Therapeutic Targets and Personalized Medicine in Cardiac Disease

A special issue of Journal of Personalized Medicine (ISSN 2075-4426). This special issue belongs to the section "Mechanisms of Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2022) | Viewed by 18644

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Guest Editor
Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Efesiou St, 115-27 Athens, Greece
Interests: cardiac cell biology; calcium homeostasis; cardiovascular physiology; cardiac disease; personalized medicine
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Guest Editor
Clinical Genomics and Pharmacogenomics Unit, 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Building 15, Mikras Asias 75, 115-27 Athens, Greece
Interests: cardiovascular genetics; molecular biology; pharmacogenomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Pl, Box 1030, New York, NY 10029, USA
Interests: cardiac tissue engineering; adult stem cells; human induced pluripotent stem cells; cardiac contractility; cardiac disease models

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiovascular disease has been the subject of extensive research and notable advancements over decades. However, it remains the leading cause of death, with millions affected worldwide. The available therapeutic options leave a lot to be desired in many cases, while they remain non-existent in others. Importantly, there are many cases where prognosis is challenging and response to treatment highly variable. Even when the cause has a genetic basis, different mutations within the same gene can result in different pathophysiology, while the same gene mutation can lead to variable phenotypes. The remarkable technological advancements and scientific breakthroughs over recent years are unveiling a horizon of new possibilities. Notable examples range from multi-omics analyses as fine as single-cell level and sophisticated artificial intelligence tools, to highly targeted gene therapy, RNAi, and CRISPR approaches.

This Special Issue focuses on cutting-edge developments in the discovery of novel CVD targets and the development of personalized therapeutic approaches. We invite the submission of original research and review articles on the latest scientific advances toward understanding and combating CVD in the Precision Medicine era. 

Dr. Elizabeth Vafiadaki
Dr. Despina Sanoudou
Dr. Irene C. Turnbull
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Personalized Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • Cardiovascular disease 
  • Personalized medicine 
  • Precision medicine 
  • Pharmacogenomics 
  • Molecular Cardiology 
  • Genetic mutation 
  • Disease pathogenesis 
  • Translational research 
  • Targeted therapies

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 176 KiB  
Editorial
Therapeutic Targets and Personalized Medicine in Cardiac Disease
by Elizabeth Vafiadaki, Irene C. Turnbull and Despina Sanoudou
J. Pers. Med. 2023, 13(11), 1534; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13111534 - 26 Oct 2023
Viewed by 871
Abstract
Despite extensive research that has achieved notable advancements over the last decades, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, with millions affected around the world [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Targets and Personalized Medicine in Cardiac Disease)

Research

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23 pages, 4294 KiB  
Article
Impaired Right Ventricular Calcium Cycling Is an Early Risk Factor in R14del-Phospholamban Arrhythmias
by Kobra Haghighi, George Gardner, Elizabeth Vafiadaki, Mohit Kumar, Lisa C. Green, Jianyong Ma, Jeffrey S. Crocker, Sheryl Koch, Demetrios A. Arvanitis, Phillip Bidwell, Jack Rubinstein, Rutger van de Leur, Pieter A. Doevendans, Fadi G. Akar, Michael Tranter, Hong-Sheng Wang, Sakthivel Sadayappan, Deeptankar DeMazumder, Despina Sanoudou, Roger J. Hajjar, Francesca Stillitano and Evangelia G. Kraniasadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
J. Pers. Med. 2021, 11(6), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm11060502 - 3 Jun 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4310
Abstract
The inherited mutation (R14del) in the calcium regulatory protein phospholamban (PLN) is linked to malignant ventricular arrhythmia with poor prognosis starting at adolescence. However, the underlying early mechanisms that may serve as prognostic factors remain elusive. This study generated humanized mice in which [...] Read more.
The inherited mutation (R14del) in the calcium regulatory protein phospholamban (PLN) is linked to malignant ventricular arrhythmia with poor prognosis starting at adolescence. However, the underlying early mechanisms that may serve as prognostic factors remain elusive. This study generated humanized mice in which the endogenous gene was replaced with either human wild type or R14del-PLN and addressed the early molecular and cellular pathogenic mechanisms. R14del-PLN mice exhibited stress-induced impairment of atrioventricular conduction, and prolongation of both ventricular activation and repolarization times in association with ventricular tachyarrhythmia, originating from the right ventricle (RV). Most of these distinct electrocardiographic features were remarkably similar to those in R14del-PLN patients. Studies in isolated cardiomyocytes revealed RV-specific calcium defects, including prolonged action potential duration, depressed calcium kinetics and contractile parameters, and elevated diastolic Ca-levels. Ca-sparks were also higher although SR Ca-load was reduced. Accordingly, stress conditions induced after contractions, and inclusion of the CaMKII inhibitor KN93 reversed this proarrhythmic parameter. Compensatory responses included altered expression of key genes associated with Ca-cycling. These data suggest that R14del-PLN cardiomyopathy originates with RV-specific impairment of Ca-cycling and point to the urgent need to improve risk stratification in asymptomatic carriers to prevent fatal arrhythmias and delay cardiomyopathy onset. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Targets and Personalized Medicine in Cardiac Disease)
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11 pages, 1862 KiB  
Article
Creating a ‘Molecular Band-Aid’; Blocking an Exposed Protease Target Site in Desmoplakin
by Catherine A. Hoover, Kendahl L. Ott, Heather R. Manring, Trevor Dew, Maegen A. Borzok and Nathan T. Wright
J. Pers. Med. 2021, 11(5), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm11050401 - 12 May 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2172
Abstract
Desmoplakin (DSP) is a large (~260 kDa) protein found in the desmosome, a subcellular complex that links the cytoskeleton of one cell to its neighbor. A mutation ‘hot-spot’ within the NH2-terminal third of the DSP protein (specifically, residues 299–515) is associated [...] Read more.
Desmoplakin (DSP) is a large (~260 kDa) protein found in the desmosome, a subcellular complex that links the cytoskeleton of one cell to its neighbor. A mutation ‘hot-spot’ within the NH2-terminal third of the DSP protein (specifically, residues 299–515) is associated with both cardiomyopathies and skin defects. In select DSP variants, disease is linked specifically to the uncovering of a previously-occluded calpain target site (residues 447–451). Here, we partially stabilize these calpain-sensitive DSP clinical variants through the addition of a secondary single point mutation—tyrosine for leucine at amino acid position 518 (L518Y). Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and enzymatic assays reveal that this stabilizing mutation partially blocks access to the calpain target site, resulting in restored DSP protein levels. This ‘molecular band-aid’ provides a novel way to maintain DSP protein levels, which may lead to new strategies for treating this subset of DSP-related disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Targets and Personalized Medicine in Cardiac Disease)
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Review

