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Romero G, Martin B, Gabris B, Salama G. Relaxin suppresses atrial fibrillation, reverses fibrosis and reduces inflammation in aged hearts. Biochem Pharmacol 2024:116407. [PMID: 38969298 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Healthy aging results in cardiac structural and electrical remodeling that increase susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases. Relaxin has shown broad cardioprotective effects including anti-fibrotic, anti-arrhythmic and anti-inflammatory outcomes in multiple models. This paper focuses on the cardioprotective effects of Relaxin in a rat model of aging. Sustained atrial or ventricular fibrillation are readily induced in the hearts of aged but not young control animals. Treatment with Relaxin suppressed this arrhythmogenic response by increasing conduction velocity, decreasing fibrosis and promoting substantial cardiac remodeling. Relaxin treatment resulted in a significant increase in the levels of: Nav1.5, Cx43, βcatenin and Wnt1 in rat hearts. In isolated cardiomyocytes, Relaxin increased Nav1.5 expression. These effects were mimicked by CHIR 99021, a pharmacological activator of canonical Wnt signaling, but blocked by the canonical Wnt inhibitor Dickkopf1. Relaxin prevented TGF-β-dependent differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts into myofibroblasts while increasing the expression of Wnt1; the effects of Relaxin on cardiac fibroblast differentiation were blocked by Dickkopf1. RNASeq studies demonstrated reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an increase in the expression of α- and β-globin in Relaxin-treated aged males. Relaxin reduces arrhythmogenicity in the hearts of aged rats by reduction of fibrosis and increased conduction velocity. These changes are accompanied by substantial remodeling of the cardiac tissue and appear to be mediated by increased canonical Wnt signaling. Relaxin also exerts significant anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects in the hearts of aged rodents. The mechanisms by which Relaxin increases the expression of Wnt ligands, promotes Wnt signaling and reprograms gene expression remain to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Romero
- Departments of Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Brian Martin
- Departments of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Beth Gabris
- Departments of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Guy Salama
- Departments of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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2
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Wingert J, Meinhardt E, Sasipong N, Pott M, Lederer C, de la Torre C, Sticht C, Most P, Katus HA, Frey N, Raake PWJ, Schlegel P. Cardiomyocyte-specific RXFP1 overexpression protects against pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction independently of relaxin. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 225:116305. [PMID: 38768763 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) prevalence is rising due to reduced early mortality and demographic change. Relaxin (RLN) mediates protective effects in the cardiovascular system through Relaxin-receptor 1 (RXFP1). Cardiac overexpression of RXFP1 with additional RLN supplementation attenuated HF in the pressure-overload transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model. Here, we hypothesized that robust transgenic RXFP1 overexpression in cardiomyocytes (CM) protects from TAC-induced HF even in the absence of RLN. Hence, transgenic mice with a CM-specific overexpression of human RXFP1 (hRXFP1tg) were generated. Receptor functionality was demonstrated by in vivo hemodynamics, where the administration of RLN induced positive inotropy strictly in hRXFP1tg. An increase in phospholamban-phosphorylation at serine 16 was identified as a molecular correlate. hRXFP1tg were protected from TAC without additional RLN administration, presenting not only less decline in systolic left ventricular (LV) function but also abrogated LV dilation and pulmonary congestion compared to WT mice. Molecularly, transgenic hearts exhibited not only a significantly attenuated fetal and fibrotic gene activation but also demonstrated less fibrotic tissue and CM hypertrophy in histological sections. These protective effects were evident in both sexes. Similar cardioprotective effects of hRXFP1tg were detectable in a RLN-knockout model, suggesting an alternative mechanism of receptor activation through intrinsic activity, alternative endogenous ligands or crosstalk with other receptors. In summary, CM-specific RXFP1 overexpression provides protection against TAC even in the absence of endogenous RLN. This suggests RXFP1 overexpression as a potential therapeutic approach for HF, offering baseline protection with optional RLN supplementation for specific activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Wingert
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - E Meinhardt
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - N Sasipong
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - M Pott
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - C Lederer
- Thoraxklinik Heidelberg, University Hospital Heidelberg and German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C de la Torre
- Core Facility Platform Mannheim, NGS Core Facility, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - C Sticht
- Core Facility Platform Mannheim, NGS Core Facility, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - P Most
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - H A Katus
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - N Frey
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - P W J Raake
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg University, Germany
| | - P Schlegel
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany.
