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Firouzi F, Echeagaray O, Esquer C, Gude NA, Sussman MA. 'Youthful' phenotype of c-Kit + cardiac fibroblasts. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:424. [PMID: 35841449 PMCID: PMC10544823 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04449-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac fibroblast (CF) population heterogeneity and plasticity present a challenge for categorization of biological and functional properties. Distinct molecular markers and associated signaling pathways provide valuable insight for CF biology and interventional strategies to influence injury response and aging-associated remodeling. Receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit mediates cell survival, proliferation, migration, and is activated by pathological injury. However, the biological significance of c-Kit within CF population has not been addressed. An inducible reporter mouse detects c-Kit promoter activation with Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) expression in cardiac cells. Coincidence of EGFP and c-Kit with the DDR2 fibroblast marker was confirmed using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, CFs expressing DDR2 with or without c-Kit was isolated and characterized. A subset of DDR2+ CFs also express c-Kit with coincidence in ~ 8% of total cardiac interstitial cells (CICs). Aging is associated with decreased number of c-Kit expressing DDR2+ CFs, whereas pathological injury induces c-Kit and DDR2 as well as the frequency of coincident expression in CICs. scRNA-Seq profiling reveals the transcriptome of c-Kit expressing CFs as cells with transitional phenotype. Cultured cardiac DDR2+ fibroblasts that are c-Kit+ exhibit morphological and functional characteristics consistent with youthful phenotypes compared to c-Kit- cells. Mechanistically, c-Kit expression correlates with signaling implicated in proliferation and cell migration, including phospho-ERK and pro-caspase 3. The phenotype of c-kit+ on DDR2+ CFs correlates with multiple characteristics of 'youthful' cells. To our knowledge, this represents the first evaluation of c-Kit biology within DDR2+ CF population and provides a fundamental basis for future studies to influence myocardial biology, response to pathological injury and physiological aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fareheh Firouzi
- SDSU Integrated Regenerative Research Institute and Biology Department, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Oscar Echeagaray
- SDSU Integrated Regenerative Research Institute and Biology Department, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Carolina Esquer
- SDSU Integrated Regenerative Research Institute and Biology Department, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Natalie A Gude
- SDSU Integrated Regenerative Research Institute and Biology Department, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Mark A Sussman
- SDSU Integrated Regenerative Research Institute and Biology Department, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.
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2
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Gude NA, Firouzi F, Sussman MA. Transient reprogramming primes the heart for repair. JCA 2022; 2. [PMID: 34901956 PMCID: PMC8664274 DOI: 10.20517/jca.2021.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Gude
- SDSU Heart Institute and Biology Department, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Fareheh Firouzi
- SDSU Heart Institute and Biology Department, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Mark A Sussman
- SDSU Heart Institute and Biology Department, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
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Firouzi F, Echeagaray OH, Esquer CY, Gude NA, Sussman MA. Abstract P367: ‘Youthful’ Phenotype Of C-kit+ Cardiac Fibroblasts. Circ Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1161/res.129.suppl_1.p367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction:
Fibroblasts are critical contributors to myocardial development, tissue homeostasis and remodeling. Cardiac fibroblast population heterogeneity and plasticity present a challenge for categorization of biological and functional properties. Distinct molecular markers and associated signaling pathways provide valuable insight for cardiac fibroblast biology and interventional strategies to influence injury response and remodeling. Receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit mediates cell survival, proliferation, migration, and is activated by pathological injury. However, the biological significance of c-Kit within cardiac fibroblast population has not been addressed.
Approach:
An inducible c-Kit reporter mouse detects promoter activation with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) expression in cardiac interstitial cells (CICs). Coincidence of GFP and c-Kit with the DDR2 fibroblast marker was confirmed at protein level using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, cardiac fibroblasts expressing DDR2 with or without c-Kit were isolated and characterized
in vitro
.
Results:
A subset of DDR2
+
cardiac fibroblasts also express c-Kit with coincidence in ~8% of total CICs. Pathological injury induces coincidence as well as expression of c-Kit and DDR2. Cultured cardiac DDR2+ fibroblasts that are c-Kit+ exhibit youthful morphological and functional phenotypes compared to c-Kit- cells including 1) significantly smaller size, 2) higher cellular motility, 3) enhanced proliferation, 4) less multinucleation, 5) decreased senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining, and 6) down-regulation of p53 senescence marker. Mechanistically, c-Kit expression correlates with signaling implicated in proliferation and cell migration including phospho-ERK and pro-Caspase 3.
Conclusion:
The phenotype of c-kit+ on DDR2+ cardiac fibroblasts correlates with multiple characteristics of ‘youthful’ cells. To our knowledge, this represents the first evaluation of c-Kit biology within DDR2+ cardiac fibroblast population and provides a fundamental basis for future studies to influence myocardial biology, cardiac remodeling, and response to pathological injury.
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Ebeid DE, Khalafalla FG, Broughton KM, Monsanto MM, Esquer CY, Sacchi V, Hariharan N, Korski KI, Moshref M, Emathinger J, Cottage CT, Quijada PJ, Nguyen JH, Alvarez R, Völkers M, Konstandin MH, Wang BJ, Firouzi F, Navarrete JM, Gude NA, Goumans MJ, Sussman MA. Pim1 maintains telomere length in mouse cardiomyocytes by inhibiting TGFβ signalling. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:201-211. [PMID: 32176281 PMCID: PMC7797214 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Telomere attrition in cardiomyocytes is associated with decreased contractility, cellular senescence, and up-regulation of proapoptotic transcription factors. Pim1 is a cardioprotective kinase that antagonizes the aging phenotype of cardiomyocytes and delays cellular senescence by maintaining telomere length, but the mechanism remains unknown. Another pathway responsible for regulating telomere length is the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signalling pathway where inhibiting TGFβ signalling maintains telomere length. The relationship between Pim1 and TGFβ has not been explored. This study delineates the mechanism of telomere length regulation by the interplay between Pim1 and components of TGFβ signalling pathways in proliferating A549 cells and post-mitotic cardiomyocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS Telomere length was maintained by lentiviral-mediated overexpression of PIM1 and inhibition of TGFβ signalling in A549 cells. Telomere length maintenance was further demonstrated in isolated cardiomyocytes from mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of PIM1 and by pharmacological inhibition of TGFβ signalling. Mechanistically, Pim1 inhibited phosphorylation of Smad2, preventing its translocation into the nucleus and repressing expression of TGFβ pathway genes. CONCLUSION Pim1 maintains telomere lengths in cardiomyocytes by inhibiting phosphorylation of the TGFβ pathway downstream effectors Smad2 and Smad3, which prevents repression of telomerase reverse transcriptase. Findings from this study demonstrate a novel mechanism of telomere length maintenance and provide a potential target for preserving cardiac function.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Ebeid
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Farid G Khalafalla
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Kathleen M Broughton
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Megan M Monsanto
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Carolina Y Esquer
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Veronica Sacchi
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Nirmala Hariharan
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Kelli I Korski
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Maryam Moshref
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Jacqueline Emathinger
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Christopher T Cottage
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Pearl J Quijada
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Jonathan H Nguyen
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Roberto Alvarez
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Mirko Völkers
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Mathias H Konstandin
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Bingyan J Wang
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Fareheh Firouzi
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Julian M Navarrete
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Natalie A Gude
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Marie-Jose Goumans
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Mark A Sussman
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, North Life Sciences, 426, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
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Monsanto MM, Wang BJ, Ehrenberg ZR, Echeagaray O, White KS, Alvarez R, Fisher K, Sengphanith S, Muliono A, Gude NA, Sussman MA. Enhancing myocardial repair with CardioClusters. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3955. [PMID: 32769998 PMCID: PMC7414230 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17742-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular therapy to treat heart failure is an ongoing focus of intense research, but progress toward structural and functional recovery remains modest. Engineered augmentation of established cellular effectors overcomes impediments to enhance reparative activity. Such 'next generation' implementation includes delivery of combinatorial cell populations exerting synergistic effects. Concurrent isolation and expansion of three distinct cardiac-derived interstitial cell types from human heart tissue, previously reported by our group, prompted design of a 3D structure that maximizes cellular interaction, allows for defined cell ratios, controls size, enables injectability, and minimizes cell loss. Herein, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and c-Kit+ cardiac interstitial cells (cCICs) when cultured together spontaneously form scaffold-free 3D microenvironments termed CardioClusters. scRNA-Seq profiling reveals CardioCluster expression of stem cell-relevant factors, adhesion/extracellular-matrix molecules, and cytokines, while maintaining a more native transcriptome similar to endogenous cardiac cells. CardioCluster intramyocardial delivery improves cell retention and capillary density with preservation of cardiomyocyte size and long-term cardiac function in a murine infarction model followed 20 weeks. CardioCluster utilization in this preclinical setting establish fundamental insights, laying the framework for optimization in cell-based therapeutics intended to mitigate cardiomyopathic damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Monsanto
- San Diego Heart Research Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Bingyan J Wang
- San Diego Heart Research Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Zach R Ehrenberg
- San Diego Heart Research Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Oscar Echeagaray
- San Diego Heart Research Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Kevin S White
- San Diego Heart Research Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Roberto Alvarez
- San Diego Heart Research Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Kristina Fisher
- San Diego Heart Research Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Sharon Sengphanith
- San Diego Heart Research Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Alvin Muliono
- San Diego Heart Research Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Natalie A Gude
- San Diego Heart Research Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Mark A Sussman
- San Diego Heart Research Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.
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Abstract
Cardiovascular disease remains the primary cause of death in the United States and in most nations worldwide, despite ongoing intensive efforts to promote cardiac health and treat heart failure. Replacing damaged myocardium represents perhaps the most promising treatment strategy, but also the most challenging given that the adult mammalian heart is notoriously resistant to endogenous repair. Cardiac regeneration following pathologic challenge would require proliferation of surviving tissue, expansion and differentiation of resident progenitors, or transdifferentiation of exogenously applied progenitor cells into functioning myocardium. Adult cardiomyocyte proliferation has been the focus of investigation for decades, recently enjoying a renaissance of interest as a therapeutic strategy for reversing cardiomyocyte loss due in large part to ongoing controversies and frustrations with myocardial cell therapy outcomes. The promise of cardiac cell therapy originated with reports of resident adult cardiac stem cells that could be isolated, expanded and reintroduced into damaged myocardium, producing beneficial effects in preclinical animal models. Despite modest functional improvements, Phase I clinical trials using autologous cardiac derived cells have proven safe and effective, setting the stage for an ongoing multi-center Phase II trial combining autologous cardiac stem cell types to enhance beneficial effects. This overview will examine the history of these two approaches for promoting cardiac repair and attempt to provide context for current and future directions in cardiac regenerative research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Gude
- SDSU Heart Institute and Biology Department, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Mark A Sussman
- SDSU Heart Institute and Biology Department, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
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7
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Broughton KM, Khieu T, Nguyen N, Rosa M, Mohsin S, Quijada P, Wang BJ, Echeagaray OH, Kubli DA, Kim T, Firouzi F, Monsanto MM, Gude NA, Adamson RM, Dembitsky WP, Davis ME, Sussman MA. Cardiac interstitial tetraploid cells can escape replicative senescence in rodents but not large mammals. Commun Biol 2019; 2:205. [PMID: 31231694 PMCID: PMC6565746 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0453-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyocyte ploidy has been described but remains obscure in cardiac interstitial cells. Ploidy of c-kit+ cardiac interstitial cells was assessed using confocal, karyotypic, and flow cytometric technique. Notable differences were found between rodent (rat, mouse) c-kit+ cardiac interstitial cells possessing mononuclear tetraploid (4n) content, compared to large mammals (human, swine) with mononuclear diploid (2n) content. In-situ analysis, confirmed with fresh isolates, revealed diploid content in human c-kit+ cardiac interstitial cells and a mixture of diploid and tetraploid content in mouse. Downregulation of the p53 signaling pathway provides evidence why rodent, but not human, c-kit+ cardiac interstitial cells escape replicative senescence. Single cell transcriptional profiling reveals distinctions between diploid versus tetraploid populations in mouse c-kit+ cardiac interstitial cells, alluding to functional divergences. Collectively, these data reveal notable species-specific biological differences in c-kit+ cardiac interstitial cells, which could account for challenges in extrapolation of myocardial from preclinical studies to clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen M. Broughton
- San Diego State University Heart Institute and the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
| | - Tiffany Khieu
- San Diego State University Heart Institute and the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
| | - Nicky Nguyen
- San Diego State University Heart Institute and the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
| | - Michael Rosa
- San Diego State University Heart Institute and the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
| | - Sadia Mohsin
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Temple University, 3500 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, 19140 PA USA
| | - Pearl Quijada
- San Diego State University Heart Institute and the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
| | - Bingyan J. Wang
- San Diego State University Heart Institute and the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
| | - Oscar H. Echeagaray
- San Diego State University Heart Institute and the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
| | - Dieter A. Kubli
- San Diego State University Heart Institute and the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
| | - Taeyong Kim
- San Diego State University Heart Institute and the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
| | - Fareheh Firouzi
- San Diego State University Heart Institute and the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
| | - Megan M. Monsanto
- San Diego State University Heart Institute and the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
| | - Natalie A. Gude
- San Diego State University Heart Institute and the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
| | - Robert M. Adamson
- Division of Cardiology, Sharp Memorial Hospital, 8010 Frost St., San Diego, 92123 CA USA
| | - Walter P. Dembitsky
- Division of Cardiology, Sharp Memorial Hospital, 8010 Frost St., San Diego, 92123 CA USA
| | - Michael E. Davis
- Biomedical Engineering and Medicine, Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr., Atlanta, 30322 GA USA
| | - Mark A. Sussman
- San Diego State University Heart Institute and the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
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8
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Gude NA, Firouzi F, Broughton KM, Ilves K, Nguyen KP, Payne CR, Sacchi V, Monsanto MM, Casillas AR, Khalafalla FG, Wang BJ, Ebeid DE, Alvarez R, Dembitsky WP, Bailey BA, van Berlo J, Sussman MA. Cardiac c-Kit Biology Revealed by Inducible Transgenesis. Circ Res 2018; 123:57-72. [PMID: 29636378 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.117.311828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 03/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Biological significance of c-Kit as a cardiac stem cell marker and role(s) of c-Kit+ cells in myocardial development or response to pathological injury remain unresolved because of varied and discrepant findings. Alternative experimental models are required to contextualize and reconcile discordant published observations of cardiac c-Kit myocardial biology and provide meaningful insights regarding clinical relevance of c-Kit signaling for translational cell therapy. OBJECTIVE The main objectives of this study are as follows: demonstrating c-Kit myocardial biology through combined studies of both human and murine cardiac cells; advancing understanding of c-Kit myocardial biology through creation and characterization of a novel, inducible transgenic c-Kit reporter mouse model that overcomes limitations inherent to knock-in reporter models; and providing perspective to reconcile disparate viewpoints on c-Kit biology in the myocardium. METHODS AND RESULTS In vitro studies confirm a critical role for c-Kit signaling in both cardiomyocytes and cardiac stem cells. Activation of c-Kit receptor promotes cell survival and proliferation in stem cells and cardiomyocytes of either human or murine origin. For creation of the mouse model, the cloned mouse c-Kit promoter drives Histone2B-EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein; H2BEGFP) expression in a doxycycline-inducible transgenic reporter line. The combination of c-Kit transgenesis coupled to H2BEGFP readout provides sensitive, specific, inducible, and persistent tracking of c-Kit promoter activation. Tagging efficiency for EGFP+/c-Kit+ cells is similar between our transgenic versus a c-Kit knock-in mouse line, but frequency of c-Kit+ cells in cardiac tissue from the knock-in model is 55% lower than that from our transgenic line. The c-Kit transgenic reporter model reveals intimate association of c-Kit expression with adult myocardial biology. Both cardiac stem cells and a subpopulation of cardiomyocytes express c-Kit in uninjured adult heart, upregulating c-Kit expression in response to pathological stress. CONCLUSIONS c-Kit myocardial biology is more complex and varied than previously appreciated or documented, demonstrating validity in multiple points of coexisting yet heretofore seemingly irreconcilable published findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Gude
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
| | - Fareheh Firouzi
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
| | - Kathleen M Broughton
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
| | - Kelli Ilves
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
| | - Kristine P Nguyen
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
| | - Christina R Payne
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
| | - Veronica Sacchi
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
| | - Megan M Monsanto
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
| | - Alexandria R Casillas
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
| | - Farid G Khalafalla
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
| | - Bingyan J Wang
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
| | - David E Ebeid
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
| | - Roberto Alvarez
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
| | - Walter P Dembitsky
- San Diego State University, CA; Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, CA (W.P.D.)
| | | | - Jop van Berlo
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (J.v.B.)
| | - Mark A Sussman
- From the SDSU Heart Institute, Department of Biology (N.A.G., F.F., K.M.B., K.I., K.P.N., C.R.P., V.S., M.M.M., A.R.C., F.G.K., B.J.W., D.E.E., R.A., M.A.S.)
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9
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Alvarez R, Quijada PJ, Wang BJ, Amheh L, Navarrette N, Shaytrit M, Ho T, Gude NA, Sussman MA. Abstract 20: Caridomoyocyte Biology Revealed by Fluorescence Ubiquitination-based Cell-cycle Indicators. Circ Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1161/res.121.suppl_1.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Existing myocyte contribution to new myocyte formation remains an active area of investigation. Novel experimental methodology is needed to faithfully label cardiomyocyte cell-cycle activity after birth and following injury. The Fluorescence Ubiquitination Cell Cycle Indicator (FUCCI) system can be used to aid visualization of cell cycle activity and progression by monitoring the inverse oscillation dynamics of fluorescently tagged cell cycle fusion proteins AzG-hGeminin and mKO2-hCdt1. Using this system, we
hypothesize that cardiomyocytes retain the capacity to cycle throughout postnatal development and re-enter the cell cycle following acute myocardial infarction injury (MI).
A novel cardiac specific FUCCI transgenic mouse model, αMHC-FUCCI, was developed to study cell-cycle dynamics of cardiomyocytes. αMHC-FUCCI hearts were collected throughout postnatal (PN) development to examine cardiomyocyte cell-cycle. Similarly, adult αMHC-FUCCI mice were subjected to MI, injected daily with BrdU and harvested at 3, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days post-MI for further analysis.
Peak incidence of single mKO2-hCdt1 (7%, G
1
) and AzG-hGem (2%, S/G
2
/M) fluorescence in cardiomyocytes occurs at PN7 and decreases over time as as confirmed by colocalization with BrdU and/or mitotic marker phospho-histone 3. Interestingly, continued mitotic activity exists at PN14 as observed by AzG+/pH3+ myocytes and concurrent mKO2+/AzG+ fluorescence is observed in 60% of adult myocardium by at one month. Together, these results indicate cardiac myocytes remain active at least two weeks after birth and transition into a G1/S phase as opposed to a mitotic exit (G0) as adults. Intriguingly, BrdU+ label is only detected in the non-myocyte interstitial population in and around the border zone through the first two weeks post-MI. BrdU+/AzG+ and or/mKO+ myocytes are detectable at 21days post-MI, indicating a lag in cardiomyocyte cell cycle re-entry. These results suggest myocytes retain the ability to re-enter the cell cycle at low levels three weeks post-MI. Future studies will analyze cardiomyocyte cell-cycle biology in response to diffuse injury and will further elucidate the mechanism behind myocardial regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Thi Ho
- San Diego State Univ, San Diego, CA
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10
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Gude NA, Firouzi F, Nguyen K, Payne C, Sacchi V, Alvarez R, Sussman MA. Abstract 187: c-Kit Biology Revealed by Two Transgenic Reporter Models. Circ Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1161/res.121.suppl_1.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background:
The biological significance of c-Kit as a marker of cardiac stem cells, and role(s) of c-Kit+ cells in myocardial development or in response to pathologic injury remain unresolved due to varied findings among investigators and experimental model systems. Alternative experimental models and approaches are needed to achieve a broader perspective of cardiac c-Kit biology that contextualizes discrepant published observations.
Objectives:
Tracking c-Kit expression using transgenesis overcomes limitations inherent to knock-in reporter models. Two novel, inducible transgenic c-Kit reporter models are presented in this study to further elaborate on myocardial c-Kit biology.
Methods:
A previously characterized mouse c-Kit promoter segment was engineered to generate a transgenic mouse in which rtTA transactivator is expressed in c-Kit+ cells (c-KitrtTA). c-KitrtTA crossed to Tet-Responsive-Element(TRE)-Histone2B-EGFP or TRE-Cre lines produces the CKH2B and CKCre double transgenic lines, which express doxycycline-inducible H2BEGFP or Cre proteins in c-Kit+ cells. The CKmTmG triple transgenic mouse, arising from CKCre crossed to the ROSAmTmG reporter line, utilizes doxycycline induced recombination to tag c-Kit+ cells irreversibly with membrane bound EGFP. Endogenous c-Kit and transgenic reporter expression was assessed in adult cardiac myocyte and nonmyocyte cells from these mice under resting and cellular stress conditions using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.
Results:
Coincidence of c-Kit and EGFP is observed in approximately 75% of freshly isolated nonmyocyte cells as detected by flow cytometry. A subpopulation of cardiomyocytes express H2BEGFP or mEGFP in the uninjured, doxycycline treated adult heart. H2BEGFP and c-Kit expression increase in myocytes in response to isoproterenol-induced pathologic stress
in vivo
and
in vitro.
Conclusion:
These c-Kit transgenic reporter models provide sensitive, specific, inducible and persistent tracking of c-Kit promoter activation. Results presented here reveal an unexpected role for c-Kit expression in adult cardiomyocytes. Future studies will use both models to investigate c-Kit expression in all cell types during cardiac formation and repair.
