Cardio-renal syndrome type 4 (CRS4) is defined as heart failure driven by chronic kidney disease (CKD). Cardiovascular mortality is the leading cause of death in patients with advanced CKD with current medical treatments exhibiting limited efficacy. Short leukocyte telomere lengths in such patients are correlated with increased mortality, particularly cardiovascular mortality. Here, we examined telomere shortening in mouse and human cardiomyocyte models of CRS4 and its potential protective role by overexpression of telomerase reverse transcriptase.
Cardio-renal syndrome type 4 (CRS4) is defined as heart failure driven by chronic kidney disease (CKD). Cardiovascular mortality is the leading cause of death in patients with advanced CKD with current medical treatments exhibiting limited efficacy. Short leukocyte telomere lengths in such patients are correlated with increased mortality, particularly cardiovascular mortality. Here, we examined telomere shortening in mouse and human cardiomyocyte models of CRS4 and its potential protective role by overexpression of telomerase reverse transcriptase.