[The expression and significance of myocardial cathepsin L in dilated cardiomyopathy].
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the expression of myocardial cathepsin L and its significance in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).


METHODS
Myocardial tissue specimens derived from 20 patients undergoing orthotopic cardiac transplantation and 5 normal myocardium samples collected at autopsy from sudden death as controls were studied. The expression of cathepsin L was detected with immunohistochemistry, real time PCR and Western Blotting, respectively. At the same time, the relationship between the Cathepsin L mRNA expressional levels and the myocardial function (ejection fraction, EF) was investigated.


RESULTS
The expression levels of cathepsin L mRNA and protein in DCM group were markedly elevated compared with those in control group and the expression levels of cathepsin L mRNA had significantly negative correlation with the myocardial function (ejection fraction, EF).


CONCLUSIONS
Cathepsin L is markedly elevated in DCM myocardial tissue and it may participate in the pathogenesis of DCM.
Yu
Xiao-hua
XH
Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanhua University, Hengyang city, Hunan Province 421001, China.
Zhang
Xin-gang
XG
Li
Shuang-jie
SJ
Wang
Shi-jun
SJ
Zhao
Gang
G
Chen
Rui-zhen
RZ
Yang
Ying-zhen
YZ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000378:metabolism*; D056668:Cathepsin L; D002403:Cathepsins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002403:Cathepsins; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C534281:CTSL protein, human; D056668:Cathepsin L