Peripartum cardiomyopathy: PTRH2 linked to postpartum heart failure

A Nature Communications paper from The Lundquist Institute reports that loss of the PTRH2 protein in mouse models caused severe postpartum heart failure, and the authors describe PTRH2 as a previously unrecognized molecular safeguard in the heart.

A Nature Communications paper from The Lundquist Institute reports new findings about peripartum cardiomyopathy. The study examined heart responses to pregnancy using advanced mouse models. Researchers reported that loss of the protein PTRH2 led to severe postpartum heart failure in those models. Authors described PTRH2 as a previously unrecognized molecular safeguard that helps the heart recover after pregnancy. Key findings: - The study reports that loss of PTRH2 in mouse models was associated with severe postpartum heart failure. - Researchers reported that, normally, the heart enlarges during pregnancy to handle increased blood flow and then returns toward its prior size; without PTRH2 this return did not occur. - The authors said that understanding this response could inform development of targeted treatments for women who develop peripartum cardiomyopathy. Summary: The reported finding identifies PTRH2 as a candidate molecular safeguard influencing how the heart recovers after pregnancy and notes its possible relevance for future treatment research. Undetermined at this time.