Neuregulin-1, a microvascular endothelial-derived protein, protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (Review)

As regards acute myocardial infarction, great success has been achieved in therapies that reduce the effects of myocardial ischemic injury, while few interventions have achieved satisfactory outcomes for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Thus, new research is urgently required to achieve breakthroughs in promising treatments. Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1), which is an endothelium-derived protein and the ligand of ErbB receptors, exerts cardioprotective effects and is rapidly upregulated during IR. NRG-1/ErbB activates several downstream signaling pathways in response to myocardial IR injury. Previous studies have revealed the protective effects of NRG-1 during heart failure, and numerous experiments have explored the mechanisms underlying the NRG-1-induced cardioprotective effects against myocardial IR injury. In the present review, the progress made in the research of NRG-1 as a cardioprotective agent during IR and related conditionings is summarized. Furthermore, the potential benefits of NRG-1 against myocardial IR injury are listed with the prospective use of NRG-1 in clinical applications.