scholarly journals Therapeutic miR-21 Silencing Reduces Cardiac Fibrosis and Modulates Inflammatory Response in Chronic Chagas Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3307
Author(s):  
Carolina Kymie Vasques Nonaka ◽  
Gabriela Louise Sampaio ◽  
Katia Nunes Silva ◽  
Ricardo Khouri ◽  
Carolina Thé Macedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Locked Nucleic Acid ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Collagen Expression ◽  
Chronic Chagas Disease

Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), remains a serious public health problem for which there is no effective treatment in the chronic stage. Intense cardiac fibrosis and inflammation are hallmarks of chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC). Previously, we identified upregulation of circulating and cardiac miR-21, a pro-fibrotic microRNA (miRNA), in subjects with CCC. Here, we explored the potential role of miR-21 as a therapeutic target in a model of chronic Chagas disease. PCR array-based 88 microRNA screening was performed in heart samples obtained from C57Bl/6 mice chronically infected with T. cruzi and serum samples collected from CCC patients. MiR-21 was found upregulated in both human and mouse samples, which was corroborated by an in silico analysis of miRNA-mRNA target prediction. In vitro miR-21 functional assays (gain-and loss-of-function) were performed in cardiac fibroblasts, showing upregulation of miR-21 and collagen expression upon transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) and T. cruzi stimulation, while miR-21 blockage reduced collagen expression. Finally, treatment of T. cruzi-infected mice with locked nucleic acid (LNA)-anti-miR-21 inhibitor promoted a significant reduction in cardiac fibrosis. Our data suggest that miR-21 is a mediator involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis and indicates the pharmacological silencing of miR-21 as a potential therapeutic approach for CCC.

scholarly journals miR-128-3p inhibits apoptosis and inflammation in LPS-induced sepsis by targeting TGFBR2

Open Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 274-283
Author(s):  
Peng Yang ◽  
Jianhua Han ◽  
Shigeng Li ◽  
Shaoning Luo ◽  
Xusheng Tu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Aberrant Expression ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Apoptosis And Inflammation ◽  
Hk2 Cells

Abstract Background Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response that can lead to the dysfunction of many organs. The aberrant expression of miRNAs is associated with the pathogenesis of sepsis. However, the biological functions of miR-128-3p in sepsis remain largely unknown, and its mechanism should be further investigated. This study aimed to determine the regulatory network of miR-128-3p and TGFBR2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis. Methods The expression levels of miR-128-3p and transforming growth factor beta receptors II (TGFBR2) were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The protein levels of TGFBR2, Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase 3, Smad2, and Smad3 were measured by western blot. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Cytokine production was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The binding sites of miR-128-3p and TGFBR2 were predicted by Targetscan online software and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Results The level of miR-128-3p was decreased, and TGFBR2 expression was increased in serum samples of sepsis patients and LPS-induced HK2 cells. Overexpression of miR-128-3p or knockdown of TGFBR2 ameliorated LPS-induced inflammation and apoptosis. Moreover, TGFBR2 was a direct target of miR-128-3p, and its overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-128-3p overexpression on inflammation and apoptosis in LPS-induced HK2 cells. Besides, overexpression of miR-128-3p downregulated TGFBR2 to suppress the activation of the Smad signaling pathway. Conclusion miR-128-3p could inhibit apoptosis and inflammation by targeting TGFBR2 in LPS-induced HK2 cells, which might provide therapeutic strategy for the treatment of sepsis.

Abstract 269: Miofibroblast Tgf-beta Signaling in a Proteotoxic Mouse Model

2016 ◽  
Vol 119 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bidur Bhandary ◽  
Qinghang Meng ◽  
Hanna Osinska ◽  
Kritton Shay-Winkler ◽  
James Gulick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Disease ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Cardiac Function ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Prolonged Survival ◽  
Tgfβ Signaling ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Western Blots

