Protein from the popular aquarium fish can awaken heart repair genes

Every year millions of people worldwide endure from a heart attack, leading to permanent failure of heart cells and frequently consequence in heart failure. Meanwhile, a tiny fish, known as a ribbed dish, has the ability to regenerate its heart after injuries. investigation published in the diary Nature Cardiovascular investigation sheds fresh light on the anticipation of utilizing this ability to treat people.

Regeneration of the heart in the ribbed dish

After the heart has been damaged by a ribbed dish, the recovery process allows the fish to full reconstruct the heart function within 60 days. "We don't realize why any species can regenerate their hearts after injury and others can't," said Jeroen Bakkers, investigation manager at the Hubrecht Institute in Utrecht. investigation on strangulation can aid to make therapies to prevent heart failure in humans.

Key discovery: Protein Hmga1

Utrecht researchers have found that the Hmga1 protein, which plays a key function in the regeneration of the heart in a ribbed dish, can besides activate repair genes in mammalian organisms. "We compared the heart of the delinquent with the heart of the mouse, which, like the heart of man, cannot regenerate," explained Dennis de Bakker, the first author of the study. It has been found that the Hmga1 gene is active during regeneration in a ribbed dish, but not in mice.

Hmga1 protein removes molecular "blocks" on chromatin, or DNA packaging structure. "Hmga1 paves the way, as if allowing the dormant genome to return to work," said Mara Bouwman, co-author of the study.

Success in Mouse Treatment

Scientists utilized Hmga1 protein locally on damaged mice hearts. The results were surprising: the protein stimulated the heart muscle cells to divide and grow, improving the heart function without side effects specified as excessive growth or enlargement of the heart. "The cell division occurred only in the damaged area – where repair was needed," Bakkers indicated.

Meaning for gene therapy

The investigation squad compared the activity of the Hmga1 gene in strangulation, mice and humans. Although this protein is not produced in humans after a heart attack, the Hmga1 gene is present and active during embryonic development. "This is the basis for gene therapy that can unlock the possible for human heart regeneration," Bakkers stressed.

Next steps

These discoveries are a crucial step forward, but there is inactive much to be done. Scientists plan to perfect and test therapy before it can go to the clinic. The next step is to check that the Hmga1 protein besides acts on human heart cells under laboratory conditions.

These studies were possible through cooperation within the Outreach consortium, an association of investigation institutes and academic hospitals in the Netherlands. The task was supported by Dutch Heart Foundation and Hartekind Foundation.

Potential revolution in regenerative medicine

The discovery of the possible of the Hmga1 protein opens the door to safe, targeted regenerative therapy that could radically alter the treatment of heart failure. If further studies confirm the effectiveness of this method in humans, medicine will be 1 step closer to solving 1 of the top wellness challenges of our time.