Abstract 15221: Pulmonary Artery Banding Induces NF-κB activated Inflammation and Deteriorates RV Function

Background: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction contributes to poor prognosis in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Although pulmonary artery banding (PAB) induces RV inflammation, its mechanisms are poorly understood. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that RV pressure overload induced by PAB leads to RV dysfunction through NF-κB-mediated inflammation and fibrosis. Methods and Results: We banded the main PA using an 18-gauge needle in adult Sprague-Dawley rats (BW: 180-220g). We measured hemodynamics and analyzed immunohistochemistry of RV at Day 1, 3, 7 and 14 after PAB (n=4-6, each group). PAB time-dependently increased RV systolic pressure (sham: 31.1±5.7 vs. Day14: 73.2±11.8mmHg, p Conclusions: These findings indicate that PAB immediately activates NF-κB and increases macrophage infiltration. Second, chronic treatment with PDTC attenuates NF-κB activation and macrophage infiltration in RV, leading to reduced fibrosis as well as RVEDP. NF-κB inhibition may be a therapeutic target for the RV dysfunction.