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Alterations in myocardial tissue factor expression and cellular localization in dilated cardiomyopathy
Björn Szotowski1, Petra Goldin-Lang, Silvio Antoniak
1Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|April 6, 2005
Summary
Tissue factor (TF) and its splice variant were decreased in the hearts of dilated cardiomyopathy patients. This reduction and altered localization may contribute to cardiac dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Molecular Cardiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Tissue factor (TF) is present in cardiac muscle and is crucial for maintaining myocardial structure.
- Its role in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the myocardial localization and expression of TF and alternatively spliced human tissue factor (asHTF) in patients with DCM.
- To determine the correlation between TF expression and cardiac function.
Main Methods:
- Myocardial biopsies from patients with varying ejection fractions (EF) and explanted DCM hearts were analyzed.
- TF and asHTF expression levels were quantified using real-time PCR and ELISA.
- TF localization was determined via immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- Alternatively spliced human tissue factor (asHTF) was identified in cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells.
- TF and asHTF messenger RNA levels were significantly decreased in DCM patients with reduced EF.
- Total TF protein was reduced by 26% in DCM, and TF expression correlated positively with EF.
Conclusions:
- Tissue factor expression is down-regulated in the myocardium of DCM patients.
- Altered TF expression and localization may impact cardiomyocyte stability and contractility, contributing to DCM pathogenesis.