Effect of cellular elements on pressure-velocity relationship in mice

The effect of cellular elements in the blood on peripheral vascular function in mice was evaluated using the pressure-velocity relationships in the iliac arteries of 5 wild type (WT) and 3 polycythemic (MH) mice. Pressure was obtained using a fluid filled catheter in the left iliac artery and blood velocity was measured in the right iliac artery using a 20 MHz pulsed Doppler probe. The proximal aorta was then occluded for one minute to allow flow velocity to decay to zero. The pressure-velocity relationship in the diastolic phase was determined before and after aortic occlusion. In both groups the pressure-velocity relationship was almost linear and the slopes were similar. However, the extrapolated zero-velocity intercept was significantly higher for the MH than WT mice before (55.4 +/- 4.0 vs. 36.2 +/- 4.1 mmHg, p<0.01) and after occlusion (50.7 +/- 5.5 vs. 23.8 +/- 3.1 mmHg, p<0.01). Hematocrits were 41%+/-3 in WT and 59%+/-3 in MH mice. These data show that cellular elements in the blood alter the pressure-velocity relationships in peripheral vessels of mice.

A murine model of ischemic cardiomyopathy induced by repetitive ischemia and reperfusion

BACKGROUND

Repetitive brief myocardial ischemia has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the ventricular dysfunction associated with ischemic cardiomyopathy and myocardial hibernation. In this study we examine the effects of repetitive ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) on murine myocardium.

METHODS

C57/BL6 mice underwent daily 15 min left anterior descending coronary occlusions followed by reperfusion. After 3, 5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, echocardiographic studies were performed, and hearts of I/R and sham-operated animals were processed for histological examination.

RESULTS

Histological studies showed no evidence of myocardial necrosis in the ischemic region. Quantitative assessment of collagen revealed a marked persistent interstitial deposition of collagen after seven days I/R in the anterior left ventricular wall (sham 4.6 +/- 2.0 %, I/R 21.5 +/- 6.5 %, p < 0.05). Echocardiographic studies showed persistent regional anterior wall dysfunction in I/R animals. Histological evaluation showed absence of neovessel formation. After discontinuation of the I/R protocol, fibrosis and regional ventricular dysfunction decreased within 60 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Repetitive brief murine myocardial I/R induces reversible fibrotic remodeling and ventricular dysfunction, without myocardial infarction and necrosis, and may play a role in the pathogenesis of ischemic cardiomyopathy and myocardial hibernation.

Brief murine myocardial I/R induces chemokines in a TNF-alpha-independent manner: role of oxygen radicals

Early chemokine induction in the area at risk of an ischemic-reperfused (I/R) myocardium is first seen in the venular endothelium. Reperfusion is associated with several induction mechanisms including increased extracellular tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI) species formation, and adhesion of leukocytes to the venular endothelium. To test the hypothesis that chemokine induction in cardiac venules can occur by ROIs in a TNF-alpha-independent manner, and in the absence of leukocyte accumulation, we utilized wild-type (WT) and TNF-alpha double-receptor knockout mice (DKO) in a closed-chest mouse model of myocardial ischemia (15 min) and reperfusion (3 h), in which there is no infarction. We demonstrate that a single brief period of I/R induces significant upregulation of the chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP) -1 alpha, -1 beta, and -2 at both the mRNA and protein levels. This induction was independent of TNF-alpha, whereas levels of these chemokines were increased in both WT and DKO mice. Chemokine induction was seen predominantly in the endothelium of small veins and was accompanied by nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B and c-Jun (AP-1) in venular endothelium. Intravenous infusion of the oxygen radical scavenger N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine (MPG) initiated 15 min before ischemia and maintained throughout reperfusion obviated chemokine induction, but MPG administration after reperfusion had begun had no effect. The results suggest that ROI generation in the reperfused myocardium rapidly induces C-C and C-X-C chemokines in the venular endothelium in the absence of infarction or irreversible cellular injury.

