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Vijayakumar A, Wang M, Kailasam S. The Senescent Heart-"Age Doth Wither Its Infinite Variety". Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3581. [PMID: 38612393 PMCID: PMC11011282 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide. While many factors like smoking, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, a sedentary lifestyle, and genetic factors can predispose to cardiovascular diseases, the natural process of aging is by itself a major determinant of the risk. Cardiac aging is marked by a conglomerate of cellular and molecular changes, exacerbated by age-driven decline in cardiac regeneration capacity. Although the phenotypes of cardiac aging are well characterised, the underlying molecular mechanisms are far less explored. Recent advances unequivocally link cardiovascular aging to the dysregulation of critical signalling pathways in cardiac fibroblasts, which compromises the critical role of these cells in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the myocardium. Clearly, the identification of cardiac fibroblast-specific factors and mechanisms that regulate cardiac fibroblast function in the senescent myocardium is of immense importance. In this regard, recent studies show that Discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2), a collagen-activated receptor tyrosine kinase predominantly located in cardiac fibroblasts, has an obligate role in cardiac fibroblast function and cardiovascular fibrosis. Incisive studies on the molecular basis of cardiovascular aging and dysregulated fibroblast function in the senescent heart would pave the way for effective strategies to mitigate cardiovascular diseases in a rapidly growing elderly population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupama Vijayakumar
- Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyothi Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India;
| | - Mingyi Wang
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA;
| | - Shivakumar Kailasam
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Trivandrum 695581, India
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2
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Xu Z, Hu B, Zheng G, Yu W, Yang C, Wang H, Chen K, He S, Liang L, Xu C, Wu X, Zang F, Yuan WE, Chen H. Metformin-grafted polycaprolactone nanoscaffold targeting sensory nerve controlled fibroblasts reprograming to alleviate epidural fibrosis. J Control Release 2024; 367:791-805. [PMID: 38341179 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Epidural fibrosis (EF), associated with various biological factors, is still a major troublesome clinical problem after laminectomy. In the present study, we initially demonstrate that sensory nerves can attenuate fibrogenic progression in EF animal models via the secretion of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), suggesting a new potential therapeutic target. Further studies showed that CGRP could inhibit the reprograming activation of fibroblasts through PI3K/AKT signal pathway. We subsequently identified metformin (MET), the most widely prescribed medication for obesity-associated type 2 diabetes, as a potent stimulator of sensory neurons to release more CGRP via activating CREB signal way. We copolymerized MET with innovative polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers to develop a metformin-grafted PCL nanoscaffold (METG-PCLN), which could ensure stable long-term drug release and serve as favorable physical barriers. In vivo results demonstrated that local implantation of METG-PCLN could penetrate into dorsal root ganglion cells (DRGs) to promote the CGRP synthesis, thus continuously inhibit the fibroblast activation and EF progress for 8 weeks after laminectomy, significantly better than conventional drug loading method. In conclusion, this study reveals the unprecedented potential of sensory neurons to counteract EF through CGRP signaling and introduces a novel strategy employing METG-PCLN to obstruct EF by fine-tuning sensory nerve-regulated fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeng Xu
- Spine Center, Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Spine Center, Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Genjiang Zheng
- Spine Center, Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Wei Yu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, and School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Spine Center, Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Spine Center, Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Keyi Chen
- Spine Center, Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Shatong He
- Spine Center, Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Lei Liang
- Spine Center, Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Spine Center, Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Xiaodong Wu
- Spine Center, Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Fazhi Zang
- Spine Center, Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Wei-En Yuan
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, and School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Huajiang Chen
- Spine Center, Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
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Jeong J, Cho S, Lee BS, Seo M, Jang Y, Lim S, Park S. Soluble RAGE attenuates Ang II-induced arterial calcification via inhibiting AT1R-HMGB1-RAGE axis. Atherosclerosis 2022; 346:53-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Regional Diversities in Fibrogenesis Weighed as a Key Determinant for Atrial Arrhythmogenesis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9121900. [PMID: 34944715 PMCID: PMC8698388 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrosis plays a key role in atrial myopathy, resulting in the genesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). The abnormal distribution of fibrotic tissue, electrical coupling, paracrine interactions, and biomechanical–electrical interactions have all been suggested as causes of fibrosis-related arrhythmogenesis. Moreover, the regional difference in fibrogenesis, specifically the left atrium (LA) exhibiting a higher arrhythmogenesis and level of fibrosis than the right atrium (RA) in AF, is a key contributor to atrial arrhythmogenesis. LA fibroblasts have greater profibrotic cellular activities than RA fibroblasts, but knowledge about the regional diversity of atrial regional fibrogenesis remains limited. This article provides a comprehensive review of research findings on the association between fibrogenesis and arrhythmogenesis from laboratory to clinical evidence and updates the current understanding of the potential mechanism underlying the difference in fibrogenesis between the LA and RA.
