Fibroblast growth factor-1 improves cardiac functional recovery and enhances cell survival after ischemia and reperfusion: a fibroblast growth factor receptor, protein kinase C, and tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanism

Abstract

Objectives: We sought to investigate the role of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 during acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.

Background: The FGFs display cardioprotective effects during ischemia and reperfusion.

Methods: We investigated FGF-1-induced cardioprotection during ischemia and reperfusion and the intracellular signaling pathways responsible for these effects in an ex vivo murine setup of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.

Results: Cardiac-specific human FGF-1 overexpression was associated with enhanced post-ischemic hemodynamic recovery and decreased lactate dehydrogenase release during reperfusion. Inhibition of the FGF receptor, protein kinase C (PKC), and tyrosine kinase (TK) resulted in blockade of FGF-1-induced protective effects on cardiac functional recovery and cell death.

Conclusions: The overexpression of FGF-1 induces cardioprotection through a pathway that involves the FGF receptor, PKC, and TK.