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Abstract
Embryonic heart development is an intricate process that mainly involves morphogens, transcription factors, and cardiac genes. The precise spatiotemporal expression of these genes during different developmental stages underlies normal heart development. Thus, mutation or aberrant expression of these genes may lead to congenital heart disease (CHD). However, evidence demonstrates that the mutation of genes accounts for only a small portion of CHD cases, whereas the aberrant expression regulated by epigenetic modification plays a predominant role in the pathogenesis of CHD. In this review, we provide essential knowledge on the aberrant epigenetic modification involved in the pathogenesis of CHD. Then, we discuss recent advances in the identification of novel epigenetic biomarkers. Last, we highlight the epigenetic roles in some adverse intrauterine environment‐related CHD, which may help the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these kinds of CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanglei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore MD
| | - Bingbing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore MD
| | - Peixin Yang
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore MD
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore MD
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Tenekeci S, Isik Z. Integrative Biological Network Analysis to Identify Shared Genes in Metabolic Disorders. IEEE/ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS 2022; 19:522-530. [PMID: 32396100 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2020.2993301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Identification of common molecular mechanisms in interrelated diseases is essential for better prognoses and targeted therapies. However, complexity of metabolic pathways makes it difficult to discover common disease genes underlying metabolic disorders; and it requires more sophisticated bioinformatics models that combine different types of biological data and computational methods. Accordingly, we built an integrative network analysis model to identify shared disease genes in metabolic syndrome (MS), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and coronary artery disease (CAD). We constructed weighted gene co-expression networks by combining gene expression, protein-protein interaction, and gene ontology data from multiple sources. For 90 different configurations of disease networks, we detected the significant modules by using MCL, SPICi, and Linkcomm graph clustering algorithms. We also performed a comparative evaluation on disease modules to determine the best method providing the highest biological validity. By overlapping the disease modules, we identified 22 shared genes for MS-CAD and T2D-CAD. Moreover, 19 out of these genes were directly or indirectly associated with relevant diseases in the previous medical studies. This study does not only demonstrate the performance of different biological data sources and computational methods in disease-gene discovery, but also offers potential insights into common genetic mechanisms of the metabolic disorders.
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Role of EBAF/Nodal/p27 signaling pathway in development of placenta in normal and diabetic rats. Dev Biol 2021; 481:172-178. [PMID: 34737126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Placentas control the maternal-fetal transport of nutrients and gases. Placental reactions to adverse intrauterine conditions affect fetal development. Such adverse conditions occur in pregnancies complicated by diabetes, leading to alterations in placental anatomy and physiology. In this study, streptozocin (STZ) injection produced sustained hyperglycemia during pregnancy in rats. Hyperglycemic pregnant rats had gained significantly less weight than normal pregnant rats on embryonic day 15.5. We investigated the influence of diabetes on placental anatomy and physiology. Compared with controls, the diabetic group had a markedly thicker junctional zone at embryonic day 15.5. To explore a mechanism for this abnormality, we examined Nodal expression in the junctional zone of control and diabetic groups. We found lower expression of Nodal in the diabetic group. We then investigated the expression of its target gene p27Kip1 (p27), which is related to cell proliferation. In vitro, Nodal overexpression up-regulated p27 protein levels while interfered EBAF up-regulated p27. In vivo, the expression of p27 was lower in diabetic compared with normal rats, and localization was similar between the two groups. In contrast, a higher expression of PCNA was found in diabetic versus normal placenta. Endometrial bleeding associated factor (EBAF), an up-stream molecular regulator of Nodal, was expressed at higher levels in placenta from diabetic versus normal rats. Based on these results, we speculate that the EBAF/Nodal/p27 signaling pathway plays a role in morphological change of diabetic placenta.
