A perspective on Notch signalling in progression and arrhythmogenesis in familial hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies.

In this perspective, we discussed emerging data indicating a role for Notch signalling in inherited disorders of the heart failure with focus on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) linked to variants of genes encoding mutant proteins of the sarcomere. We recently reported an upregulation of elements in the Notch signalling cascade in cardiomyocytes derived from human inducible pluripotent stem cells expressing a TNNT2 variant encoding cardiac troponin T (cTnT-I79N+/-), which induces hypertrophy, remodelling, abnormalities in excitation-contraction coupling and electrical instabilities (Shafaattalab S et al. 2021 Front. Cell Dev. Biol. 9, 787581. (doi:10.3389/fcell.2021.787581)). Our search of the literature revealed the novelty of this finding and stimulated us to discuss potential connections between the Notch signalling pathway and familial cardiomyopathies. Our considerations focused on the potential role of these interactions in arrhythmias, microvascular ischaemia, and fibrosis. This finding underscored a need to consider the role of Notch signalling in familial cardiomyopathies which are trigged by sarcomere mutations engaging mechano-signalling pathways for which there is evidence of a role for Notch signalling with crosstalk with Hippo signalling. Our discussion included a role for both cardiac myocytes and non-cardiac myocytes in progression of HCM and DCM. This article is part of the theme issue 'The heartbeat: its molecular basis and physiological mechanisms'.

Altered coronary artery function, arteriogenesis and endothelial YAP signaling in postnatal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a cardiovascular genetic disease caused largely by sarcomere protein mutations. Gaps in our understanding exist as to how maladaptive sarcomeric biophysical signals are transduced to intra- and extracellular compartments leading to HCM progression. To investigate early HCM progression, we focused on the onset of myofilament dysfunction during neonatal development and examined cardiac dynamics, coronary vascular structure and function, and mechano-transduction signaling in mice harboring a thin-filament HCM mutation. Methods: We studied postnatal days 7-28 (P7-P28) in transgenic (TG) TG-cTnT-R92Q and non-transgenic (NTG) mice using skinned fiber mechanics, echocardiography, biochemistry, histology, and immunohistochemistry. Results: At P7, skinned myofiber bundles exhibited an increased Ca2+-sensitivity (pCa50 TG: 5.97 ± 0.04, NTG: 5.84 ± 0.01) resulting from cTnT-R92Q expression on a background of slow skeletal (fetal) troponin I and α/ß myosin heavy chain isoform expression. Despite the transition to adult isoform expressions between P7-P14, the increased Ca2+- sensitivity persisted through P28 with no apparent differences in gross morphology among TG and NTG hearts. At P7 significant diastolic dysfunction was accompanied by coronary flow perturbation (mean diastolic velocity, TG: 222.5 ± 18.81 mm/s, NTG: 338.7 ± 28.07 mm/s) along with localized fibrosis (TG: 4.36% ± 0.44%, NTG: 2.53% ± 0.47%). Increased phosphorylation of phospholamban (PLN) was also evident indicating abnormalities in Ca2+ homeostasis. By P14 there was a decline in arteriolar cross-sectional area along with an expansion of fibrosis (TG: 9.72% ± 0.73%, NTG: 2.72% ± 0.2%). In comparing mechano-transduction signaling in the coronary arteries, we uncovered an increase in endothelial YAP expression with a decrease in its nuclear to cytosolic ratio at P14 in TG hearts, which was reversed by P28. Conclusion: We conclude that those early mechanisms that presage hypertrophic remodeling in HCM include defective biophysical signals within the sarcomere that drive diastolic dysfunction, impacting coronary flow dynamics, defective arteriogenesis and fibrosis. Changes in mechano-transduction signaling between the different cellular compartments contribute to the pathogenesis of HCM.

Mechano-growth factor E-domain modulates cardiac contractile function through 14-3-3 protein interactomes.

