Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body.  This can result from a number of different conditions: narrowed arteries, scar tissue in the heart, high blood pressure, heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy, and heart infections.  Many times there are increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, which play a role in CHF (12).  A recent article has shown that the anti-inflammatory drug alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) is upregulated and present at higher levels in patients with CHF.  MSH has also been shown to inhibit the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (12).

Transcription regulation is the cause for the differing levels of MSH.  Kornberg’s work has better defined the role of RNA polymerase II in transcriptional regulation.  His work may allow us to better understand the interactions of RNA polymerase II and the transcription of MSH.  This may allow for better treatments of congestive heart failure.