Statins and myocardial remodelling: cell and molecular pathways

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen E. Porter ◽  
Neil A. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Contractile Function ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Plasma Cholesterol ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy ◽  
Beneficial Effects

The advent of statins has revolutionised the treatment of patients with raised plasma cholesterol and increased cardiovascular risk. However, the beneficial effects of this class of drugs are far greater than would be expected from lowering of cholesterol alone, and they appear to offer cardiovascular protection at multiple levels, primarily as a result of their pleiotropic activity. Indeed, their favourable effects on the heart seem to be mediated in part through reduced prenylation and subsequent inhibition of small GTPases, particularly those of the Rho family. Such statin-mediated effects are manifested by reduced onset of heart failure and improvements in cardiac dysfunction and remodelling in heart failure patients. Experimental studies have shown that statins mediate their effects on the two major resident cell types of the heart–cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts–and thus facilitate improvement of adverse remodelling of ischaemic or non-ischaemic aetiology. This review examines evidence for the cellular effects of statins in the heart, and discusses the underlying molecular mechanisms at the level of the cardiomyocyte (hypertrophy, cell death and contractile function) and the cardiac fibroblast (differentiation, proliferation, migration and extracellular matrix synthesis). The prospects for future therapies and ongoing clinical trials are also summarised.

Abstract 13837: Adrenergic Receptors β2 and β3 Transduce Differential Signals in Cardiac Fibroblasts

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kota Tonegawa ◽  
Hiroyuki Nakayama ◽  
Hiromi Igarashi ◽  
Sachi Matsunami ◽  
Nao Hayamizu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Β Blocker ◽  
Selective Agonists ◽  
Selective Blocker ◽  
Camkii Activation

Background: Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) are the most prevalent cell types in heart and play important roles in cardiac remodeling. While the roles of β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) signaling in cardiomyocytes (CMs) are well characterized, those in CFs remain to be elusive due to lack of convenient method to assess those signaling. There are three subtypes of, βAR β1, β2, β3 and β2AR is reported to be expressed in CFs by which enhances cell proliferation and production of inflammatory cytokines. Clinical efficacy of non-selective β blocker carvedilol for heart failure (HF) surpasses that of β1 selective blocker metoprolol, suggesting critical roles of β2 and β3AR in the pathogenesis of HF. Objective: To elucidate the signaling downstream βARs in CFs in heart. Methods and Results: Caveolae is an important microdomain for signal transduction, such as βAR, present in CMs or CFs. To elucidate βAR signaling of caveolae in CFs, we generated a fusion protein composed of phospholamban (PLN) and caveolin3 (Cav3) representing PKA activation as phosphorylation at S16 of PLN and CaMKII as that at T17 in caveolae. Thus, activation of PKA or CaMKII is detectable by anti-phospho-S16 or T17 antibody, respectively. In neonatal rat CFs (NRCFs) infected PLN-Cav3 adenovirus, stimulation by isoproterenol (ISO) led to enhanced phosphorylation of both S16 and T17, suggesting PKA and CaMKII activation in caveolae of CFs. RT-PCR analyses showed β2AR and β3AR were present in NRCFs. Stimulation with β2AR selective agonists activated both PKA and CaMKII, while β3AR elicited solely PKA activation, analyzed by using β3AR selective agonist/antagonist. In addition, in order to examine the significance of βAR stimulation for heart failure, we administered ISO continuously for two weeks in β2ARKO mice. As a result, fibrosis was suppressed in β2ARKO mice compared with wild-type mice (0.35% vs 2.37%, p<0.05) suggesting critical roles of β2AR in development of cardiac fibrosis caused by βAR stimulation in mice. Conclusions: Both β2 and β3AR are expressed in NRCFs and transduce distinct signaling and β2AR selective stimulation elicit development of cardiac fibrosis via activation of CaMKII signaling. Thus, selective βAR regulation could be potential novel anti-fibrotic therapeutics in HF.

scholarly journals Identification of Core Gene Biomarkers in Patients with Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Li ◽  
Haiming Wu ◽  
Rongxin Geng ◽  
Qizhu Tang
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Diabetic Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Core Gene ◽  
Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Ppi Network

