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Nourmahnad A, Javad Shariyate M, Khak M, Grinstaff MW, Nazarian A, Rodriguez EK. Relaxin as a treatment for musculoskeletal fibrosis: What we know and future directions. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 225:116273. [PMID: 38729446 PMCID: PMC11179965 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116273] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Fibrotic changes in musculoskeletal diseases arise from the abnormal buildup of fibrotic tissue around the joints, leading to limited mobility, compromised joint function, and diminished quality of life. Relaxin (RLX) attenuates fibrosis by accelerating collagen degradation and inhibiting excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) production. Further, RLX disrupts myofibroblast activation by modulating the TGF-β/Smads signaling pathways, which reduces connective tissue fibrosis. However, the mechanisms and effects of RLX in musculoskeletal pathologies are emerging as increasing research focuses on relaxin's impact on skin, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, joint capsules, connective tissues, and muscles. This review delineates the actions of relaxin within the musculoskeletal system and the challenges to its clinical application. Relaxin shows significant potential in both in vivo and in vitro studies for broadly managing musculoskeletal fibrosis; however, challenges such as short biological half-life and sex-specific responses may pose hurdles for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Javad Shariyate
- Musculoskeletal Translational Innovation Initiative, Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mohammad Khak
- Musculoskeletal Translational Innovation Initiative, Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Ara Nazarian
- Musculoskeletal Translational Innovation Initiative, Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Edward K Rodriguez
- Musculoskeletal Translational Innovation Initiative, Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Wingert J, Meinhardt E, Sasipong N, Pott M, Lederer C, de la Torre C, Sticht C, Most P, Katus HA, Frey N, Raake PWJ, Schlegel P. Cardiomyocyte-specific RXFP1 overexpression protects against pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction independently of relaxin. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 225:116305. [PMID: 38768763 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116305] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) prevalence is rising due to reduced early mortality and demographic change. Relaxin (RLN) mediates protective effects in the cardiovascular system through Relaxin-receptor 1 (RXFP1). Cardiac overexpression of RXFP1 with additional RLN supplementation attenuated HF in the pressure-overload transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model. Here, we hypothesized that robust transgenic RXFP1 overexpression in cardiomyocytes (CM) protects from TAC-induced HF even in the absence of RLN. Hence, transgenic mice with a CM-specific overexpression of human RXFP1 (hRXFP1tg) were generated. Receptor functionality was demonstrated by in vivo hemodynamics, where the administration of RLN induced positive inotropy strictly in hRXFP1tg. An increase in phospholamban-phosphorylation at serine 16 was identified as a molecular correlate. hRXFP1tg were protected from TAC without additional RLN administration, presenting not only less decline in systolic left ventricular (LV) function but also abrogated LV dilation and pulmonary congestion compared to WT mice. Molecularly, transgenic hearts exhibited not only a significantly attenuated fetal and fibrotic gene activation but also demonstrated less fibrotic tissue and CM hypertrophy in histological sections. These protective effects were evident in both sexes. Similar cardioprotective effects of hRXFP1tg were detectable in a RLN-knockout model, suggesting an alternative mechanism of receptor activation through intrinsic activity, alternative endogenous ligands or crosstalk with other receptors. In summary, CM-specific RXFP1 overexpression provides protection against TAC even in the absence of endogenous RLN. This suggests RXFP1 overexpression as a potential therapeutic approach for HF, offering baseline protection with optional RLN supplementation for specific activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Wingert
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - E Meinhardt
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - N Sasipong
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - M Pott
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - C Lederer
- Thoraxklinik Heidelberg, University Hospital Heidelberg and German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C de la Torre
- Core Facility Platform Mannheim, NGS Core Facility, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - C Sticht
- Core Facility Platform Mannheim, NGS Core Facility, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - P Most
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - H A Katus
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - N Frey
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - P W J Raake
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg University, Germany
| | - P Schlegel
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany.
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Somanader DVN, Zhao P, Widdop RE, Samuel CS. The involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade in fibrosis progression and its therapeutic targeting by relaxin. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116130. [PMID: 38490518 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116130] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Organ scarring, referred to as fibrosis, results from a failed wound-healing response to chronic tissue injury and is characterised by the aberrant accumulation of various extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Once established, fibrosis is recognised as a hallmark of stiffened and dysfunctional tissues, hence, various fibrosis-related diseases collectively contribute to high morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Despite this, these diseases are ineffectively treated by currently-available medications. The pro-fibrotic cytokine, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, has emerged as the master regulator of fibrosis progression, owing to its ability to promote various factors and processes that facilitate rapid ECM synthesis and deposition, whilst negating ECM degradation. TGF-β1 signal transduction is tightly controlled by canonical (Smad-dependent) and non-canonical (MAP kinase- and Rho-associated protein kinase-dependent) intracellular protein activity, whereas its pro-fibrotic actions can also be facilitated by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This review outlines the pathological sequence of events and contributing roles of TGF-β1 in the progression of fibrosis, and how the Wnt/β-catenin pathway contributes to tissue repair in acute disease settings, but to fibrosis and related tissue dysfunction in synergy with TGF-β1 in chronic diseases. It also outlines the anti-fibrotic and related signal transduction mechanisms of the hormone, relaxin, that are mediated via its negative modulation of TGF-β1 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, but through the promotion of Wnt/β-catenin activity in acute disease settings. Collectively, this highlights that the crosstalk between TGF-β1 signal transduction and the Wnt/β-catenin cascade may provide a therapeutic target that can be exploited to broadly treat and reverse established fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deidree V N Somanader
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Peishen Zhao
- Drug Discovery Biology Program, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Robert E Widdop
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
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Ferreira AF, Azevedo MJ, Morais J, Almeida-Coelho J, Leite-Moreira AM, Lourenço AP, Saraiva F, Diaz SO, Amador AF, Sousa C, Machado AP, Sampaio-Maia B, Ramalho C, Leite-Moreira A, Barros AS, Falcão-Pires I. Stretch-induced compliance mechanism in pregnancy-induced cardiac hypertrophy and the impact of cardiovascular risk factors. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H1193-H1203. [PMID: 38334973 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00701.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Pressure overload-induced hypertrophy compromises cardiac stretch-induced compliance (SIC) after acute volume overload (AVO). We hypothesized that SIC could be enhanced by physiological hypertrophy induced by pregnancy's chronic volume overload. This study evaluated SIC-cardiac adaptation in pregnant women with or without cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors. Thirty-seven women (1st trimester, 1stT) and a separate group of 31 (3rd trimester, 3rdT) women [healthy or with CVR factors (obesity and/or hypertension and/or with gestational diabetes)] underwent echocardiography determination of left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and E/e' before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 15 min after (T2; SIC) AVO induced by passive leg elevation. Blood samples for NT-proBNP quantification were collected before and after the AVO. Acute leg elevation significantly increased inferior vena cava diameter and stroke volume from T0 to T1 in both 1stT and 3rdT, confirming AVO. LVEDV and E/e' also increased immediately after AVO (T1) in both 1stT and 3rdT. SIC adaptation (T2, 15 min after AVO) significantly decreased E/e' in both trimesters, with additional expansion of LVEDV only in the 1stT. NT-pro-BNP increased slightly after AVO but only in the 1stT. CVR factors, but not parity or age, significantly impacted SIC cardiac adaptation. A distinct functional response to SIC was observed between 1stT and 3rdT, which was influenced by CVR factors. The LV of 3rdT pregnant women was hypertrophied, showing a structural limitation to dilate with AVO, whereas the lower LV filling pressure values suggest increased diastolic compliance.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The sudden increase of volume overload triggers an acute myocardial stretch characterized by an immediate rise in contractility by the Frank-Starling mechanism, followed by a progressive increase known as the slow force response. The present study is the first to characterize echocardiographically the stretch-induced compliance (SIC) mechanism in the context of physiological hypertrophy induced by pregnancy. A distinct functional adaptation to SIC was observed between first and third trimesters, which was influenced by cardiovascular risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Filipa Ferreira
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Azevedo
- Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Porto, Portugal
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Juliana Morais
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Almeida-Coelho
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - André M Leite-Moreira
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Anesthesiology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - André P Lourenço
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Anesthesiology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisca Saraiva
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sílvia O Diaz
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Filipa Amador
- Cardiology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Sousa
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Cardiology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Machado
- Obstetrics Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Benedita Sampaio-Maia
- Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Porto, Portugal
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Ramalho
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Obstetrics Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Adelino Leite-Moreira
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - António S Barros
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Falcão-Pires
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Drera A, Rodella L, Brangi E, Riccardi M, Vizzardi E. Endothelial Dysfunction in Heart Failure: What Is Its Role? J Clin Med 2024; 13:2534. [PMID: 38731063 PMCID: PMC11084443 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092534] [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: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The endothelium is a continuous layer of cells that coats the interior walls of arteries, capillaries, and veins. It has an essential regulatory role in hemostatic function, vascular tone, inflammation, and platelet activity. Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by a shift to a proinflammatory and prothrombic state, and it could have a bidirectional relationship with heart failure (HF). Due to neurohormonal activation and shear stress, HFrEF may promote endothelial dysfunction, increase ROS synthesis, and reduce nitric oxide production. Different studies have also shown that endothelium function is damaged in HFpEF because of a systemic inflammatory state. Some clinical trials suggest that drugs that have an effect on endothelial dysfunction in patients with HF or cardiovascular disease may be a therapeutic option. The aim of this review is to highlight the pathogenetic correlation between endothelial dysfunction and heart failure and the related potential therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Drera
- Institute of Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.D.); (L.R.); (E.B.); (M.R.)
| | - Luca Rodella
- Institute of Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.D.); (L.R.); (E.B.); (M.R.)
| | - Elisa Brangi
- Institute of Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.D.); (L.R.); (E.B.); (M.R.)
| | - Mauro Riccardi
- Institute of Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.D.); (L.R.); (E.B.); (M.R.)
| | - Enrico Vizzardi
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Spedali Civili di Brescia, 23123 Brescia, Italy
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Tripathy S, Nagari A, Chiu SP, Nandu T, Camacho CV, Mahendroo M, Kraus WL. Relaxin Modulates the Genomic Actions and Biological Effects of Estrogen in the Myometrium by Reducing Estrogen Receptor Alpha Phosphorylation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.15.589654. [PMID: 38659934 PMCID: PMC11042280 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.15.589654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Estradiol (E2) and relaxin (Rln) are steroid and polypeptide hormones, respectively, with important roles in the female reproductive tract, including myometrium. Some actions of Rln, which are mediated by its membrane receptor RXFP1, require or are augmented by E2 signaling through its cognate nuclear steroid receptor, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). In contrast, other actions of Rln act in opposition to the effects of E2. Here we explore the molecular and genomic mechanisms that underlie the functional interplay between E2 and Rln in the myometrium. We used both ovariectomized female mice and immortalized human myometrial cells expressing wild type or mutant ERα (hTERT-HM-ERα cells). Our results indicate that Rln attenuates the genomic actions and biological effects of estrogen in the myometrium and myometrial cells by reducing phosphorylation ERα on serine 118 (S118). Interestingly, we observed a potent inhibitory effect of Rln on the E2-dependent binding of ERα across the genome. The reduction in ERα binding was associated with changes in the hormone-regulated transcriptome, including a decrease in the E2-dependent expression of neighboring genes. The inhibitory effects of Rln cotreatment on the E2-dependent phosphorylation of ERα required the nuclear dual-specificity phosphatases DUSP1 and DUSP5. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of Rln were reflected in a concomitant inhibition of the E2-dependent contraction of myometrial cells. Collectively, our results identify a pathway that integrates Rln/RXFP1 and E2/ERα signaling, resulting in a convergence of membrane and nuclear signaling pathways to control genomic and biological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudeshna Tripathy
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Laboratory of Cervical Remodeling and Preterm Birth, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Section of Laboratory Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Anusha Nagari
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Computational Core Facility, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Shu-Ping Chiu
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Tulip Nandu
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Computational Core Facility, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Cristel V. Camacho
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Section of Laboratory Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Mala Mahendroo
- Laboratory of Cervical Remodeling and Preterm Birth, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Section of Laboratory Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - W. Lee Kraus
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Section of Laboratory Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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Zizi V, Becatti M, Bani D, Nistri S. Serelaxin Protects H9c2 Cardiac Myoblasts against Hypoxia and Reoxygenation-Induced Damage through Activation of AMP Kinase/Sirtuin1: Further Insight into the Molecular Mechanisms of the Cardioprotection of This Hormone. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:163. [PMID: 38397761 PMCID: PMC10886064 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13020163] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Serelaxin (RLX), namely the human recombinant Relaxin-2 hormone, protects the heart from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced damage due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant properties. RLX acts by binding to its specific RXFP1 receptor whereby it regulates multiple transduction pathways. In this in vitro study, we offer the first evidence for the involvement of the AMP kinase/Sirtuin1 (AMPK/SIRT1) pathway in the protection by RLX against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced damage in H9c2 cells. The treatment of the H/R-exposed cells with RLX (17 nmol L-1) enhanced SIRT1 expression and activity. The inhibition of SIRT1 signaling with EX527 (10 µmol L-1) reduced the beneficial effect of the hormone on mitochondrial efficiency and cell apoptosis. Moreover, RLX upregulated the AMPK pathway, as shown by the increase in the expression of phospho-AMPK-activated protein. Finally, AMPK pathway inhibition by Compound C (10 and 20 μmol L-1) abrogated the increase in SIRT1 expression induced by RLX, thus suggesting the involvement of the AMPK pathway in this effect of RLX. These results strengthen the concept that RLX exerts its cardioprotective effects against H/R-induced injury through multiple pathways which also include AMPK/SIRT1. These new findings support the use of RLX or RLX-derived molecules as a promising therapeutic for those diseases in which I/R and oxidative stress play a pathogenic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Zizi
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy; (V.Z.); (D.B.)
| | - Matteo Becatti
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, Section of Biochemical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Daniele Bani
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy; (V.Z.); (D.B.)
| | - Silvia Nistri
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy; (V.Z.); (D.B.)
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Yang HX, Jiang XL, Zuo RM, Wu YL, Nan JX, Lian LH. Targeting RXFP1 by Ligustilide: A novel therapeutic approach for alcoholic hepatic steatosis. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 127:111460. [PMID: 38157696 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111460] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ligustilide (Lig) is the main active ingredient of Umbelliferae Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Chinese Angelica) and Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Sichuan lovase rhizome). Lig possesses various pharmacological properties and could treat obesity by regulating energy metabolism. However, the impact and regulatory mechanism of Lig on alcoholic hepatic steatosis remains unclear. PURPOSE This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of Lig on alcoholic hepatic steatosis and its related pharmacological mechanism. RESULTS With chronic and binge ethanol feeding, liver tissue damage and lipid accumulation in mice suffering alcoholic hepatic steatosis were significantly improved after Lig treatment. Lig effectively regulated the expression levels of lipid metabolism-related proteins in alcoholic hepatic steatosis. In addition, Lig reduced RXFP1 expression, inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, and blocked NET formation. Lig reduced the infiltration of immune cells to the liver and the further prevented the occurrence of alcohol-stimulated inflammatory response in liver. Lig significantly regulated lipid accumulation in alcohol exposed AML12 cells via modulating PPARα and SREBP1. In MPMs, Lig decreased the expression of RXFP1, inhibited the activation of NLRP3 in macrophages stimulated by LPS/ATP, and slowed down the occurrence of inflammatory response. CONCLUSION Lig sustained lipid metabolism homeostasis in alcoholic hepatic steatosis, through inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and the formation of NETs, especially targeting RXFP1 in macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Xu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Korean Medicine Research (Yanbian University) of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province 133002, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province 133002, China
| | - Xue-Li Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Korean Medicine Research (Yanbian University) of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province 133002, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province 133002, China
| | - Rong-Mei Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Korean Medicine Research (Yanbian University) of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province 133002, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province 133002, China
| | - Yan-Ling Wu
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Korean Medicine Research (Yanbian University) of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province 133002, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province 133002, China
| | - Ji-Xing Nan
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Korean Medicine Research (Yanbian University) of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province 133002, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province 133002, China.
| | - Li-Hua Lian
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Korean Medicine Research (Yanbian University) of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province 133002, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province 133002, China.
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Ciccarelli M, Pires IF, Bauersachs J, Bertrand L, Beauloye C, Dawson D, Hamdani N, Hilfiker-Kleiner D, van Laake LW, Lezoualc'h F, Linke WA, Lunde IG, Rainer PP, Rispoli A, Visco V, Carrizzo A, Ferro MD, Stolfo D, van der Velden J, Zacchigna S, Heymans S, Thum T, Tocchetti CG. Acute heart failure: mechanisms and pre-clinical models-a Scientific Statement of the ESC Working Group on Myocardial Function. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:2390-2404. [PMID: 37967390 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
While chronic heart failure (CHF) treatment has considerably improved patient prognosis and survival, the therapeutic management of acute heart failure (AHF) has remained virtually unchanged in the last decades. This is partly due to the scarcity of pre-clinical models for the pathophysiological assessment and, consequently, the limited knowledge of molecular mechanisms involved in the different AHF phenotypes. This scientific statement outlines the different trajectories from acute to CHF originating from the interaction between aetiology, genetic and environmental factors, and comorbidities. Furthermore, we discuss the potential molecular targets capable of unveiling new therapeutic perspectives to improve the outcome of the acute phase and counteracting the evolution towards CHF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Ciccarelli
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Inês Falcão Pires
- UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Johann Bauersachs
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Luc Bertrand
- Pole of Cardiovascular Research, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christophe Beauloye
- Pole of Cardiovascular Research, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dana Dawson
- Aberdeen Cardiovascular and Diabetes Centre, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Nazha Hamdani
- Institut für Forschung und Lehre (IFL), Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, St.Josef-Hospital and Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Linda W van Laake
- Division Heart and Lungs, Department of Cardiology and Regenerative Medicine Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Lezoualc'h
- Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires, Inserm, Université Paul Sabatier, UMR 1297-I2MC, Toulouse, France
| | - Wolfgang A Linke
- Institute of Physiology II, University Hospital Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27B, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Ida G Lunde
- Division of Diagnostics and Technology (DDT), Akershus University Hospital, and KG Jebsen Center for Cardiac Biomarkers, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Peter P Rainer
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz - University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Antonella Rispoli
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Valeria Visco
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Albino Carrizzo
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
- Laboratory of Vascular Physiopathology-I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Matteo Dal Ferro
- Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria-Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), Trieste, Italy
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Biology, The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Davide Stolfo
- Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria-Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), Trieste, Italy
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jolanda van der Velden
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Biology, The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stephane Heymans
- Department of Cardiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Carlo Gabriele Tocchetti
- Cardio-Oncology Unit, Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DISMET), Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), Interdepartmental Center of Clinical and Translational Sciences (CIRCET), Interdepartmental Hypertension Research Center (CIRIAPA), Federico II University, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
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10
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Zhang Y, Chen S, Luo L, Greenly S, Shi H, Xu JJ, Yan C. Role of cAMP in Cardiomyocyte Viability: Beneficial or Detrimental? Circ Res 2023; 133:902-923. [PMID: 37850368 PMCID: PMC10807647 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.322652] [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: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 3', 5'-cyclic AMP (cAMP) regulates numerous cardiac functions. Various hormones and neurotransmitters elevate intracellular cAMP (i[cAMP]) in cardiomyocytes through activating GsPCRs (stimulatory-G-protein-coupled-receptors) and membrane-bound ACs (adenylyl cyclases). Increasing evidence has indicated that stimulating different GsPCRs and ACs exhibits distinct, even opposite effects, on cardiomyocyte viability. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. METHODS We used molecular and pharmacological approaches to investigate how different GsPCR/cAMP signaling differentially regulate cardiomyocyte viability with in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models. RESULTS For prodeath GsPCRs, we explored β1AR (beta1-adrenergic receptor) and H2R (histamine-H2-receptor). We found that their prodeath effects were similarly dependent on AC5 activation, ATP release to the extracellular space via PANX1 (pannexin-1) channel, and extracellular ATP (e[ATP])-mediated signaling involving in P2X7R (P2X purinoceptor 7) and CaMKII (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II). PANX1 phosphorylation at Serine 206 by cAMP-dependent-PKA (protein-kinase-A) promoted PANX1 activation, which was critical in β1AR- or H2R-induced cardiomyocyte death in vitro and in vivo. β1AR or H2R was localized proximately to PANX1, which permits ATP release. For prosurvival GsPCRs, we explored adenosine-A2-receptor (A2R), CGRPR (calcitonin-gene-related-peptide-receptor), and RXFP1 (relaxin-family peptide-receptor 1). Their prosurvival effects were dependent on AC6 activation, cAMP efflux via MRP4 (multidrug resistance protein 4), extracellular cAMP metabolism to adenosine (e[cAMP]-to-e[ADO]), and e[ADO]-mediated signaling. A2R, CGRPR, or RXFP1 was localized proximately to MRP4, which enables cAMP efflux. Interestingly, exogenously increasing e[cAMP] levels by membrane-impermeable cAMP protected against cardiomyocyte death in vitro and in ex vivo and in vivo mouse hearts with ischemia-reperfusion injuries. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the functional diversity of different GsPCRs in cardiomyocyte viability could be achieved by their ability to form unique signaling complexes (signalosomes) that determine the fate of cAMP: either stimulate ATP release by activating PKA or directly efflux to be e[cAMP].
