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Webber M, Jackson SP, Moon JC, Captur G. Myocardial Fibrosis in Heart Failure: Anti-Fibrotic Therapies and the Role of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Drug Trials. Cardiol Ther 2020; 9:363-376. [PMID: 32862327 PMCID: PMC7584719 DOI: 10.1007/s40119-020-00199-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
All heart muscle diseases that cause chronic heart failure finally converge into one dreaded pathological process that is myocardial fibrosis. Myocardial fibrosis predicts major adverse cardiovascular events and death, yet we are still missing the targeted therapies capable of halting and/or reversing its progression. Fundamentally it is a problem of disproportionate extracellular collagen accumulation that is part of normal myocardial ageing and accentuated in certain disease states. In this article we discuss the role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging biomarkers to track fibrosis and collate results from the most promising animal and human trials of anti-fibrotic therapies to date. We underscore the ever-growing role of CMR in determining the efficacy of such drugs and encourage future trialists to turn to CMR when designing their surrogate study endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Webber
- UCL MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, Fitzrovia, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
- Cardiology Department, Centre for Inherited Heart Muscle Conditions, The Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 2QG, UK
- UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Stephen P Jackson
- Department of Biochemistry, The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
| | - James C Moon
- UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Unit, Barts Heart Centre, West Smithfield, London, UK
| | - Gabriella Captur
- UCL MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, Fitzrovia, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.
- Cardiology Department, Centre for Inherited Heart Muscle Conditions, The Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 2QG, UK.
- UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
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The effect of nutraceuticals on multiple signaling pathways in cardiac fibrosis injury and repair. Heart Fail Rev 2020; 27:321-336. [PMID: 32495263 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-020-09980-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is one of the most common pathological conditions caused by different heart diseases, including myocardial infarction and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of mortality worldwide. Cardiac fibrosis is caused by different processes, including inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress. The process of fibrosis begins by changing the balance between production and destruction of extracellular matrix components and stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts. Many studies have focused on finding drugs with less adverse effects for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Some studies show that nutraceuticals are effective in preventing and treating diseases, including cardiovascular disease, and that they can reduce the risk. However, big clinical studies to prove the therapeutic properties of all these substances and their adverse effects are lacking so far. Therefore, in this review, we tried to summarize the knowledge on pathways and mechanisms of several nutraceuticals which have shown their usefulness in the prevention of cardiac fibrosis.
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3
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Chow BSM, Kocan M, Shen M, Wang Y, Han L, Chew JY, Wang C, Bosnyak S, Mirabito-Colafella KM, Barsha G, Wigg B, Johnstone EKM, Hossain MA, Pfleger KDG, Denton KM, Widdop RE, Summers RJ, Bathgate RAD, Hewitson TD, Samuel CS. AT1R-AT2R-RXFP1 Functional Crosstalk in Myofibroblasts: Impact on the Therapeutic Targeting of Renal and Cardiac Fibrosis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2019; 30:2191-2207. [PMID: 31511361 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2019060597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recombinant human relaxin-2 (serelaxin), which has organ-protective actions mediated via its cognate G protein-coupled receptor relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1), has emerged as a potential agent to treat fibrosis. Studies have shown that serelaxin requires the angiotensin II (AngII) type 2 receptor (AT2R) to ameliorate renal fibrogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Whether its antifibrotic actions are affected by modulation of the AngII type 1 receptor (AT1R), which is expressed on myofibroblasts along with RXFP1 and AT2R, is unknown. METHODS We examined the signal transduction mechanisms of serelaxin when applied to primary rat renal and human cardiac myofibroblasts in vitro, and in three models of renal- or cardiomyopathy-induced fibrosis in vivo. RESULTS The AT1R blockers irbesartan and candesartan abrogated antifibrotic signal transduction of serelaxin via RXFP1 in vitro and in vivo. Candesartan also ameliorated serelaxin's antifibrotic actions in the left ventricle of mice with cardiomyopathy, indicating that candesartan's inhibitory effects were not confined to the kidney. We also demonstrated in a transfected cell system that serelaxin did not directly bind to AT1Rs but that constitutive AT1R-RXFP1 interactions could form. To potentially explain these findings, we also demonstrated that renal and cardiac myofibroblasts expressed all three receptors and that antagonists acting at each receptor directly or allosterically blocked the antifibrotic effects of either serelaxin or an AT2R agonist (compound 21). CONCLUSIONS These findings have significant implications for the concomitant use of RXFP1 or AT2R agonists with AT1R blockers, and suggest that functional interactions between the three receptors on myofibroblasts may represent new targets for controlling fibrosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryna S M Chow
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and
| | - Martina Kocan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.,Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Shen
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology and
| | - Yan Wang
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology and
| | - Lei Han
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology and
| | - Jacqueline Y Chew
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology and
| | - Chao Wang
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology and
| | - Sanja Bosnyak
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology and
| | - Katrina M Mirabito-Colafella
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Giannie Barsha
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Belinda Wigg
- Department of Nephrology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth K M Johnstone
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | - Kevin D G Pfleger
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, ARC Centre for Personalised Therapeutic Technologies, Melbourne, Australia; and.,Dimerix Limited, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kate M Denton
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert E Widdop
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology and
| | - Roger J Summers
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology and
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and
| | - Tim D Hewitson
- Department of Nephrology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and .,Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology and
