Feline HCM is a close comparison to human HCM, suggesting the cat as a translational model for improved understanding of diagnosis, treatment and even a cure.
A new RNA study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, found significant candidate genes directly relating to left ventricle (LV) and left atrial (LA) structure, size, and function.
The research identified compared the gene expression profiles of feline hearts diagnosed with HCM to healthy hearts which revealed disease related to previously unknown genes that affect the condition such as THBS4 and KLHL33 (LV), FAM177B and THRSP (LA).
According to the study – authored by Jessica Joshua, Jeff Caswell, M. Lynne O’Sullivan, Geoffrey Wood, and Sonja Fonfara of the University of Guelph – “differently expressed genes and functional pathways found in the HCM heart are associated with cardiac remodeling and fibrosis, inflammation, microvascular changes, calcium signaling and cardiac metabolism, with some regional differences.”
