TLR7 - ITGAM: A NOVEL INNATE IMMUNE PATHWAY IN CARDIAC ISCHEMIC INJURY [snRNA-Seq]

We utilized single-nucleus RNA sequencing (sn-RNAseq) with the 10X Genomics platform to investigate the mechanisms underlying cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly ischemic myocardial infarction (MI), remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. Although percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces infarct size and preserves cardiac function, reperfusion itself induces I/R injury, exacerbating myocardial damage. Our prior studies demonstrate that I/R injury triggers the release of cellular RNA, and attenuating extracellular RNA (exRNA) reduces myocardial inflammation, conferring cardioprotection against I/R injury. This study elucidates the role of TLR7, an exRNA sensor, and its downstream signaling pathways in myocardial I/R injury, offering new insights into potential therapeutic strategies for cardiac I/R treatment.