Abstract 631 ADAM12 Is An Important Regulator Of Myocyte Apoptosis Induced By β-adrenergic Receptor Stimulation

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Xi ◽  
Khadija Rafiq ◽  
Marie Hanscom ◽  
Rachid Seqqat ◽  
Nikolay L Malinin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Human Heart Failure ◽  
Activation Mechanisms ◽  
Myocyte Apoptosis ◽  
Protease Deficient

ADAM (A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease)12 is a member of a family of cell surface proteins with protease and cell-binding activities. Recent work showed ADAM12 up-regulation in human heart failure. However, the activation mechanisms of ADAM12 in the heart are obscure. We hypothesized that β-adrenergic receptors (AR) stimulation regulates ADAM12 activation in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) in-vitro and after injection of isoproterenol (ISO) in-vivo. Wistar rats received a single injection of ISO (5 mg/kg) and were sacrificed 6, 24 and 72 hrs later. In comparison with controls, left ventricular function was impaired in rats 24 hrs after ISO injection and started to improve at 72 hrs. The fraction of myocytes undergoing apoptosis peaked 24 hrs after ISO injection and declined thereafter. ADAM12 protein was reduced in hearts from ISO treated animals at 6 hrs, pointing to a possible increase in ADAM12 proteolytic activity. However, both ADAM12 expression and activation were significantly up-regulated at 24 and 72 hrs after ISO injection. We therefore assessed whether ADAM12 activation was involved in myocyte apoptosis secondary to excess exposure of catecholamine. Acute stimulation with ISO (10 μM, 30 min to 3 hrs) induced accumulation of ADAM12 N-terminal cleavage product in conditioned medium, demonstrating activation of the ADAM metalloprotease activity. However, chronic stimulation with ISO for 24 hrs and 48 hrs significantly increased both ADAM12 expression and secretion. This ISO-induced ADAM12 expression/activation was mediated through β 1 -AR stimulation and was dependent on intracellular calcium elevation and protein kinase C activation. Adenoviral expression of an ADAM12 protease-deficient mutant (ADAM12DeltaMP) blocks β-AR-induced myocyte apoptosis, while transduction of NRVMs with adenovirus harboring ADAM12 significantly increased myocyte apoptosis. These data suggest that ADAM12 is a regulator of myocyte apoptosis induced by β-AR in NRVMs and may play an important autocrine role in mediating the effects of β-AR on myocardial remodeling.

Abstract 285: Cardiac Inflammation and Fibrosis Induced by Heart Failure Are Reversed by Short-Duration Estrogen Therapy

2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Iorga ◽  
Rangarajan Nadadur ◽  
Salil Sharma ◽  
Jingyuan Li ◽  
Mansoureh Eghbali
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Estrogen Therapy ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Decompensated Heart Failure ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
In Vivo Model ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Heart failure is generally characterized by increased fibrosis and inflammation, which leads to functional and contractile defects. We have previously shown that short-term estrogen (E2) treatment can rescue pressure overload-induced decompensated heart failure (HF) in mice. Here, we investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of E2 on reversing the adverse remodeling of the left ventricle which occurs during the progression to heart failure. Trans-aortic constriction procedure was used to induce HF. Once the ejection fraction reached ∼30%, one group of mice was sacrificed and the other group was treated with E2 (30 αg/kg/day) for 10 days. In vitro, co-cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes and fibroblasts were treated with Angiotensin II (AngII) to simulate cardiac stress, both in the presence or absence of E2. In vivo RT-PCR showed that the transcript levels of the pro-fibrotic markers Collagen I, TGFβ, Fibrosin 1 (FBRS) and Lysil Oxidase (LOX) were significantly upregulated in HF (from 1.00±0.16 to 1.83±0.11 for Collagen 1, 1±0.86 to 4.33±0.59 for TGFβ, 1±0.52 to 3.61±0.22 for FBRS and 1.00±0.33 to 2.88±0.32 for LOX) and were reduced with E2 treatment to levels similar to CTRL. E2 also restored in vitro AngII-induced upregulation of LOX, TGFβ and Collagen 1 (LOX:1±0.23 in CTRL, 6.87±0.26 in AngII and 2.80±1.5 in AngII+E2; TGFβ: 1±0.08 in CTRL, 3.30±0.25 in AngII and 1.59±0.21 in AngII+E2; Collagen 1: 1±0.05 in CTRL.2±0.01 in AngII and 0.65±0.02 (p<0.05, values normalized to CTRL)). Furthermore, the pro-inflammatory interleukins IL-1β and IL-6 were upregulated from 1±0.19 to 1.90±0.09 and 1±0.30 to 5.29±0.77 in the in vivo model of HF, respectively, and reversed to CTRL levels with E2 therapy. In vitro, IL-1β was also significantly increased ∼ 4 fold from 1±0.63 in CTRL to 3.86±0.14 with AngII treatment and restored to 1.29±0.77 with Ang+E2 treatment. Lastly, the anti-inflammatory interleukin IL-10 was downregulated from 1.00±0.17 to 0.49±0.03 in HF and reversed to 0.67±0.09 in vivo with E2 therapy (all values normalized to CTRL). This data strongly suggests that one of the mechanisms for the beneficial action of estrogen on left ventricular heart failure is through reversal of inflammation and fibrosis.

Lipopolysaccharide induces apoptosis in adult rat ventricular myocytes via cardiac AT1 receptors

2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (2) ◽  
pp. H461-H467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai Ling Li ◽  
Jun Suzuki ◽  
Evelyn Bayna ◽  
Fu-Min Zhang ◽  
Erminia Dalle Molle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽  
Rat Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Adult Rat ◽  
Cardiac Apoptosis

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria circulates in acute, subacute, and chronic conditions. It was hypothesized that LPS directly induces cardiac apoptosis. In adult rat ventricular myocytes (isolated with depyrogenated digestive enzymes to minimize tolerance), LPS (10 ng/ml) decreased the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax at 12 h; increased caspase-3 activity at 16 h; and increased annexin V, propidium iodide, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling staining at 24 h. Apoptosis was blocked by the caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-valine-alanine-aspartate fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-fmk), captopril, and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) inhibitor (losartan), but not by inhibitors of AT2 receptors (PD-123319), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFRII:Fc), or nitric oxide ( N G-monomethyl-l-arginine). Angiotensin II (100 nmol/l) induced apoptosis similar to LPS without additive effects. LPS in vivo (1 mg/kg iv) increased apoptosis in left ventricular myocytes for 1–3 days, which dissipated after 1–2 wk. Losartan (23 mg · kg−1 · day−1 in drinking water for 3 days) blocked LPS-induced in vivo apoptosis. In conclusion, low levels of LPS induce cardiac apoptosis in vitro and in vivo by activating AT1 receptors in myocytes.

Abstract 470: Raf Kinase Inhibitors Activate ERK1/2 in Cardiomyocytes, Promoting Cardiac Hypertrophy in vitro and, in the Context of Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension in Mice, in vivo

2017 ◽  
Vol 121 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel N Meijles ◽  
Michelle A Hardyman ◽  
Stephen J Fuller ◽  
Kerry A Rostron ◽  
Sam J Leonard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Internal Diameter ◽  
Dividing Cells ◽  
Lv Volume

Introduction: ERK1/2 promote hypertrophy and are protective in the heart, but cause cancer in dividing cells. Raf kinases lie upstream of ERK1/2 and Raf inhibitors (e.g. SB590885 (SB), dabrafenib (Dab)) are in development/use for cancer. Paradoxically, in cancer cells, low concentrations of SB/Dab stimulate (rather than inhibit) ERK1/2. Hypothesis: Our hypothesis is that the heart is primed for Raf paradox signaling. Raf inhibitors have potential to activate ERK1/2 in cardiomyocytes and promote cardiac hypertrophy. Methods: Neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVMs) were exposed to inhibitors. Dab or SB (3 or 0.5 mg/kg/d) were studied in 12 wk male C57Bl6 mice in vivo in the presence of angiotensin II (AngII, 0.8 mg/kg/d) (n=6-11) using osmotic minipumps. Effects were compared with vehicle controls. Echocardiography was performed (Vevo2100). M-mode images (short axis view) were analyzed; data for each mouse were normalized to the mean of 2 baseline controls. Kinase activities were assessed by immunoblotting or in vitro kinase assays. Results: SB (0.1 μM) or Dab (1 μM) activated ERK1/2 (2.3±0.1 fold; n=4) in NRVMs consistent with Raf paradox signaling. An explanation is that Raf kinases dimerise and submaximal inhibitor concentrations bind one Raf protomer, locking it in an active conformation but activating the partner. In accord with this, 0.1 μM SB increased Raf activities. High SB concentrations (1-10 μM) initially inhibited ERK1/2 in NRVMs, but ERK1/2 were then activated (1 - 24 h) and promoted hypertrophy. In vivo (24 h), Dab and SB activated the ERK1/2 cascade, increasing ANF (17.3 ± 3.1 fold) and BNP (4.5 ± 0.8 fold) mRNA (n=4/5). Over 3 d, Dab and SB increased fractional shortening in the presence of AngII (1.22±0.06; 1.17±0.08), relative to AngII alone (0.95±0.04), increased systolic left ventricular (LV) wall thickness, and reduced systolic LV volume and internal diameter (0.83±0.03 cf 0.97±0.02 for AngII alone). Conclusions: The heart is primed for Raf paradox signaling and Raf inhibitors activate ERK1/2 in cardiomyocytes, promoting hypertrophy. In vivo, Raf inhibitors enhance ERK1/2 signaling and hypertrophy in the context of hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy may be increased in hypertensive cancer patients receiving Raf inhibitors.

Abstract 17473: GRK2 in the Mitochondria: Uncovering Novel Mechanisms in Heart Failure

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly M Ferrero ◽  
Gizem Kayki Mutlu ◽  
Jessica M Pfleger ◽  
Douglas G Tilley ◽  
Walter J Koch
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Atp Synthesis ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Protein Kinase C Inhibitor ◽  
Neonatal Rat Ventricular Myocytes

Introduction: During heart failure, levels and activity of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) increase. GRK2 is canonically studied in the phosphorylation of GPCRs and β-adrenergic desensitization. Noncanonical activities of GRK2 are being uncovered, however. Our lab has recently discovered that in cardiac myocytes, GRK2 translocates to the mitochondria ( mtGRK2 ) following injury and is associated with negative effects on metabolism and cell survival. Hypothesis: GRK2 plays a role in regulating mitochondrial function following cardiac stress and contributes to HF pathogenesis in a novel manner, by interacting with a novel group of mitochondrial proteins involved in pro-death signaling, bioenergetics and substrate utilization. Methods: Mitochondrial translocation of GRK2 was validated with either protein kinase C inhibitor (chelerythine) administration or hypoxia/reoxygenation stress in primary neonatal rat ventricular myocytes or a cardiac-like cell line. Immunoprecipitation of the GRK2 interactome basally and under stress conditions was conducted endogenously in vitro, in vivo , and with purified recombinant GRK2 peptides. Proteins were separated via SDS-PAGE and potential binding partners were identified by mass spectroscopy (LCMS) and proteomics analysis conducted with Ingenuity Pathway (IPA; Qiagen) software to determine which partners in the GRK2 interactome were potentially involved in mitochondrial dysfunction. Results: Subunits of Complexes I, II, IV and V of the electron transport chain were identified as potential mtGRK2 interacting partners. Several mtGRK2-ETC interactions were increased following oxidative stress-induced translocation of GRK2. Finally, mtGRK2 appears to phosphorylate some of the interactome partners identified in mitochondrial dysfunction. Conclusions: The phosphorylation of subunits of the ATP synthesis machinery by mtGRK2, or other mechanisms of interaction between these proteins, may be regulating some of the phenotypic effects of HF previously observed by our lab, such as increased ROS production and reduced fatty acid metabolism. Further research is essential to elucidate the novel role of GRK2 in regulating mitochondrial bioenergetics and cell death in failing hearts.

