Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Mouse Models for Graft Arteriosclerosis
07:37

Mouse Models for Graft Arteriosclerosis

Published on: May 14, 2013

Apoptotic cell death and genetic control in graft coronary artery disease in heart transplant

S Di Stefano1, J Pardo, A Panizo

  • 1Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital,Valladolid, Spain. sdst@atenet.edu

The Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery
|January 22, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Heart transplant patients with coronary artery disease show significant apoptotic cardiomyocytes. This programmed cell death is a constant finding, but not linked to genetic mechanisms in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Graft coronary artery disease significantly limits long-term survival after heart transplantation.
  • Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, plays a role in various biological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze apoptotic cell lesions in heart transplant recipients diagnosed with coronary artery disease.

Main Methods:

  • Endomyocardial biopsies from 148 heart transplant patients (1984-1996) were analyzed for apoptosis using the TUNEL technique.
  • Immunohistochemistry was performed for c-myc, p53, and bcl-2, with results compared to a control group.

Main Results:

  • All 30 patients with coronary artery disease exhibited apoptotic cardiomyocytes, with varying degrees of severity.
  • The control group showed only mild apoptosis in 8 patients, a statistically significant difference (p<0.0001).
  • No significant expression of c-myc, p53, or bcl-2 oncoproteins was observed in either group.

Conclusions:

  • Myocardial apoptosis is a consistent finding in heart transplant patients who develop coronary artery disease.
  • The study did not find a correlation between the apoptotic process and genetic mechanisms in this patient cohort.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Murine Cervical Heart Transplantation Model Using a Modified Cuff Technique10:32

Murine Cervical Heart Transplantation Model Using a Modified Cuff Technique

Published on: October 12, 2014

Mouse Model of Alloimmune-induced Vascular Rejection and Transplant Arteriosclerosis07:05

Mouse Model of Alloimmune-induced Vascular Rejection and Transplant Arteriosclerosis

Published on: May 17, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
Tissue Transplantation01:24

Tissue Transplantation

Tissue transplantation is a significant medical procedure involving the transfer of cells, tissues, or organs from a donor to a recipient, with the primary aim of restoring lost functions. This procedure is crucial in treating a broad spectrum of diseases, including kidney diseases, liver failure, heart disease, and certain types of cancers.
The Biology of Tissue Transplantation
The biology of tissue transplantation hinges on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. These molecules...
Kidney Transplant I: Introduction01:28

Kidney Transplant I: Introduction

A kidney transplant is a surgical approach that involves replacing a non-functioning kidney with a healthy one from a donor. This procedure is often a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The method requires careful recipient selection, including evaluating various medical and psychosocial factors. These criteria vary between transplant centers but generally include assessments of the patient's overall health, adherence to medical recommendations, and lifestyle...