Adult Mouse Cardiomyocytes Research Articles

Epigenomic Reprogramming of Adult Cardiomyocyte-Derived Cardiac Progenitor Cells.

It has been believed that mammalian adult cardiomyocytes (ACMs) are terminally-differentiated and are unable to proliferate. Recently, using a bi-transgenic ACM fate mapping mouse model and an in vitro culture system, we demonstrated that adult mouse cardiomyocytes were able to dedifferentiate into cardiac progenitor-like cells (CPCs). However, little is known about the molecular basis of their intrinsic cellular plasticity. Here we integrate single-cell transcriptome and whole-genome DNA methylation analyses to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying the dedifferentiation and cell cycle reentry of mouse ACMs. Compared to parental cardiomyocytes, dedifferentiated mouse cardiomyocyte-derived CPCs (mCPCs) display epigenomic reprogramming with many differentially-methylated regions, both hypermethylated and hypomethylated, across the entire genome. Correlated well with the methylome, our transcriptomic data showed that the genes encoding cardiac structure and function proteins are remarkably down-regulated in mCPCs, while those for cell cycle, proliferation, and stemness are significantly up-regulated. In addition, implantation of mCPCs into infarcted mouse myocardium improves cardiac function with augmented left ventricular ejection fraction. Our study demonstrates that the cellular plasticity of mammalian cardiomyocytes is the result of a well-orchestrated epigenomic reprogramming and a subsequent global transcriptomic alteration.

Parathyroid hormone-related peptide protects cardiomyocytes from oxidative stress-induced cell death: First evidence of a novel endocrine–cardiovascular interaction

Although there is a growing interest in the molecular cross-talk between the endocrine and cardiovascular systems, the cardiac effects of calcium-regulating hormones (i.e., parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP)) have not been explored. In this study, we examined the effect of PTHrP on the viability of isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes subjected to oxidative stress. Myocytes from 19 to 22 week old male 129J/C57BL6 mice were exposed to oxidative insult in the form of H2O2 which led to more than 70% loss of cell viability. Herein we demonstrate, for the first time, that pretreatment with 100 nM PTHrP prior to 100 μM H2O2 incubation prevents H2O2 -induced cell death by more than 50%. Immunoblot analysis revealed H2O2 induction of MKP-1 protein expression while PTHrP decreased MKP-1 expression. Moreover, myocytes derived from MKP1 KO mice were resistant to oxidative injury. No added benefit of PTHrP treatment was noted in MKP-1 null cardiomyocytes. Using specific pharmacological inhibitors we demonstrated that P-p38, P-ERK and P-AKT mediated PTHrP's cardioprotective action. These data provide novel evidence that: i) down-regulation of MKP1 affords profound protection against oxidative stress; and ii) PTHrP is cardioprotective, possibly via down-regulation of MKP-1 and activation of MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling.

Dystrophin–glycoprotein complex regulates muscle nitric oxide production through mechanoregulation of AMPK signaling

Patients deficient in dystrophin, a protein that links the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix via the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC), exhibit muscular dystrophy, cardiomyopathy, and impaired muscle nitric oxide (NO) production. We used live-cell NO imaging and in vitro cyclic stretch of isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes as a model system to investigate if and how the DGC directly regulates the mechanical activation of muscle NO signaling. Acute activation of NO synthesis by mechanical stretch was impaired in dystrophin-deficient mdx cardiomyocytes, accompanied by loss of stretch-induced neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) S1412 phosphorylation. Intriguingly, stretch induced the acute activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in normal cardiomyocytes but not in mdx cardiomyocytes, and specific inhibition of AMPK was sufficient to attenuate mechanoactivation of NO production. Therefore, we tested whether direct pharmacologic activation of AMPK could bypass defective mechanical signaling to restore nNOS activity in dystrophin-deficient cardiomyocytes. Indeed, activation of AMPK with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside or salicylate increased nNOS S1412 phosphorylation and was sufficient to enhance NO production in mdx cardiomyocytes. We conclude that the DGC promotes the mechanical activation of cardiac nNOS by acting as a mechanosensor to regulate AMPK activity, and that pharmacologic AMPK activation may be a suitable therapeutic strategy for restoring nNOS activity in dystrophin-deficient hearts and muscle.

Glutathione transferase M2 variants inhibit ryanodine receptor function in adult mouse cardiomyocytes

Release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) through the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) is an essential step in cardiac excitation–contraction coupling. Excess Ca2+ release due to overactive RyR2 can cause arrhythmia that can lead to cardiac arrest. Fragments derived from the carboxy-terminal domain of human glutathione transferase M2 (GSTM2C) specifically inhibit RyR2 activity. Our aim was to further improve this inhibition by mutagenesis and to assess the therapeutic potential of GSTM2C based peptides to treat Ca2+ release-based arrhythmia. We generated several mutant variants of the C-terminal fragment GSTM2C H5-8 and from those mutant proteins we identified two (RM13 and SM2) that exhibited significantly greater inhibition of cardiac SR Ca2+ release and single RyR2 channel activity. Flow cytometry analysis showed that these two mutant proteins as well as GSTM2C H5-8 are taken up by isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes without the aid of any additional compounds, Ca2+ imaging and isolated cell contraction measurements revealed that GSTM2C H5-8, SM2 and RM13 reduce the SR Ca2+ release rate and the fractional shortening of adult mouse cardiomyocytes, while importantly increasing the rate of Ca2+ removal from the sarcoplasm. These observations indicate that peptides derived from GSTM2C inhibit RyR2 at a cellular level and thus they may provide the basis for a novel therapeutic agent to treat arrhythmia and heart attack.

Abstract 33: Prostaglandin E2 Reduces Cardiac Contractility via EP3 Receptor

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) EP receptors EP3 and EP4 are present in the heart and signal via decreased and increased cAMP production, respectively. Previously we reported that cardiomyocyte-specific EP4 KO mice develop a phenotype of dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction. We thus hypothesized that PGE2 decreases contractility via EP3. To test this hypothesis, the effects of PGE2 and the EP1/EP3 agonist sulprostone (sulp) were examined in the mouse langendorff preparation and in adult mouse cardiomyocytes (AVM) using the IonOptix cell contractility system. Isolated hearts of 18-20 wk old male C57Bl/6 mice were mounted and equilibrated for 10 min, then perfused with PGE2 (10 -6 mol/l) or sulp (10 -6 mol/l) for 30 min. Values at the end of equilibration were set to 100%. Compared to vehicle, PGE2 decreased +dp/dt (77.8±3% vs 96.7±3%, p<0.01) and left ventricular developed pressure, LVDP (77.2±2% vs 96.8±3%, p<0.001). Sulp decreased +dp/dt (75.9±2% vs 96.7±3%, p<0.001), -dp/dt (72.2±1% vs 85.7±1%, p<0.01) and LVDP (70.9±1% vs 96.8±3%, p<0.001). The effects of both PGE2 and sulp were reversed by the EP3 antagonist, L789,106 (10 -6 mol/l). Myocyte contractility was evaluated on the IonOptix system with pacing at 1Hz. Treatment with PGE2 (10 -9 M) for 10 min reduced contractility as measured by peak height (3.69 ± 0.48% for vehicle vs 2.00 ± 0.22% for PGE2, p < 0.05 ), departure velocity (-171.9 ± 22.9 um/sec for vehicle vs -106.3± 12.5 um/sec for PGE2, p < 0.05) and return velocity (87.7 ± 16.3 um/sec for vehicle vs 36.7 ± 6.6 um/sec for PGE2, p < 0.05) with similar effects noted for sulp. Sulp reduced change in peak height (4.79 ± 1.15% for vehicle vs 1.81 ± 0.37% for sulp, p < 0.05), departure velocity (-169.1 ± 35.8 um/sec for vehicle vs -59.4 ± 10.3 um/sec for sulp, p < 0.05) and return velocity (86.5 ± 23.8 um/sec for vehicle vs 16.9 ± 14.7 um/sec for sulp, p < 0.05). We then examined the acute effects of PGE2 and sulp on expression of phosphorylated phospholamban (PLN) and SERCA using Western blot. Treatment of AVM for 15min with either PGE2 or sulp decreased expression of phosphorylated PLN corrected to total PLN, by 67% and 43%. SERCA2a expression was unaffected. In conclusion, PGE2 and sulp reduce contractility via the EP3 receptor through effects on PLN.

Abstract 203: Cardiomyocyte T-tubule Membrane Turns Over, Releasing BIN1 Containing Microparticles into Blood

Bridging integrator 1 (BIN1) is a cardiac muscle protein that folds cardiomyocyte T-tubule membrane. BIN1 is intrinsic to cardiac health, and is reduced in acquired heart failure. Interestingly, we have found that BIN1 is also blood available, and that plasma BIN1 correlates with cardiac function, suggesting cardiac origin of plasma BIN1. We found that low plasma BIN1 correlates with failing muscle and predicts ventricular arrhythmia. However, the paradigm does not exist for an intracellular membrane associate cardiomyocyte protein to be homeostatically turned over into blood. In this study, using a mouse model with cardiac specific deletion of Bin1 gene, we identified with biochemical techniques that plasma BIN1 levels directly correlate with cardiac tissue BIN1 levels, indicating cardiac origin. Furthermore, investigations using both super-resolution fluorescent imaging and flow cytometry analysis revealed that adult ventricular cardiomyocytes constantly release BIN1 into blood via membrane microparticle production. Microparticles are small membrane vesicles shed from plasma membrane of a variety of cell types including platelets, leukocytes, and endothelial cells. Using super-resolution three-dimensional stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (3D-STORM), we found similar to the blood cells, isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes release Annexin V positive microparticles with diameters ranging between 0.1 to 1.0 μm. These microparticles also carry BIN1 protein. Flow cytometry was also used to detect and quantify microparticles <1.0 μm in size from medium bathing a pure population of adult mouse cardiomyocytes. BIN1 microparticle release is proportional to actin stability and amount of T-tubule membrane folds. Compared to wild type cardiomyocytes, microparticle release is significantly reduced from myocytes with heterozygous deletion of Bin1 gene. These data indicate that cardiomyocyte membrane undergoes dynamic turnover, releasing T-tubule folds into blood as microparticles. Furthermore, plasma BIN1 can be used as a direct measure of cardiomyocyte health and reserve.

Abstract 8: Reprogramming of Adult Mammalian Cardiomyocytes Towards Proliferation and Regeneration Through Comparative Analyses of Epicardial and Myocardial Cells

Heart development and regeneration require an elegant balance of cell proliferation and differentiation. In both adult zebrafish and neonatal mouse cardiac regeneration, new cardiomyocytes are shown to originate from pre-existing cardiomyocytes through de-differentiation of mature cells to the immature progenitor cell state, with developmental gene program reactivation and cell cycle reentry. Interestingly, after adult mammalian cardiac injury, both cardiac muscle cells and the epicardial cells that envelope the heart reinitiate developmental gene programs. However, adult epicardial cells are able to proliferate following injury but adult cardiomyocytes are not capable. We investigated the genetic circuitry of mouse epicardial cells and myocardial cells in different developmental stages and in response to injury. Such comparative analyses revealed a group of ~50 candidate genes that may be responsible for the permanent cell cycle arrest of cardiomyocytes. We generated adenoviruses that express these candidate genes individually, and demonstrated that the mixed viral pool possessed a robust activity to promote proliferation of adult mouse cardiomyocytes. Our comparative approach and functional screens may lead to identification of the dormant genetic circuitry in adult mammalian heart that can be reactivated to drive robust cardiomyocyte proliferation and regeneration.