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Emerging approaches of wound healing in experimental models of high-grade oral mucositis induced by anticancer therapy. Oncotarget 2021; 12:2283-2299. [PMID: 34733419 PMCID: PMC8555685 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical guidelines for oral mucositis (OM) still consist in palliative care. Herein, we summarize cellular and molecular mechanisms of OM ulceration in response to chemical therapies in animal models. We discuss evidenced anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant drugs which have not been ever used for OM, such as synthetic peptides as well as cell therapy with mesenchymal stem cells; amniotic membranes, mucoadhesive polymers loaded with anti-inflammatory agents and natural or synthetic electrospun. These approaches have been promising to allow the production of drug-loaded membranes, scaffolds for cells encapsulation or guided tissue regeneration.
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Titus AS, Venugopal H, Ushakumary MG, Wang M, Cowling RT, Lakatta EG, Kailasam S. Discoidin Domain Receptor 2 Regulates AT1R Expression in Angiotensin II-Stimulated Cardiac Fibroblasts via Fibronectin-Dependent Integrin-β1 Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179343. [PMID: 34502259 PMCID: PMC8431251 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This study probed the largely unexplored regulation and role of fibronectin in Angiotensin II-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts. Using gene knockdown and overexpression approaches, Western blotting, and promoter pull-down assay, we show that collagen type I-activated Discoidin Domain Receptor 2 (DDR2) mediates Angiotensin II-dependent transcriptional upregulation of fibronectin by Yes-activated Protein in cardiac fibroblasts. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated fibronectin knockdown attenuated Angiotensin II-stimulated expression of collagen type I and anti-apoptotic cIAP2, and enhanced cardiac fibroblast susceptibility to apoptosis. Importantly, an obligate role for fibronectin was observed in Angiotensin II-stimulated expression of AT1R, the Angiotensin II receptor, which would link extracellular matrix (ECM) signaling and Angiotensin II signaling in cardiac fibroblasts. The role of fibronectin in Angiotensin II-stimulated cIAP2, collagen type I, and AT1R expression was mediated by Integrin-β1-integrin-linked kinase signaling. In vivo, we observed modestly reduced basal levels of AT1R in DDR2-null mouse myocardium, which were associated with the previously reported reduction in myocardial Integrin-β1 levels. The role of fibronectin, downstream of DDR2, could be a critical determinant of cardiac fibroblast-mediated wound healing following myocardial injury. In summary, our findings suggest a complex mechanism of regulation of cardiac fibroblast function involving two major ECM proteins, collagen type I and fibronectin, and their receptors, DDR2 and Integrin-β1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen Sam Titus
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum 695011, Kerala, India; (A.S.T.); (H.V.); (M.G.U.)
| | - Harikrishnan Venugopal
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum 695011, Kerala, India; (A.S.T.); (H.V.); (M.G.U.)
| | - Mereena George Ushakumary
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum 695011, Kerala, India; (A.S.T.); (H.V.); (M.G.U.)
| | - Mingyi Wang
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (M.W.); (E.G.L.)
| | - Randy T. Cowling
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Edward G. Lakatta
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (M.W.); (E.G.L.)
| | - Shivakumar Kailasam
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum 695011, Kerala, India; (A.S.T.); (H.V.); (M.G.U.)