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11
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Quijada P, Salunga HT, Hariharan N, Cubillo JD, El-Sayed FG, Moshref M, Bala KM, Emathinger JM, De La Torre A, Ormachea L, Alvarez R, Gude NA, Sussman MA. Cardiac Stem Cell Hybrids Enhance Myocardial Repair. Circ Res 2015; 117:695-706. [PMID: 26228030 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.115.306838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Dual cell transplantation of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) after infarction improves myocardial repair and performance in large animal models relative to delivery of either cell population. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate that CardioChimeras (CCs) formed by fusion between CPCs and MSCs have enhanced reparative potential in a mouse model of myocardial infarction relative to individual stem cells or combined cell delivery. METHODS AND RESULTS Two distinct and clonally derived CCs, CC1 and CC2, were used for this study. CCs improved left ventricular anterior wall thickness at 4 weeks post injury, but only CC1 treatment preserved anterior wall thickness at 18 weeks. Ejection fraction was enhanced at 6 weeks in CCs, and functional improvements were maintained in CCs and CPC+MSC groups at 18 weeks. Infarct size was decreased in CCs, whereas CPC+MSC and CPC parent groups remained unchanged at 12 weeks. CCs exhibited increased persistence, engraftment, and expression of early commitment markers within the border zone relative to combinatorial and individual cell population-injected groups. CCs increased capillary density and preserved cardiomyocyte size in the infarcted regions suggesting CCs role in protective paracrine secretion. CONCLUSIONS CCs merge the application of distinct cells into a single entity for cellular therapeutic intervention in the progression of heart failure. CCs are a novel cell therapy that improves on combinatorial cell approaches to support myocardial regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pearl Quijada
- From the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, CA (P.Q., H.T.S., J.D.C., F.G.E.-S., M.M., K.M.B., J.M.E., A.D.L.T., L.O., R.A., N.A.G., M.A.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis (N.H.)
| | - Hazel T Salunga
- From the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, CA (P.Q., H.T.S., J.D.C., F.G.E.-S., M.M., K.M.B., J.M.E., A.D.L.T., L.O., R.A., N.A.G., M.A.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis (N.H.)
| | - Nirmala Hariharan
- From the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, CA (P.Q., H.T.S., J.D.C., F.G.E.-S., M.M., K.M.B., J.M.E., A.D.L.T., L.O., R.A., N.A.G., M.A.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis (N.H.)
| | - Jonathan D Cubillo
- From the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, CA (P.Q., H.T.S., J.D.C., F.G.E.-S., M.M., K.M.B., J.M.E., A.D.L.T., L.O., R.A., N.A.G., M.A.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis (N.H.)
| | - Farid G El-Sayed
- From the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, CA (P.Q., H.T.S., J.D.C., F.G.E.-S., M.M., K.M.B., J.M.E., A.D.L.T., L.O., R.A., N.A.G., M.A.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis (N.H.)
| | - Maryam Moshref
- From the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, CA (P.Q., H.T.S., J.D.C., F.G.E.-S., M.M., K.M.B., J.M.E., A.D.L.T., L.O., R.A., N.A.G., M.A.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis (N.H.)
| | - Kristin M Bala
- From the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, CA (P.Q., H.T.S., J.D.C., F.G.E.-S., M.M., K.M.B., J.M.E., A.D.L.T., L.O., R.A., N.A.G., M.A.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis (N.H.)
| | - Jacqueline M Emathinger
- From the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, CA (P.Q., H.T.S., J.D.C., F.G.E.-S., M.M., K.M.B., J.M.E., A.D.L.T., L.O., R.A., N.A.G., M.A.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis (N.H.)
| | - Andrea De La Torre
- From the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, CA (P.Q., H.T.S., J.D.C., F.G.E.-S., M.M., K.M.B., J.M.E., A.D.L.T., L.O., R.A., N.A.G., M.A.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis (N.H.)
| | - Lucia Ormachea
- From the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, CA (P.Q., H.T.S., J.D.C., F.G.E.-S., M.M., K.M.B., J.M.E., A.D.L.T., L.O., R.A., N.A.G., M.A.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis (N.H.)
| | - Roberto Alvarez
- From the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, CA (P.Q., H.T.S., J.D.C., F.G.E.-S., M.M., K.M.B., J.M.E., A.D.L.T., L.O., R.A., N.A.G., M.A.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis (N.H.)
| | - Natalie A Gude
- From the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, CA (P.Q., H.T.S., J.D.C., F.G.E.-S., M.M., K.M.B., J.M.E., A.D.L.T., L.O., R.A., N.A.G., M.A.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis (N.H.)
| | - Mark A Sussman
- From the Integrated Regenerative Research Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, CA (P.Q., H.T.S., J.D.C., F.G.E.-S., M.M., K.M.B., J.M.E., A.D.L.T., L.O., R.A., N.A.G., M.A.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis (N.H.).
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12
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Quijada P, Salunga HT, Hariharan N, Cubillo J, El-Sayed F, Moshref M, Bala KM, Emathinger JM, De La Torre A, Ormachea L, Alvarez R, Gude NA, Sussman MA. Abstract 16: Enhancing Myocardial Repair With CardioChimeras. Circ Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1161/res.117.suppl_1.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Dual cell transplantation of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) after infarction enhances myocardial repair and performance in large animal models relative to delivery of either cell population individually. However, a single stem cell to support both direct and indirect mechanisms of myocardial repair has yet to be identified. CardioChimeras (CCs), a progenitor cell formed by fusion between CPCs and MSCs were analysed for reparative potential after myocardial infarction (MI) relative to individual parents cell or combined parent cell delivery. Two representative CCs, CardioChimera 1 (CC1) and CardioChimera 2 (CC2) were used for this study. CC1 and CC2 improved left ventricular anterior wall thickness (AWT) at 4 weeks, but only CC1 treatment preserved AWT at 18 weeks relative to no cell treatment (PBS). Ejection fraction was enhanced at 6 weeks post injury in CC1 and CC2 groups, which was maintained in CC1, CC2 and CPC + MSC combined groups up to 18 weeks. Infarct size was decreased by 5% in CC1 and CC2 hearts, whereas CPC + MSC and CPC parent groups remained unchanged when comparing 4 to 12 week change in scar size. MSC and PBS groups displayed marked increases in infarct size (10-15%). CC1 and CC2 showed enhanced engraftment potential by 3-fold relative to CPC + MSC and CPC hearts. In contrast, MSCs were detected at low levels (0.04%). CC1 and CC2 discovered within the myocardium expressed early commitment marker cardiac troponin T relative to controls. CC1 and CC2 treatment increased capillary density within the infarct, indicating that cell persistence facilitates paracrine mediated vasculature stabilization and/or formation. CCs merge the application of distinct cells into a single entity for cellular therapeutic intervention in the progression of heart failure. CCs represent a tractable cellular system that improves upon combinatorial cell therapy approaches and supports myocardial regeneration.