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3
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Sun PY, Liu J, Hu JN, Tu YF, Jiang Q, Jia YJ, Sun HL, Chen SH, Xin JY, Yu ZY, Liu ZH, Tan CR, Zeng GH, Shi AY, Liu YH, Bu XL, Wang YJ, Wang J. Rejuvenation of peripheral immune cells attenuates Alzheimer's disease-like pathologies and behavioral deficits in a mouse model. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl1123. [PMID: 38809977 PMCID: PMC11135428 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl1123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Immunosenescence contributes to systematic aging and plays a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the potential of immune rejuvenation as a therapeutic strategy for AD. To achieve this, the immune systems of aged APP/PS1 mice were rejuvenated through young bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that young BMT restored the expression of aging- and AD-related genes in multiple cell types within blood immune cells. The level of circulating senescence-associated secretory phenotype proteins was decreased following young BMT. Notably, young BMT resulted in a significant reduction in cerebral Aβ plaque burden, neuronal degeneration, neuroinflammation, and improvement of behavioral deficits in aged APP/PS1 mice. The ameliorated cerebral amyloidosis was associated with an enhanced Aβ clearance of peripheral monocytes. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that immune system rejuvenation represents a promising therapeutic approach for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu-Yang Sun
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian-Ni Hu
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Yun-Feng Tu
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiu Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu-Juan Jia
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Hao-Lun Sun
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
- Shigatse Branch, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Shigatse, China
| | - Si-Han Chen
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurology, Nanchong Central Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical School, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Jia-Yan Xin
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhong-Yuan Yu
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi-Hao Liu
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Cheng-Rong Tan
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Gui-Hua Zeng
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - An-Yu Shi
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu-Hui Liu
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
- Institute of Brain and Intelligence, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xian-Le Bu
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
- Institute of Brain and Intelligence, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan-Jiang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
- Institute of Brain and Intelligence, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guangyang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing, China
- Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Aging and Brain Diseases, Chongqing, China
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Gabris-Weber B, Forghani R, Bernd Dschietzig T, Romero G, Salama G. Periodic injections of Relaxin 2, its pharmacokinetics and remodeling of rat hearts. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116136. [PMID: 38494063 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Relaxin-2 (RLX), a critical hormone in pregnancy, has been investigated as a therapy for heart failure. In most studies, the peptide was delivered continuously, subcutaneously for 2 weeks in animals or intravenously for 2-days in human subjects, for stable circulating [RLX]. However, pulsatile hormone levels may better uncover the normal physiology. This premise was tested by subcutaneously injecting Sprague Dawley rats (250 g, N = 2 males, 2 females/group) with human RLX (0, 30, 100, or 500 µg/kg), every 12 h for 1 day, then measuring changes in Nav1.5, connexin43, and β-catenin, 24 h later. Pulsatile RLX was measured by taking serial blood draws, post-injection. After an injection, RLX reached a peak in ∼ 60 min, fell to 50 % in 5-6 h; injections of 0, 30, 100 or 500 µg/kg yielded peak levels of 0, 11.26 ± 3.52, 58.33 ± 16.10, and 209.42 ± 29.04 ng/ml and residual levels after 24-hrs of 0, 4.9, 45.1 and 156 pg/ml, respectively. The 30 µg/kg injections had no effect and 100 µg/kg injections increased Nav1.5 (25 %), Cx43 (30 %) and β-catenin (90 %). The 500 µg/kg injections also increased Nav1.5 and Cx43 but were less effective at upregulating β-catenin (up by 25 % vs. 90 %). Periodic injections of 100 µg/kg were highly effective at increasing the expression of Nav1.5 and Cx43 which are key determinants of conduction velocity in the heart and the suppression of arrhythmias. Periodic RLX is effective at eliciting changes in cardiac protein expression and may be a better strategy for its longer-term delivery in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Gabris-Weber
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
| | - Rameen Forghani
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
| | - Thomas Bernd Dschietzig
- Relaxera Pharmazeutische Gesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Stubenwald-Allee 8a, 64625 Bensheim, Germany
| | - Guillermo Romero
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States; University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
| | - Guy Salama
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States.
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Aragón-Herrera A, Feijóo-Bandín S, Vázquez-Abuín X, Anido-Varela L, Moraña-Fernández S, Bravo SB, Tarazón E, Roselló-Lletí E, Portolés M, García-Seara J, Seijas J, Rodríguez-Penas D, Bani D, Gualillo O, González-Juanatey JR, Lago F. Human recombinant relaxin-2 (serelaxin) regulates the proteome, lipidome, lipid metabolism and inflammatory profile of rat visceral adipose tissue. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116157. [PMID: 38518995 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Recombinant human relaxin-2 (serelaxin) has been widely proven as a novel drug with myriad effects at different cardiovascular levels, which support its potential therapeutic efficacy in several cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Considering these effects, together with the influence of relaxin-2 on adipocyte physiology and adipokine secretion, and the connection between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) dysfunction and the development of CVD, we could hypothesize that relaxin-2 may regulate VAT metabolism. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of a 2-week serelaxin treatment on the proteome and lipidome of VAT from Sprague-Dawley rats. We found that serelaxin increased 1 polyunsaturated fatty acid and 6 lysophosphatidylcholines and decreased 4 triglycerides in VAT employing ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) based platforms, and that regulates 47 phosphoproteins using SWATH/MS analysis. Through RT-PCR, we found that serelaxin treatment also caused an effect on VAT lipolysis through an increase in the mRNA expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and a decrease in the expression of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), together with a reduction in the VAT expression of the fatty acid transporter cluster of differentiation 36 (Cd36). Serelaxin also caused an anti-inflammatory effect in VAT by the decrease in the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), chemerin, and its receptor. In conclusion, our results highlight the regulatory role of serelaxin in the VAT proteome and lipidome, lipolytic function, and inflammatory profile, suggesting the implication of several mechanisms supporting the potential benefit of serelaxin for the prevention of obesity and metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana Aragón-Herrera
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sandra Feijóo-Bandín
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xocas Vázquez-Abuín
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Laura Anido-Varela
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Moraña-Fernández
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Cardiology Group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Susana B Bravo
- Proteomics Unit, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Estefanía Tarazón
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Cardiocirculatory Unit, Health Research Institute of La Fe University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - Esther Roselló-Lletí
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Cardiocirculatory Unit, Health Research Institute of La Fe University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Portolés
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Cardiocirculatory Unit, Health Research Institute of La Fe University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - Javier García-Seara
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Arrhytmia Unit, Cardiology Department, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, Radiology, Public Health, Nursing and Medicine, IDIS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - José Seijas
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Cardiology Department Clinical Trial Unit, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Diego Rodríguez-Penas
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Cardiology Department Clinical Trial Unit, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Daniele Bani
- Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Oreste Gualillo
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - José Ramón González-Juanatey
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, Radiology, Public Health, Nursing and Medicine, IDIS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Cardiology Department, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Francisca Lago
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, IDIS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Omoboyede V, Onile OS, Oyeyemi BF, Aruleba RT, Fadahunsi AI, Oke GA, Onile TA, Ibrahim O, Adekiya TA. Unravelling the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Allium cepa: an integration of network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches. Mol Divers 2024; 28:727-747. [PMID: 36867320 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10614-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Allium cepa, commonly known as onion, is a widely consumed spice that possesses numerous pharmacological properties. A. cepa bioactive components are often explored in the treatment of inflammation-related complications. However, the molecular mechanism via which they exert their anti-inflammatory effects remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of A. cepa bioactive components. Consequently, the bioactive compounds of A. cepa were obtained from a database, while the potential targets of the sixty-nine compounds with desirable pharmacokinetic properties were predicted. Subsequently, the targets of inflammation were acquired from the GeneCards database. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) between the sixty-six shared targets of the bioactive compounds and inflammation was retrieved from the String database and visualized using Cytoscape v3.9.1 software. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of the ten core targets from the PPI network revealed that A. cepa bioactive compounds could be involved in regulating biological processes such as response to oxygen-containing compounds and response to inflammation while Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that A. cepa compounds might modulate pathways including AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, interleukin (IL)-17 signalling pathway, and tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway. Molecular docking analysis showed that 1-O-(4-Coumaroyl)-beta-D-glucose, stigmasterol, campesterol, and diosgenin have high binding affinities for core targets including EGFR, ALB, MMP9, CASP3, and CCL5. This study successfully elucidated the potential anti-inflammatory mechanism of A. cepa bioactive compounds, hence, providing new insights into the development of alternative anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Omoboyede
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences (SLS), Federal University of Technology Akure, P.M.B 704, Akure, Nigeria.
- Computer-Aided Therapeutics Laboratory (CATL), Federal University of Technology Akure, P.M.B 704, Akure, Nigeria.
| | - Olugbenga Samson Onile
- Biotechnology Programme, Department of Biological Sciences, Elizade University, P.M.B, 002 Ilara-Mokin, Ilara-Mokin, 340271, Nigeria.
| | - Bolaji Fatai Oyeyemi
- Molecular Biology Group, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Raphael Taiwo Aruleba
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa
| | - Adeyinka Ignatius Fadahunsi
- Biotechnology Programme, Department of Biological Sciences, Elizade University, P.M.B, 002 Ilara-Mokin, Ilara-Mokin, 340271, Nigeria
| | - Grace Ayomide Oke
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure, P.M.B 704, Akure, Nigeria
| | - Tolulope Adelonpe Onile
- Microbiology Programme, Department of Biological Sciences, Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, P.M.B, 002, Ilara-Mokin, 340271, Nigeria
| | - Ochapa Ibrahim
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria
| | - Tayo Alex Adekiya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Howard University, Washington, DC, 20059, USA
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7
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Relaxin contributes to the elevation of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells in peripheral blood of pregnant canines. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 155:103778. [PMID: 36455400 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Tolerance towards fetal alloantigens in the maternal immune system is essential for maintaining pregnancy. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature myeloid cells characterized by their ability to suppress immune activity and maintain maternal-fetal immune tolerance. However, the mechanisms underlying MDSC induction have not been elucidated. Herein, we investigated the myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the peripheral blood of pregnant canines and its induction mechanism. By analyzing the concentration of MDSCs in the peripheral blood of pregnant canines, elevation of MDSCs has been observed during pregnancy. In addition, MDSCs from pregnant canines inhibit T cell activation. These results suggest that the elevated MDSCs in canine pregnancy may contribute to reduces maternal immune activity. To clarify the cause of MDSCs elevation in canine pregnancy, we analyzed the relationship between pregnancy-related hormones (estradiol, progesterone, and relaxin) and MDSCs. Serum relaxin levels, but not estradiol and progesterone, were correlated with the ratio of monocyte MDSCs. Additionally, relaxin induced monocytic MDSCs as well as inhibited T cell activation in vitro. Therefore, relaxin contributes to the elevation of monocytic MDSCs in the peripheral blood of pregnant canines. Our findings highlight the novel role of relaxin in pregnancy and contribute to a better understanding of maternal-fetal immune tolerance.
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Yan Y, Wang M, Gan X, Wang X, Fu C, Li Y, Chen N, Lv P, Zhang Y. Evaluation of pharmacological activities and active components in Tremella aurantialba by instrumental and virtual analyses. Front Nutr 2022; 9:1083581. [PMID: 36570135 PMCID: PMC9767953 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1083581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As a kind of medicinal and edible homologous fungus, there is a lack of data on the medicinal value of Tremella aurantialba. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was used to screen the chemical components in T. aurantialba. Then, network pharmacology was used to reveal the potential biological activities, active compounds, and therapeutic targets of T. aurantialba. Finally, the potential binding sites of the active compounds of T. aurantialba and key targets were studied by molecular docking. Results showed that 135 chemical components in T. aurantialba, especially linoleic acid, and linolenic acid have significant biological activities in neuroprotective, anticancer, immune, hypoglycemic, and cardiovascular aspects. The existence of these bioactive natural products in T. aurantialba is consistent with the traditional use of T. aurantialba. Moreover, the five diseases have comorbidity molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. The molecular docking showed that linolenic acid, adenosine, and vitamin D2 had higher binding energy with RXRA, MAPK1, and JUN, respectively. This study is the first to systematically identify chemical components in T. aurantialba and successfully predict its bioactivity, key active compounds, and drug targets, providing a reliable novel strategy for future research on the bioactivity development and utilization of T. aurantialba.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghuan Yan
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China,Hebei Food Inspection and Research Institute, Hebei Food Safety Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Special Food Supervision Technology for State Market Regulation, Hebei Engineering Research Center for Special Food Safety and Health, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Mengtian Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China,Hebei Food Inspection and Research Institute, Hebei Food Safety Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Special Food Supervision Technology for State Market Regulation, Hebei Engineering Research Center for Special Food Safety and Health, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaoruo Gan
- Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology of Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, Cardiovascular Medical Science Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Hebei Food Inspection and Research Institute, Hebei Food Safety Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Special Food Supervision Technology for State Market Regulation, Hebei Engineering Research Center for Special Food Safety and Health, Shijiazhuang, China,Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology of Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, Cardiovascular Medical Science Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chenghao Fu
- Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology of Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, Cardiovascular Medical Science Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuemin Li
- Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology of Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, Cardiovascular Medical Science Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ning Chen
- Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology of Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, Cardiovascular Medical Science Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Pin Lv
- Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology of Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, Cardiovascular Medical Science Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China,*Correspondence: Pin Lv,
| | - Yan Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China,Hebei Food Inspection and Research Institute, Hebei Food Safety Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Special Food Supervision Technology for State Market Regulation, Hebei Engineering Research Center for Special Food Safety and Health, Shijiazhuang, China,Yan Zhang,
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9
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Gu Z, Yang J, Yang M, Deng Y, Jiao Y. Immunomodulatory effects of decitabine in pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 129:191-198. [PMID: 36029945 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Decitabine (DAC), an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase, is typically used to reverse DNA methylation and is considered an epigenetic modifying drug. DNA methylation is crucial to the regulation of gene expression without altering genetic information. Our previous research showed that the DNA methylation levels of many immune-related genes changed after the pre-grafting condition in pearl production. In the present study, we evaluated the DNA methylation level and analyzed transcriptome, enzyme, and antimicrobial activities after DAC treatment to evaluate the effect of DAC on DNA methylation and immune system of pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii. Results showed that DAC significantly decreased the level of global DNA methylation in the hemocytes of the pearl oysters. Transcriptome analysis obtained 577 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the control and DAC treatment group. The DEGs were mainly enriched in the following pathways: "Relaxin signaling pathway," "Cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway," "Platelet activation," and "Peroxisome," and related genes were overexpressed after DAC treatment. DAC treatment resulted in a substantial increase in the levels of serum superoxide dismutase, interleukin-17, phenol oxidase, tumor necrosis factor, and antimicrobial activity, compared with the control. These results suggested that DAC can alter DNA methylation level, activate immune-related genes, and improve the level of humoral immunity in pearl oysters, thereby increasing our understanding of the mechanism underlying DNA methylation in immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zefeng Gu
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China
| | - Jingmiao Yang
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China
| | - Min Yang
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China
| | - Yuewen Deng
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China; Pearl Breeding and Processing Engineering Technology Research Centre of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Science and Innovation Center for Pearl Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Yu Jiao
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China; Pearl Breeding and Processing Engineering Technology Research Centre of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Science and Innovation Center for Pearl Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China.
