Arginase, a Target Enzyme for the Treatment of Myocardial Dysfunction in Aging and Heart Failure

We have identified a novel method to treat heart failure and age related myocardial dysfunction by inhibiting the enzyme Arginase. The seminal observations underlying this claim involve the following: We have demonstrated The expression of arginase I and II in rat heart and isolated cardiac myocytes, that arginase is upregulated in the hearts of aging rats, the inhibition of arginase increases myocyte contractility, and the enhanced contractility is mediated by a NOS-1 enzyme. Finally, we have found that arginase inhibition decreases oxidant stress (a key component of the aging and heart failure phenotype) in the old heart failure rats. Background Heart failure is one of the leading causes of death in the developed world and is increasing as the population ages. Furthermore, age related cardiac dysfunction contributes to significant morbidity in the aging population. This invention helps targe tage related myocardial dysfunction, and will result in improved ventricular vascular coupling by inhibiting arginase activity. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) The development of novel strategies and targets for the treatment of both age related myocardial dysfunction and heart failure will expand the pharmaceutical armamentarium available to the clinician, and allow logical and pathophysiologic based treatment of these disorders

Inventor(s): Berkowitz, Dan E.

Type of Offer: Licensing



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