Implantation of Mechanical Left Ventricular Assist Device Changes Proteomics Profile in Heart Failure Patients

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been widely used to treat patients with end-stage heart failure (HF), but the biological changes after LVAD implantation are largely unknown. This study investigates the protein profiling differences before and after LVAD implantation to identify the key proteins. The mass spectra technique was employed for quantitative protein profiling, and selected differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were further validated. A total of 8357 peptides and 873 proteins were identified; 237 in preoperative/control, 243 in postoperative/control, and 45 DEPs in postoperative/preoperative were identified. RTKN protein significantly decreased, while TIMP2 significantly increased in HF patients before LVAD implantation. The RTKN level increased steadily at 1, 3, and 6 months after implantation, eventually recovering to the normal level at 12 months. Similarly, the TIMP2 level rapidly recovered to the normal level in one month and remained stable at normal concentration at 3, 6, and 12 months. Thus, decreased RTKN and increased TIMP2 have potential value as biomarkers for monitoring the recovery of cardiac function after LVAD implantation. Further, the present study suggests that comparison of the protein profiling before and after LVAD implantation may provide important information on the therapeutic strategy in these patients.