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10
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Wieczfinska J, Pawliczak R. Relaxin Affects Airway Remodeling Genes Expression through Various Signal Pathways Connected with Transcription Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158413. [PMID: 35955554 PMCID: PMC9368845 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is one of the parameters of lung tissue remodeling in asthma. Relaxin has emerged as a natural suppressor of fibrosis, showing efficacy in the prevention of a multiple models of fibrosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the aptitudes of relaxin, in the context of its immunomodulatory properties, in the development of airway remodeling. WI-38 and HFL1 fibroblasts, as well as epithelial cells (NHBE), were incubated with relaxin. Additionally, remodeling conditions were induced with two serotypes of rhinovirus (HRV). The expression of the genes contributing to airway remodeling were determined. Moreover, NF-κB, c-Myc, and STAT3 were knocked down to analyze the pathways involved in airway remodeling. Relaxin decreased the mRNA expression of collagen I and TGF-β and increased the expression of MMP-9 (p < 0.05). Relaxin also decreased HRV-induced expression of collagen I and α-SMA (p < 0.05). Moreover, all the analyzed transcription factors—NF-κB, c-Myc, and STAT3—have shown its influence on the pathways connected with relaxin action. Though relaxin requires further study, our results suggest that this natural compound offers great potential for inhibition of the development, or even reversing, of factors related to airway remodeling. The presented contribution of the investigated transcription factors in this process additionally increases its potential possibilities through a variety of its activity pathways.
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11
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Relaxin does not prevent development of hypoxia-induced pulmonary edema in rats. Pflugers Arch 2022; 474:1053-1067. [PMID: 35778581 PMCID: PMC9492557 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-022-02720-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Acute hypoxia impairs left ventricular (LV) inotropic function and induces development of pulmonary edema (PE). Enhanced and uneven hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is an important pathogenic factor of hypoxic PE. We hypothesized that the potent vasodilator relaxin might reduce hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and prevent PE formation. Furthermore, as relaxin has shown beneficial effects in acute heart failure, we expected that relaxin might also improve LV inotropic function in hypoxia. Forty-two rats were exposed over 24 h to normoxia or hypoxia (10% N2 in O2). They were infused with either 0.9% NaCl solution (normoxic/hypoxic controls) or relaxin at two doses (15 and 75 μg kg−1 day−1). After 24 h, hemodynamic measurements and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed. Lung tissue was obtained for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Hypoxic control rats presented significant depression of LV systolic pressure by 19% and of left and right ventricular contractility by about 40%. Relaxin did not prevent the hypoxic decrease in LV inotropic function, but re-increased right ventricular contractility. Moreover, hypoxia induced moderate interstitial PE and inflammation in the lung. Contrasting to our hypothesis, relaxin did not prevent hypoxia-induced pulmonary edema and inflammation. In hypoxic control rats, PE was similarly distributed in the apical and basal lung lobes. In relaxin-treated rats, PE index was 35–40% higher in the apical than in the basal lobe, which is probably due to gravity effects. We suggest that relaxin induced exaggerated vasodilation, and hence pulmonary overperfusion. In conclusion, the results show that relaxin does not prevent but rather may aggravate PE formation.
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Relaxin-2 as a Potential Biomarker in Cardiovascular Diseases. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12071021. [PMID: 35887517 PMCID: PMC9317583 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12071021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The pleiotropic hormone relaxin-2 plays a pivotal role in the physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular system. Relaxin-2 exerts relevant regulatory functions in cardiovascular tissues through the specific receptor relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) in the regulation of cardiac metabolism; the induction of vasodilatation; the reversion of fibrosis and hypertrophy; the reduction of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis; and the stimulation of angiogenesis, with inotropic and chronotropic effects as well. Recent preclinical and clinical outcomes have encouraged the potential use of relaxin-2 (or its recombinant form, known as serelaxin) as a therapeutic strategy during cardiac injury and/or in patients suffering from different cardiovascular disarrangements, especially heart failure. Furthermore, relaxin-2 has been proposed as a promising biomarker of cardiovascular health and disease. In this review, we emphasize the relevance of the endogenous hormone relaxin-2 as a useful diagnostic biomarker in different backgrounds of cardiovascular pathology, such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, aortic valve disease, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, which could be relevant in daily clinical practice and could contribute to comprehending the specific role of relaxin-2 in cardiovascular diseases.
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Chunduri P, Patel SA, Levick SP. Relaxin/serelaxin for cardiac dysfunction and heart failure in hypertension. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2022; 94:183-211. [PMID: 35659372 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The pregnancy related hormone relaxin is produced throughout the reproductive system. However, relaxin also has important cardiovascular effects as part of the adaptation that the cardiovascular system undergoes in response to the extra demands of pregnancy. These effects are primarily mediated by the relaxin family peptide receptor 1, which is one of four known relaxin receptors. The effects of relaxin on the cardiovascular system during pregnancy, as well as its anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties, have led to extensive studies into the potential of relaxin therapy as an approach to treat heart failure. Cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibroblasts, and endothelial cells all possess relaxin family peptide receptor 1, allowing for direct effects of therapeutic relaxin on the heart. Many pre-clinical animal studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of exogenous relaxin on adverse cardiac remodeling including inflammation, fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis, as well as effects on cardiac contractile function. Despite this, clinical studies have yielded disappointing results for the synthetic seralaxin, even though seralaxin was well tolerated. This article will provide background on relaxin in the context of normal physiology, as well as the role of relaxin in pregnancy-related adaptations of the cardiovascular system. We will also present evidence from pre-clinical animal studies that demonstrate the potential benefits of relaxin therapy, as well as discussing the results from clinical trials. Finally, we will discuss possible reasons for the failure of these clinical trials as well as steps being taken to potentially improve relaxin therapy for heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasad Chunduri
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Shrey A Patel
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Scott P Levick
- Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States.
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14
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Barsha G, Walton SL, Kwok E, Mirabito Colafella KM, Pinar AA, Hilliard Krause LM, Gaspari TA, Widdop RE, Samuel CS, Denton KM. Relaxin Attenuates Organ Fibrosis via an Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor Mechanism in Aged Hypertensive Female Rats. KIDNEY360 2021; 2:1781-1792. [PMID: 35373008 PMCID: PMC8785838 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0002722021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background The antifibrotic effects of recombinant human relaxin (RLX) in the kidney are dependent on an interaction between its cognate receptor (RXFP1) and the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R) in male models of disease. Whether RLX has therapeutic effects, which are also mediated via AT2R, in hypertensive adult and aged/reproductively senescent females is unknown. Thus, we determined whether treatment with RLX provides cardiorenal protection via an AT2R-dependent mechanism in adult and aged female stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs). Methods In 6-month-old (6MO) and 15-month-old ([15MO]; reproductively senescent) female SHRSP, systolic BP (SBP), GFR, and proteinuria were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment with vehicle (Veh), RLX (0.5 mg/kg per day s.c.), or RLX+PD123319 (AT2R antagonist; 3 mg/kg per day s.c.). Aortic endothelium-dependent relaxation and fibrosis of the kidney, heart, and aorta were assessed. Results In 6MO SHRSP, RLX significantly enhanced GFR by approximately 25% (P=0.001) and reduced cardiac fibrosis (P=0.01) as compared with vehicle-treated counterparts. These effects were abolished or blunted by PD123319 coadministration. In 15MO females, RLX reduced interstitial renal (P=0.02) and aortic (P=0.003) fibrosis and lowered SBP (13±3 mm Hg; P=0.04) relative to controls. These effects were also blocked by PD123319 cotreatment (all P=0.05 versus RLX treatment alone). RLX also markedly improved vascular function by approximately 40% (P<0.001) in 15MO SHRSP, but this was not modulated by PD123319 cotreatment. Conclusions The antifibrotic and organ-protective effects of RLX, when administered to a severe model of hypertension, conferred cardiorenal protection in adult and reproductively senescent female rats to a great extent via an AT2R-mediated mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giannie Barsha
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah L. Walton
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Edmund Kwok
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katrina M. Mirabito Colafella
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anita A. Pinar
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lucinda M. Hilliard Krause
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tracey A. Gaspari
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert E. Widdop
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chrishan S. Samuel
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate M. Denton
- Cardiovascular Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Liang L, Huang Q, Gan M, Jiang L, Yan H, Lin Z, Zhu H, Wang R, Hu K. High SEC61G expression predicts poor prognosis in patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. J Cancer 2021; 12:3887-3899. [PMID: 34093796 PMCID: PMC8176234 DOI: 10.7150/jca.51467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Overexpression of the membrane protein SEC61 translocon gamma subunit (SEC61G) has been observed in a variety of cancers; however, its role in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) is unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between SEC61G and HNSCC based on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Methods: Data for HNSCC patients were collected from TCGA and the expression level of SEC61G was compared between paired HNSCC and normal tissues using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The relationship between clinicopathologic features and SEC61G expression was also analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the value of SEC61G as a binary classifier using the area under the curve (AUC value). The association of clinicopathologic characteristics with prognosis in HNSCC patients was assessed using Cox regression and the Kaplan-Meier methods. A nomogram, based on Cox multivariate analysis, was used to predict the impact of SEC61G on prognosis. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to determine the hallmark pathways associated with differentially expressed genes in HNSCC patients exhibiting high and low SEC61G expression. Results: The expression of SEC61G was significantly elevated in HNSCC tissues compared to normal tissues (P < 0.001). The high expression of SEC61G was significantly correlated with the T stage, M stage, clinical stage, TP53 mutation status, PIK3CA mutation status, primary therapy outcome, and cervical lymph node dissection (all P < 0.05). Meanwhile, ROC curves suggested the significant diagnostic ability of SEC61G for HNSCC (AUC = 0.923). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with HNSCC characterized by high SEC61G expression had a poorer prognosis than patients with low SEC61G expression (hazard ratio = 1.95, 95% confidence interval 1.48-2.56, P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that SEC61G was independently associated with overall survival (P = 0.027). Functional annotations indicated that SEC61G is involved in pathways related to translation and regulation of SLITs/ROBOs expression, SRP-dependent co-translational protein targeting to the membrane, nonsense-mediated decay, oxidative phosphorylation, and Parkinson's disease. Conclusion: SEC61G plays a vital role in HNSCC progression and prognosis; it may, therefore, serve as an effective biomarker for the prediction of patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leifeng Liang
