Prostaglandin F2 alpha induces cardiac myocyte hypertrophy in vitro and cardiac growth in vivo

1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (6) ◽  
pp. H2197-H2208 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Lai ◽  
H. Jin ◽  
R. Yang ◽  
J. Winer ◽  
W. Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Cardiac Myocyte ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Chronic Administration ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Myocyte Hypertrophy ◽  
Cardiac Myocyte Hypertrophy

Several prostaglandins [prostaglandin (PG) A2, -B2, -D2, -E2, -F2 alpha, and -I2 and carbaprostacyclin] and the thromboxane analogue U-46619 were analyzed for the ability to induce hypertrophy of rat neonatal cardiac ventricular myocytes. Myocyte hypertrophy was induced specifically by PGF2 alpha. Myocytes exposed to this prostanoid in culture increased in size and protein content. The contractile fibrils within the cells became organized into parallel arrays, and the cells tended to cluster and beat spontaneously. PGF2 alpha also induced the expression of c-fos, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), and alpha-skeletal actin in these cells. The effects of PGF2 alpha were compared with several known cardiac myocyte hypertrophy factors (phenylephrine, endothelin-1, leukemia inhibitory factor, cardiotrophin-1, and angiotensin II). PGF2 alpha was found to be intermediate in potency among the factors but induced a level of ANF production that was approximately 10-fold higher than any of the other effectors. Responsiveness to PGF2 alpha was not limited to neonatal cardiocytes. Ventricular myocytes isolated from adult rats also responded specifically to PGF2 alpha with a morphological change similar to that observed with phenylephrine and by producing ANF. In rats, chronic administration of fluprostenol, a potent agonist analogue of PGF2 alpha, resulted in a dose-dependent increase in heart weight- and ventricular weight-to-body weight ratios. The amount of PGF2 alpha extractable from the hearts of rats with cardiac hypertrophy induced by myocardial infarction was also found to be greater than that in sham-operated control rats. These results indicate that PGF2 alpha may play an important role in inducing cardiac hypertrophy.

Abstract 159: Cardiac Hypertrophy and Sudden Death in a Mouse Model of STIM1 Overexpression

2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjeewa A Goonasekera ◽  
Jop van Berlo ◽  
Adam R Burr ◽  
Robert N Correll ◽  
Allen J York ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Interstitial Fibrosis ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Activated T Cells ◽  
Lung Weight ◽  
Tibia Length

Background: STIM1, an ER/SR resident Ca 2+ sensing protein regulates Ca 2+ entry following internal Ca 2+ store depletion in a broad range of tissues and cell types. However their putative roles in excitable tissue such as cardiac myocytes is uncertain. Results: Here we generated a mouse model of STIM1 overexpression in cardiac and skeletal muscle. Western blot analysis suggested approximately 4-6 fold STIM1 overexpression in Tg mouse hearts compared to Ntg littermates. Immunocytochemistry carried out in ventricular myocytes revealed that STIM1 and the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) co-localize. Functionally, the amplitude of Ca 2+ entry following SR Ca 2+ depletion was 2-fold greater in myocytes isolated from STIM1 Tg mice compared to NTg littermates. Echocardiographic analysis in STIM1 Tg mice showed age dependent remodeling of the myocardium with a significant decrease in fractional shortening at 16 weeks of age (14.4.5±3.8 in STIM1 Tg vs. 36.9±1.5 in Ntg). These changes were accompanied by a significant increase in heart weight to tibia length (13.6 +/- 1.4 vs 6.5 +/- 0.24) and increased lung weight to tibia length ratio (11.6+/- 2.1 vs 8.1 +/- 0.38) in STIM1 Tg mice compared to Ntg littermates. Photometry experiments in isolated ventricular myocytes demonstrated significantly increased Ca 2+ transient amplitude with an unexpected decrease in the SR Ca 2+ load associated with STIM1 overexpression. In addition transgenic mice showed increased calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) activation in vivo, increased CaMKII activity, interstitial fibrosis and exaggerated hypertrophy following two weeks of neuroendocrine agonist or pressure overload stimulation. Conclusion: Our observations suggest that STIM1 overexpression by itself can lead to cardiac hypertrophy and contribute to pathological cardiac remodeling and possibly sudden cardiac death. The molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena are currently under investigation.

scholarly journals Allylmethylsulfide, a Sulfur Compound Derived from Garlic, Attenuates Isoproterenol-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy in Rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Soheb Anwar Mohammed ◽  
Bugga Paramesha ◽  
Yashwant Kumar ◽  
Ubaid Tariq ◽  
Sudheer Kumar Arava ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Chronic Administration ◽  
The Body ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Serum Biochemical ◽  
Enalapril Treatment ◽  
Histopathological Investigation

Allylmethylsulfide (AMS) is a novel sulfur metabolite found in the garlic-fed serum of humans and animals. In the present study, we have observed that AMS is safe on chronic administration and has a potential antihypertrophic effect. Chronic administration of AMS for 30 days did not cause any significant differences in the body weight, electrocardiogram, food intake, serum biochemical parameters, and histopathology of vital organs. Single-dose pharmacokinetics of AMS suggests that AMS is rapidly metabolized into Allylmethylsulfoxide (AMSO) and Allylmethylsulfone (AMSO2). To evaluate the efficacy of AMS, cardiac hypertrophy was induced by subcutaneous implantation of ALZET® osmotic minipump containing isoproterenol (~5 mg/kg/day), cotreated with AMS (25 and 50 mg/kg/day) and enalapril (10 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. AMS and enalapril significantly reduced cardiac hypertrophy as studied by the heart weight to body weight ratio and mRNA expression of fetal genes (ANP and β-MHC). We have observed that TBARS, a parameter of lipid peroxidation, was reduced and the antioxidant enzymes (glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) were improved in the AMS and enalapril-cotreated hypertrophic hearts. The extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP2 and MMP9) were significantly upregulated in the diseased hearts; however, with the AMS and enalapril, it was preserved. Similarly, caspases 3, 7, and 9 were upregulated in hypertrophic hearts, and with the AMS and enalapril treatment, they were reduced. Further to corroborate this finding with in vitro data, we have checked the nuclear expression of caspase 3/7 in the H9c2 cells treated with isoproterenol and observed that AMS cotreatment reduced it significantly. Histopathological investigation of myocardium suggests AMS and enalapril treatment reduced fibrosis in hypertrophied hearts. Based on our experimental results, we conclude that AMS, an active metabolite of garlic, could reduce isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis, and stabilizing ECM components.

Gene expression changes associated with fibronectin-induced cardiac myocyte hypertrophy

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Chen ◽  
Xueyin N. Huang ◽  
Alexandre F. R. Stewart ◽  
Jorge L. Sepulveda
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cardiac Myocytes ◽  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Cardiac Myocyte ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Protein ◽  
Myocyte Hypertrophy ◽  
Cardiac Myocyte Hypertrophy

Fibronectin (FN) is an extracellular matrix protein that binds to integrin receptors and couples cardiac myocytes to the basal lamina. Cardiac FN expression is elevated in models of pressure overload, and FN causes cultured cardiac myocytes to hypertrophy by a mechanism that has not been characterized in detail. In this study, we analyzed the gene expression changes induced by FN in purified rat neonatal ventricular myocytes using the Affymetrix RAE230A microarray, to understand how FN affects gene expression in cardiac myocytes and to separate the effects contributed by cardiac nonmyocytes in vivo. Pathway analysis using z-score statistics and comparison with a mouse model of cardiac hypertrophy revealed several pathways stimulated by FN in cardiac myocytes. In addition to the known cardiac myocyte hypertrophy markers, FN significantly induced metabolic pathways including virtually all of the enzymes of cholesterol biosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis, and the mitochondrial electron transport chain. FN also increased the expression of genes coding for ribosomal proteins, translation factors, and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Interestingly, cardiac myocytes plated on FN showed elevated expression of the fibrosis-promoting peptides connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), WNT1 inducible signaling pathway protein 2 (WISP2), and secreted acidic cysteine-rich glycoprotein (SPARC). Our data complement in vivo studies and reveal several novel genes and pathways stimulated by FN, pointing to cardiac myocyte-specific mechanisms that lead to development of the hypertrophic phenotype.

