Dr. Sebastian Cremer

Medical Clinic III/Cardiology
Goethe University Hospital
Theodor-Stern-Kai 7 | 60590 Frankfurt am Main

Damage control by somatic mutations of epigenetic regulators in leukocytes after myocardial infarction

This project aims to assess the effect of leukocyte specific somatic mutations in the gene encoding the epigenetic regulator KDM6A on cardiac damage after acute myocardial infarction. Mutations in KDM6A belong to the most prevalent mutations causing clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate significance (CHIP) in patients with ischemic heart disease. CHIP emerged as a major risk factor for death in patients with cardiovascular pathologies and is relatively common especially in older adults. Addressing the detrimental consequences of such mutations by targeted therapies might improve outcomes of patients with ischemic heart disease.