Reactive oxygen intermediates induce monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in vascular endothelium after brief ischemia

Chemokine expression is associated with reperfusion of infarcted myocardium in the setting of tissue necrosis, intense inflammation, and inflammatory cytokine release. The specific synthesis of monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 mRNA by cardiac venules in reperfused infarcts corresponded to the region where leukocytes normally localize. MCP-1 could be induced by exogenous tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha or by postischemic cardiac lymph containing TNF-alpha. However, the release of TNF-alpha during early reperfusion did not explain the venular localization of MCP-1 induction. To better understand the factors mediating MCP-1 induction, we examined the role of ischemia/reperfusion in a model of brief coronary occlusion in which no necrosis or inflammatory response is seen. Adult mongrel dogs were subjected to 15 minutes of coronary occlusion and 5 hours of reperfusion. Ribonuclease protection assay revealed up-regulation of MCP-1 mRNA only in ischemic segments of reperfused canine myocardium. Pretreatment with the reactive oxygen scavenger N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine completely inhibited MCP-1 induction. In situ hybridization localized MCP-1 message to small venular endothelium in ischemic areas without myocyte necrosis. Gel shift analysis of nuclear extracts from the ischemic area showed enhanced DNA binding of the transcription factors AP-1 and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, crucial for MCP-1 expression, in ischemic myocardial regions. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated reperfusion-dependent nuclear translocation of c-Jun and NF-kappaB (p65) in small venular endothelium, only in the ischemic regions of the myocardium, that was inhibited by N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine. In vitro, treatment of cultured canine jugular vein endothelial cells with the reactive oxygen intermediate H2O2 induced a concentration-dependent increase in MCP-1 mRNA levels, which was inhibited by the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a precursor of glutathione, but not pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of NF-kappaB and activator of AP-1. In contrast to our studies with infarction, incubation of canine jugular vein endothelial cells with postischemic cardiac lymph did not induce MCP-1 mRNA expression suggesting the absence of cytokine-mediated MCP-1 induction after a sublethal ischemic period. These results suggest that reactive oxygen intermediate generation, after a brief ischemic episode, is capable of inducing MCP-1 expression in venular endothelium through AP-1 and NF-kappaB. Short periods of ischemia/reperfusion, insufficient to produce a myocardial infarction, induce MCP-1 expression, potentially mediating angiogenesis in the ischemic noninfarcted heart.

Telomerase reverse transcriptase promotes cardiac muscle cell proliferation, hypertrophy, and survival

Cardiac muscle regeneration after injury is limited by "irreversible" cell cycle exit. Telomere shortening is one postulated basis for replicative senescence, via down-regulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT); telomere dysfunction also is associated with greater sensitivity to apoptosis. Forced expression of TERT in cardiac muscle in mice was sufficient to rescue telomerase activity and telomere length. Initially, the ventricle was hypercellular, with increased myocyte density and DNA synthesis. By 12 wk, cell cycling subsided; instead, cell enlargement (hypertrophy) was seen, without fibrosis or impaired function. Likewise, viral delivery of TERT was sufficient for hypertrophy in cultured cardiac myocytes. The TERT virus and transgene also conferred protection from apoptosis, in vitro and in vivo. Hyperplasia, hypertrophy, and survival all required active TERT and were not seen with a catalytically inactive mutation. Thus, TERT can delay cell cycle exit in cardiac muscle, induce hypertrophy in postmitotic cells, and promote cardiac myocyte survival.

Regeneration of ischemic cardiac muscle and vascular endothelium by adult stem cells

Myocyte loss in the ischemically injured mammalian heart often leads to irreversible deficits in cardiac function. To identify a source of stem cells capable of restoring damaged cardiac tissue, we transplanted highly enriched hematopoietic stem cells, the so-called side population (SP) cells, into lethally irradiated mice subsequently rendered ischemic by coronary artery occlusion for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion. The engrafted SP cells (CD34(-)/low, c-Kit(+), Sca-1(+)) or their progeny migrated into ischemic cardiac muscle and blood vessels, differentiated to cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells, and contributed to the formation of functional tissue. SP cells were purified from Rosa26 transgenic mice, which express lacZ widely. Donor-derived cardiomyocytes were found primarily in the peri-infarct region at a prevalence of around 0.02% and were identified by expression of lacZ and alpha-actinin, and lack of expression of CD45. Donor-derived endothelial cells were identified by expression of lacZ and Flt-1, an endothelial marker shown to be absent on SP cells. Endothelial engraftment was found at a prevalence of around 3.3%, primarily in small vessels adjacent to the infarct. Our results demonstrate the cardiomyogenic potential of hematopoietic stem cells and suggest a therapeutic strategy that eventually could benefit patients with myocardial infarction.

