Abstract 200: Beta-Myosin Heavy Chain Induction after Pressure Overload Is in a Minor Sub-population of Myocytes and Requires the Alpha-1A-Adrenergic Receptor

Abstract

Background: Induction of the fetal hypertrophic gene beta-myosin heavy chain (MHC) is a signature feature of pressure overload, and is thought to occur in most hypertrophied myocytes. Beta-MHC mRNA is not induced after transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in a double knockout (KO) model of the alpha-1A and alpha-1B-adrenergic receptor (AR) subtypes, but it is unknown whether the A or B or both are required. Hypothesis: We tested the hypothesis that native beta-MHC protein induction is in a sub-population of myocytes and requires only a single alpha-1 subtype. Methods: TAC was done in wild type (WT) and alpha-1 KO male mice ages 12–14 weeks. Beta-MHC protein was measured in isolated adult myocytes by a novel flow cytometry approach, with antibodies validated for beta-MHC and total sarcomeric MHC. Results: In WT mice, the fraction of myocytes expressing beta-MHC was 3% in shams (SE =1, n =4 hearts), and increased to 26% of myocytes at 1–3 weeks after TAC (SE =4, n =8, p< 0.01 vs. sham). Myocytes expressing beta-MHC were predominantly large cells (see Figure ). In alpha-1A KO mice (AKO), beta-MHC was induced in only 6% of myocytes (SE =2, n =3, p<0.05 vs. WT TAC, p =NS vs. sham), or in only 15% as many myocytes as in WT hearts. Western blotting and quantitative RT-PCR confirmed reduced beta-MHC induction in alpha-1A KO myocytes. Conclusion: Beta-MHC induction after pressure overload is in only a minor sub-population of cardiac myocytes, contrary to common models of fetal hypertrophic gene induction. Furthermore, beta-MHC induction requires a single alpha-1-AR subtype, the alpha-1A, which cannot be compensated by other hypertrophic receptors.