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Right ventricular (RV) fibrosis is associated with RV dysfunction in a variety of RV pressure-loading conditions where RV mechanical stress is increased, but the underlying mechanisms driving RV fibrosis are incompletely understood. In pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases characterized by elevated mechanical stress and transforming growth factor - beta-1 (TGF-ß1) signaling, myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) is a mechanosensitive protein critical to driving myofibroblast transition and fibrosis. Here we investigated whether MRTF-A inhibition improves RV pro-fibrotic remodeling and function in response to a pulmonary artery banding (PAB) model of RV pressure-loading. Rats were assigned into either 1) sham or 2) PAB groups. MRTF-A inhibitor CCG-1423 was administered daily at 0.75mg/kg in a subset of PAB animals. Echocardiography and pressure-volume hemodynamics were obtained at a terminal experiment 6-weeks later. RV myocardial samples were analyzed for fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and pro-fibrotic signaling. MRTF-A inhibition slightly reduced systolic dysfunction in PAB rats reflected by increased lateral tricuspid annulus peak systolic velocity, while diastolic function parameters were not significantly improved. RV remodeling was attenuated in PAB rats with MRTF-A inhibition, displaying reduced fibrosis. This was accompanied with a reduction in PAB-induced upregulation of yes-associated protein (YAP) and its paralog transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ). We also confirmed using a second-generation MRTF-A inhibitor CCG-203971 that MRTF-A is critical in driving RV fibroblast expression of TAZ and markers of myofibroblast transition in response to TGF-ß1 stress and RhoA activation. These studies identify RhoA, MRTF-A, and YAP/TAZ as interconnected regulators of pro-fibrotic signaling in RV pressure-loading, and as potential targets to improve RV pro-fibrotic remodeling.
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Anemia and renal failure are independent risk factors for perioperative stroke, prompting us to assess the combined impact of acute hemodilutional anemia and bilateral nephrectomy (2Nx) on microvascular brain Po2 (PBro2) in a rat model. Changes in PBro2 (phosphorescence quenching) and cardiac output (CO, echocardiography) were measured in different groups of anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats (1.5% isoflurane, n = 5-8/group) randomized to Sham 2Nx or 2Nx and subsequently exposed to acute hemodilutional anemia (50% estimated blood volume exchange with 6% hydroxyethyl starch) or time-based controls (no hemodilution). Outcomes were assessed by ANOVA with significance assigned at P < 0.05. At baseline, 2Nx rats demonstrated reduced CO (49.9 ± 9.4 vs. 66.3 ± 19.3 mL/min; P = 0.014) and PBro2 (21.1 ± 2.9 vs. 32.4 ± 3.1 mmHg; P < 0.001) relative to Sham 2Nx rats. Following hemodilution, 2Nx rats demonstrated a further decrease in PBro2 (15.0 ± 6.3 mmHg, P = 0.022). Hemodiluted 2Nx rats did not demonstrate a comparable increase in CO after hemodilution compared with Sham 2Nx (74.8 ± 22.4 vs. 108.9 ± 18.8 mL/min, P = 0.003) that likely contributed to the observed reduction in PBro2. This impaired CO response was associated with reduced fractional shortening (33 ± 9 vs. 51 ± 5%) and increased left ventricular end-systolic volume (156 ± 51 vs. 72 ± 15 µL, P < 0.001) suggestive of systolic dysfunction. By contrast, hemodiluted Sham 2Nx animals demonstrated a robust increase in CO and preserved PBro2. These data support the hypothesis that the kidney plays a central role in maintaining cerebral perfusion and initiating the adaptive increase in CO required to optimize PBro2 during acute anemia.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study has demonstrated that bilateral nephrectomy acutely impaired cardiac output (CO) and microvascular brain Po2 (PBro2), at baseline. Following acute hemodilution, nephrectomy prevented the adaptive increase in CO associated with acute hemodilution leading to a further reduction in PBro2, accentuating the degree of cerebral tissue hypoxia. These data support a role for the kidney in maintaining PBro2 and initiating the increase in CO that optimized brain perfusion during acute anemia.
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Anemia , Débito Cardíaco , Circulação Cerebrovascular , Hemodiluição , Nefrectomia , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Animais , Hemodiluição/métodos , Nefrectomia/métodos , Ratos , Masculino , Circulação Cerebrovascular/fisiologia , Anemia/fisiopatologia , Débito Cardíaco/fisiologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Encéfalo/fisiopatologiaRESUMO
Oxidative stress is considered one of the early underlying contributors of sepsis-induced myocardial depression. DJ-1, also known as PARK7, has a well-established role as an antioxidant. We have previously shown, in a clinically relevant model of polymicrobial sepsis, DJ-1 deficiency improved survival and bacterial clearance by decreasing ROS production. In the present study, we investigated the role of DJ-1 in sepsis-induced myocardial depression. Here we compared wildtype (WT) with DJ-1 deficient mice at 24 and 48 h after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). In WT mice, DJ-1 was increased in the myocardium post-CLP. DJ-1 deficient mice, despite enhanced inflammatory and oxidative responses, had an attenuated hypertrophic phenotype, less apoptosis, improved mitochondrial function, and autophagy, that was associated with preservation of myocardial function and improved survival compared to WT mice post-CLP. Collectively, these results identify DJ-1 as a regulator of myocardial function and as such, makes it an attractive therapeutic target in the treatment of early sepsis-induced myocardial depression.
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BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is a serious comorbidity in heart failure patients, but effective therapies are lacking. We investigated the mechanisms that alter hippocampal neurons following myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: MI was induced in male C57Bl/6 mice by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. We utilised standard procedures to measure cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) protein levels, inflammatory mediator expression, neuronal structure, and hippocampal memory. Using in vitro and in vivo approaches, we assessed the role of neuroinflammation in hippocampal neuron degradation and the therapeutic potential of CFTR correction as an intervention. FINDINGS: Hippocampal dendrite length and spine density are reduced after MI, effects that associate with decreased neuronal CFTR expression and concomitant microglia activation and inflammatory cytokine expression. Conditioned medium from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglia (LCM) reduces neuronal cell CFTR protein expression and the mRNA expression of the synaptic regulator post-synaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) in vitro. Blocking CFTR activity also down-regulates PSD-95 in neurons, indicating a relationship between CFTR expression and neuronal health. Pharmacologically correcting CFTR expression in vitro rescues the LCM-mediated down-regulation of PSD-95. In vivo, pharmacologically increasing hippocampal neuron CFTR expression improves MI-associated alterations in neuronal arborisation, spine density, and memory function, with a wide therapeutic time window. INTERPRETATION: Our results indicate that CFTR therapeutics improve inflammation-induced alterations in hippocampal neuronal structure and attenuate memory dysfunction following MI. FUNDING: Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation [F 2015/2112]; Swedish Research Council [VR; 2017-01243]; the German Research Foundation [DFG; ME 4667/2-1]; Hjärnfonden [FO2021-0112]; The Crafoord Foundation; Åke Wibergs Stiftelse [M19-0380], NMMP 2021 [V2021-2102]; the Albert Påhlsson Research Foundation; STINT [MG19-8469], Lund University; Canadian Institutes of Health Research [PJT-153269] and a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario Mid-Career Investigator Award.
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Amnésia Retrógrada , Regulador de Condutância Transmembrana em Fibrose Cística , Infarto do Miocárdio , Animais , Masculino , Camundongos , Regulador de Condutância Transmembrana em Fibrose Cística/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulador de Condutância Transmembrana em Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Lipopolissacarídeos , Memória de Longo Prazo/fisiologia , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Infarto do Miocárdio/complicações , Infarto do Miocárdio/tratamento farmacológico , Ontário , Amnésia Retrógrada/tratamento farmacológico , Amnésia Retrógrada/metabolismo , Proteína 4 Homóloga a Disks-Large/genética , Proteína 4 Homóloga a Disks-Large/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes are at a high risk for developing cardiac dysfunction in the absence of coronary artery disease or hypertension, a condition known as diabetic cardiomyopathy. Contributing to heart failure is the presence of diabetic kidney disease. The Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat is a non-obese, non-hypertensive model of type 2 diabetes that, like humans, shares a susceptibility locus on chromosome 10. Herein, we perform a detailed analysis of cardio-renal remodeling and response to renin angiotensin system blockade in GK rats to ascertain the validity of this model for further insights into disease pathogenesis. METHODS: Study 1: Male GK rats along with age matched Wistar control animals underwent longitudinal assessment of cardiac and renal function for 32 weeks (total age 48 weeks). Animals underwent regular echocardiography every 4 weeks and at sacrifice, early (~24 weeks) and late (~48 weeks) timepoints, along with pressure volume loop analysis. Histological and molecular characteristics were determined using standard techniques. Study 2: the effect of renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockade upon cardiac and renal function was assessed in GK rats. Finally, proteomic studies were conducted in vivo and in vitro to identify novel pathways involved in remodeling responses. RESULTS: GK rats developed hyperglycaemia by 12 weeks of age (p<0.01 c/w Wistar controls). Echocardiographic assessment of cardiac function demonstrated preserved systolic function by 48 weeks of age. Invasive studies demonstrated left ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary congestion and impaired diastolic function. Renal function was preserved with evidence of hyperfiltration. Cardiac histological analysis demonstrated myocyte hypertrophy (p<0.05) with evidence of significant interstitial fibrosis (p<0.05). RT qPCR demonstrated activation of the fetal gene program, consistent with cellular hypertrophy. RAS blockade resulted in a reduction blood pressure(P<0.05) cardiac interstitial fibrosis (p<0.05) and activation of fetal gene program. No significant change on either systolic or diastolic function was observed, along with minimal impact upon renal structure or function. Proteomic studies demonstrated significant changes in proteins involved in oxidative phosp4horylation, mitochondrial dysfunction, beta-oxidation, and PI3K/Akt signalling (all p<0.05). Further, similar changes were observed in both LV samples from GK rats and H9C2 cells incubated in high glucose media. CONCLUSION: By 48 weeks of age, the diabetic GK rat demonstrates evidence of preserved systolic function and impaired relaxation, along with cardiac hypertrophy, in the presence of hyperfiltration and elevated protein excretion. These findings suggest the GK rat demonstrates some, but not all features of diabetes induced "cardiorenal" syndrome. This has implications for the use of this model to assess preclinical strategies to treat cardiorenal disease.
