The α11 integrin mediates fibroblast-extracellular matrix-cardiomyocyte interactions in health and disease.

Excessive cardiac interstitial fibrosis impairs normal cardiac function. We have shown that the α11ß1 (α11) integrin mediates fibrotic responses to glycated collagen in rat myocardium by a pathway involving transforming growth factor-ß. Little is known of the role of the α11 integrin in the developing mammalian heart. Therefore, we examined the impact of deletion of the α11 integrin in wild-type mice and in mice treated with streptozotocin (STZ) to elucidate the role of the α11 integrin in normal cardiac homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of diabetes-related fibrosis. As anticipated, cardiac fibrosis was reduced in α11 integrin knockout mice (α11(-/-); C57BL/6 background) treated with STZ compared with STZ-treated wild-type mice (P < 0.05). Unexpectedly, diastolic function was impaired in both vehicle and STZ-treated α11(-/-) mice, as shown by the decreased minimum rate of pressure change and prolonged time constant of relaxation in association with increased end-diastolic pressure (all P < 0.05 compared with wild-type mice). Accordingly, we examined the phenotype of untreated α11(-/-) mice, which demonstrated a reduced cardiomyocyte cross-sectional cell area and myofibril thickness (all P < 0.05 compared with wild-type mice) and impaired myofibril arrangement. Immunostaining for desmin and connexin 43 showed abnormal intermediate filament organization at intercalated disks and impaired gap-junction development. Overall, deletion of the α11 integrin attenuates cardiac fibrosis in the mammalian mouse heart and reduces ECM formation as a result of diabetes. Furthermore, α11 integrin deletion impairs cardiac function and alters cardiomyocyte morphology. These findings shed further light on the poorly understood interaction between the fibroblast-cardiomyocyte and the ECM.

Sirtuin 1 activation attenuates cardiac fibrosis in a rodent pressure overload model by modifying Smad2/3 transactivation.

Aims: Transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) is a prosclerotic cytokine involved in cardiac remodelling leading to heart failure (HF). Acetylation/de-acetylation of specific lysine residues in Smad2/3 has been shown to regulate TGF-ß signalling by altering its transcriptional activity. Recently, the lysine de-acetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) has been shown to have a cardioprotective effect; however, SIRT1 expression and activity are paradoxically reduced in HF. Herein, we investigate whether pharmacological activation of SIRT1 would induce cardioprotection in a pressure overload model and assess the impact of SIRT1 activation on TGF-ß signalling and the fibrotic response. Methods and results: Eight weeks old male C57BL/6 mice were randomized to undergo sham surgery or transverse aortic constriction (TAC) to induce pressure overload. Post-surgery, animals were further randomized to receive SRT1720 or vehicle treatment. Echocardiography, pressure-volume loops, and histological analysis revealed an impairment in cardiac function and deleterious left ventricular remodelling in TAC-operated animals that was improved with SRT1720 treatment. Genetic ablation and cell culture studies using a Smad-binding response element revealed SIRT1 to be a specific target of SRT1720 and identified Smad2/3 as a SIRT1 specific substrate. Conclusion: Overall, our data demonstrate that Smad2/3 is a specific SIRT1 target and suggests that pharmacological activation of SIRT1 may be a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent/reverse HF via modifying Smad activity.