Abstract
Sublethal hypoxic injury in rat and rabbit hearts was accompanied by a biochemical redistribution of cathepsin D activity from the particle to the supernatant fraction of the tissue homogenate, which was partially reversible on reoxygenation. Immunofluorescent staining for cathepsin D failed to reveal major anatomic release of the acid hydrolase until necrosis was present, suggesting that the earlier biochemical redistribution was primarily a result of increased lysosomal fragility during homogenization, with significant intracellular diffusion of the enzyme occurring only as irreversible damage took place. Hypoxia produced enlargement of both cathepsin-D-staining lysosomes and nonstaining vacuoles, as well as their aggregation. These changes were intensified during reoxygenation and recovery of reversibly damaged hearts, suggesting a possible role for the lysosomal-vacuolar apparatus in myocytic repair following hypoxic injury.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 445-455 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | American Journal of Pathology |
Volume | 98 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - 1980 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine