Inhibition of Pyk2 Improves Cx43 Intercalated Disc Localization, Infarct Size, and Cardiac Function in Rats With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND: Heart failure causes changes in Cx43 (Connexin43) regulation that are associated with arrhythmic heart disease. Pyk2 (proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2) is activated in cardiomyopathies and phosphorylates Cx43 to decrease intercellular communication. This study was designed to determine if Pyk2 inhibition improves cardiac function in a myocardial infarction (MI)-induced heart failure model in rats. METHODS: MI (ligation of left anterior descending artery) rats were treated with the Pyk2 inhibitor PF4618433. Hemodynamic and structural parameters were monitored in Sham (n=5), MI-vehicle (n=5), and MI-PF4618433 (n=8) groups. Heart tissues were collected after 6 weeks to assess Pyk2 and Cx43 protein level and localization. RESULTS: PF4618433 produced no observed adverse effects and inhibited ventricular Pyk2. PF4618433 reduced the MI infarct size from 34% to 17% ( P= 0.007). PF4618433 improved stroke volume ( P= 0.031) and cardiac output ( P= 0.009) in comparison to MI-vehicle with values similar to the Sham group. PF4618433 also led to an increase in the ejection fraction ( P =0.002) and fractional shortening ( P =0.006) when compared with the MI-vehicle (32% and 35% improvement, respectively) yet were lower in comparison with the Sham group. Pyk2 inhibition decreased Cx43 tyrosine phosphorylation ( P =0.043) and maintained Cx43 at the intercalated disc in the distal ventricle 6 weeks post-MI. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike other attempts to decrease Cx43 remodeling after MI-induced heart failure, inhibition of Pyk2 activity maintained Cx43 at the intercalated disc. This may have aided in the reduced infarct size (acute time frame) and improved cardiac function (chronic time frame). Additionally, we provide evidence that Pyk2 is activated following MI in human left ventricle, implicating a novel potential target for therapy in patients with heart failure.