Angiopoietin-like protein 7: A narrative review and its potential roles in post-myocardial infarction fibrosis

Angiopoietin-like protein 7 (ANGPTL7) is a secreted protein involved in tissue remodeling and fibrosis, playing roles in various pathological processes such as glaucoma, metabolic disorders, and cancer. Current research has found that ANGPTL7 plays a role in various diseases, including tumors, metabolic disorders, and glaucoma. In recent years, its potential functions in the cardiovascular system have begun to be preliminarily explored. Research suggests that ANGPTL7 expression levels may be associated with the pathological progression of atherosclerosis and hypertension, and it has shown potential as a prognostic biomarker in acute heart failure. Given its known pro-fibrotic biological functions and emerging links to cardiovascular pathology, this review first comprehensively integrates the molecular mechanisms and functions of ANGPTL7 across various disease contexts, with a primary focus on its roles in the cardiovascular system. Building on this foundation, this review further constructs and explores a comprehensive hypothesis regarding its potential role in pathological fibrosis following myocardial infarction. A deeper understanding of ANGPTL7 could offer a novel therapeutic strategy to mitigate cardiac fibrosis and, ultimately, prevent heart failure.