Targeting serotonin receptor 7 to improve survival after myocardial infarction

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Background Myocardial infarction (MI) is among the leading causes of death worldwide. Survival and long-term recovery are highly dependent on regeneration of the cardiac tissue, mediated by precisely regulated inflammatory processes and invading immune cells. The serotonergic system is known to regulate the functions of various cells of the immune system, and is also affected in several cardiovascular diseases. Purpose We investigated the role of the serotonin receptor 7 (5-HT7R) in regulation of the inflammatory response after MI and its contribution to cardiac outcome. Methods Permanent left ascending coronary artery ligation (LAD) in mice was used as a model for MI. We compared the impact of MI on heart function and tissue integrity in WT and 5-HT7R-KO mice. In addition, we performed a systemic treatment with the selective 5-HT7R agonist LP-211. Results Murine C57BL/6N hearts reveal an upregulation of 5-HT7R mRNA expression in the infarct region compared to remote myocardium and sham operated mice at 3, 7 and 14 days after MI. Immunohistochemistry demonstrates 5-HT7R expression mainly on CD68+, CD206+ and CD80+ macrophages but not on cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts. Systemic 5-HT7R-KO mice display normal cardiac function and dimensions at 3-4 months of age comparable to their wildtype (WT) littermates. In response to MI, 5-HT7R-KO mice show a higher decrease in left ventricular (LV) function (assessed by transthoracic echocardiography as fractional area change, FAC%) and increased signs of tissue inflammation 14 days post-MI, while the infarct size remains unchanged. Interestingly, systemic treatment with the selective 5-HT7R agonist LP-211 enhances survival rates 14d post MI, without improving cardiac functional output. Conclusion 5-HT7R expression is upregulated post-MI in heart-invading inflammatory cells, such as macrophages. Loss of systemic 5-HT7R may contribute to pronounced functional cardiac impairment 14 days after MI, while systemic activation of 5-HT7R shows positive effects on survival, possibly through mediated inflammatory signalling of immune cells. Therefore, 5-HT7R activity could represent a novel therapeutic target to dampen inflammation and improve cardiac repair.