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Zamfir AS, Stătescu C, Sascău RA, Tinică G, Zamfir CL, Cernomaz TA, Chistol RO, Boișteanu D, Sava A. Casting Light on The Hidden Prevalence: A Novel Perspective on Hypoplastic Coronary Artery Disease. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2555. [PMID: 38731084 PMCID: PMC11084682 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) represent a group of rare cardiac abnormalities with an incidence of up to 1.2%. The aim of this retrospective study was to conduct a comprehensive epidemiological assessment of the prevalence of hypoplastic coronary arteries using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in patients with diagnosed CAAs and individuals presenting with cardiovascular manifestations in the north-eastern region of Romania. This study was motivated by the limited investigation of the CAAs conducted in this area. Methods: We analyzed data collected from 12,758 coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) records available at the "Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu" Cardiovascular Diseases Institute, spanning the years 2012 to 2022. Results: Among 350 individuals with CAAs (2.7% of the total cohort), 71 patients (20.3% of the anomaly presenting group and 0.5% of the entire CCTA cohort) exhibited at least one hypoplastic coronary artery. The mean age of individuals diagnosed with hypoplastic coronary artery disease (HCAD) was 61 years, while the age distribution among them ranged from 22 to 84 years. Nearly equal cases of right and left dominance (33 and 31, respectively) were observed, with only 7 cases of co-dominance. Conclusions: HCAD may be considered underexplored in current published research, despite its potentially significant implications ranging to an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest. The specific prevalence of HCAD among CAAs might be higher than previously reported, possibly reflecting better diagnostic accuracy of CCTA over classic coronary imaging. The absence of standard diagnostic and therapeutic protocols for HCAD underscores the necessity of a personalized approach for such cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra-Simona Zamfir
- Clinical Hospital of Pulmonary Diseases, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Department of Medical Sciences III, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Cristian Stătescu
- Department of Medical Sciences I, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Cardiology Department, “Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu” Cardiovascular Diseases Institute, 700503 Iași, Romania
| | - Radu Andy Sascău
- Department of Medical Sciences I, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Cardiology Department, “Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu” Cardiovascular Diseases Institute, 700503 Iași, Romania
| | - Grigore Tinică
- Department of Surgery I, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, “Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu” Cardiovascular Diseases Institute, 700503 Iași, Romania
| | - Carmen Lăcrămioara Zamfir
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences I, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Tudor-Andrei Cernomaz
- Department of Medical Sciences III, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Regional Institute of Oncology, 700483 Iași, Romania
| | - Raluca Ozana Chistol
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences I, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Department of Medical Imaging, “Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu” Cardiovascular Diseases Institute, 700503 Iași, Romania
| | - Daniela Boișteanu
- Clinical Hospital of Pulmonary Diseases, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Department of Medical Sciences III, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Anca Sava
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences I, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Department of Pathology, “Prof. Dr. Nicolae Oblu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, 700309 Iaşi, Romania
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Eley L, Richardson RV, Alqahtani A, Chaudhry B, Henderson DJ. eNOS plays essential roles in the developing heart and aorta linked to disruption of Notch signalling. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050265. [PMID: 38111957 PMCID: PMC10846539 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050265] [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: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
eNOS (NOS3) is the enzyme that generates nitric oxide, a signalling molecule and regulator of vascular tone. Loss of eNOS function is associated with increased susceptibility to atherosclerosis, hypertension, thrombosis and stroke. Aortopathy and cardiac hypertrophy have also been found in eNOS null mice, but their aetiology is unclear. We evaluated eNOS nulls before and around birth for cardiac defects, revealing severe abnormalities in the ventricular myocardium and pharyngeal arch arteries. Moreover, in the aortic arch, there were fewer baroreceptors, which sense changes in blood pressure. Adult eNOS null survivors showed evidence of cardiac hypertrophy, aortopathy and cartilaginous metaplasia in the periductal region of the aortic arch. Notch1 and neuregulin were dysregulated in the forming pharyngeal arch arteries and ventricles, suggesting that these pathways may be relevant to the defects observed. Dysregulation of eNOS leads to embryonic and perinatal death, suggesting mutations in eNOS are candidates for causing congenital heart defects in humans. Surviving eNOS mutants have a deficiency of baroreceptors that likely contributes to high blood pressure and may have relevance to human patients who suffer from hypertension associated with aortic arch abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine Eley
- Bioscience Institute, Newcastle University, Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Rachel V. Richardson
- Bioscience Institute, Newcastle University, Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Ahlam Alqahtani
- Bioscience Institute, Newcastle University, Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Bill Chaudhry
- Bioscience Institute, Newcastle University, Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Deborah J. Henderson
- Bioscience Institute, Newcastle University, Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
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Guadix JA, Ruiz-Villalba A, Pérez-Pomares JM. Congenital Coronary Blood Vessel Anomalies: Animal Models and the Integration of Developmental Mechanisms. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1441:817-831. [PMID: 38884751 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-44087-8_49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Coronary blood vessels are in charge of sustaining cardiac homeostasis. It is thus logical that coronary congenital anomalies (CCA) directly or indirectly associate with multiple cardiac conditions, including sudden death. The coronary vascular system is a sophisticated, highly patterned anatomical entity, and therefore a wide range of congenital malformations of the coronary vasculature have been described. Despite the clinical interest of CCA, very few attempts have been made to relate specific embryonic developmental mechanisms to the congenital anomalies of these blood vessels. This is so because developmental data on the morphogenesis of the coronary vascular system derive from complex studies carried out in animals (mostly transgenic mice), and are not often accessible to the clinician, who, in turn, possesses essential information on the significance of CCA. During the last decade, advances in our understanding of normal embryonic development of coronary blood vessels have provided insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying coronary arteries anomalies. These findings are the base for our attempt to offer plausible embryological explanations to a variety of CCA as based on the analysis of multiple animal models for the study of cardiac embryogenesis, and present them in an organized manner, offering to the reader developmental mechanistic explanations for the pathogenesis of these anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Antonio Guadix
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Málaga (IBIMA)-Plataforma BIONAND, Málaga, Spain
| | - Adrián Ruiz-Villalba
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Málaga (IBIMA)-Plataforma BIONAND, Málaga, Spain
| | - José M Pérez-Pomares
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain.
