Academic literature on the topic 'Transverse aortic constriction (TAC)'

Abstract Aims: The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of vascular diseases, especially as a mediator of inflammation and tissue remodelling. Alamandine (Ala1-angiotensin-(1-7)) is a new biologically active peptide from the RAS, interacting with Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor member D. Although a growing number of studies reveal the cardioprotective effects of alamandine, there is a paucity of data on its participation in vascular remodelling associated events. In the present study, we investigated the effects of alamandine on ascending aorta remodelling after transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice. Methods and results: C57BL/6J male mice were divided into the following groups: Sham (sham-operated), TAC (operated) and TAC+ALA (operated and treated with alamandine-HPβCD (2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin), 30 μg/kg/day, by gavage). Oral administration of alamandine for 14 days attenuated arterial remodelling by decreasing ascending aorta media layer thickness and the cells density in the adventitia induced by TAC. Alamandine administration attenuated ascending aorta fibrosis induced by TAC, through a reduction in the following parameters; total collagen deposition, expression collagen III and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) transcripts, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity and vascular expression of MMP-2. Importantly, alamandine decreased vascular expression of proinflammatory genes as CCL2, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and was able to increase expression of MRC1 and FIZZ1, pro-resolution markers, after TAC surgery. Conclusion: Alamandine treatment attenuates vascular remodelling after TAC, at least in part, through anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects. Hence, this work opens new avenues for the use of this heptapeptide also as a therapeutic target for vascular disease.

Background. EPZ005687 is a selective inhibiter of methyltransferase EZH2. In this article, we investigated the protective role and mechanism of EPZ005687 in transverse aortic constriction-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in mice. Methods. We assigned 15 (6–8 weeks old) male balb/c mice to 3 groups randomly: Sham control + DMSO group, TAC + DMSO group, and TAC + EPZ005687 group (10 mg kg−1, once a week for 4 weeks). On day 28 following TAC operation, the right ventricular systolic blood pressure (RVSBP) was measured, and lung tissues were collected for laboratory examinations (DHE, Western blot, real-time PCR, and ChIP). Results. Murine PAH model was successfully created by TAC operation as evidenced by increased RVSBP and hypertrophic right ventricle. Compared with the sham control, TAC-induced PAH markedly upregulated the expression of EZH2 and ROS deposition in lungs in PAH mice. The inhibiter of methyltransferase EZH2, EPZ005687 significantly inhibits the development of TAC-induced PAH in an EZH2-SOD1-ROS dependent manner. Conclusion. Our data identified that EZH2 serves a fundamental role in TAC-induced PAH, and administration of EPZ005687 might represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of TAC-induced PAH.

Cardiac fibrosis is a major cause of cardiac dysfunction in hypertrophic hearts. Differentiated embryonic chondrocyte gene 1 (Dec1), a basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor, has circadian expression in the heart; however, its role in cardiac diseases remains unknown. Therefore, using Dec1 knock-out (Dec1KO) and wild-type (WT) mice, we evaluated cardiac function and morphology at one and four weeks after transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or sham surgery. We found that Dec1KO mice retained cardiac function until four weeks after TAC. Dec1KO mice also revealed more severely hypertrophic hearts than WT mice at four weeks after TAC, whereas no significant change was observed at one week. An increase in Dec1 expression was found in myocardial and stromal cells of TAC-treated WT mice. In addition, Dec1 circadian expression was disrupted in the heart of TAC-treated WT mice. Cardiac perivascular fibrosis was suppressed in TAC-treated Dec1KO mice, with positive immunostaining of S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S100A4), alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1), phosphorylation of Smad family member 3 (pSmad3), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and cyclin-interacting protein 1 (p21). Furthermore, Dec1 expression was increased in myocardial hypertrophy and myocardial infarction of autopsy cases. Taken together, our results indicate that Dec1 deficiency suppresses cardiac fibrosis, preserving cardiac function in hypertrophic hearts. We suggest that Dec1 could be a new therapeutic target in cardiac fibrosis.

