scholarly journals Cardiomyocyte Derived miR-328 Promotes Cardiac Fibrosis by Paracrinely Regulating Adjacent Fibroblasts

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 1555-1565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dandan Zhao ◽  
Cui Li ◽  
He Yan ◽  
Tianyu Li ◽  
Ming Qian ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: In our previous study, we demonstrated that elevated expression of miR-328 is a potent determinant of cardiac fibrosis during myocardial infarction (MI). In the present study, histological examination revealed progressive fibrosis in transgenic mice overexpressing cardiomyocyte-specific miR-328. This study investigated whether the transfer of miR-328 from cardiomyocytes (CMs) to cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) in a paracrine manner contributes to myocardial fibrosis. Methods: Myocardial infarction was established by the occlusion of the left coronary artery. Masson’s trichrome staining and collagen assays were used to evaluate the progression of fibrosis. The vesicles and translocation of miR-328 in a co-culture assay system were respectively observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunofluorescence staining (IF). Real-time PCR was employed to detect the level of miR-328, Col1α1 and Col3α1. The protein expression of Col1α1, TGF-βRIII, p-smad2/3 (phosphorylated-smad2/3) and TGF-β1 were probed using western blot analysis. Results: Cardiomyocyte-specific miR-328 overexpressing transgenic (TG) mice showed enhanced collagen deposition and provoked cardiac fibrosis by the activation of the TGF-β1 pathway, and this effect was abrogated after knockdown of endogenous miR-328 in mice. Correspondingly, the expression of miR-328 was increased in CFs co-cultured with CMs transfected with miR-328 mimics, likely in a paracrine manner. The cardiomyocyte-mediated augmentation of miR-328 contributes to fibrogenesis in CFs, and this pro-fibrotic effect was reversed after the transfection of miR-328 inhibitor in CFs. Conclusion: A novel molecular mechanism for miR-328 derived from CMs as a paracrine signaling mediator of cardiac fibrogenesis further demonstrates that miR-328 is a potential therapeutic target.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bihui Luo ◽  
Zhiyu He ◽  
Shijun Huang ◽  
Jinping Wang ◽  
Dunzheng Han ◽  
...  

Rationale: Cardiac fibrosis is observed in nearly every form of myocardial disease. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play an important role in cardiac fibrosis, but the detailed molecular mechanism remains unknown.Object: We aimed at characterizing lncRNA 554 expression in murine cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) after myocardial infarction (MI) to identify CF-enriched lncRNA and investigate its function and contribution to cardiac fibrosis and function.Methods and Results: In this study, we identified lncRNA NONMMUT022554 (lncRNA 554) as a regulator of MI-induced cardiac fibrosis. We found that lncRNA 554 was significantly up-regulated in the mouse hearts following MI. Further study showed that lncRNA 554 was predominantly expressed in cardiac fibroblasts, indicating a potential role of lncRNA 554 in cardiac fibrosis. In vitro knockdown of lncRNA 554 by siRNA suppressed fibroblasts migration and expression of extracellular matrix (ECM); while overexpression of lncRNA 554 promoted expression of ECM genes. Consistently, lentivirus mediated in vivo knockdown of lncRNA 554 could inhibit cardiac fibrosis and improve cardiac function in mouse model of MI. More importantly, TGF-β1 inhibitor (TEW-7197) could reverse the pro-fibrotic function of lncRNA 554 in CFs. This suggests that the effects of lncRNA 554 on cardiac fibrosis is TGF-β1 dependent.Conclusion: Collectively, our study illustrated the role of lncRNA 554 in cardiac fibrosis, suggested that lncRNA 554 might be a novel target for cardiac fibrosis.



2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krista L Filomeno ◽  
Sunil G Rattan ◽  
Sheri Bage ◽  
Matthew Zeglinski ◽  
Michael P Czubryt ◽  
...  

