We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
RANDOX LABORATORIES

Download Mobile App




Enriched FAK Activity Protects Cardiomyocytes from Heart Attack Damage

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 22 Mar 2012
Print article
Cardiovascular disease researchers have identified a protein in cardiomyocytes that when expressed at high levels protects heart cells from damage caused during myocardial infarction due to the sudden loss of oxygen.

Investigators at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, USA) had shown previously that deletion of the enzyme focal adhesion kinase (FAK) exacerbated myocyte death following heart attack. FAK is a highly conserved, cytosolic, protein-tyrosine kinase involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction and responsible for formation of the focal adhesion complex. It is widely expressed throughout development.

In the current study, the investigators examined the effect of enriched FAK activity on cardiomyocytes during and after heart attack (ischemia/perfusion) in a mouse model. To this end, they created a line of mice genetically engineered to express a highly active form of FAK (SuperFAK) in their cardiomyocytes.

They reported in the March 1, 2012, online edition of the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology that FAK activity in unstressed transgenic hearts was modestly elevated, but this had no discernible effect on anabolic heart growth or cardiac function. On the other hand, SuperFAK hearts exhibited a dramatic increase in FAK activity and a reduction in myocyte apoptosis and infarct size 24 to 72 hours following ischemia/perfusion.

Mechanistic studies revealed that elevated FAK activity protected cardiomyocytes from ischemia/perfusion-induced apoptosis by enhancing nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)-dependent survival signaling during the early period of reperfusion (30 and 60 minutes). Moreover, adenoviral-mediated expression of SuperFAK in cultured cardiomyocytes attenuated H2O2 or hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis. Blockade of the NF-kappaB pathway using a pharmacological inhibitor or small interfering RNAs completely abolished the beneficial effect of SuperFAK.

"This study shows that we can enhance existing cell survival pathways to protect heart cells during a heart attack," said senior author Dr. Joan Taylor, associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of North Carolina. "We thought if we could activate FAK to a greater extent, then we could better protect those heart cells."

"I think folks could use this idea to exploit mutations in other molecules - by thinking about how to modify the protein so that it can be under natural controls," said Dr. Taylor. "Negative feedback loops are important because they "reset" the system."

Related Links:

University of North Carolina

HLX
New
Platinum Supplier
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay
New
Silver Supplier
HSV1+2 / VZV Test
Savvygen HSV1+2 / VZV
New
Rapid Test Analyzer
RapiRead CUBE Reader

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chem.

view channel
Image: Electrochemical cells etched by laser on wooden tongue depressor measure glucose and nitrite in saliva (Photo courtesy of Analytical Chemistry)

Biosensor-Fabricated Wooden Tongue Depressor Measures Glucose and Nitrite in Saliva

Physicians often use tongue depressors to examine a patient's mouth and throat. However, it is hard to imagine that this simple wooden tool could actively assess a patient's health. This idea has led to... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Atellica HEMA 570 and 580 hematology analyzers remove workflow barriers (Photo courtesy of Siemens)

Next-Gen Hematology Analyzers Eliminate Workflow Roadblocks and Achieve Fast Throughput

Hematology testing is a critical aspect of patient care, utilized to establish a patient's health baseline, track treatment progress, or guide timely modifications to care. However, increasing constraints... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Newly observed anti-FSP antibodies have also been found to predict immune-related adverse events (Photo courtesy of Calviri)

First Blood-Based Biomarkers Test to Predict Treatment Response in Cancer Patients

Every year worldwide, lung cancer afflicts over two million individuals and almost the same number of people succumb to the disease. This malignancy leads the charts in cancer-related mortalities, with... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The rapid MTB strip test for tuberculosis can identify TB patients within two hours (Photo courtesy of Chulalongkorn University)

Rapid MTB Strip Test Detects Tuberculosis in Less Than an Hour without Special Tools

Tuberculosis (TB), a highly infectious disease, continues to pose significant challenges to public health worldwide. TB is caused by a bacterium known as "Mycobacterium tuberculosis," spreading through... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The UNIQO 160 (CE-IVDR) advances diagnostic analysis for autoimmune diseases (Photo courtesy of EUROIMMUN)

Novel Automated IIFT System Enables Cutting-Edge Diagnostic Analysis

A newly-launched automated indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT) system for autoimmune disease diagnostics offers an all-in-one solution to enhance the efficiency of the complete IIFT process, comprising... Read more

Technology

view channel
Electronic biosensor uses DNA aptamers for detecting biomarkers in whole blood samples (Photo courtesy of Freepik)

Electronic Biosensor Detects Biomarkers in Whole Blood Samples without Addition of Reagents

The absence of robust, reliable, and user-friendly bioanalytical tools for early and timely diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, particularly sudden cardiac arrest, leads to preventable deaths and imposes... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The global HbA1c testing devices market is expected to reach USD 2.56 billion in 2027 (Photo courtesy of Freepik)

Global Hemoglobin A1c Testing Devices Market Driven by Rising Prevalence of Diabetes

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), or glycated hemoglobin, refers to hemoglobin with glucose attached. HbA1c testing devices are used for blood tests that determine average blood glucose, or blood sugar levels.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.