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Málaga (IBIMA)-Plataforma BIONAND, Málaga, Spain.
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Chen ZY, Mao SF, Guo LH, Qin J, Yang LX, Liu Y. Effect of maternal pregestational diabetes mellitus on congenital heart diseases. World J Pediatr 2023; 19:303-314. [PMID: 35838899 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-022-00582-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increasing population of diabetes mellitus in adolescent girls and women of childbearing age contributes to a large number of pregnancies with maternal pregestational diabetes mellitus. Congenital heart diseases are a common adverse outcome in mothers with pregestational diabetes mellitus. However, there is little systematic information between maternal pregestational diabetes mellitus and congenital heart diseases in the offspring. DATA SOURCES Literature selection was performed in PubMed. One hundred and seven papers were cited in our review, including 36 clinical studies, 26 experimental studies, 31 reviews, eight meta-analysis articles, and six of other types. RESULTS Maternal pregestational diabetes mellitus poses a high risk of congenital heart diseases in the offspring and causes variety of phenotypes of congenital heart diseases. Factors such as persistent maternal hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, polymorphism of uncoupling protein 2, polymorphism of adiponectin gene, Notch 1 pathway, Nkx2.5 disorders, dysregulation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1, and viral etiologies are associated with the occurrence of congenital heart diseases in the offspring of mothers with pregestational diabetes mellitus. Treatment options including blood sugar-reducing, anti-oxidative stress drug supplements and exercise can help to prevent maternal pregestational diabetes mellitus from inducing congenital heart diseases. CONCLUSIONS Our review contributes to a better understanding of the association between maternal pregestational diabetes mellitus and congenital heart diseases in the offspring and to a profound thought of the mechanism, preventive and therapeutic measurements of congenital heart diseases caused by maternal pregestational diabetes mellitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Yan Chen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Zigong, 643000, China
| | - Shuang-Fa Mao
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Zigong, 643000, China
| | - Ling-Hong Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Basic Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jian Qin
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Zigong, 643000, China
| | - Li-Xin Yang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Zigong, 643000, China
| | - Yin Liu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Zigong, 643000, China.
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Basic Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610000, China.
- Animal Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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5
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Blom JN, Wang X, Lu X, Kim MY, Wang G, Feng Q. Inhibition of intraflagellar transport protein-88 promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and reduces cardiac remodeling post-myocardial infarction. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 933:175287. [PMID: 36150531 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The epicardium is a potential source of cardiac progenitors to support reparative angiogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI) through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Primary cilia are recognized as hubs of cellular signaling, and their presence can alter downstream pathways to modulate EMT. The present study aimed to examine the effects of inhibiting intraflagellar transport protein-88 (Ift88), a protein vital to ciliary assembly, on epicardial EMT and cardiac remodeling post-MI. Epicardium derived cells (EPDCs) were cultured from E13.5 heart explants and treated with adenoviral vector encoding short-hairpin RNA against the mouse Ift88 (Ad-shIft88) to disassemble the primary cilium. Effects of Ad-shIft88 on epicardial EMT and cardiac remodeling were examined in mice post-MI. Our results show that Ad-shIft88 enhanced EMT of cultured EPDCs. In adult mice, intra-myocardial administration of Ad-shIft88 increased the number of Wilms tumor 1 (Wt1) positive cells in the epicardium and myocardium, promoted expression of genes associated with epicardial EMT, and enhanced capillary and arteriolar densities post-MI. Additionally, intra-myocardial Ad-shIft88 treatment attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and improved myocardial function three weeks post-MI. In conclusion, knockdown of Ift88 improves epicardial EMT, neovascularization and cardiac remodeling in the ischemic heart. Our study highlights the primary cilium as a potential therapeutic target post-MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica N Blom
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiangru Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mella Y Kim
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Guoping Wang
- Institute of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qingping Feng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
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Greco ER, Engineer A, Saiyin T, Lu X, Zhang M, Jones DL, Feng Q. Maternal nicotine exposure induces congenital heart defects in the offspring of mice. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:3223-3234. [PMID: 35521669 PMCID: PMC9170818 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal cigarette smoking is a risk factor for congenital heart defects (CHDs). Nicotine replacement therapies are often offered to pregnant women following failed attempts of smoking cessation. However, the impact of nicotine on embryonic heart development is not well understood. In the present study, the effects of maternal nicotine exposure (MNE) during pregnancy on foetal heart morphogenesis were studied. Adult female mice were treated with nicotine using subcutaneous osmotic pumps at 0.75 or 1.5 mg/kg/day and subsequently bred with male mice. Our results show that MNE dose-dependently increased CHDs in foetal mice. CHDs included atrial and ventricular septal defects, double outlet right ventricle, unguarded tricuspid orifice, hypoplastic left ventricle, thickened aortic and pulmonary valves, and ventricular hypertrophy. MNE also significantly reduced coronary artery size and vessel abundance in foetal hearts. Moreover, MNE resulted in higher levels of oxidative stress and altered the expression of key cardiogenic regulators in the developing heart. Nicotine exposure reduced epicardial-to-mesenchymal transition in foetal hearts. In conclusion, MNE induces CHDs and coronary artery malformation in mice. These findings provide insight into the adverse outcomes of foetuses by MNE during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anish Engineer
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tana Saiyin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiangru Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - MengQi Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Douglas L Jones
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qingping Feng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Leung C, Engineer A, Kim MY, Lu X, Feng Q. Myocardium-Specific Deletion of Rac1 Causes Ventricular Noncompaction and Outflow Tract Defects. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:jcdd8030029. [PMID: 33804107 PMCID: PMC8001666 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8030029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a cardiomyopathy that can lead to arrhythmias, embolic events and heart failure. Despite our current knowledge of cardiac development, the mechanisms underlying noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium are still poorly understood. The small GTPase Rac1 acts as a crucial regulator of numerous developmental events. The present study aimed to investigate the cardiomyocyte specific role of Rac1 in embryonic heart development. Methods and Results: The Nkx2.5-Cre transgenic mice were crossed with Rac1f/f mice to generate mice with a cardiomyocyte specific deletion of Rac1 (Rac1Nkx2.5) during heart development. Embryonic Rac1Nkx2.5 hearts at E12.5–E18.5 were collected for histological analysis. Overall, Rac1Nkx2.5 hearts displayed a bifid apex, along with hypertrabeculation and a thin compact myocardium. Rac1Nkx2.5 hearts also exhibited ventricular septal defects (VSDs) and double outlet right ventricle (DORV) or overriding aorta. Cardiomyocytes had a rounded morphology and were highly disorganized, and the myocardial expression of Scrib, a planar cell polarity protein, was reduced in Rac1Nkx2.5 hearts. In addition, cell proliferation rate was significantly decreased in the Rac1Nkx2.5 ventricular myocardium at E9.5. Conclusions: Rac1 deficiency in the myocardium impairs cardiomyocyte elongation and organization, and proliferative growth of the heart. A spectrum of CHDs arises in Rac1Nkx2.5 hearts, implicating Rac1 signaling in the ventricular myocardium as a crucial regulator of OFT alignment, along with compact myocardium growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Leung
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (C.L.); (A.E.); (M.Y.K.); (X.L.)
| | - Anish Engineer
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (C.L.); (A.E.); (M.Y.K.); (X.L.)
| | - Mella Y. Kim
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (C.L.); (A.E.); (M.Y.K.); (X.L.)
| | - Xiangru Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (C.L.); (A.E.); (M.Y.K.); (X.L.)
| | - Qingping Feng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (C.L.); (A.E.); (M.Y.K.); (X.L.)
- Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-519-850-2989
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Human Nitric Oxide Synthase-Its Functions, Polymorphisms, and Inhibitors in the Context of Inflammation, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010056. [PMID: 33374571 PMCID: PMC7793075 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In various diseases, there is an increased production of the free radicals needed to carry out certain physiological processes but their excessive amounts can cause oxidative stress and cell damage. Enzymes play a major role in the transformations associated with free radicals. One of them is nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which catalyzes the formation of nitric oxide (NO). This enzyme exists in three forms (NOS1, NOS2, NOS3), each encoded by a different gene. The following work presents the most important information on the NOS isoforms and their role in the human body, including NO synthesis in various tissues and cells, intercellular signaling and activities supporting the immune system and regulating blood vessel functions. The role of NOS in pathological conditions such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease is considered. Attention is also paid to the influence of the polymorphisms of these genes, encoding particular isoforms, on the development of these pathologies and the role of NOS inhibitors in the treatment of patients.
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Borasch K, Richardson K, Plendl J. Cardiogenesis with a focus on vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Anat Histol Embryol 2020; 49:643-655. [PMID: 32319704 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The initial intraembryonic vasculogenesis occurs in the cardiogenic mesoderm. Here, a cell population of proendocardial cells detaches from the mesoderm that subsequently generates the single endocardial tube by forming vascular plexuses. In the course of embryogenesis, the endocardium retains vasculogenic, angiogenic and haematopoietic potential. The coronary blood vessels that sustain the rapidly expanding myocardium develop in the course of the formation of the cardiac loop by vasculogenesis and angiogenesis from progenitor cells of the proepicardial serosa at the venous pole of the heart as well as from the endocardium and endothelial cells of the sinus venosus. Prospective coronary endothelial cells and progenitor cells of the coronary blood vessel walls (smooth muscle cells, perivascular cells) originate from different cell populations that are in close spatial as well as regulatory connection with each other. Vasculo- and angiogenesis of the coronary blood vessels are for a large part regulated by the epicardium and epicardium-derived cells. Vasculogenic and angiogenic signalling pathways include the vascular endothelial growth factors, the angiopoietins and the fibroblast growth factors and their receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Borasch
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kenneth Richardson
- College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Johanna Plendl
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Engineer A, Lim YJ, Lu X, Kim MY, Norozi K, Feng Q. Sapropterin reduces coronary artery malformation in offspring of pregestational diabetes mice. Nitric Oxide 2020; 94:9-18. [PMID: 31600600 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and oxidative stress are critical to embryonic coronary artery development. Maternal diabetes increases oxidative stress and reduces eNOS activity in the fetal heart. Sapropterin (Kuvan®) is an orally active, synthetic form of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and a co-factor for eNOS with antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of sapropterin on fetal coronary artery development during pregestational diabetes in mice. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin to adult female C57BL/6 mice. Sapropterin (10 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to pregnant mice from E0.5 to E18.5. Fetal hearts were collected at E18.5 for coronary artery morphological analysis. Sapropterin treatment to diabetic dams reduced the incidence of coronary artery malformation in offspring from 50.0% to 20.6%. Decreases in coronary artery luminal diameter, volume and abundance in fetal hearts from diabetic mothers, were prevented by sapropterin treatment. Maternal diabetes reduced epicardial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and expression of transcription and growth factors critical to coronary artery development including hypoxia-inducible factor 1a (Hif1a), Snail1, Slug, β-catenin, retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (Aldh1a2), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial group factor receptor 2 (Vegfr2) in E12.5 hearts. Additionally, eNOS phosphorylation was lower while oxidative stress was higher in E12.5 hearts from maternal diabetes. Notably, these abnormalities were all restored to normal levels after sapropterin treatment. In conclusion, sapropterin treatment increases eNOS activity, lowers oxidative stress and reduces coronary artery malformation in offspring of pregestational diabetes. Sapropterin may have therapeutic potential in preventing coronary artery malformation in maternal diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish Engineer
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yong Jin Lim
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiangru Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mella Y Kim
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kambiz Norozi
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical School Hannover, Germany; Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Goettingen, Germany
| | - Qingping Feng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.
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11
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Engineer A, Saiyin T, Greco ER, Feng Q. Say NO to ROS: Their Roles in Embryonic Heart Development and Pathogenesis of Congenital Heart Defects in Maternal Diabetes. Antioxidants (Basel) 2019; 8:antiox8100436. [PMID: 31581464 PMCID: PMC6826639 DOI: 10.3390/antiox8100436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most prevalent and serious birth defect, occurring in 1% of all live births. Pregestational maternal diabetes is a known risk factor for the development of CHDs, elevating the risk in the child by more than four-fold. As the prevalence of diabetes rapidly rises among women of childbearing age, there is a need to investigate the mechanisms and potential preventative strategies for these defects. In experimental animal models of pregestational diabetes induced-CHDs, upwards of 50% of offspring display congenital malformations of the heart, including septal, valvular, and outflow tract defects. Specifically, the imbalance of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling is a major driver of the development of CHDs in offspring of mice with pregestational diabetes. NO from endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is crucial to cardiogenesis, regulating various cellular and molecular processes. In fact, deficiency in eNOS results in CHDs and coronary artery malformation. Embryonic hearts from diabetic dams exhibit eNOS uncoupling and oxidative stress. Maternal treatment with sapropterin, a cofactor of eNOS, and antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine, vitamin E, and glutathione as well as maternal exercise have been shown to improve eNOS function, reduce oxidative stress, and lower the incidence CHDs in the offspring of mice with pregestational diabetes. This review summarizes recent data on pregestational diabetes-induced CHDs, and offers insights into the important roles of NO and ROS in embryonic heart development and pathogenesis of CHDs in maternal diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish Engineer
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
| | - Tana Saiyin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
| | - Elizabeth R Greco
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
| | - Qingping Feng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
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12
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Saiyin T, Engineer A, Greco ER, Kim MY, Lu X, Jones DL, Feng Q. Maternal voluntary exercise mitigates oxidative stress and incidence of congenital heart defects in pre-gestational diabetes. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:5553-5565. [PMID: 31211496 PMCID: PMC6653048 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Women with pre‐gestational diabetes have a higher risk of producing children with congenital heart defects (CHDs), caused predominantly by hyperglycemia‐induced oxidative stress. In this study, we evaluated if exercise during pregnancy could mitigate oxidative stress and reduce the incidence of CHDs in the offspring of diabetic mice. Female mice were treated with streptozotocin to induce pre‐gestational diabetes, then mated with healthy males to produce offspring. They were also given access to running wheels 1 week before mating and allowed to exercise voluntarily until E18.5. Heart morphology, gene expression, and oxidative stress were assessed in foetal hearts. Maternal voluntary exercise results in a significantly lower incidence of CHDs from 59.5% to 25%. Additionally, diabetes‐induced defects in coronary artery and capillary morphogenesis were also lower with exercise. Myocardial cell proliferation and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition at E12.5 was significantly lower with pre‐gestational diabetes which was mitigated with maternal exercise. Cardiac gene expression of Notch1, Snail1, Gata4 and CyclinD1 was significantly higher in the embryos of diabetic mice that exercised compared to the non‐exercised group. Furthermore, maternal exercise produced lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress in the foetal heart. In conclusion, maternal exercise mitigates ROS and oxidative damage in the foetal heart, and results in a lower incidence of CHDs in the offspring of pre‐gestational diabetes. Exercise may be an effective intervention to compliment clinical management and further minimize CHD risk in mothers with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tana Saiyin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Anish Engineer
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth R Greco
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Mella Y Kim
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Xiangru Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Douglas L Jones
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Qingping Feng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
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13
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Poelmann RE, Gittenberger-de Groot AC. Hemodynamics in Cardiac Development. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2018; 5:jcdd5040054. [PMID: 30404214 PMCID: PMC6306789 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd5040054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The beating heart is subject to intrinsic mechanical factors, exerted by contraction of the myocardium (stretch and strain) and fluid forces of the enclosed blood (wall shear stress). The earliest contractions of the heart occur already in the 10-somite stage in the tubular as yet unsegmented heart. With development, the looping heart becomes asymmetric providing varying diameters and curvatures resulting in unequal flow profiles. These flow profiles exert various wall shear stresses and as a consequence different expression patterns of shear responsive genes. In this paper we investigate the morphological alterations of the heart after changing the blood flow by ligation of the right vitelline vein in a model chicken embryo and analyze the extended expression in the endocardial cushions of the shear responsive gene Tgfbeta receptor III. A major phenomenon is the diminished endocardial-mesenchymal transition resulting in hypoplastic (even absence of) atrioventricular and outflow tract endocardial cushions, which might be lethal in early phases. The surviving embryos exhibit several cardiac malformations including ventricular septal defects and malformed semilunar valves related to abnormal development of the aortopulmonary septal complex and the enclosed neural crest cells. We discuss the results in the light of the interactions between several shear stress responsive signaling pathways including an extended review of the involved Vegf, Notch, Pdgf, Klf2, eNos, Endothelin and Tgfβ/Bmp/Smad networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Poelmann
- Department of Animal Sciences and Health, Institute of Biology, Sylvius Laboratory, University of Leiden, Sylviusweg 72, 2333BE Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 20, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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14
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Engineer A, Saiyin T, Lu X, Kucey AS, Urquhart BL, Drysdale TA, Norozi K, Feng Q. Sapropterin Treatment Prevents Congenital Heart Defects Induced by Pregestational Diabetes Mellitus in Mice. J Am Heart Assoc 2018; 7:e009624. [PMID: 30608180 PMCID: PMC6404194 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.118.009624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Tetrahydrobiopterin is a cofactor of endothelial NO synthase ( eNOS ), which is critical to embryonic heart development. We aimed to study the effects of sapropterin (Kuvan), an orally active synthetic form of tetrahydrobiopterin on eNOS uncoupling and congenital heart defects ( CHD s) induced by pregestational diabetes mellitus in mice. Methods and Results Adult female mice were induced to pregestational diabetes mellitus by streptozotocin and bred with normal male mice to produce offspring. Pregnant mice were treated with sapropterin or vehicle during gestation. CHD s were identified by histological analysis. Cell proliferation, eNOS dimerization, and reactive oxygen species production were assessed in the fetal heart. Pregestational diabetes mellitus results in a spectrum of CHD s in their offspring. Oral treatment with sapropterin in the diabetic dams significantly decreased the incidence of CHD s from 59% to 27%, and major abnormalities, such as atrioventricular septal defect and double-outlet right ventricle, were absent in the sapropterin-treated group. Lineage tracing reveals that pregestational diabetes mellitus results in decreased commitment of second heart field progenitors to the outflow tract, endocardial cushions, and ventricular myocardium of the fetal heart. Notably, decreased cell proliferation and cardiac transcription factor expression induced by maternal diabetes mellitus were normalized with sapropterin treatment. Furthermore, sapropterin administration in the diabetic dams increased eNOS dimerization and lowered reactive oxygen species levels in the fetal heart. Conclusions Sapropterin treatment in the diabetic mothers improves eNOS coupling, increases cell proliferation, and prevents the development of CHD s in the offspring. Thus, sapropterin may have therapeutic potential in preventing CHD s in pregestational diabetes mellitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish Engineer
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologySchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Tana Saiyin
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologySchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Xiangru Lu
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologySchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Andrew S. Kucey
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologySchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Brad L. Urquhart
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologySchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Thomas A. Drysdale
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologySchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Department of PediatricsSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Children's Health Research InstituteLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Kambiz Norozi
- Department of PediatricsSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Children's Health Research InstituteLondonOntarioCanada
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Intensive Care MedicineHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Intensive Care MedicineUniversity of GöttingenGermany
| | - Qingping Feng
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologySchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Department of MedicineSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Children's Health Research InstituteLondonOntarioCanada
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15
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Sharma B, Chang A, Red-Horse K. Coronary Artery Development: Progenitor Cells and Differentiation Pathways. Annu Rev Physiol 2016; 79:1-19. [PMID: 27959616 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-022516-033953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the number one cause of death worldwide and involves the accumulation of plaques within the artery wall that can occlude blood flow to the heart and cause myocardial infarction. The high mortality associated with CAD makes the development of medical interventions that repair and replace diseased arteries a high priority for the cardiovascular research community. Advancements in arterial regenerative medicine could benefit from a detailed understanding of coronary artery development during embryogenesis and of how these pathways might be reignited during disease. Recent research has advanced our knowledge on how the coronary vasculature is built and revealed unexpected features of progenitor cell deployment that may have implications for organogenesis in general. Here, we highlight these recent findings and discuss how they set the stage to interrogate developmental pathways during injury and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikram Sharma
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305;
| | - Andrew Chang
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305; .,Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
| | - Kristy Red-Horse
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305;
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16
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Koenraadt WMC, Tokmaji G, DeRuiter MC, Vliegen HW, Scholte AJHA, Siebelink HMJ, Gittenberger-de Groot AC, de Graaf MA, Wolterbeek R, Mulder BJ, Bouma BJ, Schalij MJ, Jongbloed MRM. Coronary anatomy as related to bicuspid aortic valve morphology. Heart 2016; 102:943-9. [PMID: 26864668 DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Variable coronary anatomy has been described in patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs). This was never specified to BAV morphology, and prognostic relevance of coronary vessel dominance in this patient group is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate valve morphology in relation to coronary artery anatomy and outcome in patients with isolated BAV and with associated aortic coarctation (CoA). METHODS Coronary anatomy was evaluated in 186 patients with BAV (141 men (79%), 51±14 years) by CT and invasive coronary angiography. Correlation of coronary anatomy was made with BAV morphology and coronary events. RESULTS Strictly bicuspid valves (without raphe) with left-right cusp fusion (type 1B) had more left dominant coronary systems compared with BAVs with left-right cusp fusion with a raphe (type 1A) (48% vs. 26%, p=0.047) and showed more separate ostia (28% vs. 9%, p=0.016). Type 1B BAVs had more coronary artery disease than patients with type 1A BAV (36% vs. 19%, p=0.047). More left dominance was seen in BAV patients with CoA than in patients without (65% vs. 24%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of a left dominant coronary artery system and separate ostia was significantly related to BAVs with left-right fusion without a raphe (type 1B). These patients more often had significant coronary artery disease. In patients with BAV and CoA, left dominancy is more common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilke M C Koenraadt
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - George Tokmaji
- Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco C DeRuiter
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hubert W Vliegen
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur J H A Scholte
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Michiel A de Graaf
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ron Wolterbeek
- Department of Medical Statistics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara J Mulder
- Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Berto J Bouma
- Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin J Schalij
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Monique R M Jongbloed
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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17
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Leung C, Liu Y, Lu X, Kim M, Drysdale TA, Feng Q. Rac1 Signaling Is Required for Anterior Second Heart Field Cellular Organization and Cardiac Outflow Tract Development. J Am Heart Assoc 2015; 5:e002508. [PMID: 26722124 PMCID: PMC4859369 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.115.002508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The small GTPase Rac1 regulates diverse cellular functions, including both apicobasal and planar cell polarity pathways; however, its role in cardiac outflow tract (OFT) development remains unknown. In the present study, we aimed to examine the role of Rac1 in the anterior second heart field (SHF) splanchnic mesoderm and subsequent OFT development during heart morphogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS Using the Cre/loxP system, mice with an anterior SHF-specific deletion of Rac1 (Rac1(SHF)) were generated. Embryos were collected at various developmental time points for immunostaining and histological analysis. Intrauterine echocardiography was also performed to assess aortic valve blood flow in embryos at embryonic day 18.5. The Rac1(SHF) splanchnic mesoderm exhibited disruptions in SHF progenitor cellular organization and proliferation. Consequently, this led to a spectrum of OFT defects along with aortic valve defects in Rac1(SHF) embryos. Mechanistically, it was found that the ability of the Rac1(SHF) OFT myocardial cells to migrate into the proximal OFT cushion was severely reduced. In addition, expression of the neural crest chemoattractant semaphorin 3c was decreased. Lineage tracing showed that anterior SHF contribution to the OFT myocardium and aortic valves was deficient in Rac1(SHF) hearts. Furthermore, functional analysis with intrauterine echocardiography at embryonic day 18.5 showed aortic valve regurgitation in Rac1(SHF) hearts, which was not seen in control hearts. CONCLUSIONS Disruptions of Rac1 signaling in the anterior SHF results in aberrant progenitor cellular organization and defects in OFT development. Our data show Rac1 signaling to be a critical regulator of cardiac OFT formation during embryonic heart development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Leung
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medicine and PediatricsSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryCollaborative Program in Developmental BiologyChildren's Health Research InstituteUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Yin Liu
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medicine and PediatricsSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryCollaborative Program in Developmental BiologyChildren's Health Research InstituteUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Xiangru Lu
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medicine and PediatricsSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryCollaborative Program in Developmental BiologyChildren's Health Research InstituteUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Mella Kim
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medicine and PediatricsSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryCollaborative Program in Developmental BiologyChildren's Health Research InstituteUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Thomas A. Drysdale
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medicine and PediatricsSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryCollaborative Program in Developmental BiologyChildren's Health Research InstituteUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Qingping Feng
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medicine and PediatricsSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryCollaborative Program in Developmental BiologyChildren's Health Research InstituteUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
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18
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Tan XL, Xue YQ, Ma T, Wang X, Li JJ, Lan L, Malik KU, McDonald MP, Dopico AM, Liao FF. Partial eNOS deficiency causes spontaneous thrombotic cerebral infarction, amyloid angiopathy and cognitive impairment. Mol Neurodegener 2015; 10:24. [PMID: 26104027 PMCID: PMC4479241 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-015-0020-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis leads to the most common type of stroke and a likely cause of age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) generates NO, which plays a crucial role in maintaining vascular function and exerting an antithrombotic action. Reduced eNOS expression and eNOS polymorphisms have been associated with stroke and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common type of dementia associated with neurovascular dysfunction. However, direct proof of such association is lacking. Since there are no reports of complete eNOS deficiency in humans, we used heterozygous eNOS+/- mice to mimic partial deficiency of eNOS, and determine its impact on cerebrovascular pathology and perfusion of cerebral vessels. Results Combining cerebral angiography with immunohistochemistry, we found thrombotic cerebral infarctions in eNOS+/- mice as early as 3–6 months of age but not in eNOS+/+ mice at any age. Remarkably, vascular occlusions in eNOS+/- mice were found almost exclusively in three areas: temporoparietal and retrosplenial granular cortexes, and hippocampus this distribution precisely matching the hypoperfused areas identified in preclinical AD patients. Moreover, progressive cerebral amyloid angiopaphy (CAA), blood brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, and cognitive impairment were also detected in aged eNOS+/- mice. Conclusions These data provide for the first time the evidence that partial eNOS deficiency results in spontaneous thrombotic cerebral infarctions that increase with age, leading to progressive CAA and cognitive impairments. We thus conclude that eNOS+/- mouse may represent an ideal model of ischemic stroke to address early and progressive damage in spontaneously-evolving chronic cerebral ischemia and thus, study vascular mechanisms contributing to vascular dementia and AD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13024-015-0020-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Lin Tan
- Departments of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 874 Union Avenue/Crowe 401, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Yue-Qiang Xue
- Departments of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 874 Union Avenue/Crowe 401, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Tao Ma
- Departments of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 874 Union Avenue/Crowe 401, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Department of Neurology, Wuxi Second People Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 68 Zhongshan Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu province, 214002, PR China
| | - Xiaofang Wang
- Departments of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 874 Union Avenue/Crowe 401, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, No.1 Jianshe road, Zhengzhou, Henan province, 450052, PR China
| | - Jing Jing Li
- Departments of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 874 Union Avenue/Crowe 401, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Lubin Lan
- Departments of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 874 Union Avenue/Crowe 401, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Kafait U Malik
- Departments of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 874 Union Avenue/Crowe 401, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Michael P McDonald
- Neurology & Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 874 Union Avenue/Crowe 401, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 874 Union Avenue/Crowe 401, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Alejandro M Dopico
- Departments of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 874 Union Avenue/Crowe 401, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Francesca-Fang Liao
- Departments of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 874 Union Avenue/Crowe 401, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.
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19
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Machado-Silva W, Alfinito-Kreis R, Carvalho LSF, Quinaglia-E-Silva JC, Almeida OLR, Brito CJ, Ferreira AP, Córdova C, Sposito AC, Nóbrega OT. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase genotypes modulate peripheral vasodilatory properties after myocardial infarction. Gene 2015; 568:165-9. [PMID: 26002446 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies in population genetics suggest an important relationship between the eNOS G894T polymorphism and occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), with little known on its influence on the post-AMI period. AIM To investigate the association of allelic variants produced by the G894T transversion in eNOS (rs1799983) with post-AMI variables. METHODS Cross-sectional analyses of anthropometric, clinical and laboratory assessments obtained within the first 24h and after 5 and 30 days of the AMI event across T carriers and G homozygotes of eNOS in 371 consecutive cases of AMI with ST-segment elevation admitted to a Brazilian emergency service in cardiology. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by enzymatic restriction. RESULTS Despite no difference between genotypic groups on aspects as Killip-Kimbal classification scores, extension of infarcted mass, lipid profile or pattern of medication use, an increase in serum nitric oxide from admission to day 5 was higher for T carriers (p<0.001). Thirty days post-AMI, peripheral blood flow reserve was larger among T carriers either by flow- (p=0.037) and nitrate-mediated (p=0.040) dilation testing. CONCLUSION Our results suggest an association of the eNOS 894T allele with an apparent improvement in late arterial function in post-AMI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ciro J Brito
- Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB-DF), Taguatinga, DF, Brazil.
