TTD Reverses Human Cardiac Myofibroblast Activation

How does Tetrandrine (TTD) directly affect human cardiac fibroblasts, and can it benefit heart failure patients? In this new podcast, Deputy Editor Merry Lindsey (University of Mississippi Medical Center) interviews lead author Paul Fedak (University of Calgary) and content expert Jason Gardner (Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center) about the exciting new work by Teng et al which investigates the potential therapeutic agent TTD, a calcium channel blocker with anti-fibrotic effects in human patients. In addition to in vivo studies, Fedak and co-authors used a unique micro gel technique to isolate a single human fibroblast and identify its influence on local matrix remodeling. Given that the primary dysfunction associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is reduced relaxation due to extensive fibrosis, the results shown by Fedak and colleagues are particularly interesting. TTD was shown in their animal model to reverse fibrosis and restore cardiac compliance in vivo, but had little effect on fibroblast production of collagen. What is next in this fascinating story? Listen to find out.

Guoqi Teng, Daniyil Svystonyuk, Holly E.M. Mewhort, Jeannine D. Turnbull, Darrell D. Belke, Henry J. Duff, Paul W.M. Fedak Tetrandrine reverses human cardiac myofibroblast activation and myocardial fibrosis Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, published online April 11, 2015, doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00126.2015.