Protective Role of NRG1/ErbB4 Signaling in Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) endures as a substantial impediment to the management of cardiovascular disease. The pathophysiology of MIRI is complex, involving oxidative stress, calcium overload, inflammation, and apoptosis. The NRG1/ErbB4 signaling pathway has been implicated in modulating oxidative stress responses in the heart, potentially reducing cellular damage caused by free radicals. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which the NRG1/ErbB4 pathway confers protection in a rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MIRI) injury. A rat MIRI model was established, involving 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats randomly assigned to five groups: control, sham operation, MIRI, recombinant NRG1, and AG1478. NRG1 concentrations in heart tissues were measured by ELISA, while p-ErbB4 and total ErbB4 protein levels were assessed by Western blot. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were evaluated by flow cytometry.In the MIRI group, NRG1 levels were significantly reduced compared to the control and sham operation groups (p < 0.05). Recombinant NRG1 treatment led to a marked increase in NRG1 levels in heart tissue, along with an enhanced p-ErbB4/ErbB4 expression ratio (p < 0.05). The AG1478 group exhibited lower NRG1 levels and a reduced p-ErbB4/ErbB4 ratio compared to the recombinant NRG1 group (p < 0.05). In terms of apoptosis and ROS levels, the MIRI group showed significantly higher rates than the control and sham operation groups (p < 0.05). Recombinant NRG1 treatment significantly reduced myocardial cell apoptosis and ROS levels (p < 0.05), while AG1478 also attenuated these effects, but to a lesser extent. The NRG1/ErbB4 signaling pathway plays a pivotal protective role in MIRI in rats. Supplementation with exogenous NRG1 effectively elevates NRG1 levels in the heart, activates the ErbB4 signaling pathway, reduces myocardial cell apoptosis, and decreases ROS levels, thereby mitigating MIRI-induced damage.