- Correspondence:
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Reina-Couto M, Afonso J, Carvalho J, Morgado L, Ronchi FA, de Oliveira Leite AP, Dias CC, Casarini DE, Bettencourt P, Albino-Teixeira A, Morato M, Sousa T. Interrelationship between renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and oxidative stress in chronic heart failure patients with or without renal impairment. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 133:110938. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Garvin AM, Khokhar BS, Czubryt MP, Hale TM. RAS inhibition in resident fibroblast biology. Cell Signal 2020; 80:109903. [PMID: 33370581 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a primary mediator of profibrotic signaling in the heart and more specifically, the cardiac fibroblast. Ang II-mediated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in combination with cardiac fibroblast proliferation, activation, and extracellular matrix production compromise cardiac function and increase mortality in humans. Profibrotic actions of Ang II are mediated by increasing production of fibrogenic mediators (e.g. transforming growth factor beta, scleraxis, osteopontin, and periostin), recruitment of immune cells, and via increased reactive oxygen species generation. Drugs that inhibit Ang II production or action, collectively referred to as renin angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, are first line therapeutics for heart failure. Moreover, transient RAS inhibition has been found to persistently alter hypertensive cardiac fibroblast responses to injury providing a useful tool to identify novel therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the profibrotic actions of Ang II and the known impact of RAS inhibition on cardiac fibroblast phenotype and cardiac remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Garvin
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Bilal S Khokhar
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Michael P Czubryt
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre and Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Taben M Hale
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
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Titus AS, V H, Kailasam S. Coordinated regulation of cell survival and cell cycle pathways by DDR2-dependent SRF transcription factor in cardiac fibroblasts. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020; 318:H1538-H1558. [PMID: 32412792 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00740.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Relative resistance to apoptosis and the ability to proliferate and produce a collagen-rich scar determine the critical role of cardiac fibroblasts in wound healing and tissue remodeling following myocardial injury. Identification of cardiac fibroblast-specific factors and mechanisms underlying these aspects of cardiac fibroblast function is therefore of considerable scientific and clinical interest. In the present study, gene knockdown and overexpression approaches and promoter binding assays showed that discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2), a mesenchymal cell-specific collagen receptor tyrosine kinase localized predominantly in fibroblasts in the heart, acts via ERK1/2 MAPK-activated serum response factor (SRF) transcription factor to enhance the expression of antiapoptotic cIAP2 in cardiac fibroblasts, conferring resistance against oxidative injury. Furthermore, DDR2 was found to act via ERK1/2 MAPK-activated SRF to transcriptionally upregulate Skp2 that in turn facilitated post-translational degradation of p27, the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that causes cell cycle arrest, to promote G1-S transition, as evidenced by Rb phosphorylation, increased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) levels, and flow cytometry. DDR2-dependent ERK1/2 MAPK activation also suppressed forkhead box O 3a (FoxO3a)-mediated transcriptional induction of p27. Inhibition of the binding of collagen type I to DDR2 using WRG-28 indicated the obligate role of collagen type I in the activation of DDR2 and its regulatory role in cell survival and cell cycle protein expression. Notably, DDR2 levels positively correlated with SRF, cIAP2, and PCNA levels in cardiac fibroblasts from spontaneously hypertensive rats. To conclude, DDR2-mediated ERK1/2 MAPK activation facilitates coordinated regulation of cell survival and cell cycle progression in cardiac fibroblasts via SRF.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Relative resistance to apoptosis and the ability to proliferate and produce a collagen-rich scar enable cardiac fibroblasts to play a central role in myocardial response to injury. This study reports novel findings that mitogen-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts exploit a common regulatory mechanism involving collagen receptor (DDR2)-dependent activation of ERK1/2 MAPK and serum response factor to achieve coordinated regulation of apoptosis resistance and cell cycle progression, which could facilitate their survival and function in the injured myocardium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen Sam Titus
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, India
| | - Harikrishnan V
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, India
| | - Shivakumar Kailasam
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, India
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Antihypertensive Effects of Polyphenolic Extract from Korean Red Pine ( Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) Bark in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9040333. [PMID: 32325920 PMCID: PMC7222369 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9040333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) bark is a by-product of the wood industry and contains a high level of antioxidative phenolics including flavonoids, which have a variety of beneficial health effects. This study aimed to investigate the antihypertensive effects of P. densiflora bark extract (Korean red pine bark extract; KRPBE) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). A group of Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKRs) as a normotensive group was orally fed tap water. Four groups of SHRs were orally fed tap water, captopril (a positive control), 50 mg/kg/day of KRPBE, and 150 mg/kg/day of KRPBE, respectively. Blood pressure of rats was measured once every week for seven weeks of oral administration. After seven weeks, the lungs, kidneys, and serum were collected from rats, then angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, angiotensin II content, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were determined. Blood pressure of the captopril- and KRPBE-treated groups was significantly lower than that of the SHR control group. The ACE activity, angiotensin II content, and MDA content significantly decreased in the captopril- and KRPBE-treated groups than those in the SHR control group. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed six phenolics in KRPBE: protocatechuic acid, procyanidin B1, catechin, caffeic acid, vanillin, and taxifolin. KRPBE, which contains plenty of antioxidative phenolics, has antihypertensive effects partly due to reduction of ACE activity and angiotensin II content, and its antioxidative effect.
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V H, Titus AS, Cowling RT, Kailasam S. Collagen receptor cross-talk determines α-smooth muscle actin-dependent collagen gene expression in angiotensin II-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:19723-19739. [PMID: 31699892 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.009744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive collagen deposition by myofibroblasts during adverse cardiac remodeling leads to myocardial fibrosis that can compromise cardiac function. Unraveling the mechanisms underlying collagen gene expression in cardiac myofibroblasts is therefore an important clinical goal. The collagen receptors, discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2), a collagen-specific receptor tyrosine kinase, and integrin-β1, are reported to mediate tissue fibrosis. Here, we probed the role of DDR2-integrin-β1 cross-talk in the regulation of collagen α1(I) gene expression in angiotensin II (Ang II)-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts. Results from gene silencing/overexpression approaches, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and ChIP revealed that DDR2 acts via extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK1/2 MAPK)-dependent transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling to activate activator protein-1 (AP-1) that in turn transcriptionally enhances the expression of collagen-binding integrin-β1 in Ang II-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts. The DDR2-integrin-β1 link was also evident in spontaneously hypertensive rats and DDR2-knockout mice. Further, DDR2 acted via integrin-β1 to regulate α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I expression in Ang II-exposed cardiac fibroblasts. Downstream of the DDR2-integrin-β1 axis, α-SMA was found to regulate collagen α1(I) gene expression via the Ca2+ channel, transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C member 6 (TRPC6), and the profibrotic transcription factor, Yes-associated protein (YAP). This finding indicated that fibroblast-to-myofibroblast conversion is mechanistically coupled to collagen expression. The observation that collagen receptor cross-talk underlies α-SMA-dependent collagen type I expression in cardiac fibroblasts expands our understanding of the complex mechanisms involved in collagen gene expression in the heart and may be relevant to cardiac fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harikrishnan V
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum 695011, India
| | - Allen Sam Titus
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum 695011, India
| | - Randy T Cowling
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Shivakumar Kailasam
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum 695011, India
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Xu X, Xu H, Qimuge A, Liu S, Wang H, Hu M, Song L. MAPK/AP-1 pathway activation mediates AT1R upregulation and vascular endothelial cells dysfunction under PM2.5 exposure. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 170:188-194. [PMID: 30529618 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.11.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Acute and chronic exposure to particulate matter (PM) 2.5 is associated with adverse health effect upon the cardiovascular (CV) system. However, the molecular mechanism by which PM2.5 evokes CV injuries has not been fully clarified. In our recent report, we demonstrate that exposure to PM2.5 leads to elevation of circulating angiotensin II (ANGII) levels and local expressions of angiotensinogen (AGT, the precursor of ANGII), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ANGII type 1 receptor (AT1R) in the vascular endothelial cells, which subsequently instigates the oxidative stress and proinflammatory response in the vascular endothelium. In the present study, we disclosed that PM2.5 exposure induced the activation of the transcriptional factor AP-1 and its components, c-Jun and ATF2, in the human vascular endothelial cells. Although the DNA-binding sites for AP-1 were identified within the promoter regions of AGT, ACE and AT1R genes, RT-PCR and immunoblot assays indicated that AP-1 transactivation was only involved in AT1R upregulation, but did not affect the induction of AGT and ACE expression under the same conditions. Furthermore, ERKs and p38K functioned as the upstream protein kinases involving in AP-1 transactivation and AT1R upregulation under PM2.5 stimulation. In addition, the oxidative stress and proinflammatory responses in the PM2.5-treated vascular endothelial cells were significantly reduced when MAPKs and AP-1 activation were inhibited. Therefore, we conclude that PM2.5 exposure induces MAPK/AP-1 cascade activation, which contributes to AT1R upregulation and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Identifying novel therapeutic targets to alleviate AP-1 transactivation and restore AT1R expression may be helpful for the management of PM2.5-induced CV burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuduan Xu
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Beijing Institute of Brain Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, PR China; Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, PR China
| | - Huan Xu
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Beijing Institute of Brain Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, PR China; Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, PR China
| | - Aodeng Qimuge
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Beijing Institute of Brain Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, PR China; Department of New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Shasha Liu
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Beijing Institute of Brain Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, PR China; Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Hongli Wang
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Beijing Institute of Brain Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, PR China; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine, Henan University, 357 Ximen Road, Kaifeng 475004, PR China
| | - Meiru Hu
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Beijing Institute of Brain Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, PR China
| | - Lun Song
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Beijing Institute of Brain Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, PR China; Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, PR China; Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, PR China.
