scholarly journals Influence of perfusable microvasculature on excitation-contraction coupling in IPSC-derived myocardium

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
O King ◽  
D Cruz-Moreira ◽  
W Kit-Anan ◽  
A Sayed ◽  
B.X Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
The Body ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Flow Profile ◽  
Metabolic Demand ◽  
Transient Time ◽  
Static Conditions

Abstract   The myocardium is one of the most densely vascularised tissues in the body, with dynamic metabolic demand from beating cardiomyocytes (CM) necessitating an intimate relationship with microvasculature. Endothelial cells (EC) produce a diverse array of cardio-active factors which acutely and chronically modulate myocardial phenotype. Disruption of CM-EC signalling results in pathological remodelling, and ultimately organ failure. However, as physiologically relevant recapitulation of CM-EC interaction has been difficult to achieve in vitro, many molecular mechanisms governing their interaction remain poorly understood. To induce cardiac vasculogenesis in vitro, we have developed microfluidic chips which subject 3D hydrogel cultures to precisely controlled flow. We then co-cultured human cardiac microvascular ECs, human left ventricular fibroblasts (FB), and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes for 5 days under a pro-vasculogenic protocol (0.5 ul/min flow rate, 50ng/ml VEGF, 100ng/ml Ang-1). Via live and fixed immunofluorescence microscopy, we observed spontaneous formation of a microvasculature network with a continuously open lumen embedded within beating myocardium. Simultaneous quantification of iPSC-CM contractility and perfused red blood cell velocity reveals biomimetic pulsatile flow profile within the microvasculature. To evaluate the influence of microvasculature on CM function, we incorporated CMs differentiated from stem cells with the genetically encoded calcium biosensor GCaMP6F. Compared to CM only control, vascularised preparations demonstrate significantly faster calcium transient time to peak (−11.5%, p=0.007) and time to 50% relaxation (−15%, p=0.01). Under static conditions and 1Hz electrical stimulation, presence of EC was associated with reduced iPSC-CM arrhythmia at baseline (p<0.0001) and during 1uM isoprenaline treatment (p=0.0003), while maintaining isoprenaline induced Ca2+ handling quickening. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first fully perfusable model of the myocardial microvasculature, and highlights the importance of EC regulatory influence on CM function. Further work aims to investigate underlying molecular mechanisms to provide therapeutically relevant insight into cardiac biology. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): British Heart Foundation

Role of angiotensin-signalling in anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Findlay ◽  
J.H Gill ◽  
R Plummer ◽  
C.J Plummer
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Study Results

Abstract   Anthracycline chemotherapy remains a key component of cancer treatment regimens in both paediatric and adult patients. A significant issue with their use is the development of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (AIC), with subclinical AIC and clinical heart failure observed in 13.8% and 3.1% of patients, respectively. The major clinical complication of AIC is the development of late-onset cardiotoxicity, occurring several years after drug administration, presenting as life-threatening heart failure (HF). Determining the relationship between subclinical AIC and late-onset HF, strategies for mitigation of AIC, and impacts upon the cancer survivor population remains a complex challenge. Administration of drugs targeting the angiotensin system, specifically angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), have been reported to reduce AIC in the clinic. Whilst the therapeutic effect of ACEi in management of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and consequent HF is principally through optimisation of cardiac haemodynamics, the mechanism involved with mitigation of late-onset AIC several years after anthracycline exposure are currently unknown. Using a variety of human cardiomyocyte in vitro models we have previously demonstrated induction of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by angiotensin II and anthracyclines. Importantly, selective blockade of the angiotensin II receptor 1 (ATR1) on cardiomyocytes mitigated the anthracycline-induced hypertrophic response, implicating synergism between AIC and angiotensin signalling in cardiomyocytes. Adult human ventricular cardiac myocyte AC10 cell-line were treated in vitro with a range of clinically relevant doxorubicin doses for clinically appropriate durations, with AT1 receptor gene expression evaluated using semi-quantitative PCR. Our results confirm a positive correlation between clinically-relevant concentration of doxorubicin and induction of genetic expression of ATR1 in AC10 cells, with up to 200% increases in ATR1 expression observed. Maximal doxorubicin-induced gene expression being observed at 8 and 24-hours, respectively. These preliminary results agreeing with clinical exposure parameters for this drug with protein expression studies being optimised to support these gene expression study results. Our preliminary studies also imply patients developing AIC carry a deleted polymorphism within intron 16 of the ACE gene and increased systemic levels of the ACE product angiotensin II, both with a known association to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Taken together, these data support our mechanistic hypothesis that a relationship exists between AIC and modulation of the angiotensin signalling pathway in cardiomyocytes, involving structural cellular changes and asymptomatic cardiac hypertrophy. An elevation in angiotensin II levels, potentially through polymorphisms in ACE, could thereby exacerbate anthracycline-induced hypertrophy and promote the development of late-onset anthracycline-induced HF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Cancer Research UK funded PhD

scholarly journals Cardiovascular phenotyping of the first mouse model of Sarcoidosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Bueno Beti ◽  
C Lim ◽  
A Protonotarios ◽  
A Kiss ◽  
M.N Sheppard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Arrhythmogenic Substrate ◽  
Inflammatory Infiltrates

Abstract Introduction Sarcoidosis is a potentially life-threatening, inflammatory, granulomatous disease that affects multiple organs including the heart. Heretofore, its unknown etiology had hindered the creation of experimental models and the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis behind it. Purpose To extensively phenotype the heart of the first mouse model of sarcoidosis created through deletion of the tuberous sclerosis 2 (Tsc2) gene in the CD11c-positive macrophage population. Methods Tsc2 fl/fl CD11c Cre+ (Tsc2-KO; n=7) and Tsc2 fl/fl CD11c Cre- (Tsc2-WT; n=7) mice were subjected to echocardiography at 25 weeks of age (woa) to assess myocardial dimensions and function. Hearts of 13 and 25woa animals were subjected to histological and immunological stains to assess tissue changes, subtype inflammatory infiltrates and examine the localization of key proteins shown to be re-distributed in patients. Results At 13 woa, Tsc2-KO animals show inflammatory infiltrates; subtyped mainly as macrophages as well as evidence of myocyte destruction. At 25 woa, the number of inflammatory cells is significantly higher and there is heavy fibrotic replacement primarily in the septum and trabeculae. Older animals also show giant cells and non-necrotizing granulomas. The hearts show heterogeneous gap junction remodeling known to constitute an arrhythmogenic substrate and lack of immunoreactive signal for the desmosomal protein plakoglobin from the cell-cell junctions just as described in patients. The left ventricular ejection fraction and LV morphology was not significantly different between the two groups (EF: 64±4% in Tsc2-KO vs 64±2% in Tsc2-WT; LV end-systolic diameter: 4.51±0.54 mm in Tsc2-KO vs 4.59±0.29 mm in Tsc2-WT). However, there was a strong trend towards increasing filling pressure (E/e'ratio; 14.24±4.01 vs 12.15±2.54) and mean pulmonary pressure (21±6 vs 18±3 mmHg) in Tsc2-KO mice compared to controls suggesting diastolic dysfunction. Conclusion Hearts of the Tsc2 fl/fl CD11c Cre+ animals show a phenotype highly reminiscent of cardiac sarcoidosis in patients. We anticipate that this model will be very useful in deciphering molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis as well as testing much-needed mechanism-based therapies. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): British Heart Foundation - PG/18/27/33616

scholarly journals Cell-type specific in vitro gene expression profiling of stem-cell derived neural models

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Gregory ◽  
Emily Hoelzli ◽  
Rawan Abdelaal ◽  
Catherine Braine ◽  
Miguel Cuevas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Mouse Tissue ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Primary Mouse ◽  
Cell Type Specific

AbstractGenetic and genomic studies of brain disease increasingly demonstrate disease-associated interactions between the cell types of the brain. Increasingly complex and more physiologically relevant human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based models better explore the molecular mechanisms underlying disease, but also challenge our ability to resolve cell-type specific perturbations. Here we report an extension of the RiboTag system, first developed to achieve cell-type restricted expression of epitope-tagged ribosomal protein (RPL22) in mouse tissue, to a variety of in vitro applications, including immortalized cell lines, primary mouse astrocytes, and hiPSC-derived neurons. RiboTag expression enables efficient depletion of off-target RNA in mixed species primary co-cultures and in hiPSC-derived neural progenitor cells, motor neurons, and GABAergic neurons. Nonetheless, depletion efficiency varies across independent experimental replicates. The challenges and potential of implementing RiboTags in complex in vitro cultures are discussed.

scholarly journals Impact of Hypothermia on Differentiation and Maturation of Neutrophils

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2393-2393
Author(s):  
Yusuke Torikoshi ◽  
Asumi Yokota ◽  
Naoka Kamio ◽  
Atsushi Sato ◽  
Tsukimi Shouji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Temperature ◽  
Host Defense ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Environmental Temperature ◽  
Cecal Ligation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Neutrophil Differentiation ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Accumulating evidence has suggested that low body temperature is associated with the risk of infection. Unintentional drops in the body temperature known as "accidental hypothermia" are occasionally accompanied with infections. Patients under therapeutic hypothermia for post-cardiac arrest care are also susceptible to infections. In addition, secondary hypothermia caused by severe sepsis is significantly associated with higher mortality. These observations suggest the negative impact of hypothermia on host defense. Neutrophils are continuously produced in the bone marrow (BM) and supplied to the peripheral blood (PB) or tissues, where they fight against microorganisms. In addition to the neutrophil functions, sufficient supply of neutrophils is a critical determinant of host defense. However, little is known about the impact of hypothermia on granulopoiesis, the process of neutrophil production in the BM. In this study, we investigated the changes in granulopoiesis under hypothermic conditions. We first analyzed the neutrophils in the PB of mice exposed to low environmental temperature (4 °C). Under this condition, rectal temperature of the mice significantly declined from 36.7±0.4 °C to 35.5±0.4 °C. After 72-hour exposure to the low environmental temperature, PB neutrophil counts were significantly decreased. In order to understand the reason for the decrease, we analyzed their BMs by flow cytometry. Previously we developed a unique strategy to divide cells undergoing granulopoiesis into 5 subpopulations based on the expression of c-kit and Ly6G, which reflect successive differentiation/maturation from #1 (c-kithi Ly6G-) to #5 (c-kit- Ly6Ghi) (Satake S and Hirai H et al. J Immunol, 2012). In BM cells of the mice exposed to the low environmental temperature, a significant decrease in mature neutrophils (#5) and a significant increase in cellular intermediates (#3 and #4) were observed, while total BM cell numbers were unchanged. In order to clarify whether these changes were cell-intrinsic or -extrinsic, total BM cells were cultured in vitro at either 35 °C or 37 °C in the presence of G-CSF. Flow cytometric analysis of these cultured BM cells at 72 hours revealed the increase in the intermediates (#2 to #4) and a decrease in the mature subpopulation (#5), suggesting that these alterations were cell-intrinsic phenomena. When neutrophil precursors (#1 or #2) were purified by cell sorter and subjected to in vitro culture at 35 °C for 48 hours, the number of resultant mature neutrophils (#5) were significantly less than those induced at 37 °C. These results clearly indicate that hypothermia delayed neutrophil differentiation/maturation. Interestingly, mice with sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) accompanied with lower body temperature revealed significantly fewer PB granulocytes and shorter survival when compared to those mice which maintained normal body temperature after CLP. In order to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the differentiation/maturation delay induced by hypothermia, we performed RNA sequencing of purified neutrophil precursors (#2) after 24-hour culture either at 35 °C or 37 °C. Interestingly, we found alterations in amino acid metabolic pathways and target genes of C/EBP, which is the transcription factor family required for granulopoiesis and cellular metabolism. Collectively, these results indicate hypothermia causes neutropenia through delayed neutrophil differentiation/maturation. We are currently analyzing metabolic changes to understand more precise molecular mechanisms by which hypothermia regulates granulopoiesis. This study will facilitate the understanding of host defense at low body temperature, and shed novel insight into the management of hypothermia in patients. Disclosures Kashiwagi: Takara Bio Inc.: Employment. Hirai:Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Research Funding; Novartis Pharma: Research Funding.

scholarly journals Metabolically-Driven Maturation of hiPSC-Cell Derived Cardiac Chip

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Huebsch ◽  
Berenice Charrez ◽  
Brian Siemons ◽  
Steven C. Boggess ◽  
Samuel Wall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Disease Modeling ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Calcium Handling ◽  
Acid Oxidation ◽  
Microphysiological Systems ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
Drug Responsiveness

AbstractHuman induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) are a promising in vitro tool for drug development and disease modeling, but their immature electrophysiology limits diagnostic utility. Tissue engineering approaches involving aligned 3D cultures enhance hiPSC-CM structural maturation but are insufficient to induce mature electrophysiology. We hypothesized that mimicking post-natal switching of the heart’s primary ATP source from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation could enhance electrophysiological maturation of hiPSC-CM. We combined hiPSC-CM with microfabricated culture chambers to form 3D cardiac microphysiological systems (MPS) that enhanced immediate microtissue alignment and tissue specific extracellular matrix (ECM) production. Using Robust Experimental design, we identified a maturation media that improved calcium handling in MPS derived from two genetically distinct hiPSC sources. Although calcium handling and metabolic maturation were improved in both genotypes, there was a divergent effect on action potential duration (APD): MPS that started with abnormally prolonged APD exhibited shorter APD in response to maturation media, whereas the same media prolonged the APD in MPS that started with aberrantly short APD. Importantly, the APD of both genotypes was brought near the range of 270-300ms observed in human left ventricular cardiomyocytes. Mathematical modeling explained these divergent phenotypes, and further predicted the response of matured MPS to drugs with known pro-arrhythmic effects. These results suggest that systematic combination of biophysical stimuli and metabolic cues can enhance the electrophysiological maturation of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. However, they also reveal that maturation-inducing cues can have differential effects on electrophysiology depending on the baseline phenotype of hiPSC-CM. In silico models provide a valuable tool for predicting how changes in cellular maturation will manifest in drug responsiveness.

scholarly journals Direct SARS-CoV-2 infection of the human inner ear may underlie COVID-19-associated audiovestibular dysfunction

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minjin Jeong ◽  
Karen E. Ocwieja ◽  
Dongjun Han ◽  
P. Ashley Wackym ◽  
Yichen Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inner Ear ◽  
Hair Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Cellular Models ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
Human Inner Ear

Abstract Background COVID-19 is a pandemic respiratory and vascular disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. There is a growing number of sensory deficits associated with COVID-19 and molecular mechanisms underlying these deficits are incompletely understood. Methods We report a series of ten COVID-19 patients with audiovestibular symptoms such as hearing loss, vestibular dysfunction and tinnitus. To investigate the causal relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and audiovestibular dysfunction, we examine human inner ear tissue, human inner ear in vitro cellular models, and mouse inner ear tissue. Results We demonstrate that adult human inner ear tissue co-expresses the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor for SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and FURIN cofactors required for virus entry. Furthermore, hair cells and Schwann cells in explanted human vestibular tissue can be infected by SARS-CoV-2, as demonstrated by confocal microscopy. We establish three human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived in vitro models of the inner ear for infection: two-dimensional otic prosensory cells (OPCs) and Schwann cell precursors (SCPs), and three-dimensional inner ear organoids. Both OPCs and SCPs express ACE2, TMPRSS2, and FURIN, with lower ACE2 and FURIN expression in SCPs. OPCs are permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection; lower infection rates exist in isogenic SCPs. The inner ear organoids show that hair cells express ACE2 and are targets for SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions Our results provide mechanistic explanations of audiovestibular dysfunction in COVID-19 patients and introduce hiPSC-derived systems for studying infectious human otologic disease.

