Therapeutic Potential of Vericiguat in Myocardial Ischemia/ Reperfusion Injury: Crosstalk between Heat Shock Protein 90 and Complement Activation

Introduction: The present study aimed to examine the functions of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), NF-κB, C3, and C5a in cardioprotective effects induced by vericiguat in mice. Methods: Male mice were randomly assigned to six groups: sham, ischemia/ reperfusion (I/R), vericiguat preconditioning (VPre), VPre + HSP90 inhibitor geldanamycin (GA), vericiguat postconditioning (VPost), and VPost + GA. An experimental mouse model of I/R was established in mice through surgery and treatments with vericiguat and GA. The following parameters were assessed: myocardial infarct size; cardiomyocyte apoptosis; cTnI, CK-MB, and LDH serum levels, protein expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, HSP90, NF-κB, and complement components C3 and C5a, and mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and ICAM-1. Results: Vericiguat significantly attenuated the myocardial infarct size induced by I/R injury; suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis; reduced serum levels of myocardial markers (CK-MB, LDH, and cTnI); decreased C5a, and C3 levels, NF-κB signaling, and expression of inflammatory cytokine ICAM-1,TNF-α, and IL-1β); and enhanced HSP90 and Bcl-2 expression levels. However, GA reversed these effects. Discussion: The study contributes to the investigation of the crosstalk between HSP90 and complement in the protective effects of vericiguat on myocardial I/R injury. However, further in-depth research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of vericiguat's cardioprotective effects against myocardial I/R injury. Conclusion: HSP90 plays a crucial role in the cardioprotective effects of vericiguat, providing new insights into its mechanisms of action.