BACKGROUND Deficient cardiac neuregulin/ErbB signaling increases susceptibility to heart failure. In this study, we examined the effects of neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) on myocardial contractility. METHODS AND RESULTS NRG-1 (alpha and beta isoforms) induced a negative inotropic effect in isolated rabbit papillary muscles and a rightward shift of the dose-response curve to isoproterenol. Both effects ...

The present study was conducted to evaluate the expression of caspase-3, caspase-9, growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) and insulin factor-1 (IGF-1) genes in oocytes cultured vitro with optimum elevated doses amphiregulin (50 ng 150 ng), neuregulin-1 (25 ng) tumor necrosis factor-α during maturation based on results effects AREG or NRG-1 TNF-α concentration which caused significant effect, ...

BACKGROUND Changes in fiber tract architecture have gained attention as a potentially important aspect of schizophrenia neuropathology. Although the exact pathogenesis of these abnormalities yet remains to be elucidated, a genetic component is highly likely. Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) is one of the best-validated schizophrenia susceptibility genes. We here report the impact of the Neuregulin-1 rs35753...

Immobilization-related skeletal muscle atrophy is a major concern to patients in Intensive Care Units and it has a profound effect on the quality of life. However, the underlying molecular events for the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture to treat muscle atrophy have not been fully elucidated. Here we developed an immobilization mouse model and tested the hypothesis that skeletal muscle w...

The receptor tyrosine kinase human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) is known to regulate pulmonary epithelial barrier function; however, the mechanisms behind this effect remain unidentified. We hypothesized that HER2 signaling alters the epithelial barrier through an interaction with the adherens junction (AJ) protein β-catenin, leading to dissolution of the AJ. In quiescent pulmonary...

Members of the epidermal growth factor family of receptors have long been implicated in the pathogenesis of various tumors, and more recently, apparent roles in the developing heart and nervous system have been described. Numerous ligands that activate these receptors have been isolated. We report here on the cloning and initial characterization of a second ligand for the erbB family of recepto...