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Shi L, Deng J, He J, Zhu F, Jin Y, Zhang X, Ren Y, Du X. Integrative transcriptomics and proteomics analysis reveal the protection of Astragaloside IV against myocardial fibrosis by regulating senescence. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 975:176632. [PMID: 38718959 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176632] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is a pivotal pathological process implicated in various cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart failure. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a natural compound derived from Astragalus membranaceus, possesses potent cardioprotective properties. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-MF effects, particularly in relation to senescence, remain elusive. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential and underlying molecular mechanisms of AS-IV in treating ISO-induced MF in mice, employing transcriptomics, proteomics, in vitro, and in vivo experiments. We assessed the positive effects of AS-IV on ISO-induced MF using HE staining, Masson staining, ELISA, immunohistochemical staining, transthoracic echocardiography, transmission electron microscopy, and DHE fluorescence staining. Additionally, we elucidated the regulatory role of AS-IV in MF through comprehensive transcriptomics and proteomics analyses, complemented by Western blotting and RT-qPCR validation of pertinent molecular pathways. Our findings demonstrated that AS-IV treatment markedly attenuated ISO-induced myocardial injury and oxidative stress, concomitantly inhibiting the release of SASPs. Furthermore, integrated transcriptomics and proteomics analyses revealed that the anti-MF mechanism of AS-IV was associated with regulating cellular senescence and the p53 signaling pathway. These results highlight AS-IV exerts its anti-MF effects not only by inhibiting oxidative stress but also by modulating senescence through the p53 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lipeng Shi
- Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, 400020, China
| | - Jingwei Deng
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jun He
- Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 402760, China
| | - Feng Zhu
- Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 402760, China
| | - Yuxia Jin
- Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 402760, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 402760, China
| | - Yi Ren
- Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, 400020, China.
| | - Xuqin Du
- Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 402760, China.
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2
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Hilgendorf I, Frantz S, Frangogiannis NG. Repair of the Infarcted Heart: Cellular Effectors, Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. Circ Res 2024; 134:1718-1751. [PMID: 38843294 PMCID: PMC11164543 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.124.323658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
The adult mammalian heart has limited endogenous regenerative capacity and heals through the activation of inflammatory and fibrogenic cascades that ultimately result in the formation of a scar. After infarction, massive cardiomyocyte death releases a broad range of damage-associated molecular patterns that initiate both myocardial and systemic inflammatory responses. TLRs (toll-like receptors) and NLRs (NOD-like receptors) recognize damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and transduce downstream proinflammatory signals, leading to upregulation of cytokines (such as interleukin-1, TNF-α [tumor necrosis factor-α], and interleukin-6) and chemokines (such as CCL2 [CC chemokine ligand 2]) and recruitment of neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes. Expansion and diversification of cardiac macrophages in the infarcted heart play a major role in the clearance of the infarct from dead cells and the subsequent stimulation of reparative pathways. Efferocytosis triggers the induction and release of anti-inflammatory mediators that restrain the inflammatory reaction and set the stage for the activation of reparative fibroblasts and vascular cells. Growth factor-mediated pathways, neurohumoral cascades, and matricellular proteins deposited in the provisional matrix stimulate fibroblast activation and proliferation and myofibroblast conversion. Deposition of a well-organized collagen-based extracellular matrix network protects the heart from catastrophic rupture and attenuates ventricular dilation. Scar maturation requires stimulation of endogenous signals that inhibit fibroblast activity and prevent excessive fibrosis. Moreover, in the mature scar, infarct neovessels acquire a mural cell coat that contributes to the stabilization of the microvascular network. Excessive, prolonged, or dysregulated inflammatory or fibrogenic cascades accentuate adverse remodeling and dysfunction. Moreover, inflammatory leukocytes and fibroblasts can contribute to arrhythmogenesis. Inflammatory and fibrogenic pathways may be promising therapeutic targets to attenuate heart failure progression and inhibit arrhythmia generation in patients surviving myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Hilgendorf
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen and Faculty of Medicine at the University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Frantz
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nikolaos G Frangogiannis
- The Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx NY
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3
