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Hou J, Deng Q, Qiu X, Liu S, Li Y, Huang C, Wang X, Zhang Q, Deng X, Zhong Z, Zhong W. Proteomic analysis of plasma proteins from patients with cardiac rupture after acute myocardial infarction using TMT-based quantitative proteomics approach. Clin Proteomics 2024; 21:18. [PMID: 38429673 PMCID: PMC10908035 DOI: 10.1186/s12014-024-09474-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac rupture (CR) is a rare but catastrophic mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) that seriously threatens human health. However, the reliable biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and the underlying signaling pathways insights of CR has yet to be elucidated. METHODS In the present study, a quantitative approach with tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to characterize the differential protein expression profiles of patients with CR. Plasma samples were collected from patients with CR (n = 37), patients with AMI (n = 47), and healthy controls (n = 47). Candidate proteins were selected for validation by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS In total, 1208 proteins were quantified and 958 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified. The difference in the expression levels of the DEPs was more noticeable between the CR and Con groups than between the AMI and Con groups. Bioinformatics analysis showed most of the DEPs to be involved in numerous crucial biological processes and signaling pathways, such as RNA transport, ribosome, proteasome, and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, as well as necroptosis and leukocyte transendothelial migration, which might play essential roles in the complex pathological processes associated with CR. MRM analysis confirmed the accuracy of the proteomic analysis results. Four proteins i.e., C-reactive protein (CRP), heat shock protein beta-1 (HSPB1), vinculin (VINC) and growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), were further validated via ELISA. By receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, combinations of these four proteins distinguished CR patients from AMI patients with a high area under the curve (AUC) value (0.895, 95% CI, 0.802-0.988, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights the value of comprehensive proteomic characterization for identifying plasma proteome changes in patients with CR. This pilot study could serve as a valid foundation and initiation point for elucidation of the mechanisms of CR, which might aid in identifying effective diagnostic biomarkers in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyuan Hou
- Research Experimental Center, Meizhou Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514031, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center for Molecular Diagnostics of Cardiovascular Diseases, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514031, China
| | - Qiaoting Deng
- Research Experimental Center, Meizhou Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514031, China
| | - Xiaohong Qiu
- Meizhou clinical Medical School, Guangdong Medical University, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514031, China
| | - Sudong Liu
- Research Experimental Center, Meizhou Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514031, China
| | - Youqian Li
- Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Meizhou People's Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514031, China
| | - Changjing Huang
- Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Meizhou People's Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514031, China
| | - Xianfang Wang
- Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Meizhou People's Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514031, China
| | - Qunji Zhang
- Research Experimental Center, Meizhou Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514031, China
| | - Xunwei Deng
- Research Experimental Center, Meizhou Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514031, China
| | - Zhixiong Zhong
- Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Meizhou People's Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514031, China.
| | - Wei Zhong
- Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Meizhou People's Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514031, China.
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Suhail H, Peng H, Matrougui K, Rhaleb NE. Ac-SDKP attenuates ER stress-stimulated collagen production in cardiac fibroblasts by inhibiting CHOP-mediated NF-κB expression. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1352222. [PMID: 38495093 PMCID: PMC10940518 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1352222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation and cardiac fibrosis are prevalent pathophysiologic conditions associated with hypertension, cardiac remodeling, and heart failure. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress triggers the cells to activate unfolded protein responses (UPRs) and upregulate the ER stress chaperon, enzymes, and downstream transcription factors to restore normal ER function. The mechanisms that link ER stress-induced UPRs upregulation and NF-κB activation that results in cardiac inflammation and collagen production remain elusive. N-Acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro (Ac-SDKP), a natural tetrapeptide that negatively regulates inflammation and fibrosis, has been reported. Whether it can inhibit ER stress-induced collagen production in cardiac fibroblasts remains unclear. Thus, we hypothesized that Ac-SDKP attenuates ER stress-stimulated collagen production in cardiac fibroblasts by inhibiting CHOP-mediated NF-κB expression. We aimed to study whether Ac-SDKP inhibits tunicamycin (TM)-induced ER stress signaling, NF-κB signaling, the release of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, and collagen production in human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs). HCFs were pre-treated with Ac-SDKP (10 nM) and then stimulated with TM (0.25 μg/mL). We found that Ac-SDKP inhibits TM-induced collagen production by attenuating ER stress-induced UPRs upregulation and CHOP/NF-κB transcriptional signaling pathways. CHOP deletion by specific shRNA maintains the inhibitory effect of Ac-SDKP on NF-κB and type-1 collagen (Col-1) expression at both protein and mRNA levels. Attenuating ER stress-induced UPR sensor signaling by Ac-SDKP seems a promising therapeutic strategy to combat detrimental cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Suhail
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Hongmei Peng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Khalid Matrougui
- Department of Physiology Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - Nour-Eddine Rhaleb
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
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Tian J, Zhang R, Zhu N, Gu L, Guo Y, Yuan W. Association of serum thymosin β4 with malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis syndrome in peritoneal dialysis patients: a cross-sectional study. Ren Fail 2023; 45:2202761. [PMID: 37133832 PMCID: PMC10158543 DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2023.2202761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis (MIA) syndrome may worsen the prognosis of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Serum thymosin β4 (sTβ4) protects against inflammation, fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to characterize the association between sTβ4 and MIA syndrome as well as to investigate the potential of regulating sTβ4 to improve the prognosis of PD patients. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional, single-center pilot study involving 76 PD patients. Demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, nutritional profiles, inflammatory mediators, atherosclerosis-related factors and sTβ4 levels were collected and subjected to association analysis for sTβ4 and MIA syndrome. RESULTS sTβ4 levels did not significantly vary with sex or primary disease in PD patients. Ages and PD features did not vary between patients with different levels of sTβ4. PD patients with higher levels of sTβ4 had significantly higher levels of nutritional indicators, including subjective global nutritional assessment (SGA) (p < 0.001) and serum albumin (ALB) (p < 0.001) but lower levels of inflammatory and atherosclerotic indicators, including serum C reaction protein (CRP) (p = 0.009), the right common carotid artery (RCCA) intimal thickness (p < 0.001) and the left common carotid artery (LCCA) intimal thickness (p = 0.02). Correlation analysis showed that sTβ4 was positively associated with SGA (p < 0.001) and serum ALB (p < 0.001) but negatively associated with CRP (p = 0.020), RCCA intimal thickness (p < 0.001) and LCCA intimal thickness (p = 0.033). In multiple adjusted models, the prevalence of MIA syndrome was significantly decreased in PD patients with increased levels of sTβ4 when patients without MIA syndrome were compared to those with all indicators of MIA syndrome (OR = 0.996, 95% CI 0.993-0.999, p = 0.003) or those with at least one indicator of MIA syndrome (OR = 0.997, 95% CI 0.995-0.998, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The sTβ4 level decreases in PD patients with MIA syndrome. The prevalence of MIA syndrome decreases significantly as the level of sTβ4 increases in PD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiakun Tian
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijie Gu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunshan Guo
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijie Yuan
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Berkeley B, Tang MNH, Brittan M. Mechanisms regulating vascular and lymphatic regeneration in the heart after myocardial infarction. J Pathol 2023; 260:666-678. [PMID: 37272582 PMCID: PMC10953458 DOI: 10.1002/path.6093] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Myocardial infarction, caused by a thrombus or coronary vascular occlusion, leads to irreversible ischaemic injury. Advances in early reperfusion strategies have significantly reduced short-term mortality after myocardial infarction. However, survivors have an increased risk of developing heart failure, which confers a high risk of death at 1 year. The capacity of the injured neonatal mammalian heart to regenerate has stimulated extensive research into whether recapitulation of developmental regeneration programmes may be beneficial in adult cardiovascular disease. Restoration of functional blood and lymphatic vascular networks in the infarct and border regions via neovascularisation and lymphangiogenesis, respectively, is a key requirement to facilitate myocardial regeneration. An improved understanding of the endogenous mechanisms regulating coronary vascular and lymphatic expansion and function in development and in adult patients after myocardial infarction may inform future therapeutic strategies and improve translation from pre-clinical studies. In this review, we explore the underpinning research and key findings in the field of cardiovascular regeneration, with a focus on neovascularisation and lymphangiogenesis, and discuss the outcomes of therapeutic strategies employed to date. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwyn Berkeley
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Michelle Nga Huen Tang
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Mairi Brittan
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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Liu C, Yang F, Su X, Zhang Z, Xing Y. ScRNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics: exploring the occurrence and treatment of coronary-related diseases starting from development. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1064949. [PMID: 37416923 PMCID: PMC10319627 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1064949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a new technology that can be used to explore molecular changes in complex cell clusters at the single-cell level. Single-cell spatial transcriptomic technology complements the cell-space location information lost during single-cell sequencing. Coronary artery disease is an important cardiovascular disease with high mortality rates. Many studies have explored the physiological development and pathological changes in coronary arteries from the perspective of single cells using single-cell spatial transcriptomic technology. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms underlying coronary artery development and diseases as revealed by scRNA-seq combined with spatial transcriptomic technology. Based on these mechanisms, we discuss the possible new treatments for coronary diseases.
