Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
07:40
Protection of H9c2 Myocardial Cells from Oxidative Stress by Crocetin via PINK1/Parkin Pathway-Mediated Mitophagy
Published on: May 26, 2023
Apoptosis in patients with acute myocarditis
Antonio Abbate1, Gianfranco Sinagra, Rossana Bussani
1VCU Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. aabbate@mcvh-vcu.edu
The American Journal of Cardiology
|September 22, 2009
Summary
Higher rates of cardiomyocyte apoptosis, a key feature of heart failure, predict functional recovery in patients with acute myocarditis. This finding offers insights into the recovery process following acute myocardial damage.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Acute myocarditis involves myocardial damage and dysfunction, potentially leading to dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is a critical pathological feature in heart failure and may influence recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if cardiomyocyte apoptosis predicts functional recovery in patients diagnosed with acute myocarditis.
- To assess the relationship between apoptosis rates and long-term cardiac function after acute myocarditis.
Main Methods:
- Followed 16 patients with biopsy-proven acute myocarditis for 1 year using serial echocardiography.
- Assessed cardiomyocyte apoptosis, leukocyte infiltration, and cell proliferation in myocardial samples.
- Defined functional recovery as a 12-month left ventricular ejection fraction >40%.
Main Results:
- 38% of patients achieved functional recovery at 12 months.
- Patients with functional recovery showed significantly higher apoptotic rates (3.2%) compared to those without recovery (0.5%).
- No patients with below-median apoptotic rates recovered function, versus 86% of those with above-median rates (p <0.001).
Conclusions:
- Elevated cardiomyocyte apoptosis is associated with improved functional recovery in acute myocarditis patients.
- Apoptosis may serve as a predictive biomarker for cardiac function recovery after acute myocarditis.
- Understanding apoptosis's role can inform prognosis and potential therapeutic strategies for myocarditis.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Myocarditis I: Introduction
Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
01:27Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
01:14Myocarditis III: Medical Management
Myocarditis: Comprehensive Medical ManagementMyocarditis, the heart muscle inflammation, requires a comprehensive medical management strategy that addresses the underlying cause, provides supportive care, manages symptoms, and reduces cardiac workload.Infections and Autoimmune CausesAdminister appropriate antimicrobial therapy when an infectious agent causes myocarditis. For instance, penicillin treats infections caused by Group A Streptococcus. In cases where autoimmune processes are...
01:30Apoptosis
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.
01:17Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...