title: Gene therapy to create biological pacemakers.
abstract: Old age and a variety of cardiovascular disorders may disrupt normal sinus node function. Currently, this is successfully treated with electronic pacemakers, which, however, leave room for improvement. During the past decade, different strategies to initiate pacemaker function by gene therapy were developed. In the search for a biological pacemaker, various approaches were explored, including beta(2)-adrenergic receptor overexpression, down regulation of the inward rectifier current, and overexpression of the pacemaker current. The most recent advances include overexpression of bioengineered ion channels and genetically modified stem cells. This review considers the strengths and the weaknesses of the different approaches and discusses some of the different viral vectors currently used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gerard J J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Boink
authors.forename: Jurgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seppen
authors.forename: Jacques M T
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: de Bakker
authors.forename: Hanno L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000378:metabolism; D012849:Sinoatrial Node / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels