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Simon J, Nemeth E, Nemes A, Husveth-Toth M, Radovits T, Foldes G, Kiss L, Bagyura Z, Skopal J, Merkely B, Gara E. Circulating Relaxin-1 Level Is a Surrogate Marker of Myocardial Fibrosis in HFrEF. Front Physiol 2019; 10:690. [PMID: 31231242 PMCID: PMC6558211 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Relaxin-1 (RLN1) has emerged as a possible therapeutic target in myocardial fibrosis due to its anti-fibrotic effects. Previous randomized clinical trials investigated therapeutic role of exogenous relaxin in patients with acute-on-chronic heart failure (HF) and failed to meet clinical endpoints. Here, we aimed to assess endogenous, circulating RLN1 levels in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) of ischemic origin. Furthermore, we analyzed relation of RLN1 and left ventricular diastolic function, left and right ventricular fibrosis, and invasive hemodynamic measurements. Unique feature of our study is the availability of ex vivo human myocardial tissue. Methods: Human myocardial samples were available from the Transplantation Biobank of the Heart and Vascular Center at Semmelweis University after local ethical approval and informed consent of all participants (n = 47). Tissue was collected immediately after heart explantations; peripheral blood was collected before induction of anesthesia. Myocardial sections were stained for Masson’s trichrome and Picrosirius red staining to quantify fibrosis. Medical records were analyzed (ECG, anthropometry, blood tests, medication, echocardiography, and invasive hemodynamic measurements). Results: Average RLN1 levels in HFrEF population were significantly higher than measured in age and gender matched healthy control human subjects (702 ± 283 pg/ml in HFrEF vs. 44 ± 27 pg/ml in control n = 47). We found a moderate inverse correlation between RLN1 levels and degree of myocardial fibrosis in both ventricles (r = −0.357, p = 0.014 in the right ventricle vs. r = −0.321, p = 0.028 in the left ventricle with Masson’s trichrome staining). Parallel, a moderate positive correlation was found in left ventricular diastolic function (echocardiography, E/A wave values) and RLN1 levels (r = 0.456, p = 0.003); a negative correlation with RLN1 levels and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (r = −0.373, p = 0.023), and diastolic pulmonary artery pressure (r = −0.894, p < 0.001). RLN1 levels showed moderate correlation with RLN2 levels (r = 0.453, p = 0.0003). Conclusion: Increased RLN1 levels were accompanied by lower myocardial fibrosis rate, which is a novel finding in our patient population with coronary artery disease and HFrEF. RLN1 can have a biomarker role in ventricular fibrosis; furthermore, it may influence hemodynamic and vasomotor activity via neurohormonal mechanisms of action. Given these valuable findings, RLN1 may be targeted in anti-fibrotic therapeutics and in perioperative care of heart transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Simon
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Endre Nemeth
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Annamaria Nemes
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Tamas Radovits
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabor Foldes
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Loretta Kiss
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Bagyura
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Skopal
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bela Merkely
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Edit Gara
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Kang YM, Lee HM, Moon SH, Kang H, Choi YR. Relaxin Modulates the Expression of MMPs and TIMPs in Fibroblasts of Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Yonsei Med J 2017; 58:415-422. [PMID: 28120574 PMCID: PMC5290023 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2017.58.2.415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-fibrotic effect of relaxin in subsynovial fibroblasts activated by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). MATERIALS AND METHODS To test the anti-fibrotic effect of an adenovirus-relaxin construct (Ad-RLN) on subsynovial fibroblasts in vitro, cells from subsynovial connective tissue of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were activated with TGF-β1 and exposed to Ad-RLN (as a therapeutic gene) or adenovirus-lacZ construct (as a marker gene) for four hours. Subsynovial fibroblast cultures without adenoviral exposure served as controls. RESULTS We observed induction of gene expressions of collagen I, III and IV, as well as the abatement of alpha-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) synthesis, Smad2 phosphorylation, and fibronectin at the protein level, in comparison to controls. In addition, protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) I was significantly induced, whereas the protein expressions of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) I and IV were reduced due to relaxin expression. CONCLUSION RLN prevents excessive synthesis of extracellular matrix by reducing the expressions of its components, such as fibronectin, a-SMA, and phosphorylated Smad2, by increasing the expression of MMPs; and by decreasing the expression of TIMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Mi Kang
- BK21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hwan Mo Lee
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seong Hwan Moon
- BK21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ho Kang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yun Rak Choi
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Ahmad N, Wang W, Nair R, Kapila S. Relaxin induces matrix-metalloproteinases-9 and -13 via RXFP1: induction of MMP-9 involves the PI3K, ERK, Akt and PKC-ζ pathways. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012; 363:46-61. [PMID: 22835547 PMCID: PMC3447121 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2012.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
We determined the precise role of relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors-1 and -2 in the regulation of MMP-9 and -13 by relaxin, and delineated the signaling cascade that contributes to relaxin's modulation of MMP-9 in fibrocartilaginous cells. Relaxin treatment of cells in which RXFP1 was silenced resulted in diminished induction of MMP-9 and -13 by relaxin, whereas overexpression of RXFP1 potentiated the relaxin-induced expression of these proteinases. Suppression or overexpression of RXFP2 resulted in no changes in the relaxin-induced MMP-9 and -13. Studies using chemical inhibitors and siRNAs to signaling molecules showed that PI3K, Akt, ERK and PKC-ζ and the transcription factors Elk-1, c-fos and, to a lesser extent, NF-κB are involved in relaxin's induction of MMP-9. Our findings provide the first characterization of signaling cascade involved in the regulation of any MMP by relaxin and offer mechanistic insights on how relaxin likely mediates extracellular matrix turnover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisar Ahmad
- The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078, USA
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Feugang JM, Rodriguez-Munoz JC, Willard ST, Bathgate RA, Ryan PL. Examination of relaxin and its receptors expression in pig gametes and embryos. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2011; 9:10. [PMID: 21251292 PMCID: PMC3032664 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-9-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2010] [Accepted: 01/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relaxin is a small peptide also known as pregnancy hormone in many mammals. It is synthesized by both male and female tissues, and its secretions are found in various body fluids such as plasma serum, ovarian follicular fluid, utero-oviduct secretions, and seminal plasma of many mammals, including pigs. However, the presence and effects of relaxin in porcine gametes and embryos are still not well-known. The purpose of this study was to assess the presence of relaxin and its receptors RXFP1 and RXFP2 in pig gametes and embryos. METHODS Immature cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from sows' ovaries collected at the abattoir. After in vitro-maturation, COCs were in vitro-fertilized and cultured. For studies, immature and mature COCs were separately collected, and oocytes were freed from their surrounding cumulus cells. Denuded oocytes, cumulus cells, mature boar spermatozoa, zygotes, and embryos (cleaved and blastocysts) were harvested for temporal and spatial gene expression studies. Sections of ovary, granulosa and neonatal porcine uterine cells were also collected to use as controls. RESULTS Using both semi-quantitative and quantitative PCRs, relaxin transcripts were not detected in all tested samples, while RXFP1 and RXFP2 mRNA were present. Both receptor gene products were found at higher levels in oocytes compared to cumulus cells, irrespective of the maturation time. Cleaved-embryos contained higher levels of RXFP2 mRNA, whereas, blastocysts were characterized by a higher RXFP1 mRNA content. Using western-immunoblotting or in situ immunofluorescence, relaxin and its receptor proteins were detected in all samples. Their fluorescence intensities were consistently more important in mature oocytes than immature ones. The RXFP1 and RXFP2 signal intensities were mostly located in the plasma membrane region, while the relaxin ones appeared homogeneously distributed within the oocytes and embryonic cells. Furthermore, spermatozoa displayed stronger RXFP2 signal than RXFP1 after western-immunoblotting. CONCLUSION All together, our findings suggest potential roles of relaxin and its receptors during oocyte maturation, early embryo development, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean M Feugang
- Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, 4025 Wise Center, Mississippi State, MS 38762, USA
| | - Juan C Rodriguez-Munoz
- Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, 4025 Wise Center, Mississippi State, MS 38762, USA
| | - Scott T Willard
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Mississippi State University, 402 Dorman Hall, Mississippi, MS 38762, USA
| | - Ross A Bathgate
- Florey Neuroscience Institutes, University of Melbourne, Gate 11, Royal Parade, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Peter L Ryan
- Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, 4025 Wise Center, Mississippi State, MS 38762, USA
- Department of Pathobiology & Population Medicine, Mississippi State University, 240 Wise Center Dr., Mississippi State, MS 38762, USA
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Kawada T, Sekiguchi T, Sakai T, Aoyama M, Satake H. Neuropeptides, hormone peptides, and their receptors in Ciona intestinalis: an update. Zoolog Sci 2010; 27:134-53. [PMID: 20141419 DOI: 10.2108/zsj.27.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The critical phylogenetic position of ascidians leads to the presumption that neuropeptides and hormones in vertebrates are highly likely to be evolutionarily conserved in ascidians, and the cosmopolitan species Ciona intestinalis is expected to be an excellent deuterostome Invertebrate model for studies on neuropeptides and hormones. Nevertheless, molecular and functional characterization of Ciona neuropeptides and hormone peptides was restricted to a few peptides such as a cholecystokinin (CCK)/gastrin peptide, cionin, and gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRHs). In the past few years, mass spectrometric analyses and database searches have detected Ciona orthologs or prototypes of vertebrate peptides and their receptors, including tachykinin, insulin/relaxin, calcitonin, and vasopressin. Furthermore, studies have shown that several Ciona peptides, including vasopressin and a novel GnRH-related peptide, have acquired ascidian-specific molecular forms and/or biological functions. These findings provided indisputable evidence that ascidians, unlike other invertebrates (including the traditional protostome model animals), possess neuropeptides and hormone peptides structurally and functionally related to vertebrate counterparts, and that several peptides have uniquely diverged in ascidian evolutionary lineages. Moreover, recent functional analyses of Ciona tachykinin in the ovary substantiated the novel tachykininergic protease-assoclated oocyte growth pathway, which could not have been revealed in studies on vertebrates. These findings confirm the outstanding advantages of ascidians in understanding the neuroscience, endocrinology, and evolution of vertebrate neuropeptides and hormone peptides. This article provides an overview of basic findings and reviews new knowledge on ascidian neuropeptides and hormone peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Kawada
- Suntory Institute for Bioorganic Research, 1-1-1 Wakayamadai, Shimamoto, Mishima, Osaka 618-8503, Japan
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Barlos KK, Gatos D, Vasileiou Z, Barlos K. An optimized chemical synthesis of human relaxin-2. J Pept Sci 2010; 16:200-11. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.1221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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De Meyts P, Gauguin L, Svendsen AM, Sarhan M, Knudsen L, Nøhr J, Kiselyov VV. Structural basis of allosteric ligand-receptor interactions in the insulin/relaxin peptide family: implications for other receptor tyrosine kinases and G-protein-coupled receptors. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1160:45-53. [PMID: 19416158 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.03837.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The insulin/relaxin superfamily of peptide hormones comprises 10 members in humans. The three members of the insulin-related subgroup bind to receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), while four of the seven members of the relaxin-like subgroup are now known to bind to G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the so-called relaxin family peptide receptors (RXFPs). Both systems have a long evolutionary history and play a critical role in fundamental biological processes, such as metabolism, growth, survival and longevity, and reproduction. The structural biology and ligand-binding kinetics of the insulin and insulin-like growth factor I receptors have been studied in great detail, culminating in the recent crystal structure of the insulin receptor extracellular domain. Some of the fundamental properties of these receptors, including constitutive dimerization and negative cooperativity, have recently been shown to extend to other RTKs and GPCRs, including RXFPs, confirming kinetic observations made over 30 years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre De Meyts
- Receptor Systems Biology Laboratory, Hagedorn Research Institute, Gentofte, Denmark
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