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Araújo AAD, Araújo LDS, Medeiros CACXD, Leitão RFDC, Brito GADC, Costa DVDS, Guerra GCB, Garcia VB, Lima MLDS, Araújo Junior RFD. Protective effect of angiotensin II receptor blocker against oxidative stress and inflammation in an oral mucositis experimental model. J Oral Pathol Med 2018; 47:972-984. [DOI: 10.1111/jop.12775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aurigena Antunes de Araújo
- Postgraduate Programs in Public Health and Pharmaceutical Science Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology Federal University of Rio Grande Norte Natal Brazil
| | | | - Caroline Addison Carvalho Xavier de Medeiros
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology UFRN Natal Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Science and Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia/Renorbio Federal University of Rio Grande Norte Natal Brazil
| | | | - Gerly Anne de Castro Brito
- Postgraduate Programs in Pharmacology and Morphology Department of Morphology/Pharmacology Federal University of Ceará Fortaleza Brazil
| | | | - Gerlane Coelho Bernardo Guerra
- Postgraduate Programs in Postgraduate Program in Biological Science/Pharmaceutical Science Department of Biophysical and Pharmacology UFRN Natal Brazil
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Chen G, Pan SF, Cui XL, Liu LH. Puerarin attenuates angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibroblast proliferation via the promotion of catalase activity and the inhibition of hydrogen peroxide-dependent Rac-1 activation. Chin J Nat Med 2018; 16:41-52. [PMID: 29425589 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(18)30028-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effects of puerarin on angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibroblast proliferation and to explore the molecular mechanisms of action. Considering the role of H2O2 in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activation, we hypothesized that modulating catalase activity would be a potential target in regulating the redox-sensitive pathways. Our results showed that the activation of Rac1 was dependent on the levels of intracellular H2O2. Puerarin blocked the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)1/2, abolished activator protein (AP)-1 binding activity, and eventually attenuated cardiac fibroblast proliferation through the inhibition of H2O2-dependent Rac1 activation. Further studies revealed that angiotensin II treatment resulted in decreased catalase protein expression and enzyme activity, which was disrupted by puerarin via the upregulation of catalase protein expression at the transcriptional level and the prolonged protein degradation. These findings indicated that the anti-proliferation mechanism of puerarin was mainly through blocking angiontensin II-triggered downregulation of catalase expression and H2O2-dependent Rac1 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Shi-Fen Pan
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xiang-Li Cui
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Li-Hong Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
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15
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Nagaraju CK, Dries E, Popovic N, Singh AA, Haemers P, Roderick HL, Claus P, Sipido KR, Driesen RB. Global fibroblast activation throughout the left ventricle but localized fibrosis after myocardial infarction. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10801. [PMID: 28883544 PMCID: PMC5589875 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09790-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast (Fb) differentiation and interstitial fibrosis contribute to cardiac remodeling and loss of function after myocardial infarction (MI). We investigated regional presence and regulation of fibrosis in a pig MI model. In vivo analysis of regional function and perfusion defined three regions: the scar, the myocardium adjacent to the scar (MIadjacent, reduced function, reduced perfusion reserve), and the remote myocardium (MIremote, minimal functional deficit, maintained perfusion). Interstitial and perivascular fibrosis, and increase of collagen type I, was only observed in the MIadjacent. Fb activated protein-alpha (FAP-α) was enriched in MIadjacent compared to MIremote. TGF-β1, which triggers Fb differentiation, was upregulated in both MIadjacent and MIremote, whereas lysyl oxidase, a regulator of collagen cross-linking, and the proteoglycans decorin and biglycan were only increased in the MIadjacent. Fb isolated and cultured for 4 days had myoFb characteristics with little difference between MIremote and MIadjacent, although RNA sequencing revealed differences in gene expression profiles. Fbs from all regions maintained proliferative capacity, and induced contraction of 3-D collagen matrices but scar myoFb was more effective. These data suggest that after MI, signaling through TGF-β1, possibly related to increased mechanical load, drives Fb activation throughout the left ventricle while regional signaling determines further maturation and extracellular matrix remodeling after MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandan K Nagaraju
- Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Eef Dries
- Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Natasa Popovic
- Cardiovascular Imaging and Dynamics, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Abhishek A Singh
- Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Peter Haemers
- Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - H Llewelyn Roderick
- Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Piet Claus
- Cardiovascular Imaging and Dynamics, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Karin R Sipido
- Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.
| | - Ronald B Driesen
- Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
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