Figure 8.

SCD-dependent signaling promotes angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium. We propose that SCD stimulates the expression and secretion of the proangiogenic factor VEGF-A through multiple cellular pathways including AKT-, AMPK-, cytokine-, and NADPH oxidase-dependent signaling. Independent of VEGF-A, SCD stimulates cardiac angiogenesis through proinflammatory cytokines and MMP9 actions. Our results indicate that SCD shapes the energy metabolism of post-MI cardiomyocytes by maintaining a shift from fatty acids to glucose as the substrate that is used for ATP production.