Effects of a Global Rab27a Null Mutation on Murine PVAT and Cardiovascular Function.

BACKGROUND: RAB27A is a member of the RAS oncogene superfamily of GTPases and regulates cell secretory function. It, is expressed within blood vessels and perivascular adipose tissue. We hypothesized that loss of RAB27A would alter cardiovascular function. METHODS: Body weight of Rab27aash mice was measured from 2 to 18 months of age, along with glucose resorption at 6 and 12 months of age and glucose sensitivity at 18 months of age. Body weight and cellular and molecular features of perivascular adipose tissue and aortic tissue were examined in a novel C57BL/6J Rab27a null strain. Analyses included morphometric quantification and proteomic analyses. Wire myography measured vasoreactivity, and echocardiography measured cardiac function. Comparisons across ages and genotypes were evaluated via 2-way ANOVA with multiple comparison testing. Significance for myography was determined via 4-parameter nonlinear regression testing. RESULTS: Genome-wide association data linked rare human RAB27A variants with body mass index and glucose handling. Changes in glucose tolerance were observed in Rab27aash male mice at 18 months of age. In WT (wild-type) and Rab27a null male mice, body weight, adipocyte lipid area, and aortic area increased with age. In female mice, only body weight increased with age, independent of RAB27A presence. Protein signatures from male Rab27a null mice suggested greater associations with cardiovascular and metabolic phenotypes compared with female tissues. Wire myography results showed Rab27a null males exhibited increased vasoconstriction and reduced vasodilation at 8 weeks of age. Rab27a null females exhibited increased vasoconstriction and vasodilation at 20 weeks of age. Consistent with these vascular changes, male Rab27a null mice experienced age-related cardiomyopathy, with severe differences observed by 21 weeks of age. CONCLUSIONS: Global RAB27A loss impacted perivascular adipose tissue and thoracic aorta proteomic signatures, altered vasocontractile responses, and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction in mice.

Rab27a Regulates Human Perivascular Adipose Progenitor Cell Differentiation.

PURPOSE: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) surrounds blood vessels and regulates vascular tone through paracrine secretion of cytokines. During conditions promoting cardiometabolic dysfunction, such as obesity, cytokine secretion is altered towards a proinflammatory and proatherogenic profile. Despite the clinical implications for cardiovascular disease, studies addressing the biology of human PVAT remain limited. We are interested in characterizing the resident adipose progenitor cells (APCs) because of their potential role in PVAT expansion during obesity. We also focused on proteins regulating paracrine interactions, including the small GTPase Rab27a, which regulates protein trafficking and secretion. METHODS: PVAT from the ascending aorta was collected from patients with severe cardiovascular disease undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Freshly-isolated PVAT was digested and APC expanded in culture for characterizing progenitor markers, evaluating adipogenic potential and assessing the function(s) of Rab27a. RESULTS: Using flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and immunoblot, we characterized APC from human PVAT as negative for CD45 and CD31 and expressing CD73, CD105, and CD140A. These APCs differentiate into multilocular, UCP1-producing adipocytes in vitro. Rab27a was detected in interstitial cells of human PVAT in vivo and along F-actin tracks of PVAT-APC in vitro. Knockdown of Rab27a using siRNA in PVAT-APC prior to induction resulted in a marked reduction in lipid accumulation and reduced expression of adipogenic differentiation markers. CONCLUSIONS: PVAT-APC from CABG donors express common adipocyte progenitor markers and differentiate into UCP1-containing adipocytes. Rab27a has an endogenous role in promoting the maturation of adipocytes from human PVAT-derived APC.

BMP9 regulates endoglin-dependent chemokine responses in endothelial cells.