Abstract 404: High-throughput Screening Reveals the Mitochondrial Complex I Inhibitor Nornicotine is Cardioprotective in Ischemia-reperfusion Injury When Delivered at Reperfusion

Background: To date, there are no FDA-approved therapies for the reduction of infarct size in acute myocardial infarction. Previously, we developed a cell-based phenotypic assay of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, which was used to identify novel cytoprotective agents delivered prior to ischemia. Herein, we sought to identify cytoprotective agents in a more clinically relevant model: drug delivery at reperfusion, and to investigate possible underlying mechanisms of protection. Methods: Primary adult mouse cardiomyocytes were subjected to simulated IR injury using a modified Seahorse XF24 apparatus with drug addition at the onset of reperfusion. Cell death was estimated using LDH release. Drugs which protected cardiomyocytes in vitro were tested in a Langendorff model of IR injury, measuring functional recovery and infarct size. In separate experiments, metabolites extracted from perfused hearts were resolved by HPLC. Results: Nornicotine was identified as a cardioprotective agent in the screen. In perfused hearts, 10 nM nornicotine injected at the onset of reperfusion improved functional recovery and decreased in infarct size (13.1% ± 2.4 vs 49.2% ± 2.5 in non-treated hearts, p<0.05, n=16-20). Nornicotine also exhibited profound inhibitory effects on mitochondrial complex I activity. Succinate is known to accumulate in ischemia, and its rapid consumption during early reperfusion exacerbates reperfusion injury via ROS generation from electron backflow through complex I [PMID: 25383517]. In non-treated hearts, we confirmed that high post ischemic levels of succinate rapidly declined during the first 2 min of reperfusion. In contrast, nornicotine slowed post-ischemic succinate consumption, suggesting that electron backflow through complex I is the major pathway driving succinate consumption. Conclusions: Herein, we demonstrated that nornicotine was cardioprotective when delivered at early reperfusion in vitro and ex vivo. The mechanism of cardioprotection may be due to inhibition of rapid succinate consumption during early reperfusion via reverse electron flow back through complex I.

Aldosterone-induced cardiomyocyte growth, and fibroblast migration and proliferation are mediated by TRAF3IP2

Sustained activation of the Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System (RAAS) contributes to the pathogenesis of heart failure. Aldosterone (Aldo) is known to induce both myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis through oxidative stress and proinflammatory pathways. Here we have investigated whether Aldo-mediated cardiomycocyte hypertrophy is dependent on TRAF3IP2, an upstream regulator of IKK and JNK. We also investigated whether the pro-mitogenic and pro-migratory effects of Aldo on cardiac fibroblasts are also mediated by TRAF3IP2. Aldo induced both superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes (CM), and upregulated TRAF3IP2 expression in part via the mineralocorticoid receptor and oxidative stress. Silencing TRAF3IP2 blunted Aldo-induced IKKβ, p65, JNK, and c-Jun activation, IL-18, IL-6 and CT-1 upregulation, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. In isolated adult mouse cardiac fibroblasts (CF), Aldo stimulated TRAF3IP2-dependent IL-18 and IL-6 production, CTGF, collagen I and III expression, MMP2 activation, and proliferation and migration. These in vitro results suggest that TRAF3IP2 may play a causal role in Aldo-induced adverse cardiac remodeling in vivo, and identify TRAF3IP2 as a potential therapeutic target in hypertensive heart disease.

Annexin A4 is a novel direct regulator of adenylyl cyclase type 5.

Annexin A4 (AnxA4), a Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-binding protein, is up-regulated in the human failing heart. In this study, we examined the impact of AnxA4 on β-adrenoceptor (β-AR)/cAMP-dependent signal transduction. Expression of murine AnxA4 in human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells dose-dependently inhibited cAMP levels after direct stimulation of adenylyl cyclases (ACs) with forskolin (FSK), as determined with an exchange protein activated by cAMP-Förster resonance energy transfer (EPAC-FRET) sensor and an ELISA (control vs. +AnxA4: 1956 ± 162 vs. 1304 ± 185 fmol/µg protein; n = 8). Disruption of the anxA4 gene led to a consistent increase in intracellular cAMP levels in isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes, with heart-directed expression of the EPAC-FRET sensor, stimulated with FSK, and as determined by ELISA, also in mouse cardiomyocytes stimulated with the β-AR agonist isoproterenol (ISO) (anxA4a(+/+) vs. anxA4a(-/-): 5.1 ± 0.3 vs. 6.7 ± 0.6 fmol/µg protein) or FSK (anxA4a(+/+) vs. anxA4a(-/-): 1891 ± 238 vs. 2796 ± 343 fmol/µg protein; n = 9-10). Coimmunoprecipitation experiments in HEK293 cells revealed a direct interaction of murine AnxA4 with human membrane-bound AC type 5 (AC5). As a functional consequence of AnxA4-mediated AC inhibition, AnxA4 inhibited the FSK-induced transcriptional activation mediated by the cAMP response element (CRE) in reporter gene studies (10-fold vs. control; n = 4 transfections) and reduced the FSK-induced phosphorylation of the CRE-binding protein (CREB) measured on Western blots (control vs. +AnxA4: 150 ± 17% vs. 105 ± 10%; n = 6) and by the use of the indicator of CREB activation caused by phosphorylation (ICAP)-FRET sensor, indicating CREB phosphorylation. Inactivation of AnxA4 in anxA4a(-/-) mice was associated with an increased cardiac response to β-AR stimulation. Together, these results suggest that AnxA4 is a novel direct negative regulator of AC5, adding a new facet to the functions of annexins.

EHD2 Stabilizes the Surface Expression of Cardiac KATP Channels and Protects Against Ischemic Injury

Opening of ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channels mediate ischemic preconditioning (IPC), which is an endogenous protection mechanism against ischemic injury. We found that internalization of KATP channels during ischemia is prevented by IPC. We investigated the role of EHD2 (identified in our proteomic assays as a KATP channel interacting protein) in KATP channel internalization. A dominant‐negative EHD2‐G65R caused Kir6.2/SUR2A KATP channels to redistribute in transfected COS‐7 cells. Both the dominant negative Rab11‐S25N and EHD2‐G65R led to accumulation of Kir6.2 in the endocytic recycling complex (ERC), suggesting that EHD2 controls exit from the ERC to the plasma membrane. Using biotinylation assays, we found that EHD2 decreased (whereas EHD2‐G65R accelerated) the rate of KATP channel endocytosis. Surface biotinylation experiments showed that EHD2 stabilized and EHD2‐G65R decreased the surface density of Kir6.2/SUR2A channels in HEK‐293 cells. Consistently, patch clamping demonstrated that EHD2 increases, whereas EHD2‐G65R decreases, KATP channel current density without affecting KATP channel properties. Similar data were obtained with isolated adult mouse cardiac myocytes infected with Ad‐mCherry‐EHD2 or Ad‐mCherry‐EHD2‐G65R. We employed a cellular model of pharmacological preconditioning, in which myocytes are pretreated with phenylephrine prior to ischemic pelleting. Adult mouse cardiomyocytes infected with Ad‐mCherry‐EHD2 resisted ischemic injury, whereas cell death was more prominent in Ad‐mCherry‐EHD2‐G65R. Our data demonstrate that EHD2 positively regulates KATP channel surface expression and participates in the protection afforded by preconditioning.

Adenoviral transduction of FRET-based biosensors for cAMP in primary adult mouse cardiomyocytes.

Genetically encoded biosensors that make use of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) are important tools for the study of compartmentalized cyclic nucleotide signaling in living cells. With the advent of germ line and tissue-specific transgenic technologies, the adult mouse represents a useful tool for the study of cardiovascular pathophysiology. The use of FRET-based genetically encoded biosensors coupled with this animal model represents a powerful combination for the study of cAMP signaling in live primary cardiomyocytes. In this chapter, we describe the steps required during the isolation, viral transduction, and culture of cardiomyocytes from an adult mouse to obtain reliable expression of genetically encoded FRET biosensors for the study of cAMP signaling in living cells.

Insulin induces IRS2-dependent and GRK2-mediated β2AR internalization to attenuate βAR signaling in cardiomyocytes

The counter-regulatory effects of insulin and catecholamines on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism are well studied, whereas the details of insulin regulation of β adrenergic receptor (βAR) signaling pathway in heart remain unknown. Here, we characterize a novel signaling pathway of insulin receptor (IR) to G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) in the heart. Insulin stimulates recruitment of GRK2 to β2AR, which induces β2AR phosphorylation at the GRK sites of serine 355/356 and subsequently β2AR internalization. Insulin thereby suppresses βAR-induced cAMP-PKA activities and contractile response in neonatal and adult mouse cardiomyocytes. Deletion of insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) disrupts the complex of IR and GRK2, which attenuates insulin-mediated β2AR phosphorylation at the GRK sites and β2AR internalization, and the counter-regulation effects of insulin on βAR signaling. These data indicate the requirements of IRS2 and GRK2 for insulin to stimulate counter-regulation of βAR via β2AR phosphorylation and internalization in cardiomyocytes.

Abstract 15371: Parathyroid Hormone-Related Peptide Protects Cardiomyocytes from Oxidative Stress: First Evidence of a Novel Endocrine-Cardiovascular Interaction

There is growing interest in the molecular cross-talk between the endocrine and cardiovascular systems, including the effects of hormones on cardiomyocte viability in models of ischemic and oxidative stress. However, current attention has focused on reproductive and metabolic hormones; the cardiac effects of calcium-regulating hormones (i.e., parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP)) have not been explored. To address this, we interrogated the effect of PTHrP on the viability of isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes subjected to H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress. In Aim 1 , myocytes from wild type (WT) C57 mice were incubated for 16 hrs with 100 nM PTHrP or vehicle and exposed to 100 μM H 2 O 2 for 15 min. Myocyte viability was significantly improved in PTHrP-treated cells vs vehicle control (70±12% vs 20±15%; mean ± SD, p<0.01; Figure). Calcium sensing receptor and PTHrP signaling is purportedly associated with Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) and MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP1). Accordingly, to achieve preliminary mechanistic insight into PTHrP-induced protection ( Aim 2 ), we: (i) incubated WT cardiomyocytes with PTHrP (100 nM) and probed for expression of MKP1; and (ii) repeated the viability assay as described above using myocytes from adult MKP1 knockout (KO) mice. Incubation of WT myocytes with PTHrP evoked a 55% decrease in MKP1 expression. Moreover, myocytes from MKP1 KO mice were resistant to oxidative injury: viability was maintained at 78±12% in vehicle controls (mean ± SD, p<0.01 vs the value of 20±15% in vehicle-treated WT cells), with no added benefit of PTHrP treatment (Figure). Finally ( Aim 3 ), in both models (PTHrP treatment; MKP1 KO), the enhanced cell viability was accompanied by ~2-fold increases in Akt phosphorylation. These data provide novel evidence that: i) down-regulation of MKP1 affords profound protection against oxidative stress; and ii) PTHrP is cardioprotective, possibly via down-regulation of MKP1 and activation of Akt signaling.

Screening for acute IKr block is insufficient to detect torsades de pointes liability: role of late sodium current.

New drugs are routinely screened for IKr blocking properties thought to predict QT prolonging and arrhythmogenic liability. However, recent data suggest that chronic (hours) drug exposure to phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors used in cancer can prolong QT by inhibiting potassium currents and increasing late sodium current (INa-L) in cardiomyocytes. We tested the extent to which IKr blockers with known QT liability generate arrhythmias through this pathway. Acute exposure to dofetilide, an IKr blocker without other recognized electropharmacologic actions, produced no change in ion currents or action potentials in adult mouse cardiomyocytes, which lack IKr. By contrast, 2 to 48 hours of exposure to the drug generated arrhythmogenic afterdepolarizations and ≥15-fold increases in INa-L. Including phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, a downstream effector for the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway, in the pipette inhibited these effects. INa-L was also increased, and inhibitable by phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, with hours of dofetilide exposure in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and in Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with SCN5A, encoding sodium current. Cardiomyocytes from dofetilide-treated mice similarly demonstrated increased INa-L and afterdepolarizations. Other agents with variable IKr-blocking potencies and arrhythmia liability produced a range of effects on INa-L, from marked increases (E-4031, d-sotalol, thioridazine, and erythromycin) to little or no effect (haloperidol, moxifloxacin, and verapamil). Some but not all drugs designated as arrhythmogenic IKr blockers can generate arrhythmias by augmenting INa-L through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway. These data identify a potential mechanism for individual susceptibility to proarrhythmia and highlight the need for a new paradigm to screen drugs for QT prolonging and arrhythmogenic liability.

P59An epigenetic signature regulates gene expression in cardiac hypertrophy

The epigenetic signature for transcription regulation is poorly understood in cardiac hypertrophy. Here, we investigate the genome-wide distribution of several histone modifications and the correlated transcriptome in adult mouse cardiomyocytes subjected to a pro-hypertrophy stimulus in vivo. We demonstrate that the epigenetic profile dynamic of cardiac genes changes in response to the stimulus, and that distinct epigenetic signatures at promoters regulate the gene re-programming occurring with cardiac hypertrophy. Moreover, we identify 9,207 enhancers that impact transcription in normal and hypertrophic cardiomyocytes and whose activity is governed by unique epigenetic signatures. In fact, combinations of H3K27ac, H3K9ac, and H3K4me3 marks define new subclasses of highly active and dynamic enhancers in cardiac myocytes. We also analyzed the transcriptional network within which these genetic elements act to orchestrate hypertrophy gene expression, finding a role for myocyte enhancer factor (MEF)2C and MEF2A in regulating enhancers. The association of cardiac hypertrophy with a specific epigenetic profile provides a new basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying hear failure, and opens up the possibility of developing new therapies based on the control of the epigenetic profile of cardiomyocytes.

β3 adrenergic receptor selective stimulation during ischemia/reperfusion improves cardiac function in translational models through inhibition of mPTP opening in cardiomyocytes.

Selective stimulation of β3 adrenergic-receptor (β3AR) has been shown to reduce infarct size in a mouse model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. However, its functional long-term effect and the cardioprotective mechanisms at the level of cardiomyocytes have not been elucidated, and the impact of β3AR stimulation has not been evaluated in a more translational large animal model. This study aimed at evaluating pre-perfusion administration of BRL37344 both in small and large animal models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. Pre-reperfusion administration of the β3AR agonist BRL37344 (5μg/kg) reduced infarct size at 2-and 24-h reperfusion in wild-type mice. Long-term (12-weeks) left ventricular (LV) function assessed by echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was significantly improved in β3AR agonist-treated mice. Incubation with β3AR agonist (BRL37344, 7μmol/L) significantly reduced cell death in isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes during hypoxia/reoxygenation and decreased susceptibility to deleterious opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), via a mechanism dependent on the Akt-NO signaling pathway. Pre-reperfusion BRL37344 administration had no effect on infarct size in cyclophilin-D KO mice, further implicating mPTP in the mechanism of protection. Large-white pigs underwent percutaneous coronary ischemia/reperfusion and 3-T CMR at 7 and 45days post-infarction. Pre-perfusion administration of BRL37344 (5μg/kg) decreased infarct size and improved long-term LV contractile function. A single-dose administration of β3AR agonist before reperfusion decreased infarct size and resulted in a consistent and long-term improvement in cardiac function, both in small and large animal models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. This protection appears to be executed through inhibition of mPTP opening in cardiomyocytes.

Repression of Cyclin D1 Expression Is Necessary for the Maintenance of Cell Cycle Exit in Adult Mammalian Cardiomyocytes

The hearts of neonatal mice and adult zebrafish can regenerate after injury through proliferation of preexisting cardiomyocytes. However, adult mammals are not capable of cardiac regeneration because almost all cardiomyocytes exit their cell cycle. Exactly how the cell cycle exit is maintained and how many adult cardiomyocytes have the potential to reenter the cell cycle are unknown. The expression and activation levels of main cyclin-cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) complexes are extremely low or undetectable at adult stages. The nuclear DNA content of almost all cardiomyocytes is 2C, indicating the cell cycle exit from G1-phase. Here, we induced expression of cyclin D1, which regulates the progression of G1-phase, only in differentiated cardiomyocytes of adult mice. In these cardiomyocytes, S-phase marker-positive cardiomyocytes and the expression of main cyclins and CDKs increased remarkably, although cyclin B1-CDK1 activation was inhibited in an ATM/ATR-independent manner. The phosphorylation pattern of CDK1 and expression pattern of Cdc25 subtypes suggested that a deficiency in the increase in Cdc25 (a and -b), which is required for M-phase entry, inhibited the cyclin B1-CDK1 activation. Finally, analysis of cell cycle distribution patterns showed that >40% of adult mouse cardiomyocytes reentered the cell cycle by the induction of cyclin D1. The cell cycle of these binucleated cardiomyocytes was arrested before M-phase, and many mononucleated cardiomyocytes entered endoreplication. These data indicate that silencing the cyclin D1 expression is necessary for the maintenance of the cell cycle exit and suggest a mechanism that involves inhibition of M-phase entry.

Isolation and culture of adult mouse cardiomyocytes for cell signaling and in vitro cardiac hypertrophy.

Technological advances have made genetically modified mice, including transgenic and gene knockout mice, an essential tool in many research fields. Adult cardiomyocytes are widely accepted as a good model for cardiac cellular physiology and pathophysiology, as well as for pharmaceutical intervention. Genetically modified mice preclude the need for complicated cardiomyocyte infection processes to generate the desired genotype, which are inefficient due to cardiomyocytes' terminal differentiation. Isolation and culture of high quantity and quality functional cardiomyocytes will dramatically benefit cardiovascular research and provide an important tool for cell signaling transduction research and drug development. Here, we describe a well-established method for isolation of adult mouse cardiomyocytes that can be implemented with little training. The mouse heart is excised and cannulated to an isolated heart system, then perfused with a calcium-free and high potassium buffer followed by type II collagenase digestion in Langendorff retrograde perfusion mode. This protocol yields a consistent result for the collection of functional adult mouse cardiomyocytes from a variety of genetically modified mice.

RyR2 modulates a Ca2+-activated K+ current in mouse cardiac myocytes.

In cardiomyocytes, Ca2+ entry through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs) binds to and activates RyR2 channels, resulting in subsequent Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and cardiac contraction. Previous research has documented the molecular coupling of small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SK channels) to VDCCs in mouse cardiac muscle. Little is known regarding the role of RyRs-sensitive Ca2+ release in the SK channels in cardiac muscle. In this study, using whole-cell patch clamp techniques, we observed that a Ca2+-activated K+ current (IK,Ca) recorded from isolated adult C57B/L mouse atrial myocytes was significantly decreased by ryanodine, an inhibitor of ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2), or by the co-application of ryanodine and thapsigargin, an inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). The activation of RyR2 by caffeine increased the IK,Ca in the cardiac cells (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). We further analyzed the effect of RyR2 knockdown on IK,Ca and Ca2+ in isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes using a whole-cell patch clamp technique and confocal imaging. RyR2 knockdown in mouse atrial cells transduced with lentivirus-mediated small hairpin interference RNA (shRNA) exhibited a significant decrease in IK,Ca (p<0.05) and [Ca2+]i fluorescence intensity (p<0.01). An immunoprecipitated complex of SK2 and RyR2 was identified in native cardiac tissue by co-immunoprecipitation assays. Our findings indicate that RyR2-mediated Ca2+ release is responsible for the activation and modulation of SK channels in cardiac myocytes.