Cardiac Dysfunction In Response Research Articles

Proteomics Reveals Divergent Cardiac Inflammatory and Metabolic Responses After Inhalation of Ambient Particulate Matter With or Without Ozone.

Inhalation of ambient particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O3) has been associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the interactive effects of PM and O3 on cardiac dysfunction and disease have not been thoroughly examined, especially at a proteomic level. The purpose of this study was to identify and compare proteome changes in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats co-exposed to concentrated ambient particulates (CAPs) and O3, with a focus on investigating inflammatory and metabolic pathways, which are the two major ones implicated in the pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction. For this, we measured and compared changes in expression status of 9 critical pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines using multiplexed ELISA and 450 metabolic proteins involved in ATP production, oxidative phosphorylation, cytoskeletal organization, and stress response using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry (MS) in cardiac tissue of SH rats exposed to CAPs alone, O3 alone, and CAPs + O3. Proteomic expression profiling revealed that CAPs alone, O3 alone, and CAPs + O3 differentially altered protein expression patterns, and utilized divergent mechanisms to affect inflammatory and metabolic pathways and responses. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) of the proteomic data demonstrated that the metabolic protein network centered by gap junction alpha-1 protein (GJA 1) was interconnected with the inflammatory cytokine network centered by nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-kB) potentially suggesting inflammation-induced alterations in metabolic pathways, or vice versa, collectively contributing to the development of cardiac dysfunction in response to CAPs and O3 exposure. These findings may enhance understanding of the pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction induced by air pollution and provide testable hypotheses regarding mechanisms of action.

Postprandial exercise regulates tissue-specific triglyceride uptake through angiopoietin-like proteins.

Fuel substrate switching between carbohydrates and fat is essential for maintaining metabolic homeostasis. During aerobic exercise, the predominant energy source gradually shifts from carbohydrates to fat. While it is well known that exercise mobilizes fat storage from adipose tissues, it remains largely obscure how circulating lipids are distributed tissue-specifically according to distinct energy requirements. Here, we demonstrate that aerobic exercise is linked to nutrient availability to regulate tissue-specific activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the key enzyme catabolizing circulating triglyceride (TG) for tissue uptake, through the differential actions of angiopoietin-like (ANGPTL) proteins. Exercise reduced the tissue binding of ANGPTL3 protein, increasing LPL activity and TG uptake in the heart and skeletal muscle in the postprandial state specifically. Mechanistically, exercise suppressed insulin secretion, attenuating hepatic Angptl8 transcription through the PI3K/mTOR/CEBPα pathway, which is imperative for the tissue binding of its partner ANGPTL3. Constitutive expression of ANGPTL8 hampered lipid utilization and resulted in cardiac dysfunction in response to exercise. Conversely, exercise promoted the expression of ANGPTL4 in white adipose tissues, overriding the regulatory actions of ANGPTL8/ANGPTL3 in suppressing adipose LPL activity, thereby diverting circulating TG away from storage. Collectively, our findings show an overlooked bifurcated ANGPTL-LPL network that orchestrates fuel switching in response to aerobic exercise.

In utero chronic intermittent nicotine aerosol exposure increases ischemic heart injury in adult offspring via programming of Angiotensin II receptor-derived TGFβ/ROS/Akt signaling pathway

BackgroundIn utero cigarette smoking/nicotine exposure during pregnancy significantly affects fetal development and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease late in life. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. We tested the hypothesis that fetal nicotine aerosol exposure reprograms ischemia-sensitive gene expressions, resulting in increased heart susceptibility to ischemic injury and cardiac dysfunction in adulthood. MethodsPregnant rats were exposed to chronic intermittent nicotine aerosol (CINA) or saline aerosol control from gestational day 4 to day 21. Experiments were performed on 6-month–old adult offspring. ResultsCINA exposure increased ischemia-induced cardiac injury and cardiac dysfunction compared to the control group, which was associated with over- expression of angiotensin II receptor (ATR) protein in the left ventricle (LV) of adult offspring. Meanwhile, CINA exposure up-regulated cardiac TGF-β/SMADs family proteins in the LV. In addition, CINA exposure enhanced cardiac reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increased the DNA methylation level. The levels of phosphorylated-Akt were upregulated but LC3B-II/I protein abundances were downregulated in the hearts isolated from the CINA-treated group. ConclusionFetal nicotine aerosol exposure leads to cardiac dysfunction in response to ischemic stimulation in adulthood. Two molecular pathways are implicated. First, fetal CINA exposure elevates cardiac ATR levels, affecting the TGFβ-SMADs pathway. Second, heightened Angiotensin II/ATR signaling triggers ROS production, leading to DNA hypermethylation, p-Akt activation, and autophagy deficiency. These molecular shifts in cardiomyocytes result in the development of a heart ischemia-sensitive phenotype and subsequent dysfunction in adult offspring.