Introduction: Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFβ) is an important cytokine in mediating the fibrogenic response and, in particular, cardiac fibrosis. Extensive fibrosis accompanies the cardiac remodeling that occurs during development of the protein conformation-based disease caused by cardiomyocyte-specific expression of a mutant, small, heat shock-like protein and chaperone, aB crystallin (CryABR120G). During the onset of fibrosis, fibroblasts are activated to the so-called “myofibroblast” state and TGFβ binding is thought to mediate an essential signaling pathway underlying this process. Our central hypothesis is that TGFβ signaling processes that result in significant cardiac fibrosis in a mouse model of proteotoxic heart disease are mediated by cardiac fibroblasts, rather than cardiomyocytes. Here, we have partially ablated TGFβ signaling only in cardiac myofibroblasts to observe if cardiac fibrosis is reduced. Aims and Methods: The objective of this study was to understand the contributions of fibroblast-derived TGFβ signaling to the development of cardiac fibrosis in a proteotoxic mouse model that results in significant cardiac fibrosis. To test the hypothesis we partially deleted the myofibroblast specific canonical and non-canonical signaling by crossing CryAB R120G mice with Tgfbr1 or Tgfbr2 floxed mice. The double transgene containing mice were further crossed with activated myofibroblast specific Cre mice in which Cre expression was driven off the periostin promoter. Echocardiography, Masson’s Trichome staining, PCR arrays, IHC and western blots were performed to characterize the fibrotic progression in CryAB R120G transgenic mice. Results: We observed that myofibroblast-targeted partial knockdown of Tgf βr1 signaling prolonged survival, modestly reducing fibrosis and improving cardiac function . Similarly, Tgf βr2 partial knockdown prolonged survival, modestly reducing fibrosis without improving cardiac function during fibrosis development in CryAB R120G mice. Conclusion: These findings suggest that, in a model of proteotoxic heart disease, myofibroblast based TGFβ signaling in the heart may contribute to cardiac hypertrophy/dysfunction but cannot account entirely for the fibrotic response.

Abstract 782: Fra2 Mediates Oxygen-induced TGFbeta-1 mRNA Expression In Adult Cardiac Fibroblasts: Significance In Myocardial Fibrosis Following Ischemia-reperfusion Injury

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sashwati Roy ◽  
Savita Khanna ◽  
Chandan K Sen
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion Injury ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Mrna Levels

Background . Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFbeta-1) is a key cytokine implicated in the development of cardiac fibrosis following ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The profibrotic effects of TGFbeta-1 are primarily attributable to the differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts (CF) to myofibroblasts. Previously, we have reported perceived hyperoxia (Circ Res 92:264 –71), sub-lethal reoxygenation shock during IR, induces differentiation of CF to myofibroblasts at the infarct site. The mechanisms underlying oxygen-sensitive induction of TGFbeta-1 mRNA remain to be characterized. Hypothesis . Fra2 mediates oxygen-induced TGFbeta-1 mRNA expression in adult cardiac fibroblasts. Methods. TGFbeta-1 mRNA expression in infarct tissue was investigated in an IR injury model. The left anterior descending coronary artery of mice was transiently occluded for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion to induce IR injury. Spatially resolved infarct and non-infarct tissues were collected at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days post-IR using laser capture microdissection. TGFbeta-1 mRNA levels were measured using real-time PCR. To investigate the role of oxygen in the regulation of TGFbeta-1, we used our previously reported model of perceived hyperoxia where CF (from 5wks old mice) after isolation were cultured at 5%O 2 (physiological pO 2 ) followed by transferring them to 20%O 2 to induce hyperoxic insult. Results & Conclusions. In vivo, a significant increase (p<0.01; n=5) in TGFbeta-1 mRNA was observed at the infarct site already at day 1 post-IR. The levels continued to increase until day 7 post-IR. In vitro, exposure of CF to 20%O 2 hyperoxic insult induced TGFbeta-1 mRNA (p<0.001; n=4) and protein (p<0.01; n=4) expression. Using a TGFbeta-1 promoter-luciferase reporter and DNA binding assays, we collected first evidence that AP-1 and its component Fra2 as major mediators of oxygen-induced TGFbeta-1 expression. Exposure to 20%O 2 resulted in increased localization of Fra2 in nucleus. siRNA-dependent Fra-2 knock-down completely abrogated oxygen-induced TGFbeta1 expression. In conclusion, this study presents first evidence that Fra-2 is involved in inducible TGFbeta1 expression in CF. Fra2 was noted as being central in regulating oxygen-induced TGFbeta-1 expression.s

Abstract 18822: Endoglin Selectively Modulates TRPC Expression in Response to Left or Right Ventricular Pressure Overload

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin J Morine ◽  
Vikram Paruchuri ◽  
Xiaoying Qiao ◽  
Duc T Pham ◽  
Gordon S Huggins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Transient Receptor ◽  
Novel Target ◽  
The Right