Cardiac hypertrophy is a compensatory response initially beneficial to heart function but can ultimately lead to cardiac decompensation. It is an integrated process involving multiple cellular signaling pathways and their cross talk. Microarray GeneChip technology is a powerful new tool to identify gene expression profiles of cardiac hypertrophy. To identify well-characterized as well as novel adaptive mechanisms, we utilized a murine model of compensated pressure overload hypertrophy (transverse aortic constriction, TAC). At 48 h, 10 days, and 3 wk, hearts were harvested and total RNA hybridized to Affymetrix U74Av2 GeneChips, which contain a 12,488-gene/EST probe set. Verification of gene expression was performed by SYBR quantitative real-time RT-PCR (QRT-PCR) for selected genes. A rigorous evaluation of the adequacy of the control condition was also performed. For statistical analysis we generated a four-step filtering criteria. Our results show an upregulation of 38 genes (48 h), 269 genes (10 days), and 203 genes (3 wk) and downregulation of 15 genes (48 h), 160 genes (10 days), and 124 genes (3 wk). Transcripts differentially expressed after TAC were categorized into 12 functional groups and revealed the presence of several intriguing transcripts, e.g., cell proliferation-related Ki-67 and several apoptosis-related genes. Overall changes in QRT-PCR were in accordance with GeneChip data, with the highest correlation for genes with the largest up- or downregulation with TAC. Thus TAC results in altered expression of genes in several pathways regulating both cardiac structure and function. However, for in vivo gene microarray experiments, it is critical to define adequate controls, perform rigorous statistical analysis, and provide validation by alternative methods.

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) is an effective technique for inducing left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in mice. With the use of transthoracic echocardiography and Doppler measurements, we studied the effects of an acute increase in pressure overload on LV contractile performance and peak systolic wall stress index (WSI) at early time points after TAC and the time course of the development of LV hypertrophy in mice. The LV mass index was similar between TAC and sham-operated mice at postoperative day 1 but progressively increased in TAC mice by day 10. There was no further increase in the LV mass index between postoperative days 10 and 20. On day 1, whereas peak systolic WSI increased significantly, the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and percent fractional shortening (%FS) decreased in TAC mice compared with sham-operated mice. By day 10, peak systolic WSI, LVEF, and %FS had recovered to baseline levels and were not significantly different between postoperative days 10 and 20. Thus LV systolic performance in mice declines immediately after TAC, associated with increased peak systolic WSI, but recovers to baseline levels with the development of compensatory LV hypertrophy over 10–20 days.

The use of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor is a novel therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that many HDAC inhibitors have the ability to reduce the aortic remodeling in various animal models. We hypothesized that the HDAC inhibitor, MGCD0103 (MGCD), attenuates aortic remodeling in rats under pressure overload-induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). The aortic ring tension analysis was conducted using the thoracic aorta. Sections of the aorta were visualized after hematoxylin and eosin, trichrome, and Verhoeff-van Gieson staining, and immunohistochemistry. The expression of genes related to aortic remodeling (αSMA, Mmp2, and Mmp9) and angiotensin receptors (Agtr1 and Agtr2) was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. There was a significant decrease in relaxation of the aorta when treated with MGCD. Fibrosis of the aortic wall and expression of angiotensin receptors increased in TAC rats, which was attenuated by MGCD. These results indicate that MGCD, an HDAC inhibitor, attenuates aortic remodeling in rats with TAC-induced pressure overload rats and may serve as a potential therapeutic target of antiaortic remodeling in pressure overload-induced hypertension-related diseases.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are known to reduce post-myocardial infarction-induced morbidity and mortality. However, the molecular mechanism underlying SSRI-induced cardioprotection remains unclear. Here, we investigated the role of σ1-receptor (σ1R) stimulation with fluvoxamine on myocardial hypertrophy and cardiac functional recovery. Male ICR mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in the cardiac aortic arch. To confirm the cardioprotective role of fluvoxamine by σ1R stimulation, we treated mice with fluvoxamine (0.5 or 1 mg/kg) orally once per day for 4 wk after the onset of aortic banding. Interestingly, in untreated mice, σ1R expression in the left ventricle (LV) decreased significantly over the 4 wk as TAC-induced hypertrophy increased. In contrast, fluvoxamine administration significantly attenuated TAC-induced myocardial hypertrophy concomitant with recovery of σ1R expression in the LV. Fluvoxamine also attenuated hypertrophy-induced impaired LV fractional shortening. The fluvoxamine cardioprotective effect was nullified by treatment with a σ1R antagonist [NE-100 (1 mg/kg)]. Importantly, another SSRI with very low affinity for σ1Rs, paroxetine, did not elicit antihypertrophic effects in TAC mice and cultured cardiomyocytes. Fluvoxamine treatment significantly restored TAC-induced impaired Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation in the LV. Our findings suggest that fluvoxamine protects against TAC-induced cardiac dysfunction via upregulated σ1R expression and stimulation of σ1R-mediated Akt-eNOS signaling in mice. This is the first report of a potential role for σ1R stimulation by fluvoxamine in attenuating cardiac hypertrophy and restoring contractility in TAC mice.

