Abstract 16459: Myocardial Replenishment of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase (TIMP)-3 and TIMP4 Following Myocardial Infarction Result in Differential Protective Effects
Introduction: The cardiomyopathy ensuing myocardial infarction (MI) results from the ischemic loss of the myocardium, impaired left ventricular (LV) dilation, eventually leading to heart failure. This is accompanied with adverse remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and disrupted balance of its regulatory proteins, particularly TIMP3 and TIMP4 that are reduced shortly after MI induction. Hypothesis: Replenishment of TIMP3 and/or TIMP4 post-MI will hinder adverse remodeling of the ECM and may also promote beneficial cellular response to limit tissue injury and cardiac dysfunction. Methods: MI was induced in adult male wildtype (C57BL/6) mice by ligation of the left anterior descending artery. Adenoviral constructs expressing human TIMP3 (Ad-hTIMP3), human TIMP4 (Ad-hTIMP4) or no-TIMP control (Ad-Null) were injected in the peri-infarct zone (5 injections/heart; 5.4x107 pfu/heart). Cardiac function was assessed by Vevo2100 ultrasound imaging system. Cellular and molecular analyses (inflammation, cell viability, angiogenesis, ECM composition) were assessed at 3 and 7 days post-MI. Results: Injection of Ad-Null had minimal effects in the post-MI dysfunction and remodeling. Ad-hTIMP3 injection exerted more beneficial effects compared to Ad-hTIMP4. Ad-TIMP3 group showed significantly better cardiac function (EF=35.49±2.52%, p<0.05), and to a lesser extent Ad-TIMP4 group (EF=28.79±1.79%) compared to Ad-Null group (EF=25.46±2.29%). Similarly, LV dilation was markedly attenuated in Ad-TIMP3 (LVEDV=77.08±6.05μL) but not in Ad-TIMP4 group (LVED=112.98±5.68 μL) compared to Ad-Null (LVEDV=112.98±7.0 μL). Inflammatory response (macrophage/neutrophil density) was not altered with Ad-TIMP treatment. Interestingly, the infarct size was smaller in Ad-TIMP3 group and even after 1wk post-MI, viable myocytes were detected in these hearts. Assessment of coronary density in the infarct and peri-infarct regions (intra-jugular fluoro-tagged lectin injection) revealed that Ad-TIMP3 promoted angiogenesis in the infarcted myocardium. Conclusions: This novel pro-angiogenic function of TIMP3 post-MI, in addition to its MMP inhibitory function, could provide additional beneficial effects in post-MI treatment.