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Sun A, Ye H, Xu Z, Chen J, Xiao W, Zhang T, Sha X, Bi S, Zhou T, Yang H. Serelaxin Alleviates Fibrosis in Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy via the Notch Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098356. [PMID: 37176063 PMCID: PMC10179109 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098356] [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] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is the late stage of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), resulting in serious complications. Effective therapeutic drugs are still lacking. We aimed to explore the mechanism of TAO fibrosis and to find a targeted drug. High-throughput RNA sequencing was performed on orbital connective tissues from twelve patients with TAO and six healthy controls. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database and we identified the hub gene by Cytoscape software. Additionally, the RNA sequencing results were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Bioinformatic prediction identified the functions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Further orbital connective tissue and serum samples of the TAO and control groups were collected for subsequent experiments. Histologic staining, Western blotting (WB), qRT-PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), gene overexpression through lentiviral infection or silencing gene by short interfering RNA (siRNA) were performed. We found that the relaxin signaling pathway is an important regulatory pathway in TAO fibrosis pathogenesis. Serelaxin exerts antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects in TAO. Furthermore, the downstream Notch pathway was activated by serelaxin and was essential to the antifibrotic effect of serelaxin in TAO. The antifibrotic effect of serelaxin is dependent on RXFP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Huijing Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Zhihui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Jingqiao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Wei Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Te Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xiaotong Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Shaowei Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Tianyi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Huasheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
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Pacini L, D'Ercole A, Papini AM, Bani D, Nistri S, Rovero P. Porcine Relaxin but Not Serelaxin Shows Residual Bioactivity after In Vitro Simulated Intestinal Digestion-Clues for the Development of New Relaxin Peptide Agonists Suitable for Oral Delivery. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24. [PMID: 36613489 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite human recombinant H2 relaxin or serelaxin holding promise as a cardiovascular drug, its actual efficacy in chronic treatment of heart failure patients was hampered by the need to be administered by multiple daily IV injections for a long time, with obvious drawbacks in terms of patients' compliance. This in vitro study aimed at exploring the molecular background for a possible administration of the peptide hormone relaxin by the oral route. Serelaxin and purified porcine relaxin (pRLX) were subjected to simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) enzymatic digestion in vitro to mimic the behavior of gastroprotective formulations. The digestion time course was studied by HPLC, and the relative bio-potency of the intact molecules and their proteolytic fragments was assessed by second messenger (cAMP) response in RXFP1 relaxin receptor-bearing THP-1 human monocytic cells. Both intact proteins (100 ng/mL) induced a significant cAMP rise in THP-1 cells. Conversely, SIF-treated serelaxin showed a brisk (30 s) bioactivity decay, dropping down to the levels of the unstimulated controls at 120 s, whereas SIF-treated pRLX retained significant bioactivity for up to 120 s. After that, it progressively declined to the levels of the unstimulated controls. HPLC analysis indicates that this bioactivity could be ascribed to a minor component of the pRLX sample more resistant to proteolysis. When identified and better characterized, this peptide could be exploited for the development of synthetic relaxin agonists suitable for oral formulations.
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Cialdai F, Bacci S, Zizi V, Norfini A, Balsamo M, Ciccone V, Morbidelli L, Calosi L, Risaliti C, Vanhelden L, Pantalone D, Bani D, Monici M. Optimization of an Ex-Vivo Human Skin/Vein Model for Long-Term Wound Healing Studies: Ground Preparatory Activities for the 'Suture in Space' Experiment Onboard the International Space Station. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214123. [PMID: 36430601 PMCID: PMC9693847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214123] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study is preliminary to an experiment to be performed onboard the International Space Station (ISS) and on Earth to investigate how low gravity influences the healing of sutured human skin and vein wounds. Its objective was to ascertain whether these tissue explants could be maintained to be viable ex vivo for long periods of time, mimicking the experimental conditions onboard the ISS. We developed an automated tissue culture chamber, reproducing and monitoring the physiological tensile forces over time, and a culture medium enriched with serelaxin (60 ng/mL) and (Zn(PipNONO)Cl) (28 ng/mL), known to extend viability of explanted organs for transplantation. The results show that the human skin and vein specimens remained viable for more than 4 weeks, with no substantial signs of damage in their tissues and cells. As a further clue about cell viability, some typical events associated with wound repair were observed in the tissue areas close to the wound, namely remodeling of collagen fibers in the papillary dermis and of elastic fibers in the vein wall, proliferation of keratinocyte stem cells, and expression of the endothelial functional markers eNOS and FGF-2. These findings validate the suitability of this new ex vivo organ culture system for wound healing studies, not only for the scheduled space experiment but also for applications on Earth, such as drug discovery purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cialdai
- ASA Research Division, ASA Campus Joint Laboratory, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Bacci
- Imaging Platform, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine & Joint Laboratory with Department Biology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Virginia Zizi
- Imaging Platform, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine & Joint Laboratory with Department Biology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | | | | | - Valerio Ciccone
- Department Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Morbidelli
- Department Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Calosi
- Imaging Platform, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine & Joint Laboratory with Department Biology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Risaliti
- ASA Research Division, ASA Campus Joint Laboratory, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Lore Vanhelden
- Imaging Platform, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine & Joint Laboratory with Department Biology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
- M&T Faculty, Applied Engineering and Technology, Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences, Salesianenlaan 90, 2660 Hoboken, The Netherlands
| | - Desirée Pantalone
- Section of Surgery, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Daniele Bani
- Imaging Platform, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine & Joint Laboratory with Department Biology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Monica Monici
- ASA Research Division, ASA Campus Joint Laboratory, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.B.); (M.M.)
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Emara AN, Mansour NO, Elnaem MH, Wadie M, Dehele IS, Shams MEE. Efficacy of Nondiuretic Pharmacotherapy for Improving the Treatment of Congestion in Patients with Acute Heart Failure: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11113112. [PMID: 35683505 PMCID: PMC9181246 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11113112] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Diuretic therapy is the mainstay during episodes of acute heart failure (AHF). Diuretic resistance is often encountered and poses a substantial challenge for clinicians. There is a lack of evidence on the optimal strategies to tackle this problem. This review aimed to compare the outcomes associated with congestion management based on a strategy of pharmacological nondiuretic-based regimens. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases were systematically searched for all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adjuvant pharmacological treatments used during hospitalisation episodes of AHF patients. Congestion relief constitutes the main target in AHF; hence, only studies with efficacy indicators related to decongestion enhancement were included. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included RCTs. Twenty-three studies were included; dyspnea relief constituted the critical efficacy endpoint in most included studies. However, substantial variations in dyspnea measurement were found. Tolvaptan and serelaxin were found to be promising options that might improve decongestion in AHF patients. However, further high-quality RCTs using a standardised approach to diuretic management, including dosing and monitoring strategies, are crucial to provide new insights and recommendations for managing heart failure in acute settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelrahman N. Emara
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; (A.N.E.); (N.O.M.); (M.E.E.S.)
| | - Noha O. Mansour
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; (A.N.E.); (N.O.M.); (M.E.E.S.)
| | - Mohamed Hassan Elnaem
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan 25200, Pahang, Malaysia
- Quality Use of Medicines Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan 25200, Pahang, Malaysia
- Correspondence:
| | - Moheb Wadie
- Cardiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt;
| | | | - Mohamed E. E. Shams
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; (A.N.E.); (N.O.M.); (M.E.E.S.)
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5
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Du XJ. Cardioprotection Achieved Through Overexpression of Relaxin Receptors. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2022; 7:64-66. [PMID: 35128210 PMCID: PMC8807855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jun Du
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Physiology and Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, Xian Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xian, China
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Loungani RS, Teerlink JR, Metra M, Allen LA, Butler J, Carson PE, Chen CW, Cotter G, Davison BA, Eapen ZJ, Filippatos GS, Gimpelewicz C, Greenberg B, Holbro T, Januzzi JL, Lanfear DE, Pang PS, Piña IL, Ponikowski P, Miller AB, Voors AA, Felker GM. Cause of Death in Patients With Acute Heart Failure: Insights From RELAX-AHF-2. JACC Heart Fail 2020; 8:999-1008. [PMID: 33189635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2020.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study sought to better understand the discrepant results of 2 trials of serelaxin on acute heart failure (AHF) and short-term mortality after AHF by analyzing causes of death of patients in the RELAX-AHF-2 (Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Serelaxin When Added to Standard Therapy in AHF-2) trial. BACKGROUND Patients with AHF continue to suffer significant short-term mortality, but limited systematic analyses of causes of death in this patient population are available. METHODS Adjudicated cause of death of patients in RELAX-AHF-2, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of serelaxin in patients with AHF across the spectrum of ejection fraction (EF), was analyzed. RESULTS By 180 days of follow-up, 11.5% of patients in RELAX-AHF-2 died, primarily due to heart failure (HF) (38% of all deaths). Unlike RELAX-AHF, there was no apparent effect of treatment with serelaxin on any category of cause of death. Older patients (≥75 years) had higher rates of mortality (14.2% vs. 8.8%) and noncardiovascular (CV) death (27% vs. 19%) compared to younger patients. Patients with preserved EF (≥50%) had lower rates of HF-related mortality (30% vs. 40%) but higher non-CV mortality (36% vs. 20%) compared to patients with reduced EF. CONCLUSIONS Despite previous data suggesting benefit of serelaxin in AHF, treatment with serelaxin was not found to improve overall mortality or have an effect on any category of cause of death in RELAX-AHF-2. Careful adjudication of events in the serelaxin trials showed that older patients and those with preserved EF had fewer deaths from HF or sudden death and more deaths from other CV causes and from noncardiac causes. (Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Serelaxin When Added to Standard Therapy in AHF [RELAX-AHF-2]; NCT01870778).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul S Loungani
- Division of Cardiology and Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - John R Teerlink
- Section of Cardiology, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Marco Metra
- Cardiology, ASST Civil Hospitals, and Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Larry A Allen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Javed Butler
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Peter E Carson
- Department of Cardiology, Washington VA Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Chien-Wei Chen
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey, USA
| | - Gad Cotter
- Momentum Research, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Gerasimos S Filippatos
- School of Medicine, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, Greece; Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Barry Greenberg
- University of California San Diego Health, Cardiovascular Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - James L Januzzi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Cardiometabolic Trials, Baim Institute for Clinical Research, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David E Lanfear
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Peter S Pang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Ileana L Piña
- Division of Cardiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Piotr Ponikowski
- Department of Cardiology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Alan B Miller
- Department of Cardiology, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Adriaan A Voors
- University of Groningen, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - G Michael Felker
- Division of Cardiology and Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
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Nistri S, Fiorillo C, Becatti M, Bani D. Human Relaxin-2 (Serelaxin) Attenuates Oxidative Stress in Cardiac Muscle Cells Exposed In Vitro to Hypoxia-Reoxygenation. Evidence for the Involvement of Reduced Glutathione Up-Regulation. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9090774. [PMID: 32825567 PMCID: PMC7555919 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9090774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Serelaxin (RLX) designates the pharmaceutical form of the human natural hormone relaxin-2 that has been shown to markedly reduce tissue and cell damage induced by hypoxia and reoxygenation (HR). The evidence that RLX exerts similar protective effects on different organs and cells at relatively low, nanomolar concentrations suggests that it specifically targets a common pathogenic mechanism of HR-induced damage, namely oxidative stress. In this study we offer experimental evidence that RLX (17 nmol L-1), added to the medium of HR-exposed H9c2 rat cardiac muscle cells, significantly reduces cell oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. These effects appear to rely on the up-regulation of the cellular availability of reduced glutathione (GSH), a ubiquitous endogenous antioxidant metabolite. Conversely, superoxide dismutase activity was not influenced by RLX, which, however, was not endowed with chemical antioxidant properties. Taken together, these findings verify the major pharmacological role of RLX in the protection against HR-induced oxidative stress, and shed first light on its mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Nistri
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, University of Florence, viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Claudia Fiorillo
- Department of, Experimental & Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, Section of Biochemical Sciences, University of Florence, viale G.B. Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Matteo Becatti
- Department of, Experimental & Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, Section of Biochemical Sciences, University of Florence, viale G.B. Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy;
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (D.B.); Tel.: +39-055-2751-261 (M.B.); +39-055-2758-153 (D.B.)
| | - Daniele Bani
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, University of Florence, viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy;
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (D.B.); Tel.: +39-055-2751-261 (M.B.); +39-055-2758-153 (D.B.)
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Lapinskas T, Kelle S, Grune J, Foryst-Ludwig A, Meyborg H, Jeuthe S, Wellnhofer E, Elsanhoury A, Pieske B, Gebker R, Kintscher U, Stawowy P. Serelaxin Improves Regional Myocardial Function in Experimental Heart Failure: An In Vivo Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Study. J Am Heart Assoc 2020; 9:e013702. [PMID: 32000566 PMCID: PMC7033894 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.119.013702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Animal studies demonstrated that serelaxin lessens fibrosis in heart failure. This study assessed its effect on myocardial deformation using cardiac magnetic resonance and elucidated its relationship to gene regulation and histology in a mouse heart failure model. Methods and Results C57BL/6J mice were subjected to SHAM (n=4) or transverse aortic constriction (TAC). At week 10, TAC mice were randomized to receive either serelaxin (0.5 mg/kg per day; n=11) or vehicle (n=13) for 4 weeks. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed at baseline and repeated at the end of the study (week 14). Cine images were used to calculate left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain. Hearts were examined for histology and gene expression. Compared with SHAM, mice 10 weeks after TAC showed increased LV mass with significant decreases in LV deformation parameters, indicating subclinical deterioration of myocardial function. At week 14, TAC mice given serelaxin demonstrated significant improvements in all LV strain parameters and no decrease in LV stroke volume and ejection fraction compared with TAC mice given vehicle. A significant positive correlation between global circumferential strain and the extent of myocardial fibrosis was found, and global circumferential strain correlated significantly with the expression of heart failure genes in serelaxin‐treated mice. Conclusions Serelaxin improved cardiac magnetic resonance–derived myocardial deformation parameters as well as histomorphometric and gene expression findings in mice with heart failure. Cardiac magnetic resonance–derived myocardial mechanics correlate with histology and gene expression, stressing its utilization in myocardial remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Lapinskas
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin Berlin Germany.,Department of Cardiology Medical Academy Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Lithuania
| | - Sebastian Kelle
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin Berlin Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin Berlin Germany.,Department of Cardiology Virchow Clinic Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Jana Grune
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin Berlin Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin Berlin Germany.,Center for Cardiovascular Research and Institute of Pharmacology Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Anna Foryst-Ludwig
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin Berlin Germany.,Center for Cardiovascular Research and Institute of Pharmacology Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Heike Meyborg
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Sarah Jeuthe
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin Berlin Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Ernst Wellnhofer
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Ahmed Elsanhoury
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin Berlin Germany.,Department of Cardiology Virchow Clinic Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Burkert Pieske
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin Berlin Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin Berlin Germany.,Department of Cardiology Virchow Clinic Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Rolf Gebker
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin Berlin Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Ulrich Kintscher
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin Berlin Germany.,Center for Cardiovascular Research and Institute of Pharmacology Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Philipp Stawowy
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin Berlin Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin Berlin Germany
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9
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Jakubauskiene L, Jakubauskas M, Leber B, Strupas K, Stiegler P, Schemmer P. Relaxin Positively Influences Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Solid Organ Transplantation: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E631. [PMID: 31963613 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, solid organ transplantation (SOT) has increased the survival and quality of life for patients with end-stage organ failure by providing a potentially long-term treatment option. Although the availability of organs for transplantation has increased throughout the years, the demand greatly outweighs the supply. One possible solution for this problem is to extend the potential donor pool by using extended criteria donors. However, organs from such donors are more prone to ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) resulting in higher rates of delayed graft function, acute and chronic graft rejection and worse overall SOT outcomes. This can be overcome by further investigating donor preconditioning strategies, graft perfusion and storage and by finding novel therapeutic agents that could reduce IRI. relaxin (RLX) is a peptide hormone with antifibrotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties. The main research until now focused on heart failure; however, several preclinical studies showed its potentials for reducing IRI in SOT. The aim of this comprehensive review is to overview currently available literature on the possible role of RLX in reducing IRI and its positive impact on SOT.
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10
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Lian X, Beer-Hammer S, König GM, Kostenis E, Nürnberg B, Gollasch M. RXFP1 Receptor Activation by Relaxin-2 Induces Vascular Relaxation in Mice via a Gα i2-Protein/PI3Kß/γ/Nitric Oxide-Coupled Pathway. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1234. [PMID: 30233409 PMCID: PMC6131674 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Relaxins are small peptide hormones, which are novel candidate molecules that play important roles in cardiometablic syndrome. Relaxins are structurally related to the insulin hormone superfamily, which provide vasodilatory effects by activation of G-protein-coupled relaxin receptors (RXFPs) and stimulation of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) generation. Recently, relaxin could be demonstrated to activate Gi proteins and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways in cultured endothelial cells in vitro. However, the contribution of the Gi-PI3K pathway and their individual components in relaxin-dependent relaxation of intact arteries remains elusive. Methods: We used Gαi2- (Gnai2-/-) and Gαi3-deficient (Gnai3-/-) mice, pharmacological tools and wire myography to study G-protein-coupled signaling pathways involved in relaxation of mouse isolated mesenteric arteries by relaxins. Human relaxin-1, relaxin-2, and relaxin-3 were tested. Results: Relaxin-2 (∼50% relaxation at 10-11 M) was the most potent vasodilatory relaxin in mouse mesenteric arteries, compared to relaxin-1 and relaxin-3. The vasodilatory effects of relaxin-2 were inhibited by removal of the endothelium or treatment of the vessels with N (G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor) or simazine (RXFP1 inhibitor). The vasodilatory effects of relaxin-2 were absent in arteries of mice treated with pertussis toxin (PTX). They were also absent in arteries isolated from Gnai2-/- mice, but not from Gnai3-/- mice. The effects were not affected by FR900359 (Gαq protein inhibitor) or PI-103 (PI3Kα inhibitor), but inhibited by TGX-221 (PI3Kβ inhibitor) or AS-252424 (PI3Kγ inhibitor). Simazine did not influence the anti-contractile effect of perivascular adipose tissue. Conclusion: Our data indicate that relaxin-2 produces endothelium- and NO-dependent relaxation of mouse mesenteric arteries by activation of RXFP1 coupled to Gi2-PI3K-eNOS pathway. Targeting vasodilatory Gi-protein-coupled RXFP1 pathways may provide promising opportunities for drug discovery in endothelial dysfunction and cardiometabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Lian
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Charité - University Medicine Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Beer-Hammer
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapy, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Eberhard Karls University Hospitals and Clinics, and Interfaculty Center of Pharmacogenomics and Drug Research (ICePhA), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gabriele M König
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Evi Kostenis
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Bernd Nürnberg
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapy, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Eberhard Karls University Hospitals and Clinics, and Interfaculty Center of Pharmacogenomics and Drug Research (ICePhA), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maik Gollasch
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Charité - University Medicine Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Medical Clinic for Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Charité Campus Virchow Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
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Soubret A, Pang Y, Yu J, Dahlke M. Population pharmacokinetics of serelaxin in patients with acute or chronic heart failure, hepatic or renal impairment, or portal hypertension and in healthy subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2018; 84:2572-2585. [PMID: 30014598 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Serelaxin is a recombinant human relaxin-2 peptide being developed for the treatment of acute heart failure (AHF). The present analyses aimed to evaluate serelaxin pharmacokinetics following intravenous administration and to identify covariates that may explain pharmacokinetic variability in healthy subjects and patients. METHODS Serum concentration-time data for 613 subjects from nine phase I and II studies were analysed using a nonlinear mixed-effects model to estimate population pharmacokinetics and identify significant covariates. A quantile regression analysis was also conducted to assess the relationship between clearance and covariates by including sparse data from a phase III study. RESULTS A three-compartment disposition model was established to describe serelaxin pharmacokinetics. Three out of 23 covariates, including baseline body mass index (BMI) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and study A1201, were identified as significant covariates for clearance but with a moderate impact on steady-state concentration, reducing the intersubject variability from 44% in the base model to 41% in the final model with covariates. The steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) was higher in patients with AHF (544 ml kg-1 ) or chronic heart failure (434 ml kg-1 ), compared with typical nonheart failure subjects (347 ml kg-1 ). Quantile regression analysis showed that a 20% increase in BMI or a 20% decrease in eGFR decreased serelaxin clearance by 9.2% or 5.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Patients with HF showed higher Vss but similar clearance (and therefore steady-state exposure) vs. non nonheart failure subjects. BMI and eGFR were identified as the main covariates explaining intersubject variability in clearance; however, the impact of these covariates on steady-state concentration was moderate and therefore unlikely to be clinically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Soubret
- Disease Modeling - Clinical Pharmacology, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yinuo Pang
- AbbVie Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, AbbVie Inc., Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jing Yu
- Pharmacometrics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Marion Dahlke
- Translational Medicine, Novartis Pharma A.G., Basel, Switzerland
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Schiffner R, Nistor M, Bischoff SJ, Matziolis G, Schmidt M, Lehmann T. Effects of human relaxin-2 ( serelaxin) on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction during acute hypoxia in a sheep model. Hypoxia (Auckl) 2018; 6:11-22. [PMID: 29862306 PMCID: PMC5968803 DOI: 10.2147/hp.s165092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Hypoxia induces pulmonary vasoconstriction with a subsequent increase of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), which can result in pulmonary hypertension. Serelaxin has shown an increase of pulmonary hemodynamic parameters after serelaxin injection. We therefore investigated the response of pulmonary hemodynamic parameters after serelaxin administration in a clinically relevant model. Methods Six controls and six sheep that received 30 μg/kg serelaxin underwent right heart catheterization during a 12-minute hypoxia period (inhalation of 5% oxygen and 95% nitrogen) and subsequent reoxygenation. Systolic, diastolic, and mean values of both PAP (respectively, PAPs, PAPd, and PAPm) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (respectively, PCWPs, PCWPd, and PCWPm), blood gases, heart rate (HR), and both peripheral and pulmonary arterial oxygen saturation were obtained. Cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), pulmonary arterial compliance (PAcompl), and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were calculated. Results The key findings of the current study are that serelaxin prevents the rise of PAPs (p≤0.001), PAPm, PCWPm, PCWPs (p≤0.03), and PAPd (p≤0.05) during hypoxia, while it simultaneously increases CO and SV (p≤0.001). Similar courses of decreases of PAPm, PAPd, PAPs, CO, SVR (p≤0.001), and PCWPd (p≤0.03) as compared to hypoxic values were observed during reoxygenation. In direct comparison, the experimental groups differed during hypoxia in regard to HR, PAPm, PVR, and SVR (p≤0.03), and during reoxygenation in regard to HR (p≤0.001), PAPm, PAPs, PAPd, PVR, SVR (p≤0.03), and PCWPd (p≤0.05). Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that serelaxin treatment improves pulmonary hemodynamic parameters during acute hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Thomas Lehmann
- Institute of Medical Statistics, Computer Sciences and Documentation Science, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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13
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Serelaxin, recombinant human relaxin-2, is a hormone with vasodilatory and end-organ protective effects. Recently, it has been licensed to treat acute decompensated heart failure. Here, a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to assess the effect of serelaxin on mortality and dyspnea improvement in patients with heart failure. METHODS RCTs comparing serelaxin treatment to other heart failure treatments were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The main endpoints were mortality and dyspnea improvement. Pooled data were assessed by using a random effects model. RESULTS A total of 451 studies were identified, of which 8 studies (8477 participants) were eligible and included in our analysis. Compared with other heart failure treatment group, serelaxin group had no effect on 30-day, 60-day, and 180-day mortality (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65-0.96). Compared with control group, there was no effect on dyspnea improvement. CONCLUSION Serelaxin treatment is irrelevant with the mortality, and it cannot improve dyspnea of heart failure patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Yu
- Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Lijuan Cao
- Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Jing Sun
- Second Department of Cardiovascular, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province
| | - Zhongyi Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Fengzhen Yao
- Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Yabin Zhou
- Second Department of Cardiovascular, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province
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14
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Schiffner R, Lehmann T, Bischoff SJ, Zippelius T, Nistor M, Schmidt M. Pulmonary hemodynamic effects and pulmonary arterial compliance during hypovolemic shock and reinfusion with human relaxin-2 ( serelaxin) treatment in a sheep model. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2018; 70:311-325. [PMID: 29710689 DOI: 10.3233/ch-180382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies on the recombinant form of human relaxin-2 (serelaxin) have shown a decrease of pulmonary hemodynamics after serelaxin injection. Currently, the effect of serelaxin treatment during hypovolemia in a large animal model remains mostly unknown. METHODS 12 sheep were randomly assigned to a sham or serelaxin (30μg/kg serelaxin) group and underwent right heart catheterization. 50% of the estimated total blood volume were removed to induce hypovolemia, and subsequently retransfused 20 min later (reinfusion). Blood gases, heart rate, peripheral and pulmonary arterial oxygen saturation, systolic, diastolic and mean values of both pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCW) were measured. Cardiac output (CO), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), pulmonary arterial compliance (PAcompl) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were calculated. RESULTS Hypovolemia and shock led to a similar decrease of PAP and PCW in both groups (p≤0.001). CO, SV and PAcompl decreased only in the control group (p≤0.05) and remained higher in the serelaxin-treated group. The results of this study suggest that serelaxin treatment did not negatively influence hemodynamic parameters during hypovolemic shock. CONCLUSION The main conclusion of this study is that cardiopulmonary adaption mechanisms are not critically altered by serelaxin administration during severe hypovolemia and retransfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Schiffner
- Department of Orthopaedics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Lehmann
- Institute of Medical Statistics, Computer Sciences and Documentation Science, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Sabine J Bischoff
- Central Animal Facility, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Timo Zippelius
- Department of Orthopaedics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Marius Nistor
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Schmidt
- Institute for Biochemistry II, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Heart failure (HF) is characterized by maladaptive neurohormonal activation of the cardiovascular and renal systems resulting in circulatory inadequacy and frequent acute exacerbations. The increasing burden of HF prompted investigation of underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and the design of pharmacotherapeutics that would target these pathways. AREAS COVERED A MEDLINE search for relevant original investigations and review articles of newer hormonal drugs for HF since the year 2005 till October 2017 provided us with necessary literature. Major trials and relevant clinical investigations were discussed. EXPERT COMMENTARY A multitude of hormonal pathways central to HF were identified, including the natriuretic peptide system and neurohormones such as relaxin, arginine vasopressin, and endothelin. However, drugs targeting these novel pathways (aliskiren, tolvaptan, ularitide, serelaxin, bosentan, macitentan) failed to show mortality benefit. This emphasizes a tremendous unmet need in the pharmacotherapy for HF, especially for the subtypes of acute HF and HF with preserved ejection fraction. Sacubitril/valsartan demonstrated substantial mortality benefit in chronic systolic HF population and is endorsed by international HF guidelines. If proven to be efficacious in larger outcome trials, finerenone can be a valuable addition baseline HF therapy. More basic, translational, and phenotype specific clinical research is warranted to improve HF pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth Yandrapalli
- a Department of Internal Medicine , New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center , Valhalla , NY , USA
| | - George Jolly
- a Department of Internal Medicine , New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center , Valhalla , NY , USA
| | - Medha Biswas
- b Division of Cardiology , New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center , Valhalla , NY , USA
| | - Yogita Rochlani
- b Division of Cardiology , New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center , Valhalla , NY , USA
| | - Prakash Harikrishnan
- b Division of Cardiology , New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center , Valhalla , NY , USA
| | - Wilbert S Aronow
- b Division of Cardiology , New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center , Valhalla , NY , USA
| | - Gregg M Lanier
- b Division of Cardiology , New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center , Valhalla , NY , USA
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Petrie CJ, Ponikowski P, Metra M, Mitrovic V, Ruda M, Fernandez A, Vishnevsky A, Cotter G, Milo O, Laessing U, Zhang Y, Dahlke M, Zymlinski R, Voors AA. Proportional pulse pressure relates to cardiac index in stabilized acute heart failure patients. Clin Exp Hypertens 2017; 40:637-643. [PMID: 29265934 DOI: 10.1080/10641963.2017.1416121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
AIMS In chronic heart failure, proportional pulse pressure (PPP) is suggested as an estimate of cardiac index (CI). The association between CI and PPP in acute heart failure (AHF) has not been described. METHODS This was examined using hemodynamic measurements (from a trial using serelaxin) in 63 stabilized AHF patients. RESULTS Mean (SD) age was 68 (11), 74% male, mean (SD) ejection fraction (EF) was 33.4% (13.7), mean (SD) CI (L/min/m2) was 2.3 (0.6). CI correlated with PPP (Pearson R = 0.42; p < 0.0001) based on a linear mixed-effects model analysis of 171 pairs of measurements from 47 patients (out of 63) where CI and PPP were measured within 3 min of each other during. Serelaxin treatment did not modify the established correlation between CI and PPP. Time-weighted average CI correlated with time-weighted average PPP (Spearman Rank R = 0.35; p = 0.0051) over the -4 h to 24 h time interval. In a multivariable regression analysis, low PPP was an independent predictor of low CI (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS In patients with AHF after initial clinical stabilization, both baseline and post-baseline CI measurements are positively related to PPP. This was the most closely related non-invasive blood pressure variable to CI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin J Petrie
- a Department of Cardiology , Monklands Hospital , Lanarkshire , Scotland
| | - Piotr Ponikowski
- b Department of Heart Diseases , Medical University, Military Hospital , Wroclaw , Poland.,c Department of Cardiology , Military Hospital , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Marco Metra
- d Cardiology. Department of medical and surgical specialties, radiological sciences and public Health , University of Brescia and Civil Hospital , Brescia , Italy
| | | | - Mikhail Ruda
- f Russian Cardiologic Research and Production Complex of Rosmedtechnology , Moscow , Russia
| | | | - Alexander Vishnevsky
- h St Petersburg State Institution of Healthcare, Pokrovskaya City Hospital , St Petersburg , Russia
| | - Gad Cotter
- i Momentum Research, Inc ., Durham , NC , USA
| | - Olga Milo
- i Momentum Research, Inc ., Durham , NC , USA
| | | | - Yiming Zhang
- k Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation , East Hanover , NJ , USA
| | | | - Robert Zymlinski
- c Department of Cardiology , Military Hospital , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Adriaan A Voors
- l University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Selim
- a Division of Cardiovascular Medicine , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Ronald Zolty
- a Division of Cardiovascular Medicine , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Yiannis S Chatzizisis
- a Division of Cardiovascular Medicine , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
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Leo CH, Fernando DT, Tran L, Ng HH, Marshall SA, Parry LJ. Serelaxin Treatment Reduces Oxidative Stress and Increases Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-2 to Attenuate Nitrate Tolerance. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:141. [PMID: 28377719 PMCID: PMC5359255 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is a commonly prescribed treatment for acute heart failure patients. However, prolonged GTN treatment induces tolerance, largely due to increased oxidative stress and reduced aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH-2) expression. Serelaxin has several vasoprotective properties, which include reducing oxidative stress and augmenting endothelial function. We therefore tested the hypothesis in rodents that serelaxin treatment could attenuate low-dose GTN-induced tolerance. Methods and Results: Co-incubation of mouse aortic rings ex vivo with GTN (10 μM) and serelaxin (10 nM) for 1 h, restored GTN responses, suggesting that serelaxin prevented the development of GTN tolerance. Male Wistar rats were subcutaneously infused with ethanol (control), low-dose GTN+placebo or low-dose GTN+serelaxin via osmotic minipumps for 3 days. Aortic vascular function and superoxide levels were assessed using wire myography and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence assay respectively. Changes in aortic ALDH-2 expression were measured by qPCR and Western blot respectively. GTN+placebo infusion significantly increased superoxide levels, decreased ALDH-2 and attenuated GTN-mediated vascular relaxation. Serelaxin co-treatment with GTN significantly enhanced GTN-mediated vascular relaxation, reduced superoxide levels and increased ALDH-2 expression compared to GTN+placebo-treated rats. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that a combination of serelaxin treatment with low dose GTN attenuates the development of GTN-induced tolerance by reducing superoxide production and increasing ALDH-2 expression in the rat aorta. We suggest that serelaxin may improve nitrate efficacy in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Huei Leo
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
| | | | - Lillie Tran
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
| | - Hooi Hooi Ng
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah A Marshall
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
| | - Laura J Parry
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) contributes largely to the burden of heart failure and is associated with a poorer prognosis. Although numerous clinical trials evaluated the benefit of newer medications for ADHF, most of them were not successful. Areas covered: This review focusses on the updates on recent developments in chemical pharmacotherapy for the management of ADHF. A MEDLINE search for relevant review articles and original investigations on newer drugs for ADHF provided us with necessary literature. Expert opinion: Currently, popular therapies like diuretics, vasodilators, and inotropes offer symptomatic relief but do not provide survival benefit. Although multiple medications targeting novel pathways in ADHF were studied extensively, they failed to show either symptomatic or mortality benefit in available randomized trials. Improving our understanding of the complex pathophysiology of ADHF along with designing studies which include patients who are more representative of the real-world heart failure population, standardizing methods for endpoint assessment, and evaluating the role on novel biomarkers of organ dysfunction is important to improve ADHF research. Enhancing preventive strategies like improving baseline therapy in chronic heart failure patients and developing strategies for early identification of ADHF are important as our quest for innovative ADHF pharmacotherapy continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth Yandrapalli
- a Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine , Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College , Valhalla , NY , USA
| | - Sohaib Tariq
- a Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine , Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College , Valhalla , NY , USA
| | - Wilbert S Aronow
- a Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine , Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College , Valhalla , NY , USA
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Royce SG, Tominaga AM, Shen M, Patel KP, Huuskes BM, Lim R, Ricardo SD, Samuel CS. Serelaxin improves the therapeutic efficacy of RXFP1-expressing human amnion epithelial cells in experimental allergic airway disease. Clin Sci (Lond) 2016; 130:2151-65. [PMID: 27647937 DOI: 10.1042/CS20160328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Current asthma therapies primarily target airway inflammation (AI) and suppress episodes of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) but fail to treat airway remodelling (AWR), which can develop independently of AI and contribute to irreversible airway obstruction. The present study compared the anti-remodelling and therapeutic efficacy of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to that of human amnion epithelial stem cells (AECs) in the setting of chronic allergic airways disease (AAD), in the absence or presence of an anti-fibrotic (serelaxin; RLX). Female Balb/c mice subjected to the 9-week model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced chronic AAD, were either vehicle-treated (OVA alone) or treated with MSCs or AECs alone [intranasally (i.n.)-administered with 1×106 cells once weekly], RLX alone (i.n.-administered with 0.8 mg/ml daily) or a combination of MSCs or AECs and RLX from weeks 9-11 (n=6/group). Measures of AI, AWR and AHR were then assessed. OVA alone exacerbated AI, epithelial damage/thickness, sub-epithelial extracellular matrix (ECM) and total collagen deposition, markers of collagen turnover and AHR compared with that in saline-treated counterparts (all P<0.01 compared with saline-treated controls). RLX or AECs (but not MSCs) alone normalized epithelial thickness and partially diminished the OVA-induced fibrosis and AHR by ∼40-50% (all P<0.05 compared with OVA alone). Furthermore, the combination treatments normalized epithelial thickness, measures of fibrosis and AHR to that in normal mice, and significantly decreased AI. Although AECs alone demonstrated greater protection against the AAD-induced AI, AWR and AHR, compared with that of MSCs alone, combining RLX with MSCs or AECs reversed airway fibrosis and AHR to an even greater extent.
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Wetzl V, Schinner E, Kees F, Hofmann F, Faerber L, Schlossmann J. Involvement of Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate-Dependent Protein Kinase I in Renal Antifibrotic Effects of Serelaxin. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:195. [PMID: 27462268 PMCID: PMC4940422 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Kidney fibrosis has shown to be ameliorated through the involvement of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and its dependent protein kinase I (cGKI). Serelaxin, the recombinant form of human relaxin-II, increases cGMP levels and has shown beneficial effects on kidney function in acute heart failure patients. Antifibrotic properties of serelaxin are supposed to be mediated via relaxin family peptide receptor 1 and subsequently enhanced nitric oxide/cGMP to inhibit transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling. This study examines the involvement of cGKI in the antifibrotic signaling of serelaxin. Methods and Results: Kidney fibrosis was induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction in wildtype (WT) and cGKI knock-out (KO) mice. After 7 days, renal antifibrotic effects of serelaxin were assessed. Serelaxin treatment for 7 days significantly increased cGMP in the kidney of WT and cGKI-KO. In WT, renal fibrosis was reduced through decreased accumulation of collagen1A1, total collagen, and fibronectin. The profibrotic connective tissue growth factor as well as myofibroblast differentiation were reduced and matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 were positively modulated after treatment. Moreover, Smad2 as well as extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) phosphorylation were decreased, whereas phosphodiesterase (PDE) 5a phosphorylation was increased. However, these effects were not observed in cGKI-KO. Conclusion: Antifibrotic renal effects of serelaxin are mediated via cGMP/cGKI to inhibit Smad2- and ERK1-dependent TGF-β signaling and increased PDE5a phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Wetzl
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of RegensburgRegensburg, Germany; Novartis Pharma GmbHNuremberg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Schinner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
| | - Frieder Kees
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
| | - Franz Hofmann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Technical University of Munich Munich, Germany
| | - Lothar Faerber
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of RegensburgRegensburg, Germany; Novartis Pharma GmbHNuremberg, Germany
| | - Jens Schlossmann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
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22
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Leo CH, Jelinic M, Ng HH, Tare M, Parry LJ. Serelaxin: A Novel Therapeutic for Vascular Diseases. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2016; 37:498-507. [PMID: 27130518 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Vascular dysfunction is an important hallmark of cardiovascular disease. It is characterized by increased sensitivity to vasoconstrictors, decreases in the endothelium-derived vasodilators nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2), and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH). Serelaxin (recombinant human relaxin) has gained considerable attention as a new vasoactive drug, largely through its beneficial therapeutic effects in acute heart failure. In this review we first describe the contribution of endogenous relaxin to vascular homeostasis. We then provide a comprehensive overview of the novel mechanisms of serelaxin action in blood vessels that differentiate it from other vasodilator drugs and explain how this peptide could be used more widely as a therapeutic to alleviate vascular dysfunction in several cardiovascular diseases.
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Abstract
Outcomes for patients with acute heart failure remain suboptimal and treatments principally target improvement of symptoms. To date there has been no therapy approved for acute heart failure shown to improve mortality or readmission risk post-discharge. Serelaxin, a recombinant form of the naturally occurring polypeptide hormone relaxin, has demonstrated promise in preclinical and early clinical trials as a potentially novel therapy for acute heart failure. It is postulated through its anti-fibrotic and vasodilatory effects that this agent can improve outcomes in both the short and long term in these patients. Randomized clinical data has suggested that the medication is safe and well tolerated. However, definitive outcomes data is currently being assessed in a large multi-center trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyaal S Moin
- a Division of Cardiology , Stony Brook University School of Medicine , Stony Brook , NY , USA
| | - Michelle W Bloom
- a Division of Cardiology , Stony Brook University School of Medicine , Stony Brook , NY , USA
| | - Lampros Papadimitriou
- a Division of Cardiology , Stony Brook University School of Medicine , Stony Brook , NY , USA
| | - Javed Butler
- a Division of Cardiology , Stony Brook University School of Medicine , Stony Brook , NY , USA
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Abstract
Acute heart failure (AHF) represents a major healthcare burden with a high risk of in-hospital and post-discharge mortality, which remained almost unchanged in the last few decades, underscoring the need of new treatments. Relaxin is a naturally occurring human peptide initially identified as a reproductive hormone and has been shown to play a key role in the maternal hemodynamic and renal adjustments that accommodate pregnancy. Recently, the new molecule serelaxin, a recombinant form of the naturally occurring hormone relaxin has been studied in patients hospitalized for AHF. In addition to vasodilation, serelaxin has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and connective tissue regulating properties. In preclinical studies, it reduced both systemic and renal vascular resistance and, in the clinical trials Pre-RELAX-AHF and RELAX-AHF, it improved dyspnea and signs of congestion. In addition, serelaxin was associated with a reduction of 180-day mortality. The aim of this review is to summarize the pharmacological properties of serelaxin and the results of the preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Isotta Castrini
- a Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Cardiology, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University and Civil Hospital of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Pang PS, Teerlink JR, Voors AA, Ponikowski P, Greenberg BH, Filippatos G, Felker GM, Davison BA, Cotter G, Kriger J, Prescott MF, Hua TA, Severin T, Metra M. Use of High-Sensitivity Troponin T to Identify Patients With Acute Heart Failure at Lower Risk for Adverse Outcomes: An Exploratory Analysis From the RELAX-AHF Trial. JACC Heart Fail 2016; 4:591-599. [PMID: 27039129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2016.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine if a baseline high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) value ≤99th percentile upper reference limit (0.014 μg/l ["low hsTnT"]) identifies patients at low risk for adverse outcomes. BACKGROUND Approximately 85% of patients who present to emergency departments with acute heart failure are admitted. Identification of patients at low risk might decrease unnecessary admissions. METHODS A post-hoc analysis was conducted from the RELAX-AHF (Serelaxin, Recombinant Human Relaxin-2, for Treatment of Acute Heart Failure) trial, which randomized patients within 16 h of presentation who had systolic blood pressure >125 mm Hg, mild to moderate renal impairment, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide ≥1,600 ng/l to serelaxin versus placebo. Linear regression models for continuous endpoints and Cox models for time-to-event endpoints were used. RESULTS Of the 1,076 patients with available baseline hsTnT values, 107 (9.9%) had low hsTnT. No cardiovascular (CV) deaths through day 180 were observed in the low-hsTnT group compared with 79 CV deaths (7.3%) in patients with higher hsTnT. By univariate analyses, low hsTnT was associated with lower risk for all 5 primary outcomes: 1) days alive and out of the hospital by day 60; 2) CV death or rehospitalization for heart failure or renal failure by day 60; 3) length of stay; 4) worsening heart failure through day 5; and 5) CV death through day 180. After multivariate adjustment, only 180-day CV mortality remained significant (hazard ratio: 0.0; 95% confidence interval: 0.0 to 0.736; p = 0.0234; C-index = 0.838 [95% confidence interval: 0.798 to 0.878]). CONCLUSIONS No CV deaths through day 180 were observed in patients with hsTnT levels ≤0.014 μg/l despite high N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels. Low baseline hsTnT may identify patients with acute heart failure at very low risk for CV mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S Pang
- Indiana University School of Medicine and Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana.
| | - John R Teerlink
- University of California, San Francisco, and San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California
| | | | | | | | | | - G Michael Felker
- Duke University School of Medicine and the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Gad Cotter
- Momentum Research, Durham, North Carolina
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Dahlke M, Halabi A, Canadi J, Tsubouchi C, Machineni S, Pang Y. Pharmacokinetics of serelaxin in patients with severe renal impairment or end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis: A single-dose, open-label, parallel-group study. J Clin Pharmacol 2015; 56:474-83. [PMID: 26239266 PMCID: PMC5063144 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Serelaxin, a recombinant human relaxin-2 hormone, is in clinical development for treating acute heart failure. This open-label, parallel-group study investigated serelaxin pharmacokinetics (PK) after a single 4-hour intravenous infusion (10 µg/kg) in patients with severe renal impairment (n = 6) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis (PK on the day of dialysis [n = 6] or during dialysis-free interval [n = 6]), compared with matched healthy subjects (n = 18). In all participants, serum serelaxin concentration peaked at the end of infusion and subsequently declined with mean terminal elimination half-life of 6.5-8.8 hours. Compared with healthy subjects, a moderate decrease in serelaxin systemic clearance (37%-52%) and increase in its exposure (30%-115%) were observed in all patients. During the 4-hour hemodialysis in ESRD patients, 30% serelaxin was removed, with hemodialysis clearance constituting approximately 52% of total systemic clearance. Serelaxin was well tolerated with no deaths, serious adverse events (AE), or AE-related discontinuations. Antiserelaxin antibodies were not detected in any participant. Given the shallow dose-response relationship observed with serelaxin in clinical studies and its wide therapeutic window, the observed PK differences in patients with severe renal impairment compared with healthy subjects are unlikely to pose a safety risk and do not warrant a predefined dosage adjustment in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Atef Halabi
- Clinical Research Services GmbH, Kiel, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Yinuo Pang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Royce SG, Lim CXF, Patel KP, Wang B, Samuel CS, Tang MLK. Intranasally administered serelaxin abrogates airway remodelling and attenuates airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic airways disease. Clin Exp Allergy 2015; 44:1399-408. [PMID: 25113628 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2014] [Revised: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The peptide hormone relaxin plays a key role in the systemic hemodynamic and renovascular adaptive changes that occur during pregnancy, which is linked to its antiremodelling effects. Serelaxin (a recombinant form of human gene-2 relaxin) has been shown to inhibit lung fibrosis in various disease models and reverse airway remodelling and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in allergic airways disease (AAD). OBJECTIVE Although continuous systemic delivery of exogenous serelaxin alleviates allergic fibrosis and AHR, more direct routes for administration into the lung have not been investigated. Thus, intranasal administration of serelaxin was evaluated for its ability to reverse airway remodelling and AHR associated with AAD. METHODS Female Balb/c mice were subjected to a 9-week model of chronic AAD. Subgroups of animals (n = 12/group) were then treated intranasally with serelaxin (0.8 mg/mL) or vehicle once daily for 14 days (from weeks 9-11). Saline-sensitized/challenged mice treated with intranasal saline served as additional controls. Differential bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell counts, ovalbumin (OVA)-specific IgE levels, tissue inflammation, parameters of airway remodelling and AHR were then assessed. RESULTS Chronic AAD was associated with significant increases in differential BAL cell counts, OVA-specific IgE levels, inflammation, epithelial thickening, goblet cell metaplasia, TGF-β1 expression, epithelial Smad2 phosphorylation (pSmad2), subepithelial collagen thickness, total lung collagen concentration and AHR (all P < 0.05 vs. respective measurements from saline-treated mice). Daily intranasal delivery of serelaxin significantly diminished AAD-induced epithelial thickening, epithelial pSmad2, subepithelial and total lung collagen content (fibrosis) and AHR (all P < 0.05 vs. vehicle-treated AAD mice). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Intranasal delivery of serelaxin can effectively reduce airway remodelling and AHR, when administered once daily. Respirable preparations of serelaxin may have therapeutic potential for the prevention and/or reversal of established airway remodelling and AHR in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Royce
- Allergy and Immune Disorders, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia; Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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Leo CH, Jelinic M, Parkington HC, Tare M, Parry LJ. Acute intravenous injection of serelaxin (recombinant human relaxin-2) causes rapid and sustained bradykinin-mediated vasorelaxation. J Am Heart Assoc 2014; 3:e000493. [PMID: 24584737 PMCID: PMC3959707 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.113.000493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background A recent clinical trial (RELAXin in Acute Heart Failure [RELAX‐AHF]) demonstrated that 48 hours of continuous intravenous infusion of the vasorelaxant peptide serelaxin (recombinant human relaxin‐2) to patients with acute heart failure reduced cardiovascular mortality at 180 days. The persistence of a vasorelaxant response as a potential mechanism for this long‐term benefit and the vascular effects of a bolus intravenous injection of serelaxin have not been examined. This study investigates changes in resistance artery reactivity and passive mechanical wall properties following an intravenous serelaxin injection and whether these vascular effects persist in the absence of detectable circulating serelaxin. Methods and Results Male rats were injected with 13.3 μg/kg serelaxin into the tail vein; mesenteric arteries were assessed 3 and 24 hours after treatment by using wire‐myography. Serelaxin increased basal nitric oxide synthase activity and reduced maximal contraction to endothelin‐1 at 3 hours after administration. Serelaxin treatment also selectively enhanced bradykinin‐mediated endothelium‐dependent relaxation. This effect was sustained for 24 hours in the absence of circulating serelaxin. Serelaxin‐mediated augmentation of bradykinin‐evoked relaxation involved endothelium‐derived hyperpolarization after 3 hours and prostacyclin‐mediated relaxation after 24 hours. Furthermore, upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase, phosphorylation of protein kinase B at Ser473 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase at Ser1177 was observed at 24 hours after serelaxin injection. There were no effects of serelaxin on passive arterial wall stiffness. Conclusion Our data show that a bolus intravenous injection of serelaxin modulates endothelial vasodilator function 3 hours after administration, an effect that was sustained for 24 hours. The prolonged bradykinin‐mediated vasorelaxation is principally mediated through prostacyclin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Huei Leo
- Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Abstract
Vasodilators play an important role in the management of acute heart failure, particularly when increased afterload is the precipitating cause of decompensation. The time-honored approach to afterload reduction has been largely focused on use of intravenous nitrovasodilators and, when properly dosed, this class of agents does provide substantial symptom relief for patients with acute hypertensive heart failure. Despite this, nitrovasodilators have never been shown to diminish mortality or provide any post-discharge outcome benefit leading to an on-going search for viable and more effective alternatives. While no new vasodilators have been approved for use in acute heart failure since nesiritide more than a decade ago, a number of novel agents have been developed, with some showing significant promise in recent clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the latest study data as it relates to vasodilator therapy and provide a glimpse into the not too distant future state of acute heart failure care.
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