Elevated expression of periostin in diabetic cardiomyopathy and the effect of valsartan

Periostin Splice Variant Expression in Human Osteoblasts from Osteoporotic Patients and Its Effects on Interleukin-6 and Osteoprotegerin

Osteoporosis is an inflammatory disease characterised by low bone mass and quality, resulting in weaker bone strength and fragility fractures. Periostin is a matricellular protein expressed in the periosteum of bone by osteoblasts. It regulates cell recruitment and differentiation in response to fracture and contributes to extracellular matrix (ECM) formation. The aim of the following study was to determine the splice variants of Periostin expressed in human osteoblasts and Periostin's function in the pathophysiology of osteoporosis. Osteoblasts isolated from femoral heads from 29 patients with or without osteoporosis were utilised. Periostin splice variants were compared by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Furthermore, the effect of Periostin inhibition on osteoblast differentiation was investigated using alizarin red S staining. Lastly, the interaction of IL-6 and Periostin and their effect on osteoprotegerin (OPG) secretion were analysed with the implantation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). It could be demonstrated that human osteoblasts preferentially express Periostin isoform 4, even if splice variant expression was not altered in osteoporosis conditions, indicating that Periostin's functions in bone are primarily attributable to this isoform. The inhibition of Periostin resulted in significantly reduced osteoblast differentiation. However, Periostin was secreted in significantly higher amounts in osteoblasts from patients with osteoporosis. Additionally, Periostin significantly reduces OPG secretion and, thereby, rather promotes bone resorption. Furthermore, it could be determined that Periostin and IL-6 induce each other, and both significantly decrease OPG secretion. A positive feedback loop exacerbates the dysregulation found in human osteoblasts from patients with osteoporosis, thereby contributing to bone loss.

Bone proteins are associated with cardiovascular risk according to the SCORE2-Diabetes algorithm

BACKGROUND

Typical bone proteins, such as sclerostin and periostin, have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Simultaneously, several risk scores have been developed to predict CVD in the general population. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association of these bone proteins related to CVD, with the main vascular risk scales: Framingham Risk Score (FRS), REGICOR and SCORE2-Diabetes, in patients with type 2 diabetes. We focus in particular on the SCORE2-Diabetes algorithm, which predicts 10-year CVD risk and is specific to the study population.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study including 104 patients with type 2 diabetes (62 ± 6 years, 60% males). Clinical data, biochemical measurements, and serum bioactive sclerostin and periostin levels were collected, and different risk scales were calculated. The association between bioactive sclerostin or periostin with the risk scales was analyzed.

RESULTS

A positive correlation was observed between circulating levels of bioactive sclerostin (p < 0.001) and periostin (p < 0.001) with SCORE2-Diabetes values. However, no correlation was found with FRS or REGICOR scales. Both serum bioactive sclerostin and periostin levels were significantly elevated in patients at high-very high risk of CVD (score ≥ 10%) than in the low-moderate risk group (score < 10%) (p < 0.001 for both). Moreover, analyzing these proteins to identify patients with type 2 diabetes at high-very high vascular risk using ROC curves, we observed significant AUC values for bioactive sclerostin (AUC = 0.696; p = 0.001), periostin (AUC = 0.749; p < 0.001), and the model combining both (AUC = 0.795; p < 0.001). For diagnosing high-very high vascular risk, serum bioactive sclerostin levels > 131 pmol/L showed 51.6% sensitivity and 78.6% specificity. Similarly, serum periostin levels > 1144 pmol/L had 64.5% sensitivity and 76.2% specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

Sclerostin and periostin are associated with vascular risk in the SCORE2-Diabetes algorithm, opening a new line of investigation to identify novel biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in the type 2 diabetes population.