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Envelhecimento/patologia , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/patologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Rim/patologia , Miocárdio/patologia , Animais , Pressão Sanguínea , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/genética , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/metabolismo , Loci Gênicos , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Coração/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Rim/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Ratos , Transcriptoma , Remodelação VentricularRESUMO
AIM: The use of animal models to predict the response to new therapies in humans is a vexing issue in nephrology. Unlike patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), few rodent models develop a progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) so that experimental studies frequently report a reduction in proteinuria as the primary efficacy outcome. Moreover, while humans present with established kidney disease that continues to progress, many experimental studies investigate therapies in the prevention rather than in a therapeutic setting. METHODS: We used the remnant kidney (subtotal nephrectomy [SNX]) rat model that develops a decline in GFR in conjunction with heavy proteinuria and hypertension along with the histological hallmarks of CKD in humans, glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Using agents that had been shown to improve GFR as well as proteinuria in the prevention setting, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition with enalapril and SIRT1 activation with SRT3025, treatment was initiated 6 weeks after SNX. RESULTS: While enalapril reduced blood pressure, proteinuria and histological injury, it did not improve GFR, as measured by inulin clearance. SRT3025 improved neither GFR nor structural damage despite a reduction in proteinuria. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that neither a reduction in proteinuria nor a reversal of structural damage in the kidney will necessarily translate to a restoration of kidney function.
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Anilidas/farmacologia , Enalapril/farmacologia , Taxa de Filtração Glomerular , Hipertensão , Complicações Pós-Operatórias , Proteinúria , Sirtuína 1 , Tiazóis/farmacologia , Inibidores da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina/farmacologia , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Progressão da Doença , Taxa de Filtração Glomerular/efeitos dos fármacos , Taxa de Filtração Glomerular/fisiologia , Hipertensão/etiologia , Hipertensão/terapia , Rim/patologia , Rim/fisiopatologia , Rim/cirurgia , Nefrectomia/efeitos adversos , Nefrectomia/métodos , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/fisiopatologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/terapia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/urina , Proteinúria/etiologia , Proteinúria/terapia , Ratos , Insuficiência Renal Crônica/diagnóstico , Insuficiência Renal Crônica/fisiopatologia , Sirtuína 1/antagonistas & inibidores , Sirtuína 1/metabolismoRESUMO
Sensing changes in blood oxygen content ([Formula: see text]) is an important physiological role of the kidney; however, the mechanism(s) by which the kidneys sense and respond to changes in [Formula: see text] are incompletely understood. Accurate measurements of kidney tissue oxygen tension ([Formula: see text]) may increase our understanding of renal oxygen-sensing mechanisms and could inform decisions regarding the optimal fluid for intravascular volume resuscitation to maintain renal perfusion. In some clinical settings, starch solution may be nephrotoxic, possibly due to inadequacy of tissue oxygen delivery. We hypothesized that hemodilution with starch colloid solutions would reduce [Formula: see text] to a more severe degree than other diluents. Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 77) were randomized to undergo hemodilution with either colloid (6% hydroxyethyl starch or 5% albumin), crystalloid (0.9% saline), or a sham procedure (control) (n = 13-18 rats/group). Data were analyzed by ANOVA with significance assigned at P < 0.05. After hemodilution, mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased marginally in all groups, while hemoglobin (Hb) and [Formula: see text] decreased in proportion to the degree of hemodilution. Cardiac output was maintained in all groups after hemodilution. [Formula: see text] decreased in proportion to the reduction in Hb in all treatment groups. At comparably reduced Hb, and maintained arterial oxygen values, hemodilution with starch resulted in larger decreases in [Formula: see text] relative to animals hemodiluted with albumin or saline (P < 0.008). Renal medullary erythropoietin (EPO) mRNA levels increased more prominently, relative to other hypoxia-regulated molecules (GLUT-1, GAPDH, and VEGF). Our data demonstrate that the kidney acts as a biosensor of reduced [Formula: see text] following hemodilution and that [Formula: see text] may provide a quantitative signal for renal cellular responsiveness to acute anemia. Evidence of a more severe reduction in [Formula: see text] following hemodilution with starch colloid solution suggests that tissue hypoxia may contribute to starch induced renal toxicity.
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Derivados de Hidroxietil Amido/farmacologia , Rim/metabolismo , Oxigênio/fisiologia , Albuminas , Animais , Coloides , Masculino , Consumo de Oxigênio , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Distribuição Aleatória , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , AmidoRESUMO
Intraflagellar transport protein 88 (Ift88) is required for ciliogenesis and shear stress-induced dissolution of cilia in embryonic endothelial cells coincides with endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in the developing heart. EndMT is also suggested to underlie heart and lung fibrosis, however, the mechanism linking endothelial Ift88, its effect on EndMT and organ fibrosis remains mainly unexplored. We silenced Ift88 in endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro and generated endothelial cell-specific Ift88-knockout mice (Ift88endo) in vivo to evaluate EndMT and its contribution towards organ fibrosis, respectively. Ift88-silencing in ECs led to mesenchymal cells-like changes in endothelial cells. The expression level of the endothelial markers (CD31, Tie-2 and VE-cadherin) were significantly reduced with a concomitant increase in the expression level of mesenchymal markers (αSMA, N-Cadherin and FSP-1) in Ift88-silenced ECs. Increased EndMT was associated with increased expression of profibrotic Collagen I expression and increased proliferation in Ift88-silenced ECs. Loss of Ift88 in ECs was further associated with increased expression of Sonic Hedgehog signaling effectors. In vivo, endothelial cells isolated from the heart and lung of Ift88endo mice demonstrated loss of Ift88 expression in the endothelium. The Ift88endo mice were born in expected Mendelian ratios without any adverse cardiac phenotypes at baseline. Cardiac and pulmonary endothelial cells isolated from the Ift88endo mice demonstrated signs of EndMT and bleomycin treatment exacerbated pulmonary fibrosis in Ift88endo mice. Pressure overload stress in the form of aortic banding did not reveal a significant difference in cardiac fibrosis between Ift88endo mice and control mice. Our findings demonstrate a novel association between endothelial cilia with EndMT and cell proliferation and also show that loss of endothelial cilia-associated increase in EndMT contributes specifically towards pulmonary fibrosis.
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Bleomicina/efeitos adversos , Transição Epitelial-Mesenquimal/genética , Fibrose Pulmonar/etiologia , Fibrose Pulmonar/patologia , Mucosa Respiratória/metabolismo , Mucosa Respiratória/patologia , Proteínas Supressoras de Tumor/deficiência , Animais , Biópsia , Movimento Celular , Proliferação de Células , Suscetibilidade a Doenças , Técnicas de Inativação de Genes , Proteínas Hedgehog/metabolismo , Humanos , Camundongos , Fibrose Pulmonar/complicações , Fibrose Pulmonar/metabolismo , Doença Cardiopulmonar/etiologia , Doença Cardiopulmonar/metabolismo , Doença Cardiopulmonar/patologia , Mucosa Respiratória/ultraestrutura , Transdução de Sinais , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismo , Via de Sinalização WntRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Sodium-glucose linked cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce the likelihood of hospitalization for heart failure and cardiovascular death in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals with reduced ejection fraction heart failure. Because SGLT2 inhibitors lead to volume contraction with reductions in both preload and afterload, these load-dependent factors are thought to be major contributors to the cardioprotective effects of the drug class. Beyond these effects, we hypothesized that SGLT2 inhibitors may also improve intrinsic cardiac function, independent of loading conditions. METHODS: Pressure-volume (P-V) relationship analysis was used to elucidate changes in intrinsic cardiac function, independent of alterations in loading conditions in animals with experimental myocardial infarction, a well-established model of HFrEF. Ten-week old, non-diabetic Fischer F344 rats underwent ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery to induce myocardial infarction (MI) of the left ventricle (LV). Following confirmation of infarct size with echocardiography 1-week post MI, animals were randomized to receive vehicle, or the SGLT2 inhibitor, empagliflozin. Cardiac function was assessed by conductance catheterization just prior to termination 6 weeks later. RESULTS: The circumferential extent of MI in animals that were subsequently randomized to vehicle or empagliflozin groups was similar. Empagliflozin did not affect fractional shortening (FS) as assessed by echocardiography. In contrast, load-insensitive measures of cardiac function were substantially improved with empagliflozin. Load-independent measures of cardiac contractility, preload recruitable stroke work (PRSW) and end-systolic pressure volume relationship (ESPVR) were higher in rats that had received empagliflozin. Consistent with enhanced cardiac performance in the heart failure setting, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was higher in rats that had received empagliflozin despite its diuretic effects. A trend to improved diastolic function, as evidenced by reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was also seen with empagliflozin. MI animals treated with vehicle demonstrated myocyte hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis and evidence for changes in key calcium handling proteins (all p < 0.05) that were not affected by empagliflozin therapy. CONCLUSION: Empagliflozin therapy improves cardiac function independent of loading conditions. These findings suggest that its salutary effects are, at least in part, due to actions beyond a direct effect of reduced preload and afterload.
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Compostos Benzidrílicos/farmacologia , Glucosídeos/farmacologia , Insuficiência Cardíaca/tratamento farmacológico , Inibidores do Transportador 2 de Sódio-Glicose/farmacologia , Volume Sistólico/efeitos dos fármacos , Função Ventricular Esquerda/efeitos dos fármacos , Pressão Ventricular/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Sinalização do Cálcio/efeitos dos fármacos , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Insuficiência Cardíaca/etiologia , Insuficiência Cardíaca/metabolismo , Insuficiência Cardíaca/fisiopatologia , Infarto do Miocárdio/complicações , Infarto do Miocárdio/metabolismo , Infarto do Miocárdio/fisiopatologia , Miocárdio/metabolismo , Miocárdio/patologia , Ratos Endogâmicos F344RESUMO
Recent studies send an unambiguous signal that the class of agents known as sodium-glucose-linked co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) prevent heart failure hospitalization in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanisms remain unclear. Herein the authors utilize a rodent model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and demonstrate that treatment with the SGLT2i empagliflozin, reduces left ventricular mass, improving both wall stress and diastolic function. These findings extend the observation that the main mechanism of action of empagliflozin involves improved hemodynamics (i.e., reduction in preload and afterload) and provide a rationale for upcoming trials in patients with HFpEF irrespective of glycemic status.
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BACKGROUND: Inhibiting both type 1 and 2 sodium-glucose linked cotransporter (SGLT1/2) offers the potential to not only increase glucosuria beyond that seen with selective SGLT2 inhibition alone but to reduce glucose absorption from the gut and to thereby also stimulate glucagon-like peptide 1 secretion. However, beyond the kidney and gut, SGLT1 is expressed in a range of other organs particularly the heart where it potentially assists GLUT-mediated glucose transport. Since cardiac myocytes become more reliant on glucose as a fuel source in the setting of stress, the present study sought to compare the effects of dual SGLT1/2 inhibition with selective SGLT2 inhibition in the normal and diseased heart. METHODS: Fischer F344 rats underwent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery or sham ligation before being randomized to receive the dual SGLT1/2 inhibitor, T-1095, the selective SGLT2 inhibitor, dapagliflozin or vehicle. In addition to measuring laboratory parameters, animals also underwent echocardiography and cardiac catheterization to assess systolic and diastolic function in detail. RESULTS: When compared with rats that had received either vehicle or dapagliflozin, T-1095 exacerbated cardiac dysfunction in the post myocardial infarction setting. In addition to higher lung weights, T-1095 treated rats had evidence of worsened systolic function with lower ejection fractions and reduction in the rate of left ventricle pressure rise in early systole (dP/dtmax). Diastolic function was also worse in animals that had received T-1095 with prolongation of the time constant for isovolumic-pressure decline (Tau) and an increase in the end-diastolic pressure volume relationship, indices of the active, energy-dependent and passive phases of cardiac relaxation. CONCLUSIONS: The exacerbation of post myocardial infarction cardiac dysfunction with T-1095 in the experimental setting suggests the need for caution with the use of dual SGLT1/2 inhibitors in humans.
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Compostos Benzidrílicos/farmacologia , Carbonatos/toxicidade , Glucosídeos/farmacologia , Glucosídeos/toxicidade , Hipertrofia Ventricular Esquerda/induzido quimicamente , Infarto do Miocárdio/metabolismo , Miocárdio/metabolismo , Transportador 1 de Glucose-Sódio/antagonistas & inibidores , Inibidores do Transportador 2 de Sódio-Glicose/farmacologia , Transportador 2 de Glucose-Sódio/metabolismo , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/induzido quimicamente , Função Ventricular Esquerda/efeitos dos fármacos , Remodelação Ventricular/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Hipertrofia Ventricular Esquerda/metabolismo , Hipertrofia Ventricular Esquerda/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Infarto do Miocárdio/fisiopatologia , Ratos Endogâmicos F344 , Transportador 1 de Glucose-Sódio/metabolismo , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/metabolismo , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/fisiopatologiaRESUMO
Aims: Transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) is a prosclerotic cytokine involved in cardiac remodelling leading to heart failure (HF). Acetylation/de-acetylation of specific lysine residues in Smad2/3 has been shown to regulate TGF-ß signalling by altering its transcriptional activity. Recently, the lysine de-acetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) has been shown to have a cardioprotective effect; however, SIRT1 expression and activity are paradoxically reduced in HF. Herein, we investigate whether pharmacological activation of SIRT1 would induce cardioprotection in a pressure overload model and assess the impact of SIRT1 activation on TGF-ß signalling and the fibrotic response. Methods and results: Eight weeks old male C57BL/6 mice were randomized to undergo sham surgery or transverse aortic constriction (TAC) to induce pressure overload. Post-surgery, animals were further randomized to receive SRT1720 or vehicle treatment. Echocardiography, pressure-volume loops, and histological analysis revealed an impairment in cardiac function and deleterious left ventricular remodelling in TAC-operated animals that was improved with SRT1720 treatment. Genetic ablation and cell culture studies using a Smad-binding response element revealed SIRT1 to be a specific target of SRT1720 and identified Smad2/3 as a SIRT1 specific substrate. Conclusion: Overall, our data demonstrate that Smad2/3 is a specific SIRT1 target and suggests that pharmacological activation of SIRT1 may be a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent/reverse HF via modifying Smad activity.
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Ativadores de Enzimas/farmacologia , Insuficiência Cardíaca/prevenção & controle , Compostos Heterocíclicos de 4 ou mais Anéis/farmacologia , Hipertrofia Ventricular Esquerda/prevenção & controle , Miócitos Cardíacos/efeitos dos fármacos , Sirtuína 1/metabolismo , Proteína Smad2/metabolismo , Proteína Smad3/metabolismo , Função Ventricular Esquerda/efeitos dos fármacos , Remodelação Ventricular/efeitos dos fármacos , Acetilação , Animais , Células Cultivadas , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Ativação Enzimática , Fibrose , Insuficiência Cardíaca/enzimologia , Insuficiência Cardíaca/genética , Insuficiência Cardíaca/fisiopatologia , Histonas/metabolismo , Humanos , Hipertrofia Ventricular Esquerda/enzimologia , Hipertrofia Ventricular Esquerda/genética , Hipertrofia Ventricular Esquerda/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Transgênicos , Miócitos Cardíacos/enzimologia , Miócitos Cardíacos/patologia , Fosforilação , Processamento de Proteína Pós-Traducional , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Sirtuína 1/genética , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismoRESUMO
The calcium binding protein S100B has been implicated in diabetic neuronal and vascular complications but has not been examined in the development of diabetes. S100B knock out (S100B KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were injected with 40â¯mg/kg body weight streptozotocin (STZ) for 5 days. Blood and pancreatic tissue samples were obtained to examine islet structure and function, the profile of glucose and insulin and expression of glucose transporter 2 (Glut2), S100B and its receptor, the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Primary islet ß-cells cultures from WT mice were used to test the apoptotic potential of S100B. S100B KO mice were resistant to STZ induced-diabetes with lower urine volume, food and water intake compared to WT mice. S100B increased in the WT islet following diabetes but did not co-localize with beta or peri-islet Schwann cells but with CD3â¯+â¯T lymphocytes. S100B KO mice exhibited enhanced glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, prevented ß-cell destruction and functional impairment in response to STZ treatment. S100B deficiency was associated with decreased Glut2 and RAGE. In primary ß-cell cultures from WT mice, S100B induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and RAGE-dependent apoptosis. In the STZ diabetic animal model, abrogation of S100B enhances insulin sensitivity and reduces pancreatic islet, and ß-cell destruction. S100B may be a promising target for pharmacological interventions aimed at repressing diabetes.
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Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/metabolismo , Subunidade beta da Proteína Ligante de Cálcio S100/metabolismo , Animais , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Glicemia/efeitos dos fármacos , Glicemia/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/induzido quimicamente , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Glucose/metabolismo , Transportador de Glucose Tipo 2/metabolismo , Insulina/metabolismo , Células Secretoras de Insulina/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Secretoras de Insulina/metabolismo , Ilhotas Pancreáticas/efeitos dos fármacos , Ilhotas Pancreáticas/metabolismo , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Receptor para Produtos Finais de Glicação Avançada/metabolismo , Estreptozocina/farmacologia , Linfócitos T/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos T/metabolismoRESUMO
A wide variety of approaches have become available for the fabrication of nanomaterials with increasing degrees of complexity, precision, and speed while minimizing cost. Their quantitative characterization, however, remains a challenge. Analytical methods to better inspect and validate the structure and composition of large nanoscale objects are required to optimize their applications in diverse technologies. Here, we describe single-molecule fluorescence-based strategies relying on photobleaching and multiple-color co-localization features toward the characterization of supramolecular structures. By optimizing imaging conditions, including surface passivation, excitation power, frame capture rate, fluorophore choice, buffer media, and antifading agents, we have built a robust method by which to dissect the structure of synthetic nanoscale systems. We showcase the use of our methods by retrieving key structural parameters of four DNA nanotube systems differing in their preparation strategy. Our method rapidly and accurately assesses the outcome of synthetic work building nano- and mesoscale architectures, providing a key tool for product studies in nanomaterial synthesis.
Assuntos
DNA/química , Corantes Fluorescentes/química , Nanotubos/química , Nanotecnologia/métodos , Nanotubos/ultraestrutura , Imagem Óptica , FotodegradaçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Low hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and low mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) impact outcomes in critically ill patients. We utilized an experimental model of "normotensive" vs. "hypotensive" acute hemodilutional anemia to test whether optimal tissue perfusion is dependent on both Hb and MAP during acute blood loss and fluid resuscitation, and to assess the value of direct measurements of the partial pressure of oxygen in tissue (PtO2). METHODS: Twenty-nine anesthetized rats underwent 40% isovolemic hemodilution (1:1) (or sham-hemodilution control, n = 4) with either hydroxyethyl starch (HES) (n = 14, normotensive anemia) or saline (n = 11, hypotensive anemia) to reach a target Hb value near 70 g/L. The partial pressure of oxygen in the brain and skeletal muscle tissue (PtO2) were measured by phosphorescence quenching of oxygen using G4 Oxyphor. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, temperature, arterial and venous co-oximetry, blood gases, and lactate were assessed at baseline and for 60 min after hemodilution. Cardiac output (CO) was measured at baseline and immediately after hemodilution. Data were analyzed by repeated measures two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Following "normotensive" hemodilution with HES, Hb was reduced to 66 ± 6 g/L, CO increased (p < 0.05), and MAP was maintained. These conditions resulted in a reduction in brain PtO2 (22.1 ± 5.6 mmHg to 17.5 ± 4.4 mmHg, p < 0.05), unchanged muscle PO2, and an increase in venous oxygen extraction. Following "hypotensive" hemodilution with saline, Hb was reduced to 79 ± 5 g/L and both CO and MAP were decreased (P < 0.05). These conditions resulted in a more severe reduction in brain PtO2 (23.2 ± 8.2 to 10.7 ± 3.6 mmHg (p < 0.05), a reduction in muscle PtO2 (44.5 ± 11.0 to 19.9 ± 12.4 mmHg, p < 0.05), a further increase in venous oxygen extraction, and a threefold increase in systemic lactate levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Acute normotensive anemia (HES hemodilution) was associated with a subtle decrease in brain tissue PtO2 without clear evidence of global tissue hypoperfusion. By contrast, acute hypotensive anemia (saline hemodilution) resulted in a profound decrease in both brain and muscle tissue PtO2 and evidence of inadequate global perfusion (lactic acidosis). These data emphasize the importance of maintaining CO and MAP to ensure adequacy of vital organ oxygen delivery during acute anemia. Improved methods of assessing PtO2 may provide an earlier warning signal of vital organ hypoperfusion.
RESUMO
Type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs) are widely expressed in the vertebrate retina, but the role of endocannabinoids in vision is not fully understood. Here, we identified a novel mechanism underlying a CB1R-mediated increase in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) intrinsic excitability acting through AMPK-dependent inhibition of NKCC1 activity. Clomeleon imaging and patch clamp recordings revealed that inhibition of NKCC1 downstream of CB1R activation reduces intracellular Cl(-) levels in RGCs, hyperpolarizing the resting membrane potential. We confirmed that such hyperpolarization enhances RGC action potential firing in response to subsequent depolarization, consistent with the increased intrinsic excitability of RGCs observed with CB1R activation. Using a dot avoidance assay in freely swimming Xenopus tadpoles, we demonstrate that CB1R activation markedly improves visual contrast sensitivity under low-light conditions. These results highlight a role for endocannabinoids in vision and present a novel mechanism for cannabinoid modulation of neuronal activity through Cl(-) regulation.
Assuntos
Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por AMP/metabolismo , Sensibilidades de Contraste/fisiologia , Endocanabinoides/metabolismo , Receptor CB1 de Canabinoide/metabolismo , Células Ganglionares da Retina/metabolismo , Membro 2 da Família 12 de Carreador de Soluto/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por AMP/genética , Animais , Cloretos/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Transporte de Íons , Larva/fisiologia , Potenciais da Membrana/fisiologia , Imagem Molecular , Técnicas de Patch-Clamp , Receptor CB1 de Canabinoide/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/metabolismo , Células Ganglionares da Retina/citologia , Transdução de Sinais , Membro 2 da Família 12 de Carreador de Soluto/genética , Visão Ocular/fisiologia , Xenopus laevis/fisiologiaRESUMO
Excessive cardiac interstitial fibrosis impairs normal cardiac function. We have shown that the α11ß1 (α11) integrin mediates fibrotic responses to glycated collagen in rat myocardium by a pathway involving transforming growth factor-ß. Little is known of the role of the α11 integrin in the developing mammalian heart. Therefore, we examined the impact of deletion of the α11 integrin in wild-type mice and in mice treated with streptozotocin (STZ) to elucidate the role of the α11 integrin in normal cardiac homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of diabetes-related fibrosis. As anticipated, cardiac fibrosis was reduced in α11 integrin knockout mice (α11(-/-); C57BL/6 background) treated with STZ compared with STZ-treated wild-type mice (P < 0.05). Unexpectedly, diastolic function was impaired in both vehicle and STZ-treated α11(-/-) mice, as shown by the decreased minimum rate of pressure change and prolonged time constant of relaxation in association with increased end-diastolic pressure (all P < 0.05 compared with wild-type mice). Accordingly, we examined the phenotype of untreated α11(-/-) mice, which demonstrated a reduced cardiomyocyte cross-sectional cell area and myofibril thickness (all P < 0.05 compared with wild-type mice) and impaired myofibril arrangement. Immunostaining for desmin and connexin 43 showed abnormal intermediate filament organization at intercalated disks and impaired gap-junction development. Overall, deletion of the α11 integrin attenuates cardiac fibrosis in the mammalian mouse heart and reduces ECM formation as a result of diabetes. Furthermore, α11 integrin deletion impairs cardiac function and alters cardiomyocyte morphology. These findings shed further light on the poorly understood interaction between the fibroblast-cardiomyocyte and the ECM.
Assuntos
Cardiomiopatias Diabéticas/metabolismo , Matriz Extracelular/metabolismo , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Cadeias alfa de Integrinas/metabolismo , Miócitos Cardíacos/metabolismo , Animais , Tamanho Celular , Conexina 43/metabolismo , Desmina/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/genética , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/metabolismo , Cardiomiopatias Diabéticas/genética , Cardiomiopatias Diabéticas/patologia , Cardiomiopatias Diabéticas/fisiopatologia , Feminino , Fibroblastos/patologia , Fibrose , Genótipo , Cadeias alfa de Integrinas/deficiência , Cadeias alfa de Integrinas/genética , Masculino , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Miócitos Cardíacos/patologia , Miofibrilas/metabolismo , Miofibrilas/patologia , Fenótipo , Transdução de Sinais , Estreptozocina , Volume Sistólico , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/genética , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/metabolismo , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/fisiopatologia , Função Ventricular Esquerda , Pressão Ventricular , Remodelação VentricularRESUMO
BACKGROUND: In addition to degrading glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inactivates several chemokines, including stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), a pro-angiogenic and cardiomyocyte protective protein. We hypothesized that DPP-4 inhibition may confer benefit following myocardial infarction (MI) in the diabetic setting as a consequence of enhanced SDF-1α availability rather than potentiating GLP-1. To test this we compared the effects of saxagliptin with those of liraglutide and used the SDF-1α receptor (CXCR4) antagonist plerixafor. METHODS: Studies were conducted in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Rats were randomized to receive saxagliptin (10 mg/kg per day), liraglutide (0.2 mg/kg, s.c., b.i.d.), plerixafor (1 mg/kg per day, s.c.), saxagliptin plus plerixafor or vehicle (1% phosphate-buffered saline). Two weeks later, rats underwent experimental MI, with cardiac function examined 4 weeks after MI. RESULTS: Glycemic control and MI size were similar in all groups. Four weeks after MI, mortality was reduced in saxagliptin-treated rats compared with vehicle treatment (P < 0.05). Furthermore, rats receiving saxagliptin had improved cardiac function compared with vehicle-treated rats (P < 0.05). Antagonism of CXCR4 prevented the improvement in cardiac function in saxagliptin-treated rats and was associated with increased mortality (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Saxagliptin-mediated DPP-4 inhibition, but not liraglutide-mediated GLP-1R agonism, improved cardiac function after MI independent of glucose lowering. These findings suggest that non-GLP-1 actions of DPP-4 inhibition, such as SDF-1α potentiation, mediate biological effects.