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Cohen CD, De Blasio MJ, Farrugia GE, Dona MS, Hsu I, Prakoso D, Kiriazis H, Krstevski C, Nash DM, Li M, Gaynor TL, Deo M, Drummond GR, Ritchie RH, Pinto AR. Mapping the cellular and molecular landscape of cardiac non-myocytes in murine diabetic cardiomyopathy. iScience 2023; 26:107759. [PMID: 37736052 PMCID: PMC10509303 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes is associated with a significantly elevated risk of heart failure. However, despite extensive efforts to characterize the phenotype of the diabetic heart, the molecular and cellular protagonists that underpin cardiac pathological remodeling in diabetes remain unclear, with a notable paucity of data regarding the impact of diabetes on non-myocytes within the heart. Here we aimed to define key differences in cardiac non-myocytes between spontaneously type-2 diabetic (db/db) and healthy control (db/h) mouse hearts. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed a concerted diabetes-induced cellular response contributing to cardiac remodeling. These included cell-specific activation of gene programs relating to fibroblast hyperplasia and cell migration, and dysregulation of pathways involving vascular homeostasis and protein folding. This work offers a new perspective for understanding the cellular mediators of diabetes-induced cardiac pathology, and pathways that may be targeted to address the cardiac complications associated with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles D. Cohen
- Cardiac Cellular Systems, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Prahran, VIC, Australia
- Heart Failure Pharmacology, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Miles J. De Blasio
- Heart Failure Pharmacology, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Gabriella E. Farrugia
- Cardiac Cellular Systems, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Prahran, VIC, Australia
- Baker Department of Cardiovascular Research and Implementation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Malathi S.I. Dona
- Cardiac Cellular Systems, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Prahran, VIC, Australia
| | - Ian Hsu
- Cardiac Cellular Systems, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Prahran, VIC, Australia
| | - Darnel Prakoso
- Heart Failure Pharmacology, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Helen Kiriazis
- Preclinical Cardiology, Microsurgery and Imaging Platform, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Prahran, VIC, Australia
- Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Crisdion Krstevski
- Cardiac Cellular Systems, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Prahran, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David M. Nash
- Heart Failure Pharmacology, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Mandy Li
- Heart Failure Pharmacology, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Taylah L. Gaynor
- Cardiac Cellular Systems, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Prahran, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Minh Deo
- Heart Failure Pharmacology, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Grant R. Drummond
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rebecca H. Ritchie
- Heart Failure Pharmacology, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexander R. Pinto
- Cardiac Cellular Systems, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Prahran, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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4
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Cohen CD, Rousseau ST, Bermea KC, Bhalodia A, Lovell JP, Dina Zita M, Čiháková D, Adamo L. Myocardial Immune Cells: The Basis of Cardiac Immunology. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:1198-1207. [PMID: 37068299 PMCID: PMC10111214 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian heart is characterized by the presence of striated myocytes, which allow continuous rhythmic contraction from early embryonic development until the last moments of life. However, the myocardium contains a significant contingent of leukocytes from every major class. This leukocyte pool includes both resident and nonresident immune cells. Over recent decades, it has become increasingly apparent that the heart is intimately sensitive to immune signaling and that myocardial leukocytes exhibit an array of critical functions, both in homeostasis and in the context of cardiac adaptation to injury. Here, we systematically review current knowledge of all major leukocyte classes in the heart, discussing their functions in health and disease. We also highlight the connection between the myocardium, immune cells, lymphoid organs, and both local and systemic immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles D. Cohen
- Cardiac Immunology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Sylvie T. Rousseau
- Cardiac Immunology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Kevin C. Bermea
- Cardiac Immunology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Aashik Bhalodia
- Cardiac Immunology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Jana P. Lovell
- Cardiac Immunology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Marcelle Dina Zita
- Cardiac Immunology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Daniela Čiháková
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Luigi Adamo
- Cardiac Immunology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
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5
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Xu X, Hua X, Mo H, Hu S, Song J. Single-cell RNA sequencing to identify cellular heterogeneity and targets in cardiovascular diseases: from bench to bedside. Basic Res Cardiol 2023; 118:7. [PMID: 36750503 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-022-00972-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain incompletely elucidated. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has enabled the profiling of single-cell transcriptomes at unprecedented resolution and throughput, which is critical for deciphering cardiovascular cellular heterogeneity and underlying disease mechanisms, thereby facilitating the development of therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize cellular heterogeneity in cardiovascular homeostasis and diseases as well as the discovery of potential disease targets based on scRNA-seq, and yield new insights into the promise of scRNA-seq technology in precision medicine and clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Xiumeng Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Han Mo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Shengshou Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China.
| | - Jiangping Song
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China.
