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Yang H, Yang S, Shen H, Wu S, Ruan J, Lyu G. Construction of the amniotic fluid-derived exosomal ceRNA network associated with ventricular septal defect. Genomics 2021; 113:4293-4302. [PMID: 34758360 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most frequent congenital cardiac malformations. Amniotic fluid (AF) contains a higher abundance of biological compounds that could reflect fetal health information. The aims of our study were to construct a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network based on AF-derived exosomal ncRNAs. We conducted whole transcriptome profiling in six pairs of AF-derived exosomes from VSD fetuses and matched healthy controls. A total of 1252 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs, 256 DE-miRNAs and 1090 DE-lncRNAs were found to be significantly altered in the VSD group. We constructed a ceRNA regulatory network including 46 mRNAs, 11 miRNAs and 47 lncRNAs. The expression level of 6 hub RNAs were validated using qRT-PCR. In conclusion, AF-derived exosomal VSD-related ceRNAs provide a basis for a better understanding of the role of ncRNAs in the pathogenesis and mechanisms of VSD, which may lead to the discovery of potential diagnostic biomarkers for fetal VSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hainan Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Shuping Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Zhangzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Haolin Shen
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Zhangzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Shufen Wu
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Zhangzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Junxian Ruan
- Department of Ultrasound, Quanzhou Women's and Children's Hospital, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Guorong Lyu
- Department of Ultrasound, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Maternal and Infant Health Service Application Technology of Education Ministry, Quanzhou Medical College, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
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Wei A, Wang Z, Rancu AL, Yang Z, Tan S, Borg TK, Gao BZ. In Vivo-Like Morphology of Intercalated Discs Achieved in a Neonatal Cardiomyocyte Culture Model. Tissue Eng Part A 2020; 26:1209-1221. [PMID: 32515285 PMCID: PMC7699015 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2020.0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro cultures to be used in various analytical investigations of cardiomyocyte (CM) growth and function for enhancing insight into physiological and pathological mechanisms should closely express in vivo morphology. The aim of the studies is to explore how to use microfabrication and physical-cue-addition techniques to establish a neonatal rat CM culture model that expresses an end-to-end connected rod shape with in vivo-like intercalated discs (ICDs). Freshly isolated neonatal rat CMs were cultured on microgrooved polydimethylsiloxane substrate. Cell alignment and ICD orientation were evaluated using confocal fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy under various combinations of different culture conditions. Cyclic stretch and blebbistatin tests were conducted to explore mechanical and electrical effects. Laboratory-made MATLAB software was developed to quantify cell alignment and ICD orientation. Our results demonstrate that the mechanical effect associated with the electrical stimulation may contribute to step-like ICD formation viewed from the top. In addition, our study reveals that a suspended elastic substrate that was slack with scattered folds, not taut, enabled CM contraction of equal strength on both apical and basal cell surfaces, allowing the cultured CMs to express a three-dimensional rod shape with disc-like ICDs viewed cross-sectionally. Impact statement In this article, we describe how the tugging forces generated by cardiomyocytes (CMs) facilitate the formation of the morphology of the intercalated discs (ICDs) to achieve mechanoelectrical coupling between CMs. Correspondingly, we report experimental techniques we developed to enable the in vivo-like behavior of the tugging forces to support the development of in vivo-like morphology in ICDs. These techniques will enhance insight into physiological and pathological mechanisms related to the development of tissue-engineered cardiac constructs in various analytical investigations of CM growth and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailin Wei
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Zhonghai Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - Zongming Yang
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Shenghao Tan
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Thomas Keith Borg
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Bruce Zhi Gao
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
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Mensah SA, Nersesyan AA, Ebong EE. Endothelial Glycocalyx-Mediated Intercellular Interactions: Mechanisms and Implications for Atherosclerosis and Cancer Metastasis. Cardiovasc Eng Technol 2020; 12:72-90. [PMID: 33000443 PMCID: PMC7904750 DOI: 10.1007/s13239-020-00487-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The endothelial glycocalyx (GCX) plays a critical role in the health of the vascular system. Degradation of the GCX has been implicated in the onset of diseases like atherosclerosis and cancer because it disrupts endothelial cell (EC) function that is meant to protect from atherosclerosis and cancer. Examples of such EC function include interendothelial cell communication via gap junctions and receptor-mediated interactions between endothelial and tumor cells. This review focuses on GCX-dependent regulation of these intercellular interactions in healthy and diseased states. The ultimate goal is to build new knowledge that can be applied to developing GCX regeneration