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JIN X, WU B, LIN M, ZHONG B, LIN L, XU D. Clinical efficacy and gene chip expression analysis of Shenzhu Guanxin recipe granules in patients with intermediate coronary lesions. J TRADIT CHIN MED 2024; 44:545-553. [PMID: 38767639 PMCID: PMC11077140 DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20240308.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Shenzhu Guanxin recipe granules (, SGR) in treating patients with intermediate coronary lesions (ICL), and to investigate the potential mechanism though a transcriptome sequencing approach. METHODS ICL patients with Qi deficiency and phlegm stasis were adopted and randomly assigned to a case group or a control by random number generator in a 1:1 randomization ratio to evaluate the clinical efficacy. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the two groups in coronary computed tomography angiography related indexes in the two groups before and after intervention. Through the gene chip expression analysis, it is finally concluded that there are 355 differential mRNAs (190 up-regulated genes and 165 down regulated genes) when compared the SGR group and placebo group. Through protein-protein interaction network analysis of differentially expressed genes, 10 hub genes were finally obtained: CACNA2D2, CACNA2D3, DNAJC6, FGF12, SGSM2, CACNA1G, LRP6, KIF25, OXTR, UPB1. CONCLUSIONS SGR combined with Western Medicine can be safely used to treat ICL patients with Qi deficiency and phlegm stasis. The possible mechanism of action and relevant gene loci and pathway were proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao JIN
- 1 Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Bingxin WU
- 2 Department of Cardiology, Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Miaoyang LIN
- 2 Department of Cardiology, Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Biying ZHONG
- 2 Department of Cardiology, Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Luoqi LIN
- 2 Department of Cardiology, Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Danping XU
- 3 Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518033, China
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Kasamoto M, Funakoshi S, Hatani T, Okubo C, Nishi Y, Tsujisaka Y, Nishikawa M, Narita M, Ohta A, Kimura T, Yoshida Y. Am80, a retinoic acid receptor agonist, activates the cardiomyocyte cell cycle and enhances engraftment in the heart. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:1672-1685. [PMID: 37451261 PMCID: PMC10444569 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.06.006] [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: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived (hiPSC) cardiomyocytes are a promising source for regenerative therapy. To realize this therapy, however, their engraftment potential after their injection into the host heart should be improved. Here, we established an efficient method to analyze the cell cycle activity of hiPSC cardiomyocytes using a fluorescence ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (FUCCI) system. In vitro high-throughput screening using FUCCI identified a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist, Am80, as an effective cell cycle activator in hiPSC cardiomyocytes. The transplantation of hiPSC cardiomyocytes treated with Am80 before the injection significantly enhanced the engraftment in damaged mouse heart for 6 months. Finally, we revealed that the activation of endogenous Wnt pathways through both RARA and RARB underlies the Am80-mediated cell cycle activation. Collectively, this study highlights an efficient method to activate cell cycle in hiPSC cardiomyocytes by Am80 as a means to increase the graft size after cell transplantation into a damaged heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Kasamoto
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Funakoshi
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Takeda-CiRA Joint program (T-CiRA), Fujisawa, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Hatani
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chikako Okubo
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yohei Nishi
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuta Tsujisaka
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Misato Nishikawa
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Megumi Narita
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akira Ohta
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kimura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Yoshida
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Takeda-CiRA Joint program (T-CiRA), Fujisawa, Japan.
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3
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Ni B, Sun M, Zhao J, Wang J, Cao Z. The role of β-catenin in cardiac diseases. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1157043. [PMID: 37033656 PMCID: PMC10073558 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1157043] [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: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a classical Wnt pathway that regulates the stability and nuclear localization of β-catenin and plays an important role in adult heart development and cardiac tissue homeostasis. In recent years, an increasing number of researchers have implicated the dysregulation of this signaling pathway in a variety of cardiac diseases, such as myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, diabetic cardiomyopathies, and myocardial hypertrophy. The morbidity and mortality of cardiac diseases are increasing, which brings great challenges to clinical treatment and seriously affects patient health. Thus, understanding the biological roles of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in these diseases may be essential for cardiac disease treatment and diagnosis to improve patient quality of life. In this review, we summarize current research on the roles of β-catenin in human cardiac diseases and potential inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin, which may provide new strategies for cardiac disease therapies.
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Meyer IS, Li X, Meyer C, Voloshanenko O, Pohl S, Boutros M, Katus HA, Frey N, Leuschner F. Blockade of Wnt Secretion Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Modulating the Inflammatory Response. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012252. [PMID: 36293109 PMCID: PMC9602582 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt (a portmanteau of Wingless and Int-1) signaling in the adult heart is largely quiescent. However, there is accumulating evidence that it gets reactivated during the healing process after myocardial infarction (MI). We here tested the therapeutic potential of the Wnt secretion inhibitor LGK-974 on MI healing. Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury was induced in mice and Wnt signaling was inhibited by oral administration of the porcupine inhibitor LGK-974. The transcriptome was analyzed from infarcted tissue by using RNA sequencing analysis. The inflammatory response after I/R was evaluated by flow cytometry. Heart function was assessed by echocardiography and fibrosis by Masson's trichrome staining. Transcriptome and gene set enrichment analysis revealed a modulation of the inflammatory response upon administration of the Wnt secretion inhibitor LGK-974 following I/R. In addition, LGK-974-treated animals showed an attenuated inflammatory response and improved heart function. In an in vitro model of hypoxic cardiomyocyte and monocyte/macrophage interaction, LGK974 inhibited the activation of Wnt signaling in monocytes/macrophages and reduced their pro-inflammatory phenotype. We here show that Wnt signaling affects inflammatory processes after MI. The Wnt secretion inhibitor LGK-974 appears to be a promising compound for future immunomodulatory approaches to improve cardiac remodeling after MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingmar Sören Meyer
- Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg-Mannheim, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xue Li
- Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg-Mannheim, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carina Meyer
- Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Susann Pohl
- Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Boutros
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hugo Albert Katus
- Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg-Mannheim, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Frey
- Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg-Mannheim, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Leuschner
- Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg-Mannheim, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Wang H, Segersvärd H, Siren J, Perttunen S, Immonen K, Kosonen R, Chen YC, Tolva J, Laivuori M, Mäyränpää MI, Kovanen PT, Sinisalo J, Laine M, Tikkanen I, Lakkisto P. Tankyrase Inhibition Attenuates Cardiac Dilatation and Dysfunction in Ischemic Heart Failure. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710059. [PMID: 36077457 PMCID: PMC9456217 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperactive poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP) promote ischemic heart failure (IHF) after myocardial infarction (MI). However, the role of tankyrases (TNKSs), members of the PARP family, in pathogenesis of IHF remains unknown. We investigated the expression and activation of TNKSs in myocardium of IHF patients and MI rats. We explored the cardioprotective effect of TNKS inhibition in an isoproterenol-induced zebrafish HF model. In IHF patients, we observed elevated TNKS2 and DICER and concomitant upregulation of miR-34a-5p and miR-21-5p in non-infarcted myocardium. In a rat MI model, we found augmented TNKS2 and DICER in the border and infarct areas at the early stage of post-MI. We also observed consistently increased TNKS1 in the border and infarct areas and destabilized AXIN in the infarct area from 4 weeks onward, which in turn triggered Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In an isoproterenol-induced HF zebrafish model, inhibition of TNKS activity with XAV939, a TNKSs-specific inhibitor, protected against ventricular dilatation and cardiac dysfunction and abrogated overactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and dysregulation of miR-34a-5p induced by isoproterenol. Our study unravels a potential role of TNKSs in the pathogenesis of IHF by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and possibly modulating miRNAs and highlights the pharmacotherapeutic potential of TNKS inhibition for prevention of IHF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wang
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-504487011
| | - Heli Segersvärd
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juuso Siren
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sanni Perttunen
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katariina Immonen
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riikka Kosonen
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Yu-Chia Chen
- Zebrafish Unit, HiLIFE and Department of Anatomy, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Tolva
- Transplantation Laboratory, Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mirjami Laivuori
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko I. Mäyränpää
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petri T. Kovanen
- Atherosclerosis Research Laboratory, Wihuri Research Institute, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juha Sinisalo
- Heart and Lung Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika Laine
- Heart and Lung Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilkka Tikkanen
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Abdominal Center, Nephrology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Lakkisto
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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Fang M, Jin L, Mao W, Jin L, Cai Y, Ma Q, Liu X, Hua J, Zhu J, Fu H, Shou Q. Hirsutella sinensis fungus improves cardiac function in mouse model of heart failure. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:111885. [PMID: 34385104 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cordyceps sinensis, including Hirsutella sinensis, is a highly valuable traditional Chinese medicine and is used to treat patients with pulmonary heart disease in clinical practice. However, the underlying mechanisms of its effects remain unclear. In this study, a mouse model of heart failure established by non-thoracic, transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was developed to determine the underlying mechanisms of therapeutic effects of Hirsutella sinensis fungus (HSF) powder. The results showed that HSF treatment remarkably ameliorated myocardial hypertrophy, collagen fiber hyperplasia, and cardiac function in mice with heart failure. Using transcriptional and epigenetic analyses, we found that the mechanism of HSF mainly involved a variety of signaling pathways related to myocardial fibrosis and determined that HSF could reduce the levels of TGF-β1 proteins in heart tissue, as well as type I and III collagen levels. These data suggest that HSF alleviates heart failure, inhibits irreversible ventricular remodeling, and improves cardiac function through the regulation of myocardial fibrosis-related signaling pathways, which can provide novel opportunities to improve heart failure therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingsun Fang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Xinhua Hospital), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; Animal Experimental Research Center/Institute of Comparative Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Lushuai Jin
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Xinhua Hospital), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Wen Mao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Xinhua Hospital), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Lu Jin
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Xinhua Hospital), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Sexual function of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Yueqin Cai
- Animal Experimental Research Center/Institute of Comparative Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Quanxin Ma
- Animal Experimental Research Center/Institute of Comparative Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Xia Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Xinhua Hospital), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Sexual function of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Junyi Hua
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Xinhua Hospital), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Sexual function of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Jiazhen Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China.
| | - Huiying Fu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Xinhua Hospital), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Sexual function of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hangzhou 310053, PR China.
| | - Qiyang Shou
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Xinhua Hospital), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Sexual function of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hangzhou 310053, PR China.
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Wang T, Tian J, Jin Y. VCAM1 expression in the myocardium is associated with the risk of heart failure and immune cell infiltration in myocardium. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19488. [PMID: 34593936 PMCID: PMC8484263 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98998-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are the two most common etiologies of heart failure (HF). Both forms share common characteristics including ventricle dilation in the final stage. Immune mechanisms in HF are increasingly highlighted and have been implicated in the pathogeneses of IHD and DCM. A better understanding of adhesion molecule expression and correlated immune cell infiltration could enhance disease detection and improve therapeutic targets. This study was performed to explore the common mechanisms underlying IHD and DCM. After searching the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we selected the GSE42955, GSE76701, GSE5406, GSE133054 and GSE57338 datasets for different expressed gene (DEGs) selection and new cohort establishment. We use xcell to calculate immune infiltration degree, ssGSEA and GSEA to calculate the pathway and biological enrichment score, consensus cluster to identify the m6A modification pattern, and LASSO regression to make risk predicting model and use new combined cohort to validate the results. The screening stage revealed that vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) play pivotal roles in regulating DEGs. Subsequent analyses revealed that VCAM1 was differentially expressed in the myocardium and involved in regulating immune cell infiltration. We also found that dysregulated VCAM1 expression was associated with a higher risk of HF by constructing a clinical risk-predicting model. Besides, we also find a connection among the m6A RNA modification ,expression of VCAM1 and immune regulation. Those connection can be linked by the Wnt pathway enrichment alternation. Collectively, our results suggest that VCAM-1 have the potential to be used as a biomarker or therapy target for HF and the m6A modification pattern is associated with the VCAM1 expression and immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongyu Wang
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Yuanzhe Jin, No. 4 Chongshan East Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jiahu Tian
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Yuanzhe Jin, No. 4 Chongshan East Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yuanzhe Jin
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Yuanzhe Jin, No. 4 Chongshan East Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
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Cheedipudi SM, Fan S, Rouhi L, Marian AJ. Pharmacological suppression of the WNT signaling pathway attenuates age-dependent expression of the phenotype in a mouse model of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. THE JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR AGING 2021; 1. [PMID: 34447973 PMCID: PMC8386676 DOI: 10.20517/jca.2021.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetic disease of the myocardium, characterized by cardiac arrhythmias, dysfunction, and sudden cardiac death. The pathological hallmark of ACM is fibro-adipocytes replacing cardiac myocytes. The canonical WNT pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of ACM. Aim The study aimed to determine the effects of the suppression of the WNT pathway on cardiac phenotype in a mouse model of ACM. Methods and Results One copy of the Dsp gene, a known cause of ACM in humans, was deleted specifically in cardiac myocytes (Myh6-Cre-Dsp W/F). Three-month-old wild type and Myh6-Cre-Dsp W/F mice, without a discernible phenotype, were randomized to either untreated or daily administration of a vehicle (placebo), or WNT974, the latter an established inhibitor of the WNT pathway, for three months. The Myh6-Cre-Dsp W/F mice in the untreated or placebo-treated groups exhibited cardiac dilatation and dysfunction, increased myocardial fibrosis, and apoptosis upon completion of the study, which was verified by complementary methods. Daily administration of WNT974 prevented and/or attenuated evolving cardiac dilatation and dysfunction, normalized myocardial fibrosis, and reduced apoptosis, compared to the untreated or placebo-treated groups. However, administration of WNT974 increased the number of adipocytes only in the Myh6-Cre-Dsp W/F hearts. There were no differences in the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and survival rates. Conclusion Suppression of the WNT pathway imparts salutary phenotypic effects by preventing or attenuating age-dependent expression of cardiac dilatation and dysfunction, myocardial fibrosis, and apoptosis in a mouse model of ACM. The findings set the stage for large-scale studies and studies in larger animal models to test the beneficial effects of the suppression of the WNT pathway in ACM. One sentence summary Suppression of the WNT signaling pathway has beneficial effects on cardiac dysfunction, myocardial apoptosis, and fibrosis in a mouse model of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirisha M Cheedipudi
- Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Siyang Fan
- Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Leila Rouhi
- Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ali J Marian
- Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Cardiac Fibrosis and Fibroblasts. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071716. [PMID: 34359886 PMCID: PMC8306806 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is the excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), such as collagen. Myofibroblasts are major players in the production of collagen, and are differentiated primarily from resident fibroblasts. Collagen can compensate for the dead cells produced by injury. The appropriate production of collagen is beneficial for preserving the structural integrity of the heart, and protects the heart from cardiac rupture. However, excessive deposition of collagen causes cardiac dysfunction. Recent studies have demonstrated that myofibroblasts can change their phenotypes. In addition, myofibroblasts are found to have functions other than ECM production. Myofibroblasts have macrophage-like functions, in which they engulf dead cells and secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines. Research into fibroblasts has been delayed due to the lack of selective markers for the identification of fibroblasts. In recent years, it has become possible to genetically label fibroblasts and perform sequencing at single-cell levels. Based on new technologies, the origins of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, time-dependent changes in fibroblast states after injury, and fibroblast heterogeneity have been demonstrated. In this paper, recent advances in fibroblast and myofibroblast research are reviewed.
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