scholarly journals WWP1 deficiency protects from cardiac remodeling induced by simulated microgravity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guohui Zhong ◽  
Dingsheng Zhao ◽  
Jianwei Li ◽  
Zifan Liu ◽  
Junjie Pan ◽  
...  

Cardiac muscle is extremely sensitive to changes in loading conditions, the microgravity during space flight can cause cardiac remodeling and function decline. At present, the mechanism of microgravity-induced cardiac remodeling remains to be revealed. WW domain-containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (WWP1) is an important activator of pressure-overload induced cardiac remodeling by stabilizing disheveled segment polarity proteins 2 (DVL2) and activating CaMKII/HDAC4/MEF2C axis. However, the role of WWP1 in the cardiac remodeling induced by microgravity is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether WWP1 was also involved in the regulation of cardiac remodeling caused by microgravity. Firstly, we detected the expression of WWP1 and DVL2 in the heart from mice and monkeys after simulated microgravity using western blotting and Immunohistochemistry. Secondly, WWP1 knockout (KO) and wild type mice were subjected to hindlimb unloading (HU) to simulate microgravity effect. We assessed the cardiac remodeling in morphology and function through histological analysis and echocardiography. Finally, we detected the phosphorylation level of CaMKII and HDAC4 in the heart from WT and WWP1 KO mice after HU. The results revealed the increased expression of WWP1 and DVL2 in the heart both from mice and monkey after simulated microgravity. WWP1 deficiency protected against simulated microgravity-induced cardiac atrophy and function decline. Histological analysis demonstrated WWP1 KO inhibited the decreases in the size of individual cardiomyocytes of mice after hindlimb unloading. WWP1 KO can inhibit the activation of DVL2/CaMKII/HDAC4 pathway in heart of mice induced by simulated microgravity. These results demonstrated WWP1 as a potential therapeutic target for cardiac remodeling and function decline induced by simulated microgravity. Keywords: WWP1, simulated microgravity, cardiac remodeling, DVL2, HDAC4.

Author(s):  
Guohui Zhong ◽  
Dingsheng Zhao ◽  
Jianwei Li ◽  
Zifan Liu ◽  
Junjie Pan ◽  
...  

Cardiac muscle is extremely sensitive to changes in loading conditions; the microgravity during space flight can cause cardiac remodeling and function decline. At present, the mechanism of microgravity-induced cardiac remodeling remains to be revealed. WW domain-containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (WWP1) is an important activator of pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling by stabilizing disheveled segment polarity proteins 2 (DVL2) and activating the calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)/histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4)/myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) axis. However, the role of WWP1 in cardiac remodeling induced by microgravity is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether WWP1 was also involved in the regulation of cardiac remodeling caused by microgravity. Firstly, we detected the expression of WWP1 and DVL2 in the heart from mice and monkeys after simulated microgravity using western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Secondly, WWP1 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to tail suspension (TS) to simulate microgravity effect. We assessed the cardiac remodeling in morphology and function through a histological analysis and echocardiography. Finally, we detected the phosphorylation levels of CaMKII and HDAC4 in the hearts from WT and WWP1 KO mice after TS. The results revealed the increased expression of WWP1 and DVL2 in the hearts both from mice and monkeys after simulated microgravity. WWP1 deficiency alleviated simulated microgravity-induced cardiac atrophy and function decline. The histological analysis demonstrated WWP1 KO inhibited the decreases in the size of individual cardiomyocytes of mice after tail suspension. WWP1 KO can inhibit the activation of the DVL2/CaMKII/HDAC4 pathway in the hearts of mice induced by simulated microgravity. These results demonstrated WWP1 as a potential therapeutic target for cardiac remodeling and function decline induced by simulated microgravity.


2006 ◽  
Vol 281 (43) ◽  
pp. 32841-32851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian DeBosch ◽  
Nandakumar Sambandam ◽  
Carla Weinheimer ◽  
Michael Courtois ◽  
Anthony J. Muslin

The Akt family of serine-threonine kinases participates in diverse cellular processes, including the promotion of cell survival, glucose metabolism, and cellular protein synthesis. All three known Akt family members, Akt1, Akt2 and Akt3, are expressed in the myocardium, although Akt1 and Akt2 are most abundant. Previous studies demonstrated that Akt1 and Akt3 overexpression results in enhanced myocardial size and function. Yet, little is known about the role of Akt2 in modulating cardiac metabolism, survival, and growth. Here, we utilize murine models with targeted disruption of the akt2 or the akt1 genes to demonstrate that Akt2, but not Akt1, is required for insulin-stimulated 2-[3H]deoxyglucose uptake and metabolism. In contrast, akt2-/- mice displayed normal cardiac growth responses to provocative stimulation, including ligand stimulation of cultured cardiomyocytes, pressure overload by transverse aortic constriction, and myocardial infarction. However, akt2-/- mice were found to be sensitized to cardiomyocyte apoptosis in response to ischemic injury, and apoptosis was significantly increased in the peri-infarct zone of akt2-/- hearts 7 days after occlusion of the left coronary artery. These results implicate Akt2 in the regulation of cardiomyocyte metabolism and survival.


Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 138 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A Courtney ◽  
Helen N Jones

Introduction: Congenital heart defects affect approximately 1% of live births, often requiring complex surgeries at birth. The most significant risk factor for surgery survival is birthweight. Proper placental development and function is vital for normal fetal growth. We have previously demonstrated abnormal placental development and vascularization in human CHD placentas. Hand1 has roles in heart and placental development and has been implicated in multiple types of CHD including double right outlet, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and septal defects. We utilized the Hand1 A126fs/+ mouse to investigate the role of Hand1 in placentation and vascularization. Methods: Hand1 A126fs/+ female mice were time-mated with Nkx2.5cre or Cdh5cre males. Feto-placental units were harvested at E10.5 and E12.5 for histological analysis, vascular assessment by IHC for CD-31, and RNA expression by qPCR. Results: Nkx2.5cre/Hand1 a126fs/+ fetuses demonstrated embryonic lethality by E10.5 due to lack of placental labyrinth formation and vascularization (Figure 1). In contrast, ablation of Hand1 in vascular endothelium (Cdh5cre) did not disrupt placental labyrinth or heart at E12.5. Expression of VegFb, Ang1, Ang2, Flt1, Flk was reduced in Hand1 A126fs/+ ; Nkx2.5cre placentas compared to control littermates, but VegFa expression was increased. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that Hand1 expression in placental trophoblast, but not endothelium, is necessary for vascularization of the labyrinth and may disrupt multiple angiogenic factors known to be expressed in trophoblast. Alterations in Hand1 may represent a mechanism for abnormal placentation in cases of CHD. Figure 1. H/E (A-C) and CD31 (D-F) images of Hand1 +/+ (A, D), Hand1 A126fs/+ ; Nkx2.5cre (B, E), and Hand1 A126fs/+ ; Cdh5cre (C, F) placentas at day E12.5. Hand1A 126fs/+ ; Nkx2.5cre placentas fail to form labyrinth and fetal vasculature, while Hand1 A126fs/+ ; Cdh5cre placentas develop normally at this timepoint.


2020 ◽  
Vol 127 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Soichiro Usui ◽  
Shin-ichiro Takashima ◽  
Kenji Sakata ◽  
Masa-aki Kawashiri ◽  
Masayuki Takamura

