Molecular Events Underlying Pregnancy-Induced Cardiomyopathy

The etiology of cardiomyopathy in pregnant women remains unclear. In this issue, report that a reduction in STAT3 and a concomitant increase in cathepsin D may be a cause of this disease. Cathepsin D generates an antiangiogenic cleavage product of the hormone prolactin. The authors show that an inhibitor of prolactin secretion may be useful in treating this disease.