scholarly journals Musa balbisiana Fruit Rich in Polyphenols Attenuates Isoproterenol-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy in Rats via Inhibition of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Sima Kumari ◽  
Parmeshwar B. Katare ◽  
R. Elancheran ◽  
Hina L. Nizami ◽  
Bugga Paramesha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Subcutaneous Administration ◽  
Cardioprotective Effect ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Fruit Pulp ◽  
Musa Balbisiana ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Musa balbisiana Colla (Family: Musaceae), commonly known as banana and native to India and other parts of Asia, is very rich in nutritional value and has strong antioxidant potential. In the present study, we have developed Musa balbisiana (MB) fruit pulp powder and evaluated its cardioprotective effect in cardiac hypertrophy, which is often associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. An ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS) has been used for the detection and systematic characterization of the phenolic compounds present in Musa balbisiana fruit pulp. The cardioprotective effect of MB was evaluated in a rat model of isoproterenol- (ISO-) induced cardiac hypertrophy by subcutaneous administration of isoproterenol (5 mg/kg-1/day-1), delivered through an alzet minipump for 14 days. Oral administration of MB fruit pulp powder (200 mg/kg/day) significantly (p<0.001) decreased heart weight/tail length ratio and cardiac hypertrophy markers like ANP, BNP, β-MHC, and collagen-1 gene expression. MB also attenuated ISO-induced cardiac inflammation and oxidative stress. The in vivo data were further confirmed in vitro in H9c2 cells where the antihypertrophic and anti-inflammatory effect of the aqueous extract of MB was observed in the presence of ISO and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), respectively. This study strongly suggests that supplementation of dried Musa balbisiana fruit powder can be useful for the prevention of cardiac hypertrophy via the inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Abstract 20118: Defining the Sufficiency of Atg7 to Suppress Phenylephrine-induced Cardiac Hypertrophy

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Tjeerdsma ◽  
Levi Froke ◽  
Jessica Freeling ◽  
Scott Pattison
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Cardiac Function ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Autophagic Flux ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Hypertrophic Growth ◽  
Fractional Shortening

Introduction: Macroautophagy is a process of bulk protein degradation. Our prior work showed that Atg7 expression is sufficient to induce autophagic flux in vitro and in vivo . When Atg7 was co-expressed with CryAB R120G in the heart, cardiac hypertrophy was blunted in heart weight/body weight ratios and fetal gene expression markers. To determine if Atg7 expression is sufficient to limit hypertrophic growth in another model, we tested the effects of Atg7 overexpression with phenylephrine-induced hypertrophy both in vitro and in vivo . Hypothesis: Atg7 will blunt the hypertrophic effects of phenylephrine. Methods: Rat neonatal cardiomyocytes were infected with adenoviruses expressing either LacZ or Atg7 and treated with phenylephrine to induce cardiomyocytes hypertrophy. Osmotic pumps were surgically implanted into control mice and mice with cardiac-specific expression of Atg7 to infuse phenylephrine (PE) or vehicle (saline) for four weeks. Results: PE treatment significantly increased neonatal cardiomyocyte areas in LacZ-expressing cells, while Atg7-expressing cardiomyocytes showed no growth. In mice, all genotypes responded to PE treatment with significantly increased heart weight/body weight ratios and increased fiber size. However, Atg7-expressing hearts differed significantly from control hearts in normalized heart mass following PE delivery. Vehicle treated Atg7-expressing hearts had 17% smaller myofiber cross-sectional areas than those from control genotypes and had a reduced hypertrophic response to PE, relative to controls. Echocardiography showed that Atg7-expressing hearts had significantly elevated cardiac function (% fractional shortening) prior to and throughout the experiment over control hearts (33% vs. 29%). PE significantly increased fractional shortening) from 29% to 36% in control hearts, but failed to significantly elevate cardiac function in Atg7-expressing hearts further (33% vs 35%). Additional assays are underway to understand the Atg7-dependent adaptations to PE. Conclusion: Atg7 expression yields modestly smaller hearts with enhanced cardiac function which may protect them from hypertrophic stresses like phenylephrine.

