Targeting Cdc42: Novel Approaches in Cardiovascular Disorders

Abstract: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and need novel molecular targets for improved diagnosis and treatment. There are some potential new molecular targets for CVD treatment, including miRNAs, C-reactive protein, interleukins, fibrinogen, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, etc. One of the newer targets can be cell division control protein 42 homolog (Cdc42), a small GTPase of the Rho family, which has a significant role in cardiovascular physiology and pathology. This review focuses on demonstrating multifaceted functions of Cdc42 in cardiovascular complications, including vascular endothelial function, vascular smooth muscle cell regulation, cardiac myocyte development, inflammatory responses, and lipid metabolism. This review highlights the importance of Cdc42 in maintaining endothelial barrier integrity, regulating vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype, cardiac development, immune response modulation, and influencing lipid transport and insulin signalling. Furthermore, this review comprehensively explores the potential of Cdc42 as a biomarker for early CVD detection and proves to be a beneficial therapeutic target. This review also addresses the challenges in targeting Cdc42, given its ubiquitous nature, and directs future research, including tissue-specific modulation strategies and exploration of downstream signalling effectors. This review aims to potentiate future research by utilizing the current data on Cdc42 signalling in the cardiovascular system and constructing a bridge for innovative therapeutic approaches in CVD prevention and treatment. Cdc42 regulates cardiovascular processes, including endothelial function, vascular smooth muscle behaviour, cardiac development, inflammation, and metabolism. Additionally, evidence demonstrates Cdc42's involvement in key signalling pathways affecting lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity.