Autoantibodies Activating Human β ₁ -Adrenergic Receptors Are Associated With Reduced Cardiac Function in Chronic Heart Failure

Our data show that activating autoantibodies against human beta-adrenergic receptors exist in approximately 25% of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Counteraction of such autoantibodies might contribute to the beneficial effects of beta-adrenergic receptor blockade in chronic heart failure.