BMP9 signaling has been implicated in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and vascular remodeling, acting via the HHT target genes, endoglin and ALK1. This study sought to identify endothelial BMP9-regulated proteins that could affect the HHT phenotype. Gene ontology analysis of cDNA microarray data obtained after BMP9 treatment of primary human endothelial cells indicated regulation of chemokine, adhesion, and inflammation pathways. These responses included the up-regulation of the chemokine CXCL12/SDF1 and down-regulation of its receptor CXCR4. Quantitative mass spectrometry identified additional secreted proteins, including the chemokine CXCL10/IP10. RNA knockdown of endoglin and ALK1 impaired SDF1/CXCR4 regulation by BMP9. Because of the association of SDF1 with ischemia, we analyzed its expression under hypoxia in response to BMP9 in vitro, and during the response to hindlimb ischemia, in endoglin-deficient mice. BMP9 and hypoxia were additive inducers of SDF1 expression. Moreover, the data suggest that endoglin deficiency impaired SDF1 expression in endothelial cells in vivo. Our data implicate BMP9 in regulation of the SDF1/CXCR4 chemokine axis in endothelial cells and point to a role for BMP9 signaling via endoglin in a switch from an SDF1-responsive autocrine phenotype to an SDF1 nonresponsive paracrine state that represses endothelial cell migration and may promote vessel maturation.

Effect of sustained postnatal systemic inflammation on hippocampal volume and function in mice.

BACKGROUND: Premature infants are at risk for persistent neurodevelopmental impairment. Children born preterm often exhibit reduced hippocampal volumes that correlate with deficits in working memory. Perinatal inflammation is associated with preterm birth and brain abnormalities. Here we examine the effects of postnatal systemic inflammation on the developing hippocampus in mice. METHODS: Pups received daily intraperitoneal injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline between days 3 and 13. Ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and microscopic analysis of brain tissue was performed on day 14. Behavioral testing was conducted at 8-9 wk of age. RESULTS: MR and microscopic analysis revealed a 15-20% reduction in hippocampal volume in LPS-treated mice compared with controls. Behavioral testing revealed deficits in hippocampal-related tasks in LPS-treated animals. Adult mice exposed to LPS during the postnatal period were unable to select a novel environment when re-placed within a 1-min delay, were less able to remember a familiar object after a 1-h delay, and had impaired retention of associative fear learning after 24 h. CONCLUSION: Systemic inflammation sustained during the postnatal period contributes to reduced hippocampal volume and deficits in hippocampus-dependent working memory. These findings support the novel and emerging concept that sustained systemic inflammation contributes to neurodevelopmental impairment among preterm infants.

Compromised myocardial energetics in hypertrophied mouse hearts diminish the beneficial effect of overexpressing SERCA2a.

The sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) plays a central role in regulating intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and myocardial contractility. Several studies show that improving Ca(2+) handling in hypertrophied rodent hearts by increasing SERCA activity results in enhanced contractile function. This suggests that SERCA is a potential target for gene therapy in cardiac hypertrophy and failure. However, it raises the issue of increased energy cost resulting from a higher ATPase activity. In this study, we determined whether SERCA overexpression alters the energy cost of increasing myocardial contraction in mouse hearts with pressure-overload hypertrophy using (31)P NMR spectroscopy. We isolated and perfused mouse hearts from wild-type (WT) and transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing the cardiac isoform of SERCA (SERCA2a) 8 weeks after ascending aortic constriction (left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)) or sham operation. We found that overexpressing SERCA2a enhances myocardial contraction and relaxation in normal mouse hearts during inotropic stimulation with isoproterenol. Energy consumption was proportionate to the increase in contractile function. Thus, increasing SERCA2a expression in the normal heart allows an enhanced inotropic response with no compromise in energy supply and demand. However, this advantage was not sustained in LVH hearts in which the energetic status was compromised. Although the overexpression of SERCA2a prevented the down-regulation of SERCA protein in LVH hearts, TG-LVH hearts showed no increase in inotropic response when compared with WT-LVH hearts. Our results suggest that energy supply may be a limiting factor for the benefit of SERCA overexpression in hypertrophied hearts. Thus, strategies combining energetic support with increasing SERCA activity may improve the therapeutic effectiveness for heart failure.

DIO3 protects against thyrotoxicosis-derived cranio-encephalic and cardiac congenital abnormalities.

Maternal hyperthyroidism is associated with an increased incidence of congenital abnormalities at birth, but it is not clear which of these defects arise from a transient developmental excess of thyroid hormone and which depend on pregnancy stage, antithyroid drug choice, or unwanted subsequent fetal hypothyroidism. To address this issue, we studied a mouse model of comprehensive developmental thyrotoxicosis secondary to a lack of type 3 deiodinase (DIO3). Dio3-/- mice exhibited reduced neonatal viability on most genetic backgrounds and perinatal lethality on a C57BL/6 background. Dio3-/- mice exhibited severe growth retardation during the neonatal period and cartilage loss. Mice surviving after birth manifested brain and cranial dysmorphisms, severe hydrocephalus, choanal atresia, and cleft palate. These abnormalities were noticeable in C57BL/6J Dio3-/- mice at fetal stages, in addition to a thyrotoxic heart with septal defects and thin ventricular walls. Our findings stress the protecting role of DIO3 during development and support the hypothesis that human congenital abnormalities associated with hyperthyroidism during pregnancy are caused by transient thyrotoxicosis before clinical intervention. Our results also suggest thyroid hormone involvement in the etiology of idiopathic pathologies including cleft palate, choanal atresia, Chiari malformations, Kaschin-Beck disease, and Temple and other cranio-encephalic and heart syndromes.

Conditional expression of Spry1 in neural crest causes craniofacial and cardiac defects.

BACKGROUND: Growth factors and their receptors are mediators of organogenesis and must be tightly regulated in a temporal and spatial manner for proper tissue morphogenesis. Intracellular regulators of growth factor signaling pathways provide an additional level of control. Members of the Sprouty family negatively regulate receptor tyrosine kinase pathways in several developmental contexts. To gain insight into the role of Spry1 in neural crest development, we analyzed the developmental effects of conditional expression of Spry1 in neural crest-derived tissues. RESULTS: Here we report that conditional expression of Spry1 in neural crest cells causes defects in craniofacial and cardiac development in mice. Spry1;Wnt1-Cre embryos die perinatally and exhibit facial clefting, cleft palate, cardiac and cranial nerve defects. These defects appear to be the result of decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of neural crest and neural crest-derived cell populations. In addition, the domains of expression of several key transcription factors important to normal craniofacial and cardiac development including AP2, Msx2, Dlx5, and Dlx6 were reduced in Spry1;Wnt1-Cre transgenic embryos. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these data suggest that Spry1 is an important regulator of craniofacial and cardiac morphogenesis and perturbations in Spry1 levels may contribute to congenital disorders involving tissues of neural crest origin.

Soluble forms of the Notch ligands Delta1 and Jagged1 promote in vivo tumorigenicity in NIH3T3 fibroblasts with distinct phenotypes.

We previously found that soluble forms of the Notch ligands Jagged1 and Delta1 induced fibroblast growth factor receptor-dependent cell transformation in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. However, the phenotypes of these lines differed, indicating distinct functional differences among these Notch ligands. In the present study, we used allografts to test the hypothesis that NIH3T3 fibroblasts that express soluble forms of Delta1 and Jagged1 accelerate tumorigenicity in vivo. With the exception of the full-length Jagged1 transfectant, all other cell lines, including the control, generated tumors when injected subcutaneously in athymic mice. Suppression of Notch signaling by the soluble ligands significantly increased tumor onset and growth, whereas full-length Jagged1 completely suppressed tumor development. In addition, there were striking differences in tumor pathology with respect to growth kinetics, vascularization, collagen content, size and number of necrotic foci, and invasiveness into the underlying tissue. Further, the production of angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor, also differed among the tumor types. Lastly, both Jagged1- and Delta1-derived tumors contained phenotypically distinct populations of lipid-filled cells that corresponded with increased expression of adipocyte markers. The divergence of tumor phenotype may be attributed to ligand-specific alterations in Notch receptor responses in exogenous and endogenous cell populations within the allographs. Our findings demonstrate distinct functional properties for these Notch ligands in the promotion of tumorigenicity in vivo.

Unmasking different mechanical and energetic roles for the small heat shock proteins CryAB and HSPB2 using genetically modified mouse hearts.

CryAB and HSPB2 are small heat shock proteins constitutively expressed in the heart. CryAB protects cytoskeletal organization and intermediate filament assembly; the functions of HSPB2 are unknown. The promoters of CryAB and HSPB2 share regulatory elements, making identifying their separate functions difficult. Here, using a genetic approach, we report distinct roles for these sHSPs, with CryAB protecting mechanical properties and HSPB2 protecting energy reserve. Isolated hearts of wild type mice (WT), mice lacking both sHSPs (DKO), WT mice overexpressing mouse CryAB protein (mCryAB(Tg)), and mice with no HSPB2 made by crossing DKO with mCryAB(Tg) (DKO/mCryAB(Tg)) were stressed with either ischemia/reperfusion or inotropic stimulation. Contractile performance and energetics were measured using 31P NMR spectroscopy. Ischemia/reperfusion caused severe diastolic dysfunction in DKO hearts. Recovery of [ATP] and [PCr] during reperfusion was impaired only in DKO/mCryAB(Tg). During inotropic stimulation, DKO/mCryAB(Tg) showed blunted systolic and diastolic function and revealed massive energy wasting on acute stress: |deltaG(-ATP)| decreased in DKO by 6.4 +/- 0.7 and in DKO/mCryAB(Tg) by 5.5 +/- 0.8 kJ/mol compared with only approximately 3.3 kJ/mol in WT and mCryAB(Tg). Thus, CryAB and HSPB2 proteins play nonredundant roles in the heart, CryAB in structural remodeling and HSPB2 in maintaining energetic balance.

Systemic and cardiac susceptibility of immune compromised mice to doxorubicin.

BACKGROUND: Anthracycline chemotherapy is an effective and widely used treatment for solid tumors and hematological malignancies regardless of its known cardiotoxicity. The mechanisms of the cardiotoxicity are not fully understood and methods to protect the heart during or following anthracycline chemotherapy are currently unclear. In order to examine the efficacy of human cell based therapy in anthracycline-induced injury, we characterized a mouse model using an immune compromised strain of mice capable of accepting human cells. METHODS: Immune compromised mice (NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ) were repeatedly exposed to pharmaceutical grade doxorubicin (0.5 mg/kg - 4 mg/kg). Cardiotoxicity was assessed by echocardiography and µCT imaging of the coronary vascular bed as well as by flow cytometry and by histological assessments of anthracycline-induced cardiac tissue damage. RESULTS: The immune compromised mice were highly susceptible to doxorubicin treatment. Doxorubicin induced both systemic and cardiac toxicities. Gastrointestinal and hepatic injury occurred at 4 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg dosing while mice receiving 0.5 mg/kg weekly only displayed hepatic damage. Repeated exposure to 0.5 mg/kg anthracyclines resulted in cardiac toxicity. Flow cytometric analysis of hearts indicated a loss in endothelial and cardiac progenitor cells after doxorubicin treatment. This endothelial loss is corroborated by the lack of small vessels detected by µCT in the hearts of mice exposed to doxorubicin. Histological assessment shows no overt cardiomyocyte injury but livers from mice treated with doxorubicin show marked hepatic plate atrophy with intracytoplasmic and canalicular cholestasis, rare pericentral hepatocellular necrosis and significant zone 3 iron accumulation, likely an indication of metabolic injury due to doxorubicin toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Immune compromised mice are sensitive to doxorubicin therapy resulting in systemic complications in addition to cardiovascular toxicity. Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is observed at very low doses in NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ mice.

Low over-expression of TNFalpha in the mouse heart increases contractile performance via TNFR1.

TNFalpha is a cytokine wit pleiotropic functions in many organs. In the heart increased TNFalpha levels are not only associated with heart failure, but also, paradoxically, with protection from ischemic damage. To test whether the protective role of TNFalpha in the heart is concentration-dependent, we studied two mouse heart models with low (two- to threefold) over-expression of endogenous TNFalpha: mice deficient in a translational repressor of TNFalpha mRNA, TIA-1(-/-), and mice over-expressing human TNFalpha. Hearts lacking TIA-1 were characterized for their endogenous TNFalpha over-expression during normal Langendorff perfusion. To define which TNFalpha receptor mediates cardiac protection, we also used mice lacking the TNFR1 receptor. Contractile function was assessed in isolated hearts perfused in the isovolumic Langendorff mode during and following global no-flow ischemic stress and in response to varying extracellular [Ca(2+)] to determine their contractile response and Ca(2+) sensitivity. All hearts with low over-expression of TNFalpha, independent of human or murine origin, have improved contractile performance and increased Ca(2+) sensitivity (by 0.2-0.26 pCa). Hearts lacking TNFR1 have contractile performance equal to wild type hearts. Recovery from ischemia was greater in TIA-1(-/-) and was diminished in TNFR1(-/-). Better contractile function in TNFalpha over-expressing hearts is not due to improved cardiac energetics assessed as [ATP] and glucose uptake or to differences in expression of SERCA2a or calmodulin. We suggest that low levels of TNFalpha increase the Ca(2+) sensitivity of the heart via a TNFR1-mediated mechanism.

Decreased energetics in murine hearts bearing the R92Q mutation in cardiac troponin T.

The thin filament protein cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is an important regulator of myofilament activation. Here we report a significant change in cardiac energetics in transgenic mice bearing the missense mutation R92Q within the tropomyosin-binding domain of cTnT, a mutation associated with a clinically severe form of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This functional domain of cTnT has recently been shown to be a crucial modulator of contractile function despite the fact that it does not directly interact with the ATP hydrolysis site in the myosin head. Simultaneous measurements of cardiac energetics using 31P NMR spectroscopy and contractile performance of the intact beating heart revealed both a decrease in the free energy of ATP hydrolysis available to support contractile work and a marked inability to increase contractile performance upon acute inotropic challenge in hearts from R92Q mice. These results show that alterations in thin filament protein structure and function can lead to significant defects in myocardial energetics and contractile reserve.

Heterozygous caveolin-3 mice show increased susceptibility to palmitate-induced insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance and diabetes are comorbidities of obesity and affect one in 10 adults in the United States. Despite the high prevalence, the mechanisms of cardiac insulin resistance in obesity are still unclear. We test the hypothesis that the insulin receptor localizes to caveolae and is regulated through binding to caveolin-3 (CAV3). We further test whether haploinsufficiency forCAV3 increases the susceptibility to high-fat-induced insulin resistance. We used in vivo and in vitro studies to determine the effect of palmitate exposure on global insulin resistance, contractile performance of the heart in vivo, glucose uptake in the heart, and on cellular signaling downstream of theIR We show that haploinsufficiency forCAV3 increases susceptibility to palmitate-induced global insulin resistance and causes cardiomyopathy. On the basis of fluorescence energy transfer (FRET) experiments, we show thatCAV3 andIRdirectly interact in cardiomyocytes. Palmitate impairs insulin signaling by a decrease in insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt that corresponds to an 87% decrease in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake inHL-1 cardiomyocytes. Despite loss of Akt phosphorylation and lower glucose uptake, palmitate increased insulin-independent serine phosphorylation ofIRS-1 by 35%. In addition, we found lipid induced downregulation ofCD36, the fatty acid transporter associated with caveolae. This may explain the problem the diabetic heart is facing with the simultaneous impairment of glucose uptake and lipid transport. Thus, these findings suggest that loss ofCAV3 interferes with downstream insulin signaling and lipid uptake, implicatingCAV3 as a regulator of theIRand regulator of lipid uptake in the heart.

Metabolic costs induced by lactate in the toad Bufo marinus: new mechanism behind oxygen debt?

The mechanism of an increase in metabolic rate induced by lactate was investigated in the toad Bufo marinus. Oxygen consumption (Vo(2)) was analyzed in fully aerobic animals under hypoxic conditions (7% O(2) in air), accompanied by measurements of catecholamines in the plasma, and was measured in isolated hepatocytes in vitro under normoxia by using specific inhibitors of lactate proton symport [alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate (CHC)] and sodium proton exchange (EIPA). The rise in metabolic rate in vivo can be elicited by infusions of hyperosmotic (previous findings) or isosmotic sodium lactate solutions (this study). Despite previous findings of reduced metabolic stimulation under the effect of adrenergic blockers, the increase in Vo(2) in vivo was not associated with elevated plasma catecholamine levels, suggesting local release and effect. In addition to the possible in vivo effect via catecholamines, lactate induced a rise in Vo(2) of isolated hepatocytes, depending on the concentration present in a weakly buffered Ringer solution at pH 7.0. No increase was found at higher pH values (7.4 or 7.8) or in HEPES-buffered Ringer solution. Inhibition of the Lac(-)-H(+) transporter with alpha-CHC or of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger with EIPA prevented the increase in metabolic rate. We conclude that increased Vo(2) at an elevated systemic lactate level may involve catecholamine action, but it is also caused by an increased energy demand of cellular acid-base regulation via stimulation of Na(+)/H(+) exchange and thereby Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. The effect depends on entry of lactic acid into the cells via lactate proton symport, which is likely favored by low cellular surface pH. We suggest that these energetic costs should also be considered in other physiological phenomena, e.g., when lactate is present during excess, postexercise Vo(2).

Palmitate diet-induced loss of cardiac caveolin-3: a novel mechanism for lipid-induced contractile dysfunction.

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cardiomyopathy, and mechanisms linking the underlying risk and dietary factors are not well understood. We tested the hypothesis that dietary intake of saturated fat increases the levels of sphingolipids, namely ceramide and sphingomyelin in cardiac cell membranes that disrupt caveolae, specialized membrane micro-domains and important for cellular signaling. C57BL/6 mice were fed two high-fat diets: palmitate diet (21% total fat, 47% is palmitate), and MCT diet (21% medium-chain triglycerides, no palmitate). We established that high-palmitate feeding for 12 weeks leads to 40% and 50% increases in ceramide and sphingomyelin, respectively, in cellular membranes. Concomitant with sphingolipid accumulation, we observed a 40% reduction in systolic contractile performance. To explore the relationship of increased sphingolipids with caveolins, we analyzed caveolin protein levels and intracellular localization in isolated cardiomyocytes. In normal cardiomyocytes, caveolin-1 and caveolin-3 co-localize at the plasma membrane and the T-tubule system. However, mice maintained on palmitate lost 80% of caveolin-3, mainly from the T-tubule system. Mice maintained on MCT diet had a 90% reduction in caveolin-1. These data show that caveolin isoforms are sensitive to the lipid environment. These data are further supported by similar findings in human cardiac tissue samples from non-obese, obese, non-obese cardiomyopathic, and obese cardiomyopathic patients. To further elucidate the contractile dysfunction associated with the loss of caveolin-3, we determined the localization of the ryanodine receptor and found lower expression and loss of the striated appearance of this protein. We suggest that palmitate-induced loss of caveolin-3 results in cardiac contractile dysfunction via a defect in calcium-induced calcium release.

Interactive 3D Analysis of Blood Vessel Trees and Collateral Vessel Volumes in Magnetic Resonance Angiograms in the Mouse Ischemic Hindlimb Model.

