This book presents both cutting-edge and established methods for studying cardiac gene expression. The protocols provide a template for solid research, and cover the process through screening, analysis, characterization, and functional confirmation of novel genes or known genes with a new function. The concluding section of the book highlights methods that facilitate overexpression or cardiac-specific targeted gene deletion.
This Volume of the series Cardiac and Vascular Biology offers a comprehensive and exciting, state-of-the-art work on the current options and potentials of cardiac regeneration and repair. Several techniques and approaches have been developed for heart failure repair: direct injection of cells, programming of scar tissue into functional myocardium, and tissue-engineered heart muscle support. The book introduces the rationale for these different approaches in cell-based heart regeneration and discusses the most important considerations for clinical translation. Expert authors discuss when, why, and how heart muscle can be salvaged. The book represents a valuable resource for stem cell researchers, cardiologists, bioengineers, and biomedical scientists studying cardiac function and regeneration.
This open access book presents a comprehensive overview of dilated cardiomyopathy, providing readers with practical guidelines for its clinical management. The first part of the book analyzes in detail the disease’s pathophysiology, its diagnostic work up as well as the prognostic stratification, and illustrates the role of genetics and gene-environment interaction. The second part presents current and future treatment options, highlighting the importance of long-term and individualized treatments and follow-up. Furthermore, it discusses open issues, such as the apparent healing phenomenon, the early prognosis of arrhythmic events or the use of genetic testing in clinical practice. Offering a multidisciplinary approach for optimizing the clinical management of DCM, this book is an invaluable aid not only for the clinical cardiologists, but for all physicians involved in the care of this challenging disease.
This open access book focuses on the molecular mechanism of congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension, offering new insights into the development of pulmonary circulation and the ductus arteriosus. It describes in detail the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and morphogenesis of the heart, lungs and ductus arteriosus, covering a range of topics such as gene functions, growth factors, transcription factors and cellular interactions, as well as stem cell engineering technologies. The book also presents recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanism of lung development, pulmonary hypertension and molecular regulation of the ductus arteriosus. As such, it is an ideal resource for physicians, scientists and investigators interested in the latest findings on the origins of congenital heart disease and potential future therapies involving pulmonary circulation/hypertension and the ductus arteriosus.
This book presents both cutting-edge and established methods for studying cardiac gene expression. The protocols provide a template for solid research, and cover the process through screening, analysis, characterization, and functional confirmation of novel genes or known genes with a new function. The concluding section of the book highlights methods that facilitate overexpression or cardiac-specific targeted gene deletion.
The pacemaking and conduction system (PCS) is vital for generating and synchronizing the heart beat. Dysfunction of this system can be a direct cause of cardiac conduction disturbance, arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. A wealth of information has been collected over many years on the unique histological, morphological and phenotypic characteristics of specialized cardiac tissues. The cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern development of the PCS are now starting to be understood. This book draws together contributions from an international and interdisciplinary group of experts working on both basic and clinical aspects of cardiac development. It features reviews of the structure and function of the developing PCS, discussion of the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating embryological development of this system and studies on the fundamental basis of PCS pathology. The book also considers how novel therapeutic interventions based on understanding of the developmental biology of cardiac pacemaking and conduction tissues might ultimately impact on clinical medicine.
Epigenetics in Cardiovascular Disease, a new volume in the Translational Epigenetics series, offers a comprehensive overview of the epigenetics mechanisms governing cardiovascular disease development, as well as instructions in research methods and guidance in pursing new studies. More than thirty international experts provide an (i) overview of the epigenetics mechanisms and their contribution to cardiovascular disease development, (i) high-throughput methods for RNA profiling including single-cell RNA-seq, (iii) the role of nucleic acid methylation in cardiovascular disease development, (iv) epigenetic actors as biomarkers and drug targets, (v) and the potential of epigenetics to advance personalized medicine. Here, readers will discover strategies to combat research challenges, improve quality of their epigenetic research and reproducibility of their findings. Additionally, discussion of assay and drug development for personalized healthcare pave the way for a new era of understanding in cardiovascular disease. - Offers a thorough overview of role of epigenetics mechanisms in cardiovascular disease - Includes guidance to improve research plans, experimental protocols design, quality and reproducibility of results in new epigenetics research - Explores biomarkers and drug targets of therapeutic potential to advance personalized healthcare - Features chapter contributions from a wide range of international researchers in the field
Development of the heart is a complex process and can lead to serious congenital disease if the process goes awry. This book provides a detailed description of the cell lineages involved in heart development and how their migration and morphogenesis are controlled. It also examines the genetic and environmental bases for congenital heart disease and how model systems are revealing more about the processes involved. Topics covered in this essential volume include: - Anatomy of a Developing Heart - Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Heart Development - Development of the Cardiac Conduction System - Genetic Basis of Human Congenital Heart Disease - In Vivo and In Vitro Genetic Models of Congenital Heart Disease
This detailed book provides methodological information on cardiac gene delivery, from classic to state-of-the-art technologies and techniques. Efficient, cardiac-specific, and safe vectors, as well as refined vector delivery methods, are key for successful cardiac gene transfer and eventually for improving patients’ outcomes. Newer vectors and more efficient vector delivery methods have the potential to dramatically improve gene transduction efficacy, while novel gene manipulation techniques enforce the therapeutic power and broaden disease targets. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Cardiac Gene Therapy: Methods and Protocols serves as a valuable tool for molecular biologists and physiologists in the cardiology field conducting cardiac gene transfer research, which will ultimately lead to further advancements in the vital field.
Congenital cardiovascular malformations are the single most common form of birth defect. Therefore a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in both normal cardiac development and the formation of cardiovascular structural defects is of tremendous importance. This book brings together the leading scientists from around the world who are actively engaged in studies of the etiology, morphogenesis and physiology of congenital cardiovascular diseases. A broad variety of approaches, techniques, experimental models and studies of human genetics combine to make this a truly outstanding and unique treatise on this pressing topic. Cardiovascular Development and Congenital Malformations is divided into distinct categories, each focusing on a particular aspect of cardiovascular development. Sections are accompanied by editorial overviews which integrate new findings and place the information into a broader context.