HINT2 protects against pressure overload-induced cardiac remodelling through mitochondrial pathways.

Histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 2 (HINT2) is an enzyme found in mitochondria that functions as a nucleotide hydrolase and transferase. Prior studies have demonstrated that HINT2 plays a crucial role in ischemic heart disease, but its importance in cardiac remodelling remains unknown. Therefore, the current study intends to determine the role of HINT2 in cardiac remodelling. HINT2 expression levels were found to be lower in failing hearts and hypertrophy cardiomyocytes. The mice that overexpressed HINT2 exhibited reduced myocyte hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction in response to stress. In contrast, the deficiency of HINT2 in the heart of mice resulted in a worsening hypertrophic phenotype. Further analysis indicated that upregulated genes were predominantly associated with the oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial complex I pathways in HINT2-overexpressed mice after aortic banding (AB) treatment. This suggests that HINT2 increases the expression of NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) flavoprotein (NDUF) genes. In cellular studies, rotenone was used to disrupt mitochondrial complex I, and the protective effect of HINT2 overexpression was nullified. Lastly, we predicted that thyroid hormone receptor beta might regulate HINT2 transcriptional activity. To conclusion, the current study showcased that HINT2 alleviates pressure overload-induced cardiac remodelling by influencing the activity and assembly of mitochondrial complex I. Thus, targeting HINT2 could be a novel therapeutic strategy for reducing cardiac remodelling.

Role of protease-activated receptor 4 in mouse models of acute and chronic kidney injury.

Protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4) is a G protein-coupled receptor activated by thrombin. In the platelet, response to thrombin PAR4 contributes to the predominant procoagulant microparticle formation, increased fibrin deposition, and initiation of platelet-stimulated inflammation. In addition, PAR4 is expressed in other cell types, including endothelial cells. Under inflammatory conditions, PAR4 is overexpressed via epigenetic demethylation of the PAR4 gene, F2RL3. PAR4 knockout (KO) studies have determined a role for PAR4 in ischemia-reperfusion injury in the brain, and PAR4 KO mice display normal cardiac function but present less myocyte death and cardiac dysfunction in response to acute myocardial infarction. Although PAR4 has been reported to be expressed within the kidney, the contribution of PAR4 to acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not well understood. Here we report that PAR4 KO mice are protected against kidney injury in two mouse models. First, PAR4 KO mice are protected against induction of markers of both fibrosis and inflammation in two different models of kidney injury: 1) 7 days following unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) and 2) an AKI-CKD model of ischemia-reperfusion followed by 8 days of contralateral nephrectomy. We further show that PAR4 expression in the kidney is low in the control mouse kidney but induced over time following UUO. PAR4 KO mice are protected against blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) kidney function pathologies in the AKI-CKD model. Following the AKI-CKD model, PAR4 is expressed in the collecting duct colocalizing with Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), but not in the proximal tubule with Lotus tetragonolobus lectin (LTL). Collectively, the results reported in this study implicate PAR4 as contributing to the pathology in mouse models of acute and chronic kidney injury.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The contribution of the thrombin receptor protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4) to acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not well understood. Here we report that PAR4 expression is upregulated after kidney injury and PAR4 knockout (KO) mice are protected against fibrosis following kidney injury in two mouse models. First, PAR4 KO mice are protected against unilateral ureter obstruction. Second, PAR4 KO mice are protected against an AKI-CKD model of ischemia-reperfusion followed by contralateral nephrectomy.

