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J Clin Pathol 2004;57:1321-1324 doi:10.1136/jcp.2004.018986
  • Short report

Surviving acute myocardial infarction: survivin expression in viable cardiomyocytes after infarction

  1. D Santini1,
  2. A Abbate2,7,
  3. S Scarpa4,
  4. F Vasaturo4,
  5. G G Biondi-Zoccai3,
  6. R Bussani5,
  7. F De Giorgio6,
  8. F Bassan5,
  9. D Camilot5,
  10. M P Di Marino8,
  11. F Feroce8,
  12. F Baldi8,
  13. F Silvestri5,
  14. F Crea3,
  15. A Baldi8
  1. 1Department of Oncology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, 00100 Italy
  2. 2Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23230, USA
  3. 3Institute of Cardiology, Catholic University, Rome, 00100 Italy
  4. 4Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University “La Sapienza”, Rome, 00100 Italy
  5. 5Institute of Pathologic Anatomy, University of Trieste, Trieste, 64100 Italy
  6. 6Department of Forensic Medicine, Catholic University, Rome
  7. 7Institute of Pathology, University of Torvergata, Rome, 00100 Italy
  8. 8Department of Biochemistry, Section of Pathologic Anatomy, Second University of Naples, Naples, 28100 Italy
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr A Baldi
    Via G. Orsi, 26-Napoli, Italy; alfonsobalditiscali.it
  • Accepted 2 June 2004

Abstract

Background: Apoptosis is a key feature in postinfarction remodelling leading to progressive myocyte loss. Both proapoptotic and antiapoptotic factors contribute to the delicate balance between death and survival. The survivin pathway has emerged as essential in the control of apoptosis, although its role in heart disease is unknown.

Aim: To evaluate survivin expression after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Survivin expression was assessed immunohistochemically in the peri-infarct and remote viable myocardium in 17 consecutive patients who died 1–30 weeks after AMI and in four control hearts.

Results: Survivin was expressed by myocytes in the peri-infarct area in eight patients and in the remote region in 13 patients. The rate of survivin expression after AMI was significantly higher in the remote versus peri-infarct regions and compared with control hearts. Its expression was inversely associated with the presence of dilated cardiopathy and of apoptosis, independently from the gross pathology infarct size.

Conclusions: Survivin myocardial expression after AMI may be associated with the survival of at risk myocardium and may be indicative of more favourable remodelling after AMI. These findings identify a potential new target for the treatment of postinfarction remodelling.

Footnotes

  • The first two authors contributed equally to the realisation of this manuscript.

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