Mutations in the giant sarcomeric protein titin (TTN) are a major cause for inherited forms of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We have previously developed a mouse model that imitates a TTN truncation mutation we found in a large pedigree with DCM. While heterozygousTtnknock-in mice do not display signs of heart failure under sedentary conditions, they recapitulate the human phenotype when exposed to the pharmacological stressor angiotensin II or isoproterenol. In this study we investigated the effects of pressure overload by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in heterozygous (Het)Ttnknock-in mice. Two weeks after TAC, Het mice developed marked impairment of left ventricular ejection fraction(p<0.05), while wild-type (WT) TAC mice did not. Het mice also trended toward increased ventricular end diastolic pressure and volume compared to WT littermates. We found an increase in histologically diffuse cardiac fibrosis in Het compared to WT in TAC mice. This study shows that a pattern of DCM can be induced by TAC-mediated pressure overload in a TTN-truncated mouse model. This model enlarges our arsenal of cardiac disease models, adding a valuable tool to understand cardiac pathophysiological remodeling processes and to develop therapeutic approaches to combat heart failure.

Background: Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is critical in regulating energy metabolism. Due to the significant change in energy metabolism of myocardium upon pressure overload, we hypothesize that UCP2 could contribute to the etiology of cardiac hypertrophy. Methods: Adult male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to pressure overload by using transverse aortic constriction (TAC), and then received genipin (a UCP2 selective inhibitor; 25 mg/kg/d, ip) or vehicle for three weeks prior to histologic assessment of myocardial hypertrophy. ATP concentration, ROS level, and myocardial apoptosis were also examined. A parallel set of experiments was also conducted in UCP2-/- mice. Results: TAC induced left ventricular hypertrophy, as reflected by increased ventricular weight/thickness and increased size of myocardial cell (vs. sham controls). ATP concentration was decreased; ROS level was increased. Apoptosis and fibrosis markers were increased. TAC increased mitochondrial UCP2 expression in the myocardium at both mRNA and protein levels. Genipin treatment attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and the histologic/biochemical changes described above. Hypertrophy and associated changes induced by TAC in UCP2-/- mice were much less pronounced than in WT mice. Conclusions: Blocking UCP2 expression attenuates cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload.

Background/Aims: To investigate the effects of renal denervation (RDN) on multi-organ fibrosis and vascular remodeling in cardiomyopathy. Methods: Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Five weeks later, 28 surviving TAC rats were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) RDN, (2) Sham, (3) Carvedilol. Six male Sham TAC rats served as the Control. Ten weeks after TAC, samples were collected. Results: TAC rats showed an increased diastolic interventricular septal thickness at week 5. At 10 weeks, Masson staining showed that left ventricular and renal glomerular fibrosis were significantly reduced in RDN compared with Sham group. In comparison to Sham group, hepatic perivascular fibrosis was attenuated in both RDN and Carvedilol group, so were the media thickness and the media/lumen of aorta. The plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), Cystatin C (Cys-C), Alanine Transaminase, angiotensin II (Ang II), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and malondialdehyde increased, and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) decreased in Sham but not in RDN group, compared with Control group. Both RDN and Carvedilol reduced the Cys-C and TGF-β1 levels, and restored T-SOD concentration, compared with Sham group. While only RDN lowered the plasma levels of BNP and Ang II. No significant effects of RDN on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were oberved. Conclusions: RDN can attenuate multi-organ fibrosis and improve vascular remodeling independent of BP and HR change in TAC-induced cardiomyopathy. These effects of RDN may be associated with the direct inhibition of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and oxidative stress.

