Characterization of cardiac effects of OPA1 protein promotion in transgenic animal model

Introduction

Mitochondria forms a dynamic network in cells, which is regulated by the balance between mitochondrial fusion and fission. The inhibition of mitochondrial fission could result in positive effects in acute ischemic/reperfusion injury models, due to prevention of mitochondrial membrane potential fall that goes along with fission processes. However, inhibition of fission in chronic models is disadvantageous because it obstructs the elimination of damaged mitochondrial fragments. OPA1 – in view of the previous results – a possible therapy target, as a fusion promoter and structure stabilizer protein.

Methods

We used transgenic mice in which OMA1 and YME1L cleavage spots of OPA1 were deleted. This resulted in higher representation of L-OPA1 compared to S-OPA1. After genotyping and model validation all animals were examined by echocardiograph and ECG on two occasions, at week 11 and 36. Histology samples were made from hearts, in case of mitochondrial morphology and structure remodelling examination. Cardiomyocytes were isolated from neonatal mice to determine the efficiency of mitochondrial respiration by SeaHorse assay method.

Results

Capillary Western immunoassay proved the presence and higher concentration of OPA1 in the TG animals. Echocardiographic examination showed a significant ejection fraction reduction in TG animals at week 36, but remodelling in histology samples could not be observed. The efficiency of mitochondrial respiration was decreased in TG animals compared to WT animals, according to the results of SeaHorse assay.

Conclusion

OPA1 protein promotion has a negative effect on systolic function during ageing. We confirmed that volume overload and ventricular remodeling did not manifested. The reason behind the loss of pump function might be at least partly the energy deficit due to the mitochondrial respiratory failure and the damage in mitochondrial quality control pathways.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The research in Hungary was funded by NKFIH within the framework of the project TKP2021-EGA-17.

Mitochondrial protective effects of PARP-inhibition in hypertension-induced myocardial remodeling and in stressed cardiomyocytes

AIMS

During oxidative stress mitochondria become the main source of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the effects of pharmacological PARP-1 inhibition on mitochondrial function and quality control processes.

MAIN METHODS

L-2286, a quinazoline-derivative PARP inhibitor, protects against cardiovascular remodeling and heart failure by favorable modulation of signaling routes. We examined the effects of PARP-1 inhibition on mitochondrial quality control processes and function in vivo and in vitro. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were treated with L-2286 or placebo. In the in vitro model, 150 μM H2O2 stress was applied on neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCM).

KEY FINDINGS

PARP-inhibition prevented the development of left ventricular hypertrophy in SHRs. The interfibrillar mitochondrial network were less fragmented, the average mitochondrial size was bigger and showed higher cristae density compared to untreated SHRs. Dynamin related protein 1 (Drp1) translocation and therefore the fission of mitochondria was inhibited by L-2286 treatment. Moreover, L-2286 treatment increased the amount of fusion proteins (Opa1, Mfn2), thus preserving structural stability. PARP-inhibition also preserved the mitochondrial genome integrity. In addition, the mitochondrial biogenesis was also enhanced due to L-2286 treatment, leading to an overall increase in the ATP production and improvement in survival of stressed cells.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our results suggest that the modulation of mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis can be a promising therapeutical target in hypertension-induced myocardial remodeling and heart failure.

Modulation of Mitochondrial Quality Control Processes by BGP-15 in Oxidative Stress Scenarios: From Cell Culture to Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a complex chronic clinical disease characterized by among others the damage of the mitochondrial network. The disruption of the mitochondrial quality control and the imbalance in fusion-fission processes lead to a lack of energy supply and, finally, to cell death. BGP-15 (O-[3-piperidino-2-hydroxy-1-propyl]-nicotinic acid amidoxime dihydrochloride) is an insulin sensitizer molecule and has a cytoprotective effect in a wide variety of experimental models. In our recent work, we aimed to clarify the mitochondrial protective effects of BGP-15 in a hypertension-induced heart failure model and "in vitro." Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) received BGP-15 or placebo for 18 weeks. BGP-15 treatment preserved the normal mitochondrial ultrastructure and enhanced the mitochondrial fusion. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were stressed by hydrogen-peroxide. BGP-15 treatment inhibited the mitochondrial fission processes, promoted mitochondrial fusion, maintained the integrity of the mitochondrial genome, and moreover enhanced the de novo biogenesis of the mitochondria. As a result of these effects, BGP-15 treatment also supports the maintenance of mitochondrial function through the preservation of the mitochondrial structure during hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress as well as in an "in vivo" heart failure model. It offers the possibility, which pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial quality control under oxidative stress could be a novel therapeutic approach in heart failure.

BGP-15 Protects against Heart Failure by Enhanced Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Decreased Fibrotic Remodelling in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome with poor clinical outcomes despite the growing number of therapeutic approaches. It is characterized by interstitial fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, activation of various intracellular signalling pathways, and damage of the mitochondrial network. Mitochondria are responsible for supplying the energy demand of cardiomyocytes; therefore, the damage of the mitochondrial network causes cellular dysfunction and finally leads to cell death. BGP-15, a hydroxylamine derivative, is an insulin-sensitizer molecule and has a wide range of cytoprotective effects in animal as well as in human studies. Our recent work was aimed at examining the effects of BGP-15 in a chronic hypertension-induced heart failure model. 15-month-old male SHRs were used in our experiment. The SHR-Baseline group represented the starting point (n = 7). Animals received BGP-15 (SHR-B, n = 7) or placebo (SHR-C, n = 7) for 18 weeks. WKY rats were used as age-matched normotensive controls (n = 7). The heart function was monitored by echocardiography. Histological preparations were made from cardiac tissue. The levels of signalling proteins were determined by Western blot. At the end of the study, systolic and diastolic cardiac function was preserved in the BGP-treated animals. BGP-15 decreased the interstitial collagen deposition via decreasing the activity of TGFβ/Smad signalling factors and prevented the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in hypertensive animals. BGP-15 enhanced the prosurvival signalling pathways (Akt/Gsk3β). The treatment increased the activity of MKP1 and decreased the activity of p38 and JNK signalling routes. The mitochondrial mass of cardiomyocytes was also increased in BGP-15-treated SHR animals due to the activation of mitochondrial biogenesis. The mitigation of remodelling processes and the preserved systolic cardiac function in hypertension-induced heart failure can be a result-at least partly-of the enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis caused by BGP-15.

P5994Role of BGP-15 treatment in hypertensive heart failure progression and mitochondrial protection

Introduction

The deterioration of mitochondrial quality control greatly contributes to the hypertension induced cardiac remodeling and progression of heart failure. Our previous in vitro results demonstrated the mitochondrial protective effect of antioxidant BGP-15 compound in the presence of cellular stress.

Purpose

In our recent study we investigated the effect of BGP-15 on cardiac remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with manifested heart failure and on mitochondrial dynamics and function in cell culture model.

Methods

15-month-old male SHR received 25 mg/kg/day BGP-15 (SHR-B) or placebo (SHR-C) for 18 weeks. Age matched Wistar rats (WKY) were used as normotensive control. The heart function was monitored by echocardiography. Histological preparations were made from cardiac tissue. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were used as in vitro model. 150 μM H2O2 stress and 50 μM BGP-15 treatment was applied. Mitochondrial network was stained with MitoTracker Red. Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected using JC-1 dye, while mitochondrial function was monitored by the Agilent Seahorse XFp, Cell Mito Stress Test. In both model the cellular levels of mitochondrial dynamics proteins were measured in Western blot. To study the ultrastructure we used electron microscopy in our in vivo and in vitro model.

Results

Left ventricular (LV) mass and LV wall thickness were increased significantly in SHR-C group compared to the initial values (p<0.05). These parameters were decreased considerably in the SHR-B group. Ejection fraction (EF%) decreased in both SHR group although this downturn was minimal because of the treatment. Chronic high blood pressure caused higher collagen deposition in SHR-C rats that was significantly diminished in the SHR-B group. Regarding the mitochondrial function decrease in the levels of fusion proteins OPA1 and MFN2 was observed in the SHR-C group. These differences were significantly reduced by BGP-15 treatment (p<0.05). Mitigation of the level of fission protein DRP1 was however reduced by BGP-15 (p<0.05). In our cellular model, we observed that the H2O2-induced mitochondrial fragmentation was decreased by BGP-15 treatment (p<0.05). BGP-15 treatment prevented mitochondrial membrane potential fall in H2O2 stress (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in basal respiration among groups by monitoring the mitochondrial function. The maximal respiration capacity and ATP production were significantly higher in the BGP-15 treated group in comparison to the stressed group (p<0.05).

Conclusion

BGP-15 treatment has beneficial effects on mitochondrial dynamics and structure by promoting fusion processes. It also supports the maintenance of mitochondrial function through the preservation of the mitochondrial structure. The mitigation of remodeling processes and the preserved EF in the treated group are results at least partly of the comprehensible effects of BGP-15 on mitochondrial structure and function.

Acknowledgement/Funding

GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00049; GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00048; GINOP-2.3.3-15-2016-00025