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disorder of the myocardium in diabetic patients, which is one of the critical complications of diabetes giving rise to an increased mortality. However, the underlying mechanisms of DCM remain incompletely understood presently. This study was designed to screen the potential molecules and pathways implicated with DCM. GSE26887 involving 5 control individuals and 7 DCM patients was selected from the GEO database to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). DAVID was applied to perform gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was also constructed to visualize the interactions among these DEGs. To further validate significant genes and pathways, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blot were performed. A total of 236 DEGs were captured, including 134 upregulated and 102 downregulated genes. GO, KEGG, and the PPI network disclosed that inflammation, immune disorders, metabolic disturbance, and mitochondrial dysfunction were significantly enriched in the development of DCM. Notably, IL6 was an upregulated hub gene with the highest connectivity degree, suggesting that it may interact with a great many molecules and pathways. Meanwhile, SOCS3 was also one of the top 15 hub genes in the PPI network. Herein, we detected the protein level of STAT3 and SOCS3 in a mouse model with DCM. Western blot results showed that the protein level of SOCS3 was significantly lower while phosphorylated-STAT3 (P-STAT3) was activated in mice with DCM. In vitro results also uncovered the similar alterations of SOCS3 and P-STAT3 in cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts induced by high glucose (HG). However, overexpression of SOCS3 could significantly reverse HG-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts. Taken together, our analysis unveiled potential biomarkers and molecular mechanisms in DCM, which could be helpful to the diagnosis and treatment of DCM.

Pirfenidone exhibits cardioprotective effects by regulating myocardial fibrosis and vascular permeability in pressure-overloaded hearts

2015 ◽  
Vol 309 (3) ◽  
pp. H512-H522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiyoshi Yamagami ◽  
Toru Oka ◽  
Qi Wang ◽  
Takamaru Ishizu ◽  
Jong-Kook Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Vascular Permeability ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Vehicle Group

Although cardiac fibrosis causes heart failure, its molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of cardiac fibrosis and examined the effects of the antifibrotic drug pirfenidone (PFD) on chronic heart failure. To understand the responsible mechanisms, we generated an in vivo pressure-overloaded heart failure model via transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and examined the effects of PFD on chronic-phase cardiac fibrosis and function. In the vehicle group, contractile dysfunction and left ventricle fibrosis progressed further from 4 to 8 wk after TAC but were prevented by PFD treatment beginning 4 wk after TAC. We isolated cardiac fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells from the left ventricles of adult male mice and investigated the cell-type-specific effects of PFD. Transforming growth factor-β induced upregulated collagen 1 expression via p38 phosphorylation and downregulated claudin 5 (Cldn5) expression in cardiac fibroblasts and endothelial cells, respectively; both processes were inhibited by PFD. Moreover, PFD inhibited changes in the collagen 1 and Cldn5 expression levels, resulting in reduced fibrosis and serum albumin leakage into the interstitial space during the chronic phase in TAC hearts. In conclusion, PFD inhibited cardiac fibrosis by suppressing both collagen expression and the increased vascular permeability induced by pressure overload.

Effects of dietary flaxseed on vascular contractile function and atherosclerosis during prolonged hypercholesterolemia in rabbits

2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (6) ◽  
pp. H2987-H2996 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. C. Dupasquier ◽  
A.-M. Weber ◽  
B. P. Ander ◽  
P. P. Rampersad ◽  
S. Steigerwald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Function ◽  
Contractile Function ◽  
Plasma Cholesterol ◽  
Dietary Cholesterol ◽  
Relaxation Response ◽  
High Cholesterol Diet ◽  
Cholesterol Diet ◽  
High Cholesterol ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesions

Dietary flaxseed has significant anti-atherogenic effects. However, the limits of this action and its effects on vascular contractile function are not known. We evaluated the effects of flaxseed supplementation on atherosclerosis and vascular function under prolonged hypercholesterolemic conditions in New Zealand White rabbits assigned to one of four groups for 6, 8, or 16 wk of feeding: regular diet (RG), 10% flaxseed-supplemented diet (FX), 0.5% cholesterol-supplemented diet (CH), and 0.5% cholesterol- and 10% flaxseed-supplemented diet (CF). Cholesterol feeding resulted in elevated plasma cholesterol levels and the development of atherosclerosis. The CF group had significantly less atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta and carotid arteries after 6 and 8 wk than the CH animals. However, the anti-atherogenic effect of flaxseed supplementation was completely attenuated by 16 wk. Maximal tension induced in aortic rings either by KCl or norepinephrine was not impaired by dietary cholesterol until 16 wk. This functional impairment was not prevented by including flaxseed in the high-cholesterol diet. Aortic rings from the cholesterol-fed rabbits exhibited an impaired relaxation response to acetylcholine at all time points examined. Including flaxseed in the high-cholesterol diet completely normalized the relaxation response at 6 and 8 wk and partially restored it at 16 wk. No significant changes in the relaxation response induced by sodium nitroprusside were observed in any of the groups. In summary, dietary flaxseed is a valuable strategy to limit cholesterol-induced atherogenesis as well as abnormalities in endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation. However, these beneficial effects were attenuated during prolonged hypercholesterolemic conditions.

scholarly journals Dietary Cocoa Powder Improves Hyperlipidemia and Reduces Atherosclerosis in apoE Deficient Mice through the Inhibition of Hepatic Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Guan ◽  
Yan Lin ◽  
Liang Bai ◽  
Yingfeng An ◽  
Jianan Shang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Plasma Cholesterol ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cocoa Powder ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Apoe Knockout Mice

Cocoa powder is rich in flavonoids, which have many beneficial effects on human health, including antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of our study was to investigate whether the intake of cocoa powder has any influence on hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis and examine the underlying molecular mechanisms. We fed apoE knockout mice a Western diet supplemented with either 0.2% (low group) or 2% (high group) cocoa powder for 12 weeks. The groups fed dietary cocoa powder showed a significant reduction in both plasma cholesterol levels and aortic atherosclerosis compared to the control group. Analysis of mRNA profiling of aortic atherosclerotic lesions revealed that the expression of several genes related to apoptosis, lipid metabolism, and inflammation was significantly reduced, while the antiapoptotic gene Bcl2 was significantly increased in the cocoa powder group compared to the control. RT-PCR analysis along with Western blotting revealed that a diet containing cocoa powder inhibited the expression of hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress. These data suggest that cocoa powder intake improves hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis, and such beneficial effects are possibly mediated through the suppression of hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress.

scholarly journals Role of CyPA in cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengfei Cao ◽  
Wei Yuan ◽  
Meiling Peng ◽  
Ziqi Mao ◽  
Qianru Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Interstitial Fibrosis ◽  
Systolic Function ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy ◽  
Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Complex Process

Abstract Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a complex process and eventually develops into heart failure, in which the heart responds to various intrinsic or external stress, involving increased interstitial fibrosis, cell death and cardiac dysfunction. Studies have shown that oxidative stress is an important mechanism for this maladaptation. Cyclophilin A (CyPA) is a member of the cyclophilin (CyPs) family. Many cells secrete CyPA to the outside of the cells in response to oxidative stress. CyPA from blood vessels and the heart itself participate in a variety of signaling pathways to regulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mediate inflammation, promote cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts, stimulate endothelial injury and vascular smooth muscle hyperplasia, and promote the dissolution of extracellular matrix (ECM) by activating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The events triggered by CyPA cause a decline of diastolic and systolic function and finally lead to the occurrence of heart failure. This article aims to introduce the role and mechanism of CyPA in cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling, and highlights its potential role as a disease biomarker and therapeutic target.

Cell motility: can Rho GTPases and microtubules point the way?

