NAP1L5 Promotes Nucleolar Hypertrophy and Is Required for Translation Activation During Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy

Pathological growth of cardiomyocytes during hypertrophy is characterized by excess protein synthesis; however, the regulatory mechanism remains largely unknown. Using a neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) model, here we find that the expression of nucleosome assembly protein 1 like 5 (Nap1l5) is upregulated in phenylephrine (PE)-induced hypertrophy. Knockdown of Nap1l5 expression by siRNA significantly blocks cell size enlargement and pathological gene induction after PE treatment. In contrast, Adenovirus-mediated Nap1l5 overexpression significantly aggravates the pro-hypertrophic effects of PE on NRVMs. RNA-seq analysis reveals that Nap1l5 knockdown reverses the pro-hypertrophic transcriptome reprogramming after PE treatment. Whereas, immune response is dominantly enriched in the upregulated genes, oxidative phosphorylation, cardiac muscle contraction and ribosome-related pathways are remarkably enriched in the down-regulated genes. Although Nap1l5-mediated gene regulation is correlated with PRC2 and PRC1, Nap1l5 does not directly alter the levels of global histone methylations at K4, K9, K27 or K36. However, puromycin incorporation assay shows that Nap1l5 is both necessary and sufficient to promote protein synthesis in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. This is attributable to a direct regulation of nucleolus hypertrophy and subsequent ribosome assembly. Our findings demonstrate a previously unrecognized role of Nap1l5 in translation control during cardiac hypertrophy.

KLF15 Regulates Oxidative Stress Response in Cardiomyocytes through NAD+

KLF15 has recently emerged as a central regulator of metabolism. Although its connection to oxidative stress has been suspected, there has not been any study to date that directly demonstrates the molecular link. In this study, we sought to determine the role of KLF15 in cardiac oxidative stress. We found that KLF15 deficiency in the heart is associated with increased oxidative stress. Acute deficiency of KLF15 in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) leads to the defective clearance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an exaggerated cell death following a variety of oxidative stresses. Mechanistically, we found that KLF15 deficiency leads to reduced amounts of the rate-limiting NAD+ salvage enzyme NAMPT and to NAD+ deficiency. The resultant SIRT3-dependent hyperacetylation and the inactivation of mitochondrial antioxidants can be rescued by MnSOD mimetics or NAD+ precursors. Collectively, these findings suggest that KLF15 regulates cardiac ROS clearance through the regulation of NAD+ levels. Our findings establish KLF15 as a central coordinator of cardiac metabolism and ROS clearance.

Calcineurin Aβ gene knockdown inhibits transient outward potassium current ion channel remodeling in hypertrophic ventricular myocyte

It has been shown that the activation of calcineurin is involved in regulating ion channel remodeling in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. But the precise role of calcineurin in the regulation of transient outward potassium current (I to), an ion channel associated with fatal arrhythmia, remains controversial. This study aimed to examine the effects of calcineurin Aβ (CnAβ) gene knockdown on I to channel remodeling and action potential duration (APD) in the hypertrophic ventricular myocytes of neonatal rats. Results showed that phenylephrine stimulation caused hypertrophy of ventricular myocytes, upregulation of CnAβ protein expression, downregulation of Kv4.2 mRNA and protein expression, a decrease in I to current density, and prolongation of APD. CnAβ gene knockdown significantly inhibited the effects of phenylephrine stimulation. Our data indicate that CnAβ gene knockdown can inhibit I to channel remodeling and APD prolongation in hypertrophic neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. This finding suggests that calcineurin may be a potential target for the prevention of malignant ventricular arrhythmia in a hypertrophic heart.

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

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.

Abstract 17326: Blockade of Thrombospondin1 Attenuates Tgfβ Signaling and Enhances the Automaticity of Tbx18-Induced Pacemaker Cells

Introduction: Transcription factor Tbx18 can reprogram chamber cardiomyocytes to induced pacemaker cells (iPMs). Transcriptomic analysis of Tbx18-iPMs identified Tgfβ pathway as a prominent signaling cascade in this transition. The activity of Tgfβ1 is regulated primarily in the extracellular domain where the secreted latent form must be modified to expose the active ligand. We hypothesize that thrombospondin1 (Tsp1) mediates the activation of the Tgfβ signaling by Tbx18. Methods: Neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) were transduced with adenoviral constructs expressing either human TBX18 or GFP. Results: Tsp1 transcript (Thbs1) level was higher in TBX18 iPMs compared to GFP-NRVMs (1.5±1.3 vs 0.6±0.6, p<0.05, n=4). Tsp1 concentration was higher in the conditioned media of TBX18 iPMs than in GFP-NRVMs (1220±794 vs 138±178 pg/mL, p<0.05, n=20). The population of Tsp1+ fibroblasts were significantly higher within TBX18 iPMs compared to GFP-NRVMs (45±7% vs 9±10%, p<0.05, n=3). We tested for cause-and-effect relationship between Tsp1 and Tgfβ signaling. Treatment of TBX18 iPMs with 20μM LSKL, a peptide inhibitor of Tsp1, attenuated secreted Tgfβ1 ligand concentration compared to DMSO-treated TBX18 iPMs (127±70 vs 214±44 pg/mL, p<0.05, n=20). Similarly, LSKL treatment reduced αSMA+ myofibroblast population in TBX18 iPMs at day 4 compared to untreated iPMs (10±6 vs 21±5%, p<0.05, n=3). Transcript levels of key Tgfβ signaling genes such as of Cola1, Tgfβ1, and Thbs1 were downregulated in LSKL-treated TBX18 iPMs compared to DMSO-treated iPMs. Functionally, LSKL treatment increased rates of single cell automaticity (125±13 vs 61±6 bpm) and the percentage of spontaneously beating cells (95±7 vs 62±17%, n=6, p<0.05) in TBX18-iPMs compared to DMSO-treated TBX18 iPMs at day 16 after gene transfer. The enhanced automaticity was evident by day 7 and remained stable for two weeks. Conclusions: Our data identify Tsp1 as the key mediator through which Tbx18 activates the Tgfβ pathway during iPM reprogramming. Inhibition of Tgfβ pathway may serve as a solution to attain durable pacing from TBX18-iPMs.

Cardiac mitofusin-1 is declined in non-responding patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Background/Introduction Mitochondria are dynamic regulators of cellular metabolism and homeostasis. The dysfunction of mitochondria has long been considered a major contributor to aging and age-related diseases. The prognosis of severe heart failure is still unacceptably poor and it is urgent to establish new therapies for this critical condition. Some patients with heart failure do not respond to established multidisciplinary treatment and they are classified as “non-responders”. The outcome is especially poor for non-responders, and underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Purpose Studies indicate mitochondrial dysfunction has causal roles for metabolic remodeling in the failing heart, but underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. This study tried to elucidate the role of Mitofusin-1 in a failing heart. Methods We examined twenty-two heart failure patients who underwent endomyocardial biopsy of intraventricular septum. Patients were classified as non-responders when their left-ventricular (LV) ejection fraction did not show more than 10% improvement at remote phase after biopsy. Fourteen patients were classified as responders, and eight as non-responders. Electron microscopy, quantitative PCR, and immunofluorescence studies were performed to explore the biological processes or molecules involved in failure to respond. In addition to studies with cardiac tissue specific knockout mice, we also conducted functional in-vitro studies with neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Results Twenty-two patients with IDCM who underwent endomyocardial biopsy were enrolled in this study, including 14 responders and 8 non-responders. Transmission electron microscopy (EM) showed a significant reduction in mitochondrial size in cardiomyocytes of non-responders compared to responders. Quantitative PCR revealed that transcript of mitochondrial fusion protein, Mitofusin-1, was significantly reduced in non-responders. Studies with neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) indicated that the beta-1 adrenergic receptor-mediated signaling pathway negatively regulates Mitofusin-1 expression. Suppression of Mitofusin-1 resulted in a significant reduction in mitochondrial respiration of NRVMs. We generated left ventricular pressure overload model with thoracic aortic constriction (TAC) in cardiac specific Mitofusin-1 knockout model (c-Mfn1 KO). Systolic function was reduced in c-Mfn1 KO mice, and EM study showed an increase in dysfunctional mitochondria in the KO group subjected to TAC. Conclusions Mitofusin-1 becomes a biomarker for non-responders with heart failure. In addition, our results suggest that therapies targeting mitochondrial dynamics and homeostasis would become next generation therapy for severe heart failure patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Abstract 245: Cardiac Mitofusin-1 is Suppressed in Non-responding Patients With Heart Failure

Background/Introduction: Mitochondria are dynamic regulators of cellular metabolism and homeostasis. The dysfunction of mitochondria has long been considered a major contributor to aging and age-related diseases. The prognosis of severe heart failure is still unacceptably poor and it is urgent to establish new therapies for this critical condition. Some patients with heart failure do not respond to established multidisciplinary treatment and they are classified as “non-responders”. The outcome is especially poor for non-responders, and underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Purpose: Studies indicate mitochondrial dysfunction has causal roles for metabolic remodeling in the failing heart, but underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. This study tried to elucidate the role of Mitofusin-1 in a failing heart. Methods: We examined twenty-two heart failure patients who underwent endomyocardial biopsy of intraventricular septum. Patients were classified as non-responders when their left-ventricular (LV) ejection fraction did not show more than 10% improvement at remote phase after biopsy. Fourteen patients were classified as responders, and eight as non-responders. Electron microscopy, quantitative PCR, and immunofluorescence studies were performed to explore the biological processes or molecules involved in failure to respond. In addition to studies with cardiac tissue specific knockout mice, we also conducted functional in-vitro studies with neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Results: Twenty-two patients with IDCM who underwent endomyocardial biopsy were enrolled in this study, including 14 responders and 8 non-responders. Transmission electron microscopy (EM) showed a significant reduction in mitochondrial size in cardiomyocytes of non-responders compared to responders. Quantitative PCR revealed that transcript of mitochondrial fusion protein, Mitofusin-1, was significantly reduced in non-responders. Studies with neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) indicated that the beta-1 adrenergic receptor-mediated signaling pathway induced microRNA-140 3p and 5p, which is negatively regulated Mitofusin-1 expression. Suppression of Mitofusin-1 resulted in a significant reduction in mitochondrial respiration of NRVMs. We generated left ventricular pressure overload model with thoracic aortic constriction (TAC) in cardiac specific Mitofusin-1 knockout model (c-Mfn1 KO). Systolic function was reduced in c-Mfn1 KO mice, and EM study showed an increase in dysfunctional mitochondria in the KO group subjected to TAC. Conclusions: Mitofusin-1 becomes a biomarker for non-responders with heart failure. In addition, our results suggest that therapies targeting mitochondrial dynamics and homeostasis would become next generation therapy for severe heart failure patients.