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Chen A, Tan B, Cheng Y. P300 Inhibition Improves Cell Apoptosis and Cognition Impairment Induced by Sevoflurane Through Regulating IL-17A Activation. World Neurosurg 2021; 154:e566-e571. [PMID: 34314911 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.07.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sevoflurane (Sev) is a rapidly acting, potent inhalation anesthetic with rapid uptake and elimination. But many studies have shown that Sev could result in cognition dysfunction in adolescent or aging patients. Now, therapeutic targeting with IL-17A antibody has shown a promising effect on Sev-induced cognition impairment. In the study we report that P300 inhibition could act as an alternative approach to decrease IL-17A activity. METHODS SHSY5Y cells were treated with Sev and cell apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The expression of P300 and IL-17A were assessed by Western blotting. Water maze tests were conducted in order to assess the cognitive function. RESULTS We found that P300 and IL-17A were activated in SHSY5Y cells treated with Sev. P300 inhibitor C646 could reduce the apoptosis induced by Sev through decreasing IL-17A avtivity. Furthermore, IL-17A expression was upregulated after neurons were transfected with P300 expression plasmid and IL-17A expression was downregulated after neurons were incubated with P300 inhibitor C646. P300 overexpression could upregulate the promoter activity of IL-17A. Finally, in a rat model treated with Sev, we also found C646 to significantly improve the cognition impairment through the IL-17A pathway. CONCLUSIONS These data show that P300 will potentially be a new drug target for the therapy of cognition impairment caused by Sev.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Binbin Tan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yifeng Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, China
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Rufaihah AJ, Chen CK, Yap CH, Mattar CNZ. Mending a broken heart: In vitro, in vivo and in silico models of congenital heart disease. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm047522. [PMID: 33787508 PMCID: PMC8033415 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.047522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Birth defects contribute to ∼0.3% of global infant mortality in the first month of life, and congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect among newborns worldwide. Despite the significant impact on human health, most treatments available for this heterogenous group of disorders are palliative at best. For this reason, the complex process of cardiogenesis, governed by multiple interlinked and dose-dependent pathways, is well investigated. Tissue, animal and, more recently, computerized models of the developing heart have facilitated important discoveries that are helping us to understand the genetic, epigenetic and mechanobiological contributors to CHD aetiology. In this Review, we discuss the strengths and limitations of different models of normal and abnormal cardiogenesis, ranging from single-cell systems and 3D cardiac organoids, to small and large animals and organ-level computational models. These investigative tools have revealed a diversity of pathogenic mechanisms that contribute to CHD, including genetic pathways, epigenetic regulators and shear wall stresses, paving the way for new strategies for screening and non-surgical treatment of CHD. As we discuss in this Review, one of the most-valuable advances in recent years has been the creation of highly personalized platforms with which to study individual diseases in clinically relevant settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Jalil Rufaihah
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228
| | - Ching Kit Chen
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228
| | - Choon Hwai Yap
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat -National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, Singapore 119228
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Citra N Z Mattar
- Experimental Fetal Medicine Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Health System, Singapore 119228
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Lim TB, Foo SYR, Chen CK. The Role of Epigenetics in Congenital Heart Disease. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12030390. [PMID: 33803261 PMCID: PMC7998561 DOI: 10.3390/genes12030390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect among newborns worldwide and contributes to significant infant morbidity and mortality. Owing to major advances in medical and surgical management, as well as improved prenatal diagnosis, the outcomes for these children with CHD have improved tremendously so much so that there are now more adults living with CHD than children. Advances in genomic technologies have discovered the genetic causes of a significant fraction of CHD, while at the same time pointing to remarkable complexity in CHD genetics. For this reason, the complex process of cardiogenesis, which is governed by multiple interlinked and dose-dependent pathways, is a well investigated process. In addition to the sequence of the genome, the contribution of epigenetics to cardiogenesis is increasingly recognized. Significant progress has been made dissecting the epigenome of the heart and identified associations with cardiovascular diseases. The role of epigenetic regulation in cardiac development/cardiogenesis, using tissue and animal models, has been well reviewed. Here, we curate the current literature based on studies in humans, which have revealed associated and/or causative epigenetic factors implicated in CHD. We sought to summarize the current knowledge on the functional role of epigenetics in cardiogenesis as well as in distinct CHDs, with an aim to provide scientists and clinicians an overview of the abnormal cardiogenic pathways affected by epigenetic mechanisms, for a better understanding of their impact on the developing fetal heart, particularly for readers interested in CHD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingsen Benson Lim