Background: Hepatokine selenoprotein P (SeP) contributes to insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. Although clinical studies suggest the insulin resistance is an independent risk factor of heart failure and inhibition of SeP protects the heart from ischemia reperfusion injury, the role of SeP in pathogenesis of chronic heart failure is not well understood. Objective: We examined the role of SeP in the regulation of cardiac remodeling in response to pressure overload. Methods and Results: We measured serum SeP levels in 22 patients for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; LVEF<50%) and 22 normal subjects. Serum levels of SeP were significantly elevated in patients with HFrEF compared to in normal subjects (3.55 ± 0.43 vs 2.98 ± 0.43, p<0.01). To examine the role of SeP in cardiac remodeling, SeP knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to pressure overload (transverse aortic constriction (TAC)) for 2 weeks. The mortality rate following TAC was significantly decreased in SeP KO mice compared to WT mice (22.5 % in KO mice (n=40) vs 52.3 % in WT mice (n=39) p<0.01). LV weight/tibial length (TL) was significantly smaller in SeP KO mice than in WT mice (6.75 ± 0.24 vs 8.33 ± 0.32, p<0.01). Lung weight/TL was significantly smaller in SeP KO than in WT mice (10.46 ± 0.44 vs 16.38 ± 1.12, p<0.05). Interestingly, hepatic expression of SeP in WT was significantly increased by TAC. To determine whether hepatic overexpression of SeP affects TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy, a hydrodynamic injection method was used to generate mice that overexpress SeP mRNA in the liver. Hepatic overexpression of SeP in SeP KO mice lead to a significant increase in LV weight/TL and Lung weight/TL after TAC compared to that in other SeP KO mice. Conclusions: These results suggest that serum levels of SeP were elevated in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and cardiac pressure overload induced hepatic expression of SeP in mice model. Gene deletion of SeP attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction in response to pressure overload in mice. SeP possibly plays a pivotal role in promoting cardiac remodeling through the liver-heart axis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. R1-R13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian A Gray ◽  
Christopher I White ◽  
Raphael F P Castellan ◽  
Sara J McSweeney ◽  
Karen E Chapman

Corticosteroids influence the development and function of the heart and its response to injury and pressure overload via actions on glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid (MR) receptors. Systemic corticosteroid concentration depends largely on the activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, but glucocorticoid can also be regenerated from intrinsically inert metabolites by the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1), selectively increasing glucocorticoid levels within cells and tissues. Extensive studies have revealed the roles for glucocorticoid regeneration by 11β-HSD1 in liver, adipose, brain and other tissues, but until recently, there has been little focus on the heart. This article reviews the evidence for glucocorticoid metabolism by 11β-HSD1 in the heart and for a role of 11β-HSD1 activity in determining the myocardial growth and physiological function. We also consider the potential of 11β-HSD1 as a therapeutic target to enhance repair after myocardial infarction and to prevent the development of cardiac remodelling and heart failure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (21) ◽  
pp. 11823
Author(s):  
Elise L. Kessler ◽  
Jiong-Wei Wang ◽  
Bart Kok ◽  
Maike A. Brans ◽  
Angelique Nederlof ◽  
...  

Involvement of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in maladaptive cardiac remodeling and heart failure (HF) upon pressure overload has been studied extensively, but less is known about the role of TLR2. Interplay and redundancy of TLR4 with TLR2 have been reported in other organs but were not investigated during cardiac dysfunction. We explored whether TLR2 deficiency leads to less adverse cardiac remodeling upon chronic pressure overload and whether TLR2 and TLR4 additively contribute to this. We subjected 35 male C57BL/6J mice (wildtype (WT) or TLR2 knockout (KO)) to sham or transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery. After 12 weeks, echocardiography and electrocardiography were performed, and hearts were extracted for molecular and histological analysis. TLR2 deficiency (n = 14) was confirmed in all KO mice by PCR and resulted in less hypertrophy (heart weight to tibia length ratio (HW/TL), smaller cross-sectional cardiomyocyte area and decreased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) mRNA expression, p < 0.05), increased contractility (QRS and QTc, p < 0.05), and less inflammation (e.g., interleukins 6 and 1β, p < 0.05) after TAC compared to WT animals (n = 11). Even though TLR2 KO TAC animals presented with lower levels of ventricular TLR4 mRNA than WT TAC animals (13.2 ± 0.8 vs. 16.6 ± 0.7 mg/mm, p < 0.01), TLR4 mRNA expression was increased in animals with the largest ventricular mass, highest hypertrophy, and lowest ejection fraction, leading to two distinct groups of TLR2 KO TAC animals with variations in cardiac remodeling. This variation, however, was not seen in WT TAC animals even though heart weight/tibia length correlated with expression of TLR4 in these animals (r = 0.078, p = 0.005). Our data suggest that TLR2 deficiency exacerbates adverse cardiac remodeling and that ventricular TLR2 and TLR4 additively contribute to adverse cardiac remodeling during chronic pressure overload. Therefore, both TLRs may be therapeutic targets to prevent or interfere in the underlying molecular processes.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shungo Hikoso ◽  
Kinya Otsu ◽  
Osamu Yamaguchi ◽  
Toshihiro Takeda ◽  
Masayuki Taniike ◽  
...  

