UCLA researchers find molecule that could delay, prevent heart failure

Early research from University of California at Los Angeles has identified a molecule that could contribute to heart failure.

A study, published this month in the journal Nature Medicine, tested the effects of a molecule called chaer on animals. Results showed that blocking the molecule prevented them from developing heart failure.

Chaer, which comprises non-coding RNAs, is considered part of dark matter in biology since they are abundant and diverse in cells.

“The observation that a single [long non-coding RNA] molecule can activate a broad set of heart-failure related genes was a big surprise,” said Yibin Wang, the study’s lead author and a professor in the departments of anesthesiology, physiology and medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, in a statement. “The findings provide us a better understanding of the molecular processes of heart failure, which we hope eventually to target with effective therapies.”

The discovery gives hopes to the 5.7 million patients afflicted by a heart failure condition. Current treatment methods can slow down the disease in its early stages but are generally ineffective once it progresses.

Researchers want to further explore a drug could be developed that blocks or reduces chaer production the heart, which would in turn restore healthy heart function and prevent or delay heart failure.

Katherine Davis,

Senior Writer

As a Senior Writer for TriMed Media Group, Katherine primarily focuses on producing news stories, Q&As and features for Cardiovascular Business. She reports on several facets of the cardiology industry, including emerging technology, new clinical trials and findings, and quality initiatives among providers. She is based out of TriMed's Chicago office and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago. Her work has appeared in Modern Healthcare, Crain's Chicago Business and The Detroit News. She joined TriMed in 2016.

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