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Li X, Pu Z, Xu G, Yang Y, Cui Y, Zhou X, Wang C, Zhong Z, Zhou S, Yin J, Shan F, Yang C, Jiao L, Chen D, Huang J. Hypoxia-Induced Myocardial Hypertrophy Companies with Apoptosis Enhancement and p38-MAPK Pathway Activation. High Alt Med Biol 2024. [PMID: 38647652 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2023.0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Li, Xiaoxu, Zhijun Pu, Gang Xu, Yidong Yang, Yu Cui, Xiaoying Zhou, Chenyuan Wang, Zhifeng Zhong, Simin Zhou, Jun Yin, Fabo Shan, Chengzhong Yang, Li Jiao, Dewei Chen, and Jian Huang. Hypoxia-induced myocardial hypertrophy companies with apoptosis enhancement and p38-MAPK pathway activation. High Alt Med Biol. 00:00-00, 2024. Background: Right ventricular function and remodeling are closely associated with symptom severity and patient survival in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying hypoxia-induced myocardial hypertrophy remain unclear. Methods: In Sprague-Dawley rats, hemodynamics were assessed under both normoxia and hypobaric hypoxia at intervals of 7 (H7), 14 (H14), and 28 (H28) days. Morphological changes in myocardial tissue were examined using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, while myocardial hypertrophy was evaluated with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining. Apoptosis was determined through TUNEL assays. To further understand the mechanism of myocardial hypertrophy, RNA sequencing was conducted, with findings validated via Western blot analysis. Results: The study demonstrated increased hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and improved right ventricular diastolic and systolic function in the rat models. Significant elevations in pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), right ventricular mean pressure (RVMP), and the absolute value of +dp/dtmax were observed in the H14 and H28 groups compared with controls. In addition, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), -dp/dtmax, and the mean dp/dt during isovolumetric relaxation period were notably higher in the H28 group. Heart rate increased in the H14 group, whereas the time constant of right ventricular isovolumic relaxation (tau) was reduced in both H14 and H28 groups. Both the right heart hypertrophy index and the heart weight/body weight ratio (HW/BW) were elevated in the H14 and H28 groups. Myocardial cell cross-sectional area also increased, as shown by HE and WGA staining. Western blot results revealed upregulated HIF-1α levels and enhanced HIF-2α expression in the H7 group. In addition, phosphorylation of p38 and c-fos was augmented in the H28 group. The H28 group showed elevated levels of Cytochrome C (Cyto C), whereas the H14 and H28 groups exhibited increased levels of Cleaved Caspase-3 and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. TUNEL analysis revealed a rise in apoptosis with the extension of hypoxia duration in the right ventricle. Conclusions: The study established a link between apoptosis and p38-MAPK pathway activation in hypoxia-induced myocardial hypertrophy, suggesting their significant roles in this pathological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxu Li
- Department of High Altitude Physiology & Pathology, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhijun Pu
- Department of High Altitude Physiology & Pathology, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Yidong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Cui
- Department of High Altitude Physiology & Pathology, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoying Zhou
- Department of High Altitude Physiology & Pathology, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Chenyuan Wang
- Department of High Altitude Physiology & Pathology, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhifeng Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Simin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Yin
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Fabo Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Da-ping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chengzhong Yang
- Department of High Altitude Physiology & Pathology, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Jiao
- Department of High Altitude Physiology & Pathology, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Dewei Chen
- Department of High Altitude Physiology & Pathology, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of High Altitude Physiology & Pathology, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Chongqing, China
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Orea-Soufi A, Paik J, Bragança J, Donlon TA, Willcox BJ, Link W. FOXO transcription factors as therapeutic targets in human diseases. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:1070-1084. [PMID: 36280450 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Forkhead box (FOX)O proteins are transcription factors (TFs) with four members in mammals designated FOXO1, FOXO3, FOXO4, and FOXO6. FOXO TFs play a pivotal role in the cellular adaptation to diverse stress conditions. FOXO proteins act as context-dependent tumor suppressors and their dysregulation has been implicated in several age-related diseases. FOXO3 has been established as a major gene for human longevity. Accordingly, FOXO proteins have emerged as potential targets for the therapeutic development of drugs and geroprotectors. In this review, we provide an overview of the most recent advances in our understanding of FOXO regulation and function in various pathological conditions. We discuss strategies targeting FOXOs directly or by the modulation of upstream regulators, shedding light on the most promising intervention points. We also reveal the most relevant clinical indications and discuss the potential, trends, and challenges of modulating FOXO activity for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Orea-Soufi
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Jihye Paik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - José Bragança
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Champalimaud Research Program, Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Timothy A Donlon
- Department of Research, Kuakini Medical Center, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Bradley J Willcox
- Department of Research, Kuakini Medical Center, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA; Department of Geriatric Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Wolfgang Link
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas 'Alberto Sols' (CSIC-UAM), Arturo Duperier 4, 28029-Madrid, Spain.
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