Assuntos
Adamantano/análogos & derivados , Quimiocina CXCL12/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/fisiopatologia , Dipeptídeos/uso terapêutico , Inibidores da Dipeptidil Peptidase IV/uso terapêutico , Infarto do Miocárdio/fisiopatologia , Adamantano/uso terapêutico , Animais , Benzilaminas , Cateterismo Cardíaco , Ciclamos , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Dipeptidil Peptidase 4/metabolismo , Ecocardiografia , Receptor do Peptídeo Semelhante ao Glucagon 1/agonistas , Compostos Heterocíclicos/uso terapêutico , Hipoglicemiantes/uso terapêutico , Liraglutida/uso terapêutico , Masculino , Infarto do Miocárdio/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Endogâmicos F344RESUMO
AIMS: S100A1, a 10-kDa, Ca(2+)-binding protein, is expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) and binds eNOS. Its absence is associated with impaired production of nitric oxide (NO) and mild systemic hypertension. As endothelial dysfunction contributes to clinical and experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH), we investigated the impact of deleting S100A1 in mice, on pulmonary haemodynamics, endothelial function, NO production, associated signalling pathways, and apoptosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Compared with wild-type (WT), S100A1-knock-out mice (KO) exhibited increased right ventricular (RV) weight/body weight ratio and elevated RV pressure in the absence of altered left ventricular filling pressures, accompanied by increase in wall thickness of muscularized pulmonary arteries and a reduction in microvascular perfusion. In isolated lung preparations, KO revealed reduced basal NO, blunted dose-responsiveness to acetylcholine, and augmented basal and angiotensin (AII)-induced pulmonary vascular resistance (R0) compared with WT. Pre-treatment of KO lungs with S100A1 attenuated the AII-induced increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and R0. S100A1-induced phosphorylation of eNOS, Akt, and ERK1/2 is attenuated in pulmonary EC of KO compared with WT. Basal and TNF-α-induced EC apoptosis is greater in KO vs. WT, and cell survival is enhanced by S100A1 treatment. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that the absence of S100A1 results in PH by disruption of its normal capacity to (i) enhance pulmonary EC function by induction of eNOS activity and NO levels via Akt/ERK1/2 pathways and (ii) promote EC survival. The ability of exogenously administered S100A1 to rescue this phenotype makes it an attractive therapeutic target in the treatment of PH.
Assuntos
Hipertensão Pulmonar/etiologia , Hipertensão Pulmonar/fisiopatologia , Artéria Pulmonar/fisiopatologia , Proteínas S100/deficiência , Animais , Apoptose/fisiologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Endotélio Vascular/patologia , Endotélio Vascular/fisiopatologia , Proteínas de Choque Térmico HSP90/metabolismo , Hipertensão Pulmonar/patologia , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Óxido Nítrico/biossíntese , Óxido Nítrico Sintase Tipo III/química , Óxido Nítrico Sintase Tipo III/genética , Óxido Nítrico Sintase Tipo III/metabolismo , Fosforilação , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-akt/metabolismo , Artéria Pulmonar/patologia , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Proteínas S100/genética , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismo , Remodelação VascularRESUMO
Chronic neonatal pulmonary hypertension frequently culminates in right ventricular (RV) failure and death. In juvenile rats, RV systolic dysfunction secondary to chronic hypoxia is rescued by systemic treatment with a Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. To explore the relationship between ROCK inhibitor-mediated decreases in pulmonary vascular resistance and pressure, RV hypertrophy, and systolic dysfunction, we compared the effects of systemically administered to inhaled (pulmonary-selective) ROCK inhibitor on RV systolic function. Rat pups were exposed to air or hypoxia (13% O2) from Postnatal Days 1 to 21 and received rescue treatment with aerosolized fasudil (200 mM) for 15 minutes three times daily or intraperitoneal Y27632 (15 mg/kg twice daily) from Days 14 to 21. Chronic hypoxia differentially increased RhoA and ROCK activity in the right, but not left, cardiac ventricle. Inhaled ROCK inhibitor normalized pulmonary vascular resistance and caused regression of RV hypertrophy and pulmonary arterial wall remodeling but did not improve RV systolic dysfunction (decreased stroke volume and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion). Systemic, but not inhaled, ROCK inhibitor normalized up-regulated ROCK and phosphodiesterase 5 activities in the right ventricle. Treatment with sildenafil (100 mg/kg/d intraperitoneally from Days 14 to 21) improved RV systolic function. Collectively, these data indicate that pressure unloading and regressed arterial and cardiac remodeling did not lead to recovery of systolic function while right ventricular ROCK activity remained increased. Right ventricle-specific up-regulation of RhoA/ROCK activity is critical to hypoxia-mediated systolic dysfunction, in part by regulating the activity of phosphodiesterase 5.