Direct intra-cardiomuscular transfer of β2-adrenergic receptor gene augments cardiac output in cardiomyopathic hamsters

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Abstract
In chronic heart failure, down-regulation of β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) occurs in cardiomyocytes, resulting in low catecholamine response and impaired cardiac function. To correct the irregularity in the β-AR system, β-AR gene was transduced in vivo into failing cardiomyocytes. The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-based plasmid vector carrying human β2-AR gene was injected into the left ventricular muscle of Bio14.6 cardiomyopathic hamsters whose β-AR is down-regulated in the cardiomyocytes. The echocardiographic examinations revealed that stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) were significantly elevated at 2 to 4 days after the β2-AR gene transfer. Systemic loading of isoproterenol increased the cardiac parameters more significantly on day 2 to day 7, indicating that the adrenergic response was augmented by the genetic transduction. The same procedure did not affect the cardiac function of normal hamsters. Immunohistochemical examinations demonstrated human β2-AR expression in failing cardiomyocytes transduced with the gene. RT-PCR analysis detected mRNA for the transgene in the heart but not in the liver, spleen, or kidney. The procedures may provide a feasible strategy for gene therapy of severe heart failure.

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