- Department of Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Qingwen Huang
- Department of Pathology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Mei Gan
- Department of Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Liujun Jiang
- Department of Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Haolin Yan
- Department of Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhan Lin
- Department of Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Haisheng Zhu
- Department of Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Rensheng Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Kai Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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16
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Oh KK, Adnan M, Cho DH. Network pharmacology approach to decipher signaling pathways associated with target proteins of NSAIDs against COVID-19. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9606. [PMID: 33953223 PMCID: PMC8100301 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88313-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) showed promising clinical efficacy toward COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) patients as potent painkillers and anti-inflammatory agents. However, the prospective anti-COVID-19 mechanisms of NSAIDs are not evidently exposed. Therefore, we intended to decipher the most influential NSAIDs candidate(s) and its novel mechanism(s) against COVID-19 by network pharmacology. FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) approved NSAIDs (19 active drugs and one prodrug) were used for this study. Target proteins related to selected NSAIDs and COVID-19 related target proteins were identified by the Similarity Ensemble Approach, Swiss Target Prediction, and PubChem databases, respectively. Venn diagram identified overlapping target proteins between NSAIDs and COVID-19 related target proteins. The interactive networking between NSAIDs and overlapping target proteins was analyzed by STRING. RStudio plotted the bubble chart of the KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway enrichment analysis of overlapping target proteins. Finally, the binding affinity of NSAIDs against target proteins was determined through molecular docking test (MDT). Geneset enrichment analysis exhibited 26 signaling pathways against COVID-19. Inhibition of proinflammatory stimuli of tissues and/or cells by inactivating the RAS signaling pathway was identified as the key anti-COVID-19 mechanism of NSAIDs. Besides, MAPK8, MAPK10, and BAD target proteins were explored as the associated target proteins of the RAS. Among twenty NSAIDs, 6MNA, Rofecoxib, and Indomethacin revealed promising binding affinity with the highest docking score against three identified target proteins, respectively. Overall, our proposed three NSAIDs (6MNA, Rofecoxib, and Indomethacin) might block the RAS by inactivating its associated target proteins, thus may alleviate excessive inflammation induced by SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Kwang Oh
- Department of Bio-Health Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Korea
| | - Md Adnan
- Department of Bio-Health Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Korea
| | - Dong Ha Cho
- Department of Bio-Health Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Korea.
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Chakraborty A, Pinar AA, Lam M, Bourke JE, Royce SG, Selomulya C, Samuel CS. Pulmonary myeloid cell uptake of biodegradable nanoparticles conjugated with an anti-fibrotic agent provides a novel strategy for treating chronic allergic airways disease. Biomaterials 2021; 273:120796. [PMID: 33894403 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Asthma (chronic allergic airways disease, AAD) is characterized by airway inflammation (AI), airway remodeling (AWR) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Current treatments for AAD mainly focus on targeting AI and its contribution AHR, with the use of corticosteroids. However, there are no therapies for the direct treatment of AWR, which can contribute to airway obstruction, AHR and corticosteroid resistance independently of AI. The acute heart failure drug, serelaxin (recombinant human gene-2 relaxin, RLX), has potential anti-remodeling and anti-fibrotic effects but only when continuously infused or injected to overcome its short half-life. To alleviate this limitation, we conjugated serelaxin to biodegradable and noninflammatory nanoparticles (NP-RLX) and evaluated their therapeutic potential on measures of AI, AWR and AHR, when intranasally delivered to a preclinical rodent model of chronic AAD and TGF-β1-stimulated collagen gel contraction from asthma patient-derived myofibroblasts. NP-RLX was preferentially taken-up by CD206+-infiltrating and CD68+-tissue resident alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, NP-RLX ameliorated the chronic AAD-induced AI, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), chemokines (CCL2, CCL11) and the pro-fibrotic TGF-β1/IL-1β axis on AWR and resulting AHR, as well as human myofibroblast-induced collagen gel contraction, to a similar extent as unconjugated RLX. Hence, NP-RLX represents a novel strategy for treating the central features of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amlan Chakraborty
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anita A Pinar
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maggie Lam
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane E Bourke
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon G Royce
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Clinical Pathology and Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cordelia Selomulya
- School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Dutka M, Bobiński R, Ulman-Włodarz I, Hajduga M, Bujok J, Pająk C, Ćwiertnia M. Various aspects of inflammation in heart failure. Heart Fail Rev 2021; 25:537-548. [PMID: 31705352 PMCID: PMC7181445 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-019-09875-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite significant advances in the prevention and treatment of heart failure (HF), the prognosis in patients who have been hospitalised on at least one occasion due to exacerbation of HF is still poor. Therefore, a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of HF is crucial in order to achieve better results in the treatment of this clinical syndrome. One of the areas that, for years, has aroused the interest of researchers is the activation of the immune system and the elevated levels of biomarkers of inflammation in patients with both ischaemic and non-ischaemic HF. Additionally, it is intriguing that the level of circulating pro-inflammatory biomarkers correlates with the severity of the disease and prognosis in this group of patients. Unfortunately, clinical trials aimed at assessing interventions to modulate the inflammatory response in HF have been disappointing, and the modulation of the inflammatory response has had either no effect or even a negative effect on the HF prognosis. The article presents a summary of current knowledge on the role of immune system activation and inflammation in the pathogenesis of HF. Understanding the immunological mechanisms pathogenetically associated with left ventricular remodelling and progression of HF may open up new therapeutic possibilities for HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieczysław Dutka
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bielsko-Biala, Willowa St. 2, 43-309, Bielsko-Biala, Poland.