Introduction: Endoglin is an accessory receptor for the cytokine transforming growth factor beta. Reduced endoglin activity limits cardiac fibrosis due to left ventricular (LV) pressure overload. Recently, we reported that reducing endoglin activity also limits upregulation of the profibrogenic transient receptor potential canonical channel 6 (TRPC6) in the right ventricle (RV) during pressure overload. Few studies have compared TRPC channel expression in the RV versus LV. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that endoglin regulates TRPC upregulation in response to RV and LV pressure overload. Methods: To explore a functional role for endoglin as a regulator of TRPC expression in response to RV or LV pressure overload, endoglin haploinsufficient (Eng+/-) and wild-type (Eng+/+) mice were exposed to thoracic aortic (TAC) or pulmonary arterial (PAC) constriction for 10 weeks. Biventricular tissue was then analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: After TAC, LV levels of TPRC1 and 6 were increased in both Eng +/+ and Eng +/- mice compared to sham controls. LV levels of TRPC4 were increased in Eng +/+, not Eng +/- mice after TAC. After PAC, RV levels of TRPC1, 3, 4, and 6 were increased in Eng +/+ compared to sham controls. In contrast, chronic RV pressure overload did not increase RV levels of TRPC1, 3, 4, and 6 in Eng +/- mice compared to sham controls. Conclusions: Pressure overload induces distinct profiles of TRPC expression in the RV and LV and these effects in the RV require full endoglin activity. Taken together, these data support that endoglin may be an important and novel target of therapy to modulate RV responses to injury.

scholarly journals MicroRNA-101a Inhibits Cardiac Fibrosis Induced by Hypoxia via Targeting TGFβRI on Cardiac Fibroblasts

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Kejing Wang ◽  
Yuhua Liao ◽  
Qiutang Zeng ◽  
Yushu Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Cardiac Remodeling ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Coronary Artery Occlusion ◽  
Artery Occlusion ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration Ability

Background/Aims: Hypoxia is a basic pathological challenge that is associated with numerous cardiovascular disorders including aberrant cardiac remodeling. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in mediating cardiac fibroblast (CF) function and cardiac fibrosis. Recent data suggested that microRNA-101a (miR-101a) exerted anti-fibrotic effects in post-infarct cardiac remodeling and improved cardiac function. This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between hypoxia, miR-101a and TGF-β signaling pathway in CFs. Methods and Results: Two weeks following coronary artery occlusion in rats, the expression levels of both TGFβ1 and TGFβRI were increased, but the expression of miR-101a was decreased at the site of the infarct and along its border. Cultured rat neonatal CFs treated with hypoxia were characterized by the up-regulation of TGFβ1 and TGFβRI and the down-regulation of miR-101a. Delivery of miR-101a mimics significantly suppressed the expression of TGFβRI and p-Smad 3, CF differentiation and collagen content of CFs. These anti-fibrotic effects were abrogated by co-transfection with AMO-miR-101a, an antisense inhibitor of miR-101a. The repression of TGFβRI, a target of miR-101a, was validated by luciferase reporter assays targeting the 3'UTR of TGFβRI. Additionally, we found that overexpression of miR-101a reversed the improved migration ability of CFs and further reduced CF proliferation caused by hypoxia. Conclusion: Our study illustrates that miR-101a exerts anti-fibrotic effects by targeting TGFβRI, suggesting that miR-101a plays a multi-faceted role in modulating TGF-β signaling pathway and cardiac fibrosis.

Alterations in Cardiac Structure and Function in a Murine Model of Chronic Alcohol Consumption

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany A. Law ◽  
Scott P. Levick ◽  
Wayne E. Carver
Keyword(s):  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy ◽  
Histological Techniques ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Mrna Analysis ◽  
And Function

AbstractMale, wild-type, FVB strain mice were fed a nutritionally complete liquid diet supplemented with 4% ethanol v/v over a time course of 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 14 weeks. Controls were offered an isocaloric liquid equivalent and pair fed with their ethanol counterparts. Changes in cardiac physiology were assessed at respective time points via echocardiography. Additionally, the use of histological techniques, mRNA analysis, apoptosis determination, and immunohistochemistry were employed to determine the functional and structural changes on the heart. Echocardiograph analysis revealed a compensatory phase that occurred early in the time course (1–8 weeks) and decompensation reverting toward heart failure at weeks 12 and 14. Throughout the study, an increase in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, apoptosis, TGF-β, and the presence of α-SMA-positive cells were determined. A compensatory period in mice treated with ethanol occurred early followed by a transition to a dilated phenotype over time. A number of factors may be involved in this process including the activation of myofibroblasts and their fibrotic activities that is correlated with the presence of transforming growth factor beta.

Vascularized Cardiac Spheroids as Novel 3D in vitro Models to Study Cardiac Fibrosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 204 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma A. Figtree ◽  
Kristen J. Bubb ◽  
Owen Tang ◽  
Eddy Kizana ◽  
Carmine Gentile
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Cardiovascular Research

Spheroid cultures are among the most explored cellular biomaterials used in cardiovascular research, due to their improved integration of biochemical and physiological features of the heart in a defined architectural three-dimensional microenvironment when compared to monolayer cultures. To further explore the potential use of spheroid cultures for research, we engineered a novel in vitro model of the heart with vascularized cardiac spheroids (VCSs), by coculturing cardiac myocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts isolated from dissociated rat neonatal hearts (aged 1-3 days) in hanging drop cultures. To evaluate the validity of VCSs in recapitulating pathophysiological processes typical of the in vivo heart, such as cardiac fibrosis, we then treated VCSs with transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1), a known profibrotic agent. Our mRNA analysis demonstrated that TGFβ1-treated VCSs present elevated levels of expression of connective tissue growth factor, fibronectin, and TGFβ1 when compared to control cultures. We demonstrated a dramatic increase in collagen deposition following TGFβ1 treatment in VCSs in the PicroSirius Red-stained sections. Doxorubicin, a renowned cardiotoxic and profibrotic agent, triggered apoptosis and disrupted vascular networks in VCSs. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that VCSs are a valid model for the study of the mechanisms involved in cardiac fibrosis, with the potential to be used to investigate novel mechanisms and therapeutics for treating and preventing cardiac fibrosis in vitro.

scholarly journals MicroRNA-210-5p Alleviates Cardiac Fibrosis via Targeting Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I Receptor in Rats on High Salt Diet

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kun Zhao ◽  
Yukang Mao ◽  
Xiaoman Ye ◽  
Jiazheng Ma ◽  
Litao Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Collagen I ◽  
Type I ◽  
High Salt Diet ◽  
Salt Diet ◽  
Growth Factor Beta

Abstract Background: The aim of the present study was to explore whether high salt diet (HSD) caused cardiac fibrosis regardless of blood pressure in rats, and to determine the effects of microRNA (miR)-210-5p on sodium chloride (NaCl)-induced fibrosis in neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (NRCFs) and its target. Methods: The rats received 8% HSD in vivo, and NRCFs were treated with NaCl in vitro. Results: The levels of collagen I, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) were increased in the heart of hypertension (HTN), hypertension-prone (HP) and hypertension-resistant (HR) rats on HSD. Middle and high doses (50 mM and 100 mM) of NaCl increased the levels of collagen I, α-SMA and TGF-β in NRCFs. The expression level of miR-210-5p was reduced in NaCl-treated NRCFs by miR high-throughput sequencing. The NaCl-induced increases of collagen I, α-SMA and TGF-β were inhibited by miR-210-5p agomiR, and further enhanced by miR-210-5p antagomiR. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that TGF-β type I receptor (TGFβRI) was a direct target gene of miR-210-5p. These results indicated that HSD resulted in cardiac fibrosis regardless of blood pressure. Conclusion: The upregulation of miR-210-5p could attenuate NRCF fibrosis via targeting TGFβRI. Thus, upregulating miR-210-5p to inhibit TGF-β signaling pathway might be a strategy for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis.

Abstract 77: MiR-125b Regulates Myofibroblast Transition and Cardiac Fibrosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Varun Nagpal ◽  
Rahul Rai ◽  
Aaron T Place ◽  
Asish K Ghosh ◽  
Douglas E Vaughan
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Locked Nucleic Acid ◽  
Mouse Heart ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Fibroblast Proliferation ◽  
Systemic Delivery ◽  
Critical Determinant

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT) is a critical determinant of cardiac fibrosis. However, the contribution of microRNAs leading to TGF-β-induced FMT and cardiac fibrosis are not well-understood. Our results elucidate that blocking the canonical TGF-β pathway protects from FMT in primary cultures of human cardiac fibroblasts and that miR-125b is significantly upregulated during cardiac FMT. Furthermore, we observed significant upregulation of miR-125b in fibrotic human myocardium and two murine models of cardiac fibrosis. Importantly, we discovered that miR-125b is sufficient to induce cardiac FMT. In contrast, the knockdown of miR-125b using an antagomir approach attenuated TGF-β-induced FMT. In silico analysis and biochemical analysis revealed that miR-125b directly targets multiple anti-fibrotic mediators including p53 and apelin. In addition, miR-125b also plays a potent role in the regulation of fibroblast proliferation, an important cause of cardiac fibrosis. Finally, miR-125b was successfully inhibited in vivo by the systemic delivery of locked nucleic acid (LNA) targeted against miR-125b both in the presence and absence of Angiotensin II (Ang II). These results demonstrated that LNA-125b protected against Ang II-induced proliferation and fibrosis in the mouse heart in vivo. We conclude that TGF-β-induced miR-125b is an important regulator of both fibroblast proliferation and FMT, and miR-125b inhibits key anti-fibrotic mediators to promote cardiac fibrosis. We propose that miR-125b may serve as a novel therapeutic target for the preventative therapy for fibrosis.

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