Researchers at Fudan University reported that targeted AAV gene therapy delivering Pcsk5 to injured mouse hearts, combined with semaglutide (GLP-1), improved cardiac repair after myocardial infarction. The study, published in Nature Communications, found the gene therapy promoted blood vessel growth and muscle repair, while the combination further boosted Pcsk5 expression and downstream effects. The work also used patient data suggesting higher Pcsk5 levels six months after a cardiac event correlated with improved cardiac function, which informed the therapeutic direction. The findings add experimental support for combining regenerative gene approaches with metabolic drugs already used clinically, though the results are preclinical and require translation for human studies.