Targeting Excessive Scarring Could Prevent Heart Failure Progression

Targeting Excessive Scarring Could Prevent Heart Failure Progression

Blocking AEBP1, a protein involved in the formation of scar tissue, prevented the development of severe heart failure in mice following a heart attack.

Blocking excess scarring helps prevent heart failure development

Most heart failure cases are caused to a large degree by a buildup of excess scar tissue in the heart, which currently has no treatments. Now, researchers have successfully prevented the development of severe heart failure in a mouse model of heart attack by blocking a protein that triggers the formation of excessive scar tissue.

University of Utah researchers target cardiac fibroblast protein AEBP1

Most heart failure cases are caused to a large degree by a build-up of excess scar tissue in the heart, which currently has no treatments.

Blocking scaring may help prevent heart failure

Scientists have found a possible way to protect the heart from damage that can follow a heart attack. In experiments with mice, reducing a protein involved in scar formation helped the heart keep pumping and prevented severe heart failure from developing. The discovery matters because heart failure affects the heart’s ability to send enough blood […]