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13
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Toko H, Hariharan N, Konstandin MH, Ormachea L, McGregor M, Gude NA, Sundararaman B, Joyo E, Joyo AY, Collins B, Din S, Mohsin S, Uchida T, Sussman MA. Differential regulation of cellular senescence and differentiation by prolyl isomerase Pin1 in cardiac progenitor cells. J Biol Chem 2013; 289:5348-56. [PMID: 24375406 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.526442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Autologous c-kit(+) cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) are currently used in the clinic to treat heart disease. CPC-based regeneration may be further augmented by better understanding molecular mechanisms of endogenous cardiac repair and enhancement of pro-survival signaling pathways that antagonize senescence while also increasing differentiation. The prolyl isomerase Pin1 regulates multiple signaling cascades by modulating protein folding and thereby activity and stability of phosphoproteins. In this study, we examine the heretofore unexplored role of Pin1 in CPCs. Pin1 is expressed in CPCs in vitro and in vivo and is associated with increased proliferation. Pin1 is required for cell cycle progression and loss of Pin1 causes cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase in CPCs, concomitantly associated with decreased expression of Cyclins D and B and increased expression of cell cycle inhibitors p53 and retinoblastoma (Rb). Pin1 deletion increases cellular senescence but not differentiation or cell death of CPCs. Pin1 is required for endogenous CPC response as Pin1 knock-out mice have a reduced number of proliferating CPCs after ischemic challenge. Pin1 overexpression also impairs proliferation and causes G2/M phase cell cycle arrest with concurrent down-regulation of Cyclin B, p53, and Rb. Additionally, Pin1 overexpression inhibits replicative senescence, increases differentiation, and inhibits cell death of CPCs, indicating that cell cycle arrest caused by Pin1 overexpression is a consequence of differentiation and not senescence or cell death. In conclusion, Pin1 has pleiotropic roles in CPCs and may be a molecular target to promote survival, enhance repair, improve differentiation, and antagonize senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruhiro Toko
- From the San Diego State University Heart Institute and Biology Department, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182 and
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14
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Toko H, Konstandin MH, Doroudgar S, Ormachea L, Joyo E, Joyo AY, Din S, Gude NA, Collins B, Völkers M, Thuerauf DJ, Glembotski CC, Chen CH, Lu KP, Müller OJ, Uchida T, Sussman MA. Regulation of cardiac hypertrophic signaling by prolyl isomerase Pin1. Circ Res 2013; 112:1244-52. [PMID: 23487407 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.113.301084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cardiac hypertrophy results from the complex interplay of differentially regulated cascades based on the phosphorylation status of involved signaling molecules. Although numerous critical regulatory kinases and phosphatases have been identified in the myocardium, the intracellular mechanism for temporal regulation of signaling duration and intensity remains obscure. In the nonmyocyte context, control of folding, activity, and stability of proteins is mediated by the prolyl isomerase Pin1, but the role of Pin1 in the heart is unknown. OBJECTIVE To establish the role of Pin1 in the heart. METHODS AND RESULTS Here, we show that either genetic deletion or cardiac overexpression of Pin1 blunts hypertrophic responses induced by transaortic constriction and consequent cardiac failure in vivo. Mechanistically, we find that Pin1 directly binds to Akt, mitogen activated protein kinase (MEK), and Raf-1 in cultured cardiomyocytes after hypertrophic stimulation. Furthermore, loss of Pin1 leads to diminished hypertrophic signaling of Akt and MEK, whereas overexpression of Pin1 increases Raf-1 phosphorylation on the autoinhibitory site Ser259, leading to reduced MEK activation. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these data support a role for Pin1 as a central modulator of the intensity and duration of 2 major hypertrophic signaling pathways, thereby providing a novel target for regulation and control of cardiac hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruhiro Toko
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University Heart Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
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15
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Abstract
RATIONALE Cardiac progenitor cells are important for maintenance of myocardial structure and function, but molecular mechanisms governing these progenitor cells remain obscure and require elucidation to enhance regenerative therapeutic approaches. OBJECTIVE To understand consequences of stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) deletion on functional properties of c-kit+ cardiac progenitor cells and myocardial performance using a Sca-1 knock-out/green fluorescent protein knock-in reporter mouse (ScaKI). METHODS AND RESULTS Genetic deletion of Sca-1 results in early-onset cardiac contractile deficiency as determined by echocardiography and hemodynamics as well as age-associated hypertrophy. Resident cardiac progenitor cells in ScaKI mice do not respond to pathological damage in vivo, consistent with observations of impaired growth and survival of ScaKI cardiac progenitor cells in vitro. The molecular basis of the defect in ScaKI cardiac progenitor cells is associated with increased canonical Wnt signaling pathway activation consistent with molecular characteristics of lineage commitment. CONCLUSIONS Genetic deletion of Sca-1 causes primary cardiac defects in myocardial contractility and repair consistent with impairment of resident cardiac progenitor cell proliferative capacity associated with altered canonical Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandi Bailey
- SDSU Heart Institute, and Department of Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
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16
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Quijada P, Toko H, Fischer KM, Bailey B, Reilly P, Hunt KD, Gude NA, Avitabile D, Sussman MA. Preservation of myocardial structure is enhanced by pim-1 engineering of bone marrow cells. Circ Res 2012; 111:77-86. [PMID: 22619278 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.112.265207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Bone marrow-derived cells to treat myocardial injury improve cardiac function and support beneficial cardiac remodeling. However, survival of stem cells is limited due to low proliferation of transferred cells. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate long-term potential of c-kit(+) bone marrow stem cells (BMCs) enhanced with Pim-1 kinase to promote positive cardiac remodeling. METHODS AND RESULTS Lentiviral modification of c-kit(+) BMCs to express Pim-1 (BMCeP) increases proliferation and expression of prosurvival proteins relative to BMCs expressing green fluorescent protein (BMCe). Intramyocardial delivery of BMCeP at time of infarction supports improvements in anterior wall dimensions and prevents left ventricle dilation compared with hearts treated with vehicle alone. Reduction of the akinetic left ventricular wall was observed in BMCeP-treated hearts at 4 and 12 weeks after infarction. Early recovery of cardiac function in BMCeP-injected hearts facilitated modest improvements in hemodynamic function up to 12 weeks after infarction between cell-treated groups. Persistence of BMCeP is improved relative to BMCe within the infarct together with increased recruitment of endogenous c-kit(+) cells. Delivery of BMC populations promotes cellular hypertrophy in the border and infarcted regions coupled with an upregulation of hypertrophic genes. Thus, BMCeP treatment yields improved structural remodeling of infarcted myocardium compared with control BMCs. CONCLUSIONS Genetic modification of BMCs with Pim-1 may serve as a therapeutic approach to promote recovery of myocardial structure. Future approaches may take advantage of salutary BMC actions in conjunction with other stem cell types to increase efficacy of cellular therapy and improve myocardial performance in the injured myocardium.
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17
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Ruller CM, Tabor-Godwin JM, Van Deren DA, Robinson SM, Maciejewski S, Gluhm S, Gilbert PE, An N, Gude NA, Sussman MA, Whitton JL, Feuer R. Neural stem cell depletion and CNS developmental defects after enteroviral infection. Am J Pathol 2011; 180:1107-1120. [PMID: 22214838 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2011] [Revised: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 11/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Coxsackieviruses are significant human pathogens causing myocarditis, meningitis, and encephalitis. We previously demonstrated the ability of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) to persist within the neonatal central nervous system (CNS) and to target neural stem cells. Given that CVB3 is a cytolytic virus and may therefore damage target cells, we characterized the potential reduction in neurogenesis within the developing brain and the subsequent developmental defects that occurred after the loss of these essential neural stem cells. Neonatal mice were inoculated with a recombinant CVB3 expressing eGFP (eGFP-CVB3), and alterations in neurogenesis and brain development were evaluated over time. We observed a reduction in proliferating cells in CNS neurogenic regions simultaneously with the presence of nestin(+) cells undergoing apoptosis. The size of the brain appeared smaller by histology, and a permanent decrease in brain wet weight was observed after eGFP-CVB3 infection. We also observed an inverse relationship between the amount of virus material and brain wet weight up to day 30 postinfection. In addition, signs of astrogliosis and a compaction of the cortical layers were observed at 90 days postinfection. Intriguingly, partial brain wet weight recovery was observed in mice treated with the antiviral drug ribavirin during the persistent stage of infection. Hence, long-term neurological sequelae might be expected after neonatal enteroviral infections, yet antiviral treatment initiated long after the end of acute infection might limit virus-mediated neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea M Ruller
- Cell and Molecular Biology Joint Doctoral Program, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Jenna M Tabor-Godwin
- Cell and Molecular Biology Joint Doctoral Program, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Donn A Van Deren
- Cell and Molecular Biology Joint Doctoral Program, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Scott M Robinson
- Cell and Molecular Biology Joint Doctoral Program, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Sonia Maciejewski
- Cell and Molecular Biology Joint Doctoral Program, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Shea Gluhm
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Paul E Gilbert
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Naili An
- Cell and Molecular Biology Joint Doctoral Program, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Natalie A Gude
- SDSU Heart Institute and Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Mark A Sussman
- SDSU Heart Institute and Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - J Lindsay Whitton
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Ralph Feuer
- Cell and Molecular Biology Joint Doctoral Program, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.
