Beta-catenin downregulation is required for adaptive cardiac remodeling.

The armadillo-related protein beta-catenin has multiple functions in cardiac tissue homeostasis: stabilization of beta-catenin has been implicated in adult cardiac hypertrophy, and downregulation initiates heart formation in embryogenesis. The protein is also part of the cadherin/catenin complex at the cell membrane, where depletion might result in disturbed cell-cell interaction similar to N-cadherin knockout models. Here, we analyzed the in vivo role of beta-catenin in adult cardiac hypertrophy initiated by angiotensin II (Ang II). The cardiac-specific mifepristone-inducible alphaMHC-CrePR1 transgene was used to induce beta-catenin depletion (loxP-flanked exons 3 to 6, beta-cat(Deltaex3-6) mice) or stabilization (loxP-flanked exon 3, beta-cat(Deltaex3) mice). Levels of beta-catenin were altered both in membrane and nuclear extracts. Analysis of the beta-catenin target genes Axin2 and Tcf-4 confirmed increased beta-catenin-dependent transcription in beta-catenin stabilized mice. In both models, transgenic mice were viable and healthy at age 6 months. beta-Catenin appeared dispensable for cell membrane function. Ang II infusion induced cardiac hypertrophy both in wild-type mice and in mice with beta-catenin depletion. In contrast, mice with stabilized beta-catenin had decreased cross-sectional area at baseline and an abrogated hypertrophic response to Ang II infusion. Stabilizing beta-catenin led to impaired fractional shortening compared with control littermates after Ang II stimulation. This functional deterioration was associated with altered expression of the T-box proteins Tbx5 and Tbx20 at baseline and after Ang II stimulation. In addition, atrophy-related protein IGFBP5 was upregulated in beta-catenin-stabilized mice. These data suggest that beta-catenin downregulation is required for adaptive cardiac hypertrophy.

Requirement of nuclear factor-kappaB in angiotensin II- and isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy in vivo.

BACKGROUND: In vitro experiments have proposed a role of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), a transcription factor, in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and protection against apoptosis. Currently, the net effect on cardiac remodeling in vivo under common stress stimuli is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have generated mice with cardiomyocyte-restricted expression of the NF-kappaB super-repressor IkappaBalphaDeltaN (DeltaN(MHC)) using the Cre/lox technique. DeltaN(MHC) mice displayed an attenuated hypertrophic response compared with control mice on infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II) or isoproterenol by micro-osmotic pumps, as determined by echocardiography (left ventricular wall dimensions: control plus Ang II, x1.5+/-0.1 versus sham; DeltaN(MHC) plus Ang II, x1.1+/-0.1 versus sham; P<0.05; n> or =9), heart weight, and histological analysis. Real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction showed significantly reduced expression of hypertrophy markers beta-myosin heavy chain and atrial natriuretic peptide in Ang II-treated DeltaN(MHC) mice (P<0.05 versus control plus Ang II; n=4). Neither cardiomyocyte apoptosis nor left ventricular dilatation was observed. In cultured adult rat cardiomyocytes, NF-kappaB DNA binding activity was increased by both Ang II- and interleukin-6-related cytokines. The latter are known to be released by cardiac fibroblasts on Ang II stimulation and thus could locally increase the NF-kappaB response of cardiomyocytes. Finally, results from in vitro and in vivo experiments suggest a role for NF-kappaB in the regulation of prohypertrophic interleukin-6 receptor gp130 on mRNA levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that targeted inhibition of NF-kappaB in cardiomyocytes in vivo is sufficient to impair Ang II- and isoproterenol-induced hypertrophy without increasing the susceptibility to apoptosis.

Differential regulation and relocalization of the platelet P2Y receptors after activation: a way to avoid loss of hemostatic properties?

In the present study, we investigated the desensitization and trafficking of the P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors after agonist-induced stimulation of platelets or astrocytoma cells transfected with the P2Y1 or P2Y12 receptors fused to green fluorescent protein. In platelets and in transfected cells, exposure to 10 microM ADP caused desensitization of the P2Y1 receptor-driven calcium signal, whereas the P2Y12 receptor-mediated inhibition of cAMP formation was not affected. Plasma membranes from ADP-stimulated platelets also retained P2Y12 activity. Agonist-induced P2Y1 receptor desensitization was accompanied by its internalization in platelets and transfected cells. In contrast, although a substantial fraction of P2Y12 receptors was rapidly and transiently internalized, most of the P2Y12 receptors remained at the plasma membrane. Activated P2Y1 receptors were internalized through a clathrin-dependent pathway in cells and platelets, whereas the P2Y12 receptors seemed to use a distinct, clathrin-independent pathway. Together, these data indicate that the P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors are differentially regulated upon activation. The absence of desensitization of the Gi protein-coupled P2Y12 receptor-dependent responses could represent a mechanism to preserve the hemostatic properties of otherwise unresponsive platelets.

Statins inhibit reoxygenation-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis: role for glycogen synthase kinase 3beta and transcription factor beta-catenin.

BACKGROUND: Statins may improve left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. We tested whether statins inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis through glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta) inactivation and evaluated activation of downstream transcription factors. METHODS/RESULTS: Mevastatin and pravastatin activated serine/threonine kinase Akt in neonatal cardiomyocytes dose and time dependently with maximal activation at 15 min/10 microM. Caspase-3 activity was induced 2.73 +/- 0.29-fold by 6 h of hypoxia followed by 18 h of reoxygenation. Pravastatin added at the beginning of the reoxygenation period reduced caspase-3 activation to 1.26 +/- 0.06-fold compared to control cells (P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained for mevastatin (decreased to 1.98 +/- 0.45-fold, P < 0.05). TUNEL staining of neonatal cardiomyocytes after 24 h reoxygenation and 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining of adult rat cardiomyocytes after 6 h H(2)O(2) showed reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the presence of statin. Analysis of signaling pathways downstream of Akt revealed phosphorylation of GSK3beta. Transcription factor cAMP-responsive element binding (CREB) protein showed weak phosphorylation at serine 133; transcription factor NF-kappaB was not significantly activated after statin treatment as evaluated by EMSA. The GSK3beta target protein beta-catenin was stabilized at 3 h after statin treatment both in neonatal as well as adult rat cardiomyocytes. Transfection with constitutive active GSK3betaS9A sensitized neonatal cardiomyocytes to hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis as measured by annexin V/propidium iodide staining. Furthermore, myocardial protein extracts of mice revealed GSK3beta inactivation after administration of pravastatin intraperitoneally. CONCLUSIONS: Statins inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis in association with GSK3beta inactivation. Inactivation of GSK3beta leads to stabilization of beta-catenin in cardiomyocytes.

Synthesis and biological activity of 2-alkylated deoxyadenosine bisphosphate derivatives as P2Y(1) receptor antagonists.

A previous study around adenine nucleotides afforded the reference N(6)-methyl-2'-deoxyadenosine-3',5'-bisphosphate (1a, MRS 2179) as a selective human P2Y(1) receptor antagonist (pA(2)=6.55+/-0.05) with antithrombotic properties. In the present paper, we have synthesized and tested in vitro various 2-substituted derivatives with the goal of exploring the 2-position binding region and developing more potent P2Y(1) receptor antagonists. Thus, we have adopted a novel and versatile chemical pathway using a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with the 2-iodinated derivative 7 as a common intermediate for a very efficient synthesis of the 2-alkyl-N(6)-methyl-2'-deoxyadenosine-3',5'-bisphosphate nucleotides 1e-i. The biological activity was evaluated through the ability of compounds to inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation, intracellular calcium rise and to displace the specific binding of [(33)P]2-MeSADP. 2-Ethyl and 2-propyl groups appeared to be tolerated, whereas a bulky group or a C(3) linear substituent dramatically decreased potency of antagonists. The 2-ethynyl derivative 1h (pA(2)=7.54+/-0.10) was significantly more potent (10-fold) as an antagonist when compared to the reference 1a, revealing a potential electronic interaction highly favorable between triple bond orbitals and the P2Y(1) receptor at this position.

The P2Y(1) receptor as a target for new antithrombotic drugs: a review of the P2Y(1) antagonist MRS-2179.

MRS-2179 is a selective P2Y(1) receptor antagonist, a strong inhibitor of ADP-induced platelet aggregation in vitro and ex vivo. By i.v. administration to mice MRS-2179 increases resistance to thromboembolism induced by a mixture of collagen and epinephrine or by a tissue factor. Likewise, it significantly increases the time to thrombus formation in a ferric chloride-induced model of localized arterial thrombosis. MRS-2179 also confers resistance to localized venous thrombosis, which is dependent on thrombin generation and in which platelets play a relatively minor role as compared to stasis or activation of coagulation. These data provide considerable encouragement for the development of new P2Y(1) receptor antagonists. Nevertheless, the properties of MRS-2179 indicate that new compounds should be optimized in order to increase the half-life of the molecule in vivo and its selectivity and potency at the P2Y(1) receptor. Further directions include the synthesis of molecules with modifications of the nucleotide structure which replace the fragile moiety by a stable bond and should lead to a non-hydrolysable structure. In conclusion, P2Y(1) antagonists have been shown to be efficient antithrombotic agents. MRS-2179 is the first P2Y(1) antagonist with antithrombotic action. Its effectiveness demonstrates that the P2Y(1) receptor is a potentially promising target for drugs designed to treat thrombotic syndromes.

