title: [The expression and significance of myocardial cathepsin L in dilated cardiomyopathy].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanhua University, Hengyang city, Hunan Province 421001, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Xin-gang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shuang-jie
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shi-jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Rui-zhen
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ying-zhen
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002403:Cathepsins; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C534281:CTSL protein, human; D056668:Cathepsin L