Expression of phospholipase D isozymes in scar and viable tissue in congestive heart failure due to myocardial infarction

PLD2 deletion ameliorates sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy by suppressing cardiomyocyte pyroptosis via the NLRP3/caspase 1/GSDMD pathway

OBJECTIVE

Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM) is a life-threatening complication. Phospholipase D2 (PLD2) is crucial in mediating inflammatory reactions and is associated with the prognosis of patients with sepsis. Whether PLD2 is involved in the pathophysiology of SICM remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PLD2 knockout on SICM and to explore potential mechanisms.

METHODS

The SICM model was established using cecal ligation and puncture in wild-type and PLD2-knockout mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Transfection with PLD2-shRNA lentivirus and a PLD2 overexpression plasmid were used to interfere with PLD2 expression in H9C2 cells. Cardiac pathological alterations, cardiac function, markers of myocardial injury, and inflammatory factors were used to evaluate the SICM model. The expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, cleaved caspase 1, and GSDMD-N) was assessed using western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

SICM mice had myocardial tissue damage, increased inflammatory response, and impaired heart function, accompanied by elevated PLD2 expression. PLD2 deletion improved cardiac histological changes, mitigated cTNI production, and enhanced the survival of the SICM mice. Compared with controls, PLD2-knockdown H9C2 exhibits a decrease in inflammatory markers and lactate dehydrogenase production, and scanning electron microscopy results suggest that pyroptosis may be involved. The overexpression of PLD2 increased the expression of NLRP3 in cardiomyocytes. In addition, PLD2 deletion decreased the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins in SICM mice and LPS-induced H9C2 cells.

CONCLUSION

PLD2 deletion is involved in SICM pathogenesis and is associated with the inhibition of the myocardial inflammatory response and pyroptosis through the NLRP3/caspase 1/GSDMD pathway.

Phospholipids, the Masters in the Shadows during Healing after Acute Myocardial Infarction

Phospholipids are major components of cell membranes with complex structures, high heterogeneity and critical biological functions and have been used since ancient times to treat cardiovascular disease. Their importance and role were shadowed by the difficulty or incomplete available research methodology to study their biological presence and functionality. This review focuses on the current knowledge about the roles of phospholipids in the pathophysiology and therapy of cardiovascular diseases, which have been increasingly recognized. Used in singular formulation or in inclusive combinations with current drugs, phospholipids proved their positive and valuable effects not only in the protection of myocardial tissue, inflammation and fibrosis but also in angiogenesis, coagulation or cardiac regeneration more frequently in animal models as well as in human pathology. Thus, while mainly neglected by the scientific community, phospholipids present negligible side effects and could represent an ideal target for future therapeutic strategies in healing myocardial infarction. Acknowledging and understanding their mechanisms of action could offer a new perspective into novel therapeutic strategies for patients suffering an acute myocardial infarction, reducing the burden and improving the general social and economic outcome.

Multimodal MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry Reveals Spatially Correlated Lipid and Protein Changes in Mouse Heart with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a cardiovascular disease that remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide despite advances in its prevention and treatment. During acute myocardial ischemia, the lack of oxygen switches the cell metabolism to anaerobic respiration, with lactate accumulation, ATP depletion, Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ overload, and inhibition of myocardial contractile function, which drastically modifies the lipid, protein, and small metabolite profile in the myocardium. Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is a powerful technique to comprehensively elucidate the spatial distribution patterns of lipids, peptides, and proteins in biological tissue sections. In this work, we demonstrate an application of multimodal chemical imaging using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), which provided comprehensive molecular information in situ within the same mouse heart tissue sections with myocardial infarction. MALDI-IMS (at 30 μm per pixel) revealed infarct-associated spatial alterations of several lipid species of sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, lysophospholipids, and cardiolipins along with the acyl carnitines. Further, we performed multimodal MALDI-IMS (IMS3) where dual polarity lipid imaging was combined with subsequent protein MALDI-IMS analysis (at 30 μm per pixel) within the same tissue sections, which revealed accumulations of core histone proteins H4, H2A, and H2B along with post-translational modification products, acetylated H4 and H2A, on the borders of the infarcted region. This methodology allowed us to interpret the lipid and protein molecular pathology of the very same infarcted region in a mouse model of myocardial infarction. Therefore, the presented data highlight the potential of multimodal MALDI imaging mass spectrometry of the same tissue sections as a powerful approach for simultaneous investigation of spatial infarct-associated lipid and protein changes of myocardial infarction.

