BMP-7 Promotes Heart Regeneration
BMP-7, a myokine involved in muscle growth, has shown promising results in promoting heart regeneration. Researchers are exploring the potential of BMP-7 and related mechanisms to enhance recovery in injured hearts. This is particularly significant as heart muscle has limited regenerative capacity, making it challenging to recover from heart attacks and age-related damage. Activation of developmental and exercise-related pathways could offer new therapeutic approaches for heart disease in older individuals.
Studies have revealed that while zebrafish retain lifelong cardiac regeneration abilities, mammals lose this capacity early in life. The decline in growth factor expression during postnatal development may contribute to this loss of regenerative potential in mammals. BMP-7 has emerged as a powerful pro-regenerative factor, with significant effects on cardiomyocyte proliferation. Further research has shown that BMP-7 plays a crucial role in driving heart regeneration in mice and zebrafish, offering new insights into potential therapeutic strategies.
