Cardiomyocyte β-arrestins mediate inflammation and cGAS-STING activation in CVB3 viral myocarditis

American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Emilio Y. Lucero, Haoran Jiang, Vincent M. D’Anniballe, Natalia Pakharukova, Daniella Galtes, Dana K. Bassford, Arun Jyothidasan, Kirk U. Knowlton, Michael D. Gunn, R J Lefkowitz, Howard A. Rockman
DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00589.2025
Cited by: 5
References: 83

Abstract

Viral myocarditis can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy in adults, yet the molecular mechanisms that induce cardiac inflammation in viral myocarditis remain unclear. β-Arrestins are scaffolding proteins that mediate intracellular signaling during viral infection. We demonstrated that cardiomyocyte β-arrestins are necessary for immune cell recruitment, induction of cardiac apoptosis, and cGAS-STING pathway activation during acute coxsackievirus B3 infection. Targeting β-arrestins appears to decrease the inflammatory response in acute viral myocarditis.

Fields of Study & Subjects

interferon and immune responses Viral Infections and Immunology Research Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling

Publication details

Journal / source
American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Volume
330
Issue
2
Pages
H499–H514
Publication date
7 January 2026
Language
EN