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Early apoptosis in human myocardial infarcts
J P Veinot1, D A Gattinger, H Fliss
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ottawa Civic Hospital, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ontario, Canada.
Human Pathology
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Apoptosis, programmed cell death, is the primary early event in human myocardial infarction, preceding necrosis. This cell death is accelerated in reperfused heart tissue, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Myocardial apoptosis has been observed in human acute myocardial infarcts.
- The temporal relationship between apoptosis and necrosis in myocardial infarction requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the time of appearance and extent of apoptosis in human acute myocardial infarcts.
- To compare apoptosis with necrotic cell death in myocardial infarcts.
- To investigate the role of reperfusion in myocardial cell death.
Main Methods:
- Autopsied human myocardial infarct tissue of varying ages was analyzed.
- In situ end-labeling (ISEL) was used to detect DNA fragmentation indicative of apoptosis.
- DNA electrophoresis on agarose gels was employed to identify DNA fragmentation.
Main Results:
- Widespread apoptosis was detected in infarcts within hours of onset, preceding coagulative necrosis.
- Apoptosis was accelerated in reperfused myocardium, identified by contraction bands.
- In older infarcts, apoptosis decreased in myocytes but increased in inflammatory cells.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis is the early and predominant form of cell death in infarcted human myocardium.
- Reperfusion accelerates the onset of apoptosis in myocardial infarction.
- Targeting early apoptotic myocytes may offer a valuable therapeutic strategy.