1
|
Wijayarathna R, Hedger MP. New aspects of activin biology in epididymal function and immunopathology. Andrology 2024; 12:964-972. [PMID: 37644728 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The activins (A and B) and their binding protein, follistatin, play crucial roles in development, immunoregulation and inflammation throughout the body. In the male reproductive tract of the mouse, activin A and B production is largely confined to the initial segment and proximal caput of the epididymis and the efferent ducts, under normal conditions, with very low expression in the corpus, cauda and vas deferens. However, activin A protein is present throughout the epididymis and vas deferens and is largely associated with the epithelium and interstitial macrophages. Conversely, the activin-binding protein follistatin is produced in the distal epididymis, with very high expression in the vas deferens. Activin activity in the distal tract is inhibited by follistatin, and the activin-follistatin balance is important for regulating coiling of the duct during epididymal development. In further experiments, as described in this report, in situ hybridisation was used to localise activin A mRNA principally to cells in the periductal zone and interstitium in the efferent ducts and proximal caput. Activin B mRNA, on the other hand, was localised to periductal cells in the efferent ducts and proximal epididymis and, most notably, to epithelial cells in the initial segment. Activin A is implicated in the regulation of mononuclear phagocyte function and immune responses in the caput and stimulates the expression of the key immunoregulatory protein, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in this region. Activin A production in the corpus and cauda increases dramatically during bacterial epididymitis in mice, promoting inflammation and fibrosis and causing damage to the epithelium and obstruction of the epididymal duct. Consequently, it appears that the activin-follistatin axis is crucial for maintaining normal epididymal structure and function, but disruption of this balance during inflammation has deleterious effects on male fertility. Follistatin has therapeutic potential in ameliorating the proinflammatory and profibrotic effects of activins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rukmali Wijayarathna
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark P Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nagayama I, Takayanagi K, Nagata D, Hasegawa H, Maeshima A. Potential Utility of Urinary Follistatin as a Non-Invasive Indicator of Acute Tubular Damage in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury. Cells 2024; 13:525. [PMID: 38534369 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Activin A is known to impede tubular repair following renal ischemia, whereas exogenous follistatin, an activin A antagonist, has been shown to ameliorate kidney damage in rats. Despite these findings, the precise role of endogenous follistatin in the kidney has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the localization of follistatin in the normal human kidney and its potential utility as a marker for acute kidney injury (AKI). In a total of 118 AKI patients and 16 healthy adults, follistatin levels in serum and urine were quantified using ELISA, and correlations with clinical parameters were analyzed. Follistatin-producing cells were positive for Na-Cl co-transporter and uromodulin, but negative for aquaporin 1 and aquaporin 2. Unlike healthy adults, urinary follistatin significantly increased in AKI patients, correlating positively with AKI severity. Urinary follistatin levels were notably higher in patients needing renal replacement therapy. Significant correlations were observed with urinary protein, α1 microglobulin, and urinary NGAL, but not with urinary KIM-1, urinary L-FABP, urinary NAG, urinary β2 microglobulin, or serum creatinine. Interestingly, no correlation between urinary and serum follistatin levels was identified, indicating a renal origin for urinary follistatin. In conclusion, follistatin, produced by distal tubules, is detectable in the urine of AKI patients, suggesting its potential as a valuable marker for monitoring acute tubular damage severity in AKI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Nagayama
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe 350-8550, Japan
| | - Kaori Takayanagi
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe 350-8550, Japan
| | - Daisuke Nagata
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0431, Japan
| | - Hajime Hasegawa
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe 350-8550, Japan
| | - Akito Maeshima
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe 350-8550, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cole AJ, Panesso-Gómez S, Shah JS, Ebai T, Jiang Q, Gumusoglu-Acar E, Bello MG, Vlad A, Modugno F, Edwards RP, Buckanovich RJ. Quiescent Ovarian Cancer Cells Secrete Follistatin to Induce Chemotherapy Resistance in Surrounding Cells in Response to Chemotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:1969-1983. [PMID: 36795892 PMCID: PMC10192102 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-2254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We recently reported that the transcription factor NFATC4, in response to chemotherapy, drives cellular quiescence to increase ovarian cancer chemoresistance. The goal of this work was to better understand the mechanisms of NFATC4-driven ovarian cancer chemoresistance. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We used RNA sequencing to identify NFATC4-mediated differential gene expression. CRISPR-Cas9 and FST (follistatin)-neutralizing antibodies were used to assess impact of loss of FST function on cell proliferation and chemoresistance. ELISA was used to quantify FST induction in patient samples and in vitro in response to chemotherapy. RESULTS We found that NFATC4 upregulates FST mRNA and protein expression predominantly in quiescent cells and FST is further upregulated following chemotherapy treatment. FST acts in at least a paracrine manner to induce a p-ATF2-dependent quiescent phenotype and chemoresistance in non-quiescent cells. Consistent with this, CRISPR knockout (KO) of FST in ovarian cancer cells or antibody-mediated neutralization of FST sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to chemotherapy treatment. Similarly, CRISPR KO of FST in tumors increased chemotherapy-mediated tumor eradication in an otherwise chemotherapy-resistant tumor model. Suggesting a role for FST in chemoresistance in patients, FST protein in the abdominal fluid of patients with ovarian cancer significantly increases within 24 hours of chemotherapy exposure. FST levels decline to baseline levels in patients no longer receiving chemotherapy with no evidence of disease. Furthermore, elevated FST expression in patient tumors is correlated with poor progression-free, post-progression-free, and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS FST is a novel therapeutic target to improve ovarian cancer response to chemotherapy and potentially reduce recurrence rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. Cole
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Santiago Panesso-Gómez
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jaynish S. Shah
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University and Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tonge Ebai
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Qi Jiang
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ece Gumusoglu-Acar
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Maya G. Bello
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anda Vlad
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Francesmary Modugno
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert P. Edwards
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ronald J. Buckanovich
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nagayama I, Takayanagi K, Hasegawa H, Maeshima A. Tubule-Derived Follistatin Is Increased in the Urine of Rats with Renal Ischemia and Reflects the Severity of Acute Tubular Damage. Cells 2023; 12:801. [PMID: 36899937 PMCID: PMC10000847 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Activin A, a member of the TGF-beta superfamily, is a negative regulator of tubular regeneration after renal ischemia. Activin action is controlled by an endogenous antagonist, follistatin. However, the role of follistatin in the kidney is not fully understood. In the present study, we examined the expression and localization of follistatin in normal and ischemic rat kidneys and measured urinary follistatin in rats with renal ischemia to assess whether urinary follistatin could serve as a biomarker for acute kidney injury. Using vascular clamps, renal ischemia was induced for 45 min in 8-week-old male Wistar rats. In normal kidneys, follistatin was localized in distal tubules of the cortex. In contrast, in ischemic kidneys, follistatin was localized in distal tubules of both the cortex and outer medulla. Follistatin mRNA was mainly present in the descending limb of Henle of the outer medulla in normal kidneys but was upregulated in the descending limb of Henle of both the outer and inner medulla after renal ischemia. Urinary follistatin, which was undetectable in normal rats, was significantly increased in ischemic rats and peaked 24 h after reperfusion. There was no correlation between urinary follistatin and serum follistatin. Urinary follistatin levels were increased according to ischemic duration and were significantly correlated with the follistatin-positive area as well as the acute tubular damage area. These results suggest that follistatin normally produced by renal tubules increases and becomes detectable in urine after renal ischemia. Urinary follistatin might be useful to assess the severity of acute tubular damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Akito Maeshima
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe 350-8550, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhou J, Lin H, Lv T, Hao J, Zhang H, Sun S, Yang J, Chi J, Guo H. Inappropriate Activation of TLR4/NF-κB is a Cause of Heart Failure. CARDIOVASCULAR INNOVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.15212/cvia.2022.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Significance: Heart failure, a disease with extremely high incidence, is closely associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway plays an important role in the occurrence and development of heart failure.