Stem cell plasticity in muscle and bone marrow

Recent discoveries have demonstrated the extraordinary plasticity of tissue-derived stem cells, raising fundamental questions about cell lineage relationships and suggesting the potential for novel cell-based therapies. We have examined this phenomenon in a potential reciprocal relationship between stem cells derived from the skeletal muscle and from the bone marrow. We have discovered that cells derived from the skeletal muscle of adult mice contain a remarkable capacity for hematopoietic differentiation. Cells prepared from muscle by enzymatic digestion and 5 day in vitro culture were harvested and introduced into each of six lethally irradiated recipients together with distinguishable whole bone marrow cells. Six and twelve weeks later, all recipients showed high-level engraftment of muscle-derived cells representing all major adult blood lineages. The mean total contribution of muscle cell progeny to peripheral blood was 56%, indicating that the cultured muscle cells generated approximately 10- to 14-fold more hematopoietic activity than whole bone marrow. Although the identity of the muscle-derived hematopoietic stem cells is still unknown, they may be identical to muscle satellite cells, some of which lack myogenic regulators and could respond to hematopoietic signals. We have also found that stem cells in the bone marrow can contribute to cardiac muscle repair and neovascularization after ischemic injury. We transplanted highly purified bone marrow stem cells into lethally irradiated mice that subsequently were rendered ischemic by coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. The engrafted stem cells or their progeny differentiated into cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells and contributed to the formation of functional tissue.

Leukocyte trafficking and myocardial reperfusion injury in ICAM-1/P-selectin-knockout mice

P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mediate early interaction and adhesion of neutrophils to coronary endothelial cells and myocytes after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. In the present study, we examined the physiological consequences of genetic deletions of ICAM-1 and P-selectin in mice. In wild-type mice, after 1 h of ischemia followed by reperfusion, neutrophil influx into the area of ischemia was increased by 3 h with a peak at 24 h and a decline by 72 h. ICAM-1/P-selectin-deficient mice showed a significant reduction in neutrophils by immunohistochemistry or by myeloperoxidase activity at 24 h but no significant difference at 3 h. Infarct size (area of necrosis/area at risk) assessed 24 h after reperfusion was not different between wild-type and deficient mice after 30 min and 1 h of occlusion. Mice with a deficiency in both ICAM-1 and P-selectin have impaired neutrophil trafficking without a difference in infarct size due to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion.

Induction of the synthesis of the C-X-C chemokine interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 in experimental canine endotoxemia

Endotoxemia is associated with a systemic inflammatory response leading to organ-specific leukocyte recruitment and tissue injury. Chemokine expression has been demonstrated in various models of sepsis and may mediate tissue infiltration with inflammatory cells. In this study we examined expression of the C-X-C chemokine interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), a potent T-lymphocyte chemoattractant, in a canine model of endotoxemia and investigated mechanisms of cytokine-mediated IP-10 induction in endothelial cells. Control canine tissues showed negligible expression of IP-10 message, with the exception of the spleen. Endotoxemic dogs demonstrated a robust induction of IP-10 mRNA in the heart, lung, kidney, liver, and spleen. Immunohistochemical studies indicated that IP-10 was predominantly localized in cardiac venular endothelial cells, bronchial epithelial cells, renal mesangial cells, and in the splenic red pulp of endotoxemic dogs. In addition, IP-10 expression was associated with T-lymphocyte infiltration in canine tissues. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) induced a marked upregulation of IP-10 message in canine venular endothelial cells. IP-10 expression in TNF-alpha-stimulated endothelial cells peaked at 6 h of stimulation and returned to baseline levels after 24 h. In addition, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) induced a dose-dependent induction of IP-10 mRNA in canine endothelial cells. M-CSF-mediated IP-10 expression peaked after 6 h of incubation and returned to baseline levels after 24 h. Canine endotoxemia is associated with a robust early expression of IP-10 in multiple tissues. IP-10 induction may be important in regulating lymphocyte recruitment and function. TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and M-CSF are potent inducers of IP-10 in canine endothelial cells and may indirectly mediate lymphocyte chemotaxis and activation in inflammatory processes.

Hemodynamic changes in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice

Apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-KO) mice develop advanced atherosclerotic lesions by 1 yr of age and have been well characterized pathologically and morphologically, but little is known regarding their cardiovascular physiology and hemodynamics. We used noninvasive Doppler ultrasound to measure aortic and mitral blood velocity and aortic pulse-wave velocity in 13-mo-old ApoE-KO and wild-type (WT) mice anesthetized with isoflurane. In other mice from the same colony, we measured systolic blood pressure, body weight, heart weight, cholesterol, and hematocrit. Heart rate and blood pressure were comparable (P = not significant) between ApoE-KO and WT mice, but significant decreases (P < 0.001) were found in body weight (-22%) and hematocrit (-11%), and significant increases were found in heart weight (+23%), aortic velocity (+60%), mitral velocity (+81%) (all P < 0.001), and pulse-wave velocity (+13%, P < 0.05). We also found inflections in the aortic arch velocity signal consistent with enhanced peripheral wave reflection. Thus ApoE-KO mice have phenotypic alterations in indexes of peripheral vascular resistance and compliance and significantly elevated cardiac outflow velocities and heart weight-to-body weight ratios.

Myofibroblasts in reperfused myocardial infarcts express the embryonic form of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMemb)

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to examine the cellular content of healing myocardial infarcts and study the phenotypic characteristics of fibroblasts during scar formation utilizing a canine model of coronary occlusion and reperfusion.

METHODS

Ischemia/Reperfusion experiments were performed in dogs undergoing 1 h of coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion intervals ranging from 5 h to 28 days. Fibrotic and control areas were studied using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The healing ischemic and reperfused myocardium demonstrated significant proliferative activity peaking after 3 to 7 days of reperfusion, predominantly in myofibroblasts. The numbers of proliferating cells decreased during the maturation phase of the scar (PCNA index: 13.7+/-2.25% at 5 days vs. 4.8+/-1.1% at 28 days; P<0.05, n=5). During the proliferative phase of healing (3-7 days) alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMAc) expression was markedly increased in the fibrotic areas. alpha-SMAc predominantly localized in myofibroblasts which were vimentin positive, smooth muscle myosin, calponin and desmin negative. We examined expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoforms in myofibroblasts infiltrating the healing areas and found a marked induction of the embryonal isoform of myosin heavy chain (SMemb) in alpha-SMAc positive spindle shaped cells in the border of the scar. Myofibroblasts did not express SM2, a marker for mature smooth muscle cells. In contrast myocardial arterioles were positive for SM2, but did not express SMemb.

CONCLUSIONS

Healing myocardial infarcts undergo rapid changes in their content of myofibroblasts. During the proliferative phase fibroblasts undergo phenotypic changes leading to expression of contractile proteins such as alpha-SMAc, and production of SMemb, a marker for dedifferentiated smooth muscle cells. Expression of embryonic isoforms indicates dedifferentiation and allows the myofibroblast pool to serve as a versatile cell population, assuming different phenotypes depending on the physiological needs.

IL-10 is induced in the reperfused myocardium and may modulate the reaction to injury

Reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium is associated with a dramatic inflammatory response leading to TNF-alpha release, IL-6 induction, and subsequent neutrophil-mediated cytotoxic injury. Because inflammation is also an important factor in cardiac repair, we hypothesized the presence of components of the inflammatory reaction with a possible role in suppressing acute injury. Thus, we investigated the role of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine capable of modulating extracellular matrix biosynthesis, following an experimental canine myocardial infarction. Using our canine model of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, we demonstrated significant up-regulation of IL-10 mRNA and protein in the ischemic and reperfused myocardium. IL-10 expression was first detected at 5 h and peaked following 96-120 h of reperfusion. In contrast, IL-4 and IL-13, also associated with suppression of acute inflammation and macrophage deactivation, were not expressed. In the ischemic canine heart, CD5-positive lymphocytes were the predominant source of IL-10 in the myocardial infarct. In the absence of reperfusion, no significant induction of IL-10 mRNA was noted. In addition, IL-12, a Th1-related cytokine associated with macrophage activation, was not detected in the ischemic myocardium. In vitro experiments demonstrated late postischemic cardiac-lymph-induced tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 mRNA expression in isolated canine mononuclear cells. This effect was inhibited when the incubation contained a neutralizing Ab to IL-10. Our findings suggest that lymphocytes infiltrating the ischemic and reperfused myocardium express IL-10 and may have a significant role in healing by modulating mononuclear cell phenotype and inducing TIMP-1 expression.

Interleukin 6 induction in the canine myocardium after cardiopulmonary bypass

OBJECTIVE

Interleukin 6 is a proinflammatory cytokine with a plasma concentration that has been noted to increase in response to cardiopulmonary bypass. The source of interleukin 6 after cardiopulmonary bypass is unknown. This study examined the myocardium as a potential source of interleukin 6 in this context.

METHODS

Dogs underwent 90 minutes of hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass with 60 minutes of cardioplegic arrest. After rewarming, they were reperfused with the chest open for either 3 (n = 4) or 6 (n = 4) hours, at the end of which myocardial samples were obtained. Four additional animals undergoing open thoracotomy without bypass served as time-matched controls. Northern blot analysis, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization were used to examine the myocardium for the induction of interleukin 6 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1.

RESULTS

Northern blot analysis and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated a marked increase in myocardial interleukin 6 messenger RNA in 3 of 4 dogs at 3 hours after bypass and 3 of 4 dogs at 6 hours after bypass, which was not present in sham-bypass control animals. Northern blots at 3 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass also demonstrated myocardial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 induction. In situ hybridization studies confirmed that cardiac myocytes were a principal source of interleukin 6 messenger RNA early after cardiopulmonary bypass. Northern blots of messenger RNA extracted from isolated neutrophils and mononuclear leukocytes obtained from blood samples before bypass, at the end of bypass, and 3 hours after bypass failed to demonstrate interleukin 6 induction.

CONCLUSION

Despite protection with cold cardioplegic arrest, the myocardium was a significant source of interleukin 6 synthesis after cardiopulmonary bypass. Local production of interleukin 6 may play a pivotal role in postoperative myocardial function.

Myocardial blood flow and myocardial uptake of (201)Tl and (99m)Tc-sestamibi during coronary vasodilation induced by CGS-21680, a selective adenosine A(2A) receptor agonist

BACKGROUND

We investigated the hemodynamic and coronary vasodilatory effects of CGS-21680, a potent selective adenosine A(2A) agonist, as well as its potential use as a new stress modality in combination with perfusion scintigraphy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was produced in dogs to reduce the reactive hyperemic response to <20%. Adenosine and CGS-21680 were then separately infused to maximize left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) flow velocity. (201)Tl (0.5 mCi) and (99m)Tc-sestamibi (5 mCi) were injected at the maximal dose of CGS-21680. Heart rate decreased with adenosine but increased during CGS-21680 infusion (P<0.005). The decrease in systolic blood pressure was more prominent with adenosine than with CGS-21680 (P<0.005). In the control LCx zone, maximal myocardial blood flow (MBF) (measured by radioactive microspheres) increased 3.1-fold during adenosine infusion (P<0.005) and 3.8-fold during CGS-21680 infusion (P<0.005). In the stenotic LAD zone, MBF did not change significantly. During adenosine and CGS-21680 infusion, stenosis/control zone MBF ratios were comparable (0.32+/-0.11 versus 0.27+/-0.10, P=NS), and transmural (201)Tl and (99m)Tc-sestamibi count-activity ratios (0.48+/-0.11 and 0.51+/-0.09, respectively) were also comparable (P=NS). Myocardial scintigraphy uncovered perfusion defects in all dogs.

CONCLUSIONS

CGS-21680 elicits coronary vasodilation comparable to that of adenosine and produces profound heterogeneity of MBF and of (201)Tl and (99m)Tc-sestamibi myocardial uptake, rendering it a promising agent for pharmacological myocardial perfusion imaging.

Endogenous tumor necrosis factor protects the adult cardiac myocyte against ischemic-induced apoptosis in a murine model of acute myocardial infarction

Previous studies have shown that proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), are expressed after acute hemodynamic overloading and myocardial ischemia/infarction. To define the role of TNF in the setting of ischemia/infarction, we performed a series of acute coronary artery occlusions in mice lacking one or both TNF receptors. Left ventricular infarct size was assessed at 24 h after acute coronary occlusion by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining in wild-type (both TNF receptors present) and mice lacking either the type 1 (TNFR1), type 2 (TNFR2), or both TNF receptors (TNFR1/TNFR2). Left ventricular infarct size as assessed by TTC staining was significantly greater (P < 0.005) in the TNFR1/TNFR2-deficient mice (77.2% +/- 15.3%) when compared with either wild-type mice (46.8% +/- 19.4%) or TNFR1-deficient (47.9% +/- 10.6%) or TNFR2-deficient (41.6% +/- 16.5%) mice. Examination of the extent of necrosis in wild-type and TNFR1/TNFR2-deficient mice by anti-myosin Ab staining demonstrated no significant difference between groups; however, the peak frequency and extent of apoptosis were accelerated in the TNFR1/TNFR2-deficient mice when compared with the wild-type mice. The increase in apoptosis in the TNFR1/TNFR2-deficient mice did not appear to be secondary to a selective up-regulation of the Fas ligand/receptor system in these mice. These data suggest that TNF signaling gives rise to one or more cytoprotective signals that prevent and/or delay the development of cardiac myocyte apoptosis after acute ischemic injury.

TAK1 is activated in the myocardium after pressure overload and is sufficient to provoke heart failure in transgenic mice

The transforming-growth-factor-beta-activated kinase TAK1 is a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase family, which couples extracellular stimuli to gene transcription. The in vivo function of TAK1 is not understood. Here, we investigated the potential involvement of TAK1 in cardiac hypertrophy. In adult mouse myocardium, TAK1 kinase activity was upregulated 7 days after aortic banding, a mechanical load that induces hypertrophy and expression of transforming growth factor beta. An activating mutation of TAK1 expressed in myocardium of transgenic mice was sufficient to produce p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in vivo, cardiac hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, severe myocardial dysfunction, 'fetal' gene induction, apoptosis and early lethality. Thus, TAK1 activity is induced as a delayed response to mechanical stress, and can suffice to elicit myocardial hypertrophy and fulminant heart failure.

Identification of genes regulated during mechanical load-induced cardiac hypertrophy

Cardiac hypertrophy is associated with both adaptive and adverse changes in gene expression. To identify genes regulated by pressure overload, we performed suppressive subtractive hybridization between cDNA from the hearts of aortic-banded (7-day) and sham-operated mice. In parallel, we performed a subtraction between an adult and a neonatal heart, for the purpose of comparing different forms of cardiac hypertrophy. Sequencing more than 100 clones led to the identification of an array of functionally known (70%) and unknown genes (30%) that are upregulated during cardiac growth. At least nine of those genes were preferentially expressed in both the neonatal and pressure over-load hearts alike. Using Northern blot analysis to investigate whether some of the identified genes were upregulated in the load-independent calcineurin-induced cardiac hypertrophy mouse model, revealed its incomplete similarity with the former models of cardiac growth.

A chronic mouse model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion: essential in cytokine studies

Reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium is associated with a cytokine cascade that reflects a cellular response to injury. We studied this cascade in the mouse and found that acute surgical trauma in sham-operated animals obscured early changes in cytokine induction that occur during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R). Therefore, we utilized a new implantable device that allows occlusion and reperfusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery in a closed-chest mouse at any time after instrumentation. Induction of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mRNA in the whole heart was examined by RNase protection assay and quantitated by Phosphor- Imager. At 3 h after instrumentation, levels of IL-6 mRNA in sham-operated animals increased above those of control naive hearts, whereas this increase did not occur until after 1 day for TNF-alpha mRNA. The surgical trauma led to exaggeration of I/R cytokine induction with greater variance in response. At 3 days and 1 wk after instrumentation, levels of both IL-6 and TNF-alpha mRNA in sham-operated animals were comparable to those of naive hearts and induction responses in I/R were much less variant. We also found that 1 h of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion at all time points of recovery (i.e., 3 h and 1, 3, and 7 days after instrumentation) led to a significant increase in IL-6 and TNF-alpha mRNA levels. In addition, 3 h of permanent occlusion, which did not induce any mRNA increase after 1 wk postinstrumentation, caused marked upregulation of IL-6 mRNA in an acutely prepared animal. This study of early cytokine responses evoked by MI/R highlights the need for dissipation of acute surgical trauma by using a chronic, closed-chest mouse preparation.

Time-dependent loss of Mac-1 from infiltrating neutrophils in the reperfused myocardium

Numerous studies have shown that polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) infiltrate the myocardium immediately after reperfusion of infarcted tissue. Studies with mAbs in vivo and cellular studies in vitro suggest that PMN-induced injury of the cardiac myocyte involve Mac-1 adhesion to myocyte ICAM-1. In this study we demonstrate that PMNs that have infiltrated the ischemic area begin to lose Mac-1 within the first 3 h. By the fifth hour of reperfusion, minimal CD11b staining is seen on PMNs using immunostaining, whereas CD11a remained unchanged. Immunoreactivity of postreperfusion cardiac lymph with R15.7 (anti-CD18) or MY904 (anti-CD11b) was positive in all animals but not for CD11a (R7.1), indicating a specific loss of Mac-1. Immunoprecipitation with either R15.7 or MY904 resulted in identical peptides (a doublet at 190 kDa and a band at 80 kDa), suggesting that both alpha and beta subunits of Mac-1 heterodimer were released. Immunoprecipitation of control PMN lysates revealed bands of 198 kDa and 91 kDa slightly greater than those from the released Mac-1. An in vitro model of homotypic aggregation showed a similar loss of Mac-1 from PMNs; immunoprecipitates of the supernatant demonstrated peptide bands identical with those found in postischemic cardiac lymph. The appearance of soluble Mac-1 in vitro was prevented by anti-CD18 mAb, R15.7, and also by protease inhibition by PMSF. Thus, in vivo and in vitro, activated PMNs lose Mac-1 in a process that may be dependent upon adhesion and subsequent proteolysis.

Decreased left ventricular ejection fraction in transgenic mice expressing mutant cardiac troponin T-Q(92), responsible for human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The causality of mutant sarcomeric proteins in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is well established. The current emphasis is to elucidate the pathogenesis of HCM in transgenic animal models. We determined the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in transgenic mice expressing mutant cardiac troponin T (cTnT)-Q(92), known to cause HCM in humans. Transgenes were constructed by placing wild-type (R(92)) or mutant (Q(92)) full-length human cTnT cDNAs 3' into a 5.5-kb murine [alpha -myosin heavy chain (MyHC)] promoter injected into fertilized zygotes. Three wild-type and six mutant lines were produced. Transgene mRNA and proteins, detected using transgene-specific probes were expressed at high levels in all wild-type and three mutant lines. The total cTnT mRNA pool was increased by up to five-fold in transgenic mice, but the total cTnT protein remained unchanged. The mean values of LVEF, determined by(178)Ta radionuclide angiography, were 57.8+/-6% (n=4) in non-transgenic littermate (NLM), 53.3+/-10 (n=6) in wild-type and 39. 4+/-6 (n=5) in mutant transgenic mice (P=0.009). The heart/body weight ratios and the number of cells stained with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated nick end-labeling were similar among the groups. Three mutant mice had myocyte disarray and excess interstitial collagen and two had normal myocardial structure despite having reduced LVEF. Thus, in vivo expression of the mutant cTnT-Q(92)protein, responsible for human HCM, impaired global cardiac systolic function in transgenic mice, which also occurred in the absence of myocyte disarray and increased interstitial collagen.