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishuai Zhang
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine
| | - Si Chen
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine
| | - Lingfeng Luo
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
| | - Sarah Greenly
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine
| | - Hangchuan Shi
- Department of Clinical and Translational Research
- Department of Public Health Sciences; University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642
| | | | - Chen Yan
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine
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11
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Sharma A, De Blasio M, Ritchie R. Current challenges in the treatment of cardiac fibrosis: Recent insights into the sex-specific differences of glucose-lowering therapies on the diabetic heart: IUPHAR Review 33. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:2916-2933. [PMID: 35174479 PMCID: PMC10952904 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15820] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant cardiac complication of diabetes is cardiomyopathy, a form of ventricular dysfunction that develops independently of coronary artery disease, hypertension and valvular diseases, which may subsequently lead to heart failure. Several structural features underlie the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy and eventual diabetes-induced heart failure. Pathological cardiac fibrosis (interstitial and perivascular), in addition to capillary rarefaction and myocardial apoptosis, are particularly noteworthy. Sex differences in the incidence, development and presentation of diabetes, heart failure and interstitial myocardial fibrosis have been identified. Nevertheless, therapeutics specifically targeting diabetes-associated cardiac fibrosis remain lacking and treatment approaches remain the same regardless of patient sex or the co-morbidities that patients may present. This review addresses the observed anti-fibrotic effects of newer glucose-lowering therapies and traditional cardiovascular disease treatments, in the diabetic myocardium (from both preclinical and clinical contexts). Furthermore, any known sex differences in these treatment effects are also explored. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Translational Advances in Fibrosis as a Therapeutic Target. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v180.22/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhipree Sharma
- Heart Failure Pharmacology, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS)Monash UniversityParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Miles De Blasio
- Heart Failure Pharmacology, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS)Monash UniversityParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of PharmacologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Rebecca Ritchie
- Heart Failure Pharmacology, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS)Monash UniversityParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of PharmacologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of MedicineMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
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12
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Almeida-Pinto N, Dschietzig TB, Brás-Silva C, Adão R. Cardiovascular effects of relaxin-2: therapeutic potential and future perspectives. Clin Res Cardiol 2023:10.1007/s00392-023-02305-1. [PMID: 37721595 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-023-02305-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The hormone relaxin-2 has emerged as a promising player in regulating the physiology of the cardiovascular system. Through binding to the relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1), this hormone elicits multiple physiological responses including vasodilation induction, reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress, and angiogenesis stimulation. The role of relaxin-2, or its recombinant human form known as serelaxin, has been investigated in preclinical and clinical studies as a potential therapy for cardiovascular diseases, especially heart failure, whose current therapy is still unoptimized. However, evidence from past clinical trials has been inconsistent and further research is needed to fully understand the potential applications of relaxin-2. This review provides an overview of serelaxin use in clinical trials and discusses future directions in the development of relaxin-2 mimetics, which may offer new therapeutic options for patients with heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nísia Almeida-Pinto
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Carmen Brás-Silva
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Adão
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
- CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias (Ciberes), Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Erlandson SC, Rawson S, Osei-Owusu J, Brock KP, Liu X, Paulo JA, Mintseris J, Gygi SP, Marks DS, Cong X, Kruse AC. The relaxin receptor RXFP1 signals through a mechanism of autoinhibition. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:1013-1021. [PMID: 37081311 PMCID: PMC10530065 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01321-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
The relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) is the receptor for relaxin-2, an important regulator of reproductive and cardiovascular physiology. RXFP1 is a multi-domain G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with an ectodomain consisting of a low-density lipoprotein receptor class A (LDLa) module and leucine-rich repeats. The mechanism of RXFP1 signal transduction is clearly distinct from that of other GPCRs, but remains very poorly understood. In the present study, we determine the cryo-electron microscopy structure of active-state human RXFP1, bound to a single-chain version of the endogenous agonist relaxin-2 and the heterotrimeric Gs protein. Evolutionary coupling analysis and structure-guided functional experiments reveal that RXFP1 signals through a mechanism of autoinhibition. Our results explain how an unusual GPCR family functions, providing a path to rational drug development targeting the relaxin receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Erlandson
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shaun Rawson
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James Osei-Owusu
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kelly P Brock
- Department of Systems Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xinyue Liu
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joao A Paulo
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julian Mintseris
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Debora S Marks
- Department of Systems Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xiaojing Cong
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Andrew C Kruse
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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14
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Majid A, Hassan FO, Hoque MM, Gbadegoye JO, Lebeche D. Bioactive Compounds and Cardiac Fibrosis: Current Insight and Future Prospect. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:313. [PMID: 37504569 PMCID: PMC10380727 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10070313] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is a pathological condition characterized by excessive deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix components in the heart. It is recognized as a major contributor to the development and progression of heart failure. Despite significant research efforts in characterizing and identifying key molecular mechanisms associated with myocardial fibrosis, effective treatment for this condition is still out of sight. In this regard, bioactive compounds have emerged as potential therapeutic antifibrotic agents due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These compounds exhibit the ability to modulate fibrogenic processes by inhibiting the production of extracellular matrix proteins involved in fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation, or by promoting their breakdown. Extensive investigation of these bioactive compounds offers new possibilities for preventing or reducing cardiac fibrosis and its detrimental consequences. This comprehensive review aims to provide a thorough overview of the mechanisms underlying cardiac fibrosis, address the limitations of current treatment strategies, and specifically explore the potential of bioactive compounds as therapeutic interventions for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Majid
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Translational Research Building, Room 318H, 71 S. Manassas, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
- College of Graduate Health Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Fasilat Oluwakemi Hassan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Translational Research Building, Room 318H, 71 S. Manassas, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
- College of Graduate Health Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Md Monirul Hoque
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Translational Research Building, Room 318H, 71 S. Manassas, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
- College of Graduate Health Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Joy Olaoluwa Gbadegoye
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Translational Research Building, Room 318H, 71 S. Manassas, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
- College of Graduate Health Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Djamel Lebeche
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Translational Research Building, Room 318H, 71 S. Manassas, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
- College of Graduate Health Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
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15
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Alam F, Gaspari TA, Kemp-Harper BK, Low E, Aw A, Ferens D, Spizzo I, Jefferis AM, Praveen P, Widdop RE, Bathgate RAD, Hossain MA, Samuel CS. The single-chain relaxin mimetic, B7-33, maintains the cardioprotective effects of relaxin and more rapidly reduces left ventricular fibrosis compared to perindopril in an experimental model of cardiomyopathy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 160:114370. [PMID: 36753958 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114370] [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: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The hormone, relaxin (RLX), exerts various organ-protective effects independently of etiology. However, its complex two-chain and three disulphide bonded structure is a limitation to its preparation and affordability. Hence, a single chain-derivative of RLX, B7-33, was developed and shown to retain the anti-fibrotic effects of RLX in vitro and in vivo. Here, we determined whether B7-33 could retain the other cardioprotective effects of RLX, and also compared its therapeutic efficacy to the ACE inhibitor, perindopril. Adult male 129sv mice were subjected to isoprenaline (ISO; 25 mg/kg/day, s.c)-induced cardiomyopathy, then s.c-treated with either RLX (0.5 mg/kg/day), B7-33 (0.25 mg/kg/day; equivalent dose corrected for MW) or perindopril (1 mg/kg/day) from days 7-14 post-injury. Control mice received saline instead of ISO. Changes in animal body weight (BW) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured weekly, whilst cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and measures of vascular dysfunction and rarefaction, left ventricular (LV) inflammation and fibrosis were assessed at day 14 post-injury. ISO-injured mice had significantly increased LV inflammation, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, vascular rarefaction and aortic contractility in the absence of any changes in BW or SBP at day 14 post-injury. Both B7-33 and RLX equivalently reduced LV fibrosis and normalised the ISO-induced LV inflammation and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, whilst restoring blood vessel density and aortic contractility. Comparatively, perindopril lowered SBP and the ISO-induced LV inflammation and vascular rarefaction, but not fibrosis or hypertrophy. As B7-33 retained the cardioprotective effects of RLX and provided rapid-occurring anti-fibrotic effects compared to perindopril, it could be considered as a cost-effective cardioprotective therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariha Alam
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tracey A Gaspari
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Barbara K Kemp-Harper
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Edward Low
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aaron Aw
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dorota Ferens
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Iresha Spizzo
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ann-Maree Jefferis
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Praveen Praveen
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert E Widdop
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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16
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Cummings MJ, Bakamutumaho B, Price A, Owor N, Kayiwa J, Namulondo J, Byaruhanga T, Jain K, Postler TS, Muwanga M, Nsereko C, Nayiga I, Kyebambe S, Che X, Sameroff S, Tokarz R, Shah SS, Larsen MH, Lipkin WI, Lutwama JJ, O’Donnell MR. HIV infection drives pro-inflammatory immunothrombotic pathway activation and organ dysfunction among adults with sepsis in Uganda. AIDS 2023; 37:233-245. [PMID: 36355913 PMCID: PMC9780191 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003410] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global burden of sepsis is concentrated in high HIV-burden settings in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite this, little is known about the immunopathology of sepsis in persons with HIV (PWH) in the region. We sought to determine the influence of HIV on host immune responses and organ dysfunction among adults hospitalized with suspected sepsis in Uganda. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS We compared organ dysfunction and 30-day outcome profiles of PWH and those without HIV. We quantified 14 soluble immune mediators, reflective of key domains of sepsis immunopathology, and performed whole-blood RNA-sequencing on samples from a subset of patients. We used propensity score methods to match PWH and those without HIV by demographics, illness duration, and clinical severity, and compared immune mediator concentrations and gene expression profiles across propensity score-matched groups. RESULTS Among 299 patients, 157 (52.5%) were PWH (clinical stage 3 or 4 in 80.3%, 67.7% with known HIV on antiretroviral therapy). PWH presented with more severe physiologic derangement and shock, and had higher 30-day mortality (34.5% vs. 10.2%; P < 0.001). Across propensity score-matched groups, PWH exhibited greater pro-inflammatory immune activation, including upregulation of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-15, IL-17 and HMGB1 signaling, with concomitant T-cell exhaustion, prothrombotic pathway activation, and angiopoeitin-2-related endothelial dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Sepsis-related organ dysfunction and mortality in Uganda disproportionately affect PWH, who demonstrate exaggerated activation of multiple immunothrombotic and metabolic pathways implicated in sepsis pathogenesis. Further investigations are needed to refine understanding of sepsis immunopathology in PWH, particularly mechanisms amenable to therapeutic manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Cummings
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Barnabas Bakamutumaho
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- Immunizable Diseases Unit, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Adam Price
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicholas Owor
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - John Kayiwa
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Joyce Namulondo
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Timothy Byaruhanga
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Komal Jain
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas S. Postler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Moses Muwanga
- Entebbe General Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Irene Nayiga
- Entebbe General Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Stephen Kyebambe
- Entebbe General Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Xiaoyu Che
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen Sameroff
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rafal Tokarz
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shivang S. Shah
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michelle H. Larsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - W. Ian Lipkin
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julius J. Lutwama
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Max R. O’Donnell
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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17
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Sun T, Xu W, Tu B, Wang T, Liu J, Liu K, Luan Y. Engineered Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Overexpressing RXFP1 via CRISPR Activation Ameliorate Erectile Dysfunction in Diabetic Rats. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12010171. [PMID: 36671033 PMCID: PMC9854730 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12010171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the high incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and poor response to the first-line treatment of DM-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED), new therapeutic strategies for DMED are needed. Adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) transplantation is considered a promising treatment modality for DMED but is limited by poor survival and efficacy after transplantation. In this study, we aimed to increase the therapeutic effect of DMED by overexpressing the relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) using a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats activation (CRISPRa) system in ADSCs. Two lentiviruses carrying the CRISPRa system transfected ADSCs to overexpress RXFP1 (RXFP1-ADSCs). The intracavernous injection of ADSCs was performed in DMED rats induced by the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Four weeks after transplantation, we measured erectile function and collected specimens of the corpus cavernosum for follow-up detection. The results showed that ADSCs improved erectile function in diabetic rats, and the RXFP1-ADSCs were more significant. We detected reduced levels of oxidative stress, apoptosis and fibrosis together with relative normalization of endothelial and smooth muscle cell function in the penis after ADSC transplantation. RXFP1-ADSCs had more potent efficacy in the above alterations compared to negative control ADSCs due to the high levels of survival and paracrine capacity in RXFP1-ADSCs. The results revealed that RXFP1-ADSC transplantation could partially preserve erectile function in DMED rats associated with the regulation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, fibrosis and endothelial and smooth muscle cell dysfunction. RXFP1 may be the new target for the genetic modification of ADSCs, which benefits the management of DMED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taotao Sun
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Wenchao Xu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Bocheng Tu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jihong Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Kang Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Correspondence: (K.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yang Luan
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Correspondence: (K.L.); (Y.L.)
