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Related Concept Videos

Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy01:26

Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy

Hypertrophy is the increase in the size of individual cells, resulting in the enlargement of a tissue or organ. Unlike hyperplasia, which involves an increase in cell number, hypertrophy is characterized by an increase in cell volume. This process often occurs in response to higher functional demand or hormonal stimulation, leading to the production of more structural proteins and organelles, thereby enhancing the cells' work capacity.There are two primary types of hypertrophy: physiological...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Cellular Adaptation III: Hyperplasia01:26

Cellular Adaptation III: Hyperplasia

Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ due to enhanced cell division. It is an adaptive, controlled response to stimuli such as injury, hormones, or stress, involving mitosis to produce genetically identical cells and support tissue repair and regeneration.Tissue CapacityCertain tissues, including the epidermis, intestinal epithelium, bone marrow, and fibroblasts, have a high potential for hyperplasia. Others, such as bone, cartilage, and smooth muscle, show...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Structure of Cardiac Muscles01:13

Structure of Cardiac Muscles

Cardiac muscle, or myocardium, is a specialized type of muscle found exclusively in the heart. Its unique structural and functional characteristics enable the heart to perform its vital role of pumping blood throughout the body continuously and rhythmically. The cardiac muscle cells, or cardiomyocytes, possess an endomysium and perimysium but do not have an epimysium.
Compared to skeletal muscles, cardiac muscle cells are small and mostly have a single nucleus. Additionally, they are usually...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension and Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in the Piglet
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Dynamic cardiac hyperplasia and hypertrophy in Burmese Pythons.

Yuxiao Tan1,2, Thomas G Martin3, Angela K Peter4

  • 1BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder, CO 80303, USA.

American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology
|July 14, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Burmese pythons exhibit cardiomyocyte hyperplasia, a form of heart growth typically lost in adult mammals. Frequent large meals promote this sustained cardiac proliferation, offering a new model for studying heart growth.

Keywords:
Burmese pythonCardiomyocyteCell-cycle re-entryHyperplasiaHypertrophy

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Last Updated: Jul 16, 2026

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Published on: November 4, 2015

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Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Comparative Physiology

Background:

  • Adult cardiomyocyte proliferation is limited in mammals, hindering cardiac repair after injury.
  • Cardiomyocyte hyperplasia is the main driver of fetal heart growth.
  • Understanding natural cardiac growth mechanisms is crucial for regenerative medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the capacity for cardiomyocyte proliferation in Burmese pythons.
  • To explore the impact of feeding patterns on cardiac growth in pythons.
  • To identify molecular pathways involved in python cardiac remodeling.

Main Methods:

  • Studied cardiomyocyte cell cycle re-entry in Burmese pythons under different feeding regimens.
  • Analyzed the activation of pro-proliferation transcriptional networks, including E2F and Forkhead Box M1 (FoxM1).
  • Compared cardiac growth responses to infrequent versus frequent large meals.

Main Results:

  • Post-prandial Burmese python cardiomyocytes activate cell cycle re-entry.
  • Frequent large meals amplify cardiomyocyte proliferation beyond transient hypertrophy.
  • Pro-proliferation transcriptional networks (E2F, FoxM1) are activated, driving hyperplasia.
  • Identified hyperplasia as a natural mechanism for sustained cardiac growth in pythons.

Conclusions:

  • Burmese pythons possess a unique capacity for cardiomyocyte hyperplasia, even in adulthood.
  • This species provides a novel model for studying non-injury-induced cardiac growth.
  • Findings may inform strategies for promoting cardiac regeneration in mammals.