Short telomeres - A hallmark of heritable cardiomyopathies

Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity
Alex C Y Chang, Helen M Blau

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide and the incidence increases with age. Genetic testing has taught us much about the pathogenic pathways that drive heritable cardiomyopathies. Here we discuss an unexpected link between shortened telomeres, a molecular marker of aging, and genetic cardiomyopathy. Positioned at the ends of chromosomes, telomeres are DNA repeats which serve as protective caps that shorten with each cell division in proliferative tissues. Cardiomyocytes are an anomaly, as they are largely non-proliferative post-birth and retain relatively stable telomere lengths throughout life in healthy individuals. However, there is mounting evidence that in disease states, cardiomyocyte telomeres significantly shorten. Moreover, this shortening may play an active role in the development of mitochondrial dysfunction central to the etiology of dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies. Elucidation of the mechanisms that underlie the telomere-mitochondrial signaling axis in the heart will provide fresh insights into our understanding of genetic cardiomyopathies, and could lead to the identification of previously uncharacterized modes of therapeutic intervention.

Citations

Jul 29, 2018·Nature Reviews. Cardiology·Natalie A GudeMark A Sussman
Jul 27, 2018·Scientific Reports·Shambhabi ChatterjeeThomas Thum
Jan 23, 2021·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Megan Schmit, Anja-Katrin Bielinsky
Mar 14, 2021·Nature Communications·Ryan M BaxleyAnja-Katrin Bielinsky

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cell Aging

This feed focuses on cellular aging with emphasis on mitochondria, autophagy, and metabolic processes associated with aging and longevity. Here is the latest research on cell aging.

Cardiovascular Disease Pathophysiology

Cardiovascular disease involves several different processes that contribute to the pathological mechanism, including hyperglycemia, inflammation, atherosclerosis, hypertension and more. Vasculature stability plays a critical role in the development of the disease. Discover the latest research on cardiovascular disease pathophysiology here.

Aging-Associated Metabolic Disorders

Age is associated with many metabolic disorders including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease. The mediators in aging process have been suggested to play a part in the cellular processes responsible for these metabolic disorders. Here is the latest research on aging-associated metabolic disorders.

Cell Aging (Keystone)

This feed focuses on cellular aging with emphasis on the mitochondria, autophagy, and metabolic processes associated with aging and longevity. Here is the latest research on cell aging.

Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Sensitive and accurate biomarkers used in cardiovascular risk prediction can potentially be used to manage the risk of cardiovascular disease. Discover the latest research on Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Risk Assessment here. Discover the latest research on Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Risk Assessment here.

Birth Defects

Birth defects encompass structural and functional alterations that occur during embryonic or fetal development and are present since birth. The cause may be genetic, environmental or unknown and can result in physical and/or mental impairment. Here is the latest research on birth defects.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, that can lead to muscular or electrical dysfunction of the heart. It is often an irreversible disease that is associated with a poor prognosis. There are different causes and classifications of cardiomyopathies. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to this disease.