scholarly journals Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived three-dimensional cardiomyocyte tissues ameliorate the rat ischemic myocardium by remodeling the extracellular matrix and cardiac protein phenotype

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0245571
Author(s):  
Junya Yokoyama ◽  
Shigeru Miyagawa ◽  
Takami Akagi ◽  
Mitsuru Akashi ◽  
Yoshiki Sawa
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Heart Function ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Induced Pluripotent

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a key role in the viability and survival of implanted human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). We hypothesized that coating of three-dimensional (3D) cardiac tissue-derived hiPSC-CMs with the ECM protein fibronectin (FN) would improve the survival of transplanted cells in the heart and improve heart function in a rat model of ischemic heart failure. To test this hypothesis, we first explored the tolerance of FN-coated hiPSC-CMs to hypoxia in an in vitro study. For in vivo assessments, we constructed 3D-hiPSC cardiac tissues (3D-hiPSC-CTs) using a layer-by-layer technique, and then the cells were implanted in the hearts of a myocardial infarction rat model (3D-hiPSC-CTs, n = 10; sham surgery control group (without implant), n = 10). Heart function and histology were analyzed 4 weeks after transplantation. In the in vitro assessment, cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase assays showed that FN-coated hiPSC-CMs had improved tolerance to hypoxia compared with the control cells. In vivo, the left ventricular ejection fraction of hearts implanted with 3D-hiPSC-CT was significantly better than that of the sham control hearts. Histological analysis showed clear expression of collagen type IV and plasma membrane markers such as desmin and dystrophin in vivo after implantation of 3D-hiPSC-CT, which were not detected in 3D-hiPSC-CMs in vitro. Overall, these results indicated that FN-coated 3D-hiPSC-CT could improve distressed heart function in a rat myocardial infarction model with a well-expressed cytoskeletal or basement membrane matrix. Therefore, FN-coated 3D-hiPSC-CT may serve as a promising replacement for heart transplantation and left ventricular assist devices and has the potential to improve survivability and therapeutic efficacy in cases of ischemic heart disease.

scholarly journals Structure–Biological Activity Relationships of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Phenolic Compounds: Health Properties and Bioavailability

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paloma Rodríguez-López ◽  
Jesús Lozano-Sanchez ◽  
Isabel Borrás-Linares ◽  
Tatiana Emanuelli ◽  
Javier A. Menéndez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Olive Oil ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Virgin Olive Oil ◽  
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ◽  
The Body ◽  
Phenolic Fraction

Extra-virgin olive oil is regarded as functional food since epidemiological studies and multidisciplinary research have reported convincing evidence that its intake affects beneficially one or more target functions in the body, improves health, and reduces the risk of disease. Its health properties have been related to the major and minor fractions of extra-virgin olive oil. Among olive oil chemical composition, the phenolic fraction has received considerable attention due to its bioactivity in different chronic diseases. The bioactivity of the phenolic compounds could be related to different properties such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, although the molecular mechanism of these compounds in relation to many diseases could have different cellular targets. The aim of this review is focused on the extra-virgin olive oil phenolic fraction with particular emphasis on (a) biosynthesis, chemical structure, and influence factors on the final extra-virgin olive oil phenolic composition; (b) structure–antioxidant activity relationships and other molecular mechanisms in relation to many diseases; (c) bioavailability and controlled delivery strategies; (d) alternative sources of olive biophenols. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive review was developed, with particular emphasis on in vitro and in vivo assays as well as clinical trials. This report provides an overview of extra-virgin olive oil phenolic compounds as a tool for functional food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications.

