Levosimendan prevents doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in time- and dose-dependent manner: implications for inotropy

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 576-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Efentakis ◽  
Aimilia Varela ◽  
Evangelia Chavdoula ◽  
Fragiska Sigala ◽  
Despina Sanoudou ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Levosimendan (LEVO) a clinically-used inodilator, exerts multifaceted cardioprotective effects. Case-studies indicate protection against doxorubicin (DXR)-induced cardiotoxicity, but this effect remains obscure. We investigated the effect and mechanism of different regimens of levosimendan on sub-chronic and chronic doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. Methods and results Based on preliminary in vivo experiments, rats serving as a sub-chronic model of doxorubicin-cardiotoxicity and were divided into: Control (N/S-0.9%), DXR (18 mg/kg-cumulative), DXR+LEVO (LEVO, 24 μg/kg-cumulative), and DXR+LEVO (acute) (LEVO, 24 μg/kg-bolus) for 14 days. Protein kinase-B (Akt), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and protein kinase-A and G (PKA/PKG) pathways emerged as contributors to the cardioprotection, converging onto phospholamban (PLN). To verify the contribution of PLN, phospholamban knockout (PLN−/−) mice were assigned to PLN−/−/Control (N/S-0.9%), PLN−/−/DXR (18 mg/kg), and PLN−/−/DXR+LEVO (ac) for 14 days. Furthermore, female breast cancer-bearing (BC) mice were divided into: Control (normal saline 0.9%, N/S 0.9%), DXR (18 mg/kg), LEVO, and DXR+LEVO (LEVO, 24 μg/kg-bolus) for 28 days. Echocardiography was performed in all protocols. To elucidate levosimendan’s cardioprotective mechanism, primary cardiomyocytes were treated with doxorubicin or/and levosimendan and with N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), DT-2, and H-89 (eNOS, PKG, and PKA inhibitors, respectively); cardiomyocyte-toxicity was assessed. Single bolus administration of levosimendan abrogated DXR-induced cardiotoxicity and activated Akt/eNOS and cAMP-PKA/cGMP-PKG/PLN pathways but failed to exert cardioprotection in PLN−/− mice. Levosimendan’s cardioprotection was also evident in the BC model. Finally, in vitro PKA inhibition abrogated levosimendan-mediated cardioprotection, indicating that its cardioprotection is cAMP-PKA dependent, while levosimendan preponderated over milrinone and dobutamine, by ameliorating calcium overload. Conclusion Single dose levosimendan prevented doxorubicin cardiotoxicity through a cAMP-PKA-PLN pathway, highlighting the role of inotropy in doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Efentakis ◽  
A Varela ◽  
D Sanoudou ◽  
C Davos ◽  
A Klinakis ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Levosimendan (LEVO) an inodilator indicated for the treatment of heart failure exerts multifaceted cardioprotective effects. Case-studies indicate protection against doxorubicin (DXR)-induced cardiotoxicity, but this effect remains elusive. We have previously shown that LEVO exerts cardioprotection against DXR-induced cardiomyopathy in a rat in vivo model, in a PKA/PKG-dependent manner. Purpose We sought to elucidate the mechanism of LEVO's induced cardioprotection and clarify the contribution of PKG and PKA pathways converging onto phospholamban (PLN). Methods As previously observed, LEVO at a dose of 24μg/kg protects against DXR cardiotoxicity, with protein kinase B (Akt)/ endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and protein kinase A and G (PKA/PKG) pathways emerging as the main contributors to cardioprotection. Moreover, phospholamban seems to be the end-target of the signaling cascade. To verify the contribution of phospholamban, phospholamban deficient mice (PLN−/−) were assigned to PLN−/−/DXR (18mg/kg) and PLN−/−/DXR+LEVO (acute) (LEVO bolus, 24 μg/kg) groups for 14 days. Echocardiographic analysis was conducted in all groups and protocols. Furthermore, in order to solidify the mechanism of LEVO-mediated cardioprotection, primary adult ventricular murine cardiomyocytes (AVMCs) were isolated and treated with doxorubicin or/and LEVO as well with L-NAME, DT-2 and H-89 (eNOS, PKG and PKA inhibitors, respectively) and cardiomyocyte-toxicity was assessed. Results In the transgenic PLN−/− mice, LEVO did not exert cardioprotection, whilst the co-administration of doxorubicin and levosimendan led to an impaired Left ventricular function [FS (%): PLN−/−/Control: 39.01±0.42 vs PLN−/−/DXR: 38.12±0.51 in (NS); PLN−/−/DXR+LEVO: 35.38±0.86 (**p<0.01 vs PLN−/−/Control, *p<0.05 vs PLN−/−/DXR]. The latter data suggest that phospholamban is crucial for LEVO's cardioprotective effect. Finally, by investigating the contribution of different molecular pathways -shown to be induced by LEVO in vivo- on the AVMCs, we found that only PKA inhibition by H-89, abrogated LEVO-mediated cytoprotection, indicating that the effect is cAMP-PKA dependent. Conclusions Single-dose LEVO prevented DXR cardiotoxicity through a cAMP-PKA-phospholamban pathway, highlighting the role of inotropy in DXR cardiotoxicity. These preclinical data can stand as promising grounds for further clinical investigations.


