Dynamic changes in lymphocyte GRK2 levels in cardiac transplant patients: a biomarker for left ventricular function.
G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), which is upregulated in the failing human myocardium, appears to have a role in heart failure (HF) pathogenesis. In peripheral lymphocytes, GRK2 expression has been shown to reflect myocardial levels. This study represents an attempt to define the role for GRK2 as a potential biomarker of left ventricular function in HF patients. We obtained blood from 24 HF patients before and after heart transplantation and followed them for up to 1 year, also recording hemodynamic data and histological results from endomyocardial biopsies. We determined blood GRK2 protein by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. GRK2 levels were obtained before transplant and at first posttransplant biopsy. GRK2 levels significantly declined after transplant and remained low over the course of the study period. After transplantation, we found that blood GRK2 significantly dropped and remained low consistent with improved cardiac function in the transplanted heart. Blood GRK2 has potential as a biomarker for myocardial function in end-stage HF.
Bonita
Raphael E
RE
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Raake
Philip W
PW
Otis
Nicholas J
NJ
Chuprun
J Kurt
JK
Spivack
Talya
T
Dasgupta
Abhijit
A
Whellan
David J
DJ
Mather
Paul J
PJ
Koch
Walter J
WJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D054769:G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
D015415:Biomarkers; C496567:GRK2 protein, human; D054769:G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2