Introduction: Coronary heart disease is causal to myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiac fibrosis. Upon ischemic myocardial injury, resident cardiac fibroblasts phenoconvert to myofibroblasts and synthesize large amounts of fibrillar collagens to produce scar tissue. Although the myofibroblast numbers are reduced in the infarct scar following the completion of wound healing, a sub-population of cells persist in the wounded area, leading to maladaptive chronic remodeling of the scar area and eventually the non-infarcted myocardium. Ski has been identified as a repressor of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway, attenuating the myofibroblast phenotype and its functional properties. Scleraxis has been implicated in canonical TGF-β1 signaling to promote collagen1α2 expression. We investigated how Ski and Scleraxis contribute to physiological and pathological wound healing in vivo. Methods: The study was carried out using 64 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was ligated to induce a myocardial infarction. Control (sham) operated animals underwent surgery without ligation of the LAD artery. Animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-MI and tissue collected for Western blot and qPCR studies. Results: Scleraxis mRNA expression remained at baseline at 2 and 8 weeks post-MI, but was significantly increased 4 weeks post-MI. Scleraxis protein expression was down-regulated within the scar area of infarcted hearts when compared to control samples 2 and 4 weeks post-MI. Ski mRNA expression was up-regulated within the scar area of infarcted hearts 2, 4 and 8 weeks after infarction. Conclusions: Scleraxis protein is down-regulated in myofibroblasts of the infarct scar in the chronic stages of myocardial infarction, corresponding to the maturation of the scar. At these stages of wound healing, we have previously published that Ski is up-regulated in the cytosol of these same cells. We suggest reciprocal feedback in the expression of these two proteins exists in myofibroblasts in the infarct scar. We hope to learn more about the Ski/Scleraxis feedback loop in pathological wound healing to identify novel therapeutic targets.



2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongliang Xue ◽  
Xuefang Fan ◽  
Ruobing Yang ◽  
Yuanyuan Jiao ◽  
Yang Li

Abstract Background: Cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of heart deterioration. Recently, the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in various cardiovascular diseases associated with cardiac fibrosis have been extensively investigated. The present study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of miR-29b-3p in cardiac fibrosis after MI. Methods: miR-29b-3p expression in TGF-β1-activated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) was detected by qRT-PCR. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Trans-well assays were performed to evaluate CFs proliferation and migration ability, respectively. Protein expressions of α-SMA, collagen I, collagen III, MMP2, and MMP9 were examined by Western blot assay. Bioinformatics, luciferase, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were carried out to determine whether FOS was targeted by miR-29b-3p. Results: TGF-β1 treatment dose-dependently curbed miR-29b-3p expression in CFs. miR-29b-3p restrained the promotive impacts of TGF-β1 on CFs proliferation, migration, and differentiation. FOS was affirmed to be a target of miR-29b-3p, elevated expression of FOS reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-29b-3p on cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation in TGF-β1-activated CFs. Conclusion: miR-29b-3p degraded the pro-fibrosis effect induced by TGF-β1 via targeting FOS, providing a prospective therapeutic avenue for cardiac fibrosis after MI.



Hypertension ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilyara Lauer ◽  
Svetlana Slavic ◽  
Manuela Sommerfeld ◽  
Christa Thöne-Reineke ◽  
Yuliya Sharkovska ◽  
...  