2000 ◽  
Vol 345 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulus C. J. VAN DER HOEVEN ◽  
José C. M. VAN DER WAL ◽  
Paula RUURS ◽  
Marc C. M. VAN DIJK ◽  
Wim J. VAN BLITTERSWIJK

14-3-3 Proteins may function as adapters or scaffold in signal-transduction pathways. We found previously that protein kinase C-ζ (PKC-ζ) can phosphorylate and activate Raf-1 in a signalling complex [van Dijk, Hilkmann and van Blitterswijk (1997) Biochem. J. 325, 303-307]. We report now that PKC-ζ-Raf-1 interaction is mediated by 14-3-3 proteins in vitro and in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments in COS cells revealed that complex formation between PKC-ζ and Raf-1 is mediated strongly by the 14-3-3β and -θ isotypes, but not by 14-3-3ζ. Far-Western blotting revealed that 14-3-3 binds PKC-ζ directly at its regulatory domain, where a S186A mutation in a putative 14-3-3-binding domain strongly reduced the binding and the complex formation with 14-3-3β and Raf-1. Treatment of PKC-ζ with lambda protein phosphatase also reduced its binding to 14-3-3β in vitro. Preincubation of an immobilized Raf-1 construct with 14-3-3β facilitated PKC-ζ binding. Together, the results suggest that 14-3-3 binds both PKC-ζ (at phospho-Ser-186) and Raf-1 in a ternary complex. Complex formation was much stronger with a kinase-inactive PKC-ζ mutant than with wild-type PKC-ζ, supporting the idea that kinase activity leads to complex dissociation. 14-3-3β and -θ were substrates for PKC-ζ, whereas 14-3-3ζ was not. Phosphorylation of 14-3-3β by PKC-ζ negatively regulated their physical association. 14-3-3β with its putative PKC-ζ phosphorylation sites mutated enhanced co-precipitation between PKC-ζ and Raf-1, suggesting that phosphorylation of 14-3-3 by PKC-ζ weakens the complex in vivo. We conclude that 14-3-3 facilitates coupling of PKC-ζ to Raf-1 in an isotype-specific and phosphorylation-dependent manner. We suggest that 14-3-3 is a transient mediator of Raf-1 phosphorylation and activation by PKC-ζ.


2017 ◽  
Vol 312 (4) ◽  
pp. H854-H866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaimit Parikh ◽  
Adam Kapela ◽  
Nikolaos M. Tsoukias

We used mathematical modeling to investigate nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vasodilatory signaling in the arteriolar wall. Detailed continuum cellular models of calcium (Ca2+) dynamics and membrane electrophysiology in smooth muscle and endothelial cells (EC) were coupled with models of NO signaling and biotransport in an arteriole. We used this theoretical approach to examine the role of endothelial hemoglobin-α (Hbα) as a modulator of NO-mediated myoendothelial feedback, as previously suggested in Straub et al. ( Nature 491: 473–477, 2012). The model considers enriched expression of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) enzyme, Ca2+-activated potassium (KCa) channels and Hbα in myoendothelial projections (MPs) between the two cell layers. The model suggests that NO-mediated myoendothelial feedback is plausible if a significant percentage of eNOS is localized within or near the myoendothelial projection. Model results show that the ability of Hbα to regulate the myoendothelial feedback is conditional to its colocalization with eNOS near MPs at concentrations in the high nanomolar range (>0.2 μM or 24,000 molecules). Simulations also show that the effect of Hbα observed in in vitro experimental studies may overestimate its contribution in vivo, in the presence of blood perfusion. Thus, additional experimentation is required to quantify the presence and spatial distribution of Hbα in the EC, as well as to test that the strong effect of Hbα on NO signaling seen in vitro, translates also into a physiologically relevant response in vivo. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Mathematical modeling shows that although regulation of nitric oxide signaling by hemoglobin-α (Hbα) is plausible, it is conditional to its presence in significant concentrations colocalized with endothelial nitric oxide synthase in myoendothelial projections. Additional experimentation is required to test that the strong effect of Hbα seen in vitro translates into a physiologically relevant response in vivo


2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (23) ◽  
pp. 10397-10405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Ascano ◽  
David J. Robbins

