Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
09:40
Magnetic Adjustment of Afterload in Engineered Heart Tissues
Published on: May 5, 2020
5.3K
Growth/differentiation factor 1 alleviates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction
Yan Zhang1, Xiao-Fei Zhang2, Lu Gao3
1Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|November 27, 2013
Summary
Growth/differentiation factor 1 (GDF1) protects the heart from pathological hypertrophy and failure. Loss of GDF1 worsens cardiac remodeling, while its overexpression is cardioprotective, revealing therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Molecular Cardiology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a significant risk factor for heart failure.
- Growth/differentiation factor 1 (GDF1) is a TGF-β family member regulating cell growth.
- GDF1's role in cardiac remodeling remains largely uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of GDF1 in pathological cardiac hypertrophy.
- To determine GDF1's function in cardiac remodeling under pressure overload.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cardiac-specific GDF1 knockout and transgenic mouse models.
- Induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy via aortic banding (AB).
- Evaluated cardiac function and structure using echocardiography, hemodynamics, and molecular analyses.
Main Results:
- GDF1 overexpression attenuated cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and dysfunction.
- GDF1 deficiency exacerbated cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction post-pressure overload.
- GDF1's protective effects involved inhibiting MEK-ERK1/2 and Smad signaling.
Conclusions:
- GDF1 plays a crucial protective role in mitigating pathological cardiac remodeling.
- GDF1 exerts cardioprotection by negatively regulating MEK-ERK1/2 and Smad pathways.
- GDF1 represents a potential therapeutic target for heart failure prevention.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
2.1K
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...
2.1K
01:17Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
5.1K
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...
5.1K
01:26Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy
78
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:...
78
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
810
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...
810
01:26Imbalances in Cardiac Output
3.3K
The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
3.3K
01:22Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics
1.8K
Heart failure and kidney perfusion are interconnected in a complex way. Reduced renal perfusion and venous congestion are two significant factors that contribute to renal dysfunction in heart failure. The kidneys, primarily responsible for fluid balance in the body, are adversely affected due to compromised cardiac output and increased venous pressure. In response to reduced renal perfusion, the kidneys activate neurohumoral mechanisms to restore balance. However, these mechanisms can be...
1.8K