Biopolymers and cell. 2008; 24 (3): 238 - 245

Changes in the content of molecular chaperone Hsp60 in heart tissue at dilated cardiomyopathy

L. M. Kapustian, O. T. Rozhko, V. I. Bobyk, I. V. Kroupska, D. V. Riabenko, Yu. S. Khozhaenko, V. A. Gurtovyy, V. S. Usenko, L. L. Sidorik

The changes of Hsp60 content in heart tissue at dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were investigated. An increase in Hsp60 level was observed in human hearts affected by DCM as well as in the hearts of mice with disease model similar to human DCM. We observed the increase in Hsp60 level in mitochondria and decrease in cytoplasmic fraction, which could be one of the reasons for apoptotic responce in cardiomyocytes at heart failure associated with chronic stress. The results of immunohystochemical analysis of mice hearts with the model human-like pathology demonstrate heterogeneity in chaperone levels. A considerable increase in Hsp60 staining was observed only in some cardiomyocytes, possibly in those with activated antistress mechanisms of cell defense against chronic stress.

Keywords: molecular chaperone, Hsp60, dilated cardiomyopathy, cardiomyocytes, apoptosis.