In the heart, alternative splicing of the igf-I gene produces two isoforms: IGF-IEa and IGF-IEc, (Mechano-growth factor, MGF). The sequence divergence between their E-domain regions suggests differential isoform function. To define the biological actions of MGF's E-domain, we performed in silico analysis of the unique C-terminal sequence and identified a phosphorylation consensus site residing within a putative 14-3-3 binding motif. To test the functional significance of Ser 18 phosphorylation, phospho-mimetic (S/E18) and phospho-null (S/A18) peptides were delivered to mice at different doses for 2 weeks. Cardiovascular function was measured using echocardiography and a pressure-volume catheter. At the lowest (2.25 mg/kg/day) and highest (9 mg/kg/day) doses, the peptides produced a depression in systolic and diastolic parameters. However, at 4.5 mg/kg/day the peptides produced opposing effects on cardiac function. Fractional shortening analysis also showed a similar trend, but with no significant change in cardiac geometry. Microarray analysis discovered 21 genes (FDR p < 0.01), that were expressed accordant with the opposing effects on contractile function at 4.5 mg/kg/day, with the nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 2 (Nr4a2) identified as a potential target of peptide regulation. Testing the regulation of the Nr4a family, showed the E-domain peptides modulate Nr4a gene expression following membrane depolarization with KCl in vitro. To determine the potential role of 14-3-3 proteins, we examined 14-3-3 isoform expression and distribution. 14-3-3γ localized to the myofilaments in neonatal cardiac myocytes, the cardiac myocytes and myofilament extracts from the adult heart. Thermal shift analysis of recombinant 14-3-3γ protein showed the S/A18 peptide destabilized 14-3-3γ folding. Also, the S/A18 peptide significantly inhibited 14-3-3γ's ability to interact with myosin binding protein C (MYPC3) and phospholamban (PLN) in heart lysates from dobutamine injected mice. Conversely, the S/E18 peptide showed no effect on 14-3-3γ stability, did not inhibit 14-3-3γ's interaction with PLN but did inhibit the interaction with MYPC3. Replacing the glutamic acid with a phosphate group on Ser 18 (pSer18), significantly increased 14-3-3γ protein stability. We conclude that the state of Ser 18 phosphorylation within the 14-3-3 binding motif of MGF's E-domain, modulates protein-protein interactions within the 14-3-3γ interactome, which includes proteins involved in the regulation of contractile function.

Truncation of the N-terminus of cardiac troponin I initiates adaptive remodeling of the myocardial proteosome via phosphorylation of mechano-sensitive signaling pathways.

The cardiac isoform of troponin I has a unique N-terminal extension (~ 1-30 amino acids), which contributes to the modulation of cardiac contraction and relaxation. Hearts of various species including humans produce a truncated variant of cardiac troponin I (cTnI-ND) deleting the first ~ 30 amino acids as an adaption in pathophysiological conditions. In this study, we investigated the impact of cTnI-ND chronic expression in transgenic mouse hearts compared to wildtype (WT) controls (biological n = 8 in each group). We aimed to determine the global phosphorylation effects of cTnI-ND on the cardiac proteome, thereby determining the signaling pathways that have an impact on cardiac function. The samples were digested and isobarically labeled and equally mixed for relative quantification via nanoLC-MS/MS. The peptides were then enriched for phospho-peptides and bioinformatic analysis was done with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). We found approximately 77% replacement of the endogenous intact cTnI with cTnI-ND in the transgenic mouse hearts with 1674 phospho-proteins and 2971 non-modified proteins. There were 73 significantly altered phospho-proteins; bioinformatic analysis identified the top canonical pathways as associated with integrin, protein kinase A, RhoA, and actin cytoskeleton signaling. Among the 73 phospho-proteins compared to controls cTnI-ND hearts demonstrated a significant decrease in paxillin and YAP1, which are known to play a role in cell mechano-sensing pathways. Our data indicate that cTnI-ND modifications in the sarcomere are sufficient to initiate changes in the phospho-signaling profile that may underly the chronic-adaptive response associated with cTnI cleavage in response to stressors by modifying mechano-sensitive signaling pathways.

