Figure 4. NRG-1 regulates functional responses in different cell types within the myocardium.

Heart injury is associated with the proteolytic activation and release of NRG-1 from the surface of cardiac endothelial cells. Active NRG-1 protects cardiomyocytes, reduces pro-fibrotic activation of fibroblasts, promotes survival of endothelial cells, and angiogenesis, and prevents pro-inflammatory activation of immune cells.