Myocardial Infarction and Apoptosis After Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion

Abstract

Anti-C5 therapy in the setting of MI/R significantly inhibits cell apoptosis, necrosis, and PMN infiltration in the rat despite C3 deposition. We conclude that the terminal complement components C5a and C5b-9 are key mediators of tissue injury in MI/R.