Enhanced Integrin Activation of PLD2-Deficient Platelets Accelerates Inflammation after Myocardial Infarction

Background: Phospholipase (PL)D1 is crucial for integrin α_IIbβ₃ activation of platelets in arterial thrombosis and TNF-α-mediated inflammation and TGF-β-mediated collagen scar formation after myocardial infarction (MI) in mice. Enzymatic activity of PLD is not responsible for PLD-mediated TNF-α signaling and myocardial healing. The impact of PLD2 in ischemia reperfusion injury is unknown. Methods: PLD2-deficient mice underwent myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Results: Enhanced integrin α_IIbβ₃ activation of platelets resulted in elevated interleukin (IL)-6 release from endothelial cells in vitro and enhanced IL-6 plasma levels after MI in PLD2-deficient mice. This was accompanied by enhanced migration of inflammatory cells into the infarct border zone and reduced TGF-β plasma levels after 72 h that might account for enhanced inflammation in PLD2-deficient mice. In contrast to PLD1, TNF-α signaling, infarct size and cardiac function 24 h after I/R were not altered when PLD2 was deleted. Furthermore, TGF-β plasma levels, scar formation and heart function were comparable between PLD2-deficient and control mice 21 days post MI. Conclusions: The present study contributes to our understanding about the role of PLD isoforms and altered platelet signaling in the process of myocardial I/R injury.

Phospholipase D and Its Essential Role in Cancer

The role of phospholipase D (PLD) in cancer development and management has been a major area of interest for researchers. The purpose of this mini-review is to explore PLD and its distinct role during chemotherapy including anti-apoptotic function. PLD is an enzyme that belongs to the phospholipase super family and is found in a broad range of organisms such as viruses, yeast, bacteria, animals, and plants. The function and activity of PLD are widely dependent on and regulated by neurotransmitters, hormones, small monomeric GTPases, and lipids. A growing body of research has shown that PLD activity is significantly increased in cancer tissues and cells, indicating that it plays a critical role in signal transduction, cell proliferation, and anti-apoptotic processes. In addition, recent studies show that PLD is a downstream transcriptional target of proteins that contribute to inflammation and carcinogenesis such as Sp1, NFκB, TCF4, ATF-2, NFATc2, and EWS-Fli. Thus, compounds that inhibit expression or activity of PLD in cells can be potentially useful in reducing inflammation and sensitizing resistant cancers during chemotherapy.

Physiological and pathophysiological roles for phospholipase D

Individual members of the mammalian phospholipase D (PLD) superfamily undertake roles that extend from generating the second messenger signaling lipid, phosphatidic acid, through hydrolysis of the membrane phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine, to functioning as an endonuclease to generate small RNAs and facilitating membrane vesicle trafficking through seemingly nonenzymatic mechanisms. With recent advances in genome-wide association studies, RNA interference screens, next-generation sequencing approaches, and phenotypic analyses of knockout mice, roles for PLD family members are being uncovered in autoimmune, infectious neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular disease, as well as in cancer. Some of these disease settings pose opportunities for small molecule inhibitory therapeutics, which are currently in development.

Pivotal role of phospholipase D1 in tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated inflammation and scar formation after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in mice

Myocardial inflammation is critical for ventricular remodeling after ischemia. Phospholipid mediators play an important role in inflammatory processes. In the plasma membrane they are degraded by phospholipase D1 (PLD1). PLD1 was shown to be critically involved in ischemic cardiovascular events. Moreover, PLD1 is coupled to tumor necrosis factor-α signaling and inflammatory processes. However, the impact of PLD1 in inflammatory cardiovascular disease remains elusive. Here, we analyzed the impact of PLD1 in tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated activation of monocytes after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion using a mouse model of myocardial infarction. PLD1 expression was highly up-regulated in the myocardium after ischemia/reperfusion. Genetic ablation of PLD1 led to defective cell adhesion and migration of inflammatory cells into the infarct border zone 24 hours after ischemia/reperfusion injury, likely owing to reduced tumor necrosis factor-α expression and release, followed by impaired nuclear factor-κB activation and interleukin-1 release. Moreover, PLD1 was found to be important for transforming growth factor-β secretion and smooth muscle α-actin expression of cardiac fibroblasts because myofibroblast differentiation and interstitial collagen deposition were altered in Pld1(-/-) mice. Consequently, infarct size was increased and left ventricular function was impaired 28 days after myocardial infarction in Pld1(-/-) mice. Our results indicate that PLD1 is crucial for tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated inflammation and transforming growth factor-β-mediated collagen scar formation, thereby augmenting cardiac left ventricular function after ischemia/reperfusion.

