Heart Failure: Molecules, Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets: Novartis Foundation Symposium 274

Heart failure is the main cause of death and disability in the industrialized world. There is a major need for novel therapeutics for prevention and reversal of cardiac pathology associated with heart failure and cardiac enlargement. Over recent years, dramatic progress has been made in unravelling the cellular circuitry involved in cardiac failure, as well as in normal cardiac growth, development and apoptosis. This work has revealed new and unexpected therapeutic targets in the heart. In addition, advances in understanding the role of stem cells in cardiac physiology have suggested strategies for cardiac repair and regeneration once thought impossible. This book describes the work of leading investigators studying the basic mechanisms of cardiac growth, function and dysfunction. There are also exciting contributions from researchers developing novel therapeutic strategies for cardiac disease. The unique feature is the discussions amongst the contributors, which always return to the same basic problem: how can new data from biological studies be used to design novel therapies for the treatment of cardiac dysfunction following myocardial infarction, hypertension and other disorders? With its strong emphasis on translational research, this book will appeal to both scientists and clinicians interested in diminishing the impact of the current epidemic of cardiac diseases.Content: Describes The Work Of Leading Investigators Studying The Basic Mechanisms Of Cardiac Growth, Function And Dysfunction. There Are Also Contributions From Researchers Developing Novel Therapeutic Strategies For Cardiac Disease. The Unique Feature Is The Discussions Amongst The Contributors, Which Always Return To The Same Basic Problem: How Can New Data From Biological Studies Be Used To Design Novel Therapies For The Treatment Of Cardiac Dysfunction Following Myocardial Infarction, Hypertension And Other Disorders? Control Of Cardiac Hypertrophy And Heart Failure By Histone Acetylation/deacetylation / E.n. Olson ... [et Al.] -- A Novel Mechanism Of Mechanical Stress-induced Hypertrophy / H. Akazawa ... [et Al.] -- Controlling Cardiomyocyte Survival / N. De Jonge ... [et Al.] -- Mechanisms Of Angiotensin Ii-dependent Progression To Heart Failure / M. Nemer ... [et Al.] -- Alterations In Myocardial Gene Expression As A Basis For Cardiomyopathies And Heart Failure / M.r. Taylor And M.r. Bristow -- Role Of The Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (igf1)/phosphoinositide-3-kinase (pi3k) Pathway Mediating Physiological Cardiac Hypertrophy / J.r. Mcmullen And S. Izumo -- Role Of Akt In Cardiac Growth And Metabolism / A.j. Muslin And B. Debosch -- Novel Therapy For Heart Failure And Exercise-induced Ventricular Tachycardia Based On 'fixing' The Leak In Ryanodine Receptors / A.r. Marks -- Phospholamban As A Therapeutic Modality In Heart Failure / G. Chu And E.g. Kranias -- Sarcomere Protein Gene Mutations And Inherited Heart Disease: A [beta]-cardiac Myosin Heavy Chain Mutation Causing Endocardial Fibroelastosis And Heart Failure / M. Kamisago ... [et Al.] -- The Cardiomyocyte Cell Cycle / P.j. Lafontant And L.j. Field -- Restoration Of Cardiac Function With Progenitor Cells / C. Urbich ... [et Al.] -- Signalling Pathways In Cardiac Regeneration / M.p. Santini ... [et Al.] -- Beyond Small Molecule Drugs For Heart Failure: Prospects For Gene Therapy / K.r. Chien -- Dual Roles Of Telomerase In Cardiac Protection And Repair / M.d. Schneider. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. Also Available In An Electronic Version. Mode Of Access: World Wide Web. Over the past five years, there has been dramatic progress in unravelling the cellular circuitry involved in cardiac failure, as well as in normal cardiac growth, development and apoptosis. These studies have revealed new and unanticipated therapeutic targets in the heart. Over the next few days we will be looking at the pathological transitions that the adult heart can undergo.