Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 9–Driven Expression of BAG3 Improves Left Ventricular Function in Murine Hearts With Left Ventricular Dysfunction Secondary to a Myocardial Infarction

Highlights •BAG3 is a highly conserved protein having pleiotropic effects that is expressed at high levels in the heart, skeletal muscles, and many cancers. •BAG3 levels are reduced in many forms of LV dysfunction including mice after ligation of the left coronary artery. •Retro-orbital injection of mice with an adeno-associated virus coupled to murine BAG3 under the control of a CMV promoter (rAAV9-BAG3) increased myocardial levels of BAG3 by 7 days post-injection. •Retro-orbital injection of rAAV9-BAG3 in mice post-myocardial infarction improved LV function, whereas rAAV9-BAG3 had no effect on LV function in the absence of an MI. •BAG3 may prove to be a new therapeutic target in the treatment of heart failure.