Mechanical unloading of the failing heart exposes the dynamic nature of autophagy.
Mechanical unloading with a left-ventricular assist device decreases the energy demand of the failing human heart. Here, we describe our recent work showing that markers and mediators of autophagy in the failing heart are down-regulated by mechanical unloading. These observations are consistent with the concept that autophagy may be an adaptive mechanism to secure survival of the failing heart muscle cell.
Wellnitz
Kari
K
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
Taegtmeyer
Heinrich
H
D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002306:Cardiac Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling / Q000502:physiology
C090121:BNIP3 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins