D7‐Des overexpression in NRCs. A, Overexpression of D7‐Des (indicated by arrow) in NRCs by adenoviral‐mediated infection at 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 MOI. B, Coomassie staining shows the D7‐Des protein (indicated by arrow). C, Pellet (insoluble) fraction shows accumulated desmin indicating aggregation. D, Drp1 expression in the NRCs is consistent with increased mitochondrial fission. E, Expression of Bax and CHOP in NRCs by D7‐Des overexpression. F, LDH release. n=3 replicates per group. Boxes represents interquartile ranges, lines represent medians, whiskers represent ranges, and P values were determined by Kruskal–Wallis test. G, NRCs were infected with D7‐Des adenovirus at 10 MOI and mitochondrial morphology was monitored by staining with mitochondrial marker Tom 20 (Red). Tom 20 staining shows fragmented mitochondria in the D7‐Des adeno‐infected NRCs (scale bar: 25 μm). D7‐Des Ade indicates mutant desmin adenovirus; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; MOI, multiplicity of infection; NRCs, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.