Cardioprotective function of sclerostin by reducing calcium deposition, proliferation, and apoptosis in human vascular smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND

Sclerostin is an inhibitor of the Wnt/b-catenin pathway, which regulates bone formation, and can be expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and increased serum and tissue expression of sclerostin. However, whether the role of sclerostin is detrimental or protective in the development of CVD is unknown. Therefore, our aims are to determine the level of sclerostin in T2D patients with/without CVD and in controls, both at serum and vascular tissue, and to analyze the role of sclerostin in VSMCs under calcified environments.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study including 121 controls and 139 T2D patients with/without CVD (48/91). Sclerostin levels in serum were determined by ELISA, and sclerostin expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry in calcified and non-calcified artery of lower limb from T2D patients (n = 7) and controls (n = 3). In vitro experiments were performed in VSMCs (mock and sclerostin overexpression) under calcifying conditions analyzing the sclerostin function by determination of calcium and phosphate concentrations, and quantification of calcium deposits by Alizarin Red. Proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The regulation of the expression of genes involved in bone metabolism was determined by RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

A significant increase in serum sclerostin levels in T2D patients with CVD compared to T2D patients without CVD and controls (p < 0.001) was observed. Moreover, higher circulating sclerostin levels were independently associated with CVD in T2D patients. Increased sclerostin expression was observed in calcified arteries of T2D patients compared to non-calcified arteries of controls (p = 0.003). In vitro experiments using VSMCs under calcified conditions, revealed that sclerostin overexpression reduced intracellular calcium (p = 0.001), calcium deposits (p < 0.001), cell proliferation (p < 0.001) and promoted cell survival (p = 0.015). Furthermore, sclerostin overexpression exhibited up-regulation of ALPL (p = 0.009), RUNX2 (p = 0.001) and COX2 (p = 0.003) and down-regulation of inflammatory genes, such as, IL1β (p = 0.005), IL6 (p = 0.001) and IL8 (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Sclerostin could play a protective role in the development of atherosclerosis in T2D patients by reducing calcium deposits, decreasing proliferation and inflammation, and promoting cell survival in VSMCs under calcifying conditions. Therefore, considering the bone-vascular axis, treatment with anti-sclerostin for bone disease should be used with caution.

The Multiple Roles of Periostin in Non-Neoplastic Disease

Periostin, identified as a matricellular protein and an ECM protein, plays a central role in non-neoplastic diseases. Periostin and its variants have been considered to be normally involved in the progression of most non-neoplastic diseases, including brain injury, ocular diseases, chronic rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, dental diseases, atopic dermatitis, scleroderma, eosinophilic esophagitis, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, lung diseases, liver diseases, chronic kidney diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and osteoarthrosis. Periostin interacts with protein receptors and transduces signals primarily through the PI3K/Akt and FAK two channels as well as other pathways to elicit tissue remodeling, fibrosis, inflammation, wound healing, repair, angiogenesis, tissue regeneration, bone formation, barrier, and vascular calcification. This review comprehensively integrates the multiple roles of periostin and its variants in non-neoplastic diseases, proposes the utility of periostin as a biological biomarker, and provides potential drug-developing strategies for targeting periostin.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy activation are associated with cardiomyopathy developed by extended methamphetamine self-administration in rats

The recent rise in illicit use of methamphetamine (METH), a highly addictive psychostimulant, is a huge health care burden due to its central and peripheral toxic effects. Mounting clinical studies have noted that METH use in humans is associated with the development of cardiomyopathy; however, preclinical studies and animal models to dissect detailed molecular mechanisms of METH-associated cardiomyopathy development are scarce. The present study utilized a unique very long-access binge and crash procedure of METH self-administration to characterize the sequelae of pathological alterations that occur with METH-associated cardiomyopathy. Rats were allowed to intravenously self-administer METH for 96 h continuous weekly sessions over 8 weeks. Cardiac function, histochemistry, ultrastructure, and biochemical experiments were performed 24 h after the cessation of drug administration. Voluntary METH self-administration induced pathological cardiac remodeling as indicated by cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, myocyte disarray, interstitial and perivascular fibrosis accompanied by compromised cardiac systolic function. Ultrastructural examination and native gel electrophoresis revealed altered mitochondrial morphology and reduced mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) supercomplexes (SCs) stability and assembly in METH exposed hearts. Redox-sensitive assays revealed significantly attenuated mitochondrial respiratory complex activities with a compensatory increase in pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity reminiscent of metabolic remodeling. Increased autophagy flux and increased mitochondrial antioxidant protein level was observed in METH exposed heart. Treatment with mitoTEMPO reduced the autophagy level indicating the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in the adaptive activation of autophagy in METH exposed hearts. Altogether, we have reported a novel METH-associated cardiomyopathy model using voluntary drug seeking behavior. Our studies indicated that METH self-administration profoundly affects mitochondrial ultrastructure, OXPHOS SCs assembly and redox activity accompanied by increased PDH activity that may underlie observed cardiac dysfunction.

