FIGURE 5.

Overview of cytoprotective signaling mechanisms in the myocardium. aPC triggers a complex signaling network of PI3K thereby inhibiting cell death and promote cardioprotection by preventing the mitochondrial ROS and pro-apoptotic as well as inflammasome associated caspases described in multiple cell types of the myocardium. Additionally, aPC has been shown to prevent the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) as well as pro-fibrotic factors (TGF-β, CTGF, PDGF) from the myocardium. Bottom pointing red arrows, downregulation; Upward pointing red arrows, upregulation; Black arrows, pathway connectors.