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Nagórniewicz B, Mardhian DF, Booijink R, Storm G, Prakash J, Bansal R. Engineered Relaxin as theranostic nanomedicine to diagnose and ameliorate liver cirrhosis. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2019; 17:106-118. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2018.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Lipidomic Profiles of the Heart and Circulation in Response to Exercise versus Cardiac Pathology: A Resource of Potential Biomarkers and Drug Targets. Cell Rep 2018; 24:2757-2772. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Juillerat-Jeanneret L, Aubert JD, Mikulic J, Golshayan D. Fibrogenic Disorders in Human Diseases: From Inflammation to Organ Dysfunction. J Med Chem 2018; 61:9811-9840. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucienne Juillerat-Jeanneret
- Transplantation Center and Transplantation Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - John-David Aubert
- Pneumology Division and Transplantation Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), CH1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Josip Mikulic
- Transplantation Center and Transplantation Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dela Golshayan
- Transplantation Center and Transplantation Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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Wei X, Yang Y, Jiang YJ, Lei JM, Guo JW, Xiao H. Relaxin ameliorates high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis via the Notch1 pathway. Exp Ther Med 2017; 15:691-698. [PMID: 29399073 PMCID: PMC5772593 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.5448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the role of relaxin (RLX) on high glucose (HG)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis, as well as the possible molecular mechanism. H9c2 cells were exposed to 33 mmol/l HG with or without RLX (100 nmol/ml). Cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress, cell hypertrophy and the levels of Notch1, hairy and enhancer of split 1 (hes1), atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), cytochrome C and caspase-3 were assessed in cardiomyocytes. Compared with the HG group, the viability of H9c2 cells was increased by RLX in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and was accompanied with a significant reduction in apoptosis. Furthermore, RLX significantly suppressed the formation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, and enhanced the activity of SOD. In addition, the levels of ANP, BNP, cytochrome C and caspase-3 were increased and Notch1, hes1 and MnSOD were inhibited in the HG group compared with those in the normal group. However, the Notch inhibitor DAPT almost abolished the protective effects of RLX. These results suggested that RLX protected cardiomyocytes from HG-induced hypertrophy and apoptosis partly through a Notch1-dependent pathway, which may be associated with reducing oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wei
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Yin-Jiu Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Ming Lei
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Jing-Wen Guo
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Hua Xiao
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
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8
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Abstract
Fibrosis is a major player in cardiovascular disease, both as a contributor to the development of disease, as well as a post-injury response that drives progression. Despite the identification of many mechanisms responsible for cardiovascular fibrosis, to date no treatments have emerged that have effectively reduced the excess deposition of extracellular matrix associated with fibrotic conditions. Novel treatments have recently been identified that hold promise as potential therapeutic agents for cardiovascular diseases associated with fibrosis, as well as other fibrotic conditions. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of emerging antifibrotic agents that have shown encouraging results in preclinical or early clinical studies, but have not yet been approved for use in human disease. One of these agents is bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7), which has beneficial effects in multiple models of fibrotic disease. Another approach discussed involves altering the levels of micro-RNA (miR) species, including miR-29 and miR-101, which regulate the expression of fibrosis-related gene targets. Further, the antifibrotic potential of agonists of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors will be discussed. Finally, evidence will be reviewed in support of the polypeptide hormone relaxin. Relaxin is long known for its extracellular remodeling properties in pregnancy, and is rapidly emerging as an effective antifibrotic agent in a number of organ systems. Moreover, relaxin has potent vascular and renal effects that make it a particularly attractive approach for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In each case, the mechanism of action and the applicability to various fibrotic diseases will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benita L McVicker
- Research Service, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, OmahaNE, United States.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, OmahaNE, United States
| | - Robert G Bennett
- Research Service, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, OmahaNE, United States.,The Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, OmahaNE, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, OmahaNE, United States
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9
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Samuel CS, Royce SG, Hewitson TD, Denton KM, Cooney TE, Bennett RG. Anti-fibrotic actions of relaxin. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:962-976. [PMID: 27250825 PMCID: PMC5406285 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis refers to the hardening or scarring of tissues that usually results from aberrant wound healing in response to organ injury, and its manifestations in various organs have collectively been estimated to contribute to around 45-50% of deaths in the Western world. Despite this, there is currently no effective cure for the tissue structural and functional damage induced by fibrosis-related disorders. Relaxin meets several criteria of an effective anti-fibrotic based on its specific ability to inhibit pro-fibrotic cytokine and/or growth factor-mediated, but not normal/unstimulated, fibroblast proliferation, differentiation and matrix production. Furthermore, relaxin augments matrix degradation through its ability to up-regulate the release and activation of various matrix-degrading matrix metalloproteinases and/or being able to down-regulate tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase activity. Relaxin can also indirectly suppress fibrosis through its other well-known (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-hypertrophic, anti-apoptotic, angiogenic, wound healing and vasodilator) properties. This review will outline the organ-specific and general anti-fibrotic significance of exogenously administered relaxin and its mechanisms of action that have been documented in various non-reproductive organs such as the cardiovascular system, kidney, lung, liver, skin and tendons. In addition, it will outline the influence of sex on relaxin's anti-fibrotic actions, highlighting its potential as an emerging anti-fibrotic therapeutic. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of PharmacologyMonash UniversityMelbourneVic.Australia
| | - S G Royce
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of PharmacologyMonash UniversityMelbourneVic.Australia
| | - T D Hewitson
- Department of NephrologyRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVic.Australia
| | - K M Denton
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of PhysiologyMonash UniversityMelbourneVic.Australia
| | - T E Cooney
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre (UPMC) HamotEriePAUSA
| | - R G Bennett
- Research Service 151VA Nebraska‐Western Iowa Health Care SystemOmahaNEUSA
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNEUSA
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10
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Fang L, Murphy AJ, Dart AM. A Clinical Perspective of Anti-Fibrotic Therapies for Cardiovascular Disease. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:186. [PMID: 28428753 PMCID: PMC5382201 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis are central to various cardiovascular diseases. Research on the mechanisms and therapeutic targets for cardiac fibrosis has advanced greatly in recent years. However, while many anti-fibrotic treatments have been studied in animal models and seem promising, translation of experimental findings into human patients has been rather limited. Thus, several potential new treatments which have shown to reduce cardiac fibrosis in animal models have either not been tested in humans or proved to be disappointing in clinical trials. A majority of clinical studies are of small size or have not been maintained for long enough periods. In addition, although some conventional therapies, such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors, have been shown to reduce cardiac fibrosis in humans, cardiac fibrosis persists in patients with heart failure even when treated with these conventional therapies, indicating a need to develop novel and effective anti-fibrotic therapies in cardiovascular disease. In this review article, we summarize anti-fibrotic therapies for cardiovascular disease in humans, discuss the limitations of currently used therapies, along with possible reasons for the failure of so many anti-fibrotic drugs at the clinical level. We will then explore the future directions of anti-fibrotic therapies on cardiovascular disease, and this will include emerging anti-fibrotics that show promise, such as relaxin. A better understanding of the differences between animal models and human pathology, and improved insight into carefully designed trials on appropriate end-points and appropriate dosing need to be considered to identify more effective anti-fibrotics for treating cardiovascular fibrosis in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Fang
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes InstituteMelbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew J Murphy
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes InstituteMelbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony M Dart
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes InstituteMelbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Alfred HospitalMelbourne, VIC, Australia
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11
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Sarwar M, Du XJ, Dschietzig TB, Summers RJ. The actions of relaxin on the human cardiovascular system. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 174:933-949. [PMID: 27239943 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The insulin-like peptide relaxin, originally identified as a hormone of pregnancy, is now known to exert a range of pleiotropic effects including vasodilatory, anti-fibrotic, angiogenic, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects in both males and females. Relaxin produces these effects by binding to a cognate receptor RXFP1 and activating a variety of signalling pathways including cAMP, cGMP and MAPKs as well as by altering gene expression of TGF-β, MMPs, angiogenic growth factors and endothelin receptors. The peptide has been shown to be effective in halting or reversing many of the adverse effects including fibrosis in animal models of cardiovascular disease including ischaemia/reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, hypertensive heart disease and cardiomyopathy. Relaxin given to humans is safe and produces favourable haemodynamic changes. Serelaxin, the recombinant form of relaxin, is now in extended phase III clinical trials for the treatment of acute heart failure. Previous clinical studies indicated that a 48 h infusion of relaxin improved 180 day mortality, yet the mechanism underlying this effect is not clear. This article provides an overview of the cellular mechanism of effects of relaxin and summarizes its beneficial actions in animal models and in the clinic. We also hypothesize potential mechanisms for the clinical efficacy of relaxin, identify current knowledge gaps and suggest new ways in which relaxin could be useful therapeutically. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsin Sarwar
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Australia
| | - Xiao-Jun Du
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Thomas B Dschietzig
- Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany.,Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Relaxera Pharmazeutische Gesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Bensheim, Germany
| | - Roger J Summers
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Australia
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12
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13
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Rajapakse NW, Johnston T, Kiriazis H, Chin-Dusting JP, Du XJ, Kaye DM. Augmented endothelial l-arginine transport ameliorates pressure-overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Exp Physiol 2016; 100:796-804. [PMID: 25958845 DOI: 10.1113/ep085250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? What is the potential role of endothelial NO production via overexpression of the l-arginine transporter, CAT1, as a mitigator of cardiac hypertrophy? What is the main finding and its importance? Augmentation of endothelium-specific l-arginine transport via CAT1 can attenuate pressure-overload-dependent cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Our findings support the conclusion that interventions that improve endothelial l-arginine transport may provide therapeutic utility in the setting of myocardial hypertrophy. Such modifications may be introduced by exercise training or locally delivered gene therapy, but further experimental and clinical studies are required. Endothelial dysfunction has been postulated to play a central role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy, probably as a result of reduced NO bioavailability. We tested the hypothesis that increased endothelial NO production, mediated by increased l-arginine transport, could attenuate pressure-overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Echocardiography and blood pressure measurements were performed 15 weeks after transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in wild-type (WT) mice (n = 12) and in mice with endothelium-specific overexpression of the l-arginine transporter, CAT1 (CAT+; n = 12). Transverse aortic constriction induced greater increases in heart weight to body weight ratio in WT (by 47%) than CAT+ mice (by 25%) compared with the respective controls (P ≤ 0.05). Likewise, the increase in left ventricular wall thickness induced by TAC was significantly attenuated in CAT+ mice (P = 0.05). Cardiac collagen type I mRNA expression was greater in WT mice with TAC (by 22%; P = 0.03), but not in CAT+ mice with TAC, compared with the respective controls. Transverse aortic constriction also induced lesser increases in β-myosin heavy chain mRNA expression in CAT+ mice compared with WT (P ≤ 0.05). Left ventricular systolic pressure after TAC was 36 and 39% greater in WT and CAT+ mice, respectively, compared with the respective controls (P ≤ 0.001). Transverse aortic constriction had little effect on left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in both genotypes. Taken together, these data indicate that augmenting endothelial function by overexpression of l-arginine transport can attenuate pressure-overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niwanthi W Rajapakse