Abstract 104: Protein Kinase GIα Functions in the Cardiac Myocyte as a Tonic Inhibitor of Pathologic Cardiac Hypertrophy In Vivo

2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M Blanton ◽  
James P Mendoza ◽  
Mark Aronovitz ◽  
David A Kass ◽  
Michael E Mendelsohn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Cardiac Myocyte ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lv Remodeling ◽  
Exon 1 ◽  
Tibia Length ◽  
Pathologic Cardiac Hypertrophy

Objectives: We and others previously demonstrated that activation of the NO-cGMP-Protein Kinase G (PKG) pathway inhibits cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling in vivo. However, it remains untested whether PKG specifically in the cardiac myocyte (CM) mediates these effects. We therefore tested the hypothesis that PKGIα inhibits pathologic cardiac hypertrophy through a specific role in the CM. Methods and Results: We created and characterized mice with CM-restricted excision of PKGIα. Mice were generated in which the PKGI exon 1 (specific for the Iα isoform) was flanked by loxP sites. We crossed these PKGIα fl/fl mice with αMHC-Cre mice which constitutively express Cre recombinase selectively in the CM. The resultant PKGIα fl/fl / αMHC-Cre+/- mice were compared with PKGIα fl/fl / αMHC-Cre-/- littermate controls (termed PKG CMKO and Ctrl, respectively). By age 3 months (n=5 per genotype), male PKG CMKO mice developed atrial and LV hypertrophy compared with Ctrl littermates PKG CMKO atrial weight/tibia length 0.33 ± 0.03 mg/mm vs 0.22 ± .01 in Ctrl, P <0.05; PKG CMKO LV/TL 5.0 ± 0.2 mg/mm vs 4.1 ± 0.4 in Ctrl, P <0.05). LV CM cross sectional area also increased in the 3 month old PKG CMKO mice (9445 ± 282 pixels PKG CMKO vs 8273 ± 213 in Ctrl, n>400 cells/genotype, 5 hearts per genotype; P <0.001). The systolic index end systolic elastance was decreased in 3 month old PKG CMKO mice (PKG CMKO 3.1 ± 0.4 mmHg/μ l vs 6.1 ± 1.0 in Ctrl-; P <0.05). Importantly, blood pressure did not differ between genotypes. By age 6 months, PKG CMKO mice developed early mortality (3 of 4 PKG CMKO males died at 6 months of age vs 0 of 4 Ctrl males). Total heart and atrial weights of male mice (n=3 PKG CMKO , 4 Ctrl) increased in PKG CMKO mice (heart weight/tibia length 10.8 ± 1.7 mg/mm in PKG CMKO vs 7.1 ± 0.6 in Ctrl; P <0.05; atrial weight/tibia length 2.3 ± 1.1 mg/mm in PKG CMKO vs 0.30 ± 0.1 Ctrl, P <0.05). LV fractional shortening percentage, recorded at 6 months age, trended lower in the PKG CMKO mice as well (35 ± 3% PKG CMKO vs 44 ± 4% Ctrl, P 0.09). Conclusions: These data provide the first evidence that PKGIα functions in the CM as a tonic inhibitor of age-dependent pathologic hypertrophy, supporting further study of PKGIα as a therapeutic target in the prevention and treatment of LV remodeling and congestive heart failure.

