Oxidized low-density lipoprotein is localized in the ventricles of hearts from patients with coronary heart disease

Endocardial Endothelial Dysfunction and Unknown Polymorphic Composite Accumulation in Heart Failure

The accumulation of unknown polymorphic composites in the endocardium damages the endocardial endothelium (EE). However, the composition and role of unknown polymorphic composites in heart failure (HF) progression remain unclear. Here, we aimed to explore composite deposition during endocardium damage and HF progression. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into two HF groups—angiotensin II-induced HF and left anterior descending artery ligation-induced HF. Heart tissues from patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery (non-HF) and those with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) were collected. EE damage, polymorphic unknown composite accumulation, and elements in deposits were examined. HF progression reduced the expression of CD31 in the endocardium, impaired endocardial integrity, and exposed the myofibrils and mitochondria. The damaged endocardial surface showed the accumulation of unknown polymorphic composites. In the animal HF model, especially HF caused by myocardial infarction, the weight and atomic percentages of O, Na, and N in the deposited composites were significantly higher than those of the other groups. The deposited composites in the human HF heart section (DCM) had a significantly higher percentage of Na and S than the other groups, whereas the percentage of C and Na in the DCM and ICM groups was significantly higher than those of the control group. HF causes widespread EE dysfunction, and EndMT was accompanied by polymorphic composites of different shapes and elemental compositions, which further damage and deteriorate heart function.

Morphological features of coronary plaques in WHHLMI rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), an animal model for familial hypercholesterolemia

In order to examine their suitability for studies on coronary atherosclerosis, we evaluated the features of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in myocardial infarction-prone Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHLMI) rabbits, a spontaneous animal model for coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Coronary segments of the hearts of 187 WHHLMI rabbits (10–29 months old) were sectioned serially and stained histopathologically and immunohistologically. Progression of coronary lesions was prominent in rabbits that had died suddenly. The degree of coronary lesions of females was higher than that of males. Various types of atherosclerotic lesions were observed in the coronary arteries, such as plaques with a large lipid core covered by a thin fibrous cap, fatty streaks, early and advanced fibroatheromas, fibrous lesions, and advanced lesions with calcium accumulation and the vasa vasorum. In rabbits that had died suddenly, the frequencies of fibroatheromas or advanced lesions were higher than those of rabbits euthanized. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-positive macrophages were detected in gaps among endothelial cells at the plaque surface, beneath the fibrous cap of thin-capped fibroatheromas, and at the bottom of the intimal plaques in which the tunica media was attenuated. Immunohistological results suggest that MMP-positive macrophages are involved in the initiation, progression, and destabilization of coronary plaques, in addition to vascular remodeling, even in WHHLMI rabbits. In conclusion, coronary lesions in WHHLMI rabbits resemble human atherosclerotic lesions, and thus, the WHHLMI rabbit is a suitable animal model for studies on human coronary plaques.

Doxorubicin-induced expression of LOX-1 in H9c2 cardiac muscle cells and its role in apoptosis

Up-regulation of LOX-1 is implicated in apoptosis in both vascular smooth muscle cells and in endothelial cells. We examined the effects of doxorubicin on LOX-1 expression in H9c2 cardiomyocytes and the role played by LOX-1 up-regulation in doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was assessed by DCF flow cytometry. LOX-1 mRNA and protein expression was assessed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry with annexin/PI double staining. Doxorubicin-induced LOX-1 expression in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. The doxorubicin-induced ROS formation and the LOX-1 expression were significantly attenuated by pre-treatment with antioxidants. By exposing cells that had been pre-treated with doxorubicin to oxidized-LDL, a LOX-1 agonist, in the presence or in the absence of k-carrageenan, a LOX-1 receptor antagonist, we documented that doxorubicin-induced LOX-1 expression plays a role in inducing apoptosis. These findings suggest that LOX-1 up-regulation is redox-sensitive and may contribute to doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptors during ischemia-reperfusion and its role in determination of apoptosis and left ventricular dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to determine the role of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptors (LOX-1), a recently identified oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) receptor, in ischemia-reperfusion injury to the heart.

BACKGROUND

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) released during ischemia-reperfusion oxidize low-density lipoproteins; LOX-1 is upregulated by ox-LDL and ROS, and is involved in cell injury.

METHODS

Anesthetized rats were subjected to left coronary artery ligation for 60 min (n = 10, ischemia group), or ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion (n = 30, ischemia-reperfusion group). Rats in the latter group were treated with saline, the LOX-1 blocking antibody JXT21 (10 mg/kg), or nonspecific anti-goat immunoglobulin G (IgG) (10 mg/kg). Ten other rats underwent thoracotomy without coronary ligation (sham control).

RESULTS

Ischemia-reperfusion was associated with an increase in LOX-1 expression, lipid peroxidation and apoptosis, a large infarct area, and a decrease in left ventricular function (all, p < 0.01 vs. sham control and ischemia alone groups). Treatment of rats with LOX-1 antibody prevented ischemia-reperfusion-induced upregulation of LOX-1. Importantly, the LOX-1 antibody reduced apoptosis by 48%, lipid peroxidation by 39%, and myocardial infarct size by 45%, and improved left ventricular function (first derivative of pressure measured over time: -47% to -18%, p < 0.01). Nonspecific IgG had no effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptors are upregulated during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, and appear to be associated with apoptosis, necrosis, and left ventricular functional deterioration.

LOX-1 inhibition in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: modulation of MMP-1 and inflammation

A recently identified lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-1) mediates endothelial cell injury and facilitates inflammatory cell adhesion. We studied the role of LOX-1 in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 60 min of left coronary artery (LCA) ligation, followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Rats were treated with saline, LOX-1 blocking antibody JXT21 (10 mg/kg), or nonspecific anti-goat IgG (10 mg/kg) before I/R. Ten other rats underwent surgery without LCA ligation and served as a sham control group. LOX-1 expression was markedly increased during I/R (P < 0.01 vs. sham control group). Simultaneously, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and adhesion molecules (P-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1) was also increased in the I/R area (P < 0.01 vs. sham control group). There was intense leukocyte accumulation in the I/R area in the saline-treated group. Treatment of rats with the LOX-1 antibody prevented I/R-induced upregulation of LOX-1 and reduced MMP-1 and adhesion molecule expression as well as leukocyte recruitment. LOX-1 antibody, but not nonspecific IgG, also reduced myocardial infarct size (P < 0.01 vs. saline-treated I/R group). To explore the link between LOX-1 and adhesion molecule expression, we measured expression of oxidative stress-sensitive p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK). The activity of p38 MAPK was increased during I/R (P < 0.01 vs. sham control), and use of LOX-1 antibody inhibited p38 MAPK activation (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that myocardial I/R upregulates LOX-1 expression, which through p38 MAPK activation increases the expression of MMP-1 and adhesion molecules. Inhibition of LOX-1 exerts an important protective effect against myocardial I/R injury.

The isoprostane 8-epi-PGF(2alpha) is a valuable indicator of oxidative injury in human heart valves

To date, little information is available concerning oxidative injury in human cardiac valves. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether the isoprostane, 8-epi-PGF(2alpha), a novel oxidative stress marker, is localized in aortic and pulmonary valves derived from explanted hearts of patients suffering from idiopathic dilative cardiomyopathy (IDC). By using semiquantitative immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated that 8-epi-PGF(2alpha) is localized in both valves with pulmonary valves accumulating more of this isoprostane compared to aortic valves (36.69+/-12.04% vs. 31.54+/-11.49%, P<.05). These results were confirmed by a radioimmunoassay (RIA) analysis showing a similar, but not significant, difference between the two valves (288.50+/-72.18 pg/mg protein in the pulmonary valves and 267.30+/-58.77 pg/mg protein in aortic valves, P=.09). Considering the data presented in this study, we suggest that 8-epi-PGF(2alpha) is a valuable indicator of oxidative injury in human semilunar valves.