Irisin deficiency exacerbates diet-induced insulin resistance and cardiac dysfunction in type II diabetes in mice.

Irisin is involved in the regulation of a variety of physiological conditions, metabolism, and survival. We and others have demonstrated that irisin contributes critically to modulation of insulin resistance and the improvement of cardiac function. However, whether the deletion of irisin will regulate cardiac function and insulin sensitivity in type II diabetes remains unclear. We utilized the CRISPR/Cas-9 genome-editing system to delete irisin globally in mice and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced type II diabetes model. We found that irisin deficiency did not result in developmental abnormality during the adult stage, which illustrates normal cardiac function and insulin sensitivity assessed by glucose tolerance test in the absence of stress. The ultrastructural analysis of the transmission electronic microscope (TEM) indicated that deletion of irisin did not change the morphology of mitochondria in myocardium. Gene expression profiling showed that several key signaling pathways related to integrin signaling, extracellular matrix, and insulin-like growth factors signaling were coordinately downregulated by deletion of irisin. However, when mice were fed a high-fat diet and chow food for 16 wk, ablation of irisin in mice exposed to HFD resulted in much more severe insulin resistance, metabolic derangements, profound cardiac dysfunction, and hypertrophic response and remodeling as compared with wild-type control mice. Taken together, our results indicate that the loss of irisin exacerbates insulin resistance, metabolic disorders, and cardiac dysfunction in response to HFD and promotes myocardial remodeling and hypertrophic response. This evidence reveals the molecular evidence and the critical role of irisin in modulating insulin resistance and cardiac function in type II diabetes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY By utilizing the CRISPR/Cas-9 genome-editing system and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced type II diabetes model, our results provide direct evidence showing that the loss of irisin exacerbates cardiac dysfunction and insulin resistance while promoting myocardial remodeling and a hypertrophic response in HFD-induced diabetes. This study provides new insight into understanding the molecular evidence and the critical role of irisin in modulating insulin resistance and cardiac function in type II diabetes.

Abstract 11665: Mediation of Sterile Inflammation Through Ca 2+ / Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase in Macrophage is Essential for Pressure Overload-Induced Adverse Cardiac Remodeling

Introduction: There is evidence that inflammation is associated with pressure overload induced cardiac remodeling and heart failure, as well as evidence for a role of Ca 2+ / Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in remodeling and heart failure development. Pressure overload triggers inflammatory gene expression and the activation of the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in cardiomyocytes. These responses provide signals for macrophage recruitment, fibrosis, and myocardial dysfunction in the heart. However, the downstream mechanism is not elucidated. Methods and Results: Macrophage specific CaMKIIdelta knockout (mKO) mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Cardiomyocyte mRNA levels for pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines increased and peaked with 5 to 10 folds vs sham in both control and mKO mice. Priming and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, assessed by measuring NLRP3 mRNA and caspase-1 activity, were increased by TAC in isolated cardiomyocytes of both control and mKO. In contrast, caspase-1 activation in isolated macrophage were attenuated in mKO. CD68 positive cell accumulation and cardiac fibrosis in cardiac tissue in response to pressure overload were also attenuated in mKO vs control (CD68 41 ± 9 cells/mm 2 vs 78 ± 13 cells/mm 2 , fibrotic area 8.5 ± 1.2 % vs 4.1 ± 0.9 %). Subsequent cardiac dysfunction in response to pressure overload were less impaired in the mKO vs control (ejection fraction 44 ± 3% vs 35 ± 6%). Conclusions: Activated CaMKIIdelta in response to pressure overload triggers inflammatory signals including NLRP3 inflammasome cascade in cardiomyocytes. It also contributes amplification of inflammasome signal in macrophages leading fibrosis and consequent cardiac dysfunction. CaMKIIdelta in cardiomyocytes and macrophages could be a therapeutic anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic target for preventing adverse cardiac remodeling and heart failure.

