Targeted gene-silencing reveals the functional significance of myocardin signaling in the failing heart.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Myocardin (MYOCD), a potent transcriptional coactivator of smooth muscle (SM) and cardiac genes, is upregulated in failing myocardium in animal models and human end-stage heart failure (HF). However, the molecular and functional consequences of myocd upregulation in HF are still unclear.

Methodology/principal findings

The goal of the present study was to investigate if targeted inhibition of upregulated expression of myocd could influence failing heart gene expression and function. To this end, we used the doxorubicin (Dox)-induced diastolic HF (DHF) model in neonatal piglets, in which, as we show, not only myocd but also myocd-dependent SM-marker genes are highly activated in failing left ventricular (LV) myocardium. In this model, intra-myocardial delivery of sh

SUBMITTER: Torrado M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3196561 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature