Caspase-1 as Molecular Key in Cardiac Remodeling during Cardiorenal Syndrome Type 3 in the Murine Model.

BACKGROUND: Renal ischemia/reperfusion induces a systemic inflammatory response that is directly related to the development of cardiac hypertrophy due to cardiorenal syndrome type 3. Classic inflammatory pathways have been extensively investigated in cardiovascular diseases, including the participation of inflammasome in caspase-1-dependent IL-1ß cleavage. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to understand how lack of caspase-1 would impact the hypertrophic and apoptotic response in the heart after renal ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS: Wildtype and caspase-1 knockout animals were submitted to a renal ischemia/reperfusion protocol. Briefly, left kidney ischemia was induced in male C57BL/6 mice for 60 min, followed by reperfusion for 15 days. Gene expression was analysed by Real-Time PCR. Caspase activity was also evaluated. RESULTS: Lack of caspase-1 led to a more pronounced cardiac hypertrophy in mice subjected to renal ischemia-reperfusion. Such hypertrophic process was accompanied by increased activity of caspase3/7 and 9, indicating apoptosis initiation in an IL-1ß- independent manner. CONCLUSION: Our data corroborate important findings on the role of caspase-1 in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling.

Activation of G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor 1 at the onset of reperfusion protects the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury by reducing mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent evidence indicates that GPER (G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor 1) mediates acute pre-ischaemic oestrogen-induced protection of the myocardium from ischaemia/reperfusion injury via a signalling cascade that includes PKC translocation, ERK1/2/ GSK-3ß phosphorylation and inhibition of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening. Here, we investigated the impact and mechanism involved in post-ischaemic GPER activation in ischaemia/reperfusion injury. We determined whether GPER activation at the onset of reperfusion confers cardioprotective effects by protecting against mitochondrial impairment and mitophagy. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: In vivo rat hearts were subjected to ischaemia followed by reperfusion with oestrogen (17ß-oestradiol, E2), E2 + G15, a GPER antagonist, or vehicle. Myocardial infarct size, the threshold for the opening of mPTP, mitophagy, mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS production, proteins ubiquitinated including cyclophilin D, and phosphorylation levels of ERK and GSK-3ß were measured. RESULTS: We found that post-ischaemic E2 administration to both male and female ovariectomized-rats reduced myocardial infarct size. Post-ischaemic E2 administration preserved mitochondrial structural integrity and this was associated with a decrease in ROS production and increased mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as an increase in the mitochondrial Ca2+ load required to induce mPTP opening via activation of the MEK/ERK/GSK-3ß axis. Moreover, E2 reduced mitophagy via the PINK1/Parkin pathway involving LC3I, LC3II and p62 proteins. All these post-ischaemic effects of E2 were abolished by G15 suggesting a GPER-dependent mechanism. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that post-ischaemic GPER activation induces cardioprotective effects against ischaemia/reperfusion injury in males and females by protecting mitochondrial structural integrity and function and reducing mitophagy.