Major vault protein attenuates cardiomyocyte injury in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy through activating AKT

BackgroundDoxorubicin (DOX) has limited chemotherapy application for malignancies due to cardiotoxicity. The pathogenesis of DOX-induced cardiomyopathy (DiCM) is yet to be elucidated. Increasing studies proved that activation of AKT prevented cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction in response to DOX insult. Our previous studies indicated that major vault protein (MVP) deficiency was accompanied by suppressed phosphorylation of AKT in metabolic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of MVP on cardiomyocyte apoptosis in DiCM.MethodsMice were intraperitoneally injected with DOX 5 mg/kg, once a week for 5 weeks, the total cumulative dose was 25 mg/kg. Cardiomyocyte-specific MVP overexpression was achieved using an adeno-associated virus system under the cTnT promoter after the fourth DOX injection. Cardiac function was examined by echocardiography followed by euthanasia. Tissue and serum were collected for morphology analysis and biochemical examination.ResultsHerein, we found that MVP expression was upregulated in DOX-treated murine hearts. Cardiac-specific MVP overexpression alleviated DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction, oxidative stress and fibrosis. Mechanistically, MVP overexpression activated AKT signaling and decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis in DiCM.ConclusionsBased on these findings, we supposed that MVP was a potential therapeutic agent against DiCM.

Insulin Resistance in Skeletal Muscle Selectively Protects the Heart in Response to Metabolic Stress.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are the leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although insulin resistance is believed to underlie these disorders, anecdotal evidence contradicts this common belief. Accordingly, obese patients with cardiovascular disease have better prognoses relative to leaner patients with the same diagnoses, whereas treatment of T2DM patients with thiazolidinedione, one of the popular insulin-sensitizer drugs, significantly increases the risk of heart failure. Using mice with skeletal musclespecific ablation of the insulin receptor gene (MIRKO), we addressed this paradox by demonstrating that insulin signaling in skeletal muscles specifically mediated cross talk with the heart, but not other metabolic tissues, to prevent cardiac dysfunction in response to metabolic stress. Despite severe hyperinsulinemia and aggregating obesity, MIRKO mice were protected from myocardial insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic reprogramming in response to diet-induced obesity. Consequently, the MIRKO mice were also protected from myocardial inflammation, cardiomyopathy, and left ventricle dysfunction. Together, our findings suggest that insulin resistance in skeletal muscle functions as a double-edged sword in metabolic diseases.

Transverse aortic constriction induces gut barrier alterations, microbiota remodeling and systemic inflammation

Accumulating evidence suggests that modifications of gut function and microbiota composition might play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of several cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure (HF). In this study we systematically analysed gut microbiota composition, intestinal barrier integrity, intestinal and serum cytokines and serum endotoxin levels in C57BL/6 mice undergoing pressure overload by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) for 1 and 4 weeks. Compared to sham-operated animals, TAC induced prompt and strong weakening of intestinal barrier integrity, long-lasting decrease of colon anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, significant increases of serum levels of bacterial lipopolysaccharide and proinflammatory cytokines. TAC also exerted effects on microbiota composition, inducing significant differences in bacterial genera inside Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and TM7 phyla as shown by 16S rDNA sequencing of fecal samples from TAC or sham mice. These results suggest that gut modifications represent an important element to be considered in the development and progression of cardiac dysfunction in response to TAC and support this animal model as a valuable tool to establish the role and mechanisms of gut-heart crosstalk in HF. Evidence arising in this field might identify new treatment options targeting gut integrity and microbiota components to face adverse cardiac events.

FYCO1 Regulates Cardiomyocyte Autophagy and Prevents Heart Failure Due to Pressure Overload In Vivo

Autophagy is a cellular degradation process that has been implicated in diverse disease processes. The authors provide evidence that FYCO1, a component of the autophagic machinery, is essential for adaptation to cardiac stress. Although the absence of FYCO1 does not affect basal autophagy in isolated cardiomyocytes, it abolishes induction of autophagy after glucose deprivation. Likewise, Fyco1-deficient mice subjected to starvation or pressure overload are unable to respond with induction of autophagy and develop impaired cardiac function. FYCO1 overexpression leads to induction of autophagy in isolated cardiomyocytes and transgenic mouse hearts, thereby rescuing cardiac dysfunction in response to biomechanical stress.