Effects of Sarcomere Activators and Inhibitors Targeting Myosin Cross-Bridges on Ca2+-Activation of Mature and Immature Mouse Cardiac Myofilaments.

We tested the hypothesis that isoform shifts in sarcomeres of the immature heart modify the effect of cardiac myosin-directed sarcomere inhibitors and activators. Omecamtiv mecarbil (OM) activates tension and is in clinical trials for the treatment of adult acute and chronic heart failure. Mavacamten (Mava) inhibits tension and is in clinical trials to relieve hypercontractility and outflow obstruction in advanced genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is often linked to mutations in sarcomeric proteins. To address the effect of these agents in developing sarcomeres, we isolated heart fiber bundles, extracted membranes with Triton X-100, and measured tension developed over a range of Ca2+ concentrations with and without OM or Mava treatment. We made measurements in fiber bundles from hearts of adult nontransgenic (NTG) controls expressing cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and from hearts of transgenic (TG-ssTnI) mice expressing the fetal/neonatal form, slow skeletal troponin I (ssTnI). We also compared fibers from 7- and 14-day-old NTG mice expressing ssTnI and cTnI. These studies were repeated with 7- and 14-day-old transgenic mice (TG-cTnT-R92Q) expressing a mutant form of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) linked to HCM. OM increased Ca2+-sensitivity and decreased cooperative activation in both ssTnI- and cTnI-regulated myofilaments with a similar effect: reducing submaximal tension in immature and mature myofilaments. Although Mava decreased tension similarly in cTnI- and ssTnI-regulated myofilaments controlled either by cTnT or cTnT-R92Q, its effect involved a depressed Ca2+-sensitivity in the mature cTnT-R92 myofilaments. Our data demonstrate an influence of myosin and thin-filament associated proteins on the actions of myosin-directed agents such as OM and Mava. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The effects of myosin-targeted activators and inhibitors on Ca2+-activated tension in developing cardiac sarcomeres presented here provide novel, ex vivo evidence as to their actions in early-stage cardiac disorders. These studies advance understanding of the molecular mechanisms of these agents, which are important in preclinical studies employing sarcomere Ca2+-response as a screening approach. The data also inform the use of commonly immature cardiac myocytes generated from human-inducible pluripotent stem cells in screening for sarcomere activators and inhibitors.

14-3-3 protein regulation of excitation-contraction coupling.

14-3-3 proteins (14-3-3 s) are a family of highly conserved proteins that regulate many cellular processes in eukaryotes by interacting with a diverse array of client proteins. The 14-3-3 proteins have been implicated in several disease states and previous reviews have condensed the literature with respect to their structure, function, and the regulation of different cellular processes. This review focuses on the growing body of literature exploring the important role 14-3-3 proteins appear to play in regulating the biochemical and biophysical events associated with excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) in muscle. It presents both a timely and unique analysis that seeks to unite studies emphasizing the identification and diversity of 14-3-3 protein function and client protein interactions, as modulators of muscle contraction. It also highlights ideas within these two well-established but intersecting fields that support further investigation with respect to the mechanistic actions of 14-3-3 proteins in the modulation of force generation in muscle.

Mechanisms of troponin release into serum in cardiac injury associated with COVID-19 patients.

