation of experimental findings to novel therapy of cardiovascular disease.