Reduced Trx2 expression, elevated levels of phosphorylated ASK1 and activated caspase-3 were found in cardiomyocytes of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) compared to that of healthy organ donors, indicating human Trx2 is also required to inhibit ASK1-dependent apoptosis signaling. This evidence concerns the gene TXN2 and dilated cardiomyopathy.