Abstract P141: Cardiac TRH Partly Mediates Angiotensin II-induced Fibrotic and Hypertrophy Effects in "in vivo" and "in vitro" Models

Hypertension ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia I García ◽  
Ludmila S Peres Diaz ◽  
Maia Aisicovich ◽  
Mariano L Schuman ◽  
María S Landa
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Saline Control ◽  
Control Group

Cardiac TRH (cTRH) is overexpressed in the hypertrophied ventricle (LV) of the SHR. Additionally in vivo siRNA-TRH treatment induced downregulation of LV-TRH preventing cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis demonstrating that TRH is involved in hypertrophic and fibrotic processes. Moreover, in a normal heart, the increase of LV TRH expression alone could induce structural changes where fibrosis and hypertrophy could be involved, independently of any other system alterations. Is well-known the cardiac hypertrophy/ fibrotic effects induced by AII, raising the question of whether specific LV cTRH inhibition might attenuates AII induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice. We challenged C57 mice with AII (osmotic pumps,14 days; 2 mg/kg) to induce cardiac hypertrophy vs saline. Groups were divided and , simultaneously to pump surgery, injected intracardiac with siRNA-TRH and siRNA-Con as its control. Body weight, water consume and SABP were measured daily. As expected, AII significantly increased SABP (p<0.05) in both groups treated , although cardiac hypertrophy (heart weight/body weight) was only evident in the group with the cardiac TRH system undamaged, suggesting that the cardiac TRH system function as a necessary mediator of the AII-induced hypertrophic effect. As hypothesized, we found an AII-induced increase of TRH (p<0.05) gene expression (real-t PCR) confirmed by immunofluorescence that was not observed in the group AII+siRNA-TRH demonstrating the specific siRNA treatment efficiency. Furthermore, AII significantly increase (p<0.05) BNP (hypertrophic marker), III collagen and TGFB (fibrosis markers) expressions only in the group with AII with the cardiac TRH system intact. On the contrary, the group with AII and the cTRH system inhibited, shows genes expressions similar to the saline control group. We confirmed these results by immunofluorescence. Similar fibrotic results were observed with NIH3T3 cell culture where we demonstrated that AII induced TRH gene expression (p<0.05) and its inhibition impedes AII-induced increase of TGFB and III/I collagens expressions telling us about the role of the cTRH in the AII fibrosis effects. Our results point out that the cardiac TRH is involved in the AII-induced hypertrophic and fibrotic effects.

Abstract 1828: Dyxin/Lmcd1 Mediates Cardiac Hypertrophy Both In Vitro And In Vivo

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Derk Frank ◽  
Robert Frauen ◽  
Christiane Hanselmann ◽  
Christian Kuhn ◽  
Rainer Will ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Rat Cardiomyocytes ◽  
A Genome