scholarly journals RIP1/RIP3/MLKL-mediated necroptosis contributes to vinblastine-induced myocardial damage

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiling Zhou ◽  
Lijun Liu ◽  
Xiaolong Ma ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Jinfu Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Myocardial Damage ◽  
Myocardial Cell ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
H9c2 Cells ◽  
Interacting Protein

AbstractVinblastine (VBL) has been considered as a first-line anti-tumor drug for many years. However, vinblastine-caused myocardial damage has been continually reported. The underlying molecular mechanism of the myocardial damage remains unknown. Here, we show that vinblastine induces myocardial damage and necroptosis is involved in the vinblastine-induced myocardial damage both in vitro and in vivo. The results of WST-8 and flow cytometry analysis show that vinblastine causes damage to H9c2 cells, and the results of animal experiments show that vinblastine causes myocardial cell damage. The necrosome components, receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) receptor-interacting protein 3 (RIP3), are significantly increased in vinblastine-treated H9c2 cells, primary neonatal rat ventricular myocytes and rat heart tissues. And the downstream substrate of RIP3, mixed lineage kinase domain like protein (MLKL) was also increased. Pre-treatment with necroptosis inhibitors partially inhibits the necrosome components and MLKL levels and alleviates vinblastine-induced myocardial injury both in vitro and in vivo. This study indicates that necroptosis participated in vinblastine-evoked myocardial cell death partially, which would be a potential target for relieving the chemotherapy-related myocardial damage.

scholarly journals The Trend of β3-Adrenergic Receptor in the Development of Septic Myocardial Depression: A Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Rat Septic Shock Model

Cardiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
pp. 234-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ni Yang ◽  
Xiao-Lu  Shi ◽  
Bing-Lun  Zhang ◽  
Jian  Rong ◽  
Tie-Ning Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Septic Shock ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Myocardial Depression ◽  
Rat Cardiomyocytes ◽  
Neonatal Cardiomyocytes ◽  
Nos Inhibitors ◽  
Lps Treatment

Septic shock with low cardiac output is very common in children. However, the mechanism underlying myocardial depression is unclear. The role of β3-AR in the development of myocardial depression in sepsis is unknown. In the present study, we generated an adolescent rat model of hypodynamic septic shock induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Neonatal cardiomyocytes were also treated with LPS to mimic myocardial depression in sepsis, which was confirmed via an in vivo left ventricular hemodynamic study, and measurements of contractility and the Ca2+ transient in isolated adolescent and neonatal cardiomyocytes. After 16 h of LPS treatment, cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes showed a diminished Ca2+ transient amplitude associated with an increase in the β3-AR level. With the addition of a β3-AR agonist, the Ca2+ transient in LPS-treated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes gradually decreased over time; such a change was absent in cells treated with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors prior to treatment with a β3-AR agonist. In adolescent rats with septic myocardial depression, cardiac function declined as indicated by decreased MAP, dP/dtmax, and dP/dtmix for 6 h after LPS injection; however, the β3-AR level first increased 2 h after LPS treatment and then decreased 6 h after LPS treatment in the absence of exogenous catecholamines. The results indicate that, in vitro, at the cellular level β3-AR may be involved in the development of myocardial depression (Ca2+ transient depression) in sepsis through NOS signaling pathways; however, in vivo, a complicated mechanism for modulating β3-AR may exist.

