NOX4 stimulates ANF secretion via activation of the Sirt1/Nrf2/ATF3/4 axis in hypoxic beating rat atria.

Silent information regulator factor 2­related enzyme 1 (Sirt1) is involved in the regulation of cell senescence, gene transcription, energy balance and oxidative stress. However, the effect of Sirt1 on atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) secretion, especially under hypoxic conditions is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Sirt1, regulated by NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), on ANF secretion in isolated beating rat atria during hypoxia. ANF secretion was analyzed using radioimmunoassays and protein expression levels were determined by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Intra­atrial pressure was recorded using a physiograph. Hypoxia significantly upregulated Sirt1 and nuclear factor erythroid­2­related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein expression levels, together with significantly increased ANF secretion. Hypoxia­induced protein expression of Sirt1 was significantly blocked by a NOX4 inhibitor, GLX351322, and Nrf2 protein expression levels were significantly abolished using the Sirt1 inhibitor, EX527. Hypoxia also significantly elevated the protein expression levels of phosphorylated­Akt and sequestosome 1 and significantly downregulated Kelch­like ECH­associated protein 1 protein expression levels. These effects were significantly blocked by EX527, preventing hypoxia­induced Nrf2 expression. An Nrf2 inhibitor, ML385, significantly abolished the hypoxia­induced upregulation of activating transcription factor (ATF)3, ATF4, T cell factor (TCF)3 and TCF4/lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF1) protein expression levels, and significantly attenuated hypoxia­induced ANF secretion. These results indicated that Sirt1 and Nrf2, regulated by NOX4, can potentially stimulate TCF3 and TCF4/LEF1 signaling via ATF3 and ATF4 activation, thereby potentially participating in the regulation of ANF secretion in beating rat atria during hypoxia. In conclusion, intervening with the Sirt1/Nrf2/ATF signaling pathway may be an effective strategy for resisting oxidative stress damage in the heart during hypoxia.

Diuretic effect of Lagopsis supina fraction in saline-loaded rats is mediated through inhibition of aquaporin and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems and up-regulation of atriopeptin.

Lagopsis supina (Steph. ex Willd.) lk. -Gal. ex Knorr. has been used as a diuretic agent in China for centuries with limited scientific evidence. This study investigated the diuretic efficacy and underlying mechanism of a macroporous adsorption resin with 30% ethanol elution fraction from L. supina (LSC) in saline-loaded rats and to identify its phytochemicals by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-qTOF-MS/MS). As a result, 18 phenylpropanoids, 14 flavonoids and 15 others were identified in LSC, among which stachysoside A and acteoside could be the main bio-active constituents responsible for the diuretic effect. In parallel, the daily administration of LSC (16, 32 and 64 mg/kg) markedly promoted urinary excretion after 2 h of treatment. Moreover, LSC had no effect on urinary Na+ and K+ concentrations, as well as on serum Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Meanwhile, LSC significantly decreased the serum levels of angiotensin II (Ang II), anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), aldosterone (ALD), aquaporin (AQP) 1, AQP2 and AQP3, suppressed renal AQP1, AQP2, and AQP3 mRNA expressions, down-regulated AQP1, AQP2 and AQP3 protein levels, and up-regulated serum atriopeptin (ANP) level in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that LSC has acute and prolonged diuretic effects by inhibiting the AQPs, RAAS, and upregulation of atriopeptin in saline-loaded rats, and this finding support LSC as a novel diuretic agent.

Natriuretic peptide system expression in murine and human submandibular salivary glands: a study of the spatial localisation of ANB, BNP, CNP and their receptors.

The natriuretic peptide (NP) system comprises of three ligands, the Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP), Brain Natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-type Natriuretic peptide (CNP), and three natriuretic peptide receptors, NPRA, NPRB and NPRC. Here we present a comprehensive study of the natriuretic peptide system in healthy murine and human submandibular salivary glands (SMGs). We show CNP is the dominant NP in mouse and human SMG and is expressed together with NP receptors in ducts, autonomic nerves and the microvasculature of the gland, suggesting CNP autocrine signalling may take place in some of these glandular structures. These data suggest the NP system may control salivary gland function during homeostasis through the regulation of electrolyte re-absorption, neural stimulation and/or blood vessel wall contraction/relaxation. We also show abnormal expression of NPRA in the stroma of a subset of human SMGs resected from patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) of non-salivary gland origin. This finding warrants further research to investigate a possible correlation between early OSCC invasion and NPRA overexpression.

Expression and Secretion of an Atrial Natriuretic Peptide in Beige-Like 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

The browning of white adipose tissue (beige adipocytes) stimulates energy expenditure. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to induce thermogenic action in adipocytes via G-protein coupled receptor 120 (GPR120). Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a peptide hormone that plays the role of maintaining normal blood pressure in kidneys to inhibit Na+ reuptake. Recently, ANP was found to induce adipocyte browning by binding to NPR1, an ANP receptor. However, the expression of ANP in adipocytes has not yet been studied. Therefore, in this study, we investigate the expression of ANP in beige-like adipocytes induced by docosahexaenoic acids (DHA), T3, or a PPAR agonist, rosiglitazone. First, we found that brown adipocyte-specific genes were upregulated in beige-like adipocytes. DHA promoted ANP expression in beige-like cells, whereas DHA-induced ANP expression was abolished by GPR120 knockout. ANP secretion of beige-like adipocytes was increased via PKC/ERK1/2 signaling in the GPR120 pathway. Furthermore, ANP secreted from beige-like adipocytes acted on HEK-293 cells, the recipient cells, leading to increased cGMP activity. After the NPR1 knockdown of HEK-293 cells, cGMP activity was not changed. Taken together, our findings indicate that beige-like adipocytes induce ANP secretion, which may contribute to improving obesity-associated metabolic disease.

Functional Screening Identifies MicroRNA Regulators of Corin Activity and Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Biogenesis.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) represents an attractive therapeutic target in hypertension and heart failure. The biologically active form of ANP is produced by the cardiac serine protease corin, and modulation of its activity might therefore represent a novel approach for ANP augmentation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are pervasive regulators of gene expression, but their potential role in regulating corin activity has not been elucidated. Our aim was to systematically identify and characterize miRNA regulators of corin activity in human cardiomyocytes. An assay for measuring serine protease activity in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS)-derived cardiomyocytes was used to perform a comprehensive screening of miRNA family inhibitors (n = 42). miRNA 1-3p (miR-1-3p) was identified as a potent inhibitor of corin activity. The interaction between miR-1-3p and a specific target site in the CORIN 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) was confirmed through argonaute 2 (AGO2)-RNA immunoprecipitation and reporter assays. Inhibition of miR-1-3p resulted in upregulation of CORIN gene and protein expression, as well as a concomitant increase in extracellular ANP. Additionally, miR-1-3p was found to interact with and inhibit the expression of several transcriptional activators of ANP gene expression. In conclusion, we have identified a novel regulator of corin activity and ANP biogenesis in human cardiomyocytes that might be of potential future therapeutic utility.

Is Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) and Natriuretic Peptide Receptor-A (NPR-A) Expression in Human Placenta and Decidua Normal?

BACKGROUND Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a cardiac hormone that regulates blood pressure and the salt-water balance in the blood. It acts through natriuretic peptide receptors (NPR), and the major biologically active ANP receptor is natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPR-A). Aberrant forms of ANP and its receptors have been reported in patients with preeclampsia. However, whether aberrant forms of ANP or NPR-A are present in preeclamptic placenta, and what their role is in preeclampsia pathogenesis, has not yet been elucidated clearly. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of ANP and NPR-A in the placenta and decidua and its role in preeclampsia development. MATERIAL AND METHODS The expression of ANP and NPR-A in the first-trimester villous and decidua, full-term placenta, and preeclamptic placenta was determined using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The HTR8/SVneo cell line was used to investigate the role of NPR-A in proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion using Cell Counting Kit-8 analysis, flow cytometry analysis, and a Transwell invasion assay, respectively. RESULTS ANP and NPR-A were localized in the syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts, and trophoblast columns of human first-trimester villous trophoblast cells of decidua, and in the glandular epithelium and extravillous trophoblast cells of decidua. ANP-positive and NPR-A-positive cells in the decidual stroma were clustered around and infiltrated into the vascular wall of the spiral artery undergoing remodeling. NPR-A expression was significantly reduced in preeclamptic placentas, and NPR-A knockdown significantly impaired the invasion ability of HTR8/SVneo cells, although it had no effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS ANP and NPR-A are involved in human placental development. Decreased levels of NPR-A may contribute to the development of preeclampsia.

High glucose induced calcium overload via impairment of SERCA/PLN pathway and mitochondrial dysfunction leads to oxidative stress in H9c2 cells and amelioration with ferulic acid.

Oxidative stress and associated complications are the major pathological concerns of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC). We aim to elucidate the mechanisms by which high glucose (HG) induced alteration in calcium homeostasis and evaluation of the beneficial effect of two concentrations (10 and 25 µm) of ferulic acid (FA). HG was induced in H9c2 cardiomyoblast by treating with glucose (33 mm) for 48 h, and FA was co-treated. Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+ ]i) overload was found increased significantly with HG. For elucidation of mechanism, the SERCA pathway and mitochondrial integrity (transmembrane potential and permeability transition pore) were explored. Then, we assessed oxidative stress, and cell injury with brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. HG caused significant [Ca2+ ]i overload through downregulation of SERCA2/1, pPLN, and pPKA C-α; and upregulation of PLN and PKA C-α and alteration in the integrity of mitochondria with HG. The [Ca2+ ]i overload in turn caused oxidative stress via generation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonylation. This resulted in cell injury which was evident with significant release of BNP, ANP, and LDH. FA co-treatment was effective to mitigate all pathological changes caused by HG. From the overall results, we conclude that [Ca2+ ]i overload via SERCA pathway and altered mitochondrial integrity is the main cause for oxidative stress during HG. Based on our result, we report that FA could be an attractive nutraceutical for DC.

The exocrine pancreas is an extracardiac source of atrial natriuretic peptide.

Previous studies have shown that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) regulates exocrine pancreatic function in health and disease. As extracardiac sources of ANP have been identified and ANP-like immunoreactivity has been reported in the exocrine pancreas, in the present work we sought to establish whether ANP was produced in the rat exocrine pancreas and if conditions like fasting/feeding or acute pancreatitis were reflected on ANP expression. By using RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence microscopy assays, it was found that both mRNA and protein ANP were present in the acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas. The amount of ANP in the pancreas was lower in than the atrium but similar to other tissues like the kidney and liver. Immunogold labeling electron microscopy studies revealed that ANP was localized in zymogen granules and the endoplasmic reticulum suggesting local synthesis and package into granules. ANP protein expression was significantly increased not only in fasting but also in acute pancreatitis, the latter probably related to impaired secretion. Natriuretic peptide receptor type C which mediates ANP biological effects in the exocrine pancreas was also present in acinar cells and its expression did not change with either fasting or acute pancreatitis. Present findings show that the exocrine pancreas is a relatively important extracardiac source of ANP and further support previous studies strongly suggesting the active role of the peptide in pancreatic physiology and pathophysiology.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus induces structural changes and molecular remodelling in the rat kidney.

There is much evidence that diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced hyperglycemia (HG) is responsible for kidney failure or nephropathy leading to cardiovascular complications. Cellular and molecular mechanism(s) whereby DM can damage the kidney is still not fully understood. This study investigated the effect of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes (T1DM) on the structure and associated molecular alterations of the isolated rat left kidney following 2 and 4 months of the disorder compared to the respective age-matched controls. The results revealed hypertrophy and general disorganized architecture of the kidney characterized by expansion in glomerular borders, tubular atrophy and increased vacuolization of renal tubular epithelial cells in the diabetic groups compared to controls. Electron microscopic analysis revealed ultrastructural alterations in the left kidney highlighted by an increase in glomerular basement membrane width. In addition, increased caspase-3 immunoreactivity was observed in the kidney of T1DM animals compared to age-matched controls. These structural changes were associated with elevated extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and consequently, altered gene expression profile of ECM key components, together with elevated levels of key mediators (MMP9, integrin 5α, TIMP4, CTGF, vimentin) and reduced expressions of Cx43 and MMP2 of the ECM. Marked hypertrophy of the kidney was highlighted by increased atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) gene expression. These changes also correlated with increased TGFß1 activity, gene expression in the left kidney and elevated active TGFß1 in the plasma of T1DM rats compared to control. The results clearly demonstrated that TIDM could elicit severe structural changes and alteration in biochemical markers (remodelling) in the kidney leading to diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Apelin-APJ system is responsible for stress-induced increase in atrial natriuretic peptide expression in rat heart.

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular system is a primary target of stress and stress is the most important etiologic factor in cardiovascular diseases. Stressors increase expressions of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and apelin in cardiac tissue. AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether stress-induced apelin has an effect on the expression of ANP in the right atrium of rat heart. METHODS: The rats were divided into the control, stress and F13A+stress groups. In the stress and F13A+stress groups, the rats were subjected to water immersion and restraint stress (WIRS) for 6h. In the F13A+stress group, apelin receptor antagonist F13A, was injected intravenously immediately before application of WIRS. The plasma samples were obtained for the measurement of corticosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide. The atrial samples were used for immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. RESULTS: F13A administration prevented the rise of plasma corticosterone and ANP levels induced by WIRS. While WIRS application increased the expressions of apelin, HIF-1α and ANP in atrial tissue, while F13A prevented the stress-induced increase in the expression of HIF-1α and ANP. CONCLUSION: Stress-induced apelin induces ANP expression in atrial tissue and may play a role in cardiovascular homeostasis by increasing ANP expression under WIRS conditions.

GDF11 Attenuated ANG II-Induced Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Expression of ANP, BNP and Beta-MHC Through Down- Regulating CCL11 in Mice.

BACKGROUND: Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) decreases with age, and increased C-C motif chemokine 11 (CCL11) is involved in aging. However, the effects of GDF11 on Angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and expression of markers for volume overload and hypertrophy such as ANP, BNP and beta-MHC, as well as the relationship between GDF11 and CCL11 in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are unclear. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the effects of GDF11 on ANG II-induced hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and expression of ANP, BNP and beta-MHC in mice, and explore possible molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Vectors were constructed and viruses were packaged. Mouse cardiomyocytes were treated with ANG II for 24 h. Meanwhile, mouse cardiomyocytes were divided into 4 groups: (1) control; (2) ANG II; (3) ANG II+GDF11; and (4) ANG II+CCL11. Furthermore, mouse cardiomyocytes were treated with GDF11 and CCL11 proteins for 48 h, respectively. The thickness of IVS and LVPS during systole and diastole were measured by cardiac ultrasound in the mouse model of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The relative expression of ANP, BNP, beta-MHC, CCL11 and GDF11 in cardiomyocytes or heart tissue of mice was detected by qPCR or Western blot. 3'- UTR luciferase reporter assay was utilized to examine the relationship between GDF11 and the expression of CCL11. RESULTS: The expression of ANP, BNP, and beta-MHC in mouse cardiomyocytes was significantly increased after the cells were treated with 800 nM ANG II, which was utilized in the following cell experiments. After ANG II treatment, 0.2 ng/ml GDF11 group displayed the highest inhibition of expression of ANP, BNP and beta-MHC in mouse cardiomyocytes, whereas 50 ng/ml CCL11 group displayed the highest stimulation of the expression. GDF11 at 10 ng/ml significantly decreased the expression of CCL11 in mouse cardiomyocytes as compared to the control group. Mice treated with ANG II had increased thickness of IVS and LVPS during both systole and diastole, which was significantly attenuated by GDF11 overexpression. GDF11 overexpression attenuated the increase in expression of ANP, BNP and beta-MHC in the mice model of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The relative serum concentration of GDF11 was markedly decreased, and CCL11 was dramatically increased in mice with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. GDF11 overexpression restored the serum concentration of GDF11 and CCL11 in the mice model of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In addition, GDF11 interference group had markedly increased expression of CCL11, whereas GDF11 overexpression group had significantly decreased expression of CCL11 in luciferase reporter assay. CONCLUSIONS: GDF11 attenuated ANG II-induced hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and expression of ANP, BNP and beta-MHC through down-regulating CCL11 in mice.

A simplified protocol for culture of murine neonatal cardiomyocytes on nanoscale keratin coated surfaces.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to develop a simple, efficient and cost-effective protocol for culturing the neonatal cardiomyocytes using keratin derived from human hair, which can be used for studying cardiac hypertrophy in vitro. METHODS: Keratin was extracted from human hair and applied as nanoscale coating onto the culture dishes. Physical parameters such as surface morphology and roughness of the coating were studied by SEM and AFM. Cardiomyocyte specific markers were assessed by immunofluorescence. Signaling pathways activated in hypertrophy were analyzed by western blotting and changes in the expression of fetal genes were analyzed by qPCR. The changes in the calcium fluxes were observed microscopically using Fluo-4. RESULTS: Keratin coated surfaces displayed a uniform coating and comparable roughness across dishes. Our optimized protocol for isolating cardiomyocytes yielded up to ~106 cells per heart. Characterization of cardiomyocytes with specific markers revealed that they can attach, grow and show spontaneous contractions on keratin-coated substrates similar to fibronectin-coated surfaces. Phenylephrine (PE) treated cardiomyocytes grown on keratin-coated substrates exhibited increased cell size, sarcomere organization and perinuclear ANP expression indicating the development of cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, we observed increased activation of Akt and ERK pathways, induction of the fetal genes and increased protein synthesis upon PE treatment, which are characteristics of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The protocol was extended to mouse cardiomyocytes and found to show similar results upon examination. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that keratin can act as an efficient yet cost effective alternative substrate for the attachment, growth and differentiation of neonatal murine cardiomyocytes.

Recombinant production, purification and characterization of vessel dilator in E. coli.

Vessel dilator is a 3.9-KDa potent anticancer peptide and a valuable candidate in the treatment of conditions such as congestive heart failure and acute renal failure amongst others. Here we report the recombinant production of vessel dilator in Escherichia coli. Three different synthetic ORF's dubbed VDI, VDII and VDIII, each encoding a trimmer of the vessel dilator peptide attached to a His tag sequence at their C- terminal, were synthesized and placed in pET21c expression vectors. The highest yield, following expression in E. coli BL21 (DE3), was recorded with VDII that carried the shortest fusion partner. Subsequent to the initial capture of the fusion protein by a Ni affinity column, the vessel dilator monomers were cleaved by trypsin treatment, and further purified to at least 90% homogeneity by anion exchange chromatography. De-novo sequencing and in vivo anticancer activity tests were used to verify the peptide sequence and its biological activity, respectively. The final yield was estimated to be approximately 15 mg of the purified vessel dilator per gram wet weight of the bacterial cells.

Cucurbitacin-I induces hypertrophy in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts through activation of autophagy via MEK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Cucurbitacin-I, a natural triterpenoids initially identified in medicinal plants, shows a potent anticancer effect on a variety of cancer cell types. Nevertheless, the cardiotoxicity of cucurbitacin-I has not heretofore been reported. In this study, the mechanisms of cucurbitacin-I-induced cardiotoxicity were examined by investigating the role of MAPK-autophagy-dependent pathways. After being treated with 0.1-0.3µM cucurbitacin-I for 48h, H9c2 cells showed a gradual decrease in the cell viabilities, a gradual increase in cell size, and mRNA expression of ANP and BNP (cardiac hypertrophic markers). Cucurbitacin-I concentration-dependent apoptosis of H9c2 cells was also observed. The increased apoptosis of H9c2 cells was paralleling with the gradually strong autophagy levels. Furthermore, an autophagy inhibitor, 3-MA, was used to block the cucurbitacin-I-stirred autophagy, and then the hypertrophy and apoptosis induced by 0.3µM cucurbitacin-I were significantly attenuated. In addition, cucurbitacin-I exposure also activated the MAPK signaling pathways, including ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 kinases. Interestingly, only the ERK inhibitor U0126, but not the JNK inhibitor SP600125 and p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580, weakened the induction of 0.3µM cucurbitacin-I in hypertrophy, autophagy and apoptosis. Our findings suggest that cucurbitacin-I can increase the autophagy levels of H9c2 cells, most likely, through the activation of an ERK-autophagy dependent pathway, which results in the hypertrophy and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.

Rapid effects of aldosterone in primary cultures of cardiomyocytes - do they suggest the existence of a membrane-bound receptor?

Aldosterone acts on its target tissue through a classical mechanism or through the rapid pathway through a putative membrane-bound receptor. Our goal here was to better understand the molecular and biochemical rapid mechanisms responsible for aldosterone-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We have evaluated the hypertrophic process through the levels of ANP, which was confirmed by the analysis of the superficial area of cardiomyocytes. Aldosterone increased the levels of ANP and the cellular area of the cardiomyocytes; spironolactone reduced the aldosterone-increased ANP level and cellular area of cardiomyocytes. Aldosterone or spironolactone alone did not increase the level of cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), but aldosterone plus spironolactone led to increased cAMP level; the treatment with aldosterone + spironolactone + BAPTA-AM reduced the levels of cAMP. These data suggest that aldosterone-induced cAMP increase is independent of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and dependent on Ca(2+). Next, we have evaluated the role of A-kinase anchor proteins (AKAP) in the aldosterone-induced hypertrophic response. We have found that St-Ht31 (AKAP inhibitor) reduced the increased level of ANP which was induced by aldosterone; in addition, we have found an increase on protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) activity when cells were treated with aldosterone alone, spironolactone alone and with a combination of both. Our data suggest that PKC could be responsible for ERK5 aldosterone-induced phosphorylation. Our study suggests that the aldosterone through its rapid effects promotes a hypertrophic response in cardiomyocytes that is controlled by an AKAP, being dependent on ERK5 and PKC, but not on cAMP/cAMP-dependent protein kinase signaling pathways. Lastly, we provide evidence that the targeting of AKAPs could be relevant in patients with aldosterone-induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.

Endothelial Actions of ANP Enhance Myocardial Inflammatory Infiltration in the Early Phase After Acute Infarction.

RATIONALE: In patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the initial extent of necrosis and inflammation determine clinical outcome. One early event in AMI is the increased cardiac expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (NP) and B-type NP, with their plasma levels correlating with severity of ischemia. It was shown that NPs, via their cGMP-forming guanylyl cyclase-A (GC-A) receptor and cGMP-dependent kinase I (cGKI), strengthen systemic endothelial barrier properties in acute inflammation. OBJECTIVE: We studied whether endothelial actions of local NPs modulate myocardial injury and early inflammation after AMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Necrosis and inflammation after experimental AMI were compared between control mice and littermates with endothelial-restricted inactivation of GC-A (knockout mice with endothelial GC-A deletion) or cGKI (knockout mice with endothelial cGKI deletion). Unexpectedly, myocardial infarct size and neutrophil infiltration/activity 2 days after AMI were attenuated in knockout mice with endothelial GC-A deletion and unaltered in knockout mice with endothelial cGKI deletion. Molecular studies revealed that hypoxia and tumor necrosis factor-α, conditions accompanying AMI, reduce the endothelial expression of cGKI and enhance cGMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase 2A (PDE2A) levels. Real-time cAMP measurements in endothelial microdomains using a novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer biosensor revealed that PDE2 mediates NP/cGMP-driven decreases of submembrane cAMP levels. Finally, intravital microscopy studies of the mouse cremaster microcirculation showed that tumor necrosis factor-α-induced endothelial NP/GC-A/cGMP/PDE2 signaling impairs endothelial barrier functions. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxia and cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, modify the endothelial postreceptor signaling pathways of NPs, with downregulation of cGKI, induction of PDE2A, and altered cGMP/cAMP cross talk. Increased expression of PDE2 can mediate hyperpermeability effects of paracrine endothelial NP/GC-A/cGMP signaling and facilitate neutrophil extravasation during the early phase after MI.

Inhibition of miR-154 Protects Against Cardiac Dysfunction and Fibrosis in a Mouse Model of Pressure Overload.

Expression of miR-154 is upregulated in the diseased heart and was previously shown to be upregulated in the lungs of patients with pulmonary fibrosis. However, the role of miR-154 in a model of sustained pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis had not been assessed. To examine the role of miR-154 in the diseased heart, adult male mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction for four weeks, and echocardiography was performed to confirm left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction. Mice were then subcutaneously administered a locked nucleic acid antimiR-154 or control over three consecutive days (25 mg/kg/day) and cardiac function was assessed 8 weeks later. Here, we demonstrate that therapeutic inhibition of miR-154 in mice with pathological hypertrophy was able to protect against cardiac dysfunction and attenuate adverse cardiac remodelling. The improved cardiac phenotype was associated with attenuation of heart and cardiomyocyte size, less cardiac fibrosis, lower expression of atrial and B-type natriuretic peptide genes, attenuation of profibrotic markers, and increased expression of p15 (a miR-154 target and cell cycle inhibitor). In summary, this study suggests that miR-154 may represent a novel target for the treatment of cardiac pathologies associated with cardiac fibrosis, hypertrophy and dysfunction.