| | - Rafał Bobiński
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bielsko-Biala, Willowa St. 2, 43-309, Bielsko-Biala, Poland
| | - Izabela Ulman-Włodarz
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bielsko-Biala, Willowa St. 2, 43-309, Bielsko-Biala, Poland
| | - Maciej Hajduga
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bielsko-Biala, Willowa St. 2, 43-309, Bielsko-Biala, Poland
| | - Jan Bujok
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bielsko-Biala, Willowa St. 2, 43-309, Bielsko-Biala, Poland
| | - Celina Pająk
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bielsko-Biala, Willowa St. 2, 43-309, Bielsko-Biala, Poland
| | - Michał Ćwiertnia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Bielsko-Biala, Willowa St. 2, 43-309, Bielsko-Biala, Poland
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19
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Romero G, Salama G. Relaxin abrogates genomic remodeling of the aged heart. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2021; 115:419-448. [PMID: 33706957 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2020.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
"Healthy" aging drives structural and functional changes in the heart including maladaptive electrical remodeling, fibrosis and inflammation, which lower the threshold for cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Despite mixed results in clinical trials, Relaxin-therapy for 2-days reduced mortality by 37% at 180-days post-treatment, in patients with acute decompensated HF. Relaxin's short lifespan (2-3h) but long-lasting protective actions suggested that relaxin acts at a genomic level to reverse maladaptive remodeling in AF, HF and aging. Our recent studies showed that a 2-week treatment with Relaxin (0.4mg/kg/day) of aged (24months old F-344 rats) increases the expression of voltage-gated Na+ channels (mRNA, Nav1.5 and INa), connexin-43, abrogates inflammatory and immune responses and reverses myocardial fibrosis and cellular hypertrophy of the aged hearts. Relaxin acts directly at a wide range of cell types in the cardiovascular system that express its cognate GPCR receptor, RXFP1. RNA-seq analysis of young and aged hearts with and without Relaxin treatment revealed that "normal" aging altered the expression of ~10% of genes expressed in the ventricles, including: ion channels, components of fibrosis, hemodynamic biomarkers, immune and inflammatory responses which were reversed by Relaxin. The extensive cardiovascular remodeling caused by Relaxin was mediated through the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway which was otherwise suppressed by in adult cardiomyocytes intracellular by cytosolic Dickkopf1 (Dkk1). Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a mechanism that can explain the pleiotropic actions of Relaxin and the marked reversal of genomic changes that occur in aged hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Romero
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Guy Salama
- Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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20
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DeAdder NP, Gillam HJ, Wilson BC. Relaxin peptides reduce cellular damage in cultured brain slices exposed to transient oxygen–glucose deprivation: an effect mediated by nitric oxide. Facets (Ott) 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2020-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of treatment with human relaxins on cell death was studied in oxygen- and glucose-deprived brain slices. In addition, involvement of nitric oxide and the relaxin receptor, RXFP3, was studied. Brain slices ( n = 12–18/group) were cultured under standard conditions for two weeks and then exposed to: ( i) an oxygenated balanced salt solution, ( ii) a deoxygenated, glucose-free balanced salt solution (OGD media), or ( iii) OGD media containing 10−7 mol/L H2 relaxin, 10−7 mol/L H2 relaxin with 50 μmol/L L-NIL, 10−7 mol/L H3 relaxin, or 10−7 mol/L H3 relaxin with 50 μmol/L L-NIL. Cell death was assessed using propidium iodide fluorescence. In a separate experiment, 10−5 mol/L R3 B1-22R (an antagonist of RXFP3) was added to both H2 and H3 relaxin treatments. H2 and H3 relaxin treatment reduced cell damage or death in OGD slices and L-NIL partially attenuated the effect of H3 relaxin. Antagonism of RXFP3 blocked the effect of H3 but not H2 relaxin. These data increase our understanding of the role of relaxin ligands and their receptors in protecting tissues throughout the body from ischemia and reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah J. Gillam
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Brian C. Wilson
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
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21
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Adipokines and Inflammation: Focus on Cardiovascular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207711. [PMID: 33081064 PMCID: PMC7589803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well established that adipose tissue, apart from its energy storage function, acts as an endocrine organ that produces and secretes a number of bioactive substances, including hormones commonly known as adipokines. Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, mainly due to a low grade of inflammation and the excessive fat accumulation produced in this state. The adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity leads to an aberrant release of adipokines, some of them with direct cardiovascular and inflammatory regulatory functions. Inflammation is a common link between obesity and cardiovascular diseases, so this review will summarise the role of the main adipokines implicated in the regulation of the inflammatory processes occurring under the scenario of cardiovascular diseases.
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22
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Functional alterations and transcriptomic changes during zebrafish cardiac aging. Biogerontology 2020; 21:637-652. [PMID: 32372324 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-020-09881-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aging dramatically increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases in human. Animal models are of great value to study cardiac aging, and zebrafish have become a popular model for aging study recently. However, there is limited knowledge about the progression and regulation of cardiac aging in zebrafish. In this study we first validated the effectiveness of a panel of aging-related markers and revealed their spatial-temporal specificity. Using these markers, we discovered that cardiac aging in zebrafish initiated at mid-age around 24 months, followed by a gradual progression marked with increased DNA damage, inflammatory response and reduced mitochondrial function. Furthermore, we showed aging-related expression profile change in zebrafish hearts was similar to that in rat hearts. Overall, our results provide a deeper insight into the cardiac aging process in zebrafish, which will set up foundation for generating novel cardiac aging models suitable for large scale screening of pharmaceutical targets.
