Use of exogenous β-adrenergic receptor and β-adrenergic receptor kinase gene constructs to enhance myocardial function

摘要

The present invention deals with gene therapy for treating chronic heart failure and other cardiac disease states which are accompanied by a reduced number or functioning of myocardial beta-adrenergic receptors (β-AR). β-AR receptor function is augmented in transgenic animals by delivery and expression of a beta-2-adrenergic receptor gene or a gene encoding a beta adrenergic receptor kinase inhibitor, resulting in increased in vivo left ventricular function. The present invention includes recombinant plasmid vectors, alternative beta-adrenergic receptor gene delivery strategies, and transgenic mice carrying a β-AR transgene, a β-ARK transgene, or a β-ARK inhibitor transgene.