Study of ERBB Receptor Cells in Human Hearts From Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the role of the epidermal growth factor EGF receptor family and EGF family ligands in regulating non-heart muscle cells taken from the human heart. This study focuses on how Neuregulin-1 NRG and ERBB receptors contribute to heart development and maintenance, particularly in progenitor cells found in adult human hearts. The study aims to enhance understanding of EGFNRGERBB signaling in heart disease and heart failure. Participants are individuals diagnosed with severe coronary artery disease who are scheduled for coronary artery bypass surgery. During surgery, a small heart tissue biopsy is collected. The collected cells are processed in the laboratory using flow cytometry and cell culture techniques to analyze ERBB receptor expression and understand how NRG and EGF regulate these progenitor cells. Participants will undergo surgery during which the biopsy is taken. Laboratory assessments include counting the number of highly proliferative cell clones up to 14 days after isolation and measuring ERBB receptor expression on these clones. The study observes how these cells respond biologically to NRG and EGF, contributing valuable data to heart disease research. Participation duration depends on surgery scheduling and tissue analysis timelines.

Studies of Neuregulin/ERBB Signaling in Human Heart