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Bock-Marquette I, Maar K, Maar S, Lippai B, Faskerti G, Gallyas F, Olson EN, Srivastava D. Thymosin beta-4 denotes new directions towards developing prosperous anti-aging regenerative therapies. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 116:109741. [PMID: 36709593 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Our dream of defeating the processes of organ damage and aging remains a challenge scientists pursued for hundreds of years. Although the goal is to successfully treat the body as a whole, steps towards regenerating individual organs are even considered significant. Since initial approaches utilizing only progenitor cells appear limited, we propose interconnecting our collective knowledge regarding aging and embryonic development may lead to the discovery of molecules which provide alternatives to effectively reverse cellular damage. In this review, we introduce and summarize our results regarding Thymosin beta-4 (TB4) to support our hypothesis using the heart as model system. Accordingly, we investigated the developmental expression of TB4 in mouse embryos and determined the impact of the molecule in adult animals by systemically injecting the peptide following acute cardiac infarction or with no injury. Our results proved, TB4 is expressed in the developing heart and promotes cardiac cell migration and survival. In adults, the peptide enhances myocyte survival and improves cardiac function after coronary artery ligation. Moreover, intravenous injections of TB4 alter the morphology of the adult epicardium, and the changes resemble the characteristics of the embryo. Reactivation of the embryonic program became equally reflected by the increased number of cardiac vessels and by the alteration of the gene expression profile typical of the embryonic state. Moreover, we discovered TB4 is capable of epicardial progenitor activation, and revealed the effect is independent of hypoxic injury. By observing the above results, we believe, further discoveries and consequential postnatal administration of developmentally relevant candidate molecules such as TB4 may likely result in reversing aging processes and accelerate organ regeneration in the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildiko Bock-Marquette
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs H-7624, Hungary; Szentagothai Research Centre, Research Group of Regenerative Science, Sport and Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs H-7624, Hungary.
| | - Klaudia Maar
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs H-7624, Hungary; Szentagothai Research Centre, Research Group of Regenerative Science, Sport and Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs H-7624, Hungary
| | - Szabolcs Maar
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs H-7624, Hungary; Szentagothai Research Centre, Research Group of Regenerative Science, Sport and Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs H-7624, Hungary
| | - Balint Lippai
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs H-7624, Hungary; Szentagothai Research Centre, Research Group of Regenerative Science, Sport and Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs H-7624, Hungary
| | - Gabor Faskerti
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs H-7624, Hungary; Szentagothai Research Centre, Research Group of Regenerative Science, Sport and Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs H-7624, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Gallyas
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs H-7624, Hungary; Szentagothai Research Centre, Research Group of Regenerative Science, Sport and Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs H-7624, Hungary
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Deepak Srivastava
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease and Roddenberry Stem Cell Center, Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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Suhail H, Peng H, Xu J, Sabbah HN, Matrougui K, Liao TD, Ortiz PA, Bernstein KE, Rhaleb NE. Knockout of ACE-N facilitates improved cardiac function after myocardial infarction. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY PLUS 2023; 3:100024. [PMID: 36778784 PMCID: PMC9910327 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmccpl.2022.100024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) hydrolyzes N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) into inactive fragments through its N-terminal site (ACE-N). We previously showed that Ac-SDKP mediates ACE inhibitors' cardiac effects. Whether increased bioavailability of endogenous Ac-SDKP caused by knocking out ACE-N also improves cardiac function in myocardial infarction (MI)-induced heart failure (HF) is unknown. Wild-type (WT) and ACE-N knockout (ACE-NKO) mice were subjected to MI by ligating the left anterior descending artery and treated with vehicle or Ac-SDKP (1.6 mg/kg/day, s.c.) for 5 weeks, after which echocardiography was performed and left ventricles (LV) were harvested for histology and molecular biology studies. ACE-NKO mice showed increased plasma Ac-SDKP concentrations in both sham and MI group compared to WT. Exogenous Ac-SDKP further increased its circulating concentrations in WT and ACE-NKO. Shortening (SF) and ejection (EF) fractions were significantly decreased in both WT and ACE-NKO mice post-MI, but ACE-NKO mice exhibited significantly lesser decrease. Exogenous Ac-SDKP ameliorated cardiac function post-MI only in WT but failed to show any additive improvement in ACE-NKO mice. Sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium transport ATPase (SERCA2), a marker of cardiac function and calcium homeostasis, was significantly decreased in WT post-MI but rescued with Ac-SDKP, whereas ACE-NKO mice displayed less loss of SERCA2 expression. Our study demonstrates that gene deletion of ACE-N resulted in improved LV cardiac function in mice post-MI, which is likely mediated by increased circulating Ac-SDKP and minimally reduced expression of SERCA2. Thus, future development of specific and selective inhibitors for ACE-N could represent a novel approach to increase endogenous Ac-SDKP toward protecting the heart from post-MI remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Suhail
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hypertension and Vascular
Research Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Hongmei Peng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hypertension and Vascular
Research Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Jiang Xu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hypertension and Vascular
Research Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of
Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Hani N. Sabbah
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of
Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Khalid Matrougui
- Department of Physiology Sciences, Eastern Virginia
Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23501, USA
| | - Tang-Dong Liao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hypertension and Vascular
Research Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Pablo A. Ortiz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hypertension and Vascular
Research Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit,
MI 48201, USA
| | - Kenneth E. Bernstein
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical
Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nour-Eddine Rhaleb
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hypertension and Vascular
Research Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit,
MI 48201, USA
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Wang W, Jia W, Zhang C. The Role of Tβ4-POP-Ac-SDKP Axis in Organ Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13282. [PMID: 36362069 PMCID: PMC9655242 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a pathological process in which parenchymal cells are necrotic and excess extracellular matrix (ECM) is accumulated due to dysregulation of tissue injury repair. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a 43 amino acid multifunctional polypeptide that is involved in wound healing. Prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) is the main enzyme that hydrolyzes Tβ4 to produce its derivative N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) which is found to play a role in the regulation of fibrosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that the Tβ4-POP-Ac-SDKP axis widely exists in various tissues and organs including the liver, kidney, heart, and lung, and participates in the process of fibrogenesis. Herein, we aim to elucidate the role of Tβ4-POP-Ac-SDKP axis in hepatic fibrosis, renal fibrosis, cardiac fibrosis, and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Based on this, we attempted to provide novel therapeutic strategies for the regulation of tissue damage repair and anti-fibrosis therapy. The Tβ4-POP-Ac-SDKP axis exerts protective effects against organ fibrosis. It is promising that appropriate dosing regimens that rely on this axis could serve as a new therapeutic strategy for alleviating organ fibrosis in the early and late stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Wenning Jia
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Chunping Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
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Liao Y, Xiao N, Wang X, Dai S, Wang G. Promoting effect of Tmsb4x on the differentiation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to dendritic cells during septicemia. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 111:109002. [PMID: 35932611 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109002] [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: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymosin beta 4 × (Tmsb4x) has been highlighted as an important regulator in immune and inflammation responses. Promoted differentiation of mononuclear cells into dendritic cells (DCs) exert a beneficial effect on septicemia. Herein, we investigated the effects of Tmsb4x on the mononuclear cells to affect immune responses during septicemia. METHODS Initially, we isolated peripheral blood samples from healthy individuals and patients with septicemia for extraction of mononuclear cells, followed by Tmsb4x expression quantification. A cell model was constructed with mononuclear cells through lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The viability and apoptosis were evaluated in response to Tmsb4x silencing or re-expression. Additionally, the proportion of DCs was assessed by determining levels of inflammatory factors as well as by flow cytometric analysis. A mouse septicemia model was developed for in vivo validation. RESULTS Cell and animal models demonstrated decreased Tmsb4x expression in the setting of septicemia, which led to increased inflammatory response and reduced proportion of DCs, along with inhibited mononuclear cell viability and promoted apoptosis. However, restoration of Tmsb4x facilitated the differentiation of mononuclear cells into DCs. CONCLUSION To conclude, upregulated Tmsb4x promoted the generation of DCs from mononuclear cells, which contributed to deep understanding of underpinning mechanisms in the development of septicemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqiang Liao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangxi Pingxiang People's Hospital, Pingxiang 337055, China.
| | - Ni Xiao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangxi Pingxiang People's Hospital, Pingxiang 337055, China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangxi Pingxiang People's Hospital, Pingxiang 337055, China
| | - Senhua Dai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Jiangxi Pingxiang People's Hospital, Pingxiang 337055, China
| | - Guiliang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangxi Pingxiang People's Hospital, Pingxiang 337055, China
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10
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Thymosin β4 Protects against Cardiac Damage and Subsequent Cardiac Fibrosis in Mice with Myocardial Infarction. Cardiovasc Ther 2022; 2022:1308651. [PMID: 35712678 PMCID: PMC9187458 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1308651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inflammation is a critical factor in the development and progression of myocardial infarction and cardiac fibrosis. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) alleviates the disease process via protective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Although Tβ4 has been shown to have a protective effect in myocardial infarction, its impact on cardiac fibrosis has not been well reported. In this study, we evaluated the influence of exogenous Tβ4 on myocardial infarction and cardiac fibrosis and explored the possible underlying mechanism. Methods Real-time quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Western blot were used to analyze Tβ4 expression in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) cardiac tissues. The effects of intraperitoneal adeno-associated virus-Tβ4 (AAV-Tβ4) on ligation-induced AMI in mice were studied using cardiac function parameters, and RT-PCR, Western blot, HE staining, Masson staining, and IHC were used to assess the degree of myocardial fibrosis. The effects of Tβ4 were confirmed in vitro using mouse cardiac myocytes and myofibroblasts. Results Tβ4 was shown to be significantly elevated in mice AMI cardiac tissues. In mice, AAV-Tβ4 induced exogenous expression of Tβ4 significantly reduced oxidative damage, inflammation, cardiac dysfunction, and fibrosis. H2O2 inhibited mitophagy and increased inflammation in mouse cardiac myocytes via oxidative stress, and Tβ4 substantially reduced mitophagy inhibition and inflammasome activation in myocytes caused by H2O2. Furthermore, Tβ4 decreased cardiac myofibroblast growth and reduced TGF-β1-induced activation. Conclusions AAV-Tβ4 induced expression of Tβ4 reduced inflammation, heart damage, and eventual fibrosis in vivo. Tβ4 helped to reduce oxidative stress, promote mitophagy, and alleviate inflammation and fibrosis. Exogenous supplementation of Tβ4 might be a promising therapeutic agent for treating myocardial infarction as well as cardiac fibrosis.
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Tian Z, Yao N, Wang F, Ruan L. Thymosin β4 Suppresses LPS-Induced Murine Lung Fibrosis by Attenuating Oxidative Injury and Alleviating Inflammation. Inflammation 2021; 45:59-73. [PMID: 34414534 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-021-01528-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation plays a critical role in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects. Although the potent protective role of Tβ4 in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis has been validated, the underlying mechanism is not clear; moreover, the influence of Tβ4 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury/fibrosis has not been reported. Expression of Tβ4 in fibrotic lung tissues was assessed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (rt-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and western blotting. The effects of intraperitoneal adeno-associated virus-Tβ4 (AAV-Tβ4) on LPS-induced lung injury and fibrosis were observed through the evaluation of collagen deposition and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression. In vitro tests with HPAEpiC and HLF-1 cells were performed to confirm the effects of Tβ4. In this study, we evaluated the role of Tβ4 in pulmonary fibrosis and explored the possible underlying mechanisms. Tβ4 was markedly upregulated in human or mouse fibrotic lung tissues. AAV-Tβ4 markedly alleviated LPS-induced oxidative damage, lung injury, inflammation, and fibrosis in mice. Our in vitro experiments also showed that LPS inhibited mitophagy and promoted inflammation via oxidative stress in HPAEpiC, and Tβ4 significantly attenuated LPS-induced mitophagy inhibition, inflammasome activation, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF)-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HPAEpiC. Moreover, Tβ4 suppressed the proliferation and attenuated the TGF-β1-induced activation of HLF-1 cells. In conclusion, Tβ4 alleviates LPS-induced lung injury, inflammation, and subsequent fibrosis in mice, suggesting that Tβ4 has a protective role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Tβ4 is involved in attenuating oxidative injury, promoting mitophagy, and alleviating inflammation and fibrosis. Modulation of Tβ4 might be a novel strategy for treating pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Tian
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. .,Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. .,Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.
| | - Naijuan Yao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Litao Ruan
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
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12
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Utilizing Developmentally Essential Secreted Peptides Such as Thymosin Beta-4 to Remind the Adult Organs of Their Embryonic State-New Directions in Anti-Aging Regenerative Therapies. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061343. [PMID: 34071596 PMCID: PMC8228050 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061343] [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: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Our dream of defeating the processes of aging has occupied the curious and has challenged scientists globally for hundreds of years. The history is long, and sadly, the solution is still elusive. Our endeavors to reverse the magnitude of damaging cellular and molecular alterations resulted in only a few, yet significant advancements. Furthermore, as our lifespan increases, physicians are facing more mind-bending questions in their routine practice than ever before. Although the ultimate goal is to successfully treat the body as a whole, steps towards regenerating individual organs are even considered significant. As our initial approach to enhance the endogenous restorative capacity by delivering exogenous progenitor cells appears limited, we propose, utilizing small molecules critical during embryonic development may prove to be a powerful tool to increase regeneration and to reverse the processes associated with aging. In this review, we introduce Thymosin beta-4, a 43aa secreted peptide fulfilling our hopes and capable of numerous regenerative achievements via systemic administration in the heart. Observing the broad capacity of this small, secreted peptide, we believe it is not the only molecule which nature conceals to our benefit. Hence, the discovery and postnatal administration of developmentally relevant agents along with other approaches may result in reversing the aging process.
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13
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Wang YL, Yu SN, Shen HR, Wang HJ, Wu XP, Wang QL, Zhou B, Tan YZ. Thymosin β4 released from functionalized self-assembling peptide activates epicardium and enhances repair of infarcted myocardium. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:4262-4280. [PMID: 33754060 PMCID: PMC7977468 DOI: 10.7150/thno.52309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The epicardium plays an important role in cardiomyogenesis during development, while it becomes quiescent in adult heart during homeostasis. This study investigates the efficiency of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) release with RPRHQGVM conjugated to the C-terminus of RADA16-I (RADA-RPR), the functionalized self-assembling peptide (SAP), to activate the epicardium and repairing the infarcted myocardium. Methods: The functionalized SAP was constituted with self-assembling motif, Tβ4-binding site, and cell adhesive ligand. Myocardial infarction (MI) models of the transgenic mice were established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. At one week after intramyocardial injection of Tβ4-conjugated SAP, the activation of the epicardium was assessed. At four weeks after implantation, the migration and differentiation of epicardium-derived cells (EPDCs) as well as angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and myocardial regeneration were examined. Results: We found that the designer RADA-RPR bound Tβ4 and adhered to EPDCs and that Tβ4 released from the functionalized SAP could effectively activate the epicardium and induce EPDCs to differentiate towards cardiovascular cells as well as lymphatic endothelial cells. Moreover, SAP-released Tβ4 (SAP-Tβ4) promoted proliferation of cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and myocardial regeneration were enhanced in the MI models at 4 weeks after delivery of SAP-Tβ4 along with attenuation of adverse myocardial remodeling and significantly improved cardiac function. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that sustained release of Tβ4 from the functionalized SAP can activate the epicardium and effectively enhance the repair of infarcted myocardium. We believe the delivery of SAP-Tβ4 may be a promising strategy for MI therapy.
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Peng H, Xu J, Yang XP, Kassem KM, Rhaleb IA, Peterson E, Rhaleb NE. N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline treatment protects heart against excessive myocardial injury and heart failure in mice. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2019; 97:753-765. [PMID: 30998852 PMCID: PMC6824427 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2019-0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Myocardial infarction (MI) in mice results in cardiac rupture at 4-7 days after MI, whereas cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction occur later. N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) has anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and pro-angiogenic properties. We hypothesized that Ac-SDKP reduces cardiac rupture and adverse cardiac remodeling, and improves function by promoting angiogenesis and inhibiting detrimental reactive fibrosis and inflammation after MI. C57BL/6J mice were subjected to MI and treated with Ac-SDKP (1.6 mg/kg per day) for 1 or 5 weeks. We analyzed (1) intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression; (2) inflammatory cell infiltration and angiogenesis; (3) gelatinolytic activity; (4) incidence of cardiac rupture; (5) p53, the endoplasmic reticulum stress marker CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homology protein (CHOP), and cardiomyocyte apoptosis; (6) sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2) expression; (7) interstitial collagen fraction and capillary density; and (8) cardiac remodeling and function. Acutely, Ac-SDKP reduced cardiac rupture, decreased ICAM-1 expression and the number of infiltrating macrophages, decreased gelatinolytic activity, p53 expression, and myocyte apoptosis, but increased capillary density in the infarction border. Chronically, Ac-SDKP improved cardiac structures and function, reduced CHOP expression and interstitial collagen fraction, and preserved myocardium SERCA2 expression. Thus, Ac-SDKP decreased cardiac rupture, ameliorated adverse cardiac remodeling, and improved cardiac function after MI, likely through preserved SERCA2 expression and inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Peng
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Jiang Xu
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Xiao-Ping Yang
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Kamal M Kassem
- b Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA
| | - Imane A Rhaleb
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Ed Peterson
- c Department of Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Nour-Eddine Rhaleb
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- d Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
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15
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Kassem KM, Vaid S, Peng H, Sarkar S, Rhaleb NE. Tβ4-Ac-SDKP pathway: Any relevance for the cardiovascular system? Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2019; 97:589-599. [PMID: 30854877 PMCID: PMC6824425 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2018-0570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The last 20 years witnessed the emergence of the thymosin β4 (Tβ4)-N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) pathway as a new source of future therapeutic tools to treat cardiovascular and renal diseases. In this review article, we attempted to shed light on the numerous experimental findings pertaining to the many promising cardiovascular therapeutic avenues for Tβ4 and (or) its N-terminal derivative, Ac-SDKP. Specifically, Ac-SDKP is endogenously produced from the 43-amino acid Tβ4 by 2 successive enzymes, meprin α and prolyl oligopeptidase. We also discussed the possible mechanisms involved in the Tβ4-Ac-SDKP-associated cardiovascular biological effects. In infarcted myocardium, Tβ4 and Ac-SDKP facilitate cardiac repair after infarction by promoting endothelial cell migration and myocyte survival. Additionally, Tβ4 and Ac-SDKP have antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties in the arteries, heart, lungs, and kidneys, and stimulate both in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis. The effects of Tβ4 can be mediated directly through a putative receptor (Ku80) or via its enzymatically released N-terminal derivative Ac-SDKP. Despite the localization and characterization of Ac-SDKP binding sites in myocardium, more studies are needed to fully identify and clone Ac-SDKP receptors. It remains promising that Ac-SDKP or its degradation-resistant analogs could serve as new therapeutic tools to treat cardiac, vascular, and renal injury and dysfunction to be used alone or in combination with the already established pharmacotherapy for cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal M Kassem
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- b Internal Medicine Department, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA
| | - Sonal Vaid
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- c Internal Medicine Department, St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, Indianapolis, IN 46260, USA
| | - Hongmei Peng
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Sarah Sarkar
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Nour-Eddine Rhaleb
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- d Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
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16
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Nawaito SA, Sahadevan P, Clavet-Lanthier MÉ, Pouliot P, Sahmi F, Shi Y, Gillis MA, Lesage F, Gaestel M, Sirois MG, Calderone A, Tardif JC, Allen BG. MK5 haplodeficiency decreases collagen deposition and scar size during post-myocardial infarction wound repair. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2019; 316:H1281-H1296. [PMID: 30901279 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00532.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
MK5 is a protein serine/threonine kinase activated by p38, ERK3, and ERK4 MAPKs. MK5 mRNA and immunoreactivity are detected in mouse cardiac fibroblasts, and MK5 haplodeficiency attenuates the increase in collagen 1-α1 mRNA evoked by pressure overload. The present study examined the effect of MK5 haplodeficiency on reparative fibrosis following myocardial infarction (MI). Twelve-week-old MK5+/- and wild-type littermate (MK5+/+) mice underwent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LADL). Surviving mice were euthanized 8 or 21 days post-MI. Survival rates did not differ significantly between MK5+/+ and MK5+/- mice, with rupture of the LV wall being the primary cause of death. Echocardiographic imaging revealed similar increases in LV end-diastolic diameter, myocardial performance index, and wall motion score index in LADL-MK5+/+ and LADL-MK5+/- mice. Area at risk did not differ between LADL-MK5+/+ and LADL-MK5+/- hearts. In contrast, infarct size, scar area, and scar collagen content were reduced in LADL-MK5+/- hearts. Immunohistochemical analysis of mice experiencing heart rupture revealed increased MMP-9 immunoreactivity in the infarct border zone of LADL-MK5+/- hearts compared with LADL-MK5+/+. Although inflammatory cell infiltration was similar in LADL-MK5+/+ and LADL-MK5+/- hearts, angiogenesis was more pronounced in the infarct border zone of LADL-MK5+/- mice. Characterization of ventricular fibroblasts revealed reduced motility and proliferation in fibroblasts isolated from MK5-/- mice compared with those from both wild-type and haplodeficient mice. siRNA-mediated knockdown of MK5 in fibroblasts from wild-type mice also impaired motility. Hence, reduced MK5 expression alters fibroblast function and scar morphology but not mortality post-MI. NEW & NOTEWORTHY MK5/PRAK is a protein serine/threonine kinase activated by p38 MAPK and/or atypical MAPKs ERK3/4. MK5 haplodeficiency reduced infarct size, scar area, and scar collagen content post-myocardial infarction. Motility and proliferation were reduced in cultured MK5-null cardiac myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherin Ali Nawaito
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Montreal Heart Institute , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Pramod Sahadevan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Montreal Heart Institute , Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | - Fatiha Sahmi
- Montreal Heart Institute , Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yanfen Shi
- Montreal Heart Institute , Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Frederic Lesage
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Université de Montréal , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Montreal Heart Institute , Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Matthias Gaestel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin G Sirois
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Montreal Heart Institute , Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Angelo Calderone
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Montreal Heart Institute , Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Claude Tardif
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Montreal Heart Institute , Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bruce G Allen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Montreal Heart Institute , Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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17
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Hinkel R, Klett K, Bähr A, Kupatt C. Thymosin β4-mediated protective effects in the heart. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2019; 18:121-129. [PMID: 30063857 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2018.1490409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite recent advances in the treatment of coronary heart disease, a significant number of patients progressively develop heart failure. Reduction of infarct size after acute myocardial infarction and normalization of microvasculature in chronic myocardial ischemia could enhance cardiac survival. AREAS COVERED Induction of neovascularization using vascular growth factors has emerged as a promising novel approach for cardiac regeneration. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) might be a promising candidate for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. It has been characterized as a major G-actin-sequestering factor regulating cell motility, migration, and differentiation. During cardiac development, Thymosin β4 seems essential for vascularization of the myocardium. In the adult organism, Thymosin β4 has anti-inflammatory properties, increases myocyte and endothelial cell survival accompanied by differentiation of epicardial progenitor cells. In chronic myocardial ischemia, Tβ4 overexpression enhances micro- and macrovasculature in the ischemic area and thereby improves myocardial function. A comparable effect is seen in diabetic and dyslipidemic pig ischemic hearts, suggesting an attractive therapeutic potential of adeno-associated virus encoding for Tβ4 for patients with ischemic heart disease. EXPERT OPINION Induction of mature micro-vessels is a prerequisite for chronic myocardial ischemia and might be achieved via a long-term overexpression of Thymosin β4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabea Hinkel
- a Internal Medicine I , Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU München , Munich , Germany.,b Institut for Cardiovascular Prevention , LMU Munich , Munich , Germany.,c DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) , partner site Munich Heart Alliance , Munich , Germany
| | - Katharina Klett
- b Institut for Cardiovascular Prevention , LMU Munich , Munich , Germany.,c DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) , partner site Munich Heart Alliance , Munich , Germany
| | - Andrea Bähr
- a Internal Medicine I , Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU München , Munich , Germany.,c DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) , partner site Munich Heart Alliance , Munich , Germany
| | - Christian Kupatt
- a Internal Medicine I , Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU München , Munich , Germany.,c DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) , partner site Munich Heart Alliance , Munich , Germany
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18
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Ge ZW, Wang BC, Hu JL, Sun JJ, Wang S, Chen XJ, Meng SP, Liu L, Cheng ZY. IRAK3 gene silencing prevents cardiac rupture and ventricular remodeling through negative regulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway in a mouse model of acute myocardial infarction. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:11722-11733. [PMID: 30536946 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac rupture and ventricular remodeling are recognized as the severe complications and major risk factors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aims to evaluate the regulatory roles of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 3 (IRAK3) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in cardiac rupture and ventricular remodeling. Microarray analysis was performed to screen AMI-related differentially expressed genes and IRAK3 was identified. The models of AMI were established in male C57BL/6 mice to investigate the functional role of IRAK3. Afterwards, lentivirus recombinant plasmid si-IRAK3 was constructed for IRAK3 silencing. Next, cardiac function parameters were measured in response to IRAK3 silencing. The regulatory effects that IRAK3 had on myocardial infarct size and the content of myocardial interstitial collagen were analyzed. The regulation of IRAK3 silencing on the NF-κB signaling pathway was further assayed. The obtained results indicated that highly expressed IRAK3 and activated NF-κB signaling pathway were observed in myocardial tissues of mouse models of AMI, accompanied by increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2). Notably, IRAK3 gene silencing inhibited the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, IRAK3 gene silencing led to the decreased thickness of infarct area and collagen content of myocardial interstitium, alleviated diastolic, and systolic dysfunctions, as well as, facilitated cardiac functions in mice with AMI, corresponding to decreased expression of MMP-2/9 expression and increased expression of TIMP-2. Taken together, silencing of IRAK3 inactivates the NF-κB signaling pathway, and thereby impeding the cardiac rupture and ventricular remodeling, which eventually prevents AMI progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Wei Ge
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Bao-Cai Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jun-Long Hu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jun-Jie Sun
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xian-Jie Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Shu-Ping Meng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery ICU, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zhao-Yun Cheng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
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19
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Fink K, Kobak K, Kasztura M, Boratyński J, Goszczyński TM. Synthesis and Biological Activity of Thymosin β4-Anionic Boron Cluster Conjugates. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:3509-3515. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Fink
- Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy PAS, 12 Rudolf Weigl Street, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Kamil Kobak
- Laboratory for Applied Research on Cardiovascular System, Department of Heart Diseases, Wrocław Medical University, 5 Rudolf Weigl Street, 50-981 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Monika Kasztura
- Laboratory for Applied Research on Cardiovascular System, Department of Heart Diseases, Wrocław Medical University, 5 Rudolf Weigl Street, 50-981 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Janusz Boratyński
- Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy PAS, 12 Rudolf Weigl Street, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tomasz M. Goszczyński
- Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy PAS, 12 Rudolf Weigl Street, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
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20
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Li H, Li Q, Zhang X, Zheng X, Zhang Q, Hao Z. Thymosin β4 suppresses CCl4
-induced murine hepatic fibrosis by down-regulating transforming growth factor β receptor-II. J Gene Med 2018; 20:e3043. [PMID: 29972714 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 06/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hanchao Li
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an; Shaanxi Province China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an; Shaanxi Province China
| | - Xueting Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an; Shaanxi Province China
| | - Xiaoyan Zheng
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an; Shaanxi Province China
| | - Qiannan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an; Shaanxi Province China
| | - Zhiming Hao
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an; Shaanxi Province China
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21
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Dubé KN, Smart N. Thymosin β4 and the vasculature: multiple roles in development, repair and protection against disease. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2018; 18:131-139. [DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2018.1459558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Karina N. Dubé
- BHF Centre of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicola Smart
- BHF Centre of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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22
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Weinberger F, Nicol P, Starbatty J, Stubbendorff M, Becher PM, Schrepfer S, Eschenhagen T. No effect of thymosin beta-4 on the expression of the transcription factor Islet-1 in the adult murine heart. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2018; 6:e00407. [PMID: 29864245 PMCID: PMC5986028 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Islet-1 marks a progenitor cell population of the second heart field during cardiogenesis. In the adult heart Islet-1 expression is limited to the sinoatrial node, the ventricular outflow tract, and parasympathetic ganglia. The regenerative effect in the injured mouse ventricle of thymosin beta-4 (TB4), a 43-aminoacid peptide, was associated with increased Islet-1 immunostaining, suggesting the induction of an Islet-1-positive progenitor state by TB4. Here we aimed to reassess this effect in a genetic model. Mice from the reporter mouse line Isl1-nLacZ were primed with TB4 and subsequently underwent myocardial infarction. Islet-1 expression was assessed 2, 7, and 14 days after infarction. We detected only a single Islet-1+ cell in 8 TB4 treated and infarcted hearts which located outside of the sinoatrial node, the outflow tract or cardiac ganglia (in ~2500 sections). Two cells were identified in 5 control infarcted hearts. TB4 did not induce LacZ positivity in ventricular explants cultures of Isl1-nLacZ mice nor did it affect the density of LacZ+ cells in explant cultures of nLacZ+ regions of the heart. In summary, we found no evidence that TB4 reactivates Islet-1 expression in adult mouse ventricle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Weinberger
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and ToxicologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
- DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Researchpartner site Hamburg/Kiel/LübeckGermany
| | - Philipp Nicol
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and ToxicologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
- DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Researchpartner site Hamburg/Kiel/LübeckGermany
| | - Jutta Starbatty
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and ToxicologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
- DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Researchpartner site Hamburg/Kiel/LübeckGermany
| | - Mandy Stubbendorff
- DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Researchpartner site Hamburg/Kiel/LübeckGermany
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Transplant and Stem Cell Immunobiology (TSI) LabUniversity Heart Center HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Peter M. Becher
- DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Researchpartner site Hamburg/Kiel/LübeckGermany
- Department of General and Interventional CardiologyUniversity Heart Center HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Sonja Schrepfer
- DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Researchpartner site Hamburg/Kiel/LübeckGermany
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Transplant and Stem Cell Immunobiology (TSI) LabUniversity Heart Center HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Thomas Eschenhagen
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and ToxicologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
- DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Researchpartner site Hamburg/Kiel/LübeckGermany
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Vasilopoulou E, Riley PR, Long DA. Thymosin-β4: A key modifier of renal disease. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2018; 18:185-192. [DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2018.1473371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elisavet Vasilopoulou
- Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent, Chatham Maritime, UK
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Paul R. Riley
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David A. Long
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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Kumar N, Liao TD, Romero CA, Maheshwari M, Peterson EL, Carretero OA. Thymosin β4 Deficiency Exacerbates Renal and Cardiac Injury in Angiotensin-II-Induced Hypertension. Hypertension 2018; 71:1133-1142. [PMID: 29632102 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.118.10952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4), a ubiquitous peptide, regulates several cellular processes that include cell morphology, wound healing, and inflammatory response. Administration of exogenous Tβ4 is protective in diabetic nephropathy and in a unilateral ureteral obstruction model. However, the role of endogenous Tβ4 in health and disease conditions remains unclear. To elucidate the pathophysiological role of endogenous Tβ4 in hypertension, we examined angiotensin-II (Ang-II)-induced renal and cardiac damage in Tβ4 knockout (Tβ4 KO) mice. Tβ4 KO and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were infused continuously for 6 weeks with either vehicle or Ang-II (980 ng/kg per minute). At baseline, Tβ4 deficiency did not affect renal and cardiac function. Systolic blood pressure in the Ang-II group was similar in wild-type and Tβ4 KO mice (wild-type Ang-II, 179.25±10.11 mm Hg; Tβ4 KO Ang-II, 169.81±6.54 mm Hg). Despite the similar systolic blood pressure after Ang-II infusion, Tβ4-deficient mice had dramatically increased albuminuria and decreased nephrin expression in the kidney (P<0.005). In the heart of Tβ4 KO mice, Ang-II reduced ejection fraction and shortening fraction (ejection fraction: wild-type Ang-II 77.95%±1.03%; Tβ4 KO Ang-II 62.58%±3.25%; P<0.005), which was accompanied by cardiac hypertrophy and left ventricular dilatation. In addition, renal and cardiac infiltration of CD68 macrophages, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and total collagen content were increased after Ang-II infusion in Tβ4 KO mice (P<0.005). Overall, our data indicate that endogenous Tβ4 is crucial in preventing tissue injury from Ang-II-induced hypertension. This study gives new insights into the protective role of endogenous Tβ4 in hypertensive end-organ damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Kumar
- From the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine (N.K., T.-D.L., C.A.R., M.M., O.A.C.)
| | - Tang-Dong Liao
- From the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine (N.K., T.-D.L., C.A.R., M.M., O.A.C.)
| | - Cesar A Romero
- From the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine (N.K., T.-D.L., C.A.R., M.M., O.A.C.)
| | - Mani Maheshwari
- From the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine (N.K., T.-D.L., C.A.R., M.M., O.A.C.)
| | - Edward L Peterson
- and Department of Public Health Sciences (E.L.P.), Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
| | - Oscar A Carretero
- From the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine (N.K., T.-D.L., C.A.R., M.M., O.A.C.)
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25
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Essential role for smooth muscle cell stromal interaction molecule-1 in myocardial infarction. J Hypertens 2018; 36:377-386. [PMID: 29611835 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000001518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Stromal interacting molecule-1 (STIM1) plays a role in coordinating calcium signaling in different cell types. The increase or deletion of STIM1 expression in cardiomyocyte causes cardiac complication. Moreover, the deletion of STIM1 in endothelial cell causes vascular endothelial dysfunction. However, the disruption of STIM1 in smooth muscle cells (SMC) has no effect on endothelial function but protects vascular function when mice are infused with angiotensin-II. Nevertheless, the role of SMC-STIM1 in acute and chronic myocardial infarction (MI) induced by acute ischemia-reperfusion injury and permanent coronary artery occlusion is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS Stim1 were generated and crossed into the SM22α-Cre backgrounds. SM22α-Cre causes deletion of STIM1 floxed genes in adult SMC (Stim1). Control and Stim1 mice were subjected to acute ischemia-reperfusion injury. Hearts were then harvested and incubated with triphenyltetrazolium chloride to determine the infarct size. In control mice which are subjected to ischemia-reperfusion, the heart developed a significant infarct associated with an increase in STIM1 expression. Interestingly, the infarct size was substantially reduced in Stim1 mice. The protection in Stim1 mice against ischemia-reperfusion injury involves the modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, oxidative stress, protein kinase B, and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (ERK1/2 and p38) signaling, and inflammation. Furthermore, in another model of chronic MI induced by permanent coronary artery occlusion, SMC-STIM1 disruption significantly reduced myocardial infarct size and improved cardiac function. CONCLUSION Our results provide new evidence that SMC-STIM1 disruption is a novel mechanism that protects the heart from MI through reduction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, MAP-Kinase, apoptosis, and inflammation.
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Ac-SDKP decreases mortality and cardiac rupture after acute myocardial infarction. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190300. [PMID: 29364896 PMCID: PMC5783348 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural peptide N-Acetyl-Seryl-Aspartyl-Lysyl-Proline (Ac-SDKP) decreases inflammation in chronic diseases such as hypertension and heart failure. However, Ac-SDKP effects on acute inflammatory responses during myocardial infarction (MI) are unknown. During the first 72 hours post-MI, neutrophils, M1 macrophages (pro-inflammatory), and M2 macrophages (pro-resolution) and release of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are involved in cardiac rupture. We hypothesized that in the acute stage of MI, Ac-SDKP decreases the incidence of cardiac rupture and mortality by preventing immune cell infiltration as well as by decreasing MPO and MMP expression. MI was induced by ligating the left descending coronary artery in C57BL/6 mice. Vehicle or Ac-SDKP (1.6 mg/kg/d) was infused via osmotic minipump. Cardiac immune cell infiltration was assessed by flow cytometry, cardiac MPO and MMP levels were measured at 24–48 hrs post-MI. Cardiac rupture and mortality incidence were determined at 7 days post-MI. In infarcted mice, Ac-SDKP significantly decreased cardiac rupture incidence from 51.0% (26 of 51 animals) to 27.3% (12 of 44) and mortality from 56.9% (29 of 51) to 31.8% (14 of 44). Ac-SDKP reduced M1 macrophages in cardiac tissue after MI, without affecting M2 macrophages and neutrophils. Ac-SDKP decreased MMP-9 activation in infarcted hearts with no changes on MPO expression. Ac-SDKP prevents cardiac rupture and decreases mortality post-acute MI. These protective effects of Ac-SDKP are associated with decreased pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage infiltration and MMP-9 activation.
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27
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Huang Z, Song Y, Pang Z, Zhang B, Yang H, Shi H, Chen J, Gong H, Qian J, Ge J. Targeted delivery of thymosin beta 4 to the injured myocardium using CREKA-conjugated nanoparticles. Int J Nanomedicine 2017; 12:3023-3036. [PMID: 28442910 PMCID: PMC5396927 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s131949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) has multiple beneficial facets for myocardial injury, but its efficiency is limited by the low local concentration within the infarct. Here, we established a Tβ4 delivery system for cardiac repair based on the interaction between the abundant fibrin in the infarct zone and the fibrin-targeting moiety clot-binding peptide cysteine–arginine–glutamic acid–lysine–alanine (CREKA). Methods and results CREKA and Tβ4 were conjugated to nanoparticles (CNP–Tβ4). In vitro binding test revealed that CNP–Tβ4 had a significant binding ability to the surface of fibrin clots when compared to the control clots (NP–Tβ4). Based on the validation of fibrin expression in the early stage of ischemia injury, CNP–Tβ4 was intravenously administered to mice with acute myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. CNP–Tβ4 revealed a stronger fibrin-targeting ability than the NP–Tβ4 group and accumulated mainly in the infarcted area and colocalized with fibrin. Subsequently, treatment with CNP–Tβ4 resulted in a better therapeutic effect. Conclusion CRKEA modification favored Tβ4 accumulation and retention in the infarcted region, leading to augmented functional benefits. Fibrin-targeting delivery system represents a generalizable platform technology for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheyong Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Yanan Song
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Zhiqing Pang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, Shanghai
| | - Bo Zhang
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei
| | - Hongbo Yang
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Hongtao Shi
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Jing Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Hui Gong
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University.,Institute of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Juying Qian
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Junbo Ge
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University.,Institute of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Implantation of a Poly-L-Lactide GCSF-Functionalized Scaffold in a Model of Chronic Myocardial Infarction. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2017; 10:47-65. [PMID: 28116550 PMCID: PMC5323505 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-016-9718-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A previously developed poly-l-lactide scaffold releasing granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PLLA/GCSF) was tested in a rabbit chronic model of myocardial infarction (MI) as a ventricular patch. Control groups were constituted by healthy, chronic MI and nonfunctionalized PLLA scaffold. PLLA-based electrospun scaffold efficiently integrated into a chronic infarcted myocardium. Functionalization of the biopolymer with GCSF led to increased fibroblast-like vimentin-positive cellular colonization and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration within the micrometric fiber mesh in comparison to nonfunctionalized scaffold; PLLA/GCSF polymer induced an angiogenetic process with a statistically significant increase in the number of neovessels compared to the nonfunctionalized scaffold; PLLA/GCSF implanted at the infarcted zone induced a reorganization of the ECM architecture leading to connective tissue deposition and scar remodeling. These findings were coupled with a reduction in end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes, indicating a preventive effect of the scaffold on ventricular dilation, and an improvement in cardiac performance.
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29
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Zheng XY, Lv YF, Li S, Li Q, Zhang QN, Zhang XT, Hao ZM. Recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying thymosin β 4 suppresses experimental colitis in mice. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:242-255. [PMID: 28127198 PMCID: PMC5236504 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i2.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the protective effect of a recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying thymosin β4 (AAV-Tβ4) on murine colitis via intracolonic administration.
METHODS AAV-Tβ4 was prepared and intracolonically used to mediate the secretory expression of Tβ4 in mouse colons. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was applied to induce the murine ulcerative colitis, and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) was used to establish a mouse colitis model resembling Crohn’s disease. The disease severity and colon injuries were observed and graded to reveal the effects of AAV-Tβ4 on colitis. The activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined using biochemical assays. Colonic levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 were measured using ELISA, and mucosal epithelial cell apoptosis and proliferation were detected by TUNEL assay and immunochemistry, respectively.
RESULTS Recombinant AAVs efficiently delivered LacZ and Tβ4 into the colonic tissues of the mice, and AAV-Tβ4 led to a strong expression of Tβ4 in mouse colons. In both the DSS and TNBS colitis models, AAV-Tβ4-treated mice displayed distinctly attenuated colon injuries and reduced apoptosis rate of colonic mucosal epithelia. AAV-Tβ4 significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltrations and relieved oxidative stress in the inflamed colons of the mice, as evidenced by decreases in MPO activity and MDA content and increases in SOD activity. AAV-Tβ4 also modulated colonic TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 levels and suppressed the compensatory proliferation of colonic epithelial cells in DSS- and TNBS-treated mice.
CONCLUSION Tβ4 exerts a protective effect on murine colitis, indicating that AAV-Tβ4 could potentially be developed into a promising agent for the therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases.
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30
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Loss of endogenous thymosin β 4 accelerates glomerular disease. Kidney Int 2016; 90:1056-1070. [PMID: 27575556 PMCID: PMC5073078 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2016.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Glomerular disease is characterized by morphologic changes in podocyte cells accompanied by inflammation and fibrosis. Thymosin β4 regulates cell morphology, inflammation, and fibrosis in several organs and administration of exogenous thymosin β4 improves animal models of unilateral ureteral obstruction and diabetic nephropathy. However, the role of endogenous thymosin β4 in the kidney is unknown. We demonstrate that thymosin β4 is expressed prominently in podocytes of developing and adult mouse glomeruli. Global loss of thymosin β4 did not affect healthy glomeruli, but accelerated the severity of immune-mediated nephrotoxic nephritis with worse renal function, periglomerular inflammation, and fibrosis. Lack of thymosin β4 in nephrotoxic nephritis led to the redistribution of podocytes from the glomerular tuft toward the Bowman capsule suggesting a role for thymosin β4 in the migration of these cells. Thymosin β4 knockdown in cultured podocytes also increased migration in a wound-healing assay, accompanied by F-actin rearrangement and increased RhoA activity. We propose that endogenous thymosin β4 is a modifier of glomerular injury, likely having a protective role acting as a brake to slow disease progression.
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Abstract
Treatment with thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) reduces infarct volume and preserves cardiac function in preclinical models of cardiac ischemic injury. These effects stem in part from decreased infarct size, but additional benefits are likely due to specific antifibrotic and proangiogenic activities. Injected or transgenic Tβ4 increase blood vessel growth in large and small animal models, consistent with Tβ4 converting hibernating myocardium to an actively contractile state following ischemia. Tβ4 and its degradation products have antifibrotic effects in in vitro assays and in animal models of fibrosis not related to cardiac injury. This large number of pleiotropic effects results from Tβ4's many interactions with cellular signaling pathways, particularly indirect regulation of cellular motility and movement via the SRF-MRTF-G-actin transcriptional pathway. Variation in effects and effect sizes in animal models may potentially be due to variable distribution of Tβ4. Preclinical studies of PK/PD relationships and a reliable pharmacodynamic biomarker would facilitate clinical development of Tβ4.
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Affiliation(s)
- G T Pipes
- Cardiovascular Drug Discovery, Discovery Biology Research & Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pennington, NJ, United States.
| | - J Yang
- Cardiovascular Drug Discovery, Discovery Biology Research & Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pennington, NJ, United States
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32
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Li L, Guleria RS, Thakur S, Zhang CL, Pan J, Baker KM, Gupta S. Thymosin β4 Prevents Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiomyocyte Growth by Regulating Wnt/WISP Signaling. J Cell Physiol 2016; 231:1737-44. [PMID: 26627308 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is a ubiquitous protein with many properties relating to cell proliferation and differentiation that promotes wound healing and modulates inflammatory mediators. However, the role of Tβ4 in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the cardio-protective effect of Tβ4 in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiomyocyte growth. Neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVM) were pretreated with Tβ4 followed by Ang II stimulation. Cell size, hypertrophy marker gene expression and Wnt signaling components, β-catenin, and Wnt-induced secreted protein-1 (WISP-1) were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting and fluorescent microscopy. Pre-treatment of Tβ4 resulted in reduction of cell size, hypertrophy marker genes and Wnt-associated gene expression, and protein levels; induced by Ang II in cardiomyocyte. WISP-1 was overexpressed in NRVM and, the effect of Tβ4 in Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte growth was evaluated. WISP-1 overexpression promoted cardiomyocytes growth and was reversed by pretreatment with Tβ4. This is the first report which demonstrates that Tβ4 targets Wnt/WISP-1 to protect Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte growth. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 1737-1744, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Division of Molecular Cardiology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, Texas.,Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, Texas.,Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas.,Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Rakeshwar S Guleria
- Division of Molecular Cardiology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, Texas.,Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, Texas.,Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas
| | - Suresh Thakur
- Division of Molecular Cardiology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, Texas.,Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, Texas.,Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas
| | - Cheng-Lin Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Pan
- Division of Molecular Cardiology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, Texas.,Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, Texas.,Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas
| | - Kenneth M Baker
- Division of Molecular Cardiology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, Texas.,Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, Texas.,Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas
| | - Sudhiranjan Gupta
- Division of Molecular Cardiology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, Texas.,Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, Texas.,Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas
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Hinkel R, Ball HL, DiMaio JM, Shrivastava S, Thatcher JE, Singh AN, Sun X, Faskerti G, Olson EN, Kupatt C, Bock-Marquette I. C-terminal variable AGES domain of Thymosin β4: the molecule's primary contribution in support of post-ischemic cardiac function and repair. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2015; 87:113-25. [PMID: 26255251 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2015.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Repairing defective cardiac cells is important towards improving heart function. Due to the frequency and severity of ischemic heart disease, management of patients featuring this type of cardiac failure receives significant interest. Previously we discovered that Thymosin β4 (TB4), a 43 amino-acid secreted actin sequestering peptide, is beneficial for myocardial cell survival and coronary re-growth after infarction in adult mammals. Considering the regenerative potential of full-length TB4 in the heart, and that minimal structural variations alter TB4's influence on actin assembly and cell movement, we investigated how various TB4 domains affect cardiac cell behavior and post-ischemic mammalian heart function. We synthesized 17 domain combinations of full-length TB4 and analyzed their impact on embryonic cardiac cells in vitro, and after cardiac infarction in vivo. We discovered the domains of TB4 affect cardiac cell behavior distinctly. We revealed TB4 specific C-terminal tetrapeptide, AGES, increases embryonic cardiac cell migration and myocyte beating in culture, and improves adult mammalian heart function following ischemia. Investigating the molecular background and mechanism we discovered systemic injection of AGES enhances early myocyte survival by activating Akt-mediated signaling mechanisms, increases coronary vessel growth and inhibits inflammation in mice and pigs. Biodistribution analyses revealed cardiomyocytes uptake AGES efficiently in vitro and in vivo projecting a potential independent clinical utilization for the tetrapeptide. Our comprehensive domain investigations also suggest, preservation and/or restoration of cardiomyocyte communication is a target of TB4 and AGES, and critical to improve post-ischemic heart function in pigs. In summary, we identified the C-terminal four amino-acid variable end of TB4 as the essential and responsible domain for the molecule's full benefits in the hypoxic heart. Additionally, we introduced AGES as a novel, systemically applicable drug candidate to aid cardiac infarction in adult mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabea Hinkel
- Internal Medicine I, University Clinic Grosshadern, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Haydn L Ball
- Protein Chemistry Technology Center University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - J Michael DiMaio
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Santwana Shrivastava
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Thatcher
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ajay N Singh
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xiankai Sun
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Gabor Faskerti
- University of Pecs, Faculty of Medicine, Szentagothai Research Centre, Pecs 7624, Hungary
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Christian Kupatt
- Internal Medicine I, University Clinic Grosshadern, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Ildiko Bock-Marquette
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; University of Pecs, Faculty of Medicine, Szentagothai Research Centre, Pecs 7624, Hungary.
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34
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Vasilopoulou E, Winyard PJD, Riley PR, Long DA. The role of thymosin-β4 in kidney disease. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2015; 15 Suppl 1:S187-90. [DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2015.1009891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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