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Quantitative Analysis of Cellular Composition in Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions of Smooth Muscle Cell Lineage-Tracing Mice
Published on: February 20, 2019
Selective thyromimetics for atherosclerosis and dyslipidaemia: another old target making progress
Background:
Whereas many new targets for drug discovery have been identified from new biology, such as that from the Human Genome Project, some targets have been known for decades but have not been exploited.
Objective:
One such target, selective thyromimetics, is reviewed from a historical perspective and in the light of recent developments.
Methods:
The history of thyromimetics in atherosclerosis and dyslipidaemia is reviewed as the background to the recent publication of the first human data on a new selective thyromimetic, KB-2115 (eprotirome).
Conclusion:
The published data provide proof of concept/mechanism, opening the way to larger studies in a wider range of subjects and in combination with statins.
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Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...