Abstract 4626: Optimal Dose of Adv-hHCN4 Creates Stable and Long-lasting Biopacing Activity in Cultured Ventricular Cardiomyocytes

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Fu Xiao ◽  
Alena Nikolskaya ◽  
Lepeng Zeng ◽  
Xiaohong Qiu ◽  
Deborah A. Jaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Channel Blocker ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Optimal Dose ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Normal Morphology ◽  
Rat Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Beating Rate ◽  
Neonatal Rat Ventricular Myocytes

Purpose: Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) genes have been successfully used as a strategy for recreating cardiac biological pacemakers in animal models. However, optimal dose of HCN and toxicity from HCN overexpression have not been investigated. Therefore, we assessed the effects of various titers of adenoviral human HCN4-GFP vector (Adv-hHCN4) on cardiomyocytes. Methods: Neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) were isolated, selected and cultured on microelectrode arrays to assess their automaticities. Morphology and apoptosis with and without HCN or Ca 2+ channel inhibitor were also assessed. Results: Beating rates significantly increased in NRVMs after hHCN4 infection (Fig. 1 ). For example, the rates were gradually increased to 235±11 beat/min on day 7 after hHCN4 infection with 1×10 5 PFU/array. In contrast, control cells showed low rates. NRVMs with ≥10 6 PFU/array Adv-hHCN4 reached faster rates early and subsequently stopped beating (Fig. 1 ). In addition, myocytes with ≥10 6 PFU/array Adv-hHCN4 underwent significant apoptosis (>50%) which potentially resulted from hHCN4 overexpression and was blocked by the HCN channel blocker Cs + (1 mM), but not by the Ca 2+ channel inhibitor nifedipine. In addition, myocytes infected with ≥10 6 PFU/array Adv-GFP maintained normal morphology and rate. Our data demonstrate that hHCN4 transfer significantly and dose-dependently increased beating rates of NRVMs. However, overexpression of HCN could cause apoptosis. Therefore, an optimal dose of HCN gene is important for reducing toxicity and creating stable and long-lasting biopacing activity in cardiomyocytes in vitro, and probably also in vivo. Figure 1. Effects of hHCN4 infection on automaticities of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Each data point represents an averaged beating rate (mean ± SE) from 8 to 10 arrays. Various titers (1×10 5 to 1×10 7 PFU/500,000 cells per array) of Adv-Hhcn4 (expect control) were added to the arrays after measurements on day 0 (see the arrow)

scholarly journals Cell stress-induced phosphorylation of ATF2 and c-Jun transcription factors in rat ventricular myocytes

1997 ◽  
Vol 325 (3) ◽  
pp. 801-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela CLERK ◽  
Peter H. SUGDEN
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Okadaic Acid ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Hyperosmotic Shock ◽  
Nuclear Extracts

Ventricular myocytes are exposed to various pathologically important cell stresses in vivo. In vitro,extreme stresses (sorbitol-induced hyperosmotic shock in the presence or absence of okadaic acid, and anisomycin) were applied to ventricular myocytes cultured from neonatal rat hearts to induce a robust activation of the 46 and 54 kDa stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs). These activities were increased in nuclear extracts of cells in the absence of any net import of SAPK protein. Phosphorylation of ATF2 and c-Jun was increased as shown by the appearance of reduced-mobility species on SDS/PAGE, which were sensitive to treatment with protein phosphatase 2A. Hyperosmotic shock and anisomycin had no effect on the abundance of ATF2. In contrast, cell stresses induced a greater than 10-fold increase in total c-Jun immunoreactivity detected on Western blots with antibody to c-Jun (KM-1). Cycloheximide did not inhibit this increase, which we conclude represents phosphorylation of c-Jun. This conclusion was supported by use of a c-Jun(phospho-Ser-73) antibody. Immunostaining of cells also showed increases in nuclear phospho-c-Jun in response to hyperosmotic stress. Severe stress (hyperosmotic shock+okadaic acid for 2 h) induced proteins (migrating at approx. 51 and 57 kDa) that cross-reacted strongly with KM-1 antibodies in both the nucleus and the cytosol. These may represent forms of c-Jun that had undergone further modification. These studies show that stresses induce phosphorylation of transcription factors in ventricular myocytes and we suggest that this response may be pathologically relevant.

scholarly journals Hemodynamic and electromechanical effects of paraquat in rat heart

