Novel Discovery Finds the Hidden Culprit in Heart Failure

New study has identified a key molecule linked to dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious condition that accounts for one in five heart failure cases. The discovery can lead to new treatments tailored to patients with the condition. The findings of the study are published in the journal Nature Communications. The team identified a key molecule named PI3K alpha that binds to gelsolin an enzyme that can destroy filaments that help make up the structure of the heart's cells and suppresses it.

The condition decreases the heart's ability to pump blood because its main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, is enlarged and weakened. Researchers studied the condition at the molecular level in animal models and in explanted human hearts and found that the pathway leading to dilated cardiomyopathy is common in all species. According to Oudit, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Heart Failure, the condition is caused by biomechanical stress, which activates the gelsolin enzyme.

"You need some gelsolin, but when it gets out of control, it destroys things. The molecule chews up the filaments, and you get really bad heart failure," said Oudit. "But we have also shown that when you suppress this molecule, you preserve your heart function. It's intact." Oudit said the potential impact on patient care is huge.

"By understanding these patients better, we'll hopefully be able to develop specific therapies for them," he said.

According to Oudit, there are currently no specific treatments for patients with heart failure. The same medications are used for all patients.

"But if we can now identify patients that have problems with this type of remodeling (dilated cardiomyopathy), we can target them specifically," he explained. "That's where we're heading down the road. And to take this research right from the molecule to our patients, it's very rewarding."

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Source-Eurekalert