Myocardial infarction and remodeling in mice: effect of reperfusion

Anatomic and functional changes after either a permanent left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion (PO) or 2 h of occlusion followed by reperfusion (OR) in C57BL/6 mice were examined and compared with those in sham-operated mice. Both interventions generated infarcts comprising 30% of the left ventricle (LV) measured at 24 h and equivalent suppression of LV ejection velocity and filling velocity measured by Doppler ultrasound at 1 wk. Serial follow-up revealed that the ventricular ejection velocity and filling velocity returned to the levels of the sham-operated controls in the OR group at 2 wk and remained there; in contrast, PO animals continued to display suppression of both systolic and diastolic function. In contrast, ejection fractions of PO and OR animals were depressed equivalently (50% from sham-operated controls). Anatomic reconstruction of serial cross sections revealed that the percentage of the LV endocardial area overlying the ventricular scar (expansion ratio) was significantly larger in the PO group vs. the OR group (18 +/- 1.7% vs. 12 +/- 0.9%, P < 0.05). The septum that was never involved in the infarction had a significantly (P < 0.002) increased mass in PO animals (22.5 +/- 1.08 mg) vs. OR (17.8 +/- 1.10 mg) or sham control (14.8 +/- 0.99 mg) animals. Regression analysis demonstrated that the extent of septal hypertrophy correlated with LV expansion ratio. Thus late reperfusion appears to reduce the degree of infarct expansion even under circumstances in which it no longer can alter infarct size. We suggest that reperfusion promoted more effective ventricular repair, less infarct expansion, and significant recovery or preservation of ventricular function.

Histochemical and morphological characteristics of canine cardiac mast cells

Cardiac mast cells have been recently isolated and characterized in humans, however canine cardiac mast cells have not been investigated. The objective of this study is to describe the histological and morphological characteristics of canine cardiac mast cells and examine the potential usefulness of canine models in investigating the role of mast cells in cardiovascular pathology. Canine cardiac mast cells could be easily identified by staining with Toluidine Blue or FITC-avidin. Using Toluidine Blue staining, we demonstrated fewer mast cells in formalin-fixed samples than in specimens fixed in Carnoy's, thus identifying a formalin-sensitive mast cell population in the canine heart. Mast cells were equally distributed in atria and ventricles with approximately 50% showing a perivascular location. Using enzyme-histochemical techniques, we detected tryptase and chymase activity in canine cardiac mast cells. Ultrastructural studies identified mast cells as granular cells with an eccentric non-segmented nucleus. Immunohistochemistry with the macrophage specific antibody AM-3K demonstrated that resident cardiac macrophages were 1.9 times more numerous than mast cells, also showing a predominantly perivascular (60%) location. Perivascular macrophages were more often periarteriolar, whereas perivascular mast cells were more often located along small veins and capillaries. Due to their ability to release cytokines and growth factors and their strategic perivascular location, resident cardiac inflammatory cells, such as mast cells and macrophages, may be important in pathological processes causing myocardial inflammation and fibrosis. Furthermore, mast cell-derived chymase, an important angiotensin II-forming enzyme may have a significant role in regulating the cardiac renin-angiotensin system.

Cardiac myocytes produce interleukin-6 in culture and in viable border zone of reperfused infarctions

BACKGROUND

Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated that interleukin (IL)-6 plays a potentially critical role in postreperfusion myocardial injury and is the major cytokine responsible for induction of intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 on cardiac myocytes during reperfusion. Myocyte ICAM-1 induction is necessary for neutrophil-associated myocyte injury. We have previously demonstrated the induction of IL-6 in the ischemic myocardium, and the current study addresses the cells of origin of IL-6.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the present study, we combined Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization to demonstrate IL-6 gene expression in cardiac myocytes. Isolated ventricular myocytes were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1beta, lipopolysaccharide, preischemic lymph, and postischemic lymph. Unstimulated myocytes showed no significant IL-6 mRNA expression. Myocytes stimulated with preischemic lymph showed minimal or no IL-6 mRNA expression, whereas myocytes stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1beta, lipopolysaccharide, or postischemic lymph showed a strong IL-6 mRNA induction. Northern blot with ICAM-1 probe revealed ICAM-1 expression under every condition that demonstrated IL-6 induction. We then investigated the expression of IL-6 mRNA in our canine model of ischemia and reperfusion. Cardiac myocytes in the viable border zone of a myocardial infarction exhibited reperfusion-dependent expression of IL-6 mRNA within 1 hour after reperfusion. Mononuclear cells infiltrate the border zone and express IL-6 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

Isolated cardiac myocytes produce IL-6 mRNA in response to several cytokines as well as postischemic cardiac lymph. In addition to its production by inflammatory cells, we demonstrate that IL-6 mRNA is induced in myocytes in the viable border zone of a myocardial infarct. The potential roles of IL-6 in cardiac myocytes in an infarct border are discussed.