Category Health/Medical

Reductions in Atherogenic Lipids and Major Cardiovascular Events A Pooled Analysis of 10 ODYSSEY Trials Comparing Alirocumab With Control Credit: Imperial College London

Although previous studies have suggested lowering cholesterol levels may be associated with a lower risk of heart attack, recent evidence has questioned whether very low levels are beneficial.
In the latest study, led by scientists at Imperial College London, researchers analysed data from over 5,000 people taking part in cholesterol-lowering trials. These studies utilised a new therapy to reduce cholesterol to much lower levels than previously possible.

The scientists found that dropping cholesterol to the lowest level possible – to levels similar to those we were born with – reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke or fa...

Highlights •Systems-level approach reveals GATA4 roles in human cardiac development and function •Heterozygous GATA4 missense mutation impairs cardiac gene program •GATA4 G296S mutation disrupts TBX5 genome occupancy at cardiac super-enhancers •PI3K signaling is a key “hub” in the GATA4 gene regulatory network

Scientists linked a single gene mutation to 2 types of heart disease: one causes a hole in the heart of infants, and the other causes heart failure. Using cells donated by a family with the mutation, the researchers gained insight into congenital heart disease, heart development, and healthy heart function...

Highlights •Partial reprogramming erases cellular markers of aging in mouse and human cells •Induction of OSKM in progeria mice ameliorates signs of aging and extends lifespan •In vivo reprogramming improves regeneration in 12-month-old wild-type mice

In mice carrying a mutation leading to premature aging, reprogramming of chemical marks in the genome, ie epigenetic marks, reduced many signs of aging in the mice and extended their lifespan on average from 18 weeks to 24. The study suggests epigenetic changes drive the aging process, and that those changes may be malleable. “We did not correct the mutation that causes premature aging in these mice,” says Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, a professor in the Salk Institute of Biological Science’s Gene Expression Laboratory...

Highlights •B2 repeat RNA controls stress genes by suppressing transcriptional elongation •Upon heat shock, EZH2 is recruited to stress genes to activate expression •A specific interaction between EZH2 and B2 RNA results in RNA cleavage •B2 cleavage relieves transcriptional suppression and triggers the stress response

A study from MGH investigators has found a surprising role for what had been considered a nonfunctional “junk” RNA molecule: controlling the cellular response to stress. A highly specific interaction between 2 elements previously known to repress gene transcription – B2 RNA and EZH2, an enzyme previously known only to silence genes – actually induces the expression of stress-response genes in mouse cells.

“EZH2 is part of a structure called the Polycomb Repressive Com...