Enhanced myocardial function in transgenic mice overexpressing the beta 2-adrenergic receptor.

Milano, C A; Allen, L F; Rockman, H A; Dolber, P C; McMinn, T R; Chien, K R; Johnson, T D; Bond, R A et al. · Science · 1994

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Transgenic mice were created with cardiac-specific overexpression of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor. This resulted in increased basal myocardial adenylyl cyclase activity, enhanced atrial contractility, and increased left ventricular function in vivo; these parameters at baseline in the transgenic animals were equal to those observed in control animals maximally stimulated with isoproterenol. These results illustrate a useful approach for studying the effect of gene expression on cardiac contractility. Because chronic heart failure in humans is accompanied by a reduction in the number of myocardial beta-adrenergic receptors and in inotropic responsiveness, these results suggest a potential gene therapy approach to this disease state.

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