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23
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Tang X, Li PH, Chen HZ. Cardiomyocyte Senescence and Cellular Communications Within Myocardial Microenvironments. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:280. [PMID: 32508749 PMCID: PMC7253644 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases have become the leading cause of human death. Aging is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac aging is associated with maladaptation of cellular metabolism, dysfunction (or senescence) of cardiomyocytes, a decrease in angiogenesis, and an increase in tissue scarring (fibrosis). These events eventually lead to cardiac remodeling and failure. Senescent cardiomyocytes show the hallmarks of DNA damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondria dysfunction, contractile dysfunction, hypertrophic growth, and senescence-associated secreting phenotype (SASP). Metabolism within cardiomyocytes is essential not only to fuel the pump function of the heart but also to maintain the functional homeostasis and participate in the senescence of cardiomyocytes. The senescence of cardiomyocyte is also regulated by the non-myocytes (endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells) in the local microenvironment. On the other hand, the senescent cardiomyocytes alter their phenotypes and subsequently affect the non-myocytes in the local microenvironment and contribute to cardiac aging and pathological remodeling. In this review, we first summarized the hallmarks of the senescence of cardiomyocytes. Then, we discussed the metabolic switch within senescent cardiomyocytes and provided a discussion of the cellular communications between dysfunctional cardiomyocytes and non-myocytes in the local microenvironment. We also addressed the functions of metabolic regulators within non-myocytes in modulating myocardial microenvironment. Finally, we pointed out some interesting and important questions that are needed to be addressed by further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqiang Tang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoqiang Tang ;
| | - Pei-Heng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hou-Zao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Hou-Zao Chen ;
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24
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Martin B, Gabris B, Barakat AF, Henry BL, Giannini M, Reddy RP, Wang X, Romero G, Salama G. Relaxin reverses maladaptive remodeling of the aged heart through Wnt-signaling. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18545. [PMID: 31811156 PMCID: PMC6897890 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53867-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthy aging results in cardiac structural and electrical remodeling that increases susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases. Relaxin, an insulin-like hormone, suppresses atrial fibrillation, inflammation and fibrosis in aged rats but the mechanisms-of-action are unknown. Here we show that relaxin treatment of aged rats reverses pathological electrical remodeling (increasing Nav1.5 expression and localization of Connexin43 to intercalated disks) by activating canonical Wnt signaling. In isolated adult ventricular myocytes, relaxin upregulated Nav1.5 (EC50 = 1.3 nM) by a mechanism inhibited by the addition of Dickkopf-1. Furthermore, relaxin increased the levels of connexin43, Wnt1, and cytosolic and nuclear β-catenin. Treatment with Wnt1 or CHIR-99021 (a GSK3β inhibitor) mimicked the relaxin effects. In isolated fibroblasts, relaxin blocked TGFβ-induced collagen elevation in a Wnt dependent manner. These findings demonstrate a close interplay between relaxin and Wnt-signaling resulting in myocardial remodeling and reveals a fundamental mechanism of great therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Martin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.,Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Beth Gabris
- Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Amr F Barakat
- Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Brian L Henry
- Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Marianna Giannini
- Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.,Scuola Superiore Sant' Anna, Institute of Life Sciences, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rajiv P Reddy
- Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Xuewen Wang
- Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ionic-Molecular Function of Cardiovascular disease, Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Guillermo Romero
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Guy Salama
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
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25
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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: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [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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26
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Elson EL, Qian H, Fee JA, Wakatsuki T. A model for positive feedback control of the transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 144:30-40. [PMID: 30174171 PMCID: PMC11033709 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The phenotypic conversion of normal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts is central to normal wound healing and to pathological fibrosis that can occur in the heart and many other tissues. The transformation occurs in two stages. The first stage is driven mainly by mechanical changes such as increased stiffness of the heart due to hypertension and cellular contractility. The second stage requires both increasing stiffness and biochemical factors such as the growth factor, TGFβ. As more and more cells convert from weakly contractile fibroblasts to strongly contractile myofibroblasts, the stiffness of the ventricular muscle increases. We propose a simple model for the establishment of non-equilibrium steady states with different compositions of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Under some conditions a positive feedback loop resulting from the increasing stiffness caused by increasing numbers of myofibroblasts can produce a bifurcation between steady states with low and high myofibroblast content. We illustrate the large mechanical differences between normal fibroblasts and myofibroblasts with measurements in engineered tissue constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot L Elson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, Campus Box 8231, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Hong Qian
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Lewis Hall 201 Box 353925, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Judy A Fee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, Campus Box 8231, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
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27
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Ng HH, Shen M, Samuel CS, Schlossmann J, Bennett RG. Relaxin and extracellular matrix remodeling: Mechanisms and signaling pathways. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 487:59-65. [PMID: 30660699 PMCID: PMC7384500 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis is associated with accumulation of excess fibrillar collagen, leading to tissue dysfunction. Numerous processes, including inflammation, myofibroblast activation, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, play a role in the establishment and progression of fibrosis. Relaxin is a peptide hormone with well-known antifibrotic properties that result from its action on numerous cellular targets to reduce fibrosis. Relaxin activates multiple signal transduction pathways as a mechanism to suppress inflammation and myofibroblast activation in fibrosis. In this review, the general mechanisms underlying fibrotic diseases are described, along with the current state of knowledge regarding cellular targets of relaxin. Finally, an overview is presented summarizing the signaling pathways activated by relaxin and other relaxin family peptide receptor agonists to suppress fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hooi Hooi Ng
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Matthew Shen
- Cardiovascular Disease Theme, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Theme, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Jens Schlossmann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Robert G Bennett
- Research Service, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Departments of Internal Medicine and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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28
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Dschietzig TB. Relaxin-2 for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF): Rationale for future clinical trials. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 487:54-58. [PMID: 30659842 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), a distinct sub-entity of chronic heart failure characterized by generalized inflammatory non-compliance of the cardio-vascular system, is associated with high mortality and still an unmet medical need. Many novel and promising therapeutic approaches have failed in large studies. This review focuses on basic research, pre-clinical and clinical findings that may account for the potential benefit of relaxin-2 in HFpEF. The peptide combines short-term hemodynamic advantages, such as moderate blood pressure decline and functional endothelin-1 antagonism, with a wealth of protective effects harboring long-term benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-oxidative actions. These pleiotropic effects are exerted through a complex and intricate signaling cascade involving the relaxin-family peptide receptor-1, the glucocorticoid receptor, the nitric oxide system, and a cell type-dependent variety of down-stream mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bernd Dschietzig
- Relaxera Pharmazeutische Gesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Stubenwald-Allee 8a, 64625, Bensheim, Germany.
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29
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Martin B, Romero G, Salama G. Cardioprotective actions of relaxin. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 487:45-53. [PMID: 30625345 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Relaxin is a hormone of pregnancy first discovered for its ability to induce ligament relaxation in nonpregnant guinea pig and is important for softening of the birth canal during parturition, decidualization, implantation, nipple development and increased maternal renal perfusion, glomerular filtration, and cardiac output. Subsequently, relaxin has been shown to exert multiple beneficial cardiovascular effects during pathological events such as hypertension, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and myocardial infarction, including suppression of arrhythmia and inflammation, and reversal of fibrosis. Despite extensive studies, the mechanisms underlying relaxin's effects are not well understood. Relaxin signals primarily through its G protein coupled receptor, the relaxin family peptide receptor-1, to activate multiple signaling pathways and this review summarizes our understanding of these pathways as they relate to the cardioprotective actions of relaxin, focusing on relaxin's anti-fibrotic, anti-arrhythmic and anti-inflammatory properties. Further, this review includes a brief overview of relaxin in clinical trials for heart failure and progress in the development of relaxin mimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Martin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Guillermo Romero
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Guy Salama
- Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
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