| | | | - Cláudio Córdova
- Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB-DF), Taguatinga, DF, Brazil.
| | - Andrei C Sposito
- Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil; Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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20
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Moazzen H, Lu X, Liu M, Feng Q. Pregestational diabetes induces fetal coronary artery malformation via reactive oxygen species signaling. Diabetes 2015; 64:1431-43. [PMID: 25422104 DOI: 10.2337/db14-0190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Hypoplastic coronary artery disease is a congenital coronary artery malformation associated with a high risk of sudden cardiac death. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of hypoplastic coronary artery disease remain undefined. Pregestational diabetes increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the risk of congenital heart defects. We show that pregestational diabetes in mice induced by streptozotocin significantly increased 4-hydroxynonenal production and decreased coronary artery volume in fetal hearts. Pregestational diabetes also impaired epicardial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as shown by analyses of the epicardium, epicardial-derived cells, and fate mapping. Additionally, the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (Hif-1α), Snail1, Slug, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFgf), and retinaldehyde dehydrogenase (Aldh1a2) was decreased and E-cadherin expression was increased in the hearts of fetuses of diabetic mothers. Of note, these abnormalities were all rescued by treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in diabetic females during gestation. Ex vivo analysis showed that high glucose levels inhibited epicardial EMT, which was reversed by NAC treatment. We conclude that pregestational diabetes in mice can cause coronary artery malformation through ROS signaling. This study may provide a rationale for further clinical studies to investigate whether pregestational diabetes could cause hypoplastic coronary artery disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Moazzen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiangru Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Murong Liu
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qingping Feng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada Lawson Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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21
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Douglas G, Hale AB, Crabtree MJ, Ryan BJ, Hansler A, Watschinger K, Gross SS, Lygate CA, Alp NJ, Channon KM. A requirement for Gch1 and tetrahydrobiopterin in embryonic development. Dev Biol 2015; 399:129-138. [PMID: 25557619 PMCID: PMC4347993 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH) catalyses the first and rate-limiting reaction in the synthesis of the enzymatic cofactor, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). Loss of function mutations in the GCH1 gene lead to congenital neurological diseases such as DOPA-responsive dystonia and hyperphenylalaninemia. However, little is known about how GTPCH and BH4 affects embryonic development in utero, and in particular whether metabolic replacement or supplementation in pregnancy is sufficient to rescue genetic GTPCH deficiency in the developing embryo. METHODS AND RESULTS Gch1 deficient mice were generated by the insertion of loxP sites flanking exons 2-3 of the Gch1 gene. Gch1(fl/fl) mice were bred with Sox2cre mice to generate mice with global Gch1 deficiency. Genetic ablation of Gch1 caused embryonic lethality by E13.5. Despite loss of Gch1 mRNA and GTPCH enzymatic activity, whole embryo BH4 levels were maintained until E11.5, indicating sufficient maternal transfer of BH4 to reach this stage of development. After E11.5, Gch1(-/-) embryos were deficient in BH4, but an unbiased metabolomic screen indicated that the lethality was not due to a gross disturbance in metabolic profile. Embryonic lethality in Gch1(-/-) embryos was not caused by structural abnormalities, but was associated with significant bradycardia at E11.5. Embryonic lethality was not rescued by maternal supplementation of BH4, but was partially rescued, up to E15.5, by maternal supplementation of BH4 and l-DOPA. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate a requirement for Gch1 in embryonic development and have important implications for the understanding of pathogenesis and treatment of genetic BH4 deficiencies, as well as the identification of new potential roles for BH4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Douglas
- BHF Centre of Research Excellence, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK.
| | - Ashley B Hale
- BHF Centre of Research Excellence, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Mark J Crabtree
- BHF Centre of Research Excellence, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Brent J Ryan
- Oxford Parkinson׳s Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alex Hansler
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, NY, USA
| | - Katrin Watschinger
- Division of Biological Chemistry, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Steven S Gross
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, NY, USA
| | - Craig A Lygate
- BHF Centre of Research Excellence, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas J Alp
- BHF Centre of Research Excellence, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Keith M Channon
- BHF Centre of Research Excellence, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
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22
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Xiang FL, Liu Y, Lu X, Jones DL, Feng Q. Cardiac-Specific Overexpression of Human Stem Cell Factor Promotes Epicardial Activation and Arteriogenesis After Myocardial Infarction. Circ Heart Fail 2014; 7:831-42. [DOI: 10.1161/circheartfailure.114.001423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background—
The adult epicardium is a potential source of cardiac progenitors after myocardial infarction (MI). We tested the hypothesis that cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of membrane-associated human stem cell factor (hSCF) enhances epicardial activation, epicardium-derived cells (EPDCs) production, and myocardial arteriogenesis post MI.
Methods and Results—
Wild-type and the inducible cardiac-specific hSCF transgenic (hSCF/tetracycline transactivator) mice were subjected to MI. Wilms tumor-1 (Wt1)–positive epicardial cells were higher in hSCF/tetracycline transactivator compared with wild-type mice 3 days post MI. Arteriole density was significantly higher in the peri-infarct area of hSCF/tetracycline transactivator mice compared with wild-type mice 5 days post MI. In cultured EPDCs, adenoviral hSCF treatment significantly increased cell proliferation and growth factor expression. Furthermore, adenoviral hSCF treatment in wild-type cardiomyocytes significantly increased EPDC migration. These effects of hSCF overexpression on EPDC proliferation and growth factor expression were all abrogated by ACK2, a neutralizing antibody against
c-kit
. Finally, lineage tracing using ROSA
mTmG
;Wt1
CreER
mice showed that adenoviral hSCF treatment increased Wt1
+
lineage–derived EPDC migration into the infarcted myocardium 5 days post MI, which was inhibited by ACK2.
