Aggresomes are a proximal trigger of cardiomyocyte autophagy. A, NRVMs were transfected with GFP-tagged LC3 and subjected to proteasome inhibition (16 hours), resulting in redistribution of LC3 in an autophagosome-specific punctate pattern. Images of representative cells are depicted (scale bar=10 μm). B, Quantification of the numbers of cells manifesting autophagic activity (*P<0.05 relative to control). More than 300 cells were evaluated in each treatment condition in 2 independent experiments. C, Cells treated with 3-MA for 7 days were assayed for proteasome activity, revealing a robust increase in activity. *P<0.05.