DF/HCC Program Affiliation

Cancer Genetics

Research Abstract

Cardiomyocytes are the contractile cells of the heart. Cardiomyocytes proliferate during development. In the adult heart, it is generally believed that the majority of cardiomyocytes do not proliferate. This view is supported in part by the lack of significant myocardial regeneration. Furthermore, primary myocardial tumors are rare in adults.
However, some cardiomyocytes in the adult heart can re-enter the cell cycle. Our work addresses important biological questions: Can differentiated contractile cardiomyocytes proliferate? What regulates the cardiomyocyte cell cycle?
Inducing cardiomyocyte proliferation may provide an innovative strategy to enhance the regenerative capacity of mammalian hearts. Understanding the mechanisms of the tight proliferative arrest of the majority of adult cardiomyocytes may provide a clue to the virtual absence of myocardial tumors.

Publications

• Kühn B, Peters J, Marx GR, Breitbart RE.Etiology, Management, and Outcome of Pediatric Pericardial Effusions.Pediatr Cardiol 2007 Aug 3.
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