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Myotrophin in human heart failure
Russell J O'Brien1, Ian Loke, Joan E Davies
1Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|August 23, 2003
Summary
Plasma myotrophin levels are elevated in heart failure (HF) patients, particularly in males. Higher myotrophin levels indicate early HF activation, but decrease with disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Myotrophin, a myocardial hypertrophy-inducing factor, interacts with nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB), which is activated in heart failure (HF).
- The potential endocrine/paracrine role of myotrophin in humans, especially in the context of HF, was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma myotrophin levels in patients with heart failure (HF).
- To examine the relationship between myotrophin levels, gender, and HF disease severity.
Main Methods:
- A competitive binding assay was developed to measure human myotrophin.
- Plasma myotrophin levels were quantified in 120 HF patients and 130 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Plasma myotrophin levels were significantly elevated in HF patients compared to controls.
- HF patients exhibited two forms of myotrophin: a full-length 12 kD form and a 2.7 kD form.
- Myotrophin levels were higher in male HF patients and showed an inverse relationship with New York Heart Association class (disease severity).
Conclusions:
- The myotrophin system shows early activation in heart failure (HF), more pronounced in males.
- Myotrophin levels decrease as HF disease severity increases.
- Further research is needed to understand myotrophin's role in NFkappaB-mediated gene transcription and cardiac muscle preservation.