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17 pages, 1972 KiB  
Review
The Potential of Hsp90 in Targeting Pathological Pathways in Cardiac Diseases
by Richard J. Roberts, Logan Hallee and Chi Keung Lam
J. Pers. Med. 2021, 11(12), 1373; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm11121373 - 16 Dec 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5568
Abstract
Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a molecular chaperone that interacts with up to 10% of the proteome. The extensive involvement in protein folding and regulation of protein stability within cells makes Hsp90 an attractive therapeutic target to correct multiple dysfunctions. Many of [...] Read more.
Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a molecular chaperone that interacts with up to 10% of the proteome. The extensive involvement in protein folding and regulation of protein stability within cells makes Hsp90 an attractive therapeutic target to correct multiple dysfunctions. Many of the clients of Hsp90 are found in pathways known to be pathogenic in the heart, ranging from transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and mitogen activated kinase (MAPK) signaling to tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), Gs and Gq g-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and calcium (Ca2+) signaling. These pathways can therefore be targeted through modulation of Hsp90 activity. The activity of Hsp90 can be targeted through small-molecule inhibition. Small-molecule inhibitors of Hsp90 have been found to be cardiotoxic in some cases however. In this regard, specific targeting of Hsp90 by modulation of post-translational modifications (PTMs) emerges as an attractive strategy. In this review, we aim to address how Hsp90 functions, where Hsp90 interacts within pathological pathways, and current knowledge of small molecules and PTMs known to modulate Hsp90 activity and their potential as therapeutics in cardiac diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Targets and Personalized Medicine in Cardiac Disease)
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21 pages, 5489 KiB  
Review
The Potential of Gamma Secretase as a Therapeutic Target for Cardiac Diseases
by Sujoita Sen, Logan Hallee and Chi Keung Lam
J. Pers. Med. 2021, 11(12), 1294; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm11121294 - 4 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4139
Abstract
Heart diseases are some of the most common and pressing threats to human health worldwide. The American Heart Association and the National Institute of Health jointly work to annually update data on cardiac diseases. In 2018, 126.9 million Americans were reported as having [...] Read more.
Heart diseases are some of the most common and pressing threats to human health worldwide. The American Heart Association and the National Institute of Health jointly work to annually update data on cardiac diseases. In 2018, 126.9 million Americans were reported as having some form of cardiac disorder, with an estimated direct and indirect total cost of USD 363.4 billion. This necessitates developing therapeutic interventions for heart diseases to improve human life expectancy and economic relief. In this review, we look into gamma-secretase as a potential therapeutic target for cardiac diseases. Gamma-secretase, an aspartyl protease enzyme, is responsible for the cleavage and activation of a number of substrates that are relevant to normal cardiac development and function as found in mutation studies. Some of these substrates are involved in downstream signaling processes and crosstalk with pathways relevant to heart diseases. Most of the substrates and signaling events we explored were found to be potentially beneficial to maintain cardiac function in diseased conditions. This review presents an updated overview of the current knowledge on gamma-secretase processing of cardiac-relevant substrates and seeks to understand if the modulation of gamma-secretase activity would be beneficial to combat cardiac diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Targets and Personalized Medicine in Cardiac Disease)
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