Targeting Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I receptor signaling pathways improve compromised function during cardiac hypertrophy

Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) and its signaling pathways play an important role in cell proliferation, growth, differentiation and survival. IGF-axis controls cellular, physiological and metabolic activity of several cell types including cardiomyocytes. IGF-I acts through its signaling receptorIGF-IR to induce physiological or adaptive hypertrophic growth. Various reports also confirm that it protects the heart against pathological insults. Furthermore, deregulation of IGF-I signaling has also been shown to be involved in the development of pathological hypertrophy. Although it would be beneficial to activate the IGF-I–PI3-K pathway to enhance cardiac function during pathological conditions it could be detrimental in case of cancer. Based on currently available literature this mini review will focus on the recent advances of drug and delivery systems that specifically target IGF-I signaling for promoting physiological hypertrophy and improving cardiac function. Abbreviations: Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I); Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR); Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR); 4E binding protein1 (4EBP1); local IGF-1 isoform (mIGF‐1); (PI3K)-AKT/PKB phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt/Protein Kinase B; Insulin receptor (IR); MicroRNAs (miRs); Ribosomal S6 kinases (S6Ks)