beta-blocker reverses inhibition of beta-2 adrenergic receptor resensitization by hypoxia

Abstract

AbstractIschemia/hypoxia is major underlying cause for heart failure and stroke. Although beta-adrenergic receptor (βAR) is phosphorylated in response to hypoxia, less is known about the underlying mechanisms. Hypoxia results in robust GRK2-mediated β2AR phosphorylation but does not cause receptor internalization. However, hypoxia leads to significant endosomal-β2AR phosphorylation accompanied by inhibition of β2AR-associated protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity impairing resensitization. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) impedes resensitization by phosphorylating endogenous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A, I2PP2A that inhibits PP2A activity. Hypoxia increased PI3Kγ activity leading to significant phosphorylation of I2PP2A resulting in inhibition of PP2A and consequently resensitization. Surprisingly, β-blocker abrogated hypoxia-mediated β2AR phosphorylation instead of phosphorylation in normoxia. Subjecting mice to hypoxia leads to significant cardiac dysfunction and β2AR phosphorylation showing conservation of non-canonical hypoxia-mediated pathway in vivo. These findings provide mechanistic insights on hypoxia-mediated βAR dysfunction which is rescued by β-blocker and will have significant implications in heart failure and stroke.