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18
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Porcine Relaxin but Not Serelaxin Shows Residual Bioactivity after In Vitro Simulated Intestinal Digestion-Clues for the Development of New Relaxin Peptide Agonists Suitable for Oral Delivery. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010048. [PMID: 36613489 PMCID: PMC9820531 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite human recombinant H2 relaxin or serelaxin holding promise as a cardiovascular drug, its actual efficacy in chronic treatment of heart failure patients was hampered by the need to be administered by multiple daily IV injections for a long time, with obvious drawbacks in terms of patients' compliance. This in vitro study aimed at exploring the molecular background for a possible administration of the peptide hormone relaxin by the oral route. Serelaxin and purified porcine relaxin (pRLX) were subjected to simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) enzymatic digestion in vitro to mimic the behavior of gastroprotective formulations. The digestion time course was studied by HPLC, and the relative bio-potency of the intact molecules and their proteolytic fragments was assessed by second messenger (cAMP) response in RXFP1 relaxin receptor-bearing THP-1 human monocytic cells. Both intact proteins (100 ng/mL) induced a significant cAMP rise in THP-1 cells. Conversely, SIF-treated serelaxin showed a brisk (30 s) bioactivity decay, dropping down to the levels of the unstimulated controls at 120 s, whereas SIF-treated pRLX retained significant bioactivity for up to 120 s. After that, it progressively declined to the levels of the unstimulated controls. HPLC analysis indicates that this bioactivity could be ascribed to a minor component of the pRLX sample more resistant to proteolysis. When identified and better characterized, this peptide could be exploited for the development of synthetic relaxin agonists suitable for oral formulations.
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19
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Schlüter KD. Relaxin-when a successful super-drug is failing. Pflugers Arch 2022; 474:1041-1042. [PMID: 35904637 PMCID: PMC9492565 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-022-02734-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Klaus-Dieter Schlüter
- Physiologisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 129, D-35392, Giessen, Germany.
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20
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Relaxin-2 as a Potential Biomarker in Cardiovascular Diseases. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12071021. [PMID: 35887517 PMCID: PMC9317583 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12071021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The pleiotropic hormone relaxin-2 plays a pivotal role in the physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular system. Relaxin-2 exerts relevant regulatory functions in cardiovascular tissues through the specific receptor relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) in the regulation of cardiac metabolism; the induction of vasodilatation; the reversion of fibrosis and hypertrophy; the reduction of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis; and the stimulation of angiogenesis, with inotropic and chronotropic effects as well. Recent preclinical and clinical outcomes have encouraged the potential use of relaxin-2 (or its recombinant form, known as serelaxin) as a therapeutic strategy during cardiac injury and/or in patients suffering from different cardiovascular disarrangements, especially heart failure. Furthermore, relaxin-2 has been proposed as a promising biomarker of cardiovascular health and disease. In this review, we emphasize the relevance of the endogenous hormone relaxin-2 as a useful diagnostic biomarker in different backgrounds of cardiovascular pathology, such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, aortic valve disease, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, which could be relevant in daily clinical practice and could contribute to comprehending the specific role of relaxin-2 in cardiovascular diseases.
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21
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Alloatti G, Penna C, Comità S, Tullio F, Aragno M, Biasi F, Pagliaro P. Aging, sex and NLRP3 inflammasome in cardiac ischaemic disease. Vascul Pharmacol 2022; 145:107001. [PMID: 35623548 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2022.107001] [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: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Experimentally, many strong cardioprotective treatments have been identified in different animal models of acute ischaemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) and coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the translation of these cardioprotective therapies for the benefit of the patients into the clinical scenario has been very disappointing. The reasons for this lack are certainly multiple. Indeed, many confounding factors we must deal in clinical reality, such as aging, sex and inflammatory processes are neglected in many experiments. Due to the pivotal role of aging, sex and inflammation in determining cardiac ischaemic disease, in this review, we take into account age as a modifier of tolerance to IRI in the two sexes, dissecting aging and myocardial reperfusion injury mechanisms and the sex differences in tolerance to IRI. Then we focus on the role of the gut microbiota and the NLRP3 inflammasome in myocardial IRI and on the possibility to consider NLRP3 inflammasome as a potential target in the treatment of CAD in relationship with age and sex. Finally, we consider the cardioprotective mechanisms and cardioprotective treatments during aging in the two sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Penna
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, Orbassano, 10043 Torino, TO, Italy; National Institute for Cardiovascular Research (INRC), Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Comità
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, Orbassano, 10043 Torino, TO, Italy
| | - Francesca Tullio
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, Orbassano, 10043 Torino, TO, Italy
| | - Manuela Aragno
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, Orbassano, 10043 Torino, TO, Italy
| | - Fiorella Biasi
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, Orbassano, 10043 Torino, TO, Italy
| | - Pasquale Pagliaro
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, Orbassano, 10043 Torino, TO, Italy; National Institute for Cardiovascular Research (INRC), Bologna, Italy.
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22
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Chunduri P, Patel SA, Levick SP. Relaxin/serelaxin for cardiac dysfunction and heart failure in hypertension. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2022; 94:183-211. [PMID: 35659372 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The pregnancy related hormone relaxin is produced throughout the reproductive system. However, relaxin also has important cardiovascular effects as part of the adaptation that the cardiovascular system undergoes in response to the extra demands of pregnancy. These effects are primarily mediated by the relaxin family peptide receptor 1, which is one of four known relaxin receptors. The effects of relaxin on the cardiovascular system during pregnancy, as well as its anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties, have led to extensive studies into the potential of relaxin therapy as an approach to treat heart failure. Cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibroblasts, and endothelial cells all possess relaxin family peptide receptor 1, allowing for direct effects of therapeutic relaxin on the heart. Many pre-clinical animal studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of exogenous relaxin on adverse cardiac remodeling including inflammation, fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis, as well as effects on cardiac contractile function. Despite this, clinical studies have yielded disappointing results for the synthetic seralaxin, even though seralaxin was well tolerated. This article will provide background on relaxin in the context of normal physiology, as well as the role of relaxin in pregnancy-related adaptations of the cardiovascular system. We will also present evidence from pre-clinical animal studies that demonstrate the potential benefits of relaxin therapy, as well as discussing the results from clinical trials. Finally, we will discuss possible reasons for the failure of these clinical trials as well as steps being taken to potentially improve relaxin therapy for heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasad Chunduri
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Shrey A Patel
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Scott P Levick
- Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States.
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23
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Devarakonda T, Mauro AG, Cain C, Das A, Salloum FN. Cardiac Gene Therapy With Relaxin Receptor 1 Overexpression Protects Against Acute Myocardial Infarction. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2022; 7:53-63. [PMID: 35128209 PMCID: PMC8807852 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2021.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AAV9 vectors can upregulate Rxfp1 mRNA in murine heart after intravenous injection. RXFP1 upregulation sensitizes the left ventricle to relaxin-induced inotropy. RXFP1 overexpression protects heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Relaxin is a pleiotropic hormone shown to confer cardioprotection in several preclinical models of cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury. In the present study, the effects of up-regulating relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) via adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vectors were investigated in a mouse model of myocardial infarction. AAV9-RXFP1 vectors were generated and injected in adult male CD1 mice. Up-regulation of Rxfp1 was confirmed via quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and overexpressing animals showed increased sensitivity to relaxin-induced ventricular inotropic response. Overexpressing animals also demonstrated reduced infarct size and preserved cardiac function 24 hours after ischemia-reperfusion. Up-regulation of RXFP1 via AAV9 vectors has potential therapeutic utility in preventing adverse remodeling after myocardial infarction.
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Key Words
- AAV, adeno-associated virus
- CMV, cytomegalovirus
- GLS, global longitudinal strain
- IR, ischemia-reperfusion
- LV function
- LV, left ventricular
- MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase
- MI, myocardial infarction
- PV, pressure-volume
- RXFP1
- RXFP1, relaxin family peptide receptor 1
- SIRO, simulated ischemia and reoxygenation
- VEC, empty vector
- eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase
- gene therapy
- ischemia-reperfusion injury
- mRNA, messenger ribonucleic acid
- relaxin
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Affiliation(s)
- Teja Devarakonda
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Adolfo G. Mauro
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Chad Cain
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Anindita Das
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Fadi N. Salloum
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Address for correspondence: Dr Fadi N. Salloum, Division of Cardiology, Box 980204, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, Room 7-070, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA.
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24
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Du XJ. Cardioprotection Achieved Through Overexpression of Relaxin Receptors. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2022; 7:64-66. [PMID: 35128210 PMCID: PMC8807855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jun Du
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Physiology and Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, Xian Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xian, China
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25
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Samuel CS, Bennett RG. Relaxin as an anti-fibrotic treatment: Perspectives, challenges and future directions. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 197:114884. [PMID: 34968489 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis refers to the scarring and hardening of tissues, which results from a failed immune system-coordinated wound healing response to chronic organ injury and which manifests from the aberrant accumulation of various extracellular matrix components (ECM), primarily collagen. Despite being a hallmark of prolonged tissue damage and related dysfunction, and commonly associated with high morbidity and mortality, there are currently no effective cures for its regression. An emerging therapy that meets several criteria of an effective anti-fibrotic treatment, is the recombinant drug-based form of the human hormone, relaxin (also referred to as serelaxin, which is bioactive in several other species). This review outlines the broad anti-fibrotic and related organ-protective roles of relaxin, mainly from studies conducted in preclinical models of ageing and fibrotic disease, including its ability to ameliorate several aspects of fibrosis progression and maturation, from immune cell infiltration, pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokine secretion, oxidative stress, organ hypertrophy, cell apoptosis, myofibroblast differentiation and ECM production, to its ability to facilitate established ECM degradation. Studies that have compared and/or combined these therapeutic effects of relaxin with current standard of care medication have also been discussed, along with the main challenges that have hindered the translation of the anti-fibrotic efficacy of relaxin to the clinic. The review then outlines the future directions as to where scientists and several pharmaceutical companies that have recognized the therapeutic potential of relaxin are working towards, to progress its development as a treatment for human patients suffering from various fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
| | - Robert G Bennett
- Research Service, Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4130, USA.
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26
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Abstract
The left atrium (LA) plays an important role in facilitating left ventricular (LV) filling by acting as a reservoir, passive conduit, and active booster pump, as well as a regulator of blood volume through A-type natriuretic peptide secretion in response to stimulation by mechanical stretch of the cavity. LA myopathy has emerged as one of the most important non-LV contributors to disease progression in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). LA dysfunction is common in HFpEF and is associated with more severe pulmonary vascular disease and right ventricular dysfunction, and increases the risk of incident atrial fibrillation or atrial functional mitral regurgitation, leading to limitations in cardiac output reserve and reduced exercise capacity. LA deformation assessed by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography is useful for estimating abnormal hemodynamics or exercise capacity, discriminating HFpEF from non-cardiac dyspnea and is an independent predictor of adverse outcome in HFpEF. Thus, interventions directly targeting LA myopathy may improve outcomes in HFpEF with LA myopathy. This review provides information regarding the physiology of the LA in patients with HFpEF and discusses the importance of evaluation of LA function, management issues, and future directions through ongoing trials of medical interventions.
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27
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Grand J, Miger K, Sajadieh A, Køber L, Torp-Pedersen C, Ertl G, López-Sendón J, Pietro Maggioni A, Teerlink JR, Sato N, Gimpelewicz C, Metra M, Holbro T, Nielsen OW. Systolic Blood Pressure and Outcome in Patients Admitted With Acute Heart Failure: An Analysis of Individual Patient Data From 4 Randomized Clinical Trials. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e022288. [PMID: 34514815 PMCID: PMC8649519 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.022288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In acute heart failure (AHF), systolic blood pressure (SBP) is an important clinical variable. This study assessed the association between SBP and short‐term and long‐term outcomes in a large cohort of patients with AHF. METHODS AND RESULTS This is an analysis of 4 randomized controlled trials investigating serelaxin versus placebo in patients admitted with AHF and SBPs from 125 to 180 mm Hg. Outcomes were 180‐day all‐cause mortality and a composite end point of all‐cause mortality, worsening heart failure, or hospital readmission for heart failure the first 14 days. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was examined as LVEF<40% and LVEF≥40%. Multivariable Cox regression models were adjusted for known confounders of outcomes in AHF. A total of 10 533 patients with a mean age of 73 (±12) years and a mean SBP of 145 (±7) mm Hg were included. LVEF was assessed in 9863 patients (93%); 4737 patients (45%) had LVEF<40%. Increasing SBP was inversely associated with 180‐day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HRadjusted], 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89–0.98; P=0.008 per 10 mm Hg increase) and with the composite end point (HRadjusted, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85–0.94; P<0.001 per 10 mm Hg increase). A significant interaction with LVEF was observed, revealing that SBP was not associated with mortality in patients with LVEF≥40% (HRadjusted, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.91–1.04; per 10 mm Hg increase), but was strongly associated with increased mortality in LVEF<40% (HRadjusted, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77–0.92; per 10 mm Hg increase). CONCLUSIONS Elevated SBP is associated with favorable short‐term and long‐term outcomes in patients with AHF. In our predefined subgroup analysis, we found that baseline SBP was not associated with mortality in LVEF≥40%, but was strongly associated with mortality in patients with LVEF<40%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Grand
- Department of Cardiology Bispebjerg Hospital University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Kristina Miger
- Department of Cardiology Bispebjerg Hospital University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Ahmad Sajadieh
- Department of Cardiology Bispebjerg Hospital University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Lars Køber
- Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | | | - Georg Ertl
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center University Hospital Würzburg Germany.,Department of Cardiology Associazione Nazionale Medicin Cardiologi Ospedalieri Research Center Florence Italy
| | - José López-Sendón
- Department of Cardiology Hospital La PazIdiPazUniversidad Autonoma de Madrid Madrid Spain.,Department of Cardiology Maria Cecilia HospitalGruppo Villa Maria S.p.A Care & Research Lugo Italy
| | - Aldo Pietro Maggioni
- Department of Cardiology Hospital La PazIdiPazUniversidad Autonoma de Madrid Madrid Spain.,Department of Cardiology Maria Cecilia HospitalGruppo Villa Maria S.p.A Care & Research Lugo Italy
| | - John R Teerlink
- Department of Cardiology University of CaliforniaSan FranciscoSan Francisco VA Medical Center Cardiology San Francisco CA
| | - Naoki Sato
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Kawaguchi Cardiovascular and Respiratory Hospital Saitama Japan
| | | | - Marco Metra
- Cardiology Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties Cardiothoracic Department Radiological Sciences and Public Health Civil HospitalsUniversity of Brescia Brescia Italy
| | | | - Olav W Nielsen
- Department of Cardiology Bispebjerg Hospital University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
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28
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Barsha G, Walton SL, Kwok E, Mirabito Colafella KM, Pinar AA, Hilliard Krause LM, Gaspari TA, Widdop RE, Samuel CS, Denton KM. Relaxin Attenuates Organ Fibrosis via an Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor Mechanism in Aged Hypertensive Female Rats. KIDNEY360 2021; 2:1781-1792. [PMID: 35373008 PMCID: PMC8785838 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0002722021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background The antifibrotic effects of recombinant human relaxin (RLX) in the kidney are dependent on an interaction between its cognate receptor (RXFP1) and the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R) in male models of disease. Whether RLX has therapeutic effects, which are also mediated via AT2R, in hypertensive adult and aged/reproductively senescent females is unknown. Thus, we determined whether treatment with RLX provides cardiorenal protection via an AT2R-dependent mechanism in adult and aged female stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs). Methods In 6-month-old (6MO) and 15-month-old ([15MO]; reproductively senescent) female SHRSP, systolic BP (SBP), GFR, and proteinuria were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment with vehicle (Veh), RLX (0.5 mg/kg per day s.c.), or RLX+PD123319 (AT2R antagonist; 3 mg/kg per day s.c.). Aortic endothelium-dependent relaxation and fibrosis of the kidney, heart, and aorta were assessed. Results In 6MO SHRSP, RLX significantly enhanced GFR by approximately 25% (P=0.001) and reduced cardiac fibrosis (P=0.01) as compared with vehicle-treated counterparts. These effects were abolished or blunted by PD123319 coadministration. In 15MO females, RLX reduced interstitial renal (P=0.02) and aortic (P=0.003) fibrosis and lowered SBP (13±3 mm Hg; P=0.04) relative to controls. These effects were also blocked by PD123319 cotreatment (all P=0.05 versus RLX treatment alone). RLX also markedly improved vascular function by approximately 40% (P<0.001) in 15MO SHRSP, but this was not modulated by PD123319 cotreatment. Conclusions The antifibrotic and organ-protective effects of RLX, when administered to a severe model of hypertension, conferred cardiorenal protection in adult and reproductively senescent female rats to a great extent via an AT2R-mediated mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giannie Barsha
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah L. Walton
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Edmund Kwok
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katrina M. Mirabito Colafella
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anita A. Pinar
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lucinda M. Hilliard Krause
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tracey A. Gaspari
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert E. Widdop
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chrishan S. Samuel
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate M. Denton
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Gong Y, Yang J, Li X, Zhou C, Chen Y, Wang Z, Qiu X, Liu Y, Zhang H, Greenbaum J, Cheng L, Hu Y, Xie J, Yang X, Li Y, Bai Y, Wang YP, Chen Y, Tan LJ, Shen H, Xiao HM, Deng HW. A systematic dissection of human primary osteoblasts in vivo at single-cell resolution. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:20629-20650. [PMID: 34428745 PMCID: PMC8436943 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human osteoblasts are multifunctional bone cells, which play essential roles in bone formation, angiogenesis regulation, as well as maintenance of hematopoiesis. However, the categorization of primary osteoblast subtypes in vivo in humans has not yet been achieved. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to perform a systematic cellular taxonomy dissection of freshly isolated human osteoblasts from one 31-year-old male with osteoarthritis and osteopenia after hip replacement. Based on the gene expression patterns and cell lineage reconstruction, we identified three distinct cell clusters including preosteoblasts, mature osteoblasts, and an undetermined rare osteoblast subpopulation. This novel subtype was found to be the major source of the nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 and 2 (NR4A1 and NR4A2) in primary osteoblasts, and the expression of NR4A1 was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining on mouse osteoblasts in vivo. Trajectory inference analysis suggested that the undetermined cluster, together with the preosteoblasts, are involved in the regulation of osteoblastogenesis and also give rise to mature osteoblasts. Investigation of the biological processes and signaling pathways enriched in each subpopulation revealed that in addition to bone formation, preosteoblasts and undetermined osteoblasts may also regulate both angiogenesis and hemopoiesis. Finally, we demonstrated that there are systematic differences between the transcriptional profiles of human and mouse osteoblasts, highlighting the necessity for studying bone physiological processes in humans rather than solely relying on mouse models. Our findings provide novel insights into the cellular heterogeneity and potential biological functions of human primary osteoblasts at the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Gong
- Tulane Center for Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, Deming Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Junxiao Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Xiaohua Li
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Cui Zhou
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Zun Wang
- Xiangya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Xiang Qiu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Huixi Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Jonathan Greenbaum
- Tulane Center for Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, Deming Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yihe Hu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Jie Xie
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Xuecheng Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yusheng Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yuntong Bai
- Tulane Center for Bioinformatics and Genomics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Yu-Ping Wang
- Tulane Center for Bioinformatics and Genomics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Yiping Chen
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Li-Jun Tan
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Hui Shen
- Tulane Center for Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, Deming Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Hong-Mei Xiao
- Center of Reproductive Health, System Biology and Data Information, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410081, China.,School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Hong-Wen Deng
- Tulane Center for Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, Deming Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.,School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
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He Y, Huang W, Zhang C, Chen L, Xu R, Li N, Wang F, Han L, Yang M, Zhang D. Energy metabolism disorders and potential therapeutic drugs in heart failure. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:1098-1116. [PMID: 34094822 PMCID: PMC8144890 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is a global public health problem with high morbidity and mortality. A large number of studies have shown that HF is caused by severe energy metabolism disorders, which result in an insufficient heart energy supply. This deficiency causes cardiac pump dysfunction and systemic energy metabolism failure, which determine the development of HF and recovery of heart. Current HF therapy acts by reducing heart rate and cardiac preload and afterload, treating the HF symptomatically or delaying development of the disease. Drugs aimed at cardiac energy metabolism have not yet been developed. In this review, we outline the main characteristics of cardiac energy metabolism in healthy hearts, changes in metabolism during HF, and related pathways and targets of energy metabolism. Finally, we discuss drugs that improve cardiac function via energy metabolism to provide new research ideas for the development and application of drugs for treating HF.
