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allied
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IMMUNOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY
BACTERIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
&
Global Summit on
Global Congress on
J u n e 2 5 - 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 | A m s t e r d a m , N e t h e r l a n d s
Virology Research Journal
|
Volume 2
Page 33
Note:
Joint Event on
H
eart failure (HF) is the final clinical entity of many diverse disease causes
and mechanisms. HF refers to a state of inadequate cardiac function to
maintain systemic perfusion at a rate commensurate with the requirements of
the body at rest or during states of increased demand. Mortality is comparable
to that of the most common cancers, with a 50% 5-year survival. Despite
advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of HF,
this malady continues to be a major public health burden with an enormous
impact on the cost of healthcare. Current research efforts are focused on
understanding novel mechanisms and signaling pathways. Immune activation
and inflammation have been postulated as important pathophysiological events
in this process. Cardiac inflammation is major pathophysiological mechanism
operating in the failingheart, regardless of HF etiology. Experimental and clinical
studies have suggested that inflammation in the development of heart failure
is related to an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory
cytokines. Furthermore, disturbances of the cellular and humoral immune
system are frequently observed in heart failure. Therefore, it is essential to
understand the immunological mechanisms involved in HF in order to develop
useful therapies against the life threatening disorder.
Biography
Khadija Rafiq has her expertise in immunology
and cellular biology. Over the past several years
she has been investigating how the immune sys-
tem affects cardiac myocyte growth and cardi-
ac function with a focus on signaling molecules
that are activated by inflammatory proteases.
Her research interest focuses on elucidating the
role of inflammatory serine proteases in the de-
velopment of diabetic cardiomyopathy. It is well
known that inflammation plays a role in the de-
velopment of diabetic cardiomyopathy. The goals
of her research are to identify novel signaling
mechanisms that control cardiac cell growth and
apoptosis.
Khadija.rafiq@jefferson.eduIMMUNE SYSTEM AND HEART FAILURE
Khadija Rafiq
Thomas Jefferson University, USA
Khadija Rafiq, Virol Res J 2018, Volume 2