Serum levels of thin filament proteins, cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) employing high sensitivity antibodies provide a state-of-the art determination of cardiac myocyte injury in COVID-19 patients. Although there is now sufficient evidence of the value of these determinations in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, mechanisms of their release have not been considered in depth. We summarize the importance of these mechanisms with emphasis on their relation to prognosis, stratification, and treatment of COVID-19 patients. Apart from frank necrotic cell death, there are other mechanisms of myocyte injury leading to membrane fragility that provoke release of cTnT and cTnI. We discuss a rationale for understanding these mechanisms in COVID-19 patients with co-morbidities associated with myocyte injury such as heart failure, hypertension, arrythmias, diabetes, and inflammation. We describe how understanding these significant aspects of these mechanisms in the promotion of angiotensin signaling by SARS-CoV-2 can affect treatment options in the context of individualized therapies. Moreover, with likely omic data related to serum troponins and with the identification of elevations of serum troponins now more broadly detected employing high sensitivity antibodies, we think it is important to consider molecular mechanisms of elevations in serum troponin as an element in clinical decisions and as a critical aspect of development of new therapies.

A Perspective on Personalized Therapies in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

ABSTRACT: A dominant mechanism of sudden cardiac death in the young is the progression of maladaptive responses to genes encoding proteins linked to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Most are mutant sarcomere proteins that trigger the progression by imposing a biophysical defect on the dynamics and levels of myofilament tension generation. We discuss approaches for personalized treatments that are indicated by recent advanced understanding of the progression.

Regulation of Cardiac Mast Cell Maturation and Function by the Neurokinin-1 Receptor in the Fibrotic Heart.

Cardiac fibrosis is an underlying cause of diastolic dysfunction, contributing to heart failure. Substance P (SP) activation of the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) contributes to cardiac fibrosis in hypertension. However, based on in vitro experiments, this does not appear to be via direct activation of cardiac fibroblasts. While numerous cells could mediate the fibrotic effects of SP, herein, we investigate mast cells (MC) as a mechanism mediating the fibrotic actions of SP, since MCs are known to play a role in cardiac fibrosis and respond to SP. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were treated with the NK-1R antagonist L732138 (5 mg/kg/d) from 8 to 12 weeks of age. L732138 prevented increased MC maturation of resident immature MCs. NK-1R blockade also prevented increased cardiac MC maturation in angiotensin II-infused mice. MC-deficient mice were used to test the importance of MC NK-1Rs to MC activation. MC-deficient mice administered angiotensin II did not develop fibrosis; MC-deficient mice reconstituted with MCs did develop fibrosis. MC-deficient mice reconstituted with MCs lacking the NK-1R also developed fibrosis, indicating that NK-1Rs are not required for MC activation in this setting. In conclusion, the NK-1R causes MC maturation, however, other stimuli are required to activate MCs to cause fibrosis.

Early Weight Loss Independent Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Diet-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction in Obese, Wistar Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Several reports suggest that bariatric surgery significantly improves cardiac function in patients with obesity cardiomyopathy. The mechanism is unknown but may be due to weight-loss independent factors. We predict that the changes in gastrointestinal anatomy after a rodent model of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) will have weight-loss independent effects on cardiac dysfunction. METHODOLOGY: Cardiac dysfunction was induced by feeding a 60% kcal from fat diet to male Wistar rats for 10 weeks. Rats underwent either a SG (n = 12) or pair-fed, PF (n = 8) sham surgery. Echocardiograms were performed pre- and post-operatively at 6 and 13 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at 10 weeks post-operatively for assessment of insulin sensitivity and heart failure. RESULTS: Forty-four percent of SG rats had a normal ejection fraction (EF) at 13 weeks ("responders") compared to five SG rats who did not recover EF ("non-responders"). Zero percent of the PF rats normalized EF (p = 0.03). SG responders had a smaller left ventricular internal diameter in systole and end systolic volume with improved systolic function compared to SG non-responders (EF 90.7 ± 1.7 vs. 75.4 ± 3.6%, p = <0.001). At 10 weeks post-operatively, plasma glucose and B-type natriuretic peptide levels were significantly lower in SG rats compared to PF rats. CONCLUSIONS: A SG significantly improved systolic function in 44% of rats with diet-induced obesity and cardiac dysfunction. This improvement is related to weight-loss independent effects of the surgery on the entero-cardiac axis. These results offer a novel weight-loss independent, metabolic role for bariatric surgery as a potential treatment modality for obesity-associated cardiac dysfunction.

