Lymphocyte levels of GRK2 (betaARK1) mirror changes in the LVAD-supported failing human heart: lower GRK2 associated with improved beta-adrenergic signaling after mechanical unloading.
BACKGROUND
In human heart failure, increased expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) causes the loss of beta-adrenergic receptor (betaAR) signaling and function. Mechanical unloading with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) promotes reverse remodeling, which includes restoration of betaAR responsiveness. We tested the hypothesis that LVAD support of the failing human heart alters the expression and activity of GRKs and we sought to determine whether changes in myocardial GRKs could be tracked in lymphocytes.


RESULTS
Paired samples of human LV tissue (n = 12) and blood were obtained at the time of LVAD implantation (heart failure) and subsequent cardiac transplantation (LVAD). betaAR signaling was quantified by receptor density and adenylyl cyclase activity. Immunoblotting and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to measure GRK2 and GRK5 protein and mRNA levels. Rhodopsin phosphorylation was used to assess total GRK activity. Consistent with reverse remodeling, betaAR density and signaling were restored to nonfailing levels after LVAD support. GRK2 protein levels were significantly reduced 55% after LVAD support and GRK2 mRNA was similarly reduced. In contrast, GRK5 protein and mRNA levels were unchanged. Total myocardial GRK activity was reduced similar to the drop in GRK2 expression. In lymphocytes, GRK2 protein levels were decreased after LVAD support and there was a significant positive correlation between myocardial and lymphocyte GRK2 levels in both heart failure and LVAD samples.


CONCLUSIONS
The changes in myocardial GRK2 expression and activity that are mirrored in lymphocytes provide a possible mechanism for the restoration of betaAR signaling and reverse remodeling after mechanical unloading in the failing heart. Moreover, lymphocytes may provide a surrogate marker of myocardial GRK2 in these patients.
Hata
Jonathan A
JA
Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Williams
Matthew L
ML
Schroder
Jacob N
JN
Lima
Brian
B
Keys
Janelle R
JR
Blaxall
Burns C
BC
Petrofski
Jason A
JA
Jakoi
Andre
A
Milano
Carmelo A
CA
Koch
Walter J
WJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D054769:G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051552:beta-Adrenergic Receptor Kinases / Q000097:blood*
D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; C496567:GRK2 protein, human; D051552:beta-Adrenergic Receptor Kinases; D054769:G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2