Abstract P210: Human Atrial Nonmyocytes Secrete Prohypertrophic, High-Molecular-Weight FGF-2, Which Is Upregulated by Angiotensin II via AT-1 and AT-2 Receptors, as Well as ERK and MMP Activation

2011 ◽  
Vol 109 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon-Jon R Santiago ◽  
Leslie J McNaughton ◽  
Barbara E Nickel ◽  
Robert R Fandrich ◽  
Rakesh C Arora ◽  
...  

Background: Very little is known about the expression and role of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) isoforms in the human heart. Using the rat model we have documented that high molecular weight Hi-FGF-2 rather than the commonly studied 18 kDa low molecular weight isoform Lo-FGF-2 is a potent inducer of cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo ; and that Hi-FGF-2 is expressed and secreted predominantly by cardiac non-myocytes (fibroblasts). We have now examined (i) the expression of Hi-FGF-2 in adult human heart (atria) and heart-derived non-myocytes (HDNM), and; (ii) signals regulating Hi-FGF-2 expression in HDNM. Methods/Results: Atrial tissue, obtained from patients undergoing cardiac surgery, (blinded study), was used to obtain extracts, and to isolate migratory cells (fibroblastic, HDNM). All tissue extracts (n=30) contained Hi- as well as Lo-FGF-2, assessed by Western blotting. Amounts of total FGF-2 varied from 1.5 - 25.5 pg per µg of extracted protein. Immunohistochemistry of paraffin-embedded atrial tissue sections and immunofluorescence of HDNM illustrated that human Hi-FGF-2 is localized mainly in the nucleus but is also present in cytoplasm. As was the case with rat- (ventricle and/or atria) derived fibroblasts, HDNM expressed predominantly Hi-FGF-2 (90% of total). The expression/secretion of Hi-FGF-2 by HDNM, as well as by human embryonic heart-derived fibroblasts, was significantly up-regulated by angiotensin II (Ang II). Simultaneous inhibition of both AT-1 as well as AT-2 receptors (by losartan and PD123319, respectively) was required to fully prevent Ang II-induced Hi-FGF-2 up-regulation. In addition, both inhibition of ERK activation (by U0126), or MMP activity (by MMP-2 Inhibitor I) fully prevented Ang II-induced up-regulation of human Hi-FGF-2. Conclusions: We have shown for the first time that human heart-derived fibroblastic cells express and secrete pro-hypertrophic Hi-FGF-2 in culture; and thus are likely to do so in vivo . Our data also suggest that the beneficial effects of drugs targeting Ang II signal transduction may be due, in part to their effects on Hi-FGF-2 accumulation.

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 2004-2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeng-xiang Dong ◽  
Lin Wan ◽  
Ren-jun Wang ◽  
Yuan-qi Shi ◽  
Guang-zhong Liu ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Flavonol (–)-epicatechin (EPI) is present in high amounts in cocoa and tea products, and has been shown to exert beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. However, the precise mechanism of EPI on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy has not yet been determined. In this study, we examined whether EPI could inhibit cardiac hypertrophy. Methods: We utilised cultured neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes and mice for immunofluorescence, immunochemistry, qRT-PCR, and western blot analyses. Results: 1µM EPI significantly inhibited 1µM angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced increase of cardiomyocyte size, as well as the mRNA and protein levels of ANP, BNP and β-MHC in vitro. The effects of EPI were accompanied with an up-regulation of SP1 and SIRT1, and were abolished by SP1 inhibition. Up-regulation of SP1 could block Ang II-induced increase in cardiomyocyte size, as well as the mRNA and protein levels of ANP, BNP and β-MHC, and increase the protein levels of SIRT1 in vitro. Moreover, 1 mg/kg body weight/day EPI significantly inhibited mouse cardiac hypertrophy induced by Ang II, which could be eliminated by SP1 inhibition in vivo. Conclusion: Our data indicated that EPI inhibited AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy by activating the SP1/SIRT1 signaling pathway.


2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (2) ◽  
pp. G147-G156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Montserrat Moreno ◽  
Leandra N. Ramalho ◽  
Pau Sancho-Bru ◽  
Marta Ruiz-Ortega ◽  
Fernando Ramalho ◽  
...  

Statins exert beneficial effects in chronically damaged tissues. Angiotensin II (ANG II) participates in liver fibrogenesis by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expression. We investigate whether atorvastatin modulates ANG II-induced pathogenic effects in the liver. Male Wistar rats were infused with saline or ANG II (100 ng·kg−1·min−1) for 4 wk through a subcutaneous osmotic pump. Rats received either vehicle or atorvastatin (5 mg·kg−1·day−1) by gavage. ANG II infusion resulted in infiltration of inflammatory cells (CD43 immunostaining), oxidative stress (4-hydroxynonenal), hepatic stellate cells (HSC) activation (smooth muscle α-actin), increased intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), and interleukin-6 hepatic gene expression (quantitative PCR). These effects were markedly blunted in rats receiving atorvastatin. The beneficial effects of atorvastatin were confirmed in an additional model of acute liver injury (carbon tetrachloride administration). We next explored whether the beneficial effects of atorvastatin on ANG II-induced actions are also reproduced at the cellular level. We studied HSC, a cell type with inflammatory and fibrogenic properties. ANG II (10−8M) stimulated cell proliferation, proinflammatory actions (NF-κB activation, ICAM-1 expression, interleukin-8 secretion) as well as expression of procollagen-α1(I) and TGF-β1. All of these effects were reduced in the presence of atorvastatin (10−7M). These results indicate that atorvastatin attenuates the pathogenic events induced by ANG II in the liver both in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, statins could have beneficial effects in conditions characterized by hepatic inflammation.


2005 ◽  
Vol 108 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna CASTOLDI ◽  
Serena REDAELLI ◽  
Willy M. M. van de GREEF ◽  
Cira R. T. di GIOIA ◽  
Giuseppe BUSCA ◽  
...  

Ang II (angiotensin II) has multiple effects on vascular smooth muscle cells through the modulation of different classes of genes. Using the mRNA differential-display method to investigate gene expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture in response to 3 h of Ang II stimulation, we observed that Ang II down-regulated the expression of a member of the family of transmembrane receptors for Wnt proteins that was identified as Fzd2 [Fzd (frizzled)-2 receptor]. Fzds are a class of highly conserved genes playing a fundamental role in the developmental processes. In vitro, time course experiments demonstrated that Ang II induced a significant increase (P<0.05) in Fzd2 expression after 30 min, whereas it caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in Fzd2 expression at 3 h. A similar rapid up-regulation after Ang II stimulation for 30 min was evident for TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor β1; P<0.05). To investigate whether Ang II also modulated Fzd2 expression in vivo, exogenous Ang II was administered to Sprague–Dawley rats (200 ng·kg−1 of body weight·min−1; subcutaneously) for 1 and 4 weeks. Control rats received normal saline. After treatment, systolic blood pressure was significantly higher (P<0.01), whereas plasma renin activity was suppressed (P<0.01) in Ang II- compared with the saline-treated rats. Ang II administration for 1 week did not modify Fzd2 expression in aorta of Ang II-treated rats, whereas Ang II administration for 4 weeks increased Fzd2 mRNA expression (P<0.05) in the tunica media of the aorta, resulting in a positive immunostaining for fibronectin at this time point. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that Ang II modulates Fzd2 expression in aortic smooth muscle cells both in vitro and in vivo.


Hypertension ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J Fehrenbach ◽  
Meena S Madhur

Hypertension, or an elevated blood pressure, is the primary modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of mortality worldwide. We previously demonstrated that Th17 activation and interleukin 17A (IL-17A)/IL-21 production is integral for the full development of a hypertensive phenotype as well as the renal and vascular damage associated with hypertension. Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein Kinase 2 (ROCK2) serves as a molecular switch upregulating Th17 and inhibiting regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation. We hypothesize that hypertension is characterized by excessive T cell ROCK2 activation leading to increased Th17/Treg ratios and ultimately end-organ damage. We first showed in vitro that KD025, an experimental orally bioavailable ROCK2 inhibitor inhibits Th17 cell proliferation and IL-17A/IL-21 production. To determine if hypertensive stimuli such as endothelial stretch increases T cell ROCK2 expression, we cultured human aortic endothelial cells exposed to 5% (normotensive) or 10% (hypertensive) stretch with circulating human T cells and HLA-DR+ antigen presenting cells. Hypertensive stretch increased T cell ROCK2 expression 2-fold. We then tested the effect of ROCK2 inhibition with KD025 (50mg/kg i.p. daily) in vivo on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension. Treatment with KD025 significantly attenuated the hypertensive response within 1 week of Ang II treatment (systolic blood pressure: 139± 8 vs 108±7mmHg) and this persisted for the duration of the 4 week study reaching blood pressures 20 mmHg lower (135±13mmHg) than vehicle treated mice (158±4mmHg p<0.05 effect of treatment 2-way Repeated Measures ANOVA). Flow cytometric analysis of tissue infiltrating leukocytes revealed that KD025 treatment increased Treg/Th17 ratios in the kidney (0.61±0.03 vs 0.79±0.08, p<0.05 student’s t-test). Thus, T cell ROCK2 may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension.


2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra B Haudek ◽  
Jeff Crawford ◽  
Erin Reineke ◽  
Alberto A Allegre ◽  
George E Taffet ◽  
...  

Angiotensin-II (Ang-II) plays a key role in the development of cardiomyopathies, as it is associated with many conditions involving heart failure and pathologic hypertrophy. Using a murine model of Ang-II infusion, we found that Ang-II induced the synthesis of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) that mediated the uptake of CD34 + /CD45 + monocytic cells into the heart. These precursor cells differentiated into collagen-producing fibroblasts and were responsible for the Ang-II-induced development of reactive fibrosis. Preliminary in vitro data using our monocyte-to-fibroblast differentiation model, suggested that Ang-II required the presence of TNF to induce fibroblast maturation from monocytes. In vivo, they indicated that in mice deficient of both TNF receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2), Ang-II-induced fibrosis was absent. We now assessed the hypothesis that specific TNFR1 signaling is necessary for Ang-II-mediated cardiac fibrosis. Mice deficient in either TNFR1 (TNFR1-KO) or TNFR2 (TNFR2-KO) were subjected to continuous infusion of Ang-II for 1 to 6 weeks (n=6-8/group). Compared to wild-type, we found that in TNFR1-KO, but not in TNFR2-KO mouse hearts, collagen deposition was attenuated, as was cardiac α-smooth muscle actin protein (a marker for activated fibroblasts). When we isolated viable cardiac fibroblasts and characterized them by flow cytometry, we found that Ang-II infusion in TNFR1-KO, but not in TNFR2-KO, resulted in a marked decrease of CD34 + /CD45 + cells. Quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated a striking reduction of type 1 and 3 collagen, as well of MCP-1 mRNA expression in TNFR1-KO mouse hearts. Further measurements of cardiovascular parameters indicated that TNFR1-KO animals developed lesser Ang-II-mediated LV remodeling, smaller changes in E-linear deceleration times/rates over time, and displayed a lower Tei index (a heart rate independent marker of cardiac function), indicating less stiffness in TNFR1-KO hearts compared to wild-type and TNFR2-KO hearts. The data suggest that Ang-II-dependent cardiac fibrosis requires TNF and its signaling through TNFR1 which enhances the induction of MCP-1 and uptake of monocytic fibroblast precursors that are associated with reactive fibrosis and cardiac remodeling and function.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (1) ◽  
pp. R272-R277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. W. Li ◽  
P. G. Guyenet

We examined the effects of angiotensin II (ANG II) on spontaneous unit activity in slices of the rat rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), ANG II (1-3 microM) excited 61% of a population of slowly and irregularly firing RVLM neurons (predrug, 1.2 +/- 0.1 spikes/s; postdrug, 4.6 +/- 0.3 spikes/s; n = 52). ANG II had no effect on pacemaker-like rapidly firing neurons (predrug, 8.6 +/- 0.4 spikes/s; n = 33). The effect of ANG II on slowly firing cells was repeatable and was reduced 75% by 3 microM losartan (baseline, 1.7 +/- 0.4 spikes/s; ANG II, 5.3 +/- 0.7 spikes/s; ANG II+losartan, 2.4 +/- 0.6 spikes/s; n = 12). The ongoing activity of slowly firing neurons was unaffected by 0.5-1 mM kynurenic acid (an ionotropic excitatory amino acid receptor antagonist). Most ANG II-responsive neurons (10 of 11) were inhibited by the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist UK-14,304, but pacemaker-like neurons were not. In conclusion, the RVLM contains neurons excited by AT1 receptor agonists. These neurons are distinct from the previously described pacemaker nonadrenergic presympathetic cells. They may be responsible for the pressor effects produced by injecting ANG II into the RVLM in vivo.


1988 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Nagakura ◽  
T. Onda ◽  
Y. likura ◽  
T. Endo ◽  
H. Nagakura ◽  
...  

High molecular weight neutrophil chemotactic activity has been identified in resected human nasal polyps, inferior turbinates, and nasal secretions following antigen challenge. The estimated molecular weight, by gel filtration chromatography, was approximately 600,000. However, a heterogeneity of molecular weight in some patients was recognized. Our results suggest a possible role for high molecular weight-neutrophil chemotactic activity in the pathogenesis of hypersensitivity in the human nasal cavity.


1990 ◽  
Vol 258 (3) ◽  
pp. F717-F721 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. B. Wiegmann ◽  
M. L. MacDougall ◽  
V. J. Savin

Glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient (Kf) of glomeruli isolated from kidneys of normovolemic rats decreases following infusion of angiotensin II (ANG II). Kf from isolated glomeruli after ANG II infusion in vivo and from isolated perfused kidneys following infusion of ANG II in vitro was measured to determine whether the decrease required the presence of systemic factors. Filtration was induced in vitro and the maximum rate of change in glomerular volume was used to calculate Kf. Glomerular capillary hydraulic conductivity (Lp) was calculated from Lp = Kf/A where the basement membrane area A was calculated as 3 X pi X D2. ANG II infusion in vivo in rats diminished Lp from 3.19 +/- 0.19 to 1.96 +/- 0.13 and to 1.82 +/- 0.11 microliters.min-1.mmHg-1.cm-2, respectively. ANG II infusion into isolated kidneys caused a similar decrease in Lp (3.55 +/- 0.11 to 2.37 +/- 0.07). ANG II infusion either in vivo or during isolated kidney perfusion decreases Kf and Lp. ANG II effects do not require the presence of extrarenal factors but depend on perfusion in situ since incubation of isolated glomeruli with ANG II did not alter Kf.


Foods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Tores de la Cruz ◽  
Amaia Iriondo-DeHond ◽  
Teresa Herrera ◽  
Yolanda Lopez-Tofiño ◽  
Carlos Galvez-Robleño ◽  
...  

Melanoidins present in coffee silverskin, the only by-product of the roasting process, are formed via the Maillard reaction. The exact structure, biological properties, and mechanism of action of coffee silverskin melanoidins, remain unknown. This research work aimed to contribute to this novel knowledge. To achieve this goal, melanoidins were obtained from an aqueous extract of Arabica coffee silverskin (WO2013004873A1) and was isolated through ultrafiltration (>10 kDa). The isolation protocol was optimized and the chemical composition of the high molecular weight fraction (>10 kDa) was evaluated, by analyzing the content of protein, caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and the total dietary fiber. In addition, the structural analysis was performed by infrared spectroscopy. Antioxidant properties were studied in vitro and the fiber effect was studied in vivo, in healthy male Wistar rats. Melanoidins were administered to animals in the drinking water at a dose of 1 g/kg. At the fourth week of treatment, gastrointestinal motility was evaluated through non-invasive radiographic means. In conclusion, the isolation process was effective in obtaining a high molecular weight fraction, composed mainly of dietary fiber, including melanoidins, with in vitro antioxidant capacity and in vivo dietary fiber effects.


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