Substance P induces cardioprotection in ischemia-reperfusion via activation of AKT.

Accumulating evidence indicates that substance P is cardioprotective following ischemia-reperfusion primarily due to its potent coronary vasodilator actions. However, an anti-apoptotic effect of substance P has been observed in tenocytes following ischemia, which involved activation of the AKT pathway. This suggests the possibility that substance P also provides cardioprotection via direct actions to activate AKT in myocardial cells. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that substance P attenuates ischemia-related cell death via direct effects on myocardial cells by activating cell survival pathways. Seven-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, anesthetized with intraperitoneal pentobarbital sodium (100 mg/kg), were used. The ability of substance P to prevent cellular damage was assessed following ischemia-reperfusion in an isolated heart preparation and in short-term hypoxia without reperfusion using a left ventricular tissue slice culture preparation. In addition, the NK-1 receptor and AKT involvement was assessed using the NK-1 receptor antagonist L732138 and the AKT inhibitor LY294002. The results indicate that substance P reduced the ischemia-related release of lactate dehydrogenase in both preparations and the degree of apoptosis and necrosis in the hypoxic left ventricular slices, indicating its ability to attenuate cell damage; and induced AKT phosphorylation, with both the AKT inhibitor and NK-1 receptor antagonist preventing the increased phosphorylation of AKT and the ability of substance P to attenuate hypoxic cellular damage. It is concluded that substance P reduces ischemia/hypoxia-induced myocardial cell death by acting directly on cardiac cells to initiate cell survival pathways via the NK-1 receptor and AKT.

Localized delivery of mechano-growth factor E-domain peptide via polymeric microstructures improves cardiac function following myocardial infarction.

The Insulin like growth factor-I isoform mechano-growth factor (MGF), is expressed in the heart following myocardial infarction and encodes a unique E-domain region. To examine E-domain function, we delivered a synthetic peptide corresponding to the unique E-domain region of the human MGF (IGF-1Ec) via peptide eluting polymeric microstructures to the heart. The microstructures were made of poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate hydrogel and bioengineered to be the same size as an adult cardiac myocyte (100 × 15 × 15 µm) and with a stiffness of 20 kPa. Peptide eluting microrods and empty microrods were delivered via intramuscular injection following coronary artery ligation in mice. To examine the physiologic consequences, we assessed the impact of peptide delivery on cardiac function and cardiovascular hemodynamics using pressure-volume loops and gene expression by quantitative RT-PCR. A significant decline in both systolic and diastolic function accompanied by pathologic hypertrophy occurred by 2 weeks which decompensated further by 10 weeks post-infarct in the untreated groups. Delivery of the E-domain peptide eluting microrods decreased mortality, ameliorated the decline in hemodynamics, and delayed decompensation. This was associated with the inhibition of pathologic hypertrophy despite increasing vascular impedance. Delivery of the empty microrods had limited effects on hemodynamics and while pathologic hypertrophy persisted there was a decrease in ventricular stiffness. Our data show that cardiac restricted administration of the MGF E-domain peptide using polymeric microstructures may be used to prevent adverse remodeling of the heart and improve function following myocardial infarction.

Cardiomyocyte-specific expression of CRNK, the C-terminal domain of PYK2, maintains ventricular function and slows ventricular remodeling in a mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Up-regulation and activation of PYK2, a member of the FAK family of protein tyrosine kinases, is involved in the pathogenesis of left ventricular (LV) remodeling and heart failure (HF). PYK2 activation can be prevented by CRNK, the C-terminal domain of PYK2. We previously demonstrated that adenoviral-mediated CRNK gene transfer improved survival and LV function, and slowed LV remodeling in a rat model of coronary artery ligation-induced HF. We now interrogate whether cardiomyocyte-specific, transgenic CRNK expression prevents LV remodeling and HF in a mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) caused by constitutively active Protein Kinase Cε (caPKCε). Transgenic (TG; FVB/N background) mice were engineered to express rat CRNK under control of the α-myosin heavy chain promoter, and crossed with FVB/N mice with cardiomyocyte-specific expression of caPKCε to create double TG mice. LV structure, function, and gene expression were evaluated in all 4 groups (nonTG FVB/N; caPKCε(+/-); CRNK(+/-); and caPKCε×CRNK (PXC) double TG mice) at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12mo of age. CRNK expression followed a Mendelian distribution, and CRNK mice developed and survived normally through 12mo. Cardiac structure, function and selected gene expression of CRNK mice were similar to nonTG littermates. CRNK had no effect on caPKCε expression and vice versa. PYK2 was up-regulated ~6-fold in caPKCε mice, who developed a non-hypertrophic, progressive DCM with reduced systolic (Contractility Index=151±5 vs. 90±4s(-1)) and diastolic (Tau=7.5±0.5 vs. 14.7±1.3ms) function, and LV dilatation (LV Remodeling Index (LVRI)=4.2±0.1 vs. 6.0±0.3 for FVB/N vs. caPKCε mice, respectively; P<0.05 for each at 12mo). In double TG PXC mice, CRNK expression significantly prolonged survival, improved contractile function (Contractile Index=115±8s(-1); Tau=9.5±1.0ms), and reduced LV remodeling (LVRI=4.9±0.1). Cardiomyocyte-specific expression of CRNK improves contractile function and slows LV remodeling in a mouse model of DCM.

Influence of a constitutive increase in myofilament Ca(2+)-sensitivity on Ca(2+)-fluxes and contraction of mouse heart ventricular myocytes.

Chronic increases in myofilament Ca(2+)-sensitivity in the heart are known to alter gene expression potentially modifying Ca(2+)-homeostasis and inducing arrhythmias. We tested age-dependent effects of a chronic increase in myofilament Ca(2+)-sensitivity on induction of altered alter gene expression and activity of Ca(2+) transport systems in cardiac myocytes. Our approach was to determine the relative contributions of the major mechanisms responsible for restoring Ca(2+) to basal levels in field stimulated ventricular myocytes. Comparisons were made from ventricular myocytes isolated from non-transgenic (NTG) controls and transgenic mice expressing the fetal, slow skeletal troponin I (TG-ssTnI) in place of cardiac TnI (cTnI). Replacement of cTnI by ssTnI induces an increase in myofilament Ca(2+)-sensitivity. Comparisons included myocytes from relatively young (5-7months) and older mice (11-13months). Employing application of caffeine in normal Tyrode and in 0Na(+) 0Ca(2+) solution, we were able to dissect the contribution of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pump (SR Ca(2+)-ATPase), the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX), and "slow mechanisms" representing the activity of the sarcolemmal Ca(2+) pump and the mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter. The relative contribution of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase to restoration of basal Ca(2+) levels in younger TG-ssTnI myocytes was lower than in NTG (81.12±2.8% vs 92.70±1.02%), but the same in the older myocytes. Younger and older NTG myocytes demonstrated similar contributions from the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase and NCX to restoration of basal Ca(2+). However, the slow mechanisms for Ca(2+) removal were increased in the older NTG (3.4±0.3%) vs the younger NTG myocytes (1.4±0.1%). Compared to NTG, younger TG-ssTnI myocytes demonstrated a significantly bigger contribution of the NCX (16±2.7% in TG vs 6.9±0.9% in NTG) and slow mechanisms (3.3±0.4% in TG vs 1.4±0.1% in NTG). In older TG-ssTnI myocytes the contributions were not significantly different from NTG (NCX: 4.9±0.6% in TG vs 5.5±0.7% in NTG; slow mechanisms: 2.5±0.3% in TG vs 3.4±0.3% in NTG). Our data indicate that constitutive increases in myofilament Ca(2+)-sensitivity alter the relative significance of the NCX transport system involved in Ca(2+)-homeostasis only in a younger group of mice. This modification may be of significance in early changes in altered gene expression and electrical stability hearts with increased myofilament Ca-sensitivity.

Could interferon-gamma be a therapeutic target for treating heart failure?

The cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is the only known member of the type II family of interferons, and as such, binds to its own distinct receptor. It is important in host defense against infection, as well as adaptive immune responses. While a wide array of cytokines are known to be involved in adverse remodeling of the heart and the progression to heart failure, the role of IFN-γ is unclear. Recent evidence from clinical studies, animal models of myocarditis and hypertension, as well as isolated cell studies, provide conflicting data as to whether IFN-γ is pathological or protective in the heart. Thus, it is important to highlight these discrepant findings so that areas of future investigation can be identified to more clearly determine the precise role of IFN-γ in the heart. Accordingly, this review will (1) discuss the source of IFN-γ in the diseased heart; (2) summarize the data from animal studies; (3) discuss the effects of IFN-γ on isolated cardiac fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes; (4) identify signaling mechanisms that may be invoked by IFN-γ in the heart; and (5) present the clinical evidence supporting a role for IFN-γ in heart failure.

The E-domain region of mechano-growth factor inhibits cellular apoptosis and preserves cardiac function during myocardial infarction.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) isoforms are expressed via alternative splicing. Expression of the minor isoform IGF-1Eb [also known as mechano-growth factor (MGF)] is responsive to cell stress. Since IGF-1 isoforms differ in their E-domain regions, we are interested in determining the biological function of the MGF E-domain. To do so, a synthetic peptide analog was used to gain mechanistic insight into the actions of the E-domain. Treatment of H9c2 cells indicated a rapid cellular uptake mechanism that did not involve IGF-1 receptor activation but resulted in a nuclear localization. Peptide treatment inhibited the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in H9c2 cells subjected to cell stress with sorbitol by preventing the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibition of caspase-3 activation. Therefore, we administered the peptide at the time of myocardial infarction (MI) in mice. At 2 weeks post-MI cardiac function, gene expression and cell death were assayed. A significant decline in both systolic and diastolic function was evident in untreated mice based on PV loop analysis. Delivery of the E-peptide ameliorated the decline in function and resulted in significant preservation of cardiac contractility. Associated with these changes were an inhibition of pathologic hypertrophy and significantly fewer apoptotic nuclei in the viable myocardium of E-peptide-treated mice post-MI. We conclude that administration of the MGF E-domain peptide may provide a means of modulating local tissue IGF-1 autocrine/paracrine actions to preserve cardiac function, prevent cell death, and pathologic remodeling in the heart.

Genetic background influences adaptation to cardiac hypertrophy and Ca(2+) handling gene expression.

Genetic variability has a profound effect on the development of cardiac hypertrophy in response to stress. Consequently, using a variety of inbred mouse strains with known genetic profiles may be powerful models for studying the response to cardiovascular stress. To explore this approach we looked at male C57BL/6J and 129/SvJ mice. Hemodynamic analyses of left ventricular pressures (LVPs) indicated significant differences in 129/SvJ and C57BL/6J mice that implied altered Ca(2+) handling. Specifically, 129/SvJ mice demonstrated reduced rates of relaxation and insensitivity to dobutamine (Db). We hypothesized that altered expression of genes controlling the influx and efflux of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was responsible and investigated the expression of several genes involved in maintaining the intracellular and sarcoluminal Ca(2+) concentration using quantitative real-time PCR analyses (qRT-PCR). We observed significant differences in baseline gene expression as well as different responses in expression to isoproterenol (ISO) challenge. In untreated control animals, 129/SvJ mice expressed 1.68× more ryanodine receptor 2(Ryr2) mRNA than C57BL/6J mice but only 0.37× as much calsequestrin 2 (Casq2). After treatment with ISO, sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase(Serca2) expression was reduced nearly two-fold in 129/SvJ while expression in C57BL/6J was stable. Interestingly, ß (1) adrenergic receptor(Adrb1) expression was lower in 129/SvJ compared to C57BL/6J at baseline and lower in both strains after treatment. Metabolically, the brain isoform of creatine kinase (Ckb) was up-regulated in response to ISO in C57BL/6J but not in 129/SvJ. These data suggest that the two strains of mice regulate Ca(2+) homeostasis via different mechanisms and may be useful in developing personalized therapies in human patients.

New insights into the functional significance of the acidic region of the unique N-terminal extension of cardiac troponin I.

Previous structural studies indicated a special functional role for an acidic region composed of residues 1-10 in the unique N-terminal peptide of cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Employing LC-MS/MS, we determined the presence of phosphorylation sites at S5/S6 in cTnI from wild type mouse hearts as well as in hearts of mice chronically expressing active protein kinase C-ε (PKCε) and exhibiting severe dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). To determine the functional significance of these phosphorylations, we cloned and expressed wild-type cTnI, (Wt), and cTnI variants expressing pseudo-phosphorylation cTnI-(S5D), cTnI(S6D), as well as cTnI(S5A) and cTnI(S6A). We exchanged native Tn of detergent-extracted (skinned) fiber bundles with Tn reconstituted with the variant cTnIs and measured tension and cross-bridge dynamics. Compared to controls, myofilaments controlled by cTnI with pseudo-phosphorylation (S6D) or Ala substitution (S6A) demonstrated a significant depression in maximum tension, ATPase rate, and ktr, but no change in half-maximally activating Ca(2+). In contrast, pseudo-phosphorylation at position 5 (S5D) had no effects, although S5A induced an increase in Ca(2+)-sensitivity with no change in maximum tension or ktr. We further tested the impact of acidic domain modifications on myofilament function in studies examining the effects of cTnI(A2V), a mutation linked to DCM. This mutation significantly altered the inhibitory activity of cTnI as well as cooperativity of activation of myofilament tension, but not when S23/S24 were pseudo-phosphorylated. Our data indicate a new functional and pathological role of amino acid modifications in the N-terminal acidic domain of cTnI that is modified by phosphorylations at cTnI(S23/S24). This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cardiomyocyte Biology: Cardiac Pathways of Differentiation, Metabolism and Contraction.

Myocardial infarction in mice alters sarcomeric function via post-translational protein modification.

Myocardial physiology in the aftermath of myocardial infarction (MI) before remodeling is an under-explored area of investigation. Here, we describe the effects of MI on the cardiac sarcomere with focus on the possible contributions of reactive oxygen species. We surgically induced MI in 6-7-month-old female CD1 mice by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Data were collected 3-4 days after MI or sham (SH) surgery. MI hearts demonstrated ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction upon echo cardiographic analysis. Sub-maximum Ca-activated tension in detergent-extracted fiber bundles from papillary muscles increased significantly in the preparations from MI hearts. Ca(2+) sensitivity increased after MI, whereas cooperativity of activation decreased. To assess myosin enzymatic integrity we measured splitting of Ca-ATP in myofibrillar preparations, which demonstrated a decline in Ca-ATPase activity of myofilament myosin. Biochemical analysis demonstrated post-translational modification of sarcomeric proteins. Phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I and myosin light chain 2 was reduced after MI in papillary samples, as measured using a phospho-specific stain. Tropomyosin was oxidized after MI, forming disulfide products detectable by diagonal non-reducing-reducing SDS-PAGE. Our analysis of myocardial protein oxidation post-MI also demonstrated increased S-glutathionylation. We functionally linked protein oxidation with sarcomere function by treating skinned fibers with the sulfhydryl reducing agent dithiothreitol, which reduced Ca(2+) sensitivity in MI, but not SH, samples. Our data indicate important structural and functional alterations to the cardiac sarcomere after MI, and the contribution of protein oxidation to this process.