Figure 2.

Atg5-deprived mice exhibit mild hypertrophy, reduced cardiac contractility and exercise capacity. (A) Photomicrographs of hearts from 12-week-old Atg5^+/+ (left) and Atg5^−/− mice (right). (B) Heart weight-to-body weight ratio (HW/BW) and, (C) NppB expression in Atg5^+/+ vs. Atg5^−/− hearts (N = 10 vs. 9 mice for HW/BW, and N = 5 mice per group for NppB expression). (D) Heart rate (bpm, beats per minute) and, (E) maximal positive pressure development (dP/dt_max) in the left ventricle at baseline and upon intraperitoneal administration of isoprenaline (ISO, 2 µg/kg body weight) in Atg5^+/+ and Atg5^−/− mice. N = 4/5 mice, respectively. (F) Maximal run distance, (G) workload and, (H) maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max) in Atg5^−/− mice and their control littermates during peak effort testing on a motorized treadmill coupled to indirect calorimetry. N = 8 mice per group. (B–H) Data show mean ± SEM. Indicated P-values were calculated using Mann–Whitney test comparing Atg5^−/− or ISO treatment to the respective control.