Role of PDE4 Family in Cardiomyocyte Physiology and Heart Failure

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is a key regulator of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signalling in cardiomyocytes, controlling contractility, calcium handling, and hypertrophic responses. PDE4 provides spatial and temporal precision to cAMP signalling, particularly under β-adrenergic stimulation, through its compartmentalised activity in subcellular nanodomains, including the sarcoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane and nuclear envelope. This review highlights the cardiac PDE4 isoforms PDE4A, PDE4B and PDE4D, focusing on their distinct localisation and contributions to cardiac physiology and pathophysiology, particularly in heart failure and arrhythmias. Although PDE4 plays a smaller role in overall cAMP hydrolysis in human hearts than in rodents, its compartmentalised function remains critical. Recent therapeutic advances have shifted from pan-PDE4 inhibitors to isoform-specific approaches to enhance efficacy while minimising systemic toxicity. We discuss the potential of selective PDE4 modulators, gene therapies and combination strategies in restoring cAMP compartmentation and preventing maladaptive cardiac remodelling. By integrating rodent and human studies, this review underscores the translational challenges and therapeutic opportunities surrounding PDE4, positioning it as both a key regulator of cardiac signalling and a promising target for heart failure therapies.