ABSTRACT The protein kinase Fused (Fu) is an integral member of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Although genetic studies demonstrate that Fu is required for the regulation of the Hh pathway, the mechanistic role that it plays remains largely unknown. Given our difficulty in developing an in vitro kinase assay for Fu, we reasoned that the catalytic activity of Fu might be highly regulated. Several mechanisms are known to regulate protein kinases, including self-association in either an intra- or an intermolecular fashion. Here, we provide evidence that Hh regulates Fu through intramolecular association between its kinase domain (ΔFu) and its carboxyl-terminal domain (Fu-tail). We show that ΔFu and Fu-tail can interact in trans, with or without the kinesin-related protein Costal 2 (Cos2). However, since the majority of Fu is found associated with Cos2 in vivo, we hypothesized that Fu-tail, which binds Cos2 directly, would be able to tether ΔFu to Cos2. We demonstrate that ΔFu colocalizes with Cos2 in the presence of Fu-tail and that this colocalization occurs on a subset of membrane vesicles previously characterized to be important for Hh signal transduction. Additionally, expression of Fu-tail in fu mutant flies that normally express only the kinase domain rescues the fu wing phenotype. Therefore, reestablishing the association between these two domains of Fu in trans is sufficient to restore Hh signal transduction in vivo. In such a manner we validate our hypothesis, demonstrating that Fu self-associates and is functional in an Hh-dependent manner. Our results here enhance our understanding of one of the least characterized, yet critical, components of Hh signal transduction.


Author(s):  
Minsu PARK ◽  
Hyeon Kyeong CHOI ◽  
Jeung Hee AN

Background: We aimed to elucidate the preventive effects of taurine against osteopenia in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and the mechanisms by which taurine regulates osteoblastogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The effects of the taurine on human osteoblast MG-63 cell differentiation and osteoblastogenesis effect in OVX rat were examined Konkuk University in 2018 by evaluating osteoblast differentiation, and expression of osteoblast-specific factors by western blotting analysis. Results: Taurine supplementation significantly improved alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization in a concentration-dependent manner. Further, taurine induced the expression of osteogenic growth factors such as bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), small mothers against decapentaplegic 1/5/8 (SMAD1/5/8), wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 3A (Wnt3a), and collagen type 1 (COL-1) via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and serine/threonine protein kinase (Akt). Moreover, the RUNX2 activity of the taurine-treated group was enhanced by proteinprotein interactions such as Wnt3a-induced p-AKT/RUNX2 and BMP-mediated SMADs/MAPK/RUNX2 interactions. Conclusion: Our in vitro and in vivo results suggested that taurine can be considered as a potential therapeutic candidate agent for preventing bone loss in postmenopausal osteoporosis.


2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (17) ◽  
pp. 7483-7490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Grimson ◽  
Sean O'Connor ◽  
Carrie Loushin Newman ◽  
Philip Anderson

ABSTRACT Eukaryotic messenger RNAs containing premature stop codons are selectively and rapidly degraded, a phenomenon termed nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Previous studies with both Caenohabditis elegans and mammalian cells indicate that SMG-2/human UPF1, a central regulator of NMD, is phosphorylated in an SMG-1-dependent manner. We report here that smg-1, which is required for NMD in C. elegans, encodes a protein kinase of the phosphatidylinositol kinase superfamily of protein kinases. We identify null alleles of smg-1 and demonstrate that SMG-1 kinase activity is required in vivo for NMD and in vitro for SMG-2 phosphorylation. SMG-1 and SMG-2 coimmunoprecipitate from crude extracts, and this interaction is maintained in smg-3 and smg-4 mutants, both of which are required for SMG-2 phosphorylation in vivo and in vitro. SMG-2 is located diffusely through the cytoplasm, and its location is unaltered in mutants that disrupt the cycle of SMG-2 phosphorylation. We discuss the role of SMG-2 phosphorylation in NMD.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle W Bender ◽  
Daniel Couto ◽  
Yasuhiro Kadota ◽  
Alberto P Macho ◽  
Jan Sklenar ◽  
...  

Receptor kinases (RKs) play fundamental roles in extracellular sensing to regulate development and stress responses across kingdoms. In plants, leucine-rich repeat receptor kinases (LRR-RKs) function primarily as peptide receptors that regulate myriad aspects of plant development and response to external stimuli. Extensive phosphorylation of LRR-RK cytoplasmic domains is among the earliest detectable responses following ligand perception, and reciprocal transphosphorylation between a receptor and its co-receptor is thought to activate the receptor complex. Originally proposed based on characterization of the brassinosteroid receptor, the prevalence of complex activation via reciprocal transphosphorylation across the plant RK family has not been tested. Using the LRR-RK ELONGATION FACTOR TU RECEPTOR (EFR) as a model RK, we set out to understand the steps critical for activating RK complexes. While the EFR cytoplasmic domain is an active protein kinase in vitro and is phosphorylated in a ligand-dependent manner in vivo, catalytically deficient EFR variants are functional in anti-bacterial immunity. These results reveal a non-catalytic role for the EFR cytoplasmic domain in triggering immune signaling and indicate that reciprocal transphoshorylation is not a ubiquitous requirement for LRR-RK complex activation. Rather, our analysis of EFR along with a detailed survey of the literature suggests a distinction between LRR-RK complexes with RD- versus non-RD protein kinase domains. Based on newly identified phosphorylation sites that regulate the activation state of the EFR complex in vivo, we propose that LRR-RK complexes containing a non-RD protein kinase may be regulated by phosphorylation-dependent conformational changes of the ligand-binding receptor which could initiate signaling in a feed-forward fashion either allosterically or through driving the dissociation of negative regulators of the complex.


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