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tamara Johnston
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helen Kiriazis
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Xiao-Jun Du
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David M Kaye
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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14
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Carillon J, Gauthier A, Barial S, Tournier M, Gayrard N, Lajoix AD, Jover B. Relaxin and atrial natriuretic peptide pathways participate in the anti-fibrotic effect of a melon concentrate in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Food Nutr Res 2016; 60:30985. [PMID: 27079780 PMCID: PMC4832218 DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v60.30985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), a model of human essential hypertension, oxidative stress is involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis associated with hypertension. Dietary supplementation with agents exhibiting antioxidant properties could have a beneficial effect in remodeling of the heart. We previously demonstrated a potent anti-hypertrophic effect of a specific melon (Cucumis melo L.) concentrate with antioxidant properties in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Relaxin and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were reported to reduce collagen deposition and fibrosis progression in various experimental models. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present investigation was to test the hypothesis that, beside reduction in oxidative stress, the melon concentrate may act through relaxin, its receptor (relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 1, RXFP1), and ANP in SHR. DESIGN AND RESULTS The melon concentrate, given orally during 4 days, reduced cardiomyocyte size (by 25%) and totally reversed cardiac collagen content (Sirius red staining) in SHR but not in their normotensive controls. Treatment with the melon concentrate lowered cardiac nitrotyrosine-stained area (by 45%) and increased by 17-19% the cardiac expression (Western blot) of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase. In addition, plasma relaxin concentration was normalized while cardiac relaxin (Western blot) was lowered in treated SHR. Cardiac relaxin receptor level determined by immunohistochemical analysis increased only in treated SHR. Similarly, the melon concentrate reversed the reduction of plasma ANP concentration and lowered its cardiac expression. CONCLUSIONS The present results demonstrate that reversal of cardiac fibrosis by the melon concentrate involves antioxidant defenses, as well as relaxin and ANP pathways restoration. It is suggested that dietary SOD supplementation could be a useful additional strategy against cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Carillon
- EA7288 Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Bionov Research, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Sandy Barial
- EA7288 Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | | | - Bernard Jover
- EA7288 Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France;
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Halls ML, Bathgate RAD, Sutton SW, Dschietzig TB, Summers RJ. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XCV. Recent advances in the understanding of the pharmacology and biological roles of relaxin family peptide receptors 1-4, the receptors for relaxin family peptides. Pharmacol Rev 2015; 67:389-440. [PMID: 25761609 DOI: 10.1124/pr.114.009472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Relaxin, insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), relaxin-3, and INSL5 are the cognate ligands for the relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors 1-4, respectively. RXFP1 activates pleiotropic signaling pathways including the signalosome protein complex that facilitates high-sensitivity signaling; coupling to Gα(s), Gα(i), and Gα(o) proteins; interaction with glucocorticoid receptors; and the formation of hetero-oligomers with distinctive pharmacological properties. In addition to relaxin-related ligands, RXFP1 is activated by Clq-tumor necrosis factor-related protein 8 and by small-molecular-weight agonists, such as ML290 [2-isopropoxy-N-(2-(3-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)phenylcarbamoyl)phenyl)benzamide], that act allosterically. RXFP2 activates only the Gα(s)- and Gα(o)-coupled pathways. Relaxin-3 is primarily a neuropeptide, and its cognate receptor RXFP3 is a target for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and autism. A variety of peptide agonists, antagonists, biased agonists, and an allosteric modulator target RXFP3. Both RXFP3 and the related RXFP4 couple to Gα(i)/Gα(o) proteins. INSL5 has the properties of an incretin; it is secreted from the gut and is orexigenic. The expression of RXFP4 in gut, adipose tissue, and β-islets together with compromised glucose tolerance in INSL5 or RXFP4 knockout mice suggests a metabolic role. This review focuses on the many advances in our understanding of RXFP receptors in the last 5 years, their signal transduction mechanisms, the development of novel compounds that target RXFP1-4, the challenges facing the field, and current prospects for new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Halls
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Steve W Sutton
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Thomas B Dschietzig
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Roger J Summers
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
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16
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Puhl SL, Müller A, Wagner M, Devaux Y, Böhm M, Wagner DR, Maack C. Exercise attenuates inflammation and limits scar thinning after myocardial infarction in mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2015; 309:H345-59. [PMID: 26001415 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00683.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although exercise mediates beneficial effects in patients after myocardial infarction (MI), the underlying mechanisms as well as the question of whether an early start of exercise after MI is safe or even beneficial are incompletely resolved. The present study analyzed the effects of exercise before and reinitiated early after MI on cardiac remodeling and function. Male C57BL/6N mice were housed sedentary or with the opportunity to voluntarily exercise for 6 wk before MI induction (ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery) or sham operation. After a 5-day exercise-free phase after MI, mice were allowed to reexercise for another 4 wk. Exercise before MI induced adaptive hypertrophy with moderate increases in heart weight, cardiomyocyte diameter, and left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume, but without fibrosis. In sedentary mice, MI induced eccentric LV hypertrophy with massive fibrosis but maintained systolic LV function. While in exercised mice gross LV end-diastolic volumes and systolic function did not differ from sedentary mice after MI, LV collagen content and thinning of the infarcted area were reduced. This was associated with ameliorated activation of inflammation, mediated by TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, as well as reduced activation of matrix metalloproteinase 9. In contrast, no differences in the activation patterns of various MAPKs or adenosine receptor expressions were observed 5 wk after MI in sedentary or exercised mice. In conclusion, continuous exercise training before and with an early reonset after MI ameliorates adverse LV remodeling by attenuating inflammation, fibrosis, and scar thinning. Therefore, an early reonset of exercise after MI can be encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah-Lena Puhl
- Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany; and
| | - Andreas Müller
- Klinik für Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Michael Wagner
- Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany; and
| | - Yvan Devaux
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Centre de Recherche Public-Santé, Luxembourg; and
| | - Michael Böhm
- Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany; and
| | - Daniel R Wagner
- Division of Cardiology, Centre Hospitalier Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Christoph Maack
- Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany; and
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17
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Xu Q, Jennings NL, Sim K, Chang L, Gao XM, Kiriazis H, Lee YY, Nguyen MN, Woodcock EA, Zhang YY, El-Osta A, Dart AM, Du XJ. Pathological hypertrophy reverses β2-adrenergic receptor-induced angiogenesis in mouse heart. Physiol Rep 2015; 3:3/3/e12340. [PMID: 25780088 PMCID: PMC4393171 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
β-adrenergic activation and angiogenesis are pivotal for myocardial function but the link between both events remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the cardiac angiogenesis profile in a mouse model with cardiomyocyte-restricted overexpression of β2-adrenoceptors (β2-TG), and the effect of cardiac pressure overload. β2-TG mice had heightened cardiac angiogenesis, which was essential for maintenance of the hypercontractile phenotype seen in this model. Relative to controls, cardiomyocytes of β2-TGs showed upregulated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), heightened phosphorylation of cAMP-responsive-element-binding protein (CREB), and increased recruitment of phospho-CREB, CREB-binding protein (CBP), and p300 to the VEGF promoter. However, when hearts were subjected to pressure overload by transverse aortic constriction (TAC), angiogenic signaling in β2-TGs was inhibited within 1 week after TAC. β2-TG hearts, but not controls, exposed to pressure overload for 1–2 weeks showed significant increases from baseline in phosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKIIδ) and protein expression of p53, reduction in CREB phosphorylation, and reduced abundance of phospho-CREB, p300 and CBP recruited to the CREB-responsive element (CRE) site of VEGF promoter. These changes were associated with reduction in both VEGF expression and capillary density. While non-TG mice with TAC developed compensatory hypertrophy, (2-TGs exhibited exaggerated hypertrophic growth at week-1 post-TAC, followed by LV dilatation and reduced fractional shortening measured by serial echocardiography. In conclusion, angiogenesis was enhanced by the cardiomyocyte (2AR/CREB/VEGF signaling pathway. Pressure overload rapidly inhibited this signaling, likely as a consequence of activated CaMKII and p53, leading to impaired angiogenesis and functional decompensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xu
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole L Jennings
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kenneth Sim
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lisa Chang
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xiao-Ming Gao
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helen Kiriazis
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ying Ying Lee
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - My-Nhan Nguyen
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - You-Yi Zhang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Assam El-Osta
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony M Dart
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Alfred Heart Centre, the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xiao-Jun Du
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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18
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Haase N, Rugor J, Przybyl L, Qadri F, Müller DN, Dechend R. Relaxin does not improve Angiotensin II-induced target-organ damage. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93743. [PMID: 24710077 PMCID: PMC3977876 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin is a corpus-luteum produced protein hormone with vasodilatatory, anti-fibrotic, and angiogenic properties that are opposite to angiotensin (Ang) II. We investigated whether or not relaxin ameliorates Ang II-induced target-organ damage. We used double transgenic rats harboring both human renin and angiotensinogen genes (dTGR) that develop severe hypertension, target-organ damage, and die untreated within 7–8 weeks. Recombinant relaxin at a low (26 μg/kg/d) and a high dose (240 μg/kg/d) was given to 4 week-old dTGR and age-matched Sprague-Dawley rats (SD). Systolic blood pressure increased progressively in untreated dTGRs from 162±3 mmHg at week 5 to 225±5 mmHg at week 7. Relaxin had no effect on blood pressure whereas SD rats were normotensive (106±1 mmHg). Untreated and relaxin-treated dTGR had similarly severe cardiac hypertrophy indices. Relaxin did not ameliorate albuminuria and did not prevent matrix-protein deposition in the heart and kidney in dTGR. Finally, relaxin treatment did not reduce mortality. These data suggest that pharmacological doses of relaxin do not reverse severe effects of Ang II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Haase
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a joint cooperation between the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Medical Faculty, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julianna Rugor
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a joint cooperation between the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Medical Faculty, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lukasz Przybyl
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a joint cooperation between the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Medical Faculty, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fatimunnisa Qadri
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a joint cooperation between the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Medical Faculty, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominik N. Müller
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a joint cooperation between the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Medical Faculty, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Dechend
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a joint cooperation between the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Medical Faculty, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, HELIOS-Klinikum Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
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19
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Bernardo BC, Gao XM, Tham YK, Kiriazis H, Winbanks CE, Ooi JYY, Boey EJH, Obad S, Kauppinen S, Gregorevic P, Du XJ, Lin RCY, McMullen JR. Silencing of miR-34a attenuates cardiac dysfunction in a setting of moderate, but not severe, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90337. [PMID: 24587330 PMCID: PMC3937392 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic inhibition of the miR-34 family (miR-34a,-b,-c), or miR-34a alone, have emerged as promising strategies for the treatment of cardiac pathology. However, before advancing these approaches further for potential entry into the clinic, a more comprehensive assessment of the therapeutic potential of inhibiting miR-34a is required for two key reasons. First, miR-34a has ∼40% fewer predicted targets than the miR-34 family. Hence, in cardiac stress settings in which inhibition of miR-34a provides adequate protection, this approach is likely to result in less potential off-target effects. Secondly, silencing of miR-34a alone may be insufficient in settings of established cardiac pathology. We recently demonstrated that inhibition of the miR-34 family, but not miR-34a alone, provided benefit in a chronic model of myocardial infarction. Inhibition of miR-34 also attenuated cardiac remodeling and improved heart function following pressure overload, however, silencing of miR-34a alone was not examined. The aim of this study was to assess whether inhibition of miR-34a could attenuate cardiac remodeling in a mouse model with pre-existing pathological hypertrophy. Mice were subjected to pressure overload via constriction of the transverse aorta for four weeks and echocardiography was performed to confirm left ventricular hypertrophy and systolic dysfunction. After four weeks of pressure overload (before treatment), two distinct groups of animals became apparent: (1) mice with moderate pathology (fractional shortening decreased ∼20%) and (2) mice with severe pathology (fractional shortening decreased ∼37%). Mice were administered locked nucleic acid (LNA)-antimiR-34a or LNA-control with an eight week follow-up. Inhibition of miR-34a in mice with moderate cardiac pathology attenuated atrial enlargement and maintained cardiac function, but had no significant effect on fetal gene expression or cardiac fibrosis. Inhibition of miR-34a in mice with severe pathology provided no therapeutic benefit. Thus, therapies that inhibit miR-34a alone may have limited potential in settings of established cardiac pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiao-Ming Gao
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yow Keat Tham
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helen Kiriazis
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Jenny Y. Y. Ooi
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Esther J. H. Boey
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Sakari Kauppinen
- Department of Haematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paul Gregorevic
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xiao-Jun Du
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ruby C. Y. Lin
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julie R. McMullen
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Departments of Medicine Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Departments of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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20
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Bathgate RAD, Halls ML, van der Westhuizen ET, Callander GE, Kocan M, Summers RJ. Relaxin family peptides and their receptors. Physiol Rev 2013; 93:405-80. [PMID: 23303914 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00001.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 379] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There are seven relaxin family peptides that are all structurally related to insulin. Relaxin has many roles in female and male reproduction, as a neuropeptide in the central nervous system, as a vasodilator and cardiac stimulant in the cardiovascular system, and as an antifibrotic agent. Insulin-like peptide-3 (INSL3) has clearly defined specialist roles in male and female reproduction, relaxin-3 is primarily a neuropeptide involved in stress and metabolic control, and INSL5 is widely distributed particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. Although they are structurally related to insulin, the relaxin family peptides produce their physiological effects by activating a group of four G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), relaxin family peptide receptors 1-4 (RXFP1-4). Relaxin and INSL3 are the cognate ligands for RXFP1 and RXFP2, respectively, that are leucine-rich repeat containing GPCRs. RXFP1 activates a wide spectrum of signaling pathways to generate second messengers that include cAMP and nitric oxide, whereas RXFP2 activates a subset of these pathways. Relaxin-3 and INSL5 are the cognate ligands for RXFP3 and RXFP4 that are closely related to small peptide receptors that when activated inhibit cAMP production and activate MAP kinases. Although there are still many unanswered questions regarding the mode of action of relaxin family peptides, it is clear that they have important physiological roles that could be exploited for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A D Bathgate
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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21
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Song Y, Xu J, Li Y, Jia C, Ma X, Zhang L, Xie X, Zhang Y, Gao X, Zhang Y, Zhu D. Cardiac ankyrin repeat protein attenuates cardiac hypertrophy by inhibition of ERK1/2 and TGF-β signaling pathways. PLoS One 2012; 7:e50436. [PMID: 23227174 PMCID: PMC3515619 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS It has been reported that cardiac ankyrin repeat protein is associated with heart development and diseases. This study is aimed to investigate the role of CARP in heart hypertrophy in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS We generated a cardiac-specific CARP-overexpressing transgenic mouse. Although such animals did not display any overt physiological abnormality, they developed less cardiac hypertrophy in response to pressure overload than did wildtype mice, as indicated by heart weight/body weight ratios, echocardiographic and histological analyses, and expression of hypertrophic markers. These mice also exhibited less cardiac hypertrophy after infusion of isoproterenol. To gain a molecular insight into how CARP attenuated heart hypertrophy, we examined expression of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade and found that the concentrations of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and MEK were markedly reduced in the hearts of transgenic mice subjected to pressure overload. In addition, the expressions of TGF-β and phosphorylated Smad3 were significantly downregulated in the hearts of CARP Tg mice in response to pressure overload. Furthermore, addition of human TGF-β1 could reverse the inhibitory effect of CARP on the hypertrophic response induced by phenylephrine in cardiomyocytes. It was also evidenced that the inhibitory effect of CARP on cardiac hypertrophy was not attributed to apoptosis. CONCLUSION CARP attenuates cardiac hypertrophy, in which the ERK and TGF-β pathways may be involved. Our findings highlight the significance of CARP as an anti-hypertrophic factor in therapy of cardiac hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Song
- Institute of Vascular Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory peptides, Ministry of Health and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jialin Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yanfeng Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chunshi Jia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaowei Ma
- Institute of Vascular Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory peptides, Ministry of Health and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojie Xie
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- National Resource Center for Mutant Mice Model Animal Research of Nanjing University, Pukou High-Tech District, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (DZ); (YZ); (XG)
| | - Youyi Zhang