Conclusions—
Cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of hSCF promotes epicardial activation and myocardial arteriogenesis post MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Li Xiang
- From the Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology (F.-L.X., Y.L., X.L., D.L.J., Q.F.) and Medicine (D.L.J., Q.F.), and Lawson Health Research Institute (D.L.J., Q.F.), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yin Liu
- From the Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology (F.-L.X., Y.L., X.L., D.L.J., Q.F.) and Medicine (D.L.J., Q.F.), and Lawson Health Research Institute (D.L.J., Q.F.), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiangru Lu
- From the Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology (F.-L.X., Y.L., X.L., D.L.J., Q.F.) and Medicine (D.L.J., Q.F.), and Lawson Health Research Institute (D.L.J., Q.F.), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Douglas L. Jones
- From the Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology (F.-L.X., Y.L., X.L., D.L.J., Q.F.) and Medicine (D.L.J., Q.F.), and Lawson Health Research Institute (D.L.J., Q.F.), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qingping Feng
- From the Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology (F.-L.X., Y.L., X.L., D.L.J., Q.F.) and Medicine (D.L.J., Q.F.), and Lawson Health Research Institute (D.L.J., Q.F.), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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23
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Bendall JK, Douglas G, McNeill E, Channon KM, Crabtree MJ. Tetrahydrobiopterin in cardiovascular health and disease. Antioxid Redox Signal 2014; 20:3040-77. [PMID: 24294830 PMCID: PMC4038990 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2013.5566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Revised: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) functions as a cofactor for several important enzyme systems, and considerable evidence implicates BH4 as a key regulator of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the setting of cardiovascular health and disease. BH4 bioavailability is determined by a balance of enzymatic de novo synthesis and recycling, versus degradation in the setting of oxidative stress. Augmenting vascular BH4 levels by pharmacological supplementation has been shown in experimental studies to enhance NO bioavailability. However, it has become more apparent that the role of BH4 in other enzymatic pathways, including other NOS isoforms and the aromatic amino acid hydroxylases, may have a bearing on important aspects of vascular homeostasis, inflammation, and cardiac function. This article reviews the role of BH4 in cardiovascular development and homeostasis, as well as in pathophysiological processes such as endothelial and vascular dysfunction, atherosclerosis, inflammation, and cardiac hypertrophy. We discuss the therapeutic potential of BH4 in cardiovascular disease states and attempt to address how this modulator of intracellular NO-redox balance may ultimately provide a powerful new treatment for many cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K Bendall
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford , John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
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24
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Moazzen H, Lu X, Ma NL, Velenosi TJ, Urquhart BL, Wisse LJ, Gittenberger-de Groot AC, Feng Q. N-Acetylcysteine prevents congenital heart defects induced by pregestational diabetes. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2014; 13:46. [PMID: 24533448 PMCID: PMC3942143 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2840-13-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregestational diabetes is a major risk factor of congenital heart defects (CHDs). Glutathione is depleted and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is elevated in diabetes. In the present study, we aimed to examine whether treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which increases glutathione synthesis and inhibits ROS production, prevents CHDs induced by pregestational diabetes. METHODS Female mice were treated with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce pregestational diabetes prior to breeding with normal males to produce offspring. Some diabetic mice were treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in drinking water from E0.5 to the end of gestation or harvesting of the embryos. CHDs were identified by histology. ROS levels, cell proliferation and gene expression in the fetal heart were analyzed. RESULTS Our data show that pregestational diabetes resulted in CHDs in 58% of the offspring, including ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defect (ASD), atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD), transposition of great arteries (TGA), double outlet right ventricle (DORV) and tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Treatment with NAC in drinking water in pregestational diabetic mice completely eliminated the incidence of AVSD, TGA, TOF and significantly diminished the incidence of ASD and VSD. Furthermore, pregestational diabetes increased ROS, impaired cell proliferation, and altered Gata4, Gata5 and Vegf-a expression in the fetal heart of diabetic offspring, which were all prevented by NAC treatment. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with NAC increases GSH levels, decreases ROS levels in the fetal heart and prevents the development of CHDs in the offspring of pregestational diabetes. Our study suggests that NAC may have therapeutic potential in the prevention of CHDs induced by pregestational diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Moazzen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Xiangru Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Noelle L Ma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Thomas J Velenosi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Brad L Urquhart
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Medicine, London, Ontario, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lambertus J Wisse
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Qingping Feng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Medicine, London, Ontario, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
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25
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Nitric oxide synthase-3 promotes embryonic development of atrioventricular valves. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77611. [PMID: 24204893 PMCID: PMC3812218 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide synthase-3 (NOS3) has recently been shown to promote endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in the developing atrioventricular (AV) canal. The present study was aimed to investigate the role of NOS3 in embryonic development of AV valves. We hypothesized that NOS3 promotes embryonic development of AV valves via EndMT. To test this hypothesis, morphological and functional analysis of AV valves were performed in wild-type (WT) and NOS3−/− mice at postnatal day 0. Our data show that the overall size and length of mitral and tricuspid valves were decreased in NOS3−/− compared with WT mice. Echocardiographic assessment showed significant regurgitation of mitral and tricuspid valves during systole in NOS3−/− mice. These phenotypes were all rescued by cardiac specific NOS3 overexpression. To assess EndMT, immunostaining of Snail1 was performed in the embryonic heart. Both total mesenchymal and Snail1+ cells in the AV cushion were decreased in NOS3−/− compared with WT mice at E10.5 and E12.5, which was completely restored by cardiac specific NOS3 overexpression. In cultured embryonic hearts, NOS3 promoted transforming growth factor (TGFβ), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP2) and Snail1expression through cGMP. Furthermore, mesenchymal cell formation and migration from cultured AV cushion explants were decreased in the NOS3−/− compared with WT mice. We conclude that NOS3 promotes AV valve formation during embryonic heart development and deficiency in NOS3 results in AV valve insufficiency.
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