Meteorin-like/Meteorin-β protects heart against cardiac dysfunction.

Meteorin-like/Meteorin-β (Metrnl/Metrnβ) is a secreted protein produced by skeletal muscle and adipose tissue that exerts metabolic actions that improve glucose metabolism. The role of Metrnβ in cardiac disease is completely unknown. Here, we show that Metrnβ-null mice exhibit asymmetrical cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and enhanced signs of cardiac dysfunction in response to isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy and aging. Conversely, adeno-associated virus-mediated specific overexpression of Metrnβ in the heart prevents the development of cardiac remodeling. Furthermore, Metrnβ inhibits cardiac hypertrophy development in cardiomyocytes in vitro, indicating a direct effect on cardiac cells. Antibody-mediated blockage of Metrnβ in cardiomyocyte cell cultures indicated an autocrine action of Metrnβ on the heart, in addition to an endocrine action. Moreover, Metrnβ is highly produced in the heart, and analysis of circulating Metrnβ concentrations in a large cohort of patients reveals that it is a new biomarker of heart failure with an independent prognostic value.

Abstract 12653: The Therapy-related Clonal Hematopoiesis Driver Gene Ppm1d Promotes Inflammation and Non-ischemic Heart Failure in a Murine Model

Background: Therapy-related clonal hematopoiesis in cancer patients is typically associated with somatic mutations in hematopoietic cell genes that encode regulators of the DNA-damage response (DDR) pathway. The Protein Phosphatase Mg2+/Mn2+ Dependent 1D ( PPM1D ) gene is the most frequently mutated DDR gene associated with therapy-related clonal hematopoiesis. While epidemiological evidence suggests an association between therapy-related clonal hematopoiesis and cardiovascular disease in cancer patients, causal and mechanistic relationships have never been evaluated in an experimental system. Methods: To test whether hematopoietic cell mutations in PPM1D can increase the susceptibility to cardiac stress, we evaluated cardiac dysfunction in response to angiotensin II infusion in a mouse model where clonal-hematopoiesis-associated mutations in Ppm1d were produced by CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Results: Mice transplanted with hematopoietic stem cells containing clinically relevant mutations in exon 6 of Ppm1d exhibited augmented cardiac remodeling following the continuous infusion of angiotensin II. Ppm1d -mutated macrophages showed impairments in the DDR pathway and had an augmented proinflammatory profile. Mice transplanted with Ppm1d mutated cells exhibited elevated IL-1β in the stressed myocardium, and bone marrow derived macrophages produced more IL-1β in response to LPS stimulation. The administration of an NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor to mice reversed the cardiac phenotype induced by the Ppm1d -mutated hematopoietic stem cells under conditions of Angiotensin II-induced stress. Conclusions: A mouse model of Ppm1d -mediated clonal hematopoiesis was more susceptible to cardiac stress following of angiotensin II infusion. Mechanistically, disruption of the DDR pathway led to elevations in inflammatory cytokine production, and the NLRP3 inflammasome was shown to be essential for this augmented cardiac stress response. These data indicate that therapy-related clonal hematopoiesis involving mutations in PPM1D could contribute to the cardiac dysfunction observed in cancer survivors.

Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated protein protects cardiac cells from stress by rewiring glucose metabolism

