Exploration of a novel mechanism of cardiac troponin release: in silico evidence of non-classical secretion

Abstract

Cardiac troponin is one of the most important biomarkers in cardiology. Traditionally, it has represented a biochemical sign of necrosis, a characteristic of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, with the arrival of high-sensitivity detection assays, cardiac troponin is now detected in healthy patients and in a number of uncommon scenarios unrelated to AMI (such as strenuous exercise, rapid atrial pacing and COVID-19). This suggests that troponin could be released as a consequence of alternative processes other than the well-stablished necrotic cell death.