Figure 4.
Cell generation and renewal dynamics in human cardiomyocytes. The number and cell turnover dynamics of human cardiomyocytes were established using a mathematical model combining results from radiocarbon (14C) birth dating and stereological strategies.22 (A) The number of human cardiomyocytes is already set during the perinatal period. Significant exchange of post-natal cardiomyocytes can mainly be observed during the first decades of life. Distinct shades of grey indicate cardiomyocyte subpopulations born during different decades of life. The black area shows cardiomyocytes that were already present at the time of birth.22 (B) Age distribution of post-natally generated cardiomyocytes in 25-, 50-, and 75-year-old individuals. This figure was adapted from Bergmann et al.22