In order to identify new molecular mediators of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, we performed a genome wide mRNA microarray screen of biomechanically stretched neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCM). We found the novel sarcomeric LIM protein Dyxin/Lmcd1 being significantly upregulated (5.6x, p<0.001). Moreover, Dyxin was also significantly induced in several mouse models of myocardial hypertrophy including aortic banding, calcineurin overexpression and angiotensin stimulation, suggesting a potential role as a mediator of cardiac hypertrophy. To further test this hypothesis, we adenovirally overexpressed Dyxin in NRCM which potently induced cellular hypertrophy (150%, p<0.001) and the hypertrophic gene program (ANF, BNP). Consistent with an induction of calcineurin signalling, the calcineurin-responsive gene Rcan1– 4 (MCIP1.4) was found significantly upregulated (3.2x, p<0.001). Conversely, knockdown of Dyxin (−75% on protein level) via miRNA completely blunted the hypertrophic response to hypertrophic stimuli, including stretch and PE (both p<0.001). Furthermore, PE-mediated activation of calcineurin signaling (Upregulation of Rcan1– 4 by 7.3x, p<0.001) was completely blocked by knockdown of Dyxin. To confirm these results in vivo, we next generated transgenic mice with cardiac-restricted overexpression of Dyxin using the α -MHC promoter. Despite normal cardiac function as assessed by echocardiography, adult transgenic mice displayed significant cardiac hypertrophy in morphometrical analyses (3.9 vs. 3.5 mg/g LV/heart weight, n=8–11, p<0.05). This finding was supplemented by a robust induction of the hypertrophic gene program including ANF (3.7-fold, n=6, p=0.01) and α -skeletal actin (2.8-fold, n=6, p<0.05). Likewise, Rcan1– 4 was found upregulated (+112%, n=5, p<0.05), Taken together, we show that the novel sarcomeric z-disc protein Dyxin/Lmcd1 is significantly upregulated in several models of cardiac hypertrophy and potently induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, Lmcd1/Dyxin appears to signal through the calcineurin pathway.

Cardiac fibroblasts produce leukemia inhibitory factor and endothelin, which combine to induce cardiac myocyte hypertrophy in vitro

Endocrine ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen L. King ◽  
Jadine Lai ◽  
Jane Winer ◽  
Elizabeth Luis ◽  
Randy Yen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Cardiac Myocyte ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Myocyte Hypertrophy ◽  
Cardiac Myocyte Hypertrophy

Blockade of MyD88 attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and decreases cardiac myocyte apoptosis in pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy in vivo

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (3) ◽  
pp. H985-H994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuanzhu Ha ◽  
Fang Hua ◽  
Yuehua Li ◽  
Jing Ma ◽  
Xiang Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Cardiac Function ◽  
Cardiac Myocyte ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Aortic Banding ◽  
Myocyte Apoptosis ◽  
Cardiac Myocyte Apoptosis

In this study, we evaluated whether blocking myeloid differentiation factor-88 (MyD88) could decrease cardiac myocyte apoptosis following pressure overload. Adenovirus expressing dominant negative MyD88 (Ad5-dnMyD88) or Ad5-green fluorescent protein (GFP) (Ad5-GFP) was transfected into rat hearts ( n = 8/group) immediately followed by aortic banding for 3 wk. One group of rats ( n = 8) was subjected to aortic banding for 3 wk without transfection. Sham surgical operation ( n = 8) served as control. The ratios of heart weight to body weight (HW/BW) and heart weight to tibia length (HW/TL) were calculated. Cardiomyocyte size was examined by FITC-labeled wheat germ agglutinin staining of membranes. Cardiac myocyte apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay, and myocardial interstitial fibrosis was examined by Masson's Trichrome staining. Aortic banding significantly increased the HW/BW by 41.0% (0.44 ± 0.013 vs. 0.31 ± 0.008), HW/TL by 47.2% (42.7 ± 1.30 vs. 29.0 ± 0.69), cardiac myocyte size by 49.6%, and cardiac myocyte apoptosis by 11.5%, and myocardial fibrosis and decreased cardiac function compared with sham controls. Transfection of Ad5-dnMyD88 significantly reduced the HW/BW by 18.2% (0.36 ± 0.006 vs. 0.44 ± 0.013) and HW/TL by 22.3% (33.2 ± 0.95 vs. 42.7 ± 1.30) and decreased cardiomyocyte size by 56.8%, cardiac myocyte apoptosis by 76.2%, as well as fibrosis, and improved cardiac function compared with aortic-banded group. Our results suggest that MyD88 is an important component in the Toll-like receptor-4-mediated nuclear factor-κB activation pathway that contributes to the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Blockade of MyD88 significantly reduced cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac myocyte apoptosis, and improved cardiac function in vivo.

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