Scheid Signalling Lab @ York University

A recent article by Eulalio and colleagues reports the discovery of a group of miRNAs that reprogram cardiomyocytes to grow and repair a damaged heart. “Micro” RNA are small, non-coding bits of RNA that are hidden throughout the genome and have only recently been discovered to play an important role in the expression of genes. Tissues like cardiomyocytes from adults don’t grow, and expression of these miRNAs appears to change their programming so that they resume dividing. This particular work holds great promise for future therapies for heart disease, however that doesn’t necessary mean kicking back on the healthy food and exercise just yet.

A study published March 22 in the New England Journal of Medicine shows how a monoclonal antibody reactive to a serine protease (PCSK9) may have significant therapeutic potential. Developed by Regeneron and Sanofi.

Evan A. Stein, M.D., Ph.D., Scott Mellis, M.D., Ph.D., George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., Neil Stahl, Ph.D., Douglas Logan, M.D., William B. Smith, M.D., Eleanor Lisbon, M.D., M.P.H., Maria Gutierrez, M.D., Cheryle Webb, M.D., Richard Wu, Ph.D., Yunling Du, Ph.D., Therese Kranz, R.N., M.B.A., Evelyn Gasparino, B.S., and Gary D. Swergold, M.D., Ph.D.   N Engl J Med 2012; 366:1108-1118. March 22, 2012.

Link to paper here.