Aims Protein Phosphatase Inhibitor 1 (I-1) functions as an amplifier of the β-adrenergic cascade in cardiomyocytes. Once activated via PKA, I-1 specifically blocks PP-1-mediated dephosphorylation of phospholamban and the ryanodine receptor-1. In heart failure I-1 activity as well as its expression is significantly reduced. It is still unclear whether this adaptation is protective or detrimental. This work aims at examining the impact of I-1 depletion on the course of pressure-induced heart failure, more precisely on acute and long-term mortality, on cardiac morphology and function and on expression levels of hypertrophy markers. Results may help evaluating the benefit of putative I-1 inhibiting substances in the therapy of heart failure. Methods and Results 25 I-1KO and 28 WT mice (C57Bl/6J, age- and sex-matched) underwent transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Cardiac function was assessed via transthoracic echocardiography prior to the intervention and weekly afterwards. Additionally, mice were exposed to β-adrenergic stimulation by injection of dobutamine once prior to TAC and two times afterwards, each controlled by echocardiography. For male mice acute survival was significantly increased in WT compared to I-1KO, whereas the mortality of surviving animals did not differ during the investigation period. For female mice no difference was seen in acute mortality after TAC, but during heart failure progression I-1KO revealed a significantly better survival. Prior to TAC contractility in I-1KO after application of dobutamine was significantly lower than in WT. This effect was mainly induced by female mice. Overall female mice of both WT and I-1KO showed smaller increases in heart rate (HR) and stroke volume (SV) when stimulated. In contrast, following TAC neither line- nor sex-dependent differences were found according to β-adrenergic stimulation. The comparison of hypertrophy markers in control groups revealed clearly decreased levels for I-1KO compared to WT. Conclusion In pressure-induced heart failure, I-1 knockout alters cardiac contractility and modulates mortality in a phase- and sex-dependent way. The depletion is detrimental for male mice in the acute phase of cardiac stress, whereas it is protective for female mice during heart failure progression. The increased mortality in the acute phase might result from the loss of I-1 as an amplifier of β-adrenergic signaling as this leads to a restriction of contractile adaptation. The increased survival in heart failure progression might be caused by a reduced transmission of pathologically increased sympathetic activity on the SR due to the depletion of I-1. Additionally, hypertrophy marker analyses point to differences in expression levels even under non-pathological conditions<br>Ziel Der Proteinphosphatase-Inhibitor I-1 wirkt als ein Verstärker der β-adrenergen Kaskade in Kardiomyozyten. Nach PKA-abhängiger Phosphorylierung hemmt er spezifisch die Dephosphorylierung von PLB und RYR-2 durch die Proteinphosphatase-1. Im Rahmen einer Herzinsuffizienz sind sowohl Aktivität als auch Expression von I-1 deutlich reduziert. Hierbei ist unklar, ob dies eine protektive oder eine schädliche Adaption der β-adrenergen Kaskade darstellt. Diese Arbeit untersucht den Einfluss einer Depletion des I-1 (I-1KO) im Rahmen der druckinduzierten Herzinsuffizienz auf die akute bzw. auf die langfristige Mortalität, auf die kardiale Morphologie und Funktion sowie auf die Expression typischer Hypertrophiemarker. Hieraus sollen Erkenntnisse über den Nutzen der Verwendung putativ I-1 inhibierender Substanzen in der Behandlung der Herzinsuffizienz gewonnen werden. Methoden und Resultate 25 I-1KO- sowie 28 WT-Mäuse (C57Bl/6J, age and sex matched) erhielten eine Transverse Aortic Constriction (TAC). Die kardiale Funktion wurde einmalig vor der Intervention sowie danach wöchentlich mittels TTE untersucht. Zusätzlich wurden die Tiere einmalig vor TAC und zweimalig danach unter echokardiographischer Kontrolle mittels Dobutamin β-adrenerg stimuliert. Für die männlichen Tiere zeigte sich in den ersten Tagen nach TAC eine signifikant erhöhte Überlebensrate des WT gegenüber I-1KO. Die Mortalität der überlebenden männlichen Tiere unterschied sich hingegen nicht über den Versuchszeitraum. Für die weiblichen Tiere bestand kein Unterschied in der akuten Sterblichkeit nach TAC, während sich im Verlauf eine signifikant bessere Überlebensrate der weiblichen I-1KO gegenüber WT zeigte. Vor TAC wurde eine signifikant herabgesetzte Kontraktilität (FAS) des I-1KO unter Dobutamin festgestellt, der im Wesentlichen durch die weiblichen Tiere bewirkt wird. Insgesamt zeigten die weiblichen Tiere beider Linien unter β-adrenerger Stimulation eine geringere Zunahme von Herzfrequenz (HR) und Schlagvolumen (SV). Hingegen waren nach TAC keine linien- oder geschlechtsabhängigen Unterschiede unter Dobutamingabe feststellbar. Ein Vergleich der Hypertrophiemarker in der Kontrollgruppe zeigte für I-1KO ein deutlich vermindertes Niveau der Marker gegenüber WT. Ergebnis Der I-1-Knockout verändert die kardiale Kontraktilität und wirkt sowohl in phasen- als auch in geschlechtsabhängiger Weise auf die Mortalität infolge druckinduzierter Herzinsuffizienz. Er ist nachteilig für männliche Tiere in der akuten Phase kardialer Belastung, während er für weibliche Tiere im weiteren Verlauf protektive Wirkung entfaltet. Eine erhöhte Mortalität in der akuten Phase kann durch den Ausfall der Verstärkerfunktion des I-1 erklärt werden, da hiermit eine Einschränkung der akut notwendigen kontraktilen Adaptionsfähigkeit einhergeht. Ein Überlebensvorteil bei chronischer kardialer Belastung könnte darauf zurückzuführen sein, dass die pathologisch erhöhte sympathische Aktivierung der β-adrenergen Kaskade infolge der I-1-Depletion eine geringere Auswirkung auf die Zielstrukturen des aktivierten I-1 am Sarkoplasmatischen Retikulum hat. Darüber hinaus lassen die Analysen der Hypertrophiemarker eine veränderte Genexpression zwischen I-1KO und WT auch unter nicht-pathologischen Bedingungen vermuten

A hipertrofia cardíaca é uma adaptação do coração frente a estímulos de crescimento, sejam eles patológicos e irreversíveis como a sobrecarga de pressão ou de volume, ou fisiológicos e reversíveis como a gravidez e o exercício físico. A hipertrofia derivada de estímulos patológicos é conhecida como mal adaptativa enquanto que a hipertrofia proveniente de estímulos ditos fisiológicos é conhecida como benéfica ou adaptativa. Embora ambas hipertrofias tenham fatores em comum no que diz respeito ao crescimento do cardiomiócito e adaptações moleculares, elas acabam divergindo para desfechos completamente diferentes. A hipertrofia patológica evolui para um quadro de disfunção cardíaca ao passo que a hipertrofia fisiológica não acarreta nenhum dano funcional ao miocárdio. Essa linha tênue entre um fenótipo e outro envolve mecanismos celulares complexos que ainda precisam ser esclarecidos. Dentro deste cenário, os microRNAs aparecem como reguladores de diversos processos celulares, e têm sido associados ao crescimento miocárdico. Portanto, nosso objetivo foi comparar o padrão de expressão de microRNAs entre os modelos de hipertrofia fisiológica, induzido por natação (SWIM), e o modelo de hipertrofia patológica, induzida por bandeamento aórtico transtorácico (TAC). As análises foram realizadas após 28 dias para o modelo de natação, e 35 dias para o modelo de TAC. A comparação foi realizada através da técnica de microarranjo de microRNAs (Affymetrix). Interessantemente, apenas 20 microRNAs apresentaram níveis de expressão distinta entre os dois modelos de hipertrofia. Destes, 12 microRNAs apresentaram aumento de expressão (miR-193a-3p, miR-299a-5p, miR- 127-5p, miR-214-5p, miR-188-5p, miR-326-3p, miR-6395, miR-547-3p, miR-199a-5p, miR-381-3p, miR-223-3p e miR-199b-5p) e 8 estavam com seus níveis diminuídos (miR11 708-5p, miR-30c-1-3p, miR-22-5p, miR-6921-5p, miR-30a-3p, miR-30e-3p, miR-27a-5p and miR-6975-5p) no grupo TAC em relação ao grupo SWIM. Além disso, apenas 3 microRNAs, miR-21a-5p, miR-206-3p e miR-1983, apresentaram aumento de expressão tanto no grupo TAC quanto no grupo SWIM em comparação aos grupos SHAM e Sedentário, respectivamente. Após isso, foi realizada uma busca por possíveis alvos destes microRNAs na base de dados KEGG Pathway que identificou 4 rotas enriquecidas (665 genes) entre os alvos dos microRNAs reduzidos, e 80 rotas (3394 genes) fortemente associadas aos microRNAs que estavam aumentados no grupo TAC comparado ao SWIM. Conclui-se que existem microRNAs específicos para o desenvolvimento da hipertrofia cardíaca fisiológica, bem como patológica conforme os dados obtidos na análise de microarranjo. Além disso, os possíveis alvos destes microRNAs parecem estar envolvidos em rotas bastante envolvidas no crescimento celular, sobrevivência e adaptação cardíaca.<br>Cardiac hypertrophy is a heart adaptation in response to growth stimuli whether pathological and irreversible such as pressure overload or physiological and reversible as pregnancy and exercise. Hypertrophy because of pathological stimuli is known as mal adaptive while the one that comes from physiological triggers is known as beneficial or adaptive. Although both have similarities about cardiomyocyte growth and molecular adaptations, they diverge to distinct outcomes. The pathological hypertrophy evolves to a pattern of cardiac dysfunction while the physiological one does not cause any damage to the heart. This tenuous line between those phenotypes involves complex cellular mechanisms that need to be clarified. In this context, microRNAs are considered as regulators of many biological processes, and have been associated to myocardial growth. Therefore, our aim was to compare microRNA expression between physiological (swiminduced) and pathological (TAC-induced) hypertrophy. The analysis was performed after 28 days for SWIM protocol and 35 days for TAC model. The comparison was done using microRNA microarray technology (Affymetrix). Interestingly, only 20 microRNAs were differential expressed between both models. Out of those, 12 were up regulated (miR- 193a-3p, miR-299a-5p, miR-127-5p, miR-214-5p, miR-188-5p, miR-326-3p, miR-6395, miR-547-3p, miR-199a-5p, miR-381-3p, miR-223-3p and miR-199b-5p) while 8 were down regulated in TAC group compared to SWIM group. Besides, only 3 microRNAs, miR-21a-5p, miR-206-3p and miR-1983, were upregulated in TAC and SWIM model compared to SHAM and SED groups. After that, a search at KEGG Pathway database retrieved 4 pathways (665 genes) enriched with targets from microRNAs downregulated and 80 pathways (3394 genes) enriched with targets from up-regulated microRNAs in in 13 TAC group compared to SWIM group. In conclusion, there are microRNAs specific committed to the physiological cardiac hypertrophy development as well to the pathological cardiac growth as observed in our microarray data. Furthermore, the possible targets of those microRNAs could be involved in pathways associated with cellular growth, survival and cardiac adaptation.

A hipertrofia cardíaca é um mecanismo de adaptação do coração ao aumento de demanda. De acordo com o estímulo, fisiológico ou patológico, a hipertrofia apresenta diferentes características morfológicas e moleculares. Compreender os mecanismos comuns e distintos entre os dois tipos de hipertrofia é um passo importante para o desenvolvimento de estratégias de prevenção e tratamento da IC. Dentre os mecanismos distintos cabe ressaltar a participação das espécies reativas do oxigênio (EROs) que parecem estar presentes em altos níveis na hipertrofia cardíaca patológica e em baixos na fisiológica. Além disso, o papel regulatório dos microRNAs (miRs) tem sido demonstrado nas doenças cardiovasculares. No entanto, a influência das EROs no desenvolvimento da hipertrofia e nas adaptações decorrentes a ela ainda não está estabelecido. Assim, nosso objetivo foi avaliar as diferenças morfológicas e moleculares da hipertrofia cardíaca fisiológica, induzida pelo exercício, e da patológica, induzida por bandeamento aórtico (TAC), e sua modulação pela vitamina E. Os modelos de exercício e TAC desenvolveram hipertrofia cardíaca de forma compatível com o estímulo recebido. Essas adaptações ocorreram conjuntamente com alterações na expressão dos miRs-21, -26b, -150, -210 e -499. A vitamina E inibiu o estímulo angiogênicos, no modelo fisiológico, assim como a expressão dos miRs-21, -150 e -210. No entanto, esses efeitos não alteraram o fenótipo final da hipertrofia cardíaca fisiológica. No modelo patológico, por outro lado, a vitamina E reduziu a fibrose e o dano oxidativo, além de alterar a expressão de miRs já descritos no desenvolvimento da hipertrofia cardíaca patológica. Novamente, esse efeito não foi suficiente para reduzir a hipertrofia cardíaca. Em conjunto, os dados desse estudo sugerem que a vitamina E e/ou sua capacidade antioxidante têm a capacidade de influenciar de forma benéfica a hipertrofia patológica; no entanto, seus efeitos podem ser desfavoráveis no estímulo fisiológico.<br>Cardiac hypertrophy is an adaptive mechanism of the heart to the increased demand. According to the stimulus, physiological or pathological, cardiac hypertrophy present different morphological and molecular features. Understanding both the unique and the shared features in each type of hypertrophy is an important step to the development of novel approaches in the HF management. Among the unique mechanisms, the participation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) seems to be present at high levels in pathological and at low levels in physiological cardiac hypertrophy. Furthermore, the regulatory role of microRNAs (miRs) have been shown in cardiovascular diseases. However, ROS influence in cardiac hypertrophy development and their adaptations were not established yet. Thus, our objective was to evaluate morphological and molecular differences between physiological cardiac hypertrophy (physical exerciceinduced) and pathological cardiac hypertrophy (transverse aortic constrictioninduced), and its modulation by vitamin E. Exercise and TAC models developed cardiac hypertrophy in a manner consistent with the received stimulus. These adaptations occurred along with changes in miR-21, -26b, -150, -210 and -499 expression. Vitamin E inhibited angiogenic adaptations, as well as miR-21, -150 and -210 expression in physiological model. However, these effects did not change the final physiological cardiac hypertrophy phenotype. On the other hand, in the pathological model, vitamin E reduced oxidative damage and fibrosis, and altered the expression of miRs described in pathological cardiac hypertrophy development. Again, this effect was not sufficient to reduce cardiac hypertrophy. In conclusion, vitamin E and/or its antioxidant capacity have the capacity to influence the pathological hypertrophy in a beneficial way, but its effects can be unfavorable in the physiological stimulus.

Aims Protein Phosphatase Inhibitor 1 (I-1) functions as an amplifier of the β-adrenergic cascade in cardiomyocytes. Once activated via PKA, I-1 specifically blocks PP-1-mediated dephosphorylation of phospholamban and the ryanodine receptor-1. In heart failure I-1 activity as well as its expression is significantly reduced. It is still unclear whether this adaptation is protective or detrimental. This work aims at examining the impact of I-1 depletion on the course of pressure-induced heart failure, more precisely on acute and long-term mortality, on cardiac morphology and function and on expression levels of hypertrophy markers. Results may help evaluating the benefit of putative I-1 inhibiting substances in the therapy of heart failure. Methods and Results 25 I-1KO and 28 WT mice (C57Bl/6J, age- and sex-matched) underwent transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Cardiac function was assessed via transthoracic echocardiography prior to the intervention and weekly afterwards. Additionally, mice were exposed to β-adrenergic stimulation by injection of dobutamine once prior to TAC and two times afterwards, each controlled by echocardiography. For male mice acute survival was significantly increased in WT compared to I-1KO, whereas the mortality of surviving animals did not differ during the investigation period. For female mice no difference was seen in acute mortality after TAC, but during heart failure progression I-1KO revealed a significantly better survival. Prior to TAC contractility in I-1KO after application of dobutamine was significantly lower than in WT. This effect was mainly induced by female mice. Overall female mice of both WT and I-1KO showed smaller increases in heart rate (HR) and stroke volume (SV) when stimulated. In contrast, following TAC neither line- nor sex-dependent differences were found according to β-adrenergic stimulation. The comparison of hypertrophy markers in control groups revealed clearly decreased levels for I-1KO compared to WT. Conclusion In pressure-induced heart failure, I-1 knockout alters cardiac contractility and modulates mortality in a phase- and sex-dependent way. The depletion is detrimental for male mice in the acute phase of cardiac stress, whereas it is protective for female mice during heart failure progression. The increased mortality in the acute phase might result from the loss of I-1 as an amplifier of β-adrenergic signaling as this leads to a restriction of contractile adaptation. The increased survival in heart failure progression might be caused by a reduced transmission of pathologically increased sympathetic activity on the SR due to the depletion of I-1. Additionally, hypertrophy marker analyses point to differences in expression levels even under non-pathological conditions.<br>Ziel Der Proteinphosphatase-Inhibitor I-1 wirkt als ein Verstärker der β-adrenergen Kaskade in Kardiomyozyten. Nach PKA-abhängiger Phosphorylierung hemmt er spezifisch die Dephosphorylierung von PLB und RYR-2 durch die Proteinphosphatase-1. Im Rahmen einer Herzinsuffizienz sind sowohl Aktivität als auch Expression von I-1 deutlich reduziert. Hierbei ist unklar, ob dies eine protektive oder eine schädliche Adaption der β-adrenergen Kaskade darstellt. Diese Arbeit untersucht den Einfluss einer Depletion des I-1 (I-1KO) im Rahmen der druckinduzierten Herzinsuffizienz auf die akute bzw. auf die langfristige Mortalität, auf die kardiale Morphologie und Funktion sowie auf die Expression typischer Hypertrophiemarker. Hieraus sollen Erkenntnisse über den Nutzen der Verwendung putativ I-1 inhibierender Substanzen in der Behandlung der Herzinsuffizienz gewonnen werden. Methoden und Resultate 25 I-1KO- sowie 28 WT-Mäuse (C57Bl/6J, age and sex matched) erhielten eine Transverse Aortic Constriction (TAC). Die kardiale Funktion wurde einmalig vor der Intervention sowie danach wöchentlich mittels TTE untersucht. Zusätzlich wurden die Tiere einmalig vor TAC und zweimalig danach unter echokardiographischer Kontrolle mittels Dobutamin β-adrenerg stimuliert. Für die männlichen Tiere zeigte sich in den ersten Tagen nach TAC eine signifikant erhöhte Überlebensrate des WT gegenüber I-1KO. Die Mortalität der überlebenden männlichen Tiere unterschied sich hingegen nicht über den Versuchszeitraum. Für die weiblichen Tiere bestand kein Unterschied in der akuten Sterblichkeit nach TAC, während sich im Verlauf eine signifikant bessere Überlebensrate der weiblichen I-1KO gegenüber WT zeigte. Vor TAC wurde eine signifikant herabgesetzte Kontraktilität (FAS) des I-1KO unter Dobutamin festgestellt, der im Wesentlichen durch die weiblichen Tiere bewirkt wird. Insgesamt zeigten die weiblichen Tiere beider Linien unter β-adrenerger Stimulation eine geringere Zunahme von Herzfrequenz (HR) und Schlagvolumen (SV). Hingegen waren nach TAC keine linien- oder geschlechtsabhängigen Unterschiede unter Dobutamingabe feststellbar. Ein Vergleich der Hypertrophiemarker in der Kontrollgruppe zeigte für I-1KO ein deutlich vermindertes Niveau der Marker gegenüber WT. Ergebnis Der I-1-Knockout verändert die kardiale Kontraktilität und wirkt sowohl in phasen- als auch in geschlechtsabhängiger Weise auf die Mortalität infolge druckinduzierter Herzinsuffizienz. Er ist nachteilig für männliche Tiere in der akuten Phase kardialer Belastung, während er für weibliche Tiere im weiteren Verlauf protektive Wirkung entfaltet. Eine erhöhte Mortalität in der akuten Phase kann durch den Ausfall der Verstärkerfunktion des I-1 erklärt werden, da hiermit eine Einschränkung der akut notwendigen kontraktilen Adaptionsfähigkeit einhergeht. Ein Überlebensvorteil bei chronischer kardialer Belastung könnte darauf zurückzuführen sein, dass die pathologisch erhöhte sympathische Aktivierung der β-adrenergen Kaskade infolge der I-1-Depletion eine geringere Auswirkung auf die Zielstrukturen des aktivierten I-1 am Sarkoplasmatischen Retikulum hat. Darüber hinaus lassen die Analysen der Hypertrophiemarker eine veränderte Genexpression zwischen I-1KO und WT auch unter nicht-pathologischen Bedingungen vermuten.