Recent advances: Previous studies have shown that TLR4/NF-κB causes heart failure by inducing oxidative stress and inflammation; damaging the endothelia; promoting fibrosis; and inducing myocardial hypertrophy, apoptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy.
Critical issues: Understanding the pathogenesis of heart failure is essential for the treatment of this disease. In this review, we outline the mechanisms underlying TLR4/NF-κB pathway-mediated heart failure and discuss drugs that alleviate heart failure by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.
Future directions: During TLR4/NF-κB overactivation, interventions targeting specific receptor antagonists may effectively alleviate heart failure, thus providing a basis for the development of new anti-heart failure drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiedong Zhou
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Hui Lin
- Department of Cardiology, Shaoxing People’s Hospital Shaoxing Hospital, Shaoxing, China
| | - Tingting Lv
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Jinjin Hao
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hanlin Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shimin Sun
- The First Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Juntao Yang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Jufang Chi
- Department of Cardiology, Shaoxing People’s Hospital Shaoxing Hospital, Shaoxing, China
| | - Hangyuan Guo
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cobb MS, Tao S, Shortt K, Girgis M, Hauptman J, Schriewer J, Chin Z, Dorfman E, Campbell K, Heruth DP, Shohet RV, Dawn B, Konorev EA. Smad3 promotes adverse cardiovascular remodeling and dysfunction in doxorubicin-treated hearts. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2022; 323:H1091-H1107. [PMID: 36269647 PMCID: PMC9678413 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00312.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Many anticancer therapies cause serious cardiovascular complications that degrade quality of life and cause early mortality in treated patients. Specifically, doxorubicin is known as an effective anticancer agent that causes cardiomyopathy in treated patients. There has been growing interest in defining the role of endothelial cells in cardiac damage by doxorubicin. We have shown in the present study that endothelial nuclei accumulate more intravenously administered doxorubicin than other cardiac cell types. Doxorubicin enhanced cardiac production of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) ligands and nuclear translocation of phospho-Smad3 in both cultured and in vivo cardiac endothelial cells. To examine the role of the TGF-β/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3) pathway in cardiac damage by doxorubicin, we used both Smad3 shRNA stable endothelial cell lines and Smad3-knockout mice. We demonstrated using endothelial transcriptome analysis that upregulation of the TGF-β and inflammatory cytokine/cytokine receptor pathways, as well as suppression of cell cycle and angiogenesis by doxorubicin, were alleviated in Smad3-deficient endothelial cells. The results of transcriptomic analysis were validated using qPCR, immunoblotting, and ex vivo aortic ring sprouting assays. Similarly, increased cardiac expression of cytokines and chemokines observed in treated wild-type mice was diminished in treated Smad3-knockout animals. We also detected increased end-diastolic diameter and depressed systolic function in doxorubicin-treated wild-type but not Smad3-knockout mice. This work provides evidence for the critical role of the canonical TGF-β/Smad3 pathway in cardiac damage by doxorubicin.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Microvascular endothelial cells in the heart accumulate more intravenously administered doxorubicin than nonendothelial cardiac cell types. The treatment enhanced the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway and elicited endothelial cell senescence and inflammatory responses followed by adverse cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in wild-type but not Smad3-deficient animals. Our study suggests that the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway contributes to the development of doxorubicin cardiomyopathy and the potential value of novel approaches to ameliorate cardiotoxicity by targeting the Smad3 transcription factor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa S. Cobb
- 1Department of Basic Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Shixin Tao
- 1Department of Basic Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Katherine Shortt
- 2Ambry Genetics, Department of Advanced Analytics, Aliso Viejo, California
| | - Magdy Girgis
- 3Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, Nevada
| | - Jeryl Hauptman
- 3Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, Nevada
| | - Jill Schriewer
- 1Department of Basic Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Zaphrirah Chin
- 1Department of Basic Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Edward Dorfman
- 1Department of Basic Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Kyle Campbell
- 1Department of Basic Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Daniel P. Heruth
- 4The Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, Missouri,5Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri—Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Ralph V. Shohet
- 6Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine,
University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Buddhadeb Dawn
- 3Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, Nevada
| | - Eugene A. Konorev
- 1Department of Basic Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, Missouri
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ledwoch N, Wiegmann B, Chichelnitskiy E, Wandrer F, Kühne JF, Beushausen K, Keil J, Radomsky L, Sommer W, Knöfel AK, Rojas SV, Ius F, Haverich A, Warnecke G, Falk CS. Identification of distinct secretory patterns and their regulatory networks of ischemia versus reperfusion phases in clinical heart transplantation. Cytokine 2021; 149:155744. [PMID: 34649160 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2021.155744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is associated with inflammatory responses contributing to the development of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and rejection. Here, we investigated the pathophysiology of IRI and the early phase after heart transplantation (HTx) regarding its cytokine/chemokine and endothelial networks. METHODS Using multiplex technology, we assessed protein concentrations in plasma samples of HTx recipients (n = 11) pre-, postoperatively, 24 h and 3 weeks after HTx. The same proteins were quantified in organ storage solutions at the end of heart storage (n = 10). Unsupervised cluster, principal component analysis (PCA), K-nearest neighbor (KNN) network classifier analysis, ANOVA and Spearman correlation analyses were performed to identify specific patterns for IRI and individual kinetics of important soluble factors in HTx. RESULTS Unique patterns of soluble factors were identified in plasma of HTx patients. KNN analysis defined IL-10, IL-6, sIL-6Rα, IL-1RA, IL-16, sVEGFR-1, IGFBP-1, HGF and sHer-2 as strongest signals directly post-Tx declining 24 hrs after HTx. By contrast, MIF, osteopontin (OPN), sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1, IGFBP-1, SCGF-ß, HGF were highly enriched in organ storage solutions, reflecting distinct ischemic (storage solution) vs. reperfusion (plasma) signatures. CONCLUSIONS We identified specific inflammatory signatures for ischemic vs. reperfusion phases of HTx, associated with pro- as well as anti-inflammatory and endothelial biomarker candidates for IRI. These signatures might help to identify potential danger factors and their networks at both the ex situ (ischemic) as well as the reperfusion phase in the recipient after implantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Ledwoch
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bettina Wiegmann
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Lung Research, DZL, BREATH Site, Germany
| | | | - Franziska Wandrer
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jenny F Kühne
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Beushausen
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jana Keil
