That finding, together with a lower expression of desmin, vimentin, periostin and caspase-3 in the DCM group than in the control and MMVD groups, explains the negative correlation of the expression of those proteins and the features of cardiomyocyte degeneration (enlargement of the nuclei, loss of striation and structural changes) or perivascular fibrosis. Here, CASP3 is linked to familial dilated cardiomyopathy.