Decoding Ligand-Receptor Circuits Involved in Progressive Cardiac Fibrosis

Heart failure and arrhythmias are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the aging population worldwide. Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) are at a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation and HCM may also lead to heart failure or even sudden cardiac arrest. HCM is the most common form of genetic heart disease and 1 in every 500 people may suffer from the condition. The gene mutations usually cause the heart muscles to grow abnormally thick, resulting from the aberrant cell-cell interaction and intercellular communications between cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts. The single nuclei RNA sequencing technology has been used to identify defects in cell-cell communication, and ligand-receptor circuits, and to isolate specific cell populations involved in HCM progression. Understanding the upstream gene regulatory networks in cardiomyocytes may help in developing potential precision medicine therapies that target HCM.

Speakers
Dr. Zachary Laksman, MD
Clinician Scientist and Assistant Professor, University of British Columbia
Dr. Leili Rohani, PhD
Scientist, University of British Columbia
Dr. Derek Toms, PhD
Principal Scientist, Myo Palate

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