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lena Radomsky
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research, DZIF, TTU-IICH Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Germany
| | - Wiebke Sommer
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; German Centre for Lung Research, DZL, BREATH Site, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Knöfel
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Lung Research, DZL, BREATH Site, Germany
| | - Sebastian V Rojas
- Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinikum der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Fabio Ius
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Haverich
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gregor Warnecke
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; German Centre for Lung Research, DZL, BREATH Site, Germany
| | - Christine S Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Lung Research, DZL, BREATH Site, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research, DZIF, TTU-IICH Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hanna A, Humeres C, Frangogiannis NG. The role of Smad signaling cascades in cardiac fibrosis. Cell Signal 2020; 77:109826. [PMID: 33160018 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Most myocardial pathologic conditions are associated with cardiac fibrosis, the expansion of the cardiac interstitium through deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Although replacement fibrosis plays a reparative role after myocardial infarction, excessive, unrestrained or dysregulated myocardial ECM deposition is associated with ventricular dysfunction, dysrhythmias and adverse prognosis in patients with heart failure. The members of the Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β superfamily are critical regulators of cardiac repair, remodeling and fibrosis. TGF-βs are released and activated in injured tissues, bind to their receptors and transduce signals in part through activation of cascades involving a family of intracellular effectors the receptor-activated Smads (R-Smads). This review manuscript summarizes our knowledge on the role of Smad signaling cascades in cardiac fibrosis. Smad3, the best-characterized member of the family plays a critical role in activation of a myofibroblast phenotype, stimulation of ECM synthesis, integrin expression and secretion of proteases and anti-proteases. In vivo, fibroblast Smad3 signaling is critically involved in scar organization and exerts matrix-preserving actions. Although Smad2 also regulates fibroblast function in vitro, its in vivo role in rodent models of cardiac fibrosis seems more limited. Very limited information is available on the potential involvement of the Smad1/5/8 cascade in cardiac fibrosis. Dissection of the cellular actions of Smads in cardiac fibrosis, and identification of patient subsets with overactive or dysregulated myocardial Smad-dependent fibrogenic responses are critical for design of successful therapeutic strategies in patients with fibrosis-associated heart failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anis Hanna
- The Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Claudio Humeres
- The Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Nikolaos G Frangogiannis
- The Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Szabó Z, Vainio L, Lin R, Swan J, Hulmi JJ, Rahtu-Korpela L, Serpi R, Laitinen M, Pasternack A, Ritvos O, Kerkelä R, Magga J. Systemic blockade of ACVR2B ligands attenuates muscle wasting in ischemic heart failure without compromising cardiac function. FASEB J 2020; 34:9911-9924. [PMID: 32427381 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201903074rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Signaling through activin receptors regulates skeletal muscle mass and activin receptor 2B (ACVR2B) ligands are also suggested to participate in myocardial infarction (MI) pathology in the heart. In this study, we determined the effect of systemic blockade of ACVR2B ligands on cardiac function in experimental MI, and defined its efficacy to revert muscle wasting in ischemic heart failure (HF). Mice were treated with soluble ACVR2B decoy receptor (ACVR2B-Fc) to study its effect on post-MI cardiac remodeling and on later HF. Cardiac function was determined with echocardiography, and myocardium analyzed with histological and biochemical methods for hypertrophy and fibrosis. Pharmacological blockade of ACVR2B ligands did not rescue the heart from ischemic injury or alleviate post-MI remodeling and ischemic HF. Collectively, ACVR2B-Fc did not affect cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, angiogenesis, nor factors associated with cardiac regeneration except modification of certain genes involved in metabolism or cell growth/survival. ACVR2B-Fc, however, was able to reduce skeletal muscle wasting in chronic ischemic HF, accompanied by reduced LC3II as a marker of autophagy and increased mTOR signaling and Cited4 expression as markers of physiological hypertrophy in quadriceps muscle. Our results ascertain pharmacological blockade of ACVR2B ligands as a possible therapy for skeletal muscle wasting in ischemic HF. Pharmacological blockade of ACVR2B ligands preserved myofiber size in ischemic HF, but did not compromise cardiac function nor exacerbate cardiac remodeling after ischemic injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán Szabó
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Laura Vainio
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Ruizhu Lin
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Julia Swan
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Juha J Hulmi
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Neuromuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lea Rahtu-Korpela
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Raisa Serpi
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Mika Laitinen
- Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Arja Pasternack
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Ritvos
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Risto Kerkelä
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Johanna Magga
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chang K, Kang P, Liu Y, Huang K, Miao T, Sagona AP, Nezis IP, Bodmer R, Ocorr K, Bai H. TGFB-INHB/activin signaling regulates age-dependent autophagy and cardiac health through inhibition of MTORC2. Autophagy 2019; 16:1807-1822. [PMID: 31884871 PMCID: PMC8386626 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2019.1704117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related impairment of macroautophagy/autophagy and loss of cardiac tissue homeostasis contribute significantly to cardiovascular diseases later in life. MTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase) signaling is the most well-known regulator of autophagy, cellular homeostasis, and longevity. The MTOR signaling consists of two structurally and functionally distinct multiprotein complexes, MTORC1 and MTORC2. While MTORC1 is well characterized but the role of MTORC2 in aging and autophagy remains poorly understood. Here we identified TGFB-INHB/activin signaling as a novel upstream regulator of MTORC2 to control autophagy and cardiac health during aging. Using Drosophila heart as a model system, we show that cardiac-specific knockdown of TGFB-INHB/activin-like protein daw induces autophagy and alleviates age-related heart dysfunction, including cardiac arrhythmias and bradycardia. Interestingly, the downregulation of daw activates TORC2 signaling to regulate cardiac autophagy. Activation of TORC2 alone through overexpressing its subunit protein rictor promotes autophagic flux and preserves cardiac function with aging. In contrast, activation of TORC1 does not block autophagy induction in daw knockdown flies. Lastly, either daw knockdown or rictor overexpression in fly hearts prolongs lifespan, suggesting that manipulation of these pathways in the heart has systemic effects on longevity control. Thus, our studies discover the TGFB-INHB/activin-mediated inhibition of TORC2 as a novel mechanism for age-dependent decreases in autophagic activity and cardiac health. Abbreviations: AI: arrhythmia index; BafA1: bafilomycin A1; BMP: bone morphogenetic protein; CQ: chloroquine; CVD: cardiovascular diseases; DI: diastolic interval; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; HP: heart period; HR: heart rate; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; NGS: normal goat serum; PBST: PBS with 0.1% Triton X-100; PDPK1: 3-phosphoinositide dependent protein kinase 1; RICTOR: RPTOR independent companion of MTOR complex 2; ROI: region of interest; ROUT: robust regression and outlier removal; ROS: reactive oxygen species; R-SMAD: receptor-activated SMAD; SI: systolic interval; SOHA: semi-automatic optical heartbeat analysis; TGFB: transformation growth factor beta; TSC1: TSC complex subunit 1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Chang
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University , Ames, IA, USA
| | - Ping Kang
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University , Ames, IA, USA
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University , Ames, IA, USA
| | - Kerui Huang
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University , Ames, IA, USA
| | - Ting Miao
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University , Ames, IA, USA
| | | | - Ioannis P Nezis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick , Coventry, UK
| | - Rolf Bodmer
- Development, Aging, and Regeneration Program, Sanford-Burnham-Prebys Medical Discovery Institute , La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Karen Ocorr
- Development, Aging, and Regeneration Program, Sanford-Burnham-Prebys Medical Discovery Institute , La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hua Bai
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University , Ames, IA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hanna A, Frangogiannis NG. The Role of the TGF-β Superfamily in Myocardial Infarction. Front Cardiovasc Med 2019; 6:140. [PMID: 31620450 PMCID: PMC6760019 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2019.00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily are essential regulators of cell differentiation, phenotype and function, and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Myocardial infarction is associated with induction of several members of the superfamily, including TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2, BMP-4, BMP-10, growth differentiation factor (GDF)-8, GDF-11 and activin A. This manuscript reviews our current knowledge on the patterns and mechanisms of regulation and activation of TGF-β superfamily members in the infarcted heart, and discusses their cellular actions and downstream signaling mechanisms. In the infarcted heart, TGF-β isoforms modulate cardiomyocyte survival and hypertrophic responses, critically regulate immune cell function, activate fibroblasts, and stimulate a matrix-preserving program. BMP subfamily members have been suggested to exert both pro- and anti-inflammatory actions and may regulate fibrosis. Members of the GDF subfamily may also modulate survival and hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes and regulate inflammation. Important actions of TGF-β superfamily members may be mediated through activation of Smad-dependent or non-Smad pathways. The critical role of TGF-β signaling cascades in cardiac repair, remodeling, fibrosis, and regeneration may suggest attractive therapeutic targets for myocardial infarction patients. However, the pleiotropic, cell-specific, and context-dependent actions of TGF-β superfamily members pose major challenges in therapeutic translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anis Hanna
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), The Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Nikolaos G Frangogiannis
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), The Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Alhamdow A, Lindh C, Albin M, Gustavsson P, Tinnerberg H, Broberg K. Cardiovascular Disease-Related Serum Proteins in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Toxicol Sci 2019; 171:235-246. [PMID: 31228248 PMCID: PMC6735884 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfz142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimney sweeps have higher incidence and mortality of cardiovascular disease (CVD), likely related to their exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). In order to identify underlying mechanisms of PAH-related CVD, we here investigated whether PAH exposure was associated with levels of putative CVD-related proteins in serum among currently working chimney sweeps. We enrolled 116 chimney sweeps and 125 unexposed controls, all nonsmoking male workers from Sweden. We measured monohydroxylated PAH metabolites in urine by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry and a panel of 85 proteins in serum using proximity extension assay. Linear regression analysis adjusted for age and body mass index showed that 25 proteins were differentially expressed between chimney sweeps and the controls (p < .05, adjusted for false discovery rate). Of the 25 proteins, follistatin (FS), prointerleukin-16 (IL-16), and heat shock protein beta-1 (HSP 27) showed positive associations with the monohydroxylated metabolites of PAH in a dose-response manner (p < .05). Pathway and gene ontology analyses demonstrated that the differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in inflammatory response and immunological functions, such as leukocyte migration, cell movement of leukocytes, and adhesion of immune cells. In conclusion, we found a number of putative CVD-related proteins differentially expressed, between PAH-exposed and unexposed individuals, and mainly involved in inflammation and immune function. Our data warrant protective measures to reduce PAH exposure and longitudinal investigations of the protein profile in chimney sweeps and other occupational groups exposed to PAH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Alhamdow
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
| | - Christian Lindh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund 223 63, Sweden
| | - Maria Albin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund 223 63, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (CAMM), Stockholm County Council, Stockholm 113 65, Sweden
| | - Per Gustavsson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (CAMM), Stockholm County Council, Stockholm 113 65, Sweden
| | - Håkan Tinnerberg
- Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Karin Broberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund 223 63, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Exogenous GDF11 attenuates non-canonical TGF-β signaling to protect the heart from acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Basic Res Cardiol 2019; 114:20. [PMID: 30900023 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-019-0728-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) superfamily that reverses age-related cardiac hypertrophy, improves muscle regeneration and angiogenesis, and maintains progenitor cells in injured tissue. Recently, targeted myocardial delivery of the GDF11 gene in aged mice was found to reduce heart failure and enhance the proliferation of cardiac progenitor cells after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I-R). No investigations have as yet explored the cardioprotective effect of exogenous recombinant GDF11 in acute I-R injury, despite the convenience of its clinical application. We sought to determine whether exogenous recombinant GDF11 protects against acute myocardial I-R injury and investigate the underlying mechanism in Sprague-Dawley rats. We found that GDF11 reduced arrhythmia severity and successfully attenuated myocardial infarction; GDF11 also increased cardiac function after I-R, enhanced HO-1 expression and decreased oxidative damage. GDF11 activated the canonical TGF-β signaling pathway and inactivated the non-canonical pathways, ERK and JNK signaling pathways. Moreover, administration of GDF11 prior to reperfusion protected the heart from reperfusion damage. Notably, pretreatment with the activin-binding protein, follistatin (FST), inhibited the cardioprotective effects of GDF11 by blocking its activation of Smad2/3 signaling and its inactivation of detrimental TGF-β signaling. Our data suggest that exogenous GDF11 has cardioprotective effects and may have morphologic and functional recovery in the early stage of myocardial I-R injury. GDF11 may be an innovative therapeutic approach for reducing myocardial I-R injury.