Proteomic analysis of mitochondria reveals a metabolic switch from fatty acid oxidation to glycolysis in the failing heart

This work characterizes the mitochondrial proteomic profile in the failing heart and elucidates the molecular basis of mitochondria in heart failure. Heart failure was induced in rats by myocardial infarction, and mitochondria were isolated from hearts by differential centrifugation. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, a system biology approach was employed to investigate differences in mitochondrial proteins between normal and failing hearts. Mass spectrometry identified 27 proteins differentially expressed that involved in energy metabolism. Among those, the up-regulated proteins included tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex subunits while the down-regulated proteins were involved in fatty acid oxidation and the OXPHOS complex. These results suggest a substantial metabolic switch from free fatty acid oxidation to glycolysis in heart failure and provide molecular evidence for alterations in the structural and functional parameters of mitochondria that may contribute to cardiac dysfunction during ischemic injury.

Phospholipid-mediated signaling and heart disease

Cardiac hypertrophy, congestive heart failure, diabetic cardiomyopathy and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury are associated with a disturbance in cardiac sarcolemmal membrane phospholipid homeostasis. The contribution of the different phospholipases and their related signaling mechanisms to altered function of the diseased myocardium is not completely understood. Resolution of this issue is essential for both the understanding of the pathophysiology of heart disease and for determining if components of the phospholipid signaling pathways could serve as appropriate therapeutic targets. This review provides an outline of the role of phospholipase A2, C and D and subsequent signal transduction mechanisms in different cardiac pathologies with a discussion of their potential as targets for drug development for the prevention/treatment of heart disease.

Modulation of enzymatic activities by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to support cardiovascular health

Epidemiological evidence from Greenland Eskimos and Japanese fishing villages suggests that eating fish oil and marine animals can prevent coronary heart disease. Dietary studies from various laboratories have similarly indicated that regular fish oil intake affects several humoral and cellular factors involved in atherogenesis and may prevent atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, thrombosis, cardiac hypertrophy and sudden cardiac death. The beneficial effects of fish oil are attributed to their n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA; also known as omega-3 fatty acids) content, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5, n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6, n-3). Dietary supplementation of DHA and EPA influences the fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids that, in turn, may affect cardiac cell functions in vivo. Recent studies have demonstrated that long-chain omega-3 fatty acids may exert beneficial effects by affecting a wide variety of cellular signaling mechanisms. Pathways involved in calcium homeostasis in the heart may be of particular importance. L-type calcium channels, the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger and mobilization of calcium from intracellular stores are the most obvious key signaling pathways affecting the cardiovascular system; however, recent studies now suggest that other signaling pathways involving activation of phospholipases, synthesis of eicosanoids, regulation of receptor-associated enzymes and protein kinases also play very important roles in mediating n-3 PUFA effects on cardiovascular health. This review is therefore focused on the molecular targets and signaling pathways that are regulated by n-3 PUFAs in relation to their cardioprotective effects.

Phospholipid-mediated signaling systems as novel targets for treatment of heart disease

The phospholipases associated with the cardiac sarcolemmal (SL) membrane hydrolyze specific membrane phospholipids to generate important lipid signaling molecules, which are known to influence normal cardiac function. However, impairment of the phospholipases and their related signaling events may be contributory factors in altering cardiac function of the diseased myocardium. The identification of the changes in such signaling systems as well as understanding the contribution of phospholipid-signaling pathways to the pathophysiology of heart disease are rapidly emerging areas of research in this field. In this paper, I provide an overview of the role of phospholipid-mediated signal transduction processes in cardiac hypertrophy and congestive heart failure, diabetic cardiomyopathy, as well as in ischemia-reperfusion. From the cumulative evidence presented, it is suggested that phospholipid-mediated signal transduction processes could serve as novel targets for the treatment of the different types of heart disease.

Whole blood choline and plasma choline in acute coronary syndromes: prognostic and pathophysiological implications

BACKGROUND

Whole blood choline (WBCHO) and plasma choline (PLCHO) concentrations increase rapidly after stimulation of phospholipase D in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Early risk-stratification was analyzed in 217 patients with suspected ACS and a negative admission troponin T (<0.03 microg/L).

METHODS

WBCHO and PLCHO were measured using high-performance-liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry. Major cardiac events (MACE) were defined as cardiac death/arrest, coronary intervention or myocardial infarction (MI).

RESULTS

WBCHO (> or = 28.2 micromol/L) was predictive for MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 2.7; p<0.001), cardiac death/arrest (HR 4.2; p=0.015), heart failure (HR 2.8; p=0.003), coronary intervention (HR 2.1; p=0.01) and MI (HR 8.4; p=0.002) after 30 days. PLCHO (> or = 25.0 micromol/L) was predictive for MACE (HR 2.6; p=0.005), cardiac death/arrest (HR 15.7; p<0.001), heart failure (HR 6.0; p<0.001) but not for coronary intervention and MI. WBCHO and PLCHO were predictive for MACE in multivariate analysis (Odds ratio [OR] 2.7, p=0.009 and OR 3.3, p=0.03) independently of age, gender, prior MI, coronary risk factors and ECG.