- Institute of Vascular Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory peptides, Ministry of Health and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (DZ); (YZ); (XG)
| | - Dahai Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (DZ); (YZ); (XG)
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22
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Gu HP, Lin S, Xu M, Yu HY, Du XJ, Zhang YY, Yuan G, Gao W. Up-regulating relaxin expression by G-quadruplex interactive ligand to achieve antifibrotic action. Endocrinology 2012; 153:3692-700. [PMID: 22673230 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-1114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Myocardial fibrosis is a key pathological change in a variety of heart diseases contributing to the development of heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden death. Recent studies have shown that relaxin prevents and reverses cardiac fibrosis. Endogenous expression of relaxin was elevated in the setting of heart disease; the extent of such up-regulation, however, is insufficient to exert compensatory actions, and the mechanism regulating relaxin expression is poorly defined. In the rat relaxin-1 (RLN1, Chr1) gene promoter region we found presence of repeated guanine (G)-rich sequences, which allowed formation and stabilization of G-quadruplexes with the addition of a G-quadruplex interactive ligand berberine. The G-rich sequences and the G-quadruplexes were localized adjacent to the binding motif of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3, which negatively regulates relaxin expression. Thus, we hypothesized that the formation and stabilization of G-quadruplexes by berberine could influence relaxin expression. We found that berberine-induced formation of G-quadruplexes did increase relaxin gene expression measured at mRNA and protein levels. Formation of G-quadruplexes significantly reduced STAT3 binding to the promoter of relaxin gene. This was associated with consequent increase in the binding of RNA polymerase II and STAT5a to relaxin gene promoter. In cardiac fibroblasts and rats treated with angiotensin II, berberine was found to suppress fibroblast activation, collagen synthesis, and extent of cardiac fibrosis through up-regulating relaxin. The antifibrotic action of berberine in vitro and in vivo was similar to that by exogenous relaxin. Our findings document a novel therapeutic strategy for fibrosis through up-regulating expression of endogenous relaxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ping Gu
- Institute of Vascular Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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23
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Weeks KL, Gao X, Du XJ, Boey EJ, Matsumoto A, Bernardo BC, Kiriazis H, Cemerlang N, Tan JW, Tham YK, Franke TF, Qian H, Bogoyevitch MA, Woodcock EA, Febbraio MA, Gregorevic P, McMullen JR. Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase p110α Is a Master Regulator of Exercise-Induced Cardioprotection and PI3K Gene Therapy Rescues Cardiac Dysfunction. Circ Heart Fail 2012; 5:523-34. [DOI: 10.1161/circheartfailure.112.966622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background—
Numerous molecular and biochemical changes have been linked with the cardioprotective effects of exercise, including increases in antioxidant enzymes, heat shock proteins, and regulators of cardiac myocyte proliferation. However, a master regulator of exercise-induced protection has yet to be identified. Here, we assess whether phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) p110α is essential for mediating exercise-induced cardioprotection, and if so, whether its activation independent of exercise can restore function of the failing heart.
Methods and Results—
Cardiac-specific transgenic (Tg) mice with elevated or reduced PI3K(p110α) activity (constitutively active PI3K [caPI3K] and dominant negative PI3K, respectively) and non-Tg controls were subjected to 4 weeks of exercise training followed by 1 week of pressure overload (aortic-banding) to induce pathological remodeling. Aortic-banding in untrained non-Tg controls led to pathological cardiac hypertrophy, depressed systolic function, and lung congestion. This phenotype was attenuated in non-Tg controls that had undergone exercise before aortic-banding. Banded caPI3K mice were protected from pathological remodeling independent of exercise status, whereas exercise provided no protection in banded dominant negative PI3K mice, suggesting that PI3K is necessary for exercise-induced cardioprotection. Tg overexpression of heat shock protein 70 could not rescue the phenotype of banded dominant negative PI3K mice, and deletion of heat shock protein 70 from banded caPI3K mice had no effect. Next, we used a gene therapy approach (recombinant adeno-associated viral vector 6) to deliver caPI3K expression cassettes to hearts of mice with established cardiac dysfunction caused by aortic-banding. Mice treated with recombinant adeno-associated viral 6-caPI3K vectors had improved heart function after 10 weeks.
Conclusions—
PI3K(p110α) is essential for exercise-induced cardioprotection and delivery of caPI3K vector can improve function of the failing heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L. Weeks
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Xiaoming Gao
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Xiao-Jun Du
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Esther J.H. Boey
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Aya Matsumoto
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Bianca C. Bernardo
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Helen Kiriazis
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Nelly Cemerlang
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Joon Win Tan
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Yow Keat Tham
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Thomas F. Franke
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Hongwei Qian
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Marie A. Bogoyevitch
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Elizabeth A. Woodcock
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Mark A. Febbraio
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Paul Gregorevic
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
| | - Julie R. McMullen
- From the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (K.L.W., X.G., X-J.D., E.J.H.B., A.M., B.C.B., H.K., N.C., J.W.T., Y.K.T., H.Q., E.A.W., M.A.F., P.G., J.R.M.); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne (K.L.W., M.A.B.), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY (T.F.F.); Department of Medicine (J.R.M.) and the Department of Physiology (J.R.M.), Monash University,
