Background—: The effect of β-blockers on infarct size when used in conjunction with primary percutaneous coronary intervention is unknown. We hypothesize that metoprolol reduces infarct size when administered early (intravenously before reperfusion). Methods and Results—: Patients with Killip class II or less anterior ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention within 6 hours of symptoms onset were randomized to receive intravenous metoprolol (n=131) or not (control, n=139) before reperfusion. All patients without contraindications received oral metoprolol within 24 hours. The predefined primary end point was infarct size on magnetic resonance imaging performed 5 to 7 days after STEMI. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 220 patients (81%). Mean±SD infarct size by magnetic resonance imaging was smaller after intravenous metoprolol compared with control (25.6±15.3 versus 32.0±22.2 g; adjusted difference, −6.52; 95% confidence interval, −11.39 to −1.78; P =0.012). In patients with pre–percutaneous coronary intervention Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction grade 0 to 1 flow, the adjusted treatment difference in infarct size was −8.13 (95% confidence interval, −13.10 to −3.16; P =0.0024). Infarct size estimated by peak and area under the curve creatine kinase release was measured in all study populations and was significantly reduced by intravenous metoprolol. Left ventricular ejection fraction was higher in the intravenous metoprolol group (adjusted difference, 2.67%; 95% confidence interval, 0.09–5.21; P =0.045). The composite of death, malignant ventricular arrhythmia, cardiogenic shock, atrioventricular block, and reinfarction at 24 hours in the intravenous metoprolol and control groups was 7.1% and 12.3%, respectively ( P =0.21). Conclusions—: In patients with anterior Killip class II or less ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention, early intravenous metoprolol before reperfusion reduced infarct size and increased left ventricular ejection fraction with no excess of adverse events during the first 24 hours after STEMI. Clinical Trial Registration—: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01311700. EUDRACT number: 2010-019939-35.

The β1-adrenergic-receptor (ADRB1) antagonist metoprolol reduces infarct size in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. The prevailing view has been that metoprolol acts mainly on cardiomyocytes. Here, we demonstrate that metoprolol reduces reperfusion injury by targeting the haematopoietic compartment. Metoprolol inhibits neutrophil migration in an ADRB1-dependent manner. Metoprolol acts during early phases of neutrophil recruitment by impairing structural and functional rearrangements needed for productive engagement of circulating platelets, resulting in erratic intravascular dynamics and blunted inflammation. Depletion of neutrophils, ablation ofAdrb1in haematopoietic cells, or blockade of PSGL-1, the receptor involved in neutrophil–platelet interactions, fully abrogated metoprolol’s infarct-limiting effects. The association between neutrophil count and microvascular obstruction is abolished in metoprolol-treated AMI patients. Metoprolol inhibits neutrophil–platelet interactions in AMI patients by targeting neutrophils. Identification of the relevant role of ADRB1 in haematopoietic cells during acute injury and the protective role upon its modulation offers potential for developing new therapeutic strategies.

Objectives—: Patients with mutations in the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 ( PCSK9 ) gene have hypercholesterolemia and are at high risk of adverse cardiovascular events. We aimed to stably express the pathological human D374Y gain-of-function mutant form of PCSK9 ( PCSK9 ^DY ) in adult wild-type mice to generate a hyperlipidemic and proatherogenic animal model, achieved with a single systemic injection with adeno-associated virus (AAV). Approach and Results—: We constructed an AAV-based vector to support targeted transfer of the PCSK9 ^DY gene to liver. After injection with 3.5×10 ¹⁰ viral particles, mice in the C57BL/6J, 129/SvPasCrlf, or FVB/NCrl backgrounds developed long-term hyperlipidemia with a strong increase in serum low-density lipoprotein. Macroscopic and histological analysis showed atherosclerotic lesions in the aortas of AAV- PCSK9 ^DY mice fed a high-fat-diet. Advanced lesions in these high-fat-diet–fed mice also showed evidence of macrophage infiltration and fibrous cap formation. Hepatic AAV- PCSK9 ^DY infection did not result in liver damage or signs of immunologic response. We further tested the use of AAV- PCSK9 ^DY to study potential genetic interaction with the ApoE gene. Histological analysis of ApoE ^−/− AAV- PCSK9 ^DY mice showed a synergistic response to ApoE deficiency, with aortic lesions twice as extensive in ApoE ^−/− AAV- PCSK9 ^DY -transexpressing mice as in ApoE ^−/− AAV- Luc controls without altering serum cholesterol levels. Conclusions—: Single intravenous AAV- PCSK9 ^DY injection is a fast, easy, and cost-effective approach, resulting in rapid and long-term sustained hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. We demonstrate as a proof of concept the synergy between PCSK9 ^DY gain-of-function and ApoE deficiency. This methodology could allow testing of the genetic interaction of several mutations without the need for complex and time-consuming backcrosses.

We investigated the role of angiotensin II in vascular and circulating inflammatory markers in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α aortic mRNA expression and plasma levels were measured in adult SHR untreated or treated with the angiotensin II receptor antagonist candesartan (2 mg·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹) or antihypertensive triple therapy (TT; in mg·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹: 20 hydralazine + 7 type 1 hydrochlorothiazide + 0.15 reserpine) for 10 wk. Likewise, aortic expression of NF-κB p50 subunit precursor p105 and its inhibitor (IκB) were measured. Age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) served as normotensive reference. High blood pressure levels were associated with increased ( P < 0.05) aortic mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Hypertension was also accompanied by increased IL-1β and IL-6 plasma levels. No differences were observed in circulating TNF-α levels between SHR and WKY. SHR presented elevated aortic mRNA expression of the transcription factor NF-κB and reduction in its inhibitor, IκB. Candesartan decreased ( P < 0.05) blood pressure levels, aortic mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and ( P < 0.05) IL-1β and IL-6 plasma concentration. However, although arterial pressure decrease was comparable for the treatments, TT only partially reduced the increments in inflammatory markers. In fact, candesartan-treated rats showed significantly lower levels of circulating and vascular inflammatory markers than TT-treated animals. The treatments increased IκB mRNA expression similarly. However, only candesartan reduced NF-κB mRNA expression. In summary, 1) SHR presented a vascular inflammatory process; 2) angiotensin II, and increased hemodynamic forces associated with hypertension, seems to be involved in stimulation of inflammatory mediators through NF-κB system activation; and 3) reduction of inflammatory mediators produced by candesartan in SHR could be partially due to both downregulation of NF-κB and upregulation of IκB.