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore;
| | - Sik Yin Roger Foo
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore;
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Ching Kit Chen
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore;
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
- Correspondence:
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Ghosh AK. p300 in Cardiac Development and Accelerated Cardiac Aging. Aging Dis 2020; 11:916-926. [PMID: 32765954 PMCID: PMC7390535 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2020.0401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The heart is the first functional organ that develops during embryonic development. While a heartbeat indicates life, cessation of a heartbeat signals the end of life. Heart disease, due either to congenital defects or to acquired dysfunctions in adulthood, remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Epigenetics plays a key role in both embryonic heart development and heart disease in adults. Stress-induced vascular injury activates pathways involved in pathogenesis of accelerated cardiac aging that includes cellular dysfunction, pathological cardiac hypertrophy, diabetic cardiomyopathy, cardiac matrix remodeling, cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Acetyltransferase p300 (p300), a major epigenetic regulator, plays a pivotal role in heart development during embryogenesis, as deficiency or abnormal expression of p300 leads to embryonic death at early gestation periods due to deformation of the heart and neural tube. Acetyltransferase p300 controls heart development through histone acetylation-mediated chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation of genes required for cardiac development. In adult hearts, p300 is differentially expressed in different chambers and epigenetically controls cardiac gene expression. Deregulation of p300, in response to prohypertrophic and profibrogenic stress signals, is associated with increased recruitment of p300 to several genes including transcription factors, increased acetylation of specific lysines in histones and transcription factors, altered chromatin organization, and increased hypertrophic and fibrogenic gene expression. Cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial fibrogenesis are common pathological manifestations of several stress-induced accelerated cardiac aging-related pathologies, including high blood pressure-induced or environmentally induced cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. Numerous studies using cellular and animal models clearly indicate that pharmacologic or genetic normalization of p300 activity has the potential to prevent or halt the progression of cardiac aging pathologies. Based on these preclinical studies, development of safe, non-toxic, small molecule inhibitors/epidrugs targeting p300 is an ideal approach to control accelerated cardiac aging-related deaths worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asish K Ghosh
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Genetic testing for ventricular septal defect. THE EUROBIOTECH JOURNAL 2018. [DOI: 10.2478/ebtj-2018-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are the commonest heart malformations and may affect the membranous or the muscular septum. Clinical presentation depends on the amount of interventricular flow, which is determined by the size of the defect and the relative resistances of the pulmonary and systemic vascular beds. The prevalence of VSD is estimated at about 5% among infants. Many small malformations present at birth may later undergo spontaneous closure. VSD may have autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive inheritance and may exist as isolated forms or as part of a syndrome. This Utility Gene Test was developed on the basis of an analysis of the literature and existing diagnostic protocols. It is useful for confirming diagnosis, as well as for differential diagnosis, couple risk assessment and access to clinical trials.
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Mattes K, Berger G, Geugien M, Vellenga E, Schepers H. CITED2 affects leukemic cell survival by interfering with p53 activation. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e3132. [PMID: 29072699 PMCID: PMC5680917 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
CITED2 (CBP/p300-interacting-transactivator-with-an-ED-rich-tail 2) is a regulator of the acetyltransferase CBP/p300 and elevated CITED2 levels are shown in a number of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To study the in vivo role of CITED2 in AML maintenance, AML cells were transduced with a lentiviral construct for RNAi-mediated knockdown of CITED2. Mice transplanted with CITED2-knockdown AML cells (n=4) had a significantly longer survival compared to mice transplanted with control AML cells (P<0.02). In vitro, the reduction of CITED2 resulted in increased p53-mediated apoptosis and CDKN1A expression, whereas BCL2 levels were reduced. The activation of p53 upon CITED2 knockdown is not a direct consequence of increased CBP/p300-activity towards p53, since no increased formation of CBP/p300/p53 complexes was demonstrated and inhibition of CBP/p300-activity could not rescue the phenotype of CITED2-deficient cells. Instead, loss of CITED2 had an inhibitory effect on the AKT-signaling pathway, which was indicated by decreased levels of phosphorylated AKT and altered expression of the AKT-pathway regulators PHLDA3 and SOX4. Notably, simultaneous upregulation of BCL2 or downregulation of the p53-target gene PHLDA3 rescued the apoptotic phenotype in CITED2-knockdown cells. Furthermore, knockdown of CITED2 led to a decreased interaction of p53 with its inhibitor MDM2, which results in increased amounts of total p53 protein. In summary, our data indicate that CITED2 functions in pathways regulating p53 activity and therefore represents an interesting target for AML therapy, since de novo AML cases are characterized by an inactivation of the p53 pathway or deregulation of apoptosis-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Mattes