Abstract Introduction Pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy is associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducing DNA damage and activating the protein kinase Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM). Recently, ATM has been also involved in the regulation of several metabolic processes, but whether and how it affects cardiac metabolism is still poorly understood. Purpose We hypothesized that ATM might play crucial roles in the maintenance of cardiomyocyte metabolic homeostasis and in the development of cardiac dysfunction in response to pressure overload. Methods Atm+/+ and Atm homozygous mutated mice (Atm−/−) underwent transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or sham operation (sham). After one week (1w), sham and TAC mice were anesthetized, cardiac function and morphometry were analyzed, and gene expression reprogramming, cardiac histology, mitochondrial morphology were performed. Metabolic profiling was carried out through untargeted metabolomics (LC-MS/MS and GC/MS), mRNA and/or protein levels analysis to investigate glycolyis, pyruvate oxidation, Krebs cycle, aminoacid synthesis, gluconeogenesis and lipid oxidation. Results Atm genetic inactivation induced cardiomyocytes hypertrophy and fetal gene reprogramming in sham mice, with normal cardiac function and in the absence of fibrosis or mitochondrial dysfunction (Figure 1A). After TAC 1w, cardiac function was significantly decreased in Atm−/− mice, compared to Atm+/+ (Figure 1B). In both sham and TAC 1w Atm−/− mice, significant metabolic abnormalities were identified, including switching of glycolysis, reduction of pyruvate oxidation (Figure 1B), activation of aminoacid synthesis and accumulation of long and short-chain fatty acid conjugated with carnitine. Pyruvate accumulation was associated to a significant reduction of pyruvate carrier (MPC1-MPC2) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) levels in sham and TAC 1w Atm−/− mice. Conclusions ATM regulates gene expression, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cardiac responses to pressure overload, modulating cardiac metabolism and the profile of intracellular substrate utilization in the heart. Thus, ATM might represent a novel important player in the development of cardiac dysfunction and a novel therapeutic target. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Other. Main funding source(s): CP was supported by Ministero dell'Istruzione, Università e Ricerca Scientifica grant (2015583WMX) and Programma STAR grant by Federico II University and Compagnia di San Paolo. RP was supported by a research grant provided by the Cardiopath PhD program.

Abstract 299: Cardiac Fibroblast-derived FGF21 is a Novel Therapeutic Target for Cardiac Pathological Remodeling

Background: Fibroblast Growth factor 21(FGF21) is an endocrine factor, secreted mainly by the liver, that exerts metabolic actions. It has been shown that FGF21 has an anti-hypertrophic action for cardiac hypertrophy. We previously reported that murine cardiac FGF21 expression was upregulated by pressure-overload. The objective of this study was to clarify the role of cardiac fibroblast-derived FGF21 in cardiac pathological remodeling. Methods and Results: We generated fibroblast-specific/tamoxifen-inducible FGF21 knockout mice crossing by FGF21flox mice and Col1a2-CreERT mice (FB-FGF21KO). FGF21flox control mice and KO mice were induced cardiac hypertrophy by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). After 3-weeks TAC surgery, we evaluated the cardiac function by echocardiography or conductance catheter. TAC-mediated cardiac hypertrophy or impairment of systolic function were exacerbated in FB-FGF21KO mice. Conductance catheter showed that Tau, diastolic relaxation marker, was exacerbated in FB-FGF21KO mice with TAC. FB-FGF21KO heart with TAC showed significant upregulation in profibrotic genes and down-regulation in Ca2+ ATPase in comparison with control TAC heart. Cardiac Sirt1, which plays a central role in energy metabolism or oxidative stress, increased by TAC was significantly attenuated in FB-FGF21KO heart. Conclusion: Deletion of FGF21 in cardiac fibroblasts exacerbates cardiac dysfunction in response to pressure overload suggesting that cardiac fibroblasts regulates pathological remodeling via FGF21 regulation.

Abstract 502: Inhibition of Histone Deacetylase 6 Protects Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells-derived Cardiomyocytes Through Inhibition of Autophagy

Introduction: Autophagy is known to play an important role in mediating cardiac hypertrophy. However, the mechanism is poorly understood. Since the protein histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) contributes to cardiac dysfunction in response to angiotensin II (AngII) signaling, we have examined the role of HDAC6 inhibitor tubastatin A (TBA) in AngII-induced remodeling in human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived cardiomyocytes (iCMCs). Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the inhibition of HDAC6 protects iCMCs from AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy through inhibition of autophagy. Methods and Results: We have generated and characterized induced pluripotent stem cells from human adult skin fibroblasts and subsequently differentiated them into iCMCs. Treatment with 10 μM angiotensin II for 24 hrs increased the HDAC6 activity and lead to hypertrophy in iCMCs. The AngII-induced hypertrophy, and the excessive contractility in iCMCs were reversed by the inhibition of HDAC6 with TBA (1 μM for 24 hours). The number of LC3-positive iCMCs, and the mRNA and the protein expression of autophagic genes Beclin-1, LC3, and p62 were increased by the presence of AngII, and the anti-autophagic gene Bcl2 was decreased by AngII. The inhibition of HDAC6 with TBA reversed the AngII-mediated changes in the autophagic genes expressions in iCMCs. Autophagic vacuoles were identified with monodansylcadaverine (MDC, green) and lysosomes with LysoTracker (red) (Fig. 1A) . The number of autophagolysosomes were increased by AngII, and this was decreased with TBA in iCMCs (Fig. 1B) . Conclusions: Our report indicates for the first time that the AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy-mediated autophagy is effectively inhibited by the suppression of HDAC6 in human iCMCs.

CXCR4 Cardiac Specific Knockout Mice Develop a Progressive Cardiomyopathy.

Activation of multiple pathways is associated with cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. We previously published that CXCR4 negatively regulates β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling and ultimately limits β-adrenergic diastolic (Ca2+) accumulation in cardiac myocytes. In isolated adult rat cardiac myocytes; CXCL12 treatment prevented isoproterenol-induced hypertrophy and interrupted the calcineurin/NFAT pathway. Moreover; cardiac specific CXCR4 knockout mice show significant hypertrophy and develop cardiac dysfunction in response to chronic catecholamine exposure in an isoproterenol-induced (ISO) heart failure model. We set this study to determine the structural and functional consequences of CXCR4 myocardial knockout in the absence of exogenous stress. Cardiac phenotype and function were examined using (1) gated cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); (2) terminal cardiac catheterization with in vivo hemodynamics; (3) histological analysis of left ventricular (LV) cardiomyocyte dimension; fibrosis; and; (4) transition electron microscopy at 2-; 6- and 12-months of age to determine the regulatory role of CXCR4 in cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyocyte specific-CXCR4 knockout (CXCR4 cKO) mice demonstrate a progressive cardiac dysfunction leading to cardiac failure by 12-months of age. Histological assessments of CXCR4 cKO at 6-months of age revealed significant tissue fibrosis in knockout mice versus wild-type. The expression of atrial naturietic factor (ANF); a marker of cardiac hypertrophy; was also increased with a subsequent increase in gross heart weights. Furthermore, there were derangements in both the number and the size of the mitochondria within CXCR4 cKO hearts. Moreover, CXCR4 cKO mice were more sensitive to catocholamines, their response to β-AR agonist challenge via acute isoproterenol (ISO) infusion demonstrated a greater increase in ejection fraction, dp/dtmax, and contractility index. Interestingly, prior to ISO infusion, there were significant differences in baseline hemodynamics between the CXCR4 cKO compared to littermate controls. However, upon administering ISO, the CXCR4 cKO responded in a robust manner overcoming the baseline hemodynamic deficits reaching WT values supporting our previous data that CXCR4 negatively regulates β-AR signaling. This further supports that, in the absence of the physiologic negative modulation, there is an overactivation of down-stream pathways, which contribute to the development and progression of contractile dysfunction. Our results demonstrated that CXCR4 plays a non-developmental role in regulating cardiac function and that CXCR4 cKO mice develop a progressive cardiomyopathy leading to clinical heart failure.

A Specific Circulating MicroRNA Cluster Is Associated to Late Differential Cardiac Response to Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity In Vivo.