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Ligand-activated RXFP1 gene therapy ameliorates pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction. Mol Ther 2021; 29:2499-2513. [PMID: 33839322 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.04.010] [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: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent episodes of decompensated heart failure (HF) represent an emerging cause of hospitalizations in developed countries with an urgent need for effective therapies. Recently, the pregnancy-related hormone relaxin (RLN) was found to mediate cardio-protective effects and act as a positive inotrope in the cardiovascular system. RLN binds to the RLN family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1), which is predominantly expressed in atrial cardiomyocytes. We therefore hypothesized that ventricular RXFP1 expression might exert potential therapeutic effects in an in vivo model of cardiac dysfunction. Thus, mice were exposed to pressure overload by transverse aortic constriction and treated with AAV9 to ectopically express RXFP1. To activate RXFP1 signaling, RLN was supplemented subcutaneously. Ventricular RXFP1 expression was well tolerated. Additional RLN administration not only abrogated HF progression but restored left ventricular systolic function. In accordance, upregulation of fetal genes and pathological remodeling markers were significantly reduced. In vitro, RLN stimulation of RXFP1-expressing cardiomyocytes induced downstream signaling, resulting in protein kinase A (PKA)-specific phosphorylation of phospholamban (PLB), which was distinguishable from β-adrenergic activation. PLB phosphorylation corresponded to increased calcium amplitude and contractility. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that ligand-activated cardiac RXFP1 gene therapy represents a therapeutic approach to attenuate HF with the potential to adjust therapy by exogenous RLN supplementation.
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Mallart S, Ingenito R, Bianchi E, Bresciani A, Esposito S, Gallo M, Magotti P, Monteagudo E, Orsatti L, Roversi D, Santoprete A, Tucci F, Veneziano M, Bartsch R, Boehm C, Brasseur D, Bruneau P, Corbier A, Froissant J, Gauzy-Lazo L, Gervat V, Marguet F, Menguy I, Minoletti C, Nicolas MF, Pasquier O, Poirier B, Raux A, Riva L, Janiak P, Strobel H, Duclos O, Illiano S. Identification of Potent and Long-Acting Single-Chain Peptide Mimetics of Human Relaxin-2 for Cardiovascular Diseases. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2139-2150. [PMID: 33555858 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The insulin-like peptide human relaxin-2 was identified as a hormone that, among other biological functions, mediates the hemodynamic changes occurring during pregnancy. Recombinant relaxin-2 (serelaxin) has shown beneficial effects in acute heart failure, but its full therapeutic potential has been hampered by its short half-life and the need for intravenous administration limiting its use to intensive care units. In this study, we report the development of long-acting potent single-chain relaxin peptide mimetics. Modifications in the B-chain of relaxin, such as the introduction of specific mutations and the trimming of the sequence to an optimal size, resulted in potent, structurally simplified peptide agonists of the relaxin receptor Relaxin Family Peptide Receptor 1 (RXFP1) (e.g., 54). Introduction of suitable spacers and fatty acids led to the identification of single-chain lipidated peptide agonists of RXFP1, with sub-nanomolar activity, high subcutaneous bioavailability, extended half-lives, and in vivo efficacy (e.g., 64).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Mallart
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Raffaele Ingenito
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina Km 30 600, Pomezia, Rome 00 071, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bianchi
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina Km 30 600, Pomezia, Rome 00 071, Italy
| | - Alberto Bresciani
- Department of Translational Biology, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina Km 30 600, Pomezia, Rome 00 071, Italy
| | - Simone Esposito
- DMPK, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina Km 30 600, Pomezia, Rome 00 071, Italy
| | - Mariana Gallo
- Structural Biology, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina Km 30 600, Pomezia, Rome 00 071, Italy
| | - Paola Magotti
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina Km 30 600, Pomezia, Rome 00 071, Italy
| | - Edith Monteagudo
- DMPK, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina Km 30 600, Pomezia, Rome 00 071, Italy
| | - Laura Orsatti
- DMPK, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina Km 30 600, Pomezia, Rome 00 071, Italy
| | - Daniela Roversi
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina Km 30 600, Pomezia, Rome 00 071, Italy
| | - Alessia Santoprete
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina Km 30 600, Pomezia, Rome 00 071, Italy
| | - Federica Tucci
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina Km 30 600, Pomezia, Rome 00 071, Italy
| | - Maria Veneziano
- DMPK, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina Km 30 600, Pomezia, Rome 00 071, Italy
| | - Régine Bartsch
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Claudius Boehm
- Industrial Affairs, iCMC, Sanofi-Aventis R&D, Industriepark Höchst, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
| | - Denis Brasseur
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Patricia Bruneau
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Alain Corbier
- Cardio-Vascular and metabolism, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Jacques Froissant
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Laurence Gauzy-Lazo
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Vincent Gervat
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Frank Marguet
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Isabelle Menguy
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Claire Minoletti
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Marie-Françoise Nicolas
- Preclinical Development Sciences, Sanofi R&D, 13 quai Jules Guesde, Vitry sur Seine 94400, France
| | - Olivier Pasquier
- DMPK France, Sanofi R&D, 3 digue d'Alfortville, Alfortville 94140, France
| | - Bruno Poirier
- Cardio-Vascular and metabolism, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Alexandre Raux
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Laurence Riva
- Cardio-Vascular and metabolism, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Philip Janiak
- Cardio-Vascular and metabolism, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Hartmut Strobel
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina Km 30 600, Pomezia, Rome 00 071, Italy
| | - Olivier Duclos
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
| | - Stephane Illiano
- Cardio-Vascular and metabolism, Sanofi R&D, 1 rue Pierre Brossolette, Chilly Mazarin 91385, France
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Potential Molecular Mechanisms of Plantain in the Treatment of Gout and Hyperuricemia Based on Network Pharmacology. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:3023127. [PMID: 33149752 PMCID: PMC7603577 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3023127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background The incidence of gout and hyperuricemia is increasing year by year in the world. Plantain is a traditional natural medicine commonly used in the treatment of gout and hyperuricemia, but the molecular mechanism of its active compounds is still unclear. Based on network pharmacology, this article predicts the targets and pathways of effective components of plantain for gout and hyperuricemia and provides effective reference for clinical medication. Method Traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) and SymMap databases were used to screen out the active compounds and their targets in plantain. GeneCards, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) databases were used to find the targets corresponding to gout and hyperuricemia. Venn diagram was used to obtain the intersection targets of plantain and diseases. The interaction network of the plantain active compounds-targets-pathways-diseases was constructed by using Cytoscape 3.7.2 software. Finally, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were carried out. Result Seven active compounds were identified by network pharmacological analysis, including dinatin, baicalein, baicalin, sitosterol, 6-OH-luteolin, stigmasterol, and luteolin. Plantain plays a role in gout and hyperuricemia diseases by regulating various biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. The core targets of plantain for treating gout are MAPK1, RELA, TNF, NFKBIA, and IFNG, and the key pathways are pathways in cancer, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway, interleukin (IL)-17 signaling pathway, Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis), and relaxin signaling pathway. The core targets of plantain for hyperuricemia are RELA, MAPK1, NFKBIA, CASP3, CASP8, and TNF, and the main pathways are pathways in cancer, apoptosis, hepatitis B, IL-17 signaling pathway, and toxoplasmosis. Conclusion This study explored the related targets and mechanisms of plantain for the treatment of gout and hyperuricemia from the perspective of network pharmacological analysis, reflecting the characteristics of multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways, and it provides a good theoretical basis for the clinical application of plantain.
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Lan S, Zhou L, Wang Y, Fang L, Yang L, Zheng S, Zhou X, Tang B, Duan J, Wu X, Yang C, Hong T. miRNA Profiling of Circulating Small Extracellular Vesicles From Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Rats Using Next-Generation Sequencing. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:242. [PMID: 32903819 PMCID: PMC7439219 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are produced during abnormal and normal physiological conditions. Understanding the expression profile of microRNA (miRNA) in plasma-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and their roles in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) that cause cerebral vasospasm (CVS) is imperative. Methods Sprague Dawley rats (250–300 g) were allocated to sham or SAH groups established using endovascular perforation method. miRNA expression profiles of plasma sEVs in both groups (each n = 4) were evaluated using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results There were 142 microRNAs (miRNAs) significantly expressed differently between the two groups, of which 73 were up-regulated while 69 were down-regulated in SAH sEVs compared with those of sham (p < 0.05; fold change ≥ 2). The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses of differently expressed (DE) miRNAs revealed signaling pathways and target genes (TGs) in the SAH group. rno-miR-185-5p, rno-miR-103-3p, rno-miR-15b-3p, rno-miR-93-5p, and rno-miR-98-5p were the top five most up-regulated sEVs miRNAs. Conclusion Our results suggest that miRNA can be selectively packaged into sEVs under SAH, and this could help develop potential targets for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CVS after this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihai Lan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yimei Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Linchun Fang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Le Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Suyue Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - XinHui Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bin Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jian Duan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chengxing Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tao Hong
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Recombinant human H2 relaxin (serelaxin) as a cardiovascular drug: aiming at the right target. Drug Discov Today 2020; 25:1239-1244. [PMID: 32360533 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Serelaxin (recombinant human relaxin-2 hormone; RLX-2) had raised expectations as a new medication for cardiovascular diseases. Evidence from preclinical studies indicated that serelaxin has chronotropic, inotropic, and anti-arrhythmic actions on the myocardium and cardioprotective effects mediated by vasodilation, angiogenesis, and inhibition of inflammation and fibrosis. However, clinical trials with serelaxin in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) gave inconclusive results. A critical reappraisal of the comprehensive cardiovascular actions of serelaxin clearly delineates acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as a feasible therapeutic target. Serelaxin acts at multiple levels on the pathogenic mechanisms of AMI and previous in vivo studies suggest that its administration at reperfusion affords myocardial salvage. Thus, serelaxin could be an effective adjunctive medical therapy to coronary angioplasty.
