Department of Invasive Cardiology, Central Hospital of Internal Affairs and Administration Ministry, Warsaw, Poland.
Kardiol Pol. 2009 Sep;67(9):955-61.
Desmin, one of the basic muscular-specific structural proteins, is believed to play an important role in the progression of heart failure (HF). The function of desmin in cardiomyocytes is still unclear. Mechanical, structural and regulatory functions are postulated. Regulatory function of desmin seems the most interesting. Desmin might be involved in the regulation of gene expression, myofibrillogenesis and intercellular signalling, and be responsible for shape and tension of the cell membrane and other organelles. Abnormal accumulation of desmin may disturb the function of myofibrils, lead to unusual tension of sarcolemma and atypical distribution of organelles (nucleus), and impair intra- and intercellular communication.
Evaluation of desmin expression in specimens derived from right ventricular myocardium during endomyocardial biopsy (EMB).
The study population consisted of 135 patients (86.7% males, mean age 49.4 +/- 14.1 years) presenting with clinical symptoms of HF and LVEF < 45%. During EMB 3-4 samples were taken from the right ventricular myocardium. The immunohistochemical studies of the endomyocardial specimens included immunostaining with desmin-specific antibodies. The study population was divided into three groups: I - 48 patients with normal expression of desmin, II - 54 patients with increased expression and accumulation of desmin and III - 33 patients with low expression of desmin in cardiomyocytes.
The LVEF was significantly higher in group I than in groups II and III. The LV diameter was significantly lower in group I than in groups II and III. Functional status according to NYHA class was the worst in group I compared to group II and III. These differences were statistically significant.
Evaluation of desmin distribution in specimens derived from the right ventricular myocardium may be useful as an objective tool in the assessment of left ventricle status.
结蛋白是一种基本的肌节特异性结构蛋白，被认为在心力衰竭（HF）的进展中发挥重要作用。结蛋白在心肌细胞中的功能尚不清楚。推测其具有机械、结构和调节功能。结蛋白的调节功能似乎最有趣。结蛋白可能参与基因表达的调节、肌原纤维的形成和细胞间信号转导，并负责细胞膜和其他细胞器的形状和张力。结蛋白的异常积累可能会干扰肌原纤维的功能，导致肌细胞膜和其他细胞器（核）的张力异常和分布异常，并损害细胞内和细胞间的通讯。
评估心肌活检（EMB）标本中右心室心肌的结蛋白表达。
研究人群包括 135 名（86.7%为男性，平均年龄 49.4±14.1 岁）出现心力衰竭临床症状和 LVEF<45%的患者。在 EMB 时，从右心室心肌采集 3-4 个样本。对心内膜标本进行免疫组织化学研究，包括用结蛋白特异性抗体进行免疫染色。研究人群分为三组：I 组 - 48 例结蛋白表达正常，II 组 - 54 例结蛋白表达增加和积累，III 组 - 33 例心肌细胞中结蛋白低表达。
I 组的 LVEF 明显高于 II 组和 III 组。I 组的 LV 直径明显低于 II 组和 III 组。根据 NYHA 分级的功能状态在 I 组最差，与 II 组和 III 组相比。这些差异具有统计学意义。
评估右心室心肌标本中结蛋白的分布可能是评估左心室状态的一种有用的客观工具。
