Gene Deletion of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Protects Against Sepsis-Induced Cardiovascular Dysfunction and Mortality

OBJECTIVE—Cardiovascular dysfunction is a major cause of mortality in patients with sepsis. Recently, we showed that gene deletion or pharmacological inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) improves endothelial dysfunction and reduces the severity of experimental heart failure. However, the cardiovascular effect of PTP1B invalidation in sepsis is unknown. Thus, we explored the beneficial therapeutic effect of PTP1B gene deletion on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiovascular dysfunction, inflammation, and mortality. APPROACH AND RESULTS—PTP1B or wild-type mice received LPS (15 mg/kg) or vehicle followed by subcutaneous fluid resuscitation (saline, 30 mL/kg). α-1–dependent constriction and endothelium-dependent dilatation, assessed on isolated perfused mesenteric arteries, were impaired 8 hours after LPS and significantly improved in PTP1B mice. This was associated with reduced vascular expression of interleukin1-β, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA. PTP1B gene deletion also limited LPS-induced cardiac dysfunction assessed by echocardiography, left ventricular pressure–volume curves, and in isolated perfused hearts. PTP1B mice also displayed reduced LPS-induced cardiac expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin1-β, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and Gp91phox, as well as of several markers of cellular infiltration. PTP1B deficiency also reduced cardiac P38 and extracellular signal–regulated protein kinase 1 and 2 phosphorylation and increased phospholamban phosphorylation. Finally, PTP1B mice displayed a markedly reduced LPS-induced mortality, an effect also observed using a pharmacological PTP1B inhibitor. PTP1B deletion also improved survival in a cecal ligation puncture model of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS—PTP1B gene deletion protects against septic shock-induced cardiovascular dysfunction and mortality, and this may be the result of the profound reduction of cardiovascular inflammation. PTP1B is an attractive target for the treatment of sepsis.