Age-related decline of the unfolded protein response in the heart

Cardiac myocyte death during heart failure is particularly detrimental, given that cardiac muscle exhibits limited regenerative potential. Protein aggregation was previously observed in end-stage heart failure, suggesting protein-misfolding in cardiac myocytes as a contributor to disease. However, the relationship between protein-misfolding, cardiac myocyte death, and myocardial dysfunction is yet to be clearly established. Here, we examined protein synthesis and the unfolded protein response (UPR) in mammalian postnatal development, including the heart.