ABSTRACT
This study is to investigate the roles of neuregulin receptor ErbB2 and protein kinase B (PKB) in pacing-induced heart failure of rhesus monkey. Rapid pacing was used to induce heart failure in rhesus monkey. Aorta intubatton was used to perform hemodynamic measurements, 17 days after pacing. N-Terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), one of the most important molecular marker of heart failure, was also measured by the method of electrochemical luminescence immunoassay. The mRNA expressions of ErbB2, PKB and Bcl-xl were detected in the left ventricular free walls by RT-PCR method. The expressions of phospho-PKB and Bcl-xl on protein level were also detected by Western blotting. The contractibility of cardiac muscle decreased significantly, which consisted with the increase of BNP. Compared with control group, the mRNA expressions of ErbB2, PKB and Bcl-xl were depressed, and similar results were also found in the protein expression analysis of phospho-PKB and Bcl-xl. The expressions of ErbB2, PKB and Bcl-xl were down-regulated during heart failure in rhesus monkey which suggested the important roles of ErbB2 receptor and PKB in the mechanism of heart failure.