cardiovascular-agents and Virus-Diseases

The erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma (Eph) receptor tyrosine kinase family plays important roles in developmental processes, adult tissue homeostasis, and various diseases. Interaction with Eph receptor-interacting protein (ephrin) ligands on the surface of neighboring cells triggers Eph receptor kinase-dependent signaling. The ephrins can also transmit signals, leading to bidirectional cell contact-dependent communication. Moreover, Eph receptors and ephrins can function independently of each other through interplay with other signaling systems. Given their involvement in many pathological conditions ranging from neurological disorders to cancer and viral infections, Eph receptors and ephrins are increasingly recognized as attractive therapeutic targets, and various strategies are being explored to modulate their expression and function. Eph receptor/ephrin upregulation in cancer cells, the angiogenic vasculature, and injured or diseased tissues also offer opportunities for Eph/ephrin-based targeted drug delivery and imaging. Thus, despite the challenges presented by the complex biology of the Eph receptor/ephrin system, exciting possibilities exist for therapies exploiting these molecules.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Antiviral Agents; Cardiovascular Agents; Cardiovascular Diseases; Drug Design; Ephrins; Humans; Ligands; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasms; Nervous System Diseases; Receptors, Eph Family; Signal Transduction; Virus Diseases

Unlike other CDKs, CDK9 does not regulate the cell cycle but promotes RNA synthesis in genetic programmes for cell growth, differentiation and viral pathogenesis. It is becoming clear that CDK9 inhibition contributes to the anticancer activity of most CDK inhibitors under clinic investigation. CDK9 was discovered in the context of HIV research because retroviruses hijack host transcription and CDK9 inhibitors might become specific antiretroviral agents, particularly as they might prevent drug resistance. Myocardial hypertrophy is a risk factor in congestive heart failure and is characterised by derepressed CDK9 activity. CDK9 inhibitors, thus, can find therapeutic application in cardiology. Although there are strong signs that CDK9 inhibition would be a useful therapeutic strategy in all three indications, the lack of selective inhibitors has so far confounded clinical development. Here we give an overview of the validity of CDK9 as a drug target and of the current knowledge of this kinase and its inhibitors.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Antiviral Agents; Cardiovascular Agents; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9; Drug Delivery Systems; Heart Diseases; Humans; Neoplasms; Virus Diseases

Viral myocarditis is a frequent and often unrecognised cause of post-inflammatory cardiomyopathy. The role of viral persistence and heart-specific autoimmunity in the development of myocarditis and heart failure is still controversial. This review updates the current view on the immunological mechanisms of disease development and addresses the current and future role of immunomodulation and immunosuppression as treatment options for defined subgroups of patients with myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy.

Topics: Animals; Cardiovascular Agents; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Immunosuppressive Agents; Myocarditis; Virus Diseases

Topics: Acute Disease; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Autoantibodies; Autoantigens; Autoimmune Diseases; B-Lymphocytes; Cardiovascular Agents; Chronic Disease; DNA; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Immunosuppressive Agents; Methylhydrazines; Myocarditis; Myocardium; Recurrence; T-Lymphocytes; Virus Diseases