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Xu Q, Dalic A, Fang L, Kiriazis H, Ritchie RH, Sim K, Gao XM, Drummond G, Sarwar M, Zhang YY, Dart AM, Du XJ. Myocardial oxidative stress contributes to transgenic β₂-adrenoceptor activation-induced cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Br J Pharmacol 2011; 162:1012-28. [PMID: 20955367 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01043.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE While maintaining cardiac performance, chronic β-adrenoceptor activation eventually exacerbates the progression of cardiac remodelling and failure. We examined the adverse signalling pathways mediated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and reactive oxygen species (ROS) after chronic β₂-adrenoceptor activation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Mice with transgenic β₂-adrenoceptor overexpression (β₂-TG) and non-transgenic littermates were either untreated or treated with an antioxidant (N-acetylcysteine, NAC) or NADPH oxidase inhibitors (apocynin, diphenyliodonium). Levels of ROS, phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), pro-inflammatory cytokines and collagen content in the left ventricle (LV) and LV function were measured and compared. KEY RESULTS β₂-TG mice showed increased ROS production, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and collagen, and progressive ventricular dysfunction. β₂-adrenoceptor stimulation similarly increased ROS production and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and HSP27 in cultured cardiomyocytes. Treatment with apocynin, diphenyliodonium or NAC reduced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and HSP27 in both cultured cardiomyocytes and the LV of β₂-TG mice. NAC treatment (500 mg·kg⁻¹ ·day⁻¹) for 2 weeks eliminated the up-regulated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and collagen in the LV of β₂-TG mice. Chronic NAC treatment to β₂-TG mice from 7 to 10 months of age largely prevented progression of ventricular dilatation, preserved contractile function (fractional shortening 37 ± 5% vs. 25 ± 3%, ejection fraction 52 ± 5% vs. 32 ± 4%, both P < 0.05), reduced cardiac fibrosis and suppressed matrix metalloproteinase activity. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS β₂-adrenoceptor stimulation provoked NADPH oxidase-derived ROS production in the heart. Elevated ROS activated p38 MAPK and contributed significantly to cardiac inflammation, remodelling and failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Xu
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
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25
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Samuel CS, Cendrawan S, Gao XM, Ming Z, Zhao C, Kiriazis H, Xu Q, Tregear GW, Bathgate RAD, Du XJ. Relaxin remodels fibrotic healing following myocardial infarction. J Transl Med 2011; 91:675-90. [PMID: 21221074 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2010.198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In the setting of myocardial infarction (MI), implanted stem cell viability is low and scar formation limits stem cell homing, viability, and integration. Thus, interventions that favorably remodel fibrotic healing may benefit stem cell therapies. However, it remains unclear whether it is feasible and safe to remodel fibrotic healing post-MI without compromising ventricular remodeling and dysfunction. This study, therefore, determined the anti-fibrotic and other effects of the hormone, relaxin in a mouse model of MI. Adult male mice underwent left coronary artery ligation-induced MI and were immediately treated with recombinant human relaxin (MI+RLX) or vehicle (MI+VEH) over 7 or 30 days, representing time points of early and mature fibrotic healing. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and catheterization, while comprehensive immunohistochemistry, morphometry, and western blotting were performed to explore the relaxin-induced mechanisms of action post-MI. RLX significantly inhibited the MI-induced progression of cardiac fibrosis over 7 and 30 days, which was associated with a reduction in TGF-β1 expression, myofibroblast differentiation, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in addition to a promotion of matrix metalloproteinase-13 levels and de novo blood vessel growth (all P<0.05 vs respective measurements from MI+VEH mice). Despite the evident fibrotic healing post-MI, relaxin did not adversely affect the incidence of ventricular free-wall rupture or the extent of LV remodeling and dysfunction. These combined findings demonstrate that RLX favorably remodels the process of fibrotic healing post-infarction by lowering the density of mature scar tissue in the infarcted myocardium, border zone, and non-infarcted myocardium, and may, therefore, facilitate cell-based therapies in the setting of ischemic heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrishan S Samuel
- Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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26
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Chan EC, Dusting GJ, Guo N, Peshavariya HM, Taylor CJ, Dilley R, Narumiya S, Jiang F. Prostacyclin receptor suppresses cardiac fibrosis: Role of CREB phosphorylation. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2010; 49:176-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2010.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2009] [Revised: 04/09/2010] [Accepted: 04/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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28
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Gedikli O, Yilmaz H, Kiris A, Karaman K, Ozturk S, Baykan M, Ucar U, Durmus I, Karahan C, Celik S. Circulating levels of relaxin and its relation to cardiovascular function in patients with hypertension. Blood Press 2009; 18:68-73. [DOI: 10.1080/08037050902864086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Bennett RG. Relaxin and its role in the development and treatment of fibrosis. Transl Res 2009; 154:1-6. [PMID: 19524867 PMCID: PMC2697124 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2009.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2009] [Revised: 03/20/2009] [Accepted: 03/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Relaxin, which is a peptide hormone of the insulin superfamily, is involved in the promotion of extracellular matrix remodeling. This property is responsible for many well-known reproductive functions of relaxin. Recent important findings, including the identification of the relaxin receptor and the development of the relaxin-null mouse, have identified new targets and mechanisms for relaxin's actions, which resulted in unprecedented advances in the field. Relaxin has emerged as a natural suppressor of age-related fibrosis in many tissues, which include the skin, lung, kidney, and heart. Furthermore, relaxin has shown efficacy in the prevention and treatment of a variety of models of experimentally induced fibrosis. The intention of this review is to present a summary of recent advances in relaxin research, with a focus on areas of potential translational research on fibrosis in nonreproductive organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Bennett
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebr., USA.
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Du XJ, Xu Q, Lekgabe E, Gao XM, Kiriazis H, Moore XL, Dart AM, Tregear GW, Bathgate RAD, Samuel CS. Reversal of cardiac fibrosis and related dysfunction by relaxin. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1160:278-84. [PMID: 19416203 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2008.03780.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
As a hallmark of heart disease, cardiac fibrosis contributes to the development of heart failure and arrhythmias and forms a key therapeutic target. There is a major unmet need for selective, potent, and safe antifibrotic drugs. Earlier studies revealed a cardiac fibrosis phenotype in relaxin-1-deficient mice. Recent studies in several rodent models of cardiac fibrosis have documented reversal of fibrosis by treatment with relaxin peptide or virally mediated relaxin gene delivery. In mice with surgically induced transmural myocardial infarction, relaxin therapy inhibited scar density. In these studies, however, functional benefits achieved by relaxin therapy were limited or less explored. Collectively, there is good experimental evidence that relaxin is able to reverse cardiac fibrosis due to distinct mechanisms. Future research needs to explore functional improvement following fibrosis reversal by relaxin and the usefulness of relaxin in antiarrhythmic or stem cell-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jun Du
- Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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