Serotonin and Cardiovascular Diseases

International audienceSerotonergic dysfunction is mainly associated with neuropsychiatric and cardiovascular disorders but has also been linked with many other pathological conditions. This review provides an overview of the recent pharmacological developments involving 5hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin), released from blood platelets, in the human cardiovascular system. The acute cardiovascular response to serotonin, named the Bezold-Jarish reflex, leads to intense bradycardia associated with atrioventricular block, and involves 5-HT 3 , 5-HT 1B , 5-HT 7 and 5-HT 2A/2B receptors. The contribution of serotonin and its receptors (5-HT 4 and 5-HT 2A/2B) in cardiac development, in cardiovascular tissue remodeling, with a particular emphasis on cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and failure, in valve degeneration, is explored in this review. Some new aspects of 5-HT 1B , 5-HT 7 and 5-HT 2A/2B receptors in vasomotor tone regulation and the interaction between endothelial and smooth muscle cells are also be discussed. As well, serotonin, its transporter, 5-HT 1B , and 5-HT 2B receptors participation in pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular remodeling are presented. Finally, the contribution of bone marrow derived endothelial progenitors in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension and interactions with bone morphogenic protein type 2 receptor signaling are highlighted. The aim of this review is thus to emphasize the vascular, cardiac and pulmonary effects caused by serotonin receptor activation, and to highlight their possible prevention by the development of new drugs targeting this system