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Updated: May 28, 2026
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Rat Model of Right-Sided Cardiac Remodeling and Arrhythmia Using Pulmonary Artery Banding
Published on: August 30, 2024
A Paradigm Shift: Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Is an Inflammatory Disease
Gallage H D N Ariyaratne1, Andrea Villatore2,3, Giovanni Peretto2,3
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, 1115 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
Cells
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is redefined as an inflammatory heart condition. Genetic variants trigger inflammation, leading to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, suggesting new immunomodulatory treatments.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetic heart disorder.
- Traditionally viewed as structural/electrical, emerging evidence points to inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence redefining ACM as an inflammatory cardiomyopathy.
- To explore the role of immune activation in ACM pathogenesis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Integration of genetic, molecular, experimental, and clinical data.
- Review of preclinical and clinical findings on inflammation in ACM.
- Analysis of signaling pathways (NFκB, GSK3β) and immune components.
Main Results:
- Desmosomal gene variants activate cardiomyocyte inflammation, promoting fibrosis and arrhythmias.
- Inflammation appears to precede structural changes and is a unifying feature of ACM.
- Immune infiltrates, cytokines, and autoantibodies are present across disease stages.
Conclusions:
- ACM is an inflammatory cardiomyopathy driven by genetic susceptibility and immune dysregulation.
- Inflammation plays a central role, potentially initiating disease and contributing to arrhythmogenesis.
- Immunomodulatory and gene-based therapies offer promising personalized treatment strategies.
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