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36
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Cabiati M, Botta L, Caselli C, Del Ry S. Transcriptional evaluation of relaxin and endothelin-1 axis in heart failure patients: First evidence of its involvement during left ventricular assist device support. Int J Cardiol 2020; 306:109-115. [PMID: 32143920 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.02.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are implanted in patients with end-stage heart failure (ESHF) as a mechanical support for the failing myocardium, which is characterized by an activation of the neuro-hormonal system, with release of vasoactive mediators, such as endothelin (ET)-1 and relaxin (RLX)-2. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether LVAD is able to modulate the RLX-2 and ET-1 system expression in ESHF patients. METHODS Cardiac tissue was collected from ESHF patients before LVAD implantation (pre-LVAD group, n = 22), at the time of cardiac transplantation with concomitant LVAD removal (post-LVAD group, n = 6), and from stable HF patients on medical therapy at the time of cardiac transplantation (HTx group, n = 7). The expression of RLX-2, ET-1 system and inflammatory markers (IL-8, IL-6, TNF-α) were evaluated by Real-Time PCR. RESULTS RLX-2 mRNA resulted similar in pre-LVAD and HTx, but it was significantly increased in post-LVAD (p = 0.02/p = 0.01 respectively). A similar trend was observed for ET-1 and ET-converting enzyme (ECE)-1 while no significant difference was observed for ET-receptors. A positive correlation was found between ET-1 and ET-A (p = 0.031) and ECE-1 (p < 0.0001). The inflammatory markers resulted activated in all the three groups. A significant correlation between RLX-2 and ET-1 in pre-LVAD, as well as between RLX-2 and IL-8/IL-6, was found. CONCLUSIONS Our research investigates for the first time the involvement of RLX-2 and ET-1 system in ESHF patients supported by LVAD, demonstrating their potential ability to partially recover the failing myocardium, indicating their possible clinical role as biomarkers or pharmacological agents in LVAD patients. TRANSLATIONAL ASPECT The study of novel biomarkers in patients supported by continuous axial flow devices may be a starting point analysis applicable to patients with centrifugal flow devices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Botta
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy; Department of Cardiac Surgery, AOU Bologna, S. Orsola Hospital, Italy
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Wang C, Pinar AA, Widdop RE, Hossain MA, Bathgate RAD, Denton KM, Kemp-Harper BK, Samuel CS. The anti-fibrotic actions of relaxin are mediated through AT 2 R-associated protein phosphatases via RXFP1-AT 2 R functional crosstalk in human cardiac myofibroblasts. FASEB J 2020; 34:8217-8233. [PMID: 32297670 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902506r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a hallmark of several cardiovascular diseases. The relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) agonist, relaxin, has rapidly occurring anti-fibrotic actions which are mediated through RXFP1 and angiotensin II receptor crosstalk on renal and cardiac myofibroblasts. Here, we investigated whether this would allow relaxin to indirectly activate angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2 R)-specific signal transduction in primary human cardiac myofibroblasts (HCMFs). The anti-fibrotic effects of recombinant human relaxin (RLX; 16.8 nM) or the AT2 R-agonist, Compound 21 (C21; 1 μM), were evaluated in TGF-β1-stimulated HCMFs, in the absence or presence of an RXFP1 antagonist (1 μM) or AT2 R antagonist (0.1 μM) to confirm RXFP1-AT2 R crosstalk. Competition binding for RXFP1 was determined. Western blotting was performed to determine which AT2 R-specific protein phosphatases were expressed by HCMFs; then, the anti-fibrotic effects of RLX and/or C21 were evaluated in the absence or presence of pharmacological inhibition (NSC95397 (1 μM) for MKP-1; okadaic acid (10 nM) for PP2A) or siRNA-knockdown of these phosphatases after 72 hours. The RLX- or C21-induced increase in ERK1/2 and nNOS phosphorylation, and decrease in α-SMA (myofibroblast differentiation) and collagen-I expression by HCMFs was abrogated by pharmacological blockade of RXFP1 or the AT2 R, confirming RXFP1-AT2 R crosstalk in these cells. HCMFs were found to express AT2 R-dependent MKP-1 and PP2A phosphatases, while pharmacological blockade or siRNA-knockdown of either phosphatase also abolished RLX and/or C21 signal transduction in HCMFs (all P < .05 vs RLX or C21 alone). These findings demonstrated that RLX can indirectly activate AT2 R-dependent phosphatase activity in HCMFs by signaling through RXFP1-AT2 R crosstalk, which have important therapeutic implications for its anti-fibrotic actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Anita A Pinar
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Robert E Widdop
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Mohammed A Hossain
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Kate M Denton
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Barbara K Kemp-Harper
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Chen TY, Li X, Hung CH, Bahudhanapati H, Tan J, Kass DJ, Zhang Y. The relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1): An emerging player in human health and disease. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2020; 8:e1194. [PMID: 32100955 PMCID: PMC7196478 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Relaxin/relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) signaling is important for both normal physiology and disease. Strong preclinical evidence supports relaxin as a potent antifibrotic molecule. However, relaxin‐based therapy failed in clinical trial in patients with systemic sclerosis. We and others have discovered that aberrant expression of RXFP1 may contribute to the abnormal relaxin/RXFP1 signaling in different diseases. Reduced RXFP1 expression and alternative splicing transcripts with potential functional consequences have been observed in fibrotic tissues. A relative decrease in RXFP1 expression in fibrotic tissues—specifically lung and skin—may explain a potential insensitivity to relaxin. In addition, receptor dimerization also plays important roles in relaxin/RXFP1 signaling. Methods This review describes the tissue specific expression, characteristics of the splicing variants, and homo/heterodimerization of RXFP1 in both normal physiological function and human diseases. We discuss the potential implications of these molecular features for developing therapeutics to restore relaxin/RXFP1 signaling and to harness relaxin's potential antifibrotic effects. Results Relaxin/RXFP1 signaling is important in both normal physiology and in human diseases. Reduced expression of RXFP1 in fibrotic lung and skin tissues surrenders both relaxin/RXFP1 signaling and their responsiveness to exogenous relaxin treatments. Alternative splicing and receptor dimerization are also important in regulating relaxin/RXFP1 signaling. Conclusions Understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive aberrant expression of RXFP1 in disease and the functional roles of alternative splicing and receptor dimerization will provide insight into therapeutic targets that may restore the relaxin responsiveness of fibrotic tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Yun Chen
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine and the Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Institute of Allied Health Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Xiaoyun Li
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine and the Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ching-Hsia Hung
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Harinath Bahudhanapati
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine and the Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jiangning Tan
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine and the Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Daniel J Kass
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine and the Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yingze Zhang
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine and the Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Ruiz-Meana M, Boengler K, Garcia-Dorado D, Hausenloy DJ, Kaambre T, Kararigas G, Perrino C, Schulz R, Ytrehus K. Ageing, sex, and cardioprotection. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:5270-5286. [PMID: 31863453 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Translation of cardioprotective interventions aimed at reducing myocardial injury during ischaemia-reperfusion from experimental studies to clinical practice is an important yet unmet need in cardiovascular medicine. One particular challenge facing translation is the existence of demographic and clinical factors that influence the pathophysiology of ischaemia-reperfusion injury of the heart and the effects of treatments aimed at preventing it. Among these factors, age and sex are prominent and have a recognised role in the susceptibility and outcome of ischaemic heart disease. Remarkably, some of the most powerful cardioprotective strategies proven to be effective in young animals become ineffective during ageing. This article reviews the mechanisms and implications of the modulatory effects of ageing and sex on myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury and their potential effects on cardioprotective interventions. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Risk factors, comorbidities, and comedications in cardioprotection. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.23/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisol Ruiz-Meana
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Department of Cardiology, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-CV (CIBER-CV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Kerstin Boengler
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - David Garcia-Dorado
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Department of Cardiology, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-CV (CIBER-CV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Derek J Hausenloy
- Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore.,National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre, Singapore.,Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore.,The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London, UK.,The National Institute of Health Research, University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, Research & Development, London, UK.,Tecnologico de Monterrey, Centro de Biotecnologia-FEMSA, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Tuuli Kaambre
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Georgios Kararigas
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlinand Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cinzia Perrino
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Rainer Schulz
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kirsti Ytrehus
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Institute of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Relaxin Positively Influences Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Solid Organ Transplantation: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21020631. [PMID: 31963613 PMCID: PMC7013572 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, solid organ transplantation (SOT) has increased the survival and quality of life for patients with end-stage organ failure by providing a potentially long-term treatment option. Although the availability of organs for transplantation has increased throughout the years, the demand greatly outweighs the supply. One possible solution for this problem is to extend the potential donor pool by using extended criteria donors. However, organs from such donors are more prone to ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) resulting in higher rates of delayed graft function, acute and chronic graft rejection and worse overall SOT outcomes. This can be overcome by further investigating donor preconditioning strategies, graft perfusion and storage and by finding novel therapeutic agents that could reduce IRI. relaxin (RLX) is a peptide hormone with antifibrotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties. The main research until now focused on heart failure; however, several preclinical studies showed its potentials for reducing IRI in SOT. The aim of this comprehensive review is to overview currently available literature on the possible role of RLX in reducing IRI and its positive impact on SOT.
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Sun J, Hao W, Fillmore N, Ma H, Springer D, Yu ZX, Sadowska A, Garcia A, Chen R, Muniz-Medina V, Rosenthal K, Lin J, Kuruvilla D, Osbourn J, Karathanasis SK, Walker J, Murphy E. Human Relaxin-2 Fusion Protein Treatment Prevents and Reverses Isoproterenol-Induced Hypertrophy and Fibrosis in Mouse Heart. J Am Heart Assoc 2019; 8:e013465. [PMID: 31818212 PMCID: PMC6951077 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.119.013465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Heart failure is one of the leading causes of death in Western countries, and there is a need for new therapeutic approaches. Relaxin‐2 is a peptide hormone that mediates pleiotropic cardiovascular effects, including antifibrotic, angiogenic, vasodilatory, antiapoptotic, and anti‐inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. Methods and Results We developed RELAX10, a fusion protein composed of human relaxin‐2 hormone and the Fc of a human antibody, to test the hypothesis that extended exposure of the relaxin‐2 peptide could reduce cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. RELAX10 demonstrated the same specificity and similar in vitro activity as the relaxin‐2 peptide. The terminal half‐life of RELAX10 was 7 days in mouse and 3.75 days in rat after subcutaneous administration. We evaluated whether treatment with RELAX10 could prevent and reverse isoproterenol‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice. Isoproterenol administration in mice resulted in increased cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis compared with vehicle. Coadministration with RELAX10 significantly attenuated the cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis compared with untreated animals. Isoproterenol administration significantly increased transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1)–induced fibrotic signaling, which was attenuated by RELAX10. We found that RELAX10 also significantly increased protein kinase B/endothelial NO synthase signaling and protein S‐nitrosylation. In the reversal study, RELAX10‐treated animals showed significantly reduced cardiac hypertrophy and collagen levels. Conclusions These findings support a potential role for RELAX10 in the treatment of heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Sun
- Cardiac Physiology Section/Cardiovascular Branch National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD
| | | | - Natasha Fillmore
- Cardiac Physiology Section/Cardiovascular Branch National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD
| | - Hanley Ma
- Cardiac Physiology Section/Cardiovascular Branch National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD
| | - Danielle Springer
- Murine Phenotyping Core National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD
| | - Zu-Xi Yu
- Pathology Core National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Elizabeth Murphy
- Cardiac Physiology Section/Cardiovascular Branch National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD
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Kwok WH, Choi TLS, Leung GNW, Wong ASY, Yue SK, Wan TSM, Ho ENM. Administration study of recombinant human relaxin-2 in horse for doping control purpose. Drug Test Anal 2019; 12:361-370. [PMID: 31726484 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The insulin-like peptide relaxin (RLX), an endogenous peptide hormone produced in human for pregnancy and reproduction, is also known to exert a range of physiological and pathological effects. Its use is banned in human sports, horseracing, and equestrian competitions due to its potential performance enhancing effect through vasodilation resulting in the increase of blood and oxygen supplies to muscles. Little is known about the biotransformation and elimination of RLX in horses. This paper describes an administration study of rhRLX-2 and its elimination in horses, and the development of sensitive methods for the detection and confirmation of rhRLX-2 in both horse plasma and urine by nano-liquid chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (nano-LC/HRMS) after immunoaffinity extraction with the objective of controlling the abuse of rhRLX-2 in horses. The limits of detection in plasma and urine are 2 pg/mL and 5 pg/mL, respectively. Two thoroughbred geldings were each administered one dose of 10 mg rhRLX-2 subcutaneously daily for 3 consecutive days. The rhRLX-2 could be detected and confirmed in the plasma and urine samples collected 105 h and 80 h, respectively, after the last dose of administration. For doping control purposes, rhRLX-2 ELISA could be used as a screening test to identify potential positive samples for further investigation using the nano-LC/HRMS methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Him Kwok
- Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Timmy L S Choi
- Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Gary N W Leung
- Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - April S Y Wong
- Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Terence S M Wan
- Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Emmie N M Ho
- Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
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Cáceres FT, Gaspari TA, Samuel CS, Pinar AA. Serelaxin inhibits the profibrotic TGF-β1/IL-1β axis by targeting TLR-4 and the NLRP3 inflammasome in cardiac myofibroblasts. FASEB J 2019; 33:14717-14733. [PMID: 31689135 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901079rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The recombinant form of the peptide hormone relaxin, serelaxin (RLX), mediates its anti-fibrotic actions by impeding the profibrotic activity of cytokines including TGF-β1 and IL-1β. As IL-1β can be produced by the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, this study determined whether RLX targeted the inflammasome to inhibit the profibrotic TGF-β1/IL-1β axis in primary human cardiac myofibroblasts (HCMFs) in vitro and in mice with isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiomyopathy in vivo. HCMFs stimulated with TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml), LPS (100 ng/ml), and ATP (5 mM) (T+L+A) for 8 h, to induce the NLRP3 inflammasome, demonstrated significantly increased protein expression of markers of NLRP3 priming (NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase-recruitment domain, procaspase-1) and activity (IL-1β, IL-18). After 72 h, there was significantly increased neuronal NOS (nNOS), TLR-4, procaspase-1, myofibroblast differentiation, and collagen-I deposition. These measures, along with interstitial TGF-β1 expression and collagen deposition, were also increased in the left ventricle (LV) of ISO-injured mice 14 d postinjury. RLX [16.8 nM (100 ng/ml) in vitro; 0.5 mg/kg per day in vivo] inhibited T+L+A- and ISO-induced TLR-4 expression, NLRP3 priming, IL-1β, IL-18, myofibroblast differentiation, and interstitial collagen deposition at the time points studied, via the promotion of nNOS; with the NLRP3- and IL-1β-inhibitory effects of RLX in HCMFs being abrogated by pharmacological blockade of nNOS or TLR-4. Comparatively, the small molecule NLRP3 inhibitor, N-{[(1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydro-s-indacen-4-yl)amino]carbonyl}-4-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2-furansulfonamide (1 μM in vitro, 10 mg/kg/d in vivo), inhibited components of the NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro and in vivo and ISO-induced interstitial LV fibrosis in vivo but did not affect nNOS, TLR-4, myofibroblast differentiation, or myofibroblast-induced collagen deposition. Hence, RLX can inhibit the TGF-β1/IL-1β axis via a nNOS-TLR-4-NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent mechanism on cardiac myofibroblasts.-Cáceres, F. T., Gaspari, T. A., Samuel, C. S., Pinar, A. A. Serelaxin inhibits the profibrotic TGF-β1/IL-1β axis by targeting TLR-4 and the NLRP3 inflammasome in cardiac myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Tapia Cáceres
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tracey A Gaspari
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anita A Pinar
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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45
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Relaxin mitigates microvascular damage and inflammation following cardiac ischemia-reperfusion. Basic Res Cardiol 2019; 114:30. [PMID: 31218471 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-019-0739-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Microvascular obstruction (MVO) and leakage (MVL) forms a pivotal part of microvascular damage following cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR). We tested the effect of relaxin therapy on MVO and MVL in mice following cardiac IR injury including severity of MVO and MVL, opening capillaries, infarct size, regional inflammation, cardiac function and remodelling, and permeability of cultured endothelial monolayer. Compared to vehicle group, relaxin treatment (50 μg/kg) reduced no-reflow area by 38% and the content of Evans blue as a permeability tracer by 56% in jeopardized myocardium (both P < 0.05), effects associated with increased opening capillaries. Relaxin also decreased leukocyte density, gene expression of cytokines, and mitigated IR-induced decrease in protein content of VE-cadherin and relaxin receptor. Infarct size was comparable between the two groups. At 2 weeks post-IR, relaxin treatment partially preserved cardiac contractile function and limited chamber dilatation versus untreated controls by echocardiography. Endothelial cell permeability assay demonstrated that relaxin attenuated leakage induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation, H2O2, or cytokines, action that was independent of nitric oxide but associated with the preservation of VE-cadherin. In conclusion, relaxin therapy attenuates IR-induced MVO and MVL and endothelial leakage. This protection was associated with reduced regional inflammatory responses and consequently led to alleviated adverse cardiac remodeling.
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Serelaxin (recombinant human relaxin-2) treatment affects the endogenous synthesis of long chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids and induces substantial alterations of lipidome and metabolome profiles in rat cardiac tissue. Pharmacol Res 2019; 144:51-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Royce SG, Patel KP, Mao W, Zhu D, Lim R, Samuel CS. Serelaxin enhances the therapeutic effects of human amnion epithelial cell-derived exosomes in experimental models of lung disease. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:2195-2208. [PMID: 30883698 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE There is growing interest in stem cell-derived exosomes for their therapeutic and regenerative benefits given their manufacturing and regulatory advantages over cell-based therapies. As existing fibrosis impedes the viability and efficacy of stem cell/exosome-based strategies for treating chronic diseases, here we tested the effects of the anti-fibrotic drug, serelaxin, on the therapeutic efficacy of human amnion epithelial cell (AEC)-derived exosomes in experimental lung disease. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Female Balb/c mice were subjected to either the 9.5-week model of ovalbumin and naphthalene (OVA/NA)-induced chronic allergic airway disease (AAD) or 3-week model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis; then administered increasing concentrations of AEC-exosomes (5 μg or 25μg), with or without serelaxin (0.5mg/kg/day) for 7-days. 1x106 AECs co-administered with serelaxin over the corresponding time-period were included for comparison in both models, as was pirfenidone-treatment of the BLM model. Control groups received saline/corn oil or saline, respectively. KEY RESULTS Both experimental models presented with significant tissue inflammation, remodelling, fibrosis and airway/lung dysfunction at the time-points studied. While AEC-exosome (5 μg or 25μg)-administration alone demonstrated some benefits in each model, serelaxin was required for AEC-exosomes (25μg) to rapidly normalise chronic AAD-induced airway fibrosis and airway reactivity, and BLM-induced lung inflammation, epithelial damage and subepithelial/basement membrane fibrosis. Combining serelaxin with AEC-exosomes (25μg) also demonstrated broader protection compared to co-administration of serelaxin with 1x106 AECs or pirfenidone. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Serelaxin enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of AEC-exosomes in treating basement membrane-induced fibrosis and related airway dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon G Royce
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Krupesh P Patel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - WeiYi Mao
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dandan Zhu
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca Lim
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Valkovic AL, Bathgate RA, Samuel CS, Kocan M. Understanding relaxin signalling at the cellular level. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 487:24-33. [PMID: 30592984 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The peptide hormone relaxin mediates many biological actions including anti-fibrotic, vasodilatory, angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and organ protective effects across a range of tissues. At the cellular level, relaxin binds to the G protein-coupled receptor relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) to activate a variety of downstream signal transduction pathways. This signalling cascade is complex and also varies in diverse cellular backgrounds. Moreover, RXFP1 signalling shows crosstalk with other receptors to mediate some of its physiological functions. This review summarises known signalling pathways induced by acute versus chronic treatment with relaxin across a range of cell types, it describes RXFP1 crosstalk with other receptors, signalling pathways activated by other ligands targeting RXFP1, and it also outlines physiological relevance of RXFP1 signalling outputs. Comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of relaxin actions in fibrosis, vasodilation, as well as organ protection, will further support relaxin's clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Valkovic
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Ross Ad Bathgate
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Martina Kocan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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Sanidas E, Tsakalis K, Papadopoulos DP, Zerva K, Velliou M, Perrea D, Mantzourani M, Iliopoulos D, Barbetseas J. The impact of apelin and relaxin plasma levels in masked hypertension and white coat hypertension. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2018; 21:48-52. [PMID: 30525273 DOI: 10.1111/jch.13449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Masked hypertension (HTN) and white coat hypertension represent two reverse forms of clinical HTN with questionable prognostic significance. Recent evidence supports that low apelin and relaxin plasma levels contribute to vascular damage accelerating atherogenesis and predisposing to HTN and cardiovascular (CV) events. The aim of this study was to compare apelin and relaxin plasma levels between patients with masked hypertension (MH) and those with white coat HTN (WCH). Overall, 130 patients not receiving antihypertensive therapy were studied. All patients underwent 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and office BP measurements. Plasma apelin and relaxin levels were measured by ELISA method. According to BP recordings, 24 subjects had MH (group A) and 32 had WCH (group B). Apelin (200 ± 111 pg/mL vs 305 ± 127 pg/mL, P < 0.01) and relaxin (35.2 ± 6.7 pg/mL vs 46.8 ± 23.6 pg/mL, P < 0.01) plasma levels were significantly lower in patients with MH compared to those with WCH, respectively. In conclusion, our findings showed that patients with MH had significantly lower apelin and relaxin levels compared to those with WCH. This observation implies an additional prognostic role for adipokines supporting the concept that MH is closer to essential HTN whereas WCH is a more benign condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Sanidas
- Hypertension Excellence Centre - ESH, Department of Cardiology, LAIKO General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Kostas Tsakalis
- Hypertension Excellence Centre - ESH, Department of Cardiology, LAIKO General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios P Papadopoulos
- Hypertension Excellence Centre - ESH, Department of Cardiology, LAIKO General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Kanella Zerva
- Hypertension Excellence Centre - ESH, Department of Cardiology, LAIKO General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Velliou
- Hypertension Excellence Centre - ESH, Department of Cardiology, LAIKO General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Despoina Perrea
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research "N.S. Christeas", University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Marina Mantzourani
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, LAIKO General Hospital, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Iliopoulos
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research "N.S. Christeas", University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - John Barbetseas
- Hypertension Excellence Centre - ESH, Department of Cardiology, LAIKO General Hospital, Athens, Greece
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50
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Boccalini G, Sassoli C, Bani D, Nistri S. Relaxin induces up-regulation of ADAM10 metalloprotease in RXFP1-expressing cells by PI3K/AKT signaling. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 472:80-86. [PMID: 29180109 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
ADAM10 metalloprotease is required for activation of Notch-1, a transmembrane receptor regulating cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis, whose intracellular proteolytic fragment NICD mediates some key cardiovascular effects of the hormone relaxin (RLX). This study demonstrates the involvement of ADAM10 and PI3K/Akt signaling in mediating RLX-induced Notch-1 activation. H9c2 cardiomyocytes and NIH3T3 fibroblasts were incubated with human RLX-2 (17 nmol/l, 24 h) in presence or absence of the PI3K or Akt inhibitors wortmannin (WT, 100 nmol/l) and triciribine (TCN, 1 μmol/l). Cyclohexanedione-inactivated RLX (iRLX) served as negative control. RLX significantly increased Akt phosphorylation, ADAM10 and NICD expression, which were abolished by WT or TCN and did not occur with iRLX. These findings highlight a new receptor-specific signal transduction pathway of RLX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Boccalini
- Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, Dept. Experimental & Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale G.Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Sassoli
- Section of Anatomy & Histology, Dept. Experimental & Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Daniele Bani
- Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, Dept. Experimental & Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale G.Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Nistri
- Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, Dept. Experimental & Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale G.Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
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