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18
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Huang C, Zhang X, Ramil JM, Rikka S, Kim L, Lee Y, Gude NA, Thistlethwaite PA, Sussman MA, Gottlieb RA, Gustafsson AB. Juvenile exposure to anthracyclines impairs cardiac progenitor cell function and vascularization resulting in greater susceptibility to stress-induced myocardial injury in adult mice. Circulation 2010; 121:675-83. [PMID: 20100968 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.109.902221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The anthracycline doxorubicin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent used to treat pediatric cancers but is associated with cardiotoxicity that can manifest many years after the initial exposure. To date, very little is known about the mechanism of this late-onset cardiotoxicity. METHODS AND RESULTS To understand this problem, we developed a pediatric model of late-onset doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in which juvenile mice were exposed to doxorubicin, using a cumulative dose that did not induce acute cardiotoxicity. These mice developed normally and had no obvious cardiac abnormalities as adults. However, evaluation of the vasculature revealed that juvenile doxorubicin exposure impaired vascular development, resulting in abnormal vascular architecture in the hearts with less branching and decreased capillary density. Both physiological and pathological stress induced late-onset cardiotoxicity in the adult doxorubicin-treated mice. Moreover, adult mice subjected to myocardial infarction developed rapid heart failure, which correlated with a failure to increase capillary density in the injured area. Progenitor cells participate in regeneration and blood vessel formation after a myocardial infarction, but doxorubicin-treated mice had fewer progenitor cells in the infarct border zone. Interestingly, doxorubicin treatment reduced proliferation and differentiation of the progenitor cells into cells of cardiac lineages. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that anthracycline treatment impairs vascular development as well as progenitor cell function in the young heart, resulting in an adult heart that is more susceptible to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengqun Huang
- San Diego State University, BioScience Center and Department of Biology, CA, USA
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19
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Fischer KM, Cottage CT, Wu W, Din S, Gude NA, Avitabile D, Quijada P, Collins BL, Fransioli J, Sussman MA. Enhancement of myocardial regeneration through genetic engineering of cardiac progenitor cells expressing Pim-1 kinase. Circulation 2009; 120:2077-87. [PMID: 19901187 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.109.884403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite numerous studies demonstrating the efficacy of cellular adoptive transfer for therapeutic myocardial regeneration, problems remain for donated cells with regard to survival, persistence, engraftment, and long-term benefits. This study redresses these concerns by enhancing the regenerative potential of adoptively transferred cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) via genetic engineering to overexpress Pim-1, a cardioprotective kinase that enhances cell survival and proliferation. METHODS AND RESULTS Intramyocardial injections of CPCs overexpressing Pim-1 were given to infarcted female mice. Animals were monitored over 4, 12, and 32 weeks to assess cardiac function and engraftment of Pim-1 CPCs with echocardiography, in vivo hemodynamics, and confocal imagery. CPCs overexpressing Pim-1 showed increased proliferation and expression of markers consistent with cardiogenic lineage commitment after dexamethasone exposure in vitro. Animals that received CPCs overexpressing Pim-1 also produced greater levels of cellular engraftment, persistence, and functional improvement relative to control CPCs up to 32 weeks after delivery. Salutary effects include reduction of infarct size, greater number of c-kit(+) cells, and increased vasculature in the damaged region. CONCLUSIONS Myocardial repair is significantly enhanced by genetic engineering of CPCs with Pim-1 kinase. Ex vivo gene delivery to enhance cellular survival, proliferation, and regeneration may overcome current limitations of stem cell-based therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberlee M Fischer
- San Diego State Heart Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
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Gude NA, Emmanuel G, Wu W, Cottage CT, Fischer K, Quijada P, Muraski JA, Alvarez R, Rubio M, Schaefer E, Sussman MA. Activation of Notch-mediated protective signaling in the myocardium. Circ Res 2008; 102:1025-35. [PMID: 18369158 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.107.164749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Notch network regulates multiple cellular processes, including cell fate determination, development, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and regeneration. These processes are regulated via Notch-mediated activity that involves hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met receptor and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling cascades. The impact of HGF on Notch signaling was assessed following myocardial infarction as well as in cultured cardiomyocytes. Notch1 is activated in border zone cardiomyocytes coincident with nuclear c-Met following infarction. Intramyocardial injection of HGF enhances Notch1 and Akt activation in adult mouse myocardium. Corroborating evidence in cultured cardiomyocytes shows treatment with HGF or insulin increases levels of Notch effector Hes1 in immunoblots, whereas overexpression of activated Notch intracellular domain prompts a 3-fold increase in phosphorylated Akt. Infarcted hearts injected with adenoviral vector expressing Notch intracellular domain treatment exhibit improved hemodynamic function in comparison with control mice after 4 weeks, implicating Notch signaling in a cardioprotective role following cardiac injury. These results indicate Notch activation in cardiomyocytes is mediated through c-Met and Akt survival signaling pathways, and Notch1 signaling in turn enhances Akt activity. This mutually supportive crosstalk suggests a positive survival feedback mechanism between Notch and Akt signaling in adult myocardium following injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Gude
- San Diego State University Heart Institute, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
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Fransioli J, Bailey B, Gude NA, Cottage CT, Muraski JA, Emmanuel G, Wu W, Alvarez R, Rubio M, Ottolenghi S, Schaefer E, Sussman MA. Evolution of the c-kit-positive cell response to pathological challenge in the myocardium. Stem Cells 2008; 26:1315-24. [PMID: 18308948 DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2007-0751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cumulative evidence indicates that myocardium responds to growth or injury by recruitment of stem and/or progenitor cells that participate in repair and regenerative processes. Unequivocal identification of this population has been hampered by lack of reagents or markers specific to the recruited population, leading to controversies regarding the nature of these cells. Use of a transgenic mouse expressing green fluorescent protein driven by the c-kit promoter allows for unambiguous identification of this cell population. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by the c-kit promoter labels a fraction of the c-kit+ cells recognized by antibody labeling for c-kit protein. Expression of GFP by the c-kit promoter and accumulation of GFP-positive cells in the myocardium is relatively high at birth compared with adult and declines between postnatal weeks 1 and 2, which tracks in parallel with expression of c-kit protein and c-kit-positive cells. Acute cardiomyopathic injury by infarction prompts increased expression of both GFP protein and GFP-labeled cells in the region of infarction relative to remote myocardium. Similar increases were observed for c-kit protein and cells with a slightly earlier onset and decline relative to the GFP signal. Cells coexpressing GFP, c-kit, and cardiogenic markers were apparent at 1-2 weeks postinfarction. Cardiac-resident c-kit+ cell cultures derived from the transgenic line express GFP that is diminished in parallel with c-kit by induction of differentiation. The use of genetically engineered mice validates and extends the concept of c-kit+ cells participating in the response to myocardial injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Fransioli
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University Heart Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA
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