Title:Alteration of the Beta-Adrenergic Signaling Pathway in Human Heart Failure
Volume: 13
Issue: 13
Author(s): Nazha Hamdani and Wolfgang A. Linke
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Heart failure, β adrenergic receptors, myofilament proteins, cardiomyocytes
Abstract: Heart failure is characterized by elevated circulating catecholamine levels and extensive abnormalities in
β-adrenergic receptor signaling. Under physiological conditions, sympathetic modulation via catecholamines induces
positive inotropic, chronotropic and lusitropic responses. Well established in heart failure patients is a pronounced
activation of the sympathetic system, accompanied by downregulation and desensitization of β-adrenergic receptors, leading
to a markedly diminished β-adrenergic contractile response. In this review, we will discuss the normal β-adrenergic
receptor signaling pathway in the heart and focus on the pathphysiological alterations of β-adrenergic receptor signaling
and contractile proteins in heart failure.
