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Nikam VS, Nikam S, Sydykov A, Ahlbrecht K, Morty RE, Seeger W, Voswinckel R. Implication of in vivo circulating fibrocytes ablation in experimental pulmonary hypertension murine model. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:2974-2990. [PMID: 32060903 PMCID: PMC7279988 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Recruitment and involvement of bone-/blood-derived circulating fibrocytes (CF) in the promotion of fibrotic tissue remodelling processes have been shown. However, their direct contribution to pathological changes is not clear. The present study investigates the causal role of CF in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH For selective ablation of CF, we applied the suicidal gene strategy with herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) and ganciclovir. The transgenic mice were generated, having HSV-TK-GFP transgene under the collagen 1 promoter. To selectively target CF, HSV-TK-GFP+ bone marrow transplanted into irradiated wild type mice. These chimera mice were subjected to hypoxia for PH induction and ganciclovir for CF ablation. KEY RESULTS In vivo CF ablation reduced right ventricular hypertrophy and vascular remodelling with reduced total collagen content. We quantified the CF recruited in the perivascular area and arterial wall of small pulmonary arteries. There was significant recruitment of CF in the lung in response to hypoxia. The characterization of CF showed the expression of CD45 and collagen1 (GFP) along with α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our data demonstrated that CF ablation has a potential impact on right ventricular hypertrophy and vascular remodelling in the setting of experimental pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia. The beneficial effects may be related to the direct contribution of fibrocytes or its paracrine effect on other resident cell types. Thus, clinical manipulation of CF may represent a novel therapeutic approach to ameliorate the disease state in pulmonary hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vandana S. Nikam
- Department of Lung Development and RemodelingMax‐Planck‐Institute for Heart and Lung ResearchBad NauheimGermany
| | - Sandeep Nikam
- Department of Lung Development and RemodelingMax‐Planck‐Institute for Heart and Lung ResearchBad NauheimGermany
| | - Akyl Sydykov
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Giessen Lung Centre, University Hospital Giessen and MarburgGiessenGermany
| | - Katrin Ahlbrecht
- Department of Lung Development and RemodelingMax‐Planck‐Institute for Heart and Lung ResearchBad NauheimGermany
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Giessen Lung Centre, University Hospital Giessen and MarburgGiessenGermany
| | - Rory E. Morty
- Department of Lung Development and RemodelingMax‐Planck‐Institute for Heart and Lung ResearchBad NauheimGermany
| | - Werner Seeger
- Department of Lung Development and RemodelingMax‐Planck‐Institute for Heart and Lung ResearchBad NauheimGermany
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Giessen Lung Centre, University Hospital Giessen and MarburgGiessenGermany
| | - Robert Voswinckel
- Department of Lung Development and RemodelingMax‐Planck‐Institute for Heart and Lung ResearchBad NauheimGermany
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Giessen Lung Centre, University Hospital Giessen and MarburgGiessenGermany
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Spyropoulos F, Vitali SH, Touma M, Rose CD, Petty CR, Levy P, Kourembanas S, Christou H. Echocardiographic markers of pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular hypertrophy in rat models of pulmonary hypertension. Pulm Circ 2020; 10:2045894020910976. [PMID: 32537128 PMCID: PMC7268140 DOI: 10.1177/2045894020910976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Echocardiography is the gold standard non-invasive technique to diagnose
pulmonary hypertension. It is also an important modality used to monitor disease
progression and response to treatment in patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Surprisingly, only few studies have been conducted to validate and standardize
echocardiographic parameters in experimental animal models of pulmonary
hypertension. We sought to define cut-off values for both invasive and
non-invasive measures of pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular
hypertrophy that would reliably diagnose pulmonary hypertension in three
different rat models. The study was designed in two phases: (1) a
derivation phase to establish the cut-off values for
invasive measures of right ventricular systolic pressure, Fulton's index (right
ventricular weight/left ventricle + septum weight), right ventricular to body
weight ratio, and non-invasive echocardiographic measures of pulmonary arterial
acceleration time, pulmonary arterial acceleration time to ejection time ratio
and right ventricular wall thickness in diastole in the hypoxic and
monocrotaline rat models of pulmonary hypertension and (2) a validation
phase to test the performance of the cut-off values in predicting
pulmonary hypertension in an independent cohort of rats with
Sugen/hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Our study demonstrates that right
ventricular systolic pressure ≥35.5 mmHg and Fulton's Index ≥0.34 are highly
sensitive (>94%) and specific (>91%) cut-offs to distinguish animals with
pulmonary hypertension from controls. When pulmonary arterial acceleration
time/ejection time and right ventricular wall thickness in diastole were both
measured, a result of either pulmonary arterial acceleration time/ejection time
≤0.25 or right ventricular wall thickness in diastole ≥1.03 mm detected right
ventricular systolic pressure ≥35.5 mmHg or Fulton's Index ≥0.34 with a
sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 100%. With properly validated non-invasive
echocardiography measures of right ventricular performance in rats that
accurately predict invasive measures of pulmonary hemodynamics, future studies
can now utilize these markers to test the efficacy of different treatments with
preclinical therapeutic modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fotios Spyropoulos
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sally H Vitali
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marlin Touma
- University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chase D Rose
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carter R Petty
- Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Philip Levy
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Helen Christou
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Crnkovic S, Egemnazarov B, Damico R, Marsh LM, Nagy BM, Douschan P, Atsina K, Kolb TM, Mathai SC, Hooper JE, Ghanim B, Klepetko W, Fruhwald F, Lassner D, Olschewski A, Olschewski H, Hassoun PM, Kwapiszewska G. Disconnect between Fibrotic Response and Right Ventricular Dysfunction. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2019; 199:1550-1560. [PMID: 30557518 PMCID: PMC6580669 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201809-1737oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Remodeling and fibrosis of the right ventricle (RV) may cause RV dysfunction and poor survival in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Objectives: To investigate the consequences of RV fibrosis modulation and the accompanying cellular changes on RV function. Methods: Expression of fibrotic markers was assessed in the RV of patients with pulmonary hypertension, the murine pulmonary artery banding, and rat monocrotaline and Sugen5416/hypoxia models. Invasive hemodynamic and echocardiographic assessment was performed on galectin-3 knockout or inhibitor-treated mice. Measurements and Main Results: Established fibrosis was characterized by marked expression of galectin-3 and an enhanced number of proliferating RV fibroblasts. Galectin-3 genetic and pharmacologic inhibition or antifibrotic treatment with pirfenidone significantly diminished RV fibrosis progression in the pulmonary artery banding model, without improving RV functional parameters. RV fibrotic regions were populated with mesenchymal cells coexpressing vimentin and PDGFRα (platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α), but generally lacked αSMA (α-smooth muscle actin) positivity. Serum levels of galectin-3 were increased in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension but did not correlate with cardiac function. No changes of galectin-3 expression were observed in the lungs. Conclusions: We identified extrapulmonary galectin-3 as an important mediator that drives RV fibrosis in pulmonary hypertension through the expansion of PDGFRα/vimentin-expressing cardiac fibroblasts. However, interventions effectively targeting fibrosis lack significant beneficial effects on RV function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slaven Crnkovic
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Rachel Damico
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and
| | - Leigh M. Marsh
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria
| | - Bence M. Nagy
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria
| | - Philipp Douschan
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria
- Division of Pulmonology
| | - Kwame Atsina
- Division of Cardiology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Todd M. Kolb
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and
| | | | - Jody E. Hooper
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Bahil Ghanim
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; and
| | - Walter Klepetko
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; and
| | | | - Dirk Lassner
- Institute for Cardiac Diagnostic and Therapy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Olschewski
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Grazyna Kwapiszewska
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria
- Otto Loewi Center, Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Egemnazarov B, Crnkovic S, Nagy BM, Olschewski H, Kwapiszewska G. Right ventricular fibrosis and dysfunction: Actual concepts and common misconceptions. Matrix Biol 2018; 68-69:507-521. [PMID: 29343458 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis and remodeling of the right ventricle (RV) are associated with RV dysfunction and mortality of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) but it is unknown how much RV fibrosis contributes to RV dysfunction and mortality. RV fibrosis manifests as fibroblast accumulation and collagen deposition which may be excessive. Although extracellular matrix deposition leads to elevated ventricular stiffness, it is not known to which extent it affects RV function. Various animal models of pulmonary hypertension have been established to investigate the role of fibrosis in RV dysfunction and failure. However, they do not perfectly resemble the human disease. In the current review we describe the major characteristics of RV fibrosis, molecular mechanisms regulating the fibrotic process, and discuss how therapeutic targeting of fibrosis might affect RV function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Slaven Crnkovic
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria
| | - Bence M Nagy
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria
| | - Horst Olschewski
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria; Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Grazyna Kwapiszewska
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria; Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
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Lindsey ML, Kassiri Z, Virag JAI, de Castro Brás LE, Scherrer-Crosbie M. Guidelines for measuring cardiac physiology in mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2018; 314:H733-H752. [PMID: 29351456 PMCID: PMC5966769 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00339.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death, and translational research is needed to understand better mechanisms whereby the left ventricle responds to injury. Mouse models of heart disease have provided valuable insights into mechanisms that occur during cardiac aging and in response to a variety of pathologies. The assessment of cardiovascular physiological responses to injury or insult is an important and necessary component of this research. With increasing consideration for rigor and reproducibility, the goal of this guidelines review is to provide best-practice information regarding how to measure accurately cardiac physiology in animal models. In this article, we define guidelines for the measurement of cardiac physiology in mice, as the most commonly used animal model in cardiovascular research. Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at http://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/guidelines-for-measuring-cardiac-physiology-in-mice/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merry L Lindsey
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Heart Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson, Mississippi.,Research Service, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Zamaneh Kassiri
- Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Centre, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta , Canada
| | - Jitka A I Virag
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University , Greenville, North Carolina
| | - Lisandra E de Castro Brás
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University , Greenville, North Carolina
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Thin Air Resulting in High Pressure: Mountain Sickness and Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension. Can Respir J 2017; 2017:8381653. [PMID: 28522921 PMCID: PMC5385916 DOI: 10.1155/2017/8381653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
With rising altitude the partial pressure of oxygen falls. This phenomenon leads to hypobaric hypoxia at high altitude. Since more than 140 million people permanently live at heights above 2500 m and more than 35 million travel to these heights each year, understanding the mechanisms resulting in acute or chronic maladaptation of the human body to these circumstances is crucial. This review summarizes current knowledge of the body's acute response to these circumstances, possible complications and their treatment, and health care issues resulting from long-term exposure to high altitude. It furthermore describes the characteristic mechanisms of adaptation to life in hypobaric hypoxia expressed by the three major ethnic groups permanently dwelling at high altitude. We additionally summarize current knowledge regarding possible treatment options for hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension by reviewing in vitro, rodent, and human studies in this area of research.
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Nagy BM, Nagaraj C, Egemnazarov B, Kwapiszewska G, Stauber RE, Avian A, Olschewski H, Olschewski A. Lack of ABCG2 Leads to Biventricular Dysfunction and Remodeling in Response to Hypoxia. Front Physiol 2017; 8:98. [PMID: 28270772 PMCID: PMC5318436 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims: The ATP-binding cassette (ABC)G2 transporter protects the heart from pressure overload-induced ventricular dysfunction but also protects cancer cells from chemotherapeutic agents. It is upregulated in the myocardium of heart failure patients and clears hypoxia-induced intracellular metabolites. This study employs ABCG2 knockout (KO) mice to elucidate the relevance of ABCG2 for cardiac and pulmonary vascular structure and function in chronic hypoxia, and uses human primary cardiac fibroblasts to investigate the potential role of ABCG2 in cardiac fibrosis. Methods and results: ABCG2 KO and control mice (n = 10) were subjected to 4 weeks normoxia or hypoxia. This allowed for investigation of the interaction between genotype and hypoxia (GxH). In hypoxia, KO mice showed pronounced right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Compared to normoxia, end-diastolic pressure (EDP) was increased in control vs. KO mice by +1.1 ± 0.3 mmHg vs. +4.8 ± 0.3 mmHg, p for GxH < 0.001 (RV) and +3.9 ± 0.5 mmHg vs. +11.5 ± 1.6 mmHg, p for GxH = 0.110 (LV). The same applied for myocardial fibrosis with +0.3 ± 0.1% vs. 1.3 ± 0.2%, p for GxH = 0.036 (RV) and +0.06 ± 0.03% vs. +0.36 ± 0.08%, p for GxH = 0.002 (LV), whereas systolic function and capillary density was unaffected. ABCG2 deficiency did not influence hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension or vascular remodeling. In line with these observations, human cardiac fibroblasts showed increased collagen production upon ABCG2 silencing in hypoxia (p for GxH = 0.04). Conclusion: Here we provide evidence for the first time that ABCG2 membrane transporter can play a crucial role in ventricular dysfunction and fibrosis in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bence M Nagy
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of GrazGraz, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular ResearchGraz, Austria
| | - Chandran Nagaraj
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular ResearchGraz, Austria; Institute of Physiology, Medical University of GrazGraz, Austria
| | | | - Grazyna Kwapiszewska
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular ResearchGraz, Austria; Institute of Physiology, Medical University of GrazGraz, Austria
| | - Rudolf E Stauber
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz Graz, Austria
| | - Alexander Avian
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular ResearchGraz, Austria; Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of GrazGraz, Austria
| | - Horst Olschewski
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of GrazGraz, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular ResearchGraz, Austria
| | - Andrea Olschewski
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular ResearchGraz, Austria; Institute of Physiology, Medical University of GrazGraz, Austria
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