A general approach toward the synthesis of C-nucleoside pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazines and their 3',5'-bisphosphate C-nucleotide analogues as the first reported in vivo stable P2Y(1)-receptor antagonists.

In our effort to identify potent purinergic P2Y(1) receptor antagonists as potent platelet aggregation inhibitors with enhanced metabolic stability, we developed an efficient route for the large-scale preparation of 2'-deoxy-C-nucleosides of pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine. The key strategic elements of this novel synthetic approach involved the following: (i) the use of a novel activating group, the N-methyl-N-phenylamino group, which was easily generated in high yield by treatment of the pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazin-4-one (5) with phosphorus oxychloride and dimethylaniline under high pressure, (ii) a regio- and stereospecific palladium-mediated coupling reaction of the readily available unprotected glycal 1,4-anhydro-2-deoxy-D-erythro-pent-1-enitol (4b) and the 8-iodo derivative (16), and (iii) the stereoselective reduction of the ketone group of the furanosyl ring followed by the subsequent displacement of the N-methyl-N-phenylamino group upon treatment with methylamine. The beta configuration at the anomeric C-1' position of the glycal moieties was perfectly retained throughout this conversion. This procedure afforded 8-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-2-methyl-4-(N-methylamino)pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine (21) and 8-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-xylofuranosyl)-2-methyl-4-(N-methylamino)pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine (24) with an overall yield of 50% and 39%, respectively. Finally, the conversion of nucleosides 21 and 24 to the pyrazolotriazine C-nucleotides 3',5'-bisphosphate 2 and 3',5'-cyclophosphate 26 is also described herein and represents the first reported nucleotide derivatives within the pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine series. Preliminary biological testing has shown that compound 2 strongly inhibits ADP-induced human platelet aggregation and shape change and possesses significant efficacies 30 min after injection in rat, highlighting a strong P2Y(1)-receptor antagonist activity in vitro combined with a prolonged duration of action in vivo.

Novel antagonists acting at the P2Y(1) purinergic receptor: synthesis and conformational analysis using potentiometric and nuclear magnetic resonance titration techniques.

The human P2Y(1) receptor is widely distributed in many tissues and has a classical structure of a G protein-coupled receptor. Activated by adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP), this receptor is essential for platelet aggregation. In the present paper, we describe the synthesis of novel P2Y(1) antagonists that could be of interest at least as tools to define the physiological roles of the P2Y(1) receptor, at best as new antithrombotic agents. Thus, we prepared the 2,N(6)-dimethyl-2'-deoxyadenosine-3',5'-bisphosphate derivative, 1e. The biological activity was demonstrated by the ability of compound 1e to inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation, shape change, and intracellular calcium rise. This compound was a full antagonist at the P2Y(1) receptor with a pA(2) value of 7.11 +/- 0.11 and was found to be 4-fold more potent than the reference N(6)-methyl-2'-deoxyadenosine-3',5'-bisphosphate (1a, pA(2) = 6.55 +/- 0.05), revealing the potency-enhancing effects of the 2-methyl group. The better activity of 1e as compared to 1a was analyzed using both potentiometric and nuclear magnetic resonance titration techniques, which highlighted specific conformational features of this compound. These results clearly indicate the preference for both compounds for an anti conformation at the N-glycosyl linkage. Furthermore, the percentage of S conformer of 1e is close to that of 1a, which is nearly 70% at pH = 2.8 and increases dramatically when pH increases. From the macroprotonation constants, it can be noted that compound 1e is significantly more basic than 1a. This is indeed expected for the N1 adenine nitrogen due to the electron-donating character of the methyl moiety. By considering the microconstants of the phosphate groups, the higher basicity of P3 and P5 for 1e may be due to the decrease in the local dielectric constant induced by the substitution of the hydrogen atom by a more lipophilic methyl group. Thus, it may be suggested that the gain in activity of 1e when compared to the reference compound 1a would result from its gain in basicity rather than steric and conformational modifications. The synthesis of the first selective radioligand acting at the P2Y(1) receptor ([(33)P]-N(6)-methyl-2'-deoxyadenosine-3',5'-bisphosphate, 17) is also reported and will be used in the future for efficient screening needed for drug optimization.