Aims: A selective nonpeptide agonist for the angiotensin AT2 receptor compound 21 (C21) improved cardiac functions 7 days after myocardial infarction (MI). Here, we aimed to investigate what are the cellular mechanisms underlying cardiac protection in the late stage after MI. Methods and Results: MI was induced in Wistar rats by permanent ligation of the left coronary artery. Treatment with C21 (0.03mg/kg i.p. daily) started 6h after MI and continued for 6 weeks. Hemodynamic parameters were measured via transthoracic Doppler echocardiography and intracardiac Samba catheter. The expression of MMP9, TIMP1, TGF-β1 and collagen content were determined in left ventricle. Anti-proteolytic effects were additionally studied in primary cardiac fibroblasts. C21 significantly improved systolic and diastolic function 6 weeks after MI in comparison with the vehicle group as shown by ejection fraction (71.2±4.7 % vs. 53.4±7.0%; p<0.001), fractional shortening (40.8±2.3% vs. 30.9±3.1%; p<0.05), LVIDs (4.4±0.5mm vs. 5.2±0.8mm; p<0.05), LV EDP (16.9±1.2mmHg vs. 22.1±1.4mmHg; p<0.05), E/A ratio, dP/dt max and dP/dt min (p<0.05). Moreover, C21 improved arterial stiffness parameter (AIx) (18±1.2% vs. 25%±1.8, p<0.05) and reduced collagen content (15%; p<0.05) in postinfarcted myocardium. TIMP1 protein expression in the left ventricle was strongly up-regulated (17.7-fold; p<0.05) whereas MMP9 and TGF-β1 were significantly down-regulated (1.5-fold, p<0.05; 3.4-fold p<0.001, respectively) in the treated group. In cardiac fibroblasts, C21 primarily induced TIMP1 expression followed by attenuated MMP9 secretion and TGF-β1 down-regulation. Conclusion: C21 improves heart function in the late stage after MI and prevents cardiac remodeling. Activation of TIMP1 and subsequent inhibition of MMP9-mediated proteolysis as well as down-regulation of TGF-β1 followed by decreased collagen accumulation may attenuate disintegration of the extracellular matrix and reduce fibrosis.



2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Gao ◽  
Lauren D Black

Cardiac fibrosis following myocardial infarction (MI) leads to reduced cardiac function, and contributes to heart failure and mortality. Recent studies shown the extent of adverse remodeling may be mitigated by therapeutic strategies which regulate cardiac fibroblast mediated-remodeling. Since cross-linking by lysyl oxidase (LOX) increases following MI and alters the mechanical properties of the infarct, it is critical to characterize how its expression is regulated by CFs post-MI. While LOX expression is attributable to TGF-β1 signaling, we hypothesize that changes in the stiffness and composition of the ECM can also alter LOX expression via integrin-mediated signaling. To investigate this, we isolated CFs from healthy left ventricle (LV) and infarcted cardiac fibroblasts (ICFs) from 1 week post-MI LV and cultured them on tissue culture plastic (TCP) and collagen I-coated plates (COL) in serum-free media for 48 hours to assess the expression of genes associated with LOX signaling, fibrosis, and myofibroblast activation. Our results show an upregulation of LOX gene expression in both CFs and ICFs when cultured on COL and this is further emphasized with the presence of TGF-β1 (Fig. 1A). Gene expression of col1α1, integrin β1 subunit and αSMA (Fig. 1B-D) also exhibit similar upregulation. Ongoing studies will investigate how altered substrate stiffness and composition affect gene expression of LOX and other genes associated with fibrosis. By understanding the effect of the physical microenvironment on the expression of fibrotic genes including LOX, we aim to develop novel therapeutic strategies to attenuate cardiac fibrosis and thus improve cardiac recovery following MI.



Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
pp. 513-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin J. Morine ◽  
Xiaoying Qiao ◽  
Sam York ◽  
Peter S. Natov ◽  
Vikram Paruchuri ◽  
...  