Background Cardiotoxicity is a detrimental side effect of the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX), characterized by progressive heart dysfunction. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are recognized as potential biomarkers of cardiac disease; thus, we aimed to investigate their association with late cardiotoxicity in an animal model of disease. Methods Twenty C57BL/6 female mice were administered with 24 mg/kg cumulative dose of DOX or saline during 2 weeks, followed by a recovery period of one month (T42). Echocardiography was performed at baseline and at T42, and plasma samples were collected at T42. The selection of all miRNAs of interest was conducted by literature overview and by screening, followed by RT-qPCR validation. Results. The analysis of cardiac function at T42 evidenced five DOX-treated animals indistinguishable (NoTox) from controls (CTRLs), while four presented heart impairment (Tox). Our analyses identified eight dysfunction-associated plasma miRNAs. In particular, seven miRNAs were found downregulated in comparison to CTRLs, miR-1-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-127-3p, miR-133a-3p, miR-215-5p, miR-455-3-p, and miR-499a-5p. Conversely, miR-34a-5p showed increased levels in Tox plasma samples. Noteworthy, we determined a cluster composed of miR-1-3p, miR-34a-5p, miR-133a-3p, and miR-499a-5p that distinguished with high-accuracy Tox from NoTox mice. Conclusion This is the first study indicating that, similarly to what is observed in patients, DOX-administered animals present a differential cardiac response to treatment. Moreover, our results indicate the presence of specific plasma miRNAs whose expression reflect the presence of cardiac dysfunction in response to drug-induced injury.

C1q-tumour necrosis factor-related protein-3 exacerbates cardiac hypertrophy in mice.

C1q-tumour necrosis factor-related protein-3 (CTRP3) is an adipokine and a paralog of adiponectin. Our previous study showed that CTRP3 attenuated diabetes-related cardiomyopathy. However, the precise role of CTRP3 in cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. This study was aimed to clarify the role of CTRP3 involved in cardiac hypertrophy. Cardiomyocyte-specific CTRP3 overexpression was achieved using an adeno-associated virus system, and cardiac CTRP3 expression was knocked down using gene delivery of specific short hairpin RNAs in vivo. CTRP3 expression was upregulated in murine hypertrophic hearts and failing human hearts. Increased CTRP3 was mainly derived from cardiomyocytes and induced by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the hypertrophic response. CTRP3-overexpressing mice exhibited exacerbated cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction in response to pressure overload. Conversely, Ctrp3 deficiency in the heart resulted in an alleviated hypertrophic phenotype. CTRP3 induced hypertrophy in cardiomyocytes, which could be blocked by the addition of CTRP3 antibody in the media. Detection of signalling pathways showed that pressure overload-induced activation of the transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway was enhanced by CTRP3 overexpression and inhibited by CTRP3 disruption. Furthermore, we found that CTRP3 lost its pro-hypertrophic effects in cardiomyocyte-specific Tak1 knockout mice. Protein kinase A (PKA) was involved in the activation of TAK1 by CTRP3. In conclusion, our results suggest that CTRP3 promotes pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy via activation of the TAK1-JNK axis.

Mechanical stresses induce paracrine β-2 microglobulin from cardiomyocytes to activate cardiac fibroblasts through epidermal growth factor receptor.

By employing a proteomic analysis on supernatant of mechanically stretched cardiomyocytes, we found that stretch induced a significantly high level of β-2 microglobulin (β2M), a non-glycosylated protein, which is related to inflammatory diseases but rarely known in cardiovascular diseases. The present data showed that serum β2M level was increased in patients with hypertension and further increased in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) as compared with control group, and the high level of serum β2M level correlated to cardiac dysfunction in these patients. In pressure overload mice model by transverse aortic constriction (TAC), β2M levels in serum and heart tissue increased progressively in a time-dependent manner. Exogenous β2M showed pro-fibrotic effects in cultured cardiac fibroblasts but few effects in cardiomyocytes. Adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-mediated knockdown of β2M significantly reduced cardiac β2M level and inhibited myocardial fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction but not cardiac hypertrophy at 4 weeks after TAC. In vitro, mechanical stretch induced the rapid secretion of β2M mainly from cardiomyocytes by activation of extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK). Conditional medium (CM) from mechanically stretched cardiomyocytes activated cultured cardiac fibroblasts, and the effect was partly abolished by CM from β2M-knockdown cardiomyocytes. In vivo, knockdown of β2M inhibited the increase in phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) induced by TAC. In cultured cardiac fibroblasts, inhibition of EGFR significantly attenuated the β2M-induced the activation of EGFR and pro-fibrotic responses. The present study suggests that β2M is a paracrine pro-fibrotic mediator and associated with cardiac dysfunction in response to pressure overload.