Cardiovascular Proteomics

Traditional cardiovascular proteomics includes the comparative large-scale determination of protein profiles and the identification of individual proteins of myocardial tissue from different species including humans. The goal of these studies consisted, and still consists, in the establishment of comprehensive proteome databases. By comparison with protein profiles from diseased tissues such databases will enable to an increasing degree the fast identification of protein alterations accompanying or underlying cardiovascular diseases. Examples demonstrating the feasibility of this approach are already available. In combination with pathophysiological data the knowledge about protein alterations in diseased tissues will allow the identification of disease mechanisms and of candidates for therapeutic proteins, drug targets, and disease biomarkers. Thereby it provides the basis for therapies, including gene therapies, of cardiovascular diseases. These efforts will be supported by the use of animal models displaying significant degrees of similarity to human cardiovascular diseases.