Nuanxinkang prevents the development of myocardial infarction-induced chronic heart failure by promoting PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy

Programmed death of cardiomyocytes in cardiovascular disease and new therapeutic approaches

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have a complex pathogenesis and pose a major threat to human health. Cardiomyocytes have a low regenerative capacity, and their death is a key factor in the morbidity and mortality of many CVDs. Cardiomyocyte death can be regulated by specific signaling pathways known as programmed cell death (PCD), including apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, etc. Abnormalities in PCD can lead to the development of a variety of cardiovascular diseases, and there are also molecular-level interconnections between different PCD pathways under the same cardiovascular disease model. Currently, the link between programmed cell death in cardiomyocytes and cardiovascular disease is not fully understood. This review describes the molecular mechanisms of programmed death and the impact of cardiomyocyte death on cardiovascular disease development. Emphasis is placed on a summary of drugs and potential therapeutic approaches that can be used to treat cardiovascular disease by targeting and blocking programmed cell death in cardiomyocytes.

Traditional Chinese medicine and mitophagy: A novel approach for cardiovascular disease management

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, imposing an enormous economic burden on individuals and human society. Laboratory studies have identified several drugs that target mitophagy for the prevention and treatment of CVD. Only a few of these drugs have been successful in clinical trials, and most studies have been limited to animal and cellular models. Furthermore, conventional drugs used to treat CVD, such as antiplatelet agents, statins, and diuretics, often result in adverse effects on patients' cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory systems. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained significant attention for its unique theoretical basis and clinical efficacy in treating CVD.

PURPOSE

This paper systematically summarizes all the herbal compounds, extracts, and active monomers used to target mitophagy for the treatment of CVD in the last five years. It provides valuable information for researchers in the field of basic cardiovascular research, pharmacologists, and clinicians developing herbal medicines with fewer side effects, as well as a useful reference for future mitophagy research.

METHODS

The search terms "cardiovascular disease," "mitophagy," "herbal preparations," "active monomers," and "cardiac disease pathogenesis" in combination with "natural products" and "diseases" were used to search for studies published in the past five years until January 2024.

RESULTS

Studies have shown that mitophagy plays a significant role in the progression and development of CVD, such as atherosclerosis (AS), heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI), cardiac hypertrophy, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmia. Herbal compound preparations, crude extracts, and active monomers have shown potential as effective treatments for these conditions. These substances protect cardiomyocytes by inducing mitophagy, scavenging damaged mitochondria, and maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. They display notable efficacy in combating CVD.

CONCLUSION

TCM (including herbal compound preparations, extracts, and active monomers) can treat CVD through various pharmacological mechanisms and signaling pathways by inducing mitophagy. They represent a hotspot for future cardiovascular basic research and a promising candidate for the development of future cardiovascular drugs with fewer side effects and better therapeutic efficacy.

Mitochondrial quality control in human health and disease

Mitochondria, the most crucial energy-generating organelles in eukaryotic cells, play a pivotal role in regulating energy metabolism. However, their significance extends beyond this, as they are also indispensable in vital life processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, immune responses, and redox balance. In response to various physiological signals or external stimuli, a sophisticated mitochondrial quality control (MQC) mechanism has evolved, encompassing key processes like mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial dynamics, and mitophagy, which have garnered increasing attention from researchers to unveil their specific molecular mechanisms. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the primary mechanisms and functions of key regulators involved in major components of MQC. Furthermore, the critical physiological functions regulated by MQC and its diverse roles in the progression of various systemic diseases have been described in detail. We also discuss agonists or antagonists targeting MQC, aiming to explore potential therapeutic and research prospects by enhancing MQC to stabilize mitochondrial function.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Roadmap for Understanding and Tackling Cardiovascular Aging

Cardiovascular aging is a progressive remodeling process constituting a variety of cellular and molecular alterations that are closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, gaining a deeper understanding of the changes in mitochondrial function during cardiovascular aging is crucial for preventing cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac aging is accompanied by fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, metabolic changes, and infiltration of immune cells, collectively contributing to the overall remodeling of the heart. Similarly, during vascular aging, there is a profound remodeling of blood vessel structure. These remodeling present damage to endothelial cells, increased vascular stiffness, impaired formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), the development of arteriosclerosis, and chronic vascular inflammation. This review underscores the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiac aging, exploring its impact on fibrosis and myocardial alterations, metabolic remodeling, immune response remodeling, as well as in vascular aging in the heart. Additionally, we emphasize the significance of mitochondria-targeted therapies in preventing cardiovascular diseases in the elderly.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: new strategies and therapeutic targets to treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a leading cause of cardiovascular mortality and is increasingly prevalent in our population. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) can safely and effectively lower glucose levels while concurrently managing the full spectrum of ASCVD risk factors and improving patients' long-term prognosis. Several cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) have been carried out to further investigate the cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1RAs. Analyzing data from CVOTs can provide insights into the pathophysiologic mechanisms by which GLP-1RAs are linked to ASCVD and define the use of GLP-1RAs in clinical practice. Here, we discussed various mechanisms hypothesized in previous animal and preclinical human studies, including blockade of the production of adhesion molecules and inflammatory factors, induction of endothelial cells' synthesis of nitric oxide, protection of mitochondrial function and restriction of oxidative stress, suppression of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein three inflammasome, reduction of foam cell formation and macrophage inflammation, and amelioration of vascular smooth muscle cell dysfunction, to help explain the cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1RAs in CVOTs. This paper provides an overview of the clinical research, molecular processes, and possible therapeutic applications of GLP-1RAs in ASCVD, while also addressing current limitations in the literature and suggesting future research directions.

Regulatory mechanism of perinatal nonylphenol exposure on cardiac mitochondrial autophagy and the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway in male offspring rats

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated whether perinatal exposure to nonylphenol (NP) induces mitochondrial autophagy (i.e., mitophagy) damage in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) and whether the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway is involved in NP-induced primary cardiomyocyte injury.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In vivo: Perinatal NP exposure increased apoptosis and mitochondrial damage in NRCMs. Mitochondrial swelling and autophagosome-like structures with multiple concentric membranes were observed in the 100 mg/kg NP group, with an increase in the number of autophagosomes. Disorganized fiber arrangement and elevated serum myocardial enzyme levels were observed with increasing NP dosage. Additionally, NP exposure led to increased MDA levels and decreased SOD activity and ATP levels in myocardial tissue. The mRNA expression levels of autophagy-related genes, including Beclin-1, p62, and LC3B, as well as the expression of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins (PINK1, p-Parkin, Parkin, Beclin-1, p62, LC3-I, LC3-II, and LC3-II/I) and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and caspase-3), increased, whereas the expression levels of the mitochondrial membrane protein TOMM20 and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 decreased. In vitro: NP increased ROS levels, LDH release, and decreased ATP levels in NRCMs. CsA treatment significantly inhibited the expression of autophagy-related proteins (Beclin-1, LC3-II/I, and p62) and apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3 and Bax), increased the expression levels of TOMM20 and Bcl-2 proteins, increased cellular ATP levels, and inhibited LDH release. The inhibition of the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway suppressed the expression of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins (PINK1, p-Parkin, Parkin, Beclin-1, LC3-II/I, and p62) and apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3 and Bax), increased TOMM20 and Bcl-2 protein expression, increased ATP levels, and decreased LDH levels in NRCMs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is novel in reporting that perinatal NP exposure induced myocardial injury in male neonatal rats, thereby inducing mitophagy. The PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway was involved in this injury by regulating mitophagy.

FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy triggered by mitochondrial ROS is partially involved in 1-nitropyrene-evoked placental progesterone synthesis inhibition and intrauterine growth retardation in mice

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Previous studies showed that 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), an atmospheric pollutant, induces placental dysfunction and IUGR, but the exact mechanisms remain uncertain. In this research, we aimed to explore the role of mitophagy on 1-NP-evoked placental progesterone (P4) synthesis inhibition and IUGR in a mouse model. As expected, P4 levels were decreased in 1-NP-exposed mouse placentas and maternal sera. Progesterone synthases, CYP11A1 and 3βHSD1, were correspondingly declined in 1-NP-exposed mouse placentas and JEG-3 cells. Mitophagy, as determined by LC3B-II elevation and TOM20 reduction, was evoked in 1-NP-exposed JEG-3 cells. Mdivi-1, a specific mitophagy inhibitor, relieved 1-NP-evoked downregulation of progesterone synthases in JEG-3 cells. Additional experiments showed that ULK1/FUNDC1 signaling was activated in 1-NP-exposed JEG-3 cells. ULK1 inhibitor or FUNDC1-targeted siRNA blocked 1-NP-induced mitophagy and progesterone synthase downregulation in JEG-3 cells. Further analysis found that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased and GCN2 was activated in 1-NP-exposed JEG-3 cells. GCN2iB, a selective GCN2 inhibitor, and MitoQ, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, attenuated GCN2 activation, FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy, and downregulation of progesterone synthases in JEG-3 cells. In vivo, gestational MitoQ supplement alleviated 1-NP-evoked reduction of placental P4 synthesis and IUGR. These results suggest that FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy triggered by mitochondrial ROS may contribute partially to 1-NP-induced placental P4 synthesis inhibition and IUGR.

Activation of ULK1 to trigger FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy in heart failure: Effect of Ginsenoside Rg3 intervention

BACKGROUND

Although the development of therapies for heart failure (HF) continues apace, clinical outcomes are often far from ideal. Unc51-like-kinase 1 (ULK1)-mediated mitophagy prevents pathological cardiac remodeling and heart failure (HF). Molecularly ULK1-targeted agent to enhance mitophagy is scanty.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate whether Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) can activate ULK1 to trigger FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy for protecting heart failure.

