Small Heat Shock Proteins and Protection Against Ischemic Injury in Cardiac Myocytes

Abstract

The increased expression of hsp27 and alphaB-crystallin through an adenovirus vector system protects against ischemic injury in adult cardiomyocytes. Likewise, the overexpression of alphaB-crystallin protects against ischemic damage in neonatal cardiomyocytes. Decreasing the high levels of endogenous hsp25 present in neonatal cardiomyocytes renders them more susceptible to damage caused by simulated ischemia.