Neuropilin 1 ameliorates electrical remodeling at infarct border zones in rats after myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Electrical remodeling at infarct border zone (IBZ) has been shown to contribute to the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias after myocardial infarction (MI). Sema3A has been demonstrated to reduce the inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias. Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) is the receptor of Sema3A. In the present study, we investigated whether treatment with NRP1 can ameliorate electrical remodeling at IBZ after MI. Methods and results Wistar rats underwent sham operation (n = 20), the ligation of left coronary artery (MI group, n = 30), MI with control adenovirus (Ad group, n = 30), and MI with NRP1 adenovirus (NRP1 group, n = 30). Eight weeks after treatment, electrophysiological properties including heart rate variability (HRV), monophasic action potential duration (MAPD), effective refractory period (ERP) and the inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias and the expression of arrhythmia-related ion channel proteins including Kv4.2, Kv4.3, KChIP2 and Kir2.1 at the IBZ of the left ventricle were examined. Compared with the MI or Ad group, NRP1 significantly increased HRV and shortened MAPD and ERP (all P  Conclusions NRP1 can ameliorate electrical remodeling at IBZ after MI.