Targeting signaling pathways in heart failure by gene transfer.
Congestive heart failure represents an enormous clinical problem demanding effective therapeutic approaches. The varied etiologies of heart failure include abnormalities of ion handling, cellular signaling, neurohormonal control, and apoptosis, all of which are potentially amenable to genetic manipulation. Gene therapy holds the promise of retarding the progression, preventing, and perhaps reversing heart failure. Advances in our knowledge of possible targets, vectors, and delivery techniques have revolutionized this field in recent years, bringing us close to clinical application.
MacNeill
Briain D
BD
Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital - East, Building 149, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129-2000, USA. rhajjar@partners.org
Hayase
Motoya
M
Hajjar
Roger J
RJ
D018390:Gene Targeting; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*