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6
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Hillsley A, Santoso MS, Engels SM, Halwachs KN, Contreras LM, Rosales AM. A strategy to quantify myofibroblast activation on a continuous spectrum. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12239. [PMID: 35851602 PMCID: PMC9293987 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16158-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts are a highly secretory and contractile cell phenotype that are predominant in wound healing and fibrotic disease. Traditionally, myofibroblasts are identified by the de novo expression and assembly of alpha-smooth muscle actin stress fibers, leading to a binary classification: "activated" or "quiescent (non-activated)". More recently, however, myofibroblast activation has been considered on a continuous spectrum, but there is no established method to quantify the position of a cell on this spectrum. To this end, we developed a strategy based on microscopy imaging and machine learning methods to quantify myofibroblast activation in vitro on a continuous scale. We first measured morphological features of over 1000 individual cardiac fibroblasts and found that these features provide sufficient information to predict activation state. We next used dimensionality reduction techniques and self-supervised machine learning to create a continuous scale of activation based on features extracted from microscopy images. Lastly, we compared our findings for mechanically activated cardiac fibroblasts to a distribution of cell phenotypes generated from transcriptomic data using single-cell RNA sequencing. Altogether, these results demonstrate a continuous spectrum of myofibroblast activation and provide an imaging-based strategy to quantify the position of a cell on that spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Hillsley
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Matthew S Santoso
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Sean M Engels
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Kathleen N Halwachs
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Lydia M Contreras
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Adrianne M Rosales
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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7
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Bachmann JC, Baumgart SJ, Uryga AK, Bosteen MH, Borghetti G, Nyberg M, Herum KM. Fibrotic Signaling in Cardiac Fibroblasts and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: The Dual Roles of Fibrosis in HFpEF and CAD. Cells 2022; 11:1657. [PMID: 35626694 PMCID: PMC9139546 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and atherosclerosis-driven coronary artery disease (CAD) will have ongoing fibrotic remodeling both in the myocardium and in atherosclerotic plaques. However, the functional consequences of fibrosis differ for each location. Thus, cardiac fibrosis leads to myocardial stiffening, thereby compromising cardiac function, while fibrotic remodeling stabilizes the atherosclerotic plaque, thereby reducing the risk of plaque rupture. Although there are currently no drugs targeting cardiac fibrosis, it is a field under intense investigation, and future drugs must take these considerations into account. To explore similarities and differences of fibrotic remodeling at these two locations of the heart, we review the signaling pathways that are activated in the main extracellular matrix (ECM)-producing cells, namely human cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Although these signaling pathways are highly overlapping and context-dependent, effects on ECM remodeling mainly act through two core signaling cascades: TGF-β and Angiotensin II. We complete this by summarizing the knowledge gained from clinical trials targeting these two central fibrotic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kate M. Herum
- Research and Early Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park, 2760 Maaloev, Denmark; (J.C.B.); (S.J.B.); (A.K.U.); (M.H.B.); (G.B.); (M.N.)