METHODS

Molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance were used to detect the ULK1 binding behavior of Rg3. Established HF model in rats and transcriptome sequencing were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect and regulatory mechanism of Rg3. Loss-of-function approaches in vivo and in vitro were performed to determine the role of ULK1 in Rg3-elicited myocardial protection against HF. FUNDC1 recombinant plasmid of site mutation was applied to elucidate more in-depth mechanisms.

RESULTS

Structurally, a good binding mode was unveiled between ULK1 and Rg3. In vivo, Rg3 improved cardiac dysfunction, adverse remodeling, and mitochondrial damage in HF rats. Furthermore, Rg3 promoted Ulk1-triggered mitophagy both in vivo and in vitro, manifested by the impetus of downstream Fundc1-Lc3 interaction. Of note, the protective effects conferred by Rg3 against mitophagy defects, pathological remodeling, and cardiac dysfunction were compromised by Ulk1 gene silencing both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, Rg3 activated mitophagy by inducing ULK1-mediated phosphorylation of FUNDC1 at the Ser17 site, not the Ser13 site.

CONCLUSION

Together these observations demonstrated that Rg3 acts as a ULK1 activator for the precise treatment of HF, which binds to ULK1 to activate FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles induce toxicity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell line U2932 via activating PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of lymphoma. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have excellent anti-tumor properties in the biomedical field. The present study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism by which ZnO nanoparticles induce toxicity in DLBCL cells (U2932) via the PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy pathway. After U2932 cells were exposed to various concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles, the cell survival rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cell cycle arrest, and changes in the expression of PINK1, Parkin, P62, and LC3 were monitored. Moreover, we investigated monodansylcadaverine (MDC) fluorescence intensity and autophagosome and further validated the results using the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). The results showed that ZnO nanoparticles could effectively inhibit the proliferation of U2932 cells and induce cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phases. Moreover, ZnO nanoparticles significantly increased ROS production, MDC fluorescence intensity, autophagosome formation, and the expression of PINK1, Parkin, and LC3, and decreased the expression of P62 in U2932 cells. In contrast, the autophagy level was reduced after the intervention of the 3-MA. Overall, ZnO nanoparticles can trigger PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy signaling in U2932 cells, which may be a potential therapeutic approach for DLBCL.

Effect of optimized new Shengmai powder on exercise tolerance in rats with heart failure by regulating the ubiquitin-proteasome signaling pathway

Introduction

Decreased exercise tolerance is a common symptom in patients with heart failure, which is closely related to protein degradation and apoptosis regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome signaling (UPS) pathway. In this study, the effect of Chinese medicine, optimized new Shengmai powder, on exercise tolerance in rats with heart failure was investigated via the UPS pathway.

Methods

The heart failure model was prepared by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery in rats, in which the sham-operated group was only threaded and not ligated. Rats (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 45%) were randomly divided into the following groups: model group, YHXSMS group, Benazepril group, and proteasome inhibitor Oprozomib group, and they were administered the corresponding drugs by gavage for 4 weeks. The cardiac function of rats was evaluated by performing an echocardiography examination and a hemodynamic test and the exercise tolerance was done by conducting an exhaustive swimming test. The mechanism was revealed by TUNEL detection, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence analysis, Western blot, and quantitative real-time PCR.

Results

The study showed that there was a decrease in cardiac function and exercise tolerance of rats in the model group and also destruction of cardiac and skeletal muscle fibers, a proliferation of collagen tissue, and an increment of apoptosis. Our study suggested that optimized new Shengmai powder could exert antiapoptotic effects on myocardial and skeletal muscle cells and improve myocardial contractility and exercise tolerance by inhibiting the overactivation of the UPS pathway, downregulating MAFbx, and Murf-1 overexpression, inhibiting the activation of the JNK signaling pathway, upregulating bcl-2 expression, and decreasing bax and caspase-3 levels.

Conclusions

The study showed that the optimized new Shengmai powder could improve cardiac function and exercise tolerance in rats with heart failure through the UPS pathway.

Emerging role of mitophagy in heart failure: from molecular mechanism to targeted therapy

Heart failure is defined as a drop in heart's pump function, accounting for reduced blood output and venous stasis, and constitutes the end stage of various cardiovascular diseases. Although mild mitochondrial dysfunction may hinder cardiomyocyte metabolism and impair myocardial function, severe mitochondrial injury is accompanied by cardiomyocyte apoptosis, leading to irreversible damage of the heart. Selective autophagy of mitochondria, or mitophagy, serves to rapidly remove dysfunctional mitochondria and restore the health of the mitochondrial population within cells by allowing reutilization of degradative substrates such as amino acids, fatty acids, and nucleotides. Although mitophagy represents a protective program that prevents the accumulation of poorly structured or damaged mitochondria, excessive mitophagy leads to mitochondrial population decline, impaired oxidative phosphorylation, and decreased ATP production. In this review, we first discuss the molecular underpinnings of mitophagy and the roles of different mitophagy adaptors. Then, the multiple and complex influence of mitophagy on heart failure is summarized. Finally, novel pharmacological strategies targeting mitophagy to relieve heart failure are briefly summarized.