strategies that can control intercellular interaction in order to combat the progression of diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer. Methods In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to determine the baseline expression of GCX in physiologically relevant conditions. Chemical and mechanical GCX degradation approaches were employed to degrade the GCX. The impact of intact versus degraded GCX on intercellular interactions was assessed using cytochemistry, histochemistry, a Lucifer yellow dye transfer assay, and confocal, intravital, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Results Relevant to atherosclerosis, we found that GCX stability determines the expression and functionality of Cx43 in gap junction-mediated EC-to-EC communication. Relevant to cancer metastasis, we found that destabilizing the GCX through either disturbed flow-induced or enzyme induced GCX degradation results in increased E-selectin receptor-mediated EC-tumor cell interactions. Conclusion Our findings lay a foundation for future endothelial GCX-targeted therapy, to control intercellular interactions and limit the progression of atherosclerosis and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon A Mensah
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Alina A Nersesyan
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eno E Ebong
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 335 Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Saucerman JJ, Tan PM, Buchholz KS, McCulloch AD, Omens JH. Mechanical regulation of gene expression in cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts. Nat Rev Cardiol 2019; 16:361-378. [PMID: 30683889 PMCID: PMC6525041 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-019-0155-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The intact heart undergoes complex and multiscale remodelling processes in response to altered mechanical cues. Remodelling of the myocardium is regulated by a combination of myocyte and non-myocyte responses to mechanosensitive pathways, which can alter gene expression and therefore function in these cells. Cellular mechanotransduction and its downstream effects on gene expression are initially compensatory mechanisms during adaptations to the altered mechanical environment, but under prolonged and abnormal loading conditions, they can become maladaptive, leading to impaired function and cardiac pathologies. In this Review, we summarize mechanoregulated pathways in cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts that lead to altered gene expression and cell remodelling under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Developments in systems modelling of the networks that regulate gene expression in response to mechanical stimuli should improve integrative understanding of their roles in vivo and help to discover new combinations of drugs and device therapies targeting mechanosignalling in heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J Saucerman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Philip M Tan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kyle S Buchholz
- Departments of Bioengineering and Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andrew D McCulloch
- Departments of Bioengineering and Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Jeffrey H Omens
- Departments of Bioengineering and Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Xu H, Qing T, Shen Y, Huang J, Liu Y, Li J, Zhen T, Xing K, Zhu S, Luo M. RNA-seq analyses the effect of high-salt diet in hypertension. Gene 2018; 677:245-250. [PMID: 30059752 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.07.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES High-salt diet is one of the major risk factors in the development of hypertension. Previous studies have observed a relationship between high-salt induced blood pressure levels and cardiac-cerebral disease. However, the molecular mechanism of high-salt diet induced hypertension and the serious complications in cardiovascular system still remain unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS We built high-salt diet induced hypertension rat models, and investigated the transcriptomic alteration in four hypertension affected tissues, i.e. ventricle and atrium in heart as well as cortex and medulla in kidney. Differential expression gene (DEG) analysis and further functional annotation including Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was performed to reveal the molecular mechanism of high-salt induced hypertension and organ injury. RESULTS We observed that several genes associated with cardiovascular development and organ injury were significantly dysregulated rat fed with high-salt diet, such as Mmp-15, Igfbp7, Rgs18 and Hras. We demonstrated that differential expressed genes were functionally related to the increased levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). CONCLUSION Our study provided new insight about molecular mechanism of high-salt induced hypertension and heart and kidney damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifeng Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Qing
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Shanghai Cinoasia Institute, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yi Shen
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junling Huang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Timing Zhen
- Shanghai Cinoasia Institute, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Kaichen Xing
- Shanghai Cinoasia Institute, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Sibo Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Shanghai Cinoasia Institute, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Ming Luo
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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Hoog TG, Fredrickson SJ, Hsu CW, Senger SM, Dickinson ME, Udan RS. The effects of reduced hemodynamic loading on morphogenesis of the mouse embryonic heart. Dev Biol 2018; 442:127-137. [PMID: 30012423 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Development of the embryonic heart involves an intricate network of biochemical and genetic cues to ensure its proper growth and morphogenesis. However, studies from avian and teleost models reveal that biomechanical force, namely hemodynamic loading (blood pressure and shear stress), plays a significant role in regulating heart development. To study how hemodynamic loading impacts development of the mammalian embryonic heart, we utilized mouse embryo culture and manipulation techniques and performed optical projection tomography imaging followed by morphometric analysis to determine how reduced-loading affects heart volume, myocardial thickness, trabeculation and looping. Our results reveal that hemodynamic loading can regulate these features at different thresholds. Intermediate levels of hemodynamic loading are sufficient to promote proper myocardial growth and heart size, but insufficient to promote looping and trabeculation. Whereas, low levels of hemodynamic loading fails to promote proper growth of the myocardium and heart size. These results reveal that the regulation of heart development by biomechanical force is conserved across many vertebrate classes, and this study begins to elucidate how these specific forces regulate development of the mammalian heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanner G Hoog
- Department of Biology, Missouri State University, United States
| | | | - Chih-Wei Hsu
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, United States
| | - Steven M Senger
- Department of Mathematics, Missouri State University, United States
| | - Mary E Dickinson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, United States
| | - Ryan S Udan
- Department of Biology, Missouri State University, United States.
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Hsu CK, Lin HH, Harn HIC, Hughes MW, Tang MJ, Yang CC. Mechanical forces in skin disorders. J Dermatol Sci 2018; 90:232-240. [PMID: 29567352 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical forces are known to regulate homeostasis of the skin and play a role in the pathogenesis of skin diseases. The epidermis consists of keratinocytes that are tightly adhered to each other by cell junctions. Defects in keratins or desmosomal/hemidesmosomal proteins lead to the attenuation of mechanical strength and formation of intraepidermal blisters in the case of epidermolysis bullosa simplex. The dermis is rich in extracellular matrix, especially collagen, and provides the majority of tensile force in the skin. Keloid and hypertrophic scar, which is the result of over-production of collagen by fibroblasts during the wound healing, are associated with extrinsic tensile forces and changes of intrinsic mechanical properties of the cell. Increasing evidences shows that stiffness of the skin environment determines the regenerative ability during wound healing process. Mechanotransduction pathways are also involved in the morphogenesis and cyclic growth of hair follicles. The development of androgenetic alopecia is correlated to tensile forces generated by the fibrous tissue underlying the scalp. Acral melanoma predominantly occurs in the weight-bearing area of the foot suggesting the role of mechanical stress. Increased dermal stiffness from fibrosis might be the cause of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa associated squamous cell carcinoma. Strategies to change the mechanical forces or modify the mechanotransduction signals may lead to a new way to treat skin diseases and promote skin regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Kai Hsu
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; International Research Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Hui Lin
- International Research Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hans I-Chen Harn
- International Research Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael W Hughes
- International Research Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Jer Tang
- International Research Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Chun Yang
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; International Research Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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8
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Abstract
Unlike diet and exercise, which individuals can modulate according to their lifestyle, aging is unavoidable. With normal or healthy aging, the heart undergoes extensive vascular, cellular, and interstitial molecular changes that result in stiffer less compliant hearts that experience a general decline in organ function. Although these molecular changes deemed cardiac remodeling were once thought to be concomitant with advanced cardiovascular disease, they can be found in patients without manifestation of clinical disease. It is now mostly acknowledged that these age-related mechanical changes confer vulnerability of the heart to cardiovascular stresses associated with disease, such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. However, recent studies have aimed at differentiating the initial compensatory changes that occur within the heart with age to maintain contractile function from the maladaptive responses associated with disease. This work has identified new targets to improve cardiac function during aging. Spanning invertebrate to vertebrate models, we use this review to delineate some hallmarks of physiological versus pathological remodeling that occur in the cardiomyocyte and its microenvironment, focusing especially on the mechanical changes that occur within the sarcomere, intercalated disc, costamere, and extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayla O Sessions
- From the Biomedical Sciences Program (A.O.S., A.J.E.) and Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla (A.J.E.); and Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA (A.J.E.)
| | - Adam J Engler
- From the Biomedical Sciences Program (A.O.S., A.J.E.) and Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla (A.J.E.); and Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA (A.J.E.).
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9
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Reduced expression of adherens and gap junction proteins can have a fundamental role in the development of heart failure following cardiac hypertrophy in rats. Exp Mol Pathol 2015; 100:167-76. [PMID: 26708424 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2015.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2015] [Revised: 12/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Hypertension causes cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac dysfunction and heart failure (HF). The mechanisms implicated in the transition from compensated to decompensated cardiac hypertrophy are not fully understood. This study was aimed to investigate whether alterations in the expression of intercalated disk proteins could contribute to the transition of compensated cardiac hypertrophy to dilated heart development that culminates in HF. Male rats were submitted to abdominal aortic constriction and at 90 days post surgery (dps), three groups were observed: sham-operated animals (controls), animals with hypertrophic hearts (HH) and animals with hypertrophic + dilated hearts (HD). Blood pressure was evaluated. The hearts were collected and Western blot and immunofluorescence were performed to desmoglein-2, desmocollin-2, N-cadherin, plakoglobin, Bcatenin, and connexin-43. Cardiac systolic function was evaluated using the Vevo 2100 ultrasound system. Data were considered significant when p b 0.05. Seventy percent of the animals presented with HH and 30% were HD at 90 dps. The blood pressure increased in both groups. The amount of desmoglein-2 and desmocollin-2 expression was increased in both groups and no difference was observed in either group. The expression of N-cadherin, plakoglobin and B-catenin increased in the HHgroup and decreased in the HDgroup; and connexin-43 decreased only in theHDgroup. Therewas no difference between the ejection fraction and fractional shortening at 30 and 60 dps; however, they were decreased in the HD group at 90 dps. We found that while some proteins have increased expression accompanied by the increase in the cell volume associated with preserved systolic cardiac function in theHHgroup, these same proteins had decreased expression evenwithout significant reduction in the cell volume associated with decreased systolic cardiac function in HD group. The increased expression of desmoglein-2 and desmocollin-2 in both the HH and HD groups could work as a protective compensatory mechanism, helping tomaintain the dilated heart.We can hypothesize that inappropriate intercellular mechanical and electrical coupling associated with necrosis and/or apoptosis are important factors contributing to the transition to HF.