Abstract P007: Cardiomyocyte Damage-Released Extracellular S100A1 Protein Promotes Regeneration of Infarcted Myocardium by Modulating Cardiac Fibroblast Function

2011 ◽  
Vol 109 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Rohde ◽  
Gang Qiu ◽  
Nicole Herzog ◽  
Hugo A Katus ◽  
Angelika Bierhaus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Gene Expression Pattern ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Apical Region ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Human Cardiomyocytes

Background: Similar to heart muscle-specific creatinkinase (CK-MB), S100A1 protein is released from damaged human cardiomyocytes in response to myocardial infarction (MI). Since S100A1-knock out (SKO) mice display rapid post-MI onset of adverse myocardial remodeling and accelerated transition to heart failure, we assessed the hypothesis that ischemia-related release of S100A1 protein modulates myocardial regeneration. Methods and Results: After LAD ligation in C57/B6 mice, S100A1 serum levels peaked at 10 µg/ml 8 hours post-MI, precisely mirroring the time course previously observed in MI patients. RT-PCR analyses in post-MI whole heart samples revealed significantly lower I-CAM (−50%) and IL-10 (−75%) mRNA abundance as well as heightened Collagen-1 (+40%) and VEGF (+80%) expression in SKO vs. WT mice (p<0.05, n=6 in each group). Interestingly, injection of an S100A1-neutralizing antibody prior to MI in WT mice mimicked the abnormalities observed in post-ischemic SKO animals. To further elucidate extracellular S100A1 biological activity, cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibroblasts (CF), endothelial and smooth muscle cells were exposed to S100A1 in vitro . A rapid internalization of S100A1 was exclusively found in CF, resulting in a phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 with subsequent activation of NF-kappaB as assessed by Western Blot (WB) and EMSA. RT-PCR and WB analyses revealed significant alterations in CF gene expression in response to S100A1, including an increase in I-CAM (3,5-fold) and IL-10 (20-fold) mRNA levels and diminished Col-1 (−80%) expression. Similar effects were observed after direct injection of S100A1 protein into the left ventricular apical region of WT mice in vivo (S100A1- vs. PBS-injection, n=6). In SKO mice, intraperitoneal application of S100A1 prior to MI largely normalized the adverse gene expression pattern towards WT animals. Conclusions: Our study provides first evidence for cardiomyocyte damage-released S100A1 to act as an endogenous mediator of post-MI inflammation and tissue repair. Considering today's unability to manipulate these molecular mechanisms, extracellular S100A1 might represent a promising target for future therapies of MI.

Abstract 369: Engineering Rrm2 to Elevate 2-deoxy-ATP and Improve Cardiomyocyte Function

2017 ◽  
Vol 121 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason D Murray ◽  
Xuan Guan ◽  
Farid Moussavi-Harami ◽  
Sigurast S Olafsson ◽  
Charles E Murry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Ubiquitin Binding ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Proteasome Pathway ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
Cultured Cardiomyocytes

Overexpression of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) in cardiomyocytes increases the amount of cytosolic 2-deoxy-ATP (dATP), which can be used by myosin and significantly increases contraction of cardiac muscle at all levels of calcium activation. Our group is working to develop enhanced dATP as a therapeutic option for heart failure. We have demonstrated that virally-mediated overexpression of RNR elevates dATP and increases the rate and magnitude of contraction and increases left ventricular contraction in normal hearts as well as rodent models of myocardial infarction and dilated cardiomyopathy. RNR is a heterotetramer containing two subunits, Rrm1 and Rrm2. While cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of Rrm1 is stable, we have observed high variability in expression levels of the Rrm2 subunit in multiple disease models. We hypothesized that this variability was largely due to protein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome complex (UPC). We found that pharmacological inhibition of proteasome activity leads to increased expression of Rrm2 in virally-transduced cardiomyocytes in vitro. To confirm the hypothesis that the overexpressed Rrm2 is degraded via UPC-mediated degradation, we engineered mutations in specific ubiquitin-binding degrons of the Rrm2 gene. Transfecting human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes resulted in higher levels of Rrm2 than those overexpressing wild-type protein and resulted in higher levels of cytosolic dATP as measured by Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Ongoing and planned experiments will compare the effects of this engineered mutation on Rrm2 overexpression, dATP production, and contractility in cultured cardiomyocytes. Our goal is to develop an improved RNR vector that will be resistant to degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and therefore enable more stable and consistent RNR enzyme activity and deoxynucleotide levels of cardiomyocytes transduced in vivo.

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