2001 ◽  
Vol 114 (21) ◽  
pp. 3795-3803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten Wittmann ◽  
Clare M. Waterman-Storer
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Cell Motility ◽  
Rho Gtpases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Microtubule Cytoskeleton ◽  
Filament Bundles

Migrating cells display a characteristic polarization of the actin cytoskeleton. Actin filaments polymerise in the protruding front of the cell whereas actin filament bundles contract in the cell body, which results in retraction of the cell’s rear. The dynamic organization of the actin cytoskeleton provides the force for cell motility and is regulated by small GTPases of the Rho family, in particular Rac1, RhoA and Cdc42. Although the microtubule cytoskeleton is also polarized in a migrating cell, and microtubules are essential for the directed migration of many cell types, their role in cell motility is not well understood at a molecular level. Here, we discuss the potential molecular mechanisms for interplay of microtubules, actin and Rho GTPase signalling in cell polarization and motility. Recent evidence suggests that microtubules locally modulate the activity of Rho GTPases and, conversely, Rho GTPases might be responsible for the initial polarization of the microtubule cytoskeleton. Thus, microtubules might be part of a positive feedback mechanism that maintains the stable polarization of a directionally migrating cell.

Prospects for the use of thyroid hormones in patients with heart failure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Pyvоvar ◽  
Yu. S. Rudyk ◽  
О. B. Krоtоva ◽  
L. V. Panina
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Thyroid Hormones ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Cardiac Tissue ◽  
Contractile Function ◽  
Heart Function ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Tissue Level ◽  
Free Triiodothyronine

Thyroid hormone therapy in the setting of heart failure is still an «open book» today. There are several unanswered questions: the regimen, doses and schedule of the use of thyroid hormones, the consequences of such therapy. At the same time, the presence of a comorbid pathology of the thyroid gland, which requires the appointment of levothyroxine, allows one to partially answer these questions. Thyroid hormones affect the diastolic and systolic functions of the myocardium. Ventricular contractile function is also affected by changes in hemodynamic conditions secondary to thyroid hormones and peripheral vascular tone. Thyroid hormone homeostasis maintains a positive ventricular-arterial ratio, resulting in a favorable balance for heart function. Experimental studies in rats have shown that chronic hypothyroidism alone can eventually lead to heart failure. Other studies suggest a decrease in the level of free triiodothyronine in the myocardium after myocardial infarction or with arterial hypertension due to the activation of type 3 deiodinase, which leads to deactivation of triiodothyronine and thyroxine. To address these issues, the researchers propose conducting multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trials to evaluate the effects of thyroxine replacement in patients with chronic heart failure. The review highlights the growing body of evidence from animal studies and small clinical trials that suggests that low thyroid activity at the cardiac tissue level can negatively affect the progression of heart failure and that treatment with thyroid hormones can lead to an improved prognosis.

scholarly journals Prevention of Fibrosis and Pathological Cardiac Remodeling by Salinomycin

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan M Burke ◽  
Ronald A Dirkx, Jr. ◽  
Pearl Quijada ◽  
Janet K Lighthouse ◽  
Amy Mohan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Cardiac Remodeling ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Ischemic Heart ◽  
Interventional Treatment ◽  
Heart Failure Patients

Rationale: Cardiomyopathy is characterized by the deposition of extracellular matrix by activated resident cardiac fibroblasts, called myofibroblasts. There are currently no therapeutic approaches to blunt the development of pathological fibrosis and ventricle chamber stiffening that ultimately leads to heart failure. Objective: We undertook a high-throughput screen to identify small molecule inhibitors of myofibroblast activation that might limit the progression of heart failure. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of the polyether ionophore salinomycin in patient derived cardiac fibroblasts and pre-clinical mouse models of ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure. Methods and Results: Here, we demonstrate that salinomycin displays potent anti-fibrotic activity in cardiac fibroblasts obtained from heart failure patients. In pre-clinical studies, salinomycin prevents cardiac fibrosis and functional decline in mouse models of ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease. Remarkably, interventional treatment with salinomycin attenuates pre-established pathological cardiac remodeling secondary to hypertension, and limits scar expansion when administered after a severe myocardial infarction. Mechanistically, salinomycin inhibits cardiac fibroblast activation by preventing p38/MAPK and Rho signaling. Salinomycin also promotes cardiomyocyte survival and improves coronary vessel density, suggesting that cardioprotection conferred by salinomycin occurs via the integration of multiple mechanisms in multiple relevant cardiac cell types. Conclusions: These data establish salinomycin as an anti-fibrotic agent that targets multiple cardioprotection pathways, thereby holding promise for the treatment of heart failure patients.

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