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerbrig Berger
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marjan Geugien
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Edo Vellenga
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Schepers
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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ROCK1/p53/NOXA signaling mediates cardiomyocyte apoptosis in response to high glucose in vitro and vivo. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1863:936-946. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Bagheri-Fam S, Ono M, Li L, Zhao L, Ryan J, Lai R, Katsura Y, Rossello FJ, Koopman P, Scherer G, Bartsch O, Eswarakumar JVP, Harley VR. FGFR2 mutation in 46,XY sex reversal with craniosynostosis. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:6699-710. [PMID: 26362256 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis (GD) exhibit genital anomalies, which range from hypospadias to complete male-to-female sex reversal. However, a molecular diagnosis is made in only 30% of cases. Heterozygous mutations in the human FGFR2 gene cause various craniosynostosis syndromes including Crouzon and Pfeiffer, but testicular defects were not reported. Here, we describe a patient whose features we would suggest represent a new FGFR2-related syndrome, craniosynostosis with XY male-to-female sex reversal or CSR. The craniosynostosis patient was chromosomally XY, but presented as a phenotypic female due to complete GD. DNA sequencing identified the FGFR2c heterozygous missense mutation, c.1025G>C (p.Cys342Ser). Substitution of Cys342 by Ser or other amino acids (Arg/Phe/Try/Tyr) has been previously reported in Crouzon and Pfeiffer syndrome. We show that the 'knock-in' Crouzon mouse model Fgfr2c(C342Y/C342Y) carrying a Cys342Tyr substitution displays XY gonadal sex reversal with variable expressivity. We also show that despite FGFR2c-Cys342Tyr being widely considered a gain-of-function mutation, Cys342Tyr substitution in the gonad leads to loss of function, as demonstrated by sex reversal in Fgfr2c(C342Y/-) mice carrying the knock-in allele on a null background. The rarity of our patient suggests the influence of modifier genes which exacerbated the testicular phenotype. Indeed, patient whole exome analysis revealed several potential modifiers expressed in Sertoli cells at the time of testis determination in mice. In summary, this study identifies the first FGFR2 mutation in a 46,XY GD patient. We conclude that, in certain rare genetic contexts, maintaining normal levels of FGFR2 signaling is important for human testis determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Bagheri-Fam
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology,
| | - Makoto Ono
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Li Li
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Liang Zhao
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Janelle Ryan
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Raymond Lai
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yukako Katsura
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, USA
| | - Fernando J Rossello
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Gerd Scherer
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany and
| | - Oliver Bartsch
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jacob V P Eswarakumar
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Vincent R Harley
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology,
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Torrado M, Franco D, Hernández-Torres F, Crespo-Leiro MG, Iglesias-Gil C, Castro-Beiras A, Mikhailov AT. Pitx2c is reactivated in the failing myocardium and stimulates myf5 expression in cultured cardiomyocytes. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90561. [PMID: 24595098 PMCID: PMC3942452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 02/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pitx2 (paired-like homeodomain 2 transcription factor) is crucial for heart development, but its role in heart failure (HF) remains uncertain. The present study lays the groundwork implicating Pitx2 signalling in different modalities of HF. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A variety of molecular, cell-based, biochemical, and immunochemical assays were used to evaluate: (1) Pitx2c expression in the porcine model of diastolic HF (DHF) and in patients with systolic HF (SHF) due to dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy, and (2) molecular consequences of Pitx2c expression manipulation in cardiomyocytes in vitro. In pigs, the expression of Pitx2c, physiologically downregulated in the postnatal heart, is significantly re-activated in left ventricular (LV) failing myocardium which, in turn, is associated with increased expression of a restrictive set of Pitx2 target genes. Among these, Myf5 was identified as the top upregulated gene. In vitro, forced expression of Pitx2c in cardiomyocytes, but not in skeletal myoblasts, activates Myf5 in dose-dependent manner. In addition, we demonstrate that the level of Pitx2c is upregulated in the LV-myocardium of SHF patients. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The results provide previously unrecognized evidence that Pitx2c is similarly reactivated in postnatal/adult heart at distinct HF phenotypes and suggest that Pitx2c is involved, directly or indirectly, in the regulation of Myf5 expression in cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Torrado
- Institute of Health Sciences, University of La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
| | - Diego Franco
- Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Alfonso Castro-Beiras
- Institute of Health Sciences, University of La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
- University Hospital Center of La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
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