Newcastle University researchers have unveiled promising findings indicating that certain proteins may hold the key to reducing heart damage and improving long-term cardiac function. Their groundbreaking study highlights the potential of anti-inflammatory molecules in minimising scar formation on the heart, offering hope for enhanced recovery after heart attacks.
The study, led by Professor Helen Arthur, Professor of Cardiovascular Biology at Newcastle University, investigated the protective effects of two anti-inflammatory proteins, Heligmosomoidespolygyrus TGM (HpTGM) and Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 (TGFβ1), in reducing inflammation and scarring in the damaged heart tissue following a heart attack.
The research revealed a significant correlation between decreased scar size on the heart and concentrations of TGFβ1 in the blood of patients 24 hours after coronary reperfusion, a standard therapy for acute heart attacks. To delve deeper into this discovery, the team conducted experiments using a mouse model of a heart attack, demonstrating the preventive benefits of TGFβ1 and its mimic, HpTGM.
Both proteins, despite their evolutionary differences, exhibited similar positive effects in reducing inflammation and minimising heart damage. Introducing these anti-inflammatory molecules into the bloodstream during coronary reperfusion resulted in decreased harmful inflammation and notably smaller scar formation on the heart.
Professor Arthur explained, "The subsequent inflammatory response initiated by the body to repair damaged heart tissue can exacerbate heart muscle loss, increasing the risk of heart failure. Our study aimed to explore the protective effects of TGFβ1 and HpTGM to mitigate this additional damage beyond the initial ischemic injury caused by heart attacks."
The study's findings suggest that delivering HpTGM at the time of coronary artery reperfusion dampens inflammation in coronary endothelial cells, leading to reduced cardiac injury and increased myocardial salvage. This offers promising prospects for long-term cardiac function improvement and underscores the potential of HpTGM as an anti-inflammatory therapy for heart attack patients.
The research not only sheds light on the therapeutic potential of these proteins but also opens avenues for further translational studies to explore their clinical applications in treating heart disease.
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