Acute Metabolic Influences on the Natriuretic Peptide System in Humans.

BACKGROUND: The cardiac natriuretic peptides (NPs), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), have central roles in sodium and blood pressure regulation. Extracardiac factors (e.g., obesity and diabetes) influence NP production, potentially altering cardiovascular responses to volume and pressure stress. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effects of acute carbohydrate intake on the NP system in humans, and investigated underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Normotensive subjects (N = 33) were given a high-carbohydrate shake. Venous blood was sampled to measure N-terminal (NT)-proANP and NT-proBNP levels. Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) and HepG2 cells were treated with glucose, and expression levels of NPs and micro ribonucleic acid 425 (miR-425), a negative regulator of ANP, were examined. The role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in the glucose-mediated effects was investigated using a NF-κB inhibitor and expression plasmids encoding NF-κB subunits. RESULTS: We observed a 27% reduction in the levels of circulating NT-proANP (p < 0.001, maximal at 6 h) after carbohydrate challenge, with no effect on NT-proBNP levels in our human subjects. Glucose treatment of hESC-CMs for 6 h and 24 h increased levels of the primary transcript of miR-425 (pri-miR-425) and mature miR-425. A corresponding decrease in NPPA messenger RNA levels was also observed at both time points. Overexpression of NF-κB subunits in H9c2 cardiomyocytes increased miR-425 levels, whereas inhibition of NF-κB abrogated the glucose-mediated increase in pri-miR-425 levels in HepG2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Acute carbohydrate challenge is associated with a reduction in ANP production. The mechanism appears to involve a glucose-induced increase in the expression of miR-425, mediated by NF-κB signaling.

[Prokaryotic expression, purification and identification of recombinant human atrial natriuretic peptide].

In order to improve the expression of recombinant human atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a new plasmid (pET28a(+)/ANP3) containing 3 tandem ANP genes with lysine codon as the interval linker, was constructed. Target gene was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and induced by IPTG, about 60% of the total-cell-protein was the target protein, His6-ANP3. After denaturation and refolding, it was digested by Endoproteinase Lys-C and Carboxypeptidase B (CPB) and then purified by a series of purification processes, about 16 mg purified ANP monomer could be obtained from one liter bacteria broth of shaking culture. Ultimately, the purity of protein was above 90% determined by UPLC and Tricine SDS-PAGE, its molecular weight was 3 080 Da according to LC-MS identification and it was proved to be equivalent to the reference product by ELISA. The use of tandem gene expression can provide a new possible model for the expression of other peptide drugs.

[Effects of hydrogen sulfide donor on production of adrenomedullin and atrial natriuretic peptide in rats with atherosclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: Endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a novel gasotransmitter in cardiovascular regulation, plays an important protective role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis (AS). This study was designed to explore the effects of H2S donor on the production of adrenomedullin (ADM) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in AS rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=10), AS group (n=10), and AS+NaHS group (n=10). Rats in the AS and AS+NaHS groups were given 3-day intraperitoneal injections of vitamin D3 and 8-week high-fat diet to induce AS, and the rats in the AS+NaHS group were intraperitoneally injected with H2S donor NaHS. Oil red O staining was applied to detect changes in the areas of the atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic root and the coronary artery; sulfide-sensitive electrode method was used to measure the plasma concentration of H2S. ADM and ANP levels in plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, marked atherosclerotic plaques were observed in the aortic root and the coronary artery in AS rats. Moreover, plasma H2S level decreased significantly, ADM level increased, and ANP level decreased significantly in AS rats (P<0.01). However, after the treatment with H2S donor NaHS for 8 weeks, the above changes in AS rats were reversed, demonstrated by significantly reduced areas of the atherosclerotic plaques in both the aortic root and the coronary artery, significantly increased plasma H2S level, significantly decreased plasma ADM level, and significantly increased plasma ANP level (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: H2S plays an important regulatory effect on vasoactive peptides ADM and ANP in AS rats.