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Lyon RC, Zanella F, Omens JH, Sheikh F. Mechanotransduction in cardiac hypertrophy and failure. Circ Res 2015; 116:1462-1476. [PMID: 25858069 PMCID: PMC4394185 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.116.304937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac muscle cells have an intrinsic ability to sense and respond to mechanical load through a process known as mechanotransduction. In the heart, this process involves the conversion of mechanical stimuli into biochemical events that induce changes in myocardial structure and function. Mechanotransduction and its downstream effects function initially as adaptive responses that serve as compensatory mechanisms during adaptation to the initial load. However, under prolonged and abnormal loading conditions, the remodeling processes can become maladaptive, leading to altered physiological function and the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Although the mechanisms underlying mechanotransduction are far from being fully elucidated, human and mouse genetic studies have highlighted various cytoskeletal and sarcolemmal structures in cardiac myocytes as the likely candidates for load transducers, based on their link to signaling molecules and architectural components important in disease pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize recent developments that have uncovered specific protein complexes linked to mechanotransduction and mechanotransmission within the sarcomere, the intercalated disc, and at the sarcolemma. The protein structures acting as mechanotransducers are the first step in the process that drives physiological and pathological cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling, as well as the transition to heart failure, and may provide better insights into mechanisms driving mechanotransduction-based diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C. Lyon
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Fabian Zanella
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Jeffrey H. Omens
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Farah Sheikh
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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11
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Gulino-Debrac D. Mechanotransduction at the basis of endothelial barrier function. Tissue Barriers 2014; 1:e24180. [PMID: 24665386 PMCID: PMC3879236 DOI: 10.4161/tisb.24180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Revised: 03/01/2013] [Accepted: 03/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Destabilization of cell-cell contacts involved in the maintenance of endothelial barrier function can lead to increased endothelial permeability. This increase in endothelial permeability results in an anarchical movement of fluid, solutes and cells outside the vasculature and into the surrounding tissues, thereby contributing to various diseases such as stroke or pulmonary edema. Thus, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating endothelial cell junction integrity is required for developing new therapies for these diseases. In this review, we describe the mechanotransduction mechanism at the basis of adherens junction strengthening at endothelial cell-cell contacts. More particularly, we report on the emerging role of α-catenin and EPLIN that act as a mechanotransmitter of myosin-IIgenerated traction forces. The interplay between α-catenin, EPLIN and the myosin-II machinery initiates the junctional recruitment of vinculin and α-actinin leading to a drastic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and to cortical actin ring reshaping. The pathways initiated by tyrosine phosphorylation of VE-cadherin at the basis of endothelial cell-cell junction remodeling is also reported, as it may be interrelated to α-catenin/ EPLIN-mediated mechanotransduction mechanisms. We also describe the junctional mechanosensory complex composed of PECAM-1, VE-cadherin and VEGFR2 that is able to transmit signaling pathway under the onset of shear stress. This mechanosensing mechanism, involved in the earliest events promoting atherogenesis, is required for endothelial cell alignment along flow direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Gulino-Debrac
- Biology of Cancer and Infection Laboratory; U INSERM 1036, iRTSV; Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA); Université Joseph Fourier; Grenoble, France
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12
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Abstract
There is a need to characterize biomechanical cell-cell interactions, but due to a lack of suitable experimental methods, relevant in vitro experimental data are often masked by cell-substrate interactions. This study describes a novel method to generate partially lifted substrate-free cell sheets that engage primarily in cell-cell interactions, yet are amenable to biological and chemical perturbations and, importantly, mechanical conditioning and characterization. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold is used to isolate a patch of cells, and the patch is then enzymatically lifted. The cells outside the mold remain attached, creating a partially lifted cell sheet. This simple yet powerful tool enables the simultaneous examination of lifted and adherent cells. This tool was then deployed to test the hypothesis that the lifted cells would exhibit substantial reinforcement of key cytoskeletal and junctional components at cell-cell contacts, and that such reinforcement would be enhanced by mechanical conditioning. Results demonstrate that the mechanical strength and cohesion of the substrate-free cell sheets strongly depend on the integrity of the actomyosin cytoskeleton and the cell-cell junctional protein plakoglobin. Both actin and plakoglobin are significantly reinforced at junctions with mechanical conditioning. However, total cellular actin is significantly diminished on dissociation from a substrate and does not recover with mechanical conditioning. These results represent a first systematic examination of mechanical conditioning on cells with primarily intercellular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
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13
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Insights into the role of cell-cell junctions in physiology and disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2013; 306:187-221. [PMID: 24016526 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407694-5.00005-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Contacting cells establish different classes of intricate structures at the cell-cell junctions. These structures are of increasing research interest as they regulate a broad variety of processes in development and disease. Further, in vitro studies are revealing that various cell-cell interaction proteins are involved not only in cell-cell processes but also in many additional aspects of physiology, such as migration and apoptosis. This chapter reviews the basic classification of cell-cell junctional structures and some of their representative proteins. Their roles in development and disease are briefly outlined, followed by a section on contemporary methods for probing cell-cell interactions and some recent developments. This chapter concludes with a few suggestions for potential research directions to further develop this promising area of study.
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