Collapse
|
14
|
Roh JD, Hobson R, Chaudhari V, Quintero P, Yeri A, Benson M, Xiao C, Zlotoff D, Bezzerides V, Houstis N, Platt C, Damilano F, Lindman BR, Elmariah S, Biersmith M, Lee SJ, Seidman CE, Seidman JG, Gerszten RE, Lach-Trifilieff E, Glass DJ, Rosenzweig A. Activin type II receptor signaling in cardiac aging and heart failure. Sci Transl Med 2019; 11:eaau8680. [PMID: 30842316 PMCID: PMC7124007 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aau8680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Activin type II receptor (ActRII) ligands have been implicated in muscle wasting in aging and disease. However, the role of these ligands and ActRII signaling in the heart remains unclear. Here, we investigated this catabolic pathway in human aging and heart failure (HF) using circulating follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) as a potential indicator of systemic ActRII activity. FSTL3 is a downstream regulator of ActRII signaling, whose expression is up-regulated by the major ActRII ligands, activin A, circulating growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF8), and GDF11. In humans, we found that circulating FSTL3 increased with aging, frailty, and HF severity, correlating with an increase in circulating activins. In mice, increasing circulating activin A increased cardiac ActRII signaling and FSTL3 expression, as well as impaired cardiac function. Conversely, ActRII blockade with either clinical-stage inhibitors or genetic ablation reduced cardiac ActRII signaling while restoring or preserving cardiac function in multiple models of HF induced by aging, sarcomere mutation, or pressure overload. Using unbiased RNA sequencing, we show that activin A, GDF8, and GDF11 all induce a similar pathologic profile associated with up-regulation of the proteasome pathway in mammalian cardiomyocytes. The E3 ubiquitin ligase, Smurf1, was identified as a key downstream effector of activin-mediated ActRII signaling, which increased proteasome-dependent degradation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2a), a critical determinant of cardiomyocyte function. Together, our findings suggest that increased activin/ActRII signaling links aging and HF pathobiology and that targeted inhibition of this catabolic pathway holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for multiple forms of HF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason D Roh
- Corrigan Minehan Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ryan Hobson
- Corrigan Minehan Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Vinita Chaudhari
- Corrigan Minehan Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Pablo Quintero
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ashish Yeri
- Corrigan Minehan Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Mark Benson
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chunyang Xiao
- Corrigan Minehan Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Daniel Zlotoff
- Corrigan Minehan Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Vassilios Bezzerides
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nicholas Houstis
- Corrigan Minehan Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Colin Platt
- Corrigan Minehan Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Federico Damilano
- Corrigan Minehan Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Brian R Lindman
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
| | - Sammy Elmariah
- Corrigan Minehan Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Michael Biersmith
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Se-Jin Lee
- The Jackson Laboratory, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Christine E Seidman
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Robert E Gerszten
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - David J Glass
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Anthony Rosenzweig
- Corrigan Minehan Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Magga J, Vainio L, Kilpiö T, Hulmi JJ, Taponen S, Lin R, Räsänen M, Szabó Z, Gao E, Rahtu-Korpela L, Alakoski T, Ulvila J, Laitinen M, Pasternack A, Koch WJ, Alitalo K, Kivelä R, Ritvos O, Kerkelä R. Systemic Blockade of ACVR2B Ligands Protects Myocardium from Acute Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Mol Ther 2019; 27:600-610. [PMID: 30765322 PMCID: PMC6404100 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Activin A and myostatin, members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily of secreted factors, are potent negative regulators of muscle growth, but their contribution to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate if activin 2B (ACVR2B) receptor ligands contribute to myocardial IR injury. Mice were treated with soluble ACVR2B decoy receptor (ACVR2B-Fc) and subjected to myocardial ischemia followed by reperfusion for 6 or 24 h. Systemic blockade of ACVR2B ligands by ACVR2B-Fc was protective against cardiac IR injury, as evidenced by reduced infarcted area, apoptosis, and autophagy and better preserved LV systolic function following IR. ACVR2B-Fc modified cardiac metabolism, LV mitochondrial respiration, as well as cardiac phenotype toward physiological hypertrophy. Similar to its protective role in IR injury in vivo, ACVR2B-Fc antagonized SMAD2 signaling and cell death in cardiomyocytes that were subjected to hypoxic stress. ACVR2B ligand myostatin was found to exacerbate hypoxic stress. In addition to acute cardioprotection in ischemia, ACVR2B-Fc provided beneficial effects on cardiac function in prolonged cardiac stress in cardiotoxicity model. By blocking myostatin, ACVR2B-Fc potentially reduces cardiomyocyte death and modifies cardiomyocyte metabolism for hypoxic conditions to protect the heart from IR injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Magga
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland; Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland.
| | - Laura Vainio
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland
| | - Teemu Kilpiö
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland
| | - Juha J Hulmi
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Biology of Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Saija Taponen
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland
| | - Ruizhu Lin
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland
| | - Markus Räsänen
- Wihuri Research Institute and Translational Cancer Biology Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Zoltán Szabó
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland
| | - Erhe Gao
- Center for Translational Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Lea Rahtu-Korpela
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland
| | - Tarja Alakoski
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland
| | - Johanna Ulvila
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland
| | - Mika Laitinen
- Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00029 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Arja Pasternack
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Walter J Koch
- Center for Translational Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Kari Alitalo
- Wihuri Research Institute and Translational Cancer Biology Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riikka Kivelä
- Wihuri Research Institute and Translational Cancer Biology Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Ritvos
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Risto Kerkelä
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bloise E, Ciarmela P, Dela Cruz C, Luisi S, Petraglia F, Reis FM. Activin A in Mammalian Physiology. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:739-780. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00002.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Activins are dimeric glycoproteins belonging to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily and resulting from the assembly of two beta subunits, which may also be combined with alpha subunits to form inhibins. Activins were discovered in 1986 following the isolation of inhibins from porcine follicular fluid, and were characterized as ovarian hormones that stimulate follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) release by the pituitary gland. In particular, activin A was shown to be the isoform of greater physiological importance in humans. The current understanding of activin A surpasses the reproductive system and allows its classification as a hormone, a growth factor, and a cytokine. In more than 30 yr of intense research, activin A was localized in female and male reproductive organs but also in other organs and systems as diverse as the brain, liver, lung, bone, and gut. Moreover, its roles include embryonic differentiation, trophoblast invasion of the uterine wall in early pregnancy, and fetal/neonate brain protection in hypoxic conditions. It is now recognized that activin A overexpression may be either cytostatic or mitogenic, depending on the cell type, with important implications for tumor biology. Activin A also regulates bone formation and regeneration, enhances joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, and triggers pathogenic mechanisms in the respiratory system. In this 30-yr review, we analyze the evidence for physiological roles of activin A and the potential use of activin agonists and antagonists as therapeutic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrrico Bloise
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Pasquapina Ciarmela
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Cynthia Dela Cruz
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Stefano Luisi
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Fernando M. Reis
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Increased activin A levels in prediabetes and association with carotid intima-media thickness: a cross-sectional analysis from I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9957. [PMID: 29967428 PMCID: PMC6028626 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27795-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin A and its binding protein follistatin may be crucial in glucose homeostasis, as multifunctional proteins mediating inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects. However, clinical data on the activin A level in prediabetes, and the association between the circulating activin A level and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), are lacking. We aimed to investigate activin A and follistatin levels and their associations with cIMT. In total, 470 inhabitants of I-Lan county (235 men; mean age 69 ± 9 years) with measurements of serum activin A and follistatin levels were included. Patients with prediabetes and diabetes had significantly increased activin A concentrations compared with those in the normal glycemic group (both p < 0.001). A multivariable logistic regression model demonstrated that the circulating activin A level was associated with prediabetes and diabetes independently of other risk factors. Moreover, the circulating activin A levels were associated positively with cIMT in prediabetes (rs = 0.264, p = 0.001). In conclusion, activin A level, but not follistatin, was elevated independent of demographic variables with borderline significance and was correlated positively with cIMT in prediabetes. Activin A and follistatin levels were elevated in diabetes. In addition, elevated activin A was an independent risk factor for prediabetes and diabetes.
Collapse
|
18
|
Blockade of activin type II receptors with a dual anti-ActRIIA/IIB antibody is critical to promote maximal skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:12448-12453. [PMID: 29109273 PMCID: PMC5703284 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1707925114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently reported that activin type II receptors (ActRIIs) blockade using bimagrumab could positively impact muscle wasting in mice and humans. However, the specific role of each individual ActRII at regulating adult muscle mass had not been clarified. Here, we highlight the importance of concomitant neutralization of both ActRIIs in controlling muscle mass. Through comparison with single specificity antibodies, we uncover unique features related to bimagrumab and its neutralizing interactions with both ActRIIA and ActRIIB at the structural and cellular levels and in vivo in adult mice. The need for simultaneous engagement and neutralization of both ActRIIs to generate a strong skeletal muscle response confers unique therapeutic potential to bimagrumab, in the context of muscle wasting conditions. The TGF-β family ligands myostatin, GDF11, and activins are negative regulators of skeletal muscle mass, which have been reported to primarily signal via the ActRIIB receptor on skeletal muscle and thereby induce muscle wasting described as cachexia. Use of a soluble ActRIIB-Fc “trap,” to block myostatin pathway signaling in normal or cachectic mice leads to hypertrophy or prevention of muscle loss, perhaps suggesting that the ActRIIB receptor is primarily responsible for muscle growth regulation. Genetic evidence demonstrates however that both ActRIIB- and ActRIIA-deficient mice display a hypertrophic phenotype. Here, we describe the mode of action of bimagrumab (BYM338), as a human dual-specific anti-ActRIIA/ActRIIB antibody, at the molecular and cellular levels. As shown by X-ray analysis, bimagrumab binds to both ActRIIA and ActRIIB ligand binding domains in a competitive manner at the critical myostatin/activin binding site, hence preventing signal transduction through either ActRII. Myostatin and the activins are capable of binding to both ActRIIA and ActRIIB, with different affinities. However, blockade of either single receptor through the use of specific anti-ActRIIA or anti-ActRIIB antibodies achieves only a partial signaling blockade upon myostatin or activin A stimulation, and this leads to only a small increase in muscle mass. Complete neutralization and maximal anabolic response are achieved only by simultaneous blockade of both receptors. These findings demonstrate the importance of ActRIIA in addition to ActRIIB in mediating myostatin and activin signaling and highlight the need for blocking both receptors to achieve a strong functional benefit.
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhang L, Liu K, Han B, Xu Z, Gao X. The emerging role of follistatin under stresses and its implications in diseases. Gene 2017; 639:111-116. [PMID: 29020616 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Follistatin (FST), a single-chain glycosylated protein, is expressed in various tissues. The essential biological function of FST is binding and neutralizing transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily, including activin, myostatin, and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). Emerging evidence indicates that FST also serves as a stress responsive protein, which plays a protective role under a variety of stresses. In most cases, FST performs the protective function through its neutralization of TGF-β superfamily. However, under certain circumstances, FST translocates into the nucleus to maintain cellular homeostasis independent of its extracellular antagonism activity. This review provides integrated insight into the most recent advances in understanding the role of FST under various stresses, and the clinical implications corresponding to these findings and discusses the mechanisms to be further studied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingda Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kangli Liu
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bing Han
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhengping Xu
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangwei Gao
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Merfeld-Clauss S, Lu H, Wu X, March KL, Traktuev DO. Hypoxia-induced activin A diminishes endothelial cell vasculogenic activity. J Cell Mol Med 2017; 22:173-184. [PMID: 28834227 PMCID: PMC5742743 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute ischaemia causes a significant loss of blood vessels leading to deterioration of organ function. Multiple ischaemic conditions are associated with up‐regulation of activin A, but its effect on endothelial cells (EC) in the context of hypoxia is understudied. This study evaluated the role of activin A in vasculogenesis in hypoxia. An in vitro vasculogenesis model, in which EC were cocultured with adipose stromal cells (ASC), was used. Incubation of cocultures at 0.5% oxygen led to decrease in EC survival and vessel density. Hypoxia up‐regulated inhibin BA (monomer of activin A) mRNA by 4.5‐fold and activin A accumulation in EC‐conditioned media by 10‐fold, but down‐regulated activin A inhibitor follistatin by twofold. Inhibin BA expression was also increased in human EC injected into ischaemic mouse muscles. Activin A secretion was positively modulated by hypoxia mimetics dimethyloxalylglycine and desferrioxamine. Silencing HIF1α or HIF2α expression decreased activin A secretion in EC exposed to hypoxia. Introduction of activin A to cocultures decreased EC number and vascular density by 40%; conversely, blockade of activin A expression in EC or its activity improved vasculogenesis in hypoxia. Activin A affected EC survival directly and by modulating ASC paracrine activity leading to diminished ability of the ASC secretome to support EC survival and vasculogenesis. In conclusion, hypoxia up‐regulates EC secretion of activin A, which, by affecting both EC and adjacent mesenchymal cells, creates a micro‐environment unfavourable for vasculogenesis. This finding suggests that blockade of activin A signalling in ischaemic tissue may improve preservation of the affected tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Merfeld-Clauss
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Indiana Center for Vascular Biology and Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,VA Center for Regenerative Medicine, R.L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hongyan Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Indiana Center for Vascular Biology and Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,VA Center for Regenerative Medicine, R.L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Xue Wu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Keith L March
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Indiana Center for Vascular Biology and Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,VA Center for Regenerative Medicine, R.L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Dmitry O Traktuev
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Indiana Center for Vascular Biology and Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,VA Center for Regenerative Medicine, R.L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Anastasilakis AD, Koulaxis D, Kefala N, Polyzos SA, Upadhyay J, Pagkalidou E, Economou F, Anastasilakis CD, Mantzoros CS. Circulating irisin levels are lower in patients with either stable coronary artery disease (CAD) or myocardial infarction (MI) versus healthy controls, whereas follistatin and activin A levels are higher and can discriminate MI from CAD with similar to CK-MB accuracy. Metabolism 2017; 73:1-8. [PMID: 28732565 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several myokines are produced by cardiac muscle. We investigated changes in myokine levels at the time of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and following reperfusion in relation to controls. METHODS Patients with MI (MI Group, n=31) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were compared to patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) subjected to scheduled PCI (CAD Group, n=40) and controls with symptoms mimicking CAD without stenosis in angiography (Control Group, n=43). The number and degree of stenosis were recorded. Irisin, follistatin, follistatin-like 3, activin A and B, ALT, AST, CK and CK-MB were measured at baseline and 6 or 24h after the intervention. RESULTS MI and CAD patients had lower irisin than controls (p<0.001). MI patients had higher follistatin, activin A, CK, CK-MB and AST than CAD patients and controls (all p≤0.001). None of the myokines changed following reperfusion. Circulating irisin was associated with the degree of stenosis in all patients (p=0.05). Irisin was not inferior to CK-MB in predicting MI while folistatin and activin A could discriminate MI from CAD patients with similar to CK-MB accuracy. None of these myokines was altered following PCI in contrast to CK-MB. CONCLUSIONS Irisin levels are lower in MI and CAD implying that their production may depend on myocadial blood supply. Follistatin and activin A are higher in MI than in CAD suggesting increased release due to myocardial necrosis. They can predict MI with accuracy similar to CK-MB and their role in the diagnosis of MI remains to be confirmed by prospective large clinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitrios Koulaxis
- Department of Cardiology, 424 General Military Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikoleta Kefala
- Department of Cardiology, 424 General Military Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece; Department of Cardiology, Skaraborg Hospital, Skovde, Sweden
| | - Stergios A Polyzos
- Department of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Jagriti Upadhyay
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eirini Pagkalidou
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Fotios Economou
- Department of Cardiology, 424 General Military Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Christos S Mantzoros
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Bowman JD, Surani S, Horseman MA. Endotoxin, Toll-like Receptor-4, and Atherosclerotic Heart Disease. Curr Cardiol Rev 2017; 13:86-93. [PMID: 27586023 PMCID: PMC5452150 DOI: 10.2174/1573403x12666160901145313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Endotoxin is a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) constituent of the outer membrane of most gram negative bacteria. Ubiquitous in the environment, it has been implicated as a cause or con-tributing factor in several disparate disorders from sepsis to heatstroke and Type II diabetes mellitus. Starting at birth, the innate immune system develops cellular defense mechanisms against environmen-tal microbes that are in part modulated through a series of receptors known as toll-like receptors. Endo-toxin, often referred to as LPS, binds to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/ myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2) complexes on various tissues including cells of the innate immune system, smooth muscle and endothelial cells of blood vessels including coronary arteries, and adipose tissue. Entry of LPS into the systemic circulation ultimately leads to intracellular transcription of several inflammatory mediators. The subsequent inflammation has been implicated in the development and progression atherosclerosis and subsequent coronary artery disease and heart failure. Objective: The potential roles of endotoxin and TLR4 are reviewed regarding their role in the pathogen-esis of atherosclerotic heart disease. Conclusion: Atherosclerosis is initiated by inflammation in arterial endothelial and subendothelial cells, and inflammatory processes are implicated in its progression to clinical heart disease. Endotoxin and TLR4 play a central role in the inflammatory process, and represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Therapy with HMG-CoA inhibitors may reduce the expression of TLR4 on monocytes. Other therapeutic interventions targeting TLR4 expression or function may prove beneficial in athero-sclerotic disease prevention and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John D Bowman
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Kingsville, TX, United States
| | - Salim Surani
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Michael A Horseman
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Kingsville, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
The Role of Activin A and B and the Benefit of Follistatin Treatment in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Mice. Transplant Direct 2016; 2:e87. [PMID: 27830181 PMCID: PMC5087569 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000000601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Activins, members of the TGF-β superfamily, are key drivers of inflammation and are thought to play a significant role in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), a process inherent to renal transplantation that negatively impacts early and late allograft function. Follistatin (FS) is a protein that binds activin and inhibits its activity. This study examined the response of activin A and B in mice after renal IRI and the effect of exogenous FS in modulating the severity of renal injury. Methods Mice were treated with recombinant FS288 or vehicle before renal IRI surgery. Activin A, B, and FS levels in the serum and kidney, and renal injury parameters were measured at 3, 6, and 24 hours after reperfusion. Results Serum and kidney activin B levels were increased within 6 hours postrenal IRI, accompanied by renal injury—increased serum creatinine, messenger (m)RNA expression of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL); endothelial activation—increased E-selectin mRNA; and systemic inflammation—increased serum levels of IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and TNF-α. Further injury was potentiated by an upsurge in activin A by 24 hours, with further increases in serum creatinine, KIM-1 and NGAL mRNA expression. Follistatin treatment significantly reduced the level of serum activin B and subsequently blunted the increase in activin A. Renoprotection was evident with the attenuated rise in serum creatinine, KIM-1 and NGAL expression, tubular injury score, renal cell apoptosis, and serum IL-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 levels. Conclusions We propose that activin B initiates and activin A potentiates renal injury after IRI. Follistatin treatment, through binding and neutralizing the actions of activin B and subsequently activin A, reduced renal IRI by minimizing endothelial cell activation and dampening the systemic inflammatory response. These data support the potential clinical application of FS treatment to limit IRI during renal transplantation.
Collapse
|
24
|
Yang Y, Lv J, Jiang S, Ma Z, Wang D, Hu W, Deng C, Fan C, Di S, Sun Y, Yi W. The emerging role of Toll-like receptor 4 in myocardial inflammation. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2234. [PMID: 27228349 PMCID: PMC4917669 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of pattern recognition receptors involved in cardiovascular diseases. Notably, numerous studies have demonstrated that TLR4 activates the expression of several of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes that play pivotal roles in myocardial inflammation, particularly myocarditis, myocardial infarction, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and heart failure. In addition, TLR4 is an emerging target for anti-inflammatory therapies. Given the significance of TLR4, it would be useful to summarize the current literature on the molecular mechanisms and roles of TLR4 in myocardial inflammation. Thus, in this review, we first introduce the basic knowledge of the TLR4 gene and describe the activation and signaling pathways of TLR4 in myocardial inflammation. Moreover, we highlight the recent progress of research on the involvement of TLR4 in myocardial inflammation. The information reviewed here may be useful to further experimental research and to increase the potential of TLR4 as a therapeutic target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China.,Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - J Lv
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - S Jiang
- Department of Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Z Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an 710038, China
| | - D Wang
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, China
| | - W Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - C Deng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - C Fan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an 710038, China
| | - S Di
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an 710038, China
| | - Y Sun
- Department of Geriatrics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - W Yi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
de Kretser DM, Bensley JG, Phillips DJ, Levvey BJ, Snell GI, Lin E, Hedger MP, O’Hehir RE. Substantial Increases Occur in Serum Activins and Follistatin during Lung Transplantation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0140948. [PMID: 26820896 PMCID: PMC4731072 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lung transplantation exposes the donated lung to a period of anoxia. Re-establishing the circulation after ischemia stimulates inflammation causing organ damage. Since our published data established that activin A is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine, we assessed the roles of activin A and B, and their binding protein, follistatin, in patients undergoing lung transplantation. Methods Sera from 46 patients participating in a published study of remote ischemia conditioning in lung transplantation were used. Serum activin A and B, follistatin and 11 other cytokines were measured in samples taken immediately after anaesthesia induction, after remote ischemia conditioning or sham treatment undertaken just prior to allograft reperfusion and during the subsequent 24 hours. Results Substantial increases in serum activin A, B and follistatin occurred after the baseline sample, taken before anaesthesia induction and peaked immediately after the remote ischemia conditioning/sham treatment. The levels remained elevated 15 minutes after lung transplantation declining thereafter reaching baseline 2 hours post-transplant. Activin B and follistatin concentrations were lower in patients receiving remote ischemia conditioning compared to sham treated patients but the magnitude of the decrease did not correlate with early transplant outcomes. Conclusions We propose that the increases in the serum activin A, B and follistatin result from a combination of factors; the acute phase response, the reperfusion response and the use of heparin-based anti-coagulants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David M. de Kretser
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Jonathan G. Bensley
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Bronwyn J. Levvey
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Lung Transplant Service, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Greg I. Snell
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Lung Transplant Service, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Enjarn Lin
- Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark P. Hedger
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robyn E. O’Hehir
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Lung Transplant Service, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Snell JN, Westall GP, Snell GI. The potential role of activin and follistatin in lung transplant dysfunction. Expert Rev Respir Med 2015; 9:697-701. [DOI: 10.1586/17476348.2015.1098537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
27
|
Garcés MF, Vallejo SA, Sanchez E, Palomino-Palomino MA, Leal LG, Ángel-Muller E, Díaz-Cruz LA, Ruíz-Parra AI, González-Clavijo AM, Castaño JP, Abba M, Lacunza E, Diéguez C, Nogueiras R, Caminos JE. Longitudinal analysis of maternal serum Follistatin concentration in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2015; 83:229-35. [PMID: 25565002 DOI: 10.1111/cen.12715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Revised: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Follistatin (FST) is a regulator of the biological activity of activin A (Act A), binding and blocking it, which could contribute to the modulation of its pro-inflammatory activity during pregnancy. We sought to investigate, in this nested case-control study, FST serum levels during normal pregnancy and correlate it with the FST profile in preeclamptic pregnant women, normal pregnant women followed 3 months postpartum and eumenorrheic nonpregnant women throughout the menstrual cycle. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Follistatin serum levels determined by ELISA, biochemical and anthropometric variables were measured in normal pregnant (n = 28) and preeclamptic (n = 20) women during three periods of gestation. In addition, FST serum levels were measured in a subset of normal pregnant women (n = 13) followed 3 months postpartum and in eumenorrheic nonpregnant women (n = 20) during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. RESULTS Follistatin serum levels in the eumenorrheic nonpregnant and postpartum group were significantly lower when compared to levels throughout gestation (P < 0·01). Serum FST levels increased in each period of pregnancy analysed, being significantly higher towards the end of gestation (P < 0·01). FST levels were lower in late pregnancy in preeclamptic women compared to normal pregnant women (P < 0·05). Finally, FST levels were higher in the luteal phase when compared with the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (P < 0·05). CONCLUSIONS These analyses would permit the consideration that changes in FST levels during pregnancy contribute to the control of the Act A system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María F Garcés
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sergio A Vallejo
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Elizabeth Sanchez
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Luis G Leal
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Edith Ángel-Muller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luz A Díaz-Cruz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Ariel Iván Ruíz-Parra
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Justo P Castaño
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Spain
| | - Martin Abba
- CINIBA, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Ezequiel Lacunza
- CINIBA, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Carlos Diéguez
- Department of Physiology (CIMUS), School of Medicine-Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Spain
| | - Rubén Nogueiras
- Department of Physiology (CIMUS), School of Medicine-Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Spain
| | - Jorge E Caminos
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Personalized risk assessment of heart failure patients: More perspectives from transforming growth factor super-family members. Clin Chim Acta 2015; 443:94-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2014.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 09/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|