Decreased Serine²⁰⁷ phosphorylation of troponin T as a biomarker for left ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction

Chronic heart failure following myocardial infarction (MI) is characterized by progressive left ventricular remodelling (LVR). Despite significant improvements in MI management, LVR remains a frequent complication. Although several risk factors have been identified, such as infarct size, LVR is difficult to predict in clinical practice.

Using a rat model of MI and phosphoproteomic technology, we discovered that remodelling is associated with decreased levels of myocardial and plasma serine²⁰⁸-phosphorylated troponin T (TnT). To confirm the association in human plasma, we developed new specific polyclonal antibodies against human/rat serine^207/208-phosphorylated TnT and tested plasma obtained in the first week after MI from patients with low, intermediate, and high remodelling a year later. We observed a significant decrease of serine²⁰⁷-phosphorylated TnT and of the serine²⁰⁷-phosphorylated TnT/total TnT ratio in those with intermediate or high LVR. These differences remained statistically significant when adjusted for other determinants of LVR. In contrast, baseline B-type natriuretic peptide levels were not associated with LVR.

The level of circulating phosphorylated TnT could be a new biomarker of LVR.