[HTML][HTML] Toward transcriptional therapies for the failing heart: chemical screens to modulate genes

TA McKinsey, EN Olson - The Journal of clinical …, 2005 - Am Soc Clin Investig
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2005Am Soc Clin Investig
In response to acute and chronic stresses, the heart frequently undergoes a remodeling
process that is accompanied by myocyte hypertrophy, impaired contractility, and pump
failure, often culminating in sudden death. The existence of redundant signaling pathways
that trigger heart failure poses challenges for therapeutic intervention. Cardiac remodeling is
associated with the activation of a pathological gene program that weakens cardiac
performance. Thus, targeting the disease process at the level of gene expression represents …
In response to acute and chronic stresses, the heart frequently undergoes a remodeling process that is accompanied by myocyte hypertrophy, impaired contractility, and pump failure, often culminating in sudden death. The existence of redundant signaling pathways that trigger heart failure poses challenges for therapeutic intervention. Cardiac remodeling is associated with the activation of a pathological gene program that weakens cardiac performance. Thus, targeting the disease process at the level of gene expression represents a potentially powerful therapeutic approach. In this review, we describe strategies for normalizing gene expression in the failing heart with small molecules that control signal transduction pathways directed at transcription factors and associated chromatin-modifying enzymes.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation