Significance of 14-3-3 Epsilon for Right Ventricular Failure Associated with Pulmonary Hypertension

Objective The pathophysiology of right ventricular failure in patients with pulmonary hypertension has not been completely examined and monitoring strategies are lacking. The 14-3-3 protein family plays a regulatory role in cardiac fibroblasts. This study investigated whether 14-3-3 epsilon, a member of the 14-3-3 protein family, was associated with right ventricular failure. Methods A monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension rat model was used to investigate the role of 14-3-3 epsilon in right ventricular failure. Plasma samples from patients with pulmonary hypertension were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for 14-3-3 epsilon. Patients Right ventricular samples from a monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension rat model and plasma samples (n=83) from patients with pulmonary hypertension were used. Results The right ventricular 14-3-3 epsilon expression was higher in the monocrotaline group than in the control group. In patients with pulmonary hypertension, the median plasma 14-3-3 epsilon level was 95 ng/mL. Plasma 14-3-3 epsilon levels were significantly associated with tricuspid lateral annular peak systolic velocity and right ventricular fractional area changes in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate an association between 14-3-3 epsilon and right ventricular failure. Plasma 14-3-3 epsilon level may be a useful circulating marker for evaluating right ventricular dysfunction in patients with pulmonary hypertension.