CONCLUSIONS

WBCHO and PLCHO are significant and independent predictors of major cardiac events in admission troponin T negative acute coronary syndromes. Both are predictive for events related to tissue ischemia and WBCHO is capable of detecting risks associated with coronary plaque instability.

Downregulation of neuronal sodium channel subunits Nav1.1 and Nav1.6 in the sinoatrial node from volume-overloaded heart failure rat

Sodium current I(Na) plays an important role in the pacemaker activity of the sinoatrial node (SAN). However, expression profiles of corresponding sodium channel subunits in normal SAN remain unclear. And little is known about expression alteration of sodium channel in SAN under heart failure (HF) condition. We assessed SAN function and expression of Nav1.1, Nav1.2, Nav1.3, Nav1.5, Nav1.6, and Nav1.7 in sham-operated rats and rats subjected to abdominal arteriovenous shunt (volume overload)-induced HF. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR analysis were used to quantify sodium channel subunit protein and mRNA expression in the SAN. Intrinsic heart rate declined and sinus node recovery time was prolonged in HF rats, indicating suppressed SAN pacemaker function. In rat SAN, Nav1.1 and Nav1.6 were the primary subunits, Nav1.5 and Nav1.7 were weakly expressed, and Nav1.2 and Nav1.3 were not found to be present. HF significantly decreased SAN sodium channel expression at both the protein and mRNA levels (Nav1.1 by 61 and 71%, Nav1.6 by 49 and 46%, respectively). In conclusion, Nav1.1 and Nav1.6 are the dominant subunits in rat SAN, and downregulation of Nav1.1 and Nav1.6 expression contributes to HF-induced SAN dysfunction. These findings provide additional information about molecular basis of disease-related impairment of SAN function.

Gender differences in the cardiac response to dietary conjugated linoleic acid isomers

The present study was undertaken to assess the heart function, by the in vivo catheterization technique, of healthy male and female Sprague–Dawley rats fed different conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers, (cis-9, trans-11 (c9,t11) and trans-10, cis-12 (t10,c12)) individually and in combination (50:50 mix as triglyceride or fatty acids) from 4 to 20 weeks of age. Whereas the triglyceride form of the CLA isomer mix lowered the heart rate, the rate of contraction (+dP/dt) and rate of relaxation (–dP/dt), systolic and diastolic pressures, mean arterial pressure, and the left ventricular systolic pressure were higher in male rats as compared with all the other dietary groups. In contrast, there were no significant effects in the cardiac function of the female rats in response to the CLA isomer mix in triglyceride form. Whereas the heart rate, +dP/dt, and left ventricular systolic pressure were lower in male rats fed the t10,c12 CLA isomer alone, the heart rate of the female rats was higher, but the systolic pressure, +dP/dt, and mean arterial pressure were lower compared with the control group. Also, the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was specifically higher in the female rats in response to free fatty acids-containing CLA mix. Furthermore, an additive effect of the free fatty acids-containing CLA mix was seen in the +dP/dt and –dP/dt of female rats compared with the control group. These results indicate that CLA isomers exert differential effects on heart function and suggest the need for a complete evaluation of the benefits, interactions, and potential side effects of each isomer.

Upregulation of Phospholipase D Expression and Activation in Ventricular Pressure-Overload Hypertrophy

Evidence for a role of phospholipase D (PLD) in cellular proliferation and differentiation is accumulating. We studied PLD activity and expression in normal and hypertrophic rat and human hearts. In rat heart, abdominal aortic banding (constriction to 50% of original lumen) caused hypertrophy in the left ventricle (as shown by weight index and ANP expression) by about 15% after 30 days without histological evidence of fibrosis or signs of decompensation and in the right ventricle after 100 days. The hypertrophy was accompanied by small increases of basal PLD activity and strong potentiation of stimulated PLD activity caused by 4beta-phorbol-12beta,13alpha-dibutyrate (PDB) and by phenylephrine. The mRNA expressions of both PLD1 and PLD2 determined by semiquantitative competitive RT-PCR were markedly enhanced after aortic banding. In the caveolar fraction of the rat heart, PLD2 protein determined by Western blot analysis was upregulated in parallel with the expression of caveolin-3. A similar induction of PLD mRNA and protein expression was observed in hypertrophied human hearts of individuals (39-45-year-old) who had died from non-cardiac causes. In conclusion, PLD1 and PLD2 expressions were strongly enhanced both in rat and human heart hypertrophy, which may be responsible for the coincident potentiation of the PLD activation by alpha-adrenoceptor and protein kinase C stimulation. These results are compatible with a significant role of PLD activation in cell signaling of ventricular pressure-overload hypertrophy.