Background: Heart failure is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1) promotes cardiac fibrosis, but also activates counterregulatory pathways that serve to regulate TGF-β1 activity in heart failure. Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) is a member of the TGFβ family of cytokines and signals via the downstream effector protein Smad1. Endoglin is a TGFβ coreceptor that promotes TGF-β1 signaling via Smad3 and binds BMP9 with high affinity. We hypothesized that BMP9 limits cardiac fibrosis by activating Smad1 and attenuating Smad3, and, furthermore, that neutralizing endoglin activity promotes BMP9 activity. Methods: We examined BMP9 expression and signaling in human cardiac fibroblasts and human subjects with heart failure. We used the transverse aortic constriction–induced model of heart failure to evaluate the functional effect of BMP9 signaling on cardiac remodeling. Results: BMP9 expression is increased in the circulation and left ventricle (LV) of human subjects with heart failure and is expressed by cardiac fibroblasts. Next, we observed that BMP9 attenuates type I collagen synthesis in human cardiac fibroblasts using recombinant human BMP9 and a small interfering RNA approach. In BMP9 –/– mice subjected to transverse aortic constriction, loss of BMP9 activity promotes cardiac fibrosis, impairs LV function, and increases LV levels of phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3), not pSmad1. In contrast, treatment of wild-type mice subjected to transverse aortic constriction with recombinant BMP9 limits progression of cardiac fibrosis, improves LV function, enhances myocardial capillary density, and increases LV levels of pSmad1, not pSmad3 in comparison with vehicle-treated controls. Because endoglin binds BMP9 with high affinity, we explored the effect of reduced endoglin activity on BMP9 activity. Neutralizing endoglin activity in human cardiac fibroblasts or in wild-type mice subjected to transverse aortic constriction–induced heart failure limits collagen production, increases BMP9 protein levels, and increases levels of pSmad1, not pSmad3. Conclusions: Our results identify a novel functional role for BMP9 as an endogenous inhibitor of cardiac fibrosis attributable to LV pressure overload and further show that treatment with either recombinant BMP9 or disruption of endoglin activity promotes BMP9 activity and limits cardiac fibrosis in heart failure, thereby providing potentially novel therapeutic approaches for patients with heart failure.



2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Su ◽  
Ruonan Fang ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
Liangliang Li ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Cardiac fibrosis is a pathological reparative process that occurs subsequent to myocardial injury. It is associated with cardiac systolic and diastolic dysfunction and reduced cardiac compliance that eventually leads to heart failure. Delaying or inhibiting the progression of pathological myocardial fibrosis is of great significance for the treatment of many cardiovascular diseases. The Wnt signaling pathway is closely related to the occurrence of organ fibrosis, and Notum is a highly conserved secreted feedback inhibitor of Wnt signaling. It has been shown that Notum acts as a regulator in many organs, such as the aging intestinal epithelium, adult ventricular-subventricular zone neurogenesis, and mouse tooth root development. However, the role and mechanism of Notum on cardiac fibrosis are not well-understood. In this study, we found that Notum significantly increased survival rate and improved cardiac function following myocardial infarction in mice. More importantly, Notum inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and senescence of cardiac fibroblasts, thereby decreasing the activation of cardiac fibroblasts, reducing the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, and ultimately inhibiting the occurrence of cardiac fibrosis. Taken together, our findings demonstrated the anti-fibrotic effects of Notum on maladaptive cardiac fibrosis, and suggest that it may be a new strategy for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis.



2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Li ◽  
Yuting Zhuang ◽  
Wanqi Yang ◽  
Yilin Xie ◽  
Wendi Shang ◽  
...  


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ju-Chi Liu ◽  
Po-Yuan Chen ◽  
Wen-Rui Hao ◽  
Yi-Chung Liu ◽  
Ping-Chiang Lyu ◽  
...  

Diabetes is associated with the development of myocardial fibrosis, which is related to various cardiac diseases. Cafestol, one of the active ingredients in coffee, has been reported to exert biological effects. However, whether cafestol can ameliorate diabetes-induced cardiac fibrosis remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cafestol on cardiac fibrosis in high-glucose-treated cardiac fibroblasts and streptozocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic rats. Rat cardiac fibroblasts were cultured in high-glucose (25 mM) media in the absence or presence of cafestol, and the changes in collagen synthesis, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) production, and related signaling molecules were assessed on the basis of 3H-proline incorporation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and western blotting. Cardiac fibroblasts exposed to high-glucose conditions exhibited increased collagen synthesis, TGF-β1 production, and Smad2/3 phosphorylation, and these effects were mitigated by cafestol treatment. Furthermore, cafestol increased the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1. The results of molecular docking analysis suggested a selective interaction of cafestol with Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1. The rats with untreated STZ-induced diabetes exhibited considerable collagen accumulation, which was ameliorated by cafestol. Moreover, activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, general matrix metalloproteinase, and reduced glutathione concentration were upregulated, whereas malondialdehyde level was downregulated by treatment with cafestol in rats with cardiac fibrosis. These findings highlight the effects of cafestol, which may be useful in treating diabetes-related cardiac fibrosis.



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