Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Generation and Expansion of Human Cardiomyocytes from Patient Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
05:38

Generation and Expansion of Human Cardiomyocytes from Patient Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Published on: February 12, 2021

Through thick and thin: a circulating growth factor inhibits age-related cardiac hypertrophy

Alexandra C McPherron1

  • 1Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. mcpherrona@niddk.nih.gov

Circulation Research
|August 17, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Joining young and old mouse circulation reversed age-related heart enlargement. Growth/differentiation factor 11 was identified as a key factor in reducing cardiac hypertrophy, offering potential therapeutic targets for aging hearts.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Aging Research
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiac hypertrophy is a common age-related condition.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of cardiac aging is crucial for developing interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of parabiosis (joining circulatory systems) on age-related cardiac hypertrophy.
  • To identify circulating factors that regulate cardiac aging and hypertrophy.

Main Methods:

  • Heterochronic parabiosis was performed by surgically joining young and old mice.
  • Cardiac function and structure were assessed.
  • Levels of growth/differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) were measured and correlated with cardiac changes.

Main Results:

  • Joining old mice with young mice significantly reduced age-related cardiac hypertrophy.
  • GDF11 was identified as a circulating factor that negatively regulates cardiac hypertrophy.
  • Increased GDF11 levels were associated with a healthier cardiac phenotype in aged mice.

Conclusions:

  • The study demonstrates that circulatory factors can reverse aspects of cardiac aging.
  • GDF11 is a promising therapeutic target for treating cardiac hypertrophy associated with aging.
  • This research opens new avenues for interventions aimed at mitigating cardiovascular aging.

More Related Videos

Operating Transverse Aortic Constriction with Absorbable Suture to Obtain Transient Myocardial Hypertrophy07:02

Operating Transverse Aortic Constriction with Absorbable Suture to Obtain Transient Myocardial Hypertrophy

Published on: September 9, 2020

Simultaneous Isolation and Culture of Atrial Myocytes, Ventricular Myocytes, and Non-Myocytes from an Adult Mouse Heart11:53

Simultaneous Isolation and Culture of Atrial Myocytes, Ventricular Myocytes, and Non-Myocytes from an Adult Mouse Heart

Published on: June 14, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy01:26

Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy

Hypertrophy is the increase in the size of individual cells, resulting in the enlargement of a tissue or organ. Unlike hyperplasia, which involves an increase in cell number, hypertrophy is characterized by an increase in cell volume. This process often occurs in response to higher functional demand or hormonal stimulation, leading to the production of more structural proteins and organelles, thereby enhancing the cells' work capacity.There are two primary types of hypertrophy: physiological...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...