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chih-Chuan Lin ◽  
Kuang-Hung Hsu ◽  
Gwo-Jyh Chang
Keyword(s):  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Cardiac Contractility ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Qtc Interval ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Isolated Hearts ◽  
Dose Dependent

AbstractParaquat (PQ) is a highly lethal herbicide. Ingestion of large quantities of PQ usually results in cardiovascular collapse and eventually death. However, the mechanism of acute PQ poisoning induced cardiotoxicity is poorly understood. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to aim to investigate the mechanisms of PQ induced cardiotoxicity by examining the effects of PQ on hemodynamics in vivo, as well as in vitro on isolated hearts and ventricular myocytes in rats. Intravenous administration of PQ (100 or 180 mg/kg) in anesthetized rats induced dose-dependent decreases in heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac contractility (left ventricular [LV] dP/dtmax). Furthermore, it prolonged the rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval. In Langendorff-perfused isolated hearts, PQ (33 or 60 μM) decreased LV pressure and contractility (LV dP/dtmax in isolated ventricular myocytes), PQ (10–60 μM) decreased the amplitude of Ca2+ transients and cell shortening in a concentration-dependent manner. Patch-clamp experiments demonstrated that PQ decreased the amplitude and availability of the transient outward K+ channel (Ito) and altered its gating kinetics. These results suggest that PQ-induced cardiotoxicity results mainly from diminished Ca2+ transients and inhibited K+ channels, which lead to the suppression of LV contractile force and prolongation of the QTc interval.

Abstract 107: MicroRNA-31: A Novel Therapeutic Target for Ischemic Heart Disease

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliana C Martinez ◽  
Shera Lilyanna ◽  
Leah A Vardy ◽  
Arunmozhiarasi Armugam ◽  
Kandiah Jeyaseelan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Function ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Subcutaneous Administration ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Ischemic Heart ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Rat Cardiomyocytes ◽  
Repressive Effect

MicroRNAs (miRNA), small sequences of non-coding RNA which interact with complementary sequences on the 3’untranslated region of target messenger RNAs to modulate translation, have a pivotal role in the development of the heart and its response to injury. Myocardial infarction (MI) triggers a dynamic miRNA response with the potential of yielding therapeutic targets. Following miRNA array profiling in rat hearts 2, 7 and 14 days after MI induced by coronary ligation, we identified a progressive time-dependent up-regulation of miR-31 compared to sham rats. Increase of miR-31 in heart tissue in the acute and subacute phases after MI (up to 90-fold) was also detected by Real-Time PCR (P=0.02 at day 2; P<0.0001 at days 7 and 14, vs. sham). We found that miR-31 has a repressive effect on tissue mRNA expression of cardiac troponin-T (TNNT2), E2F transcription factor 6 (E2F6) and mineralocorticoid receptor (NR3C2). Reporter gene assays showed that miR-31 targets the 3′UTR of these genes, with a marked repressive effect on TNNT2. In vitro, exposure to hypoxia significantly induced the expression of miR-31 in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (nRCM), rat cardiac fibroblasts (nRCF) and cardiomyoblasts (H9C2) and suppressed the expression of TNNT2, E2F6 and NR3C2 in nRCM and H9C2 cells, and of E2F6 and NR3C2 in nRCF. LNA-based oligonucleotide inhibition of miR-31(miR-31i) in vitro reversed its repressive effect on translation from target genes. Therapeutic modulation of miR-31 expression in vivo after MI via subcutaneous administration of miR-31i (25mg/Kg/q2w) in rats, led to cardiac repression of miR-31 and subsequent enhanced expression of target genes. Also, miR-31i led to preservation of cardiac function and structure by day 14 after treatment. An absolute 10% improvement in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) was observed in miR-31i-treated rats from day 2 to 16 after MI, while control rats that received scrambled LNA inhibitor or placebo displayed 23% deterioration in EF (n=6-8/group, P<0.0001). We conclude that miR-31 induction after MI is deleterious to cardiac function and plays an important role in adverse remodeling, while its therapeutic inhibition in vivo ameliorates cardiac dysfunction and prevents the development of post-ischemic heart failure.

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