Myocardial ischemia is one of the main causes of cardiac remodeling and heart failure. As a highly evolutionarily conserved pathway, the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling controls intercellular communication, signaling transduction and gene transcription. Interestingly, STAT3 signaling has been demonstrated to take part in myocardial ischemia. Furthermore, activation of STAT3 signaling contributes to the protective efficacy of various interventions, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of myocardial ischemic injury. Areas covered: We first introduce the protective mechanisms of STAT3. We then discuss STAT3 signaling in various cells and the roles of STAT3 in myocardial processes during myocardial ischemia. Finally, the roles of STAT3 in myocardial ischemia and the upstream regulators of STAT3 activation are summarized. Expert opinion: In various animal experiments, STAT3 has been demonstrated to take part in myocardial responses to myocardial ischemic injury and to be activated during various modes of protection against myocardial ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, further clinical evidence on the role of STAT3 in such protection is needed. Treatments targeting STAT3 as a means of reducing myocardial ischemic injury need to be tested in a clinical setting. Furthermore, biotechnology can be used to develop effective drugs for this purpose.
Keywords: Myocardial ischemia; cardioprotection; non-pharmacological treatment; pharmacological treatment; signal transducer and activator of transcription 3.