The quantitative analysis of blood vessel volumes from magnetic resonance angiograms (MRA) or µCT images is difficult and time-consuming. This fact, when combined with a study that involves multiple scans of multiple subjects, can represent a significant portion of research time. In order to enhance analysis options and to provide an automated and fast analysis method, we developed a software plugin for the ImageJ and Fiji image processing frameworks that enables the quick and reproducible volume quantification of blood vessel segments. The novel plugin named Volume Calculator (VolCal), accepts any binary (thresholded) image and produces a three-dimensional schematic representation of the vasculature that can be directly manipulated by the investigator. Using MRAs of the mouse hindlimb ischemia model, we demonstrate quick and reproducible blood vessel volume calculations with 95 - 98% accuracy. In clinical settings this software may enhance image interpretation and the speed of data analysis and thus enhance intervention decisions for example in peripheral vascular disease or aneurysms. In summary, we provide a novel, fast and interactive quantification of blood vessel volumes for single blood vessels or sets of vessel segments with particular focus on collateral formation after an ischemic insult.

An improved isolation procedure for adult mouse cardiomyocytes.

Isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes are an important tool in cardiovascular research, but are challenging to prepare. Because the energy supply determines cell function and viability, we compared total creatine ([Cr]) and [ATP] in isolated cardiomyocytes with the intact mouse heart. Isolated myocytes suffered severe losses of Cr (-70%) and ATP (-53%). Myocytes were not able to replete [Cr] during a 5 h incubation period in medium supplemented with 1 mM Cr. In contrast, adding 20 mM Cr to the digestion buffers was sufficient to maintain normal [Cr]. Supplementing buffers with 5 mM of inosine (Ino) and adenosine (Ado) to prevent loss of cellular nucleosides partially protected against loss of ATP. To test whether maintaining [ATP] and [Cr] improves contractile function, myocytes were challenged by varying pacing rate from 0.5 to 10 Hz and by adding isoproterenol (Iso) at 5 and 10 Hz. All groups performed well up to 5 Hz, showing a positive cell shortening-frequency relationship; however, only 16% of myocytes isolated under standard conditions were able to sustain pacing with Iso challenge at 10 Hz. In contrast, 30-50% of the myocytes with normal Cr levels were able to contract and maintain low diastolic [Ca(2+)]. Cell yield also improved in Cr and the Cr/Ino/Ado-treated groups (85-90% vs. 70-75% rod shaped in untreated myocytes). These data suggest that viability and performance of isolated myocytes are improved when they are protected from the severe loss of Cr and ATP during the isolation, making them an even better research tool.

Palmitate-Induced Translocation of Caveolin-3 and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Cardiomyocytes.

PROBLEM STATEMENT: Palmitate is a known cardiac lipotoxin that blunts cardiomyocyte contractile function and induces apoptosis, likely via accumulation of the lipotoxic ceramide. Ceramide is a sphingolipid and localizes to caveolae, which are lined in the inner membrane leaflet by caveolin proteins. In this study, we investigated the effects of palmitate on caveolin proteins and on endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS), a signaling mediator that binds to caveolin-3, the muscle-specific caveolae scaffolding protein. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Mice fed a high palmitate diet for 12 weeks showed pathologically increased coronary flow in the ex vivo Langendorff heart especially at low extracellular calcium concentrations. In these hearts, eNOS Ser1177 phosphorylation was increased compared to standard or high fat control diet hearts. This suggested that eNOS, a potent vasodilator in the heart, is affected by palmitate. In vitro experiments showed that exposure of HL-1 cardiomyocytes to palmitate causes translocation of eNOS from the plasma membrane to a perinuclear location and causes an 80% decrease in Thr495 phosphorylation. This corresponded with a 41% decrease in NO production. To determine the mechanism of the loss of plasma membrane bound eNOS, we investigated the effect of palmitate on caveolin-3 and found decreased caveolin-3 protein levels by 70% compared to control cells. The remaining 30% of caveolin-3 was localized to a perinuclear location. In contrast to previous studies, palmitate did not cause apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSION: Overall, we show for the first time that a high palmitate diet leads to loss of caveolin-3 in cardiomyocytes and to coronary dysfunction of the mouse heart, via uncoupling of eNOS.

Caloric restriction leads to high marrow adiposity and low bone mass in growing mice.

The effects of caloric restriction (CR) on the skeleton are well studied in adult rodents and include lower cortical bone mass but higher trabecular bone volume. Much less is known about how CR affects bone mass in young, rapidly growing animals. This is an important problem because low caloric intake during skeletal acquisition in humans, as in anorexia nervosa, is associated with low bone mass, increased fracture risk, and osteoporosis in adulthood. To explore this question, we tested the effect of caloric restriction on bone mass and microarchitecture during rapid skeletal growth in young mice. At 3 weeks of age, we weaned male C57Bl/6J mice onto 30% caloric restriction (10% kcal/fat) or normal diet (10% kcal/fat). Outcomes at 6 (n = 4/group) and 12 weeks of age (n = 8/group) included body mass, femur length, serum leptin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) values, whole-body bone mineral density (WBBMD, g/cm(2)), cortical and trabecular bone architecture at the midshaft and distal femur, bone formation and cellularity, and marrow fat measurement. Compared with the normal diet, CR mice had 52% and 88% lower serum leptin and 33% and 39% lower serum IGF-1 at 6 and 12 weeks of age (p < .05 for all). CR mice were smaller, with lower bone mineral density, trabecular, and cortical bone properties. Bone-formation indices were lower, whereas bone-resorption indices were higher (p < .01 for all) in CR versus normal diet mice. Despite having lower percent of body fat, bone marrow adiposity was elevated dramatically in CR versus normal diet mice (p < .05). Thus we conclude that caloric restriction in young, growing mice is associated with impaired skeletal acquisition, low leptin and IGF-1 levels, and high marrow adiposity. These results support the hypothesis that caloric restriction during rapid skeletal growth is deleterious to cortical and trabecular bone mass and architecture, in contrast to potential skeletal benefits of CR in aging animals.

Calcineurin-induced energy wasting in a transgenic mouse model of heart failure.

Overexpression of calcineurin (CLN) in the mouse heart induces severe hypertrophy that progresses to heart failure, providing an opportunity to define the relationship between energetics and contractile performance in the severely failing mouse heart. Contractile performance was studied in isolated hearts at different pacing frequencies and during dobutamine challenge. Energetics were assessed by 31P-NMR spectroscopy as ATP and phosphocreatine concentrations ([ATP] and [PCr]) and free energy of ATP hydrolysis (|Delta G( approximately ATP)|). Mitochondrial and glycolytic enzyme activities, myocardial O2 consumption, and myocyte ultrastructure were determined. In transgenic (TG) hearts at all levels of work, indexes of systolic performance were reduced and [ATP] and capacity for ATP synthesis were lower than in non-TG hearts. This is the first report showing that myocardial [ATP] is lower in a TG mouse model of heart failure. [PCr] was also lower, despite an unexpected increase in the total creatine pool. Because Pi concentration remained low, despite lower [ATP] and [PCr], |Delta G( approximately ATP)| was normal; however, chemical energy did not translate to systolic performance. This was most apparent with beta-adrenergic stimulation of TG hearts, during which, for similar changes in |Delta G( approximately ATP)|, systolic pressure decreased, rather than increased. Structural abnormalities observed for sarcomeres and mitochondria likely contribute to decreased contractile performance. On the basis of the increases in enzyme activities of proteins important for ATP supply observed after treatment with the CLN inhibitor cyclosporin A, we also conclude that CLN directed inhibition of ATP-producing pathways in non-TG and TG hearts.