PCNA expression in ischemic cardiomyopathy: DNA repair, myocyte regeneration or just another type of myocyte death?

While demonstration of cells with DNA synthesis is common in postinfarction models, the true significance of these cells is questionable. As we find that these markers are closely linked to apoptosis and unfavorable cardiac remodeling, they are likely to represent either early or late events in the mitotic failure leading to cell death. Because the differentiation of dying myocardiocytes in oncotic, apoptotic and mitotic deaths is mostly academical, these markers should be considered unfavorable prognostic markers for cell loss, unless true demonstration of effective cell replication is presented.