Nuclear lamin expression in chronic hibernating myocardium in man

J Mol Cell Cardiol. 1996 Jun;28(6):1297-305. doi: 10.1006/jmcc.1996.0120.

Abstract

Cardiomyocytes of chronic hibernating myocardium are known to undergo structural changes, indicative of dedifferentiation. Amongst these are changes in nuclear shape and chromatin distribution. Nuclear A-type lamins are known to be expressed in a differentiation-related fashion and to contribute to nuclear integrity and chromatin organization. Lamin expression was investigated with immunocytochemical staining procedures in biopsies from patients with chronic hibernating myocardium. The expression of A-type (lamin A and C) were shown to be downregulated during hibernation, while lamin B2 remained present in hibernating cardiomyocytes in a way similar to embryonic muscle cells. All heart muscle cells were shown to be negative for lamin B1. The absence of A-type lamins in chronic hibernating cardiomyocytes could be taken as an additional argument for the dedifferentiation state of these cells. The absence of A-type lamins was accompanied by dispersion of the nuclear heterochromatin, in a way similar to nuclei of embryonic cardiomyocytes.

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / pathology
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lamin Type A
  • Lamin Type B*
  • Lamins
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Myocardial Stunning / metabolism*
  • Myocardial Stunning / pathology
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Myocardium / ultrastructure
  • Nuclear Proteins / analysis
  • Nuclear Proteins / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Lamin Type A
  • Lamin Type B
  • Lamins
  • Nuclear Proteins