Cardiomyocytes communicate with their surrounding cells through mechanical and chemical interactions. A novel mass spectrometry based approach enabled us to characterize the secretome of primary cardiomyocytes. For this proposal, we will investigate down-stream paracrine and autocrine effects of the identified, most strongly regulated signal proteins under hypoxia. In addition, we will determine their up-stream regulation in cardiomyocytes to elucidate the circuit of cardiocrine signaling during homeostasis and stress.