POSTN promotes diabetic vascular calcification by interfering with autophagic flux

Autophagy is a lysosomal degradative process that is closely related to the pathogenesis of vascular calcification. Recent evidence suggests that periostin (POSTN) is a unique extracellular matrix protein that is associated with diabetic vascular complications. The aim of current study is to investigate the role of POSTN in diabetic vascular calcification and the underlying mechanisms. Results showed that POSTN was highly upregulated in both calcified arteries of diabetic rats and AGEs-BSA mediated vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification. POSTN blocked autophagic flux during the diabetic calcification process, as evidenced by increased protein expression of Beclin1, LC3-II, and P62, as well as the co-localization of LC3-II and LAMP1. Inhibition of POSTN alleviated AGEs-BSA-induced autophagic flux blockade, thereby attenuating AGEs-BSA-induced VSMC calcification. Mechanistically, the upregulation of POSTN impaired the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosome and resulted in the autophagic flux blockade in AGEs-BSA-treated VSMC. Furthermore, this autophagic blockade was intracellular ROS-dependent. In summary, this study uncovered a novel mechanism of POSTN in autophagy regulation of diabetic vascular calcification.

The effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on gingival crevicular fluid periostin levels in patients with gingivitis and periodontitis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) periostin levels in patients with gingivitis (G) and periodontitis (P).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 90 subjects, 30 patients with P, 30 with G, and 30 periodontally healthy (H) subjects were included. Patients with periodontal disease received non-surgical periodontal treatment. GCF periostin levels were assessed at baseline, at the 6th week, and the 3rd month after treatment.

RESULTS

It was found that GCF periostin level was the lowest in the H group (89.31[47.12] pg/30 sec), followed by the G group (132.82[145.14] pg/30 sec), and the highest in the P group (207.75[189.45] pg/30 sec). These differences were statistically significant between H and the other groups (p < .001). After treatment, GCF periostin levels significantly decreased at the 6th week and the 3rd month in the G group, at the 3rd month in the P group compared to baseline values (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that GCF periostin plays a role as a reliable biological marker in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and non-surgical periodontal treatment is effective in decreasing GCF periostin levels.

Cellular Protein Quality Control in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: From Bench to Bedside

Heart failure is a serious comorbidity and the most common cause of mortality in diabetes patients. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) features impaired cellular structure and function, culminating in heart failure; however, there is a dearth of specific clinical therapy for treating DCM. Protein homeostasis is pivotal for the maintenance of cellular viability under physiological and pathological conditions, particularly in the irreplaceable cardiomyocytes; therefore, it is tightly regulated by a protein quality control (PQC) system. Three evolutionarily conserved molecular processes, the unfolded protein response (UPR), the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), and autophagy, enhance protein turnover and preserve protein homeostasis by suppressing protein translation, degrading misfolded or unfolded proteins in cytosol or organelles, disposing of damaged and toxic proteins, recycling essential amino acids, and eliminating insoluble protein aggregates. In response to increased cellular protein demand under pathological insults, including the diabetic condition, a coordinated PQC system retains cardiac protein homeostasis and heart performance, on the contrary, inappropriate PQC function exaggerates cardiac proteotoxicity with subsequent heart dysfunction. Further investigation of the PQC mechanisms in diabetes propels a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of DCM and opens new prospective treatment strategies for heart disease and heart failure in diabetes patients. In this review, the function and regulation of cardiac PQC machinery in diabetes mellitus, and the therapeutic potential for the diabetic heart are discussed.

Extracellular matrix dynamics in vascular remodeling

Vascular remodeling is the adaptive response to various physiological and pathophysiological alterations that are closely related to aging and vascular diseases. Understanding the mechanistic regulation of vascular remodeling may be favorable for discovering potential therapeutic targets and strategies. The extracellular matrix (ECM), including matrix proteins and their degradative metalloproteases, serves as the main component of the microenvironment and exhibits dynamic changes during vascular remodeling. This process involves mainly the altered composition of matrix proteins, metalloprotease-mediated degradation, posttranslational modification of ECM proteins, and altered topographical features of the ECM. To date, adequate studies have demonstrated that ECM dynamics also play a critical role in vascular remodeling in various diseases. Here, we review these related studies, summarize how ECM dynamics control vascular remodeling, and further indicate potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the ECM for corresponding vascular diseases.

Serum periostin is associated with cancer mortality but not cancer risk in older home-dwelling men: A 8-year prospective analysis of the STRAMBO study

BACKGROUND

Periostin (POSTN) regulates multiple biological behaviors of tumor cells. We studied the association of serum POSTN with mortality in home-dwelling men.

METHODS

POSTN was measured at baseline using immunoassay (USCN life science, China) in 815 home-dwelling men aged 60-87 followed-up for 8 years.

RESULTS

In the entire cohort, higher serum POSTN was associated with higher all-cause mortality [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.30 per Standard Deviation (SD), 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.13-1.50, p < .001] after adjustment for potential confounders. In a similar model, cancer mortality (n = 69) increased with POSTN levels (HR = 1.44 per SD, 95%CI: 1.16-1.78, p < .001). Cardiovascular mortality (n = 55) and non-cardiovascular-non-cancer mortality (n = 44) was not associated with POSTN levels (p = .28 and p = .94 respectively). In 107 men with prevalent cancer, all-cause mortality (HR = 1.93 per SD, 95%CI: 1.30-2.87, p < .005) and cancer mortality (HR = 2.07 per SD, 95%CI: 1.23-3.47, p < .01) increased with the increasing POSTN concentrations. In 613 men with incident cancer, higher POSTN concentrations were associated with higher cancer mortality (HR = 1.40 per SD, 95%CI: 1.12-1.76, p < .005) but not with the risk of cancer (HR = 1.16 per SD, 95%CI: 0.89-1.46, p = .21).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher serum POSTN is associated with higher cancer mortality, but not with the cancer risk in older home-dwelling men.

Periostin as a novel biomarker of cardiovascular disease: A systematic evidence landscape of preclinical and clinical studies

BACKGROUND

Periostin is a matricellular protein, expressed in various normal adult and fetal tissues. Recently, elevated periostin levels have been reported in heart failure, coronary artery disease, and stroke. However, there is lack of clinical studies to clarify the prognostic significance of systemic periostin levels in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The aim of the study was to perform a systematic review of published evidence on periostin and CVDs, and to clarify the diagnostic and prognostic significance of systemic periostin levels in CVDs.

METHODS

A systematic search on PubMed was performed to identify relevant articles from inception to December 2018. The eligible studies evaluating the periostin expression and periostin levels in animal and human studies.

RESULTS

A total of 24 relevant studies, including both animal and human data, were included. Periostin is significantly observed in myocardium tissue of failing hearts compared with control, and is also expressed in atherosclerotic plaques. Systemic periostin levels were significantly correlated with cardiac function and severity of CVD in several studies. A clinical study also observed positive correlation between periostin and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), highly sensitive troponin (hsTnT), and ST2 cardiac biomarker. Studies reported limited adjustment for potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence of current review support potential role of periostin in the pathophysiology of CVD. However, scarcity of data regarding the clinical use of periostin levels in the current management of CVDs further creates room for the future investigation. Therefore, further studies warrant to clarify its potential role, if any, as a novel cardiac biomarker.

Long-term moderate intensity exercise alleviates myocardial fibrosis in type 2 diabetic rats via inhibitions of oxidative stress and TGF-β1/Smad pathway

Exercise has an effect on the reduction of myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats as previously reported, in which oxidative stress and the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway may play key roles. There is little direct experimental evidence that exercise alleviates myocardial fibrosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Here we established a type 2 diabetic model by using streptozotocin and a high-fat diet. Rats were divided into groups of normal control (NC), T2DM and T2DM plus exercise (T2DME). The T2DME group received further treadmill training at moderate intensity for 8 weeks. Histological and biochemical methods were used to detect the benefits of exercise to T2DM. Results showed that the weight of rats in the T2DM group dropped dramatically, along with significant increases in blood glucose, myocardial fibrosis and oxidative stress, associated with upregulated expression of factors of myocardial fibrosis, except Smad7. Exercise largely reversed T2DM-induced alterations in factors of myocardial fibrosis, including suppressing expression of MMP-2, CTGF, TGF-β1, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3, and increased expression of TIMP-1 and Smad7. Therefore, exercise might be considered an alternative therapeutic remedy for diabetic cardiomyopathy.

The right ventricular fibroblast secretome drives cardiomyocyte dedifferentiation

RATIONALE

In virtually all models of heart failure, prognosis is determined by right ventricular (RV) function; thus, understanding the cellular mechanisms contributing to RV dysfunction is critical. Whole organ remodeling is associated with cell-specific changes, including cardiomyocyte dedifferentiation and activation of cardiac fibroblasts (Cfib) which in turn is linked to disorganization of cytoskeletal proteins and loss of sarcomeric structures. However, how these cellular changes contribute to RV function remains unknown. We've previously shown significant organ-level RV dysfunction in a large animal model of pulmonary hypertension (PH) which was not mirrored by reduced function of isolated cardiomyocytes. We hypothesized that factors produced by the endogenous Cfib contribute to global RV dysfunction by generating a heterogeneous cellular environment populated by dedifferentiated cells.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of Cfib conditioned media (CM) from the PH calf (PH-CM) on adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVM) in culture.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Brief exposure (<2 days) to PH-CM results in rapid, marked dedifferentiation of ARVM to a neonatal-like phenotype exhibiting spontaneous contractile behavior. Dedifferentiated cells maintain viability for over 30 days with continued expression of cardiomyocyte proteins including TnI and α-actinin yet exhibit myofibroblast characteristics including expression of α-smooth muscle actin. Using a bioinformatics approach to identify factor(s) that contribute to dedifferentiation, we found activation of the PH Cfib results in a unique transcriptome correlating with factors both in the secretome and with activated pathways in the dedifferentiated myocyte. Further, we identified upregulation of periostin in the Cfib and CM, and demonstrate that periostin is sufficient to drive cardiomyocyte dedifferentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that paracrine factor(s) released by Cfib from the PH calf signal a phenotypic transformation in a population of cardiomyocytes that likely contributes to RV dysfunction. Therapies targeting this process, such as inhibition of periostin, have the potential to prevent RV dysfunction.

Periostin and Inflammatory Disease: Implications for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVE

To provide a comprehensive overview of the emerging role of periostin, an extracellular matrix protein, as a key component in the development, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

DATA SOURCES

Medline database.

REVIEW METHODS

A state of the art review was performed targeting English-language studies investigating the role of periostin in cardiopulmonary, neoplastic, and inflammatory diseases, with emphasis on recent advances in the study of periostin in chronic rhinosinusitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Periostin has emerged as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for numerous human pathologies, including cardiac, pulmonary, and neoplastic disease. The upregulation of periostin in chronic rhinosinusitis suggests the potential for similar roles among patients with sinonasal disease.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a widespread disease with major clinical and societal impact. A critical limitation in the current treatment of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis is the absence of clinically relevant biomarkers to guide diagnosis and treatment selection. A review of the literature supports a likely role of periostin as a biomarker of chronic rhinosinusitis, as well as a novel therapeutic target in the future treatment of patients with sinonasal disease.

Estimation of Periostin and Tumour Necrosis Factor-α in Type II Diabetics with Chronic Periodontitis: A case-control study

Background:

Periostin, a matricellular protein, is downregulated in chronic inflammatory periodontal disease and is negatively modulated by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in human periodontal fibroblast cell culture. The study aimed to estimate the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of periostin and TNF-α and to discern their relationship in chronic periodontitis (CP) individuals with and without Type II diabetes mellitus (DM).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 60 participants were divided into three groups, with 20 in each group. Group I – systemically and periodontally healthy, Group II – generalized CP, and Group III – generalized CP with Type II DM. Plaque index, gingival index, sulcular bleeding index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level were recorded. GCF periostin and TNF-α were quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:

Intergroup comparison was performed using the one-way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis. The relationship between the variables was analyzed using the Pearson's and Kendall's Tau correlation. The GCF periostin levels in Groups I, II, and III was 27.52 ± 2.39 ng/mL, 20.18 ± 1.42 ng/mL, and 16.77 ± 3.29 ng/mL, respectively. The GCF TNF-α levels in Groups I, II, and III was 92.41 ± 19.30 ng/L, 118.53 ± 21.93 ng/L, and 147.67 ± 16.35 ng/L, respectively. Periostin decreased, and TNF-α increased in periodontal disease; moreover, periostin level correlated negatively with all the site-specific clinical parameters whereas TNF-α positively correlated (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

TNF-α strongly and negatively downregulates periostin in a chronically inflamed locale leading to compromised integrity of the periodontium.

Hyperglycemia Aggravates Diet-Induced Coronary Artery Disease and Myocardial Infarction in SR-B1-Knockout/ApoE-Hypomorphic Mice

Diabetes is a risk factor for development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Animal model studies in mice revealed that hyperglycemia increases development of atherosclerosis in the aorta as well as myocardial fibrosis in surgical models of coronary artery ligation; however, the impact of hyperglycemia on coronary artery atherosclerosis and subsequent heart disease is less clear. To investigate the effect of hyperglycemia on atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, we used a mouse model of diet-induced coronary artery atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction, the high fat/high cholesterol (HFC) diet fed SR-B1 knockout (KO)/apoE-hypomorphic (HypoE) mouse. Hyperglycemia was induced in these mice by streptozotocin (STZ) treatment. This increased HFC diet-dependent atherosclerosis development (p = 0.02) and necrotic core formation (p = 0.0008) in atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic sinus but did not increase the extent of atherosclerosis in coronary arteries. However, it did increase the extent of platelet accumulation in atherosclerotic coronary arteries (p = 0.017). This was accompanied by increased myocardial fibrosis (p = 0.005) and reduced survival (p = 0.01) compared to control-treated, normoglycemic mice. These results demonstrate that STZ-treatment exerted differential effects on the level of atherosclerosis in the aortic sinus and coronary arteries. These results also suggest that SR-B1-KO/HypoE mice may be a useful non-surgical model of diabetic cardiomyopathy in the context of coronary artery atherothrombosis.

Identification of target genes in cardiomyopathy with fibrosis and cardiac remodeling

Background

Identify genes probably associated with chronic heart failure and predict potential target genes for dilated cardiomyopathy using bioinformatics analyses.

Methods

Gene expression profiles (series number GSE3585 and GSE42955) of cardiomyopathy patients and healthy controls were downloaded from the Expression Omnibus Gene (GEO) database. Differential expression of genes (DEGS) between the two groups of total 14 cardiomyopathy patients and 10 healthy controls were subsequently identified by limma package of R. Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID Tool), which is an analysis of enriched biological processes. Search Tool for the Retrieval Interacting Genes (STRING) was used as well for the analysis of protein-protein interaction network (PPI). Prediction of the potential drugs was suggested based on the preliminarily identified genes using Connectivity Map (CMap).

Results

Eighty-nine DEGs were identified (57 up-regulated and 32 down-regulated). The most enrichment Gene Ontology (GO) terms (P < 0.05) contain genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) and biological adhesion signal pathways (P < 0.05, ES > 1.5) such as ECM-receptors, focal adhesion and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), etc. Fifty-one differentially expressed genes were found to encode interacting proteins. Eleven key genes along with related transcription factors were identified including CTGF, POSTN, CORIN, FIGF, etc.

Conclusion

Bioinformatics-based analyses reveal the targeted genes probably associated with cardiomyopathy, which provide clues for pharmacological therapies aiming at the targets.

Increased serum periostin concentrations are associated with the presence of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

To determine the association between serum periostin and the presence of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

METHODS

Serum periostin was detected in 114 healthy subjects, 122 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 159 patients with DR and compared among groups. Clinical data and other laboratory measurements such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profiles, serum creatinine (Cr) and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) were also collected and compared among groups. For subgroup analysis, patients with DR were divided into a non-proliferated diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) group and a proliferated diabetic retinopathy (PDR) group. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The serum periostin level was significantly higher in patients with diabetic retinopathy compared with healthy subjects and patients with T2DM (both P < 0.001, respectively). Also, the periostin level was significantly higher in the PDR group compared to the NPDR group (P = 0.044). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that serum periostin was independently associated with the presence of DR in patients with T2DM (P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for DR development using serum periostin showed that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) was 0.838 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The current study demonstrated that serum periostin is significantly associated with the presence of DR in patients with T2DM and is an independent risk factor of DR.

Extracellular matrix remodeling and cardiac fibrosis

Cardiac fibrosis, characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the myocardium, distorts the architecture of the myocardium, facilitates the progression of arrhythmia and cardiac dysfunction, and influences the clinical course and outcome in patients with heart failure. This review describes the composition and homeostasis in normal cardiac interstitial matrix and introduces cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cardiac fibrosis. We also characterize the ECM alteration in the fibrotic response under diverse cardiac pathological conditions and depict the role of matricellular proteins in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, the diagnosis of cardiac fibrosis based on imaging and biomarker detection and the therapeutic strategies are addressed. Understanding the comprehensive molecules and pathways involved in ECM homeostasis and remodeling may provide important novel potential targets for preventing and treating cardiac fibrosis.

Periostin in cardiovascular disease and development: a tale of two distinct roles

Tissue development and homeostasis are dependent upon the concerted synthesis, maintenance, and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. Cardiac fibrosis is now recognized as a primary contributor to incidence of heart failure, particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, wherein cardiac filling in diastole is compromised. Periostin is a cell-associated protein involved in cell fate determination, proliferation, tumorigenesis, and inflammatory responses. As a non-structural component of the ECM, secreted 90 kDa periostin is emerging as an important matricellular factor in cardiac mesenchymal tissue development. In addition, periostin's role as a mediator in cell-matrix crosstalk has also garnered attention for its association with fibroproliferative diseases in the myocardium, and for its association with TGF-β/BMP signaling. This review summarizes the phylogenetic history of periostin, its role in cardiac development, and the major signaling pathways influencing its expression in cardiovascular pathology. Further, we provide a synthesis of the current literature to distinguish the multiple roles of periostin in cardiac health, development and disease. As periostin may be targeted for therapeutic treatment of cardiac fibrosis, these insights may shed light on the putative timing for application of periostin-specific therapies.

Periostin as a Biomarker for Nasal Polyps in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Objective Periostin is an extracellular matrix protein that is elevated in the sinonasal tissues of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The purpose of this study was to determine whether serum periostin could serve as a molecular biomarker of nasal polyp burden in sinonasal disease. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Academic medical center. Subjects and Methods Serum periostin levels were measured by ELISA on blood samples collected from patients undergoing sinus surgery for CRS (n = 71), further stratified by phenotype as defined by nasal polyps and asthma. Results were compared with assays performed on control subjects (n = 62). Results Mean serum periostin levels were markedly elevated in patients with CRS versus controls (66.1 ng/mL [95% CI, 51.6-80.6] vs 38.7 ng/mL [95% CI, 34.4-42.9], respectively, P = .004). In addition, mean periostin levels were significantly higher in CRS patients with nasal polyps as compared with those without polyps (94.8 ng/mL [95% CI, 67.3-122.4] vs 41.1 ng/mL [95% CI, 35.2-47.0], respectively, P < .001). Periostin levels did not correlate with sex ( P = .473), smoking history ( P = .748), aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease status ( P = .136), oral steroid use within 1 month of surgery ( P = .281), use of topical steroid nasal spray ( P = .864), or number of prior sinus operations ( P = .973). Conclusion Serum periostin appears to be a novel molecular biomarker for the presence of nasal polyps and may serve as an indicator of CRS endotypes.

TGFBI functions similar to periostin but is uniquely dispensable during cardiac injury

Extracellular matrix production and accumulation stabilize the heart under normal conditions as well as form a protective scar after myocardial infarction injury, although excessive extracellular matrix accumulation with long-standing heart disease is pathological. In the current study we investigate the role of the matricellular protein, transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI), which is induced in various forms of heart disease. Additionally, we sought to understand whether TGFBI is functionally redundant to its closely related family member periostin, which is also induced in the diseased heart. Surgical models of myocardial infarction and cardiac pressure overload were used in mice with genetic loss of Postn and/or Tgfbi to examine the roles of these genes during the fibrotic response. Additionally, cardiac-specific TGFBI transgenic mice were generated and analyzed. We observed that deletion of Tgfbi did not alter cardiac disease after myocardial infarction in contrast to greater ventricular wall rupture in Postn gene-deleted mice. Moreover, Tgfbi and Postn double gene-deleted mice showed a similar post-myocardial infarction disease phenotype as Postn-deleted mice. Over-expression of TGFBI in the hearts of mice had a similar effect as previously shown in mice with periostin over-expression. Thus, TGFBI and periostin act similarly in the heart in affecting fibrosis and disease responsiveness, although TGFBI is not seemingly necessary in the heart after myocardial infarction injury and is fully compensated by the more prominently expressed effector periostin.

The Impact of Angiotensin-Modulating Antihypertensives on Time Interval to Revision Surgery for Nasal Polyps

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have been shown to suppress expression of periostin, a matricellular protein that is markedly elevated in nasal polyp tissue. The purpose of this study was to determine whether use of these antihypertensive agents affects the time to revision sinus surgery in patients with polyp regrowth.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series with chart review.

SETTING

Academic medical center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Records were reviewed for 330 patients who underwent ≥2 operations for chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps from April 1987 through August 2015. The time between surgical interventions was compared with patient demographics and clinical characteristics, including use of ACEIs and ARBs.

RESULTS

Sixty patients were taking ACEIs or ARBs during the study period, of which 32 had concurrent asthma. The mean interval between polyp operations was 61.0 ± 45.2 months (range, 2-228.6 months). Among patients with asthma (n = 197), the mean time to revision surgery was prolonged by >2 years for those taking ACEIs or ARBs (81.0 vs 54.5 months, P = .006). A similar impact on time to revision surgery was not observed for nonasthmatics taking these medications (61.0 vs 65.2 months, P = .655).

CONCLUSION

Use of ACEIs and ARBs is associated with an increased time to revision sinus surgery among patients with concurrent nasal polyps and asthma. A possible mechanism of this observed effect is suppression of periostin expression through inhibition of the angiotensin pathway.