Upregulation of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is beneficial in cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury, but the mechanism of action is unclear. We studied the role of HSP70 overexpression through gene therapy on mitochondrial function and ventricular recovery in a protocol that mimics clinical donor heart preservation.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College School of Medicine, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex, UK. jay.jayakumar@harefield.nthames.nhs.uk