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Brlecic PE, Bonham CA, Rosengart TK, Mathison M. Direct cardiac reprogramming: A new technology for cardiac repair. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2023; 178:51-58. [PMID: 36965701 PMCID: PMC10124164 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with myocardial infarctions being amongst the deadliest manifestations. Reduced blood flow to the heart can result in the death of cardiac tissue, leaving affected patients susceptible to further complications and recurrent disease. Further, contemporary management typically involves a pharmacopeia to manage the metabolic conditions contributing to atherosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease, rather than regeneration of the damaged myocardium. With modern healthcare extending lifespan, a larger demographic will be at risk for heart disease, driving the need for novel therapeutics that surpass those currently available in efficacy. Transdifferentiation and cellular reprogramming have been looked to as potential methods for the treatment of diseases throughout the body. Specifically targeting the fibrotic cells in cardiac scar tissue as a source to be reprogrammed into induced cardiomyocytes remains an appealing option. This review aims to highlight the history of and advances in cardiac reprogramming and describe its translational potential as a treatment for cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige E Brlecic
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Clark A Bonham
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Todd K Rosengart
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Megumi Mathison
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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2
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Bock-Marquette I, Maar K, Maar S, Lippai B, Faskerti G, Gallyas F, Olson EN, Srivastava D. Thymosin beta-4 denotes new directions towards developing prosperous anti-aging regenerative therapies. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 116:109741. [PMID: 36709593 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Our dream of defeating the processes of organ damage and aging remains a challenge scientists pursued for hundreds of years. Although the goal is to successfully treat the body as a whole, steps towards regenerating individual organs are even considered significant. Since initial approaches utilizing only progenitor cells appear limited, we propose interconnecting our collective knowledge regarding aging and embryonic development may lead to the discovery of molecules which provide alternatives to effectively reverse cellular damage. In this review, we introduce and summarize our results regarding Thymosin beta-4 (TB4) to support our hypothesis using the heart as model system. Accordingly, we investigated the developmental expression of TB4 in mouse embryos and determined the impact of the molecule in adult animals by systemically injecting the peptide following acute cardiac infarction or with no injury. Our results proved, TB4 is expressed in the developing heart and promotes cardiac cell migration and survival. In adults, the peptide enhances myocyte survival and improves cardiac function after coronary artery ligation. Moreover, intravenous injections of TB4 alter the morphology of the adult epicardium, and the changes resemble the characteristics of the embryo. Reactivation of the embryonic program became equally reflected by the increased number of cardiac vessels and by the alteration of the gene expression profile typical of the embryonic state. Moreover, we discovered TB4 is capable of epicardial progenitor activation, and revealed the effect is independent of hypoxic injury. By observing the above results, we believe, further discoveries and consequential postnatal administration of developmentally relevant candidate molecules such as TB4 may likely result in reversing aging processes and accelerate organ regeneration in the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildiko Bock-Marquette
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs H-7624, Hungary; Szentagothai Research Centre, Research Group of Regenerative Science, Sport and Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs H-7624, Hungary.
| | - Klaudia Maar
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs H-7624, Hungary; Szentagothai Research Centre, Research Group of Regenerative Science, Sport and Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs H-7624, Hungary
| | - Szabolcs Maar
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs H-7624, Hungary; Szentagothai Research Centre, Research Group of Regenerative Science, Sport and Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs H-7624, Hungary
| | - Balint Lippai
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs H-7624, Hungary; Szentagothai Research Centre, Research Group of Regenerative Science, Sport and Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs H-7624, Hungary
| | - Gabor Faskerti
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs H-7624, Hungary; Szentagothai Research Centre, Research Group of Regenerative Science, Sport and Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs H-7624, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Gallyas
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs H-7624, Hungary; Szentagothai Research Centre, Research Group of Regenerative Science, Sport and Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs H-7624, Hungary
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Deepak Srivastava
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease and Roddenberry Stem Cell Center, Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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3
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Ricketts SN, Qian L. The heart of cardiac reprogramming: The cardiac fibroblasts. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2022; 172:90-99. [PMID: 36007393 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, outpacing pulmonary disease, infectious disease, and all forms of cancer. Myocardial infarction (MI) dominates cardiovascular disease, contributing to four out of five cardiovascular related deaths. Following MI, patients suffer adverse and irreversible myocardial remodeling associated with cardiomyocyte loss and infiltration of fibrotic scar tissue. Current therapies following MI only mitigate the cardiac physiological decline rather than restore damaged myocardium function. Direct cardiac reprogramming is one strategy that has promise in repairing injured cardiac tissue by generating new, functional cardiomyocytes from cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). With the ectopic expression of transcription factors, microRNAs, and small molecules, CFs can be reprogrammed into cardiomyocyte-like cells (iCMs) that display molecular signatures, structures, and contraction abilities similar to endogenous cardiomyocytes. The in vivo induction of iCMs following MI leads to significant reduction in fibrotic cardiac remodeling and improved heart function, indicating reprogramming is a viable option for repairing damaged heart tissue. Recent work has illustrated different methods to understand the mechanisms driving reprogramming, in an effort to improve the efficiency of iCM generation and create an approach translational into clinic. This review will provide an overview of CFs and describe different in vivo reprogramming methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shea N Ricketts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Li Qian
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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4
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Utilizing Developmentally Essential Secreted Peptides Such as Thymosin Beta-4 to Remind the Adult Organs of Their Embryonic State-New Directions in Anti-Aging Regenerative Therapies. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061343. [PMID: 34071596 PMCID: PMC8228050 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Our dream of defeating the processes of aging has occupied the curious and has challenged scientists globally for hundreds of years. The history is long, and sadly, the solution is still elusive. Our endeavors to reverse the magnitude of damaging cellular and molecular alterations resulted in only a few, yet significant advancements. Furthermore, as our lifespan increases, physicians are facing more mind-bending questions in their routine practice than ever before. Although the ultimate goal is to successfully treat the body as a whole, steps towards regenerating individual organs are even considered significant. As our initial approach to enhance the endogenous restorative capacity by delivering exogenous progenitor cells appears limited, we propose, utilizing small molecules critical during embryonic development may prove to be a powerful tool to increase regeneration and to reverse the processes associated with aging. In this review, we introduce Thymosin beta-4, a 43aa secreted peptide fulfilling our hopes and capable of numerous regenerative achievements via systemic administration in the heart. Observing the broad capacity of this small, secreted peptide, we believe it is not the only molecule which nature conceals to our benefit. Hence, the discovery and postnatal administration of developmentally relevant agents along with other approaches may result in reversing the aging process.
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Bjørklund G, Dadar M, Aaseth J, Chirumbolo S. Thymosin β4: A Multi-Faceted Tissue Repair Stimulating Protein in Heart Injury. Curr Med Chem 2021; 27:6294-6305. [PMID: 31333080 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190716125456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4) is known as a major pleiotropic actin-sequestering protein that is involved in tumorigenesis. Tβ4 is a water-soluble protein that has different promising clinical applications in the remodeling and ulcerated tissues repair following myocardial infarction, stroke, plasticity and neurovascular remodeling of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) and the Central Nervous System (CNS). On the other hand, similar effects have been observed for Tβ4 in other kinds of tissues, including cardiac muscle tissue. In recent reports, as it activates resident epicardial progenitor cells and modulates inflammatory-caused injuries, Tβ4 has been suggested as a promoter of the survival of cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, Tβ4 may act in skeletal muscle and different organs in association/synergism with numerous other tissue repair stimulating factors, including melatonin and C-fiber-derived peptides. For these reasons, the present review highlights the promising role of Tβ4 in cardiac healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway
| | - Maryam Dadar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Jan Aaseth
- Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway,Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences,
University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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6
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Bektik E, Fu JD. Production of Cardiomyocyte-Like Cells by Fibroblast Reprogramming with Defined Factors. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2239:33-46. [PMID: 33226611 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1084-8_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, great achievements have been made in the field of direct epigenetic reprogramming, which converts one type of adult somatic cells into another type of differentiated cells, such as direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes, without passage through an undifferentiated pluripotent stage. Discovery of direct cardiac reprogramming offers a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent/attenuate cardiac fibrotic remodeling in a diseased heart. Furthermore, in vitro reprogramming of fibroblasts into cardiomyocyte-like cells provides new avenues to conduct basic mechanistic studies, to test drugs, and to model cardiac diseases in a dish. Here, we describe a detailed step-by-step protocol for in vitro production of induced cardiomyocyte-like cells (iCMs) from fibroblasts. The related procedures include high-quality fibroblast isolation of different origins (neonatal cardiac, tail-tip, and adult cardiac fibroblasts), retroviral preparation of reprogramming factors, and iCM generation by fibroblast reprogramming via retroviral transduction of Gata4, Mef2c, and Tbx5. A detailed written protocol will help many other laboratories, inexperienced in this area, to use and further improve this technology in their studies of cardiac regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Bektik
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ji-Dong Fu
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA. .,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Thymosin β4 dynamics during chicken enteroid development. Mol Cell Biochem 2020; 476:1303-1312. [PMID: 33301106 PMCID: PMC7873109 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-020-04008-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The sheared avian intestinal villus-crypts exhibit high tendency to self-repair and develop enteroids in culture. Presuming that this transition process involves differential biomolecular changes, we employed matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF–MS) to find whether there were differences in the spectral profiles of sheared villi versus the enteroids, assessed in the mass range of 2–18 kDa. The results showed substantial differences in the intensities of the spectral peaks, one particularly corresponding to the mass of 4963 Da, which was significantly low in the sheared villus-crypts compared with the enteroids. Based on our previous results with other avian tissues and further molecular characterization by LC-ESI-IT-TOF–MS, and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), the peak was identified to be thymosin β4 (Tβ4), a ubiquitously occurring regulatory peptide implicated in wound healing process. The identity of the peptide was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry which showed it to be present in a very low levels in the sheared villi but replete in the enteroids. Since Tβ4 sequesters G-actin preventing its polymerization to F-actin, we compared the changes in F-actin by its immunohistochemical localization that showed no significant differences between the sheared villi and enteroids. We propose that depletion of Tβ4 likely precedes villous reparation process. The possible mechanism for the differences in Tβ4 profile in relation to the healing of the villus-crypts to developing enteroids is discussed.
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8
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Ameliorating the Fibrotic Remodeling of the Heart through Direct Cardiac Reprogramming. Cells 2019; 8:cells8070679. [PMID: 31277520 PMCID: PMC6679082 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery disease is the most common form of cardiovascular diseases, resulting in the loss of cardiomyocytes (CM) at the site of ischemic injury. To compensate for the loss of CMs, cardiac fibroblasts quickly respond to injury and initiate cardiac remodeling in an injured heart. In the remodeling process, cardiac fibroblasts proliferate and differentiate into myofibroblasts, which secrete extracellular matrix to support the intact structure of the heart, and eventually differentiate into matrifibrocytes to form chronic scar tissue. Discovery of direct cardiac reprogramming offers a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent/attenuate this pathologic remodeling and replace the cardiac fibrotic scar with myocardium in situ. Since the first discovery in 2010, many progresses have been made to improve the efficiency and efficacy of reprogramming by understanding the mechanisms and signaling pathways that are activated during direct cardiac reprogramming. Here, we overview the development and recent progresses of direct cardiac reprogramming and discuss future directions in order to translate this promising technology into an effective therapeutic paradigm to reverse cardiac pathological remodeling in an injured heart.
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9
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Hinkel R, Klett K, Bähr A, Kupatt C. Thymosin β4-mediated protective effects in the heart. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2019; 18:121-129. [PMID: 30063857 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2018.1490409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite recent advances in the treatment of coronary heart disease, a significant number of patients progressively develop heart failure. Reduction of infarct size after acute myocardial infarction and normalization of microvasculature in chronic myocardial ischemia could enhance cardiac survival. AREAS COVERED Induction of neovascularization using vascular growth factors has emerged as a promising novel approach for cardiac regeneration. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) might be a promising candidate for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. It has been characterized as a major G-actin-sequestering factor regulating cell motility, migration, and differentiation. During cardiac development, Thymosin β4 seems essential for vascularization of the myocardium. In the adult organism, Thymosin β4 has anti-inflammatory properties, increases myocyte and endothelial cell survival accompanied by differentiation of epicardial progenitor cells. In chronic myocardial ischemia, Tβ4 overexpression enhances micro- and macrovasculature in the ischemic area and thereby improves myocardial function. A comparable effect is seen in diabetic and dyslipidemic pig ischemic hearts, suggesting an attractive therapeutic potential of adeno-associated virus encoding for Tβ4 for patients with ischemic heart disease. EXPERT OPINION Induction of mature micro-vessels is a prerequisite for chronic myocardial ischemia and might be achieved via a long-term overexpression of Thymosin β4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabea Hinkel
- a Internal Medicine I , Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU München , Munich , Germany.,b Institut for Cardiovascular Prevention , LMU Munich , Munich , Germany.,c DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) , partner site Munich Heart Alliance , Munich , Germany
| | - Katharina Klett
- b Institut for Cardiovascular Prevention , LMU Munich , Munich , Germany.,c DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) , partner site Munich Heart Alliance , Munich , Germany
| | - Andrea Bähr
- a Internal Medicine I , Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU München , Munich , Germany.,c DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) , partner site Munich Heart Alliance , Munich , Germany
| | - Christian Kupatt
- a Internal Medicine I , Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU München , Munich , Germany.,c DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) , partner site Munich Heart Alliance , Munich , Germany
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10
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Dong C, Ma A, Shang L. Nanoparticles for postinfarct ventricular remodeling. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2018; 13:3037-3050. [PMID: 30354963 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2018-0264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, tremendous progress has been made in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, but pathological ventricular remodeling often causes survivors to suffer from fatal heart failure. Currently, there is no effective therapy to attenuate ventricular remodeling. Recently, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems are widely applied in biomedicine especially in cancer and liver fibrosis, owing to its excellent physical, chemical and biological properties. Therefore, the use of nanoparticles as delivery vehicles of small molecules, polypeptides, etc. to improve postinfarct ventricular remodeling is expected. In this review, we summarize the updated researches in this fast-growing area and suggest further works needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caijuan Dong
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Aiqun Ma
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lijun Shang
- School of Chemistry & Biosciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK
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Ebrahimi B. In vivo reprogramming for heart regeneration: A glance at efficiency, environmental impacts, challenges and future directions. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2017; 108:61-72. [PMID: 28502796 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Replacing dying or diseased cells of a tissue with new ones that are converted from patient's own cells is an attractive strategy in regenerative medicine. In vivo reprogramming is a novel strategy that can circumvent the hurdles of autologous/allogeneic cell injection therapies. Interestingly, studies have demonstrated that direct injection of cardiac transcription factors or specific miRNAs into the infarct border zone of murine hearts following myocardial infarction converts resident cardiac fibroblasts into functional cardiomyocytes. Moreover, in vivo cardiac reprogramming not only drives cardiac tissue regeneration, but also improves cardiac function and survival rate after myocardial infarction. Thanks to the influence of cardiac microenvironment and the same developmental origin, cardiac fibroblasts seem to be more amenable to reprogramming toward cardiomyocyte fate than other cell sources (e.g. skin fibroblasts). Thus, reprogramming of cardiac fibroblasts to functional induced cardiomyocytes in the cardiac environment holds great promises for induced regeneration and potential clinical purposes. Application of small molecules in future studies may represent a major advancement in this arena and pharmacological reprogramming would convey reprogramming technology to the translational medicine paradigm. This study reviews accomplishments in the field of in vitro and in vivo mouse cardiac reprogramming and then deals with strategies for the enhancement of the efficiency and quality of the process. Furthermore, it discusses challenges ahead and provides suggestions for future research. Human cardiac reprogramming is also addressed as a foundation for possible application of in vivo cardiac reprogramming for human heart regeneration in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Ebrahimi
- Yazd Cardiovascular Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
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12
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RETRACTED: Recent advances in cardiac regeneration: Stem cell, biomaterial and growth factors. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 87:37-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.12.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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Duffey OJ, Smart N. Approaches to augment vascularisation and regeneration of the adult heart via the reactivated epicardium. Glob Cardiol Sci Pract 2016; 2016:e201628. [PMID: 28979901 PMCID: PMC5624183 DOI: 10.21542/gcsp.2016.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Survival rates following myocardial infarction have increased in recent years but current treatments for post-infarction recovery are inadequate and cannot induce regeneration of damaged hearts. Regenerative medicine could provide disease-reversing treatments by harnessing modern concepts in cell and developmental biology. A recently-established paradigm in regenerative medicine is that regeneration of a tissue can be achieved by reactivation of the coordinated developmental processes that originally formed the tissue. In the heart, the epicardium has emerged as an important regulator of cardiac development and reactivation of epicardial developmental processes may provide a means to enable cardiac regeneration. Indeed, in adult mouse hearts, treatment with thymosin β4 and other drug-like molecules reactivates the epicardium and improves outcomes after myocardial infarction by inducing regenerative paracrine signalling, neovascularisation and de novo cardiomyocyte production. However, there are considerable limitations to current methods of epicardial reactivation that prevent direct translation into clinical practice. Here, we describe the rationale for targeting the epicardium and the successes and limitations of this approach. We consider how several recent advances in epicardial biology could be used to overcome these limitations. These advances include insight into epicardial signalling and heterogeneity, epicardial modulation of inflammation and epicardial remodelling of extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen J. Duffey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicola Smart
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Direct cardiac cellular reprogramming of endogenous cardiac fibroblasts directly into induced cardiomyocytes is a highly feasible, promising therapeutic option for patients with advanced heart failure. The most successful cardiac reprogramming strategy will likely be a multimodal approach involving an optimal combination of cardio-differentiating factors, suppression of fibroblast gene expression, and induction of angiogenic factors.
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15
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Monaghan MG, Holeiter M, Layland SL, Schenke-Layland K. Cardiomyocyte generation from somatic sources - current status and future directions. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2016; 40:49-55. [PMID: 26945640 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2016.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Transdifferentiation of one cell type to another has garnered significant research efforts in recent years. As cardiomyocyte loss following myocardial infarction becomes debilitating for cardiac patients, the option of an autologous source of cardiomyocytes not derived from multi/pluripotent stem cell sources is an attractive option. Such direct programming has been clearly realized with the use of transcription factors, microRNAs and more recently small molecule delivery to enhance epigenetic modifications, all albeit with low efficiencies in vitro. In this review, we aim to present a brief overview of the current in vitro and in vivo transdifferentiation strategies in the generation of cardiomyocytes from somatic sources. The interdisciplinary fields of tissue, cell, material and regenerative engineering offer many opportunities to synergistically achieve directly programmed cardiac tissue in vitro and enhance transdifferentiation in vivo. This review aims to present a concise outlook on this topic with these fields in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Monaghan
- Department of Women's Health, Research Institute for Women's Health, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Monika Holeiter
- Department of Women's Health, Research Institute for Women's Health, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Shannon L Layland
- Department of Women's Health, Research Institute for Women's Health, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Cell and Tissue Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB), Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Katja Schenke-Layland
- Department of Women's Health, Research Institute for Women's Health, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Cell and Tissue Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB), Stuttgart, Germany; Department of Medicine/Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Laboratories, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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16
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Gaining myocytes or losing fibroblasts: Challenges in cardiac fibroblast reprogramming for infarct repair. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2015; 93:108-14. [PMID: 26640115 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2015.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Unlike most somatic tissues, the heart possesses a very limited inherent ability to repair itself following damage. Attempts to therapeutically salvage the myocardium after infarction, either by sparing surviving myocytes or by injection of exogenous cells of varied provenance, have met with limited success. Cardiac fibroblasts are numerous, resistant to hypoxia, and amenable to phenotype reprogramming to cardiomyocytes - a potential panacea to an intractable problem. However, the long-term effects of mass conversion of fibroblasts are as-yet unknown. Since fibroblasts play key roles in normal cardiac function, treating these cells as a ready source of replacements for myocytes may have the effect of swapping one problem for another. This review briefly examines the roles of cardiac fibroblasts, recaps the strides made so far in their reprogramming to cardiomyocytes both in vitro and in vivo, and discusses the potential ramifications of large-scale cellular identity swapping. While such therapy offers great promise, the potential repercussions require consideration and careful study.
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17
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Wang L, Liu Z, Yin C, Zhou Y, Liu J, Qian L. Improved Generation of Induced Cardiomyocytes Using a Polycistronic Construct Expressing Optimal Ratio of Gata4, Mef2c and Tbx5. J Vis Exp 2015. [PMID: 26649751 DOI: 10.3791/53426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct conversion of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) into induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs) holds great potential for regenerative medicine by offering alternative strategies for treatment of heart disease. This conversion has been achieved by forced expression of defined factors such as Gata4 (G), Mef2c (M) and Tbx5 (T). Traditionally, iCMs are generated by a cocktail of viruses expressing these individual factors. However, reprogramming efficiency is relatively low and most of the in vitro G,M,T-transduced fibroblasts do not become fully reprogrammed, making it difficult to study the reprogramming mechanisms. We recently have shown that the stoichiometry of G,M,T is crucial for efficient iCM reprogramming. An optimal stoichiometry of G,M,T with relative high level of M and low levels of G and T achieved by using our polycistronic MGT vector (hereafter referred to as MGT) significantly increased reprogramming efficiency and improved iCM quality in vitro. Here we provide a detailed description of the methodology used to generate iCMs with MGT construct from cardiac fibroblasts. Isolation of cardiac fibroblasts, generation of virus for reprogramming and evaluation of the reprogramming process are also included to provide a platform for efficient and reproducible generation of iCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
| | - Ziqing Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
| | - Chaoying Yin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
| | - Jiandong Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
| | - Li Qian
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill;
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Hinkel R, Ball HL, DiMaio JM, Shrivastava S, Thatcher JE, Singh AN, Sun X, Faskerti G, Olson EN, Kupatt C, Bock-Marquette I. C-terminal variable AGES domain of Thymosin β4: the molecule's primary contribution in support of post-ischemic cardiac function and repair. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2015; 87:113-25. [PMID: 26255251 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2015.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Repairing defective cardiac cells is important towards improving heart function. Due to the frequency and severity of ischemic heart disease, management of patients featuring this type of cardiac failure receives significant interest. Previously we discovered that Thymosin β4 (TB4), a 43 amino-acid secreted actin sequestering peptide, is beneficial for myocardial cell survival and coronary re-growth after infarction in adult mammals. Considering the regenerative potential of full-length TB4 in the heart, and that minimal structural variations alter TB4's influence on actin assembly and cell movement, we investigated how various TB4 domains affect cardiac cell behavior and post-ischemic mammalian heart function. We synthesized 17 domain combinations of full-length TB4 and analyzed their impact on embryonic cardiac cells in vitro, and after cardiac infarction in vivo. We discovered the domains of TB4 affect cardiac cell behavior distinctly. We revealed TB4 specific C-terminal tetrapeptide, AGES, increases embryonic cardiac cell migration and myocyte beating in culture, and improves adult mammalian heart function following ischemia. Investigating the molecular background and mechanism we discovered systemic injection of AGES enhances early myocyte survival by activating Akt-mediated signaling mechanisms, increases coronary vessel growth and inhibits inflammation in mice and pigs. Biodistribution analyses revealed cardiomyocytes uptake AGES efficiently in vitro and in vivo projecting a potential independent clinical utilization for the tetrapeptide. Our comprehensive domain investigations also suggest, preservation and/or restoration of cardiomyocyte communication is a target of TB4 and AGES, and critical to improve post-ischemic heart function in pigs. In summary, we identified the C-terminal four amino-acid variable end of TB4 as the essential and responsible domain for the molecule's full benefits in the hypoxic heart. Additionally, we introduced AGES as a novel, systemically applicable drug candidate to aid cardiac infarction in adult mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabea Hinkel
- Internal Medicine I, University Clinic Grosshadern, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Haydn L Ball
- Protein Chemistry Technology Center University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - J Michael DiMaio
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Santwana Shrivastava
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Thatcher
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ajay N Singh
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xiankai Sun
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Gabor Faskerti
- University of Pecs, Faculty of Medicine, Szentagothai Research Centre, Pecs 7624, Hungary
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Christian Kupatt
- Internal Medicine I, University Clinic Grosshadern, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Ildiko Bock-Marquette
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; University of Pecs, Faculty of Medicine, Szentagothai Research Centre, Pecs 7624, Hungary.
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Direct Cardiac Reprogramming: Advances in Cardiac Regeneration. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:580406. [PMID: 26176012 PMCID: PMC4484844 DOI: 10.1155/2015/580406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Heart disease is one of the lead causes of death worldwide. Many forms of heart disease, including myocardial infarction and pressure-loading cardiomyopathies, result in irreversible cardiomyocyte death. Activated fibroblasts respond to cardiac injury by forming scar tissue, but ultimately this response fails to restore cardiac function. Unfortunately, the human heart has little regenerative ability and long-term outcomes following acute coronary events often include chronic and end-stage heart failure. Building upon years of research aimed at restoring functional cardiomyocytes, recent advances have been made in the direct reprogramming of fibroblasts toward a cardiomyocyte cell fate both in vitro and in vivo. Several experiments show functional improvements in mouse models of myocardial infarction following in situ generation of cardiomyocyte-like cells from endogenous fibroblasts. Though many of these studies are in an early stage, this nascent technology holds promise for future applications in regenerative medicine. In this review, we discuss the history, progress, methods, challenges, and future directions of direct cardiac reprogramming.
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Pascual-Gil S, Garbayo E, Díaz-Herráez P, Prosper F, Blanco-Prieto M. Heart regeneration after myocardial infarction using synthetic biomaterials. J Control Release 2015; 203:23-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Fu JD, Srivastava D. Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes for cardiac regenerative medicine. Circ J 2015; 79:245-54. [PMID: 25744738 DOI: 10.1253/circj.cj-14-1372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac fibroblasts play critical roles in maintaining normal cardiac function and in cardiac remodeling during pathological conditions such as myocardial infarction (MI). Adult cardiomyocytes (CMs) have little to no regenerative capacity; damaged CMs in the heart after MI are replaced by cardiac fibroblasts that become activated and transform into myofibroblasts, which preserves the structural integrity. Unfortunately, this process typically causes fibrosis and reduces cardiac function. Directly reprogramming adult cardiac fibroblasts into induced CM-like cells (iCMs) holds great promise for restoring heart function. Direct cardiac reprogramming also provides a new research model to investigate which transcription factors and microRNAs control the molecular network that guides cardiac cell fate. We review the approaches and characterization of in vitro and in vivo reprogrammed iCMs from different laboratories, and outline the future directions needed to translate this new approach into a practical therapy for damaged hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Dong Fu
- Heart and Vascular Research Center, MetroHealth Campus of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, USA; Roddenberry Center for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine at Gladstone, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Reconstitution of cardiac muscle as well as blood vessels to provide sufficient oxygenation and nutrients to the myocardium is an important component of any therapeutic approach for cardiac repair after injury. Recent reports of reprogramming somatic cells directly to cells of another lineage raised the possibility of using cell reprogramming for cardiac regenerative therapy. Here, we provide an overview of the current reprogramming strategies to generate cardiomyocytes (CMs), endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and the implications of these methods for cardiac regeneration. We also discuss the challenges and limitations that need to be addressed for the development of future therapies.
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Kumar A, Patel A, Duvalsaint L, Desai M, Marks ED. Thymosin β4 coated nanofiber scaffolds for the repair of damaged cardiac tissue. J Nanobiotechnology 2014; 12:10. [PMID: 24661328 PMCID: PMC3996948 DOI: 10.1186/1477-3155-12-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
After a cardiac event, proper treatment and care of the damaged tissue is crucial in restoring optimal cardiac function and preventing future cardiac events. Recently, thymosin β4 has been found to play a vital role in cardiac cell health and development by regulating angiogenesis, inflammatory responses, and wound healing. We proposed that defined poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) nanoscaffolds coated with thymosin β4 could efficiently differentiate murine-derived cardiomyocytes into functioning cardiac tissue. PCL nanoscaffolds were developed through electrospinning technology, and subsequently coated with a thymosin β4 solution. Cardiomyocytes were seeded on coated and uncoated nanoscaffolds and observed for six days via fluorescent and electron microscopy. Our results demonstrated a robust growth and differentiation of cardiomyocytes on coated nanoscaffolds compared with uncoated, showing potential for nanoscaffold-mediated cardiac cell replacement in vivo after an MI or other cardiac event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Kumar
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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Chen P, Pang S, Yang N, Meng H, Liu J, Zhou N, Zhang M, Xu Z, Gao W, Chen B, Tao Z, Wang L, Yang Z. Beneficial effects of schisandrin B on the cardiac function in mice model of myocardial infarction. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79418. [PMID: 24260217 PMCID: PMC3832629 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The fruit of Schisandra chinensis has been used in the traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Accumulating evidence suggests that Schisandrin B (Sch B) has cardioprotection effect on myocardial ischemia invitro. However, it is unclear whether Sch B has beneficial effects on continuous myocardial ischemia in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Sch B could improve cardiac function and attenuate myocardial remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) in mice. Mice model of MI was established by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Then the MI mice were randomly treated with Sch B or vehicle alone. After treatment for 3 weeks, Sch B could increase survival rate, improve heart function and decrease infarct size compared with vehicle. Moreover, Sch B could down-regulate some inflammatory cytokines, activate eNOS pathway, inhibit cell apoptosis, and enhance cell proliferation. Further in vitro study on H9c2 cells showed similar effects of Sch B on prevention of hypoxia-induced inflammation and cell apoptosis. Taken together, our results demonstrate that Sch B can reduce inflammation, inhibit apoptosis, and improve cardiac function after ischemic injury. It represents a potential novel therapeutic approach for treatment of ischemic heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengsheng Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sisi Pang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Naiquan Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Huai’an Second People’s Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical College, Huai’an, China
| | - Haoyu Meng
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Clinical Diabetes Centre of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ningtian Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhihui Xu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengxian Tao
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liansheng Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhijian Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Heart disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The low regenerative capacity of adult human hearts has thus far limited the available therapeutic approaches for heart failure. Therefore, new therapies that can regenerate damaged myocardium and improve heart function are urgently needed. Although cell transplantation-based therapies may hold great potential, direct reprogramming of endogenous cardiac fibroblasts, which represent more than half of the cells in the heart, into functional cardiomyocytes in situ may be an alternative strategy by which to regenerate the heart. We and others demonstrated that functional cardiomyocytes can be directly generated from fibroblasts by using several combinations of cardiac-enriched factors in mouse and human. In vivo gene delivery of cardiac reprogramming factors generates new cardiac muscle and improved heart function after myocardial infarction in mouse. This article reviews recent progress in cardiac reprogramming research and discusses the perspectives and challenges of this new technology for future regenerative therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Muraoka
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Cardiovascular Research
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Iglesias-García O, Pelacho B, Prósper F. Induced pluripotent stem cells as a new strategy for cardiac regeneration and disease modeling. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2013; 62:43-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2013.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2013] [Revised: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Xu B, Yang M, Li Z, Zhang Y, Jiang Z, Guan S, Jiang D. Thymosin β4 enhances the healing of medial collateral ligament injury in rat. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 184:1-5. [PMID: 23523891 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2013.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2012] [Revised: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The role played by thymosin β4 (Tβ4) in the process of wound healing was reported in several organs. However, there have been no reports that investigated the role of Tβ4 in the repair process after ligament injury. The purpose of this study was to determine whether administration of Tβ4 would improve ligament repair following injury. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) was sharply transected on the day of surgery. Then, the treatment group received 100 μL of fibrin sealant containing 1 μg of Tβ4 placed in the ligament gap. Healing tissues were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin stain, transmission electron microscopy, and biomechanical test at 4 weeks after surgery. Histologically, healing tissues in Tβ4-treated group exhibited uniform and evenly spaced fiber bundles. However, the collagen fibers were not evenly spaced in control rats. Moreover, diameters of collagen fibrils within granulation tissue from the Tβ4-treated rats were significantly increased. In Tβ4-treated MCLs, the mechanical properties of these healing tissues were significantly higher at 4 weeks after surgery. In terms of the mechanical properties of the healing femur-medial collateral ligament-tibia complexes, the Tβ4-treated group had significantly better biomechanical properties than the control group at 4 weeks after surgery. Local administration of Tβ4 promotes the healing process of MCL, both histologically and mechanically, in a rat model. These findings provide a basis for potential clinical use of Tβ4 in repairing ligaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Xu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin China
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