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8
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Properties and Functions of Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts in Myocardial Infarction. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091386. [PMID: 35563692 PMCID: PMC9102016 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The adult mammalian heart contains abundant interstitial and perivascular fibroblasts that expand following injury and play a reparative role but also contribute to maladaptive fibrotic remodeling. Following myocardial infarction, cardiac fibroblasts undergo dynamic phenotypic transitions, contributing to the regulation of inflammatory, reparative, and angiogenic responses. This review manuscript discusses the mechanisms of regulation, roles and fate of fibroblasts in the infarcted heart. During the inflammatory phase of infarct healing, the release of alarmins by necrotic cells promotes a pro-inflammatory and matrix-degrading fibroblast phenotype that may contribute to leukocyte recruitment. The clearance of dead cells and matrix debris from the infarct stimulates anti-inflammatory pathways and activates transforming growth factor (TGF)-β cascades, resulting in the conversion of fibroblasts to α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-expressing myofibroblasts. Activated myofibroblasts secrete large amounts of matrix proteins and form a collagen-based scar that protects the infarcted ventricle from catastrophic complications, such as cardiac rupture. Moreover, infarct fibroblasts may also contribute to cardiac repair by stimulating angiogenesis. During scar maturation, fibroblasts disassemble α-SMA+ stress fibers and convert to specialized cells that may serve in scar maintenance. The prolonged activation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in the infarct border zone and in the remote remodeling myocardium may contribute to adverse remodeling and to the pathogenesis of heart failure. In addition to their phenotypic plasticity, fibroblasts exhibit remarkable heterogeneity. Subsets with distinct phenotypic profiles may be responsible for the wide range of functions of fibroblast populations in infarcted and remodeling hearts.
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9
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Shao T, Xue Y, Fang M. Epigenetic Repression of Chloride Channel Accessory 2 Transcription in Cardiac Fibroblast: Implication in Cardiac Fibrosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:771466. [PMID: 34869368 PMCID: PMC8633401 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.771466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is a key pathophysiological process that contributes to heart failure. Cardiac resident fibroblasts, exposed to various stimuli, are able to trans-differentiate into myofibroblasts and mediate the pro-fibrogenic response in the heart. The present study aims to investigate the mechanism whereby transcription of chloride channel accessory 2 (Clca2) is regulated in cardiac fibroblast and its potential implication in fibroblast-myofibroblast transition (FMyT). We report that Clca2 expression was down-regulated in activated cardiac fibroblasts (myofibroblasts) compared to quiescent cardiac fibroblasts in two different animal models of cardiac fibrosis. Clca2 expression was also down-regulated by TGF-β, a potent inducer of FMyT. TGF-β repressed Clca2 expression at the transcriptional level likely via the E-box element between -516 and -224 of the Clca2 promoter. Further analysis revealed that Twist1 bound directly to the E-box element whereas Twist1 depletion abrogated TGF-β induced Clca2 trans-repression. Twist1-mediated Clca2 repression was accompanied by erasure of histone H3/H4 acetylation from the Clca2 promoter. Mechanistically Twist1 interacted with HDAC1 and recruited HDAC1 to the Clca2 promoter to repress Clca2 transcription. Finally, it was observed that Clca2 over-expression attenuated whereas Clca2 knockdown enhanced FMyT. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that a Twist1-HDAC1 complex represses Clca2 transcription in cardiac fibroblasts, which may contribute to FMyT and cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinghui Shao
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yujia Xue
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingming Fang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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10
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Pinto AR. Matricellular Proteins As Critical Regulators of Fibrosis. Circ Res 2021; 129:1036-1038. [PMID: 34762503 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.121.320273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R Pinto
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (A.R.P.).,Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (A.R.P.)
