Researchers uncover genetic link to heart failure

Washington, Dec 15 (ANI): Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, have identified a group of 12 genetic variants in the HSPB7 gene, which is linked to heart failure in humans.

Led by Gerald Dorn, the researchers used an approach they have recently developed that allows ultra-high-throughput targeted DNA sequencing to identify genetic variation in four genes with biological relevance to heart failure.

They identified in a large group of Caucasian individuals with heart failure, 129 separate genetic variants in the four genes, including 23 that seemed to be novel.

Further analysis of 1117 Caucasian individuals with heart failure and 625 nonaffected Caucasians indicated that a block of 12 genetic variants in the HSPB7 gene was associated with heart failure.

The link was confirmed with an analysis of an independent group of individuals.

The authors hope to use the same approach to identify further genetic variants associated with heart failure, a disease that is influenced by multiple genetic factors. (ANI)