REVIEWS   

Panminerva Medica 2005 September;47(3):143-55

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Defects in cardiomyocyte function: role of beta-adrenergic receptor dysfunction

Perrino C. ¹, Esposito G. ², Rockman H. A. ¹

¹ Department of Medicine Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA 2 University Federico II, Naples, Italy

Heart failure is a common clinical syndrome characterized by increased levels of circulating catecholamines and extensive abnormalities in the β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) system. Interestingly, whether dampening of βAR signals is beneficial or detrimental for the failing cardiomyocyte is still controversial. In this review we will discuss a number of studies addressing the role of βAR dysfunction in the development and progression of cardiomyocyte failure, and novel possible strategies to ameliorate cardiomyocyte contractility in heart failure through the normalization of βAR signaling.