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11
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Samad T, Wu SM. Single cell RNA sequencing approaches to cardiac development and congenital heart disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 118:129-135. [PMID: 34006454 PMCID: PMC8434959 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The development of single cell RNA sequencing technologies has accelerated the ability of scientists to understand healthy and disease states of the cardiovascular system. Congenital heart defects occur in approximately 40,000 births each year and 1 out of 4 children are born with critical congenital heart disease requiring surgical interventions and a lifetime of monitoring. An understanding of how the normal heart develops and how each cell contributes to normal and pathological anatomy is an important goal in pediatric cardiovascular research. Single cell sequencing has provided the tools to increase the ability to discover rare cell types and novel genes involved in normal cardiac development. Knowledge of gene expression of single cells within cardiac tissue has contributed to the understanding of how each cell type contributes to the anatomic structures of the heart. In this review, we summarize how single cell RNA sequencing has been utilized to understand cardiac developmental processes and congenital heart disease. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of whole cell versus single nuclei RNA sequencing and describe the approaches to analyze the interactomes, transcriptomes, and differentiation trajectory from single cell data. We summarize the currently available single cell RNA sequencing technologies and technical aspects of performing single cell analysis and how to overcome common obstacles. We also review data from the recently published human and mouse fetal heart atlases and advancements that have occurred within the field due to the application of these single cell tools. Finally we highlight the potential for single cell technologies to uncover novel mechanisms of disease pathogenesis by leveraging findings from genome wide association studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahmina Samad
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Clinical and Translational Research Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sean M Wu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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12
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Liu M, López de Juan Abad B, Cheng K. Cardiac fibrosis: Myofibroblast-mediated pathological regulation and drug delivery strategies. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 173:504-519. [PMID: 33831476 PMCID: PMC8299409 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis remains an unresolved problem in heart diseases. After initial injury, cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) are activated and subsequently differentiate into myofibroblasts (myoFbs) that are major mediator cells in the pathological remodeling. MyoFbs exhibit proliferative and secretive characteristics, and contribute to extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover, collagen deposition. The persistent functions of myoFbs lead to fibrotic scars and cardiac dysfunction. The anti-fibrotic treatment is hindered by the elusive mechanism of fibrosis and lack of specific targets on myoFbs. In this review, we will outline the progress of cardiac fibrosis and its contributions to the heart failure. We will also shed light on the role of myoFbs in the regulation of adverse remodeling. The communication between myoFbs and other cells that are involved in the heart injury and repair respectively will be reviewed in detail. Then, recently developed therapeutic strategies to treat fibrosis will be summarized such as i) chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy with an optimal target on myoFbs, ii) direct reprogramming from stem cells to quiescent CFs, iii) "off-target" small molecular drugs. The application of nano/micro technology will be discussed as well, which is involved in the construction of cell-based biomimic platforms and "pleiotropic" drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengrui Liu
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, NC, USA; Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, USA
| | - Blanca López de Juan Abad
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, NC, USA; Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, USA
| | - Ke Cheng
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, NC, USA; Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, USA.
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Diastolic dysfunction in a pre-clinical model of diabetes is associated with changes in the cardiac non-myocyte cellular composition. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2021; 20:116. [PMID: 34074290 PMCID: PMC8170962 DOI: 10.1186/s12933-021-01303-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes is associated with a significantly elevated risk of cardiovascular disease and its specific pathophysiology remains unclear. Recent studies have changed our understanding of cardiac cellularity, with cellular changes accompanying diabetes yet to be examined in detail. This study aims to characterise the changes in the cardiac cellular landscape in murine diabetes to identify potential cellular protagonists in the diabetic heart. METHODS Diabetes was induced in male FVB/N mice by low-dose streptozotocin and a high-fat diet for 26-weeks. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography at endpoint. Flow cytometry was performed on cardiac ventricles as well as blood, spleen, and bone-marrow at endpoint from non-diabetic and diabetic mice. To validate flow cytometry results, immunofluorescence staining was conducted on left-ventricles of age-matched mice. RESULTS Mice with diabetes exhibited hyperglycaemia and impaired glucose tolerance at endpoint. Echocardiography revealed reduced E:A and e':a' ratios in diabetic mice indicating diastolic dysfunction. Systolic function was not different between the experimental groups. Detailed examination of cardiac cellularity found resident mesenchymal cells (RMCs) were elevated as a result of diabetes, due to a marked increase in cardiac fibroblasts, while smooth muscle cells were reduced in proportion. Moreover, we found increased levels of Ly6Chi monocytes in both the heart and in the blood. Consistent with this, the proportion of bone-marrow haematopoietic stem cells were increased in diabetic mice. CONCLUSIONS Murine diabetes results in distinct changes in cardiac cellularity. These changes-in particular increased levels of fibroblasts-offer a framework for understanding how cardiac cellularity changes in diabetes. The results also point to new cellular mechanisms in this context, which may further aid in development of pharmacotherapies to allay the progression of cardiomyopathy associated with diabetes.
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