Objectives: We have previously reported that NF-κB contributes to GPCR agonist-induced hypertrophy in cultured cardiomyocytes. However, the in vivo role of this pathway in the pathogenesis of cardiac remodeling remains to be elucidated. Although IκB kinase β (IKKβ)/NF-κB pathway is a major negative regulator of cell death, it can sensitize cells to death-inducing stimuli in some instances, thus it can be either anti- or pro-apoptotic. In this study, we aimed to clarify the role of IKKβ/NF-κB signaling in cardiac remodeling using cardiac-specific IKKβ deficient mice. Methods and Results: We crossed mice bearing an IKK β flox allele with mice expressing the Cre recombinase under the control of the myosin light chain 2v promoter ( MLC2v-Cre +/− ) to generate IKK β flox/flox ; MLC2v-Cre +/− mice (conditional knockout:CKO). Then, CKO mice (n=14) and control littermates bearing IKK β flox/flox (CTRL, n=14) were subjected to pressure overload by means of transverse aortic constriction (TAC). EMSA analysis revealed NF-κB DNA binding activity after TAC had attenuated in CKO hearts. One week after TAC, echocardiography showed significantly lower left ventricular fractional shortening (26.9±2.7% vs. 41.4±0.9%, p<0.01), and higher left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (4.02±0.14 mm vs. 3.47±0.08 mm, p<0.01) and lung weight/body weight ratio (11.1±1.4 vs. 5.5±0.1, p<0.01) in CKO mice compared with CTRL mice, indicating the development of heart failure in CKO mice. Number of apoptotic cells had increased in CKO hearts after TAC, suggesting that the enhanced apoptosis is a cause for heart failure. The expression levels of MnSOD mRNA and protein after TAC, which is one of NF-κB target genes, were significantly lower in CKO than those in CTRL mice. As a consequence, oxidative stress and JNK activation in CKO hearts after TAC had significantly increased compared with those in CTRL heart, suggesting that increased oxidative stress and enhanced JNK activity resulted in cardiomyocyte apoptosis in CKO hearts. Conclusion: These results show that IKKβ/NF-κB pathway in cardiomyocyte plays a protective role mediated through attenuation of oxidative stress and JNK activation in response to pressure overload.


2017 ◽  
Vol 313 (2) ◽  
pp. H304-H319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuejun Wang ◽  
Taixing Cui

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process used by the cell to degrade cytoplasmic contents for quality control, survival for temporal energy crisis, and catabolism and recycling. Rapidly increasing evidence has revealed an important pathogenic role of altered activity of the autophagosome-lysosome pathway (ALP) in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Although an early study suggested that cardiac autophagy is increased and that this increase is maladaptive to the heart subject to pressure overload, more recent reports have overwhelmingly supported that myocardial ALP insufficiency results from chronic pressure overload and contributes to maladaptive cardiac remodeling and heart failure. This review examines multiple lines of preclinical evidence derived from recent studies regarding the role of autophagic dysfunction in pressure-overloaded hearts, attempts to reconcile the discrepancies, and proposes that resuming or improving ALP flux through coordinated enhancement of both the formation and the removal of autophagosomes would benefit the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure resulting from chronic pressure overload.


2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna Teja Nagalla ◽  
Mario A Claudino ◽  
Jason D Gardner ◽  
David B Murray

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document