title: Caspase-1 transcripts in failing human heart after mechanical unloading.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Caspase (Casp)-1 has been indicated as a molecular target capable of preventing the progression of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure (HF), due to its central role in promoting inflammation and cardiomyocyte loss. The aim of this study was to assess whether Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation modifies the inflammatory and apoptotic profile in the heart through the modulation of Casp-1 expression level.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cardiac tissue was collected from end-stage HF patients before LVAD implant (pre-LVAD group, n=22) and at LVAD removal (post-LVAD, n=6), and from stable HF patients on medical therapy without prior circulatory support (HTx, n=7) at heart transplantation, as control. The cardiac expression of Casp-1, of its inhibitors caspase recruitment domain (CARD) only protein (COP) and CARD family, member 18 (ICEBERG), was evaluated by real-time PCR in the three groups of patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Casp-1 was increased in the pre-LVAD group compared to HTx (p=0.006), while on the contrary the ICEBERG level was significantly decreased in pre-LVAD with respect to HTx patients (p<0.001); no difference in COP expression level was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study describes a specific pattern of the Casp-1 system associated with inflammation and apoptosis markers in patients who require LVAD insertion. The inflammation could be the key process regulating, in a negative loop, Casp-1 signaling and its down-stream effects, apoptosis included.
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Biochemistry, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Prescimone
authors.affiliation: Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Biochemistry, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caselli
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Biochemistry, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cabiati
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Biochemistry, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Viglione
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Cardiovascular Department, Niguarda Cà Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.affiliation: CardioThoracic and Vascular Department, "A. De Gasperis" Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verde
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Biochemistry, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Del Ry
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Biochemistry, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Giovanna
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Trivella
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Biochemistry, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: danielag@ifc.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Giannessi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D020170:Caspase 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000378:metabolism*; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020170:Caspase 1
keywords: Apoptosis; Caspase-1; Heart transplantation; Inflammation; LVAD