International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Research

17 pages, 1668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Paracrine Responses of Cardiosphere-Derived Cells to Cytokines and TLR Ligands: A Comparative Analysis

by Ekaterina Zubkova, Konstantin Dergilev, Irina Beloglazova, Alexander Kalinin, Alika Guseva, Alexander Andreev, Stanislav Partigulov, Mikhail Lepilin, Mikhail Menshikov and Yelena Parfyonova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(24), 17278; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242417278 - 8 Dec 2023

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Abstract

Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) are currently being evaluated in clinical trials as a potential therapeutic tool for regenerative medicine. The effectiveness of transplanted CDCs is largely attributed to their ability to release beneficial soluble factors to enhance therapeutic effects. An emerging area of research [...] Read more.

Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) are currently being evaluated in clinical trials as a potential therapeutic tool for regenerative medicine. The effectiveness of transplanted CDCs is largely attributed to their ability to release beneficial soluble factors to enhance therapeutic effects. An emerging area of research is the pretreatment of stem cells, including CDCs, with various cytokines to improve their therapeutic properties. This strategy aims to enhance their survival, proliferation, differentiation, and paracrine activities after transplantation. In our study, we investigated the differential effects of various cytokines and TLR ligands on the secretory phenotype of human CDCs. Using a magnetic bead-based immunoassay, we analyzed the CDCs-conditioned media for 41 cytokines and growth factors and detected the presence of 21 cytokines. We found that CDC incubation with lipopolysaccharide, a TLR4 ligand, and the cytokine combination of TNF/IFN significantly increased the secretion of most of the cytokines detected. Specifically, we observed an increased secretion and gene expression of IP10, MCP3, IL8, and VEGFA. In contrast, the TLR3 ligand polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid and TGF-beta had minimal effects on CDC cytokine secretion. Additionally, TNF/IFN, but not LPS, enhanced ICAM1 expression. Our findings offer new insights into the role of cytokines in potentially modulating the biology and regenerative potential of CDCs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Heart Disease)

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11 pages, 1301 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Aging Triggers Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Mice

by Frederico Luis Lima Rosa, Itanna Isis Araujo de Souza, Gustavo Monnerat, Antonio Carlos Campos de Carvalho and Leonardo Maciel

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(13), 10591; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310591 - 24 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1578

Abstract

Direct analysis of isolated mitochondria from old mice enables a better understanding of heart senescence dysfunction. Despite a well-defined senescent phenotype in cardiomyocytes, the mitochondrial state in aged cardiomyocytes is still unclear. Here, we report data about mitochondrial function in old mice. Isolated [...] Read more.

Direct analysis of isolated mitochondria from old mice enables a better understanding of heart senescence dysfunction. Despite a well-defined senescent phenotype in cardiomyocytes, the mitochondrial state in aged cardiomyocytes is still unclear. Here, we report data about mitochondrial function in old mice. Isolated cardiomyocytes’ mitochondria were obtained by differential centrifugation from old and young mice hearts to perform functional analyses of mitochondrial O₂ consumption, transmembrane potential, ROS formation, ATP production, and swelling. Our results show that mitochondria from old mouse hearts have reduced oxygen consumption during the phosphorylative states of complexes I and II. Additionally, these mitochondria produced more ROS and less ATP than those of young hearts. Mitochondria from old hearts also showed a depolarized membrane potential than mitochondria from young hearts and, as expected, a greater electron leak. Our results indicate that mitochondria from senescent cardiomyocytes are less efficient in O₂ consumption, generating more ROS and producing less ATP. Furthermore, the phosphorylative state of complexes I and II presents a functional defect, contributing to greater leakage of protons and ROS production that can be harmful to the cell. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Heart Disease)

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11 pages, 1090 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Mutation in the ADAMTS10 Associated with Weil–Marchesani Syndrome with a Unique Presentation of Developed Membranes Causing Severe Stenosis of the Supra Pulmonic, Supramitral, and Subaortic Areas in the Heart

by Aviva Levitas, Liam Aspit, Neta Lowenthal, David Shaki, Hanna Krymko, Leonel Slanovic, Ronit Yagev and Ruti Parvari

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(10), 8864; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108864 - 16 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1341

Abstract

Weill–Marchesani syndrome (WMS) is a rare genetic inherited disorder with autosomal recessive and dominant modes of inheritance. WMS is characterized by the association of short stature, brachydactyly, joint stiffness, eye anomalies, including microspherophakia and ectopia of the lenses, and, occasionally, heart defects. We [...] Read more.

Weill–Marchesani syndrome (WMS) is a rare genetic inherited disorder with autosomal recessive and dominant modes of inheritance. WMS is characterized by the association of short stature, brachydactyly, joint stiffness, eye anomalies, including microspherophakia and ectopia of the lenses, and, occasionally, heart defects. We investigated the genetic cause of a unique and novel presentation of heart-developed membranes in the supra-pulmonic, supramitral, and subaortic areas, creating stenosis that recurred after their surgical resection in four patients from one extended consanguineous family. The patients also presented ocular findings consistent with Weill–Marchesani syndrome (WMS). We used whole exome sequencing (WES) to identify the causative mutation and report it as a homozygous nucleotide change c. 232T>C causing p. Tyr78His in ADAMTS10. ADAMTS10 (ADAM Metallopeptidase with Thrombospondin Type 1 Motif 10) is a member of a family of zinc-dependent extracellular matrix protease family. This is the first report of a mutation in the pro-domain of ADAMTS10. The novel variation replaces a highly evolutionary conserved tyrosine with histidine. This change may affect the secretion or function of ADAMTS10 in the extracellular matrix. The compromise in protease activity may thus cause the unique presentation of the developed membranes in the heart and their recurrence after surgery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Heart Disease)

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17 pages, 3534 KiB

Open AccessArticle

DNA Methylation Analysis Identifies Novel Epigenetic Loci in Dilated Murine Heart upon Exposure to Volume Overload

by Xingbo Xu, Manar Elkenani, Xiaoying Tan, Jara katharina Hain, Baolong Cui, Moritz Schnelle, Gerd Hasenfuss, Karl Toischer and Belal A. Mohamed

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5885; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065885 - 20 Mar 2023

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Abstract

Left ventricular (LV) dilatation, a prominent risk factor for heart failure (HF), precedes functional deterioration and is used to stratify patients at risk for arrhythmias and cardiac mortality. Aberrant DNA methylation contributes to maladaptive cardiac remodeling and HF progression following pressure overload and [...] Read more.

Left ventricular (LV) dilatation, a prominent risk factor for heart failure (HF), precedes functional deterioration and is used to stratify patients at risk for arrhythmias and cardiac mortality. Aberrant DNA methylation contributes to maladaptive cardiac remodeling and HF progression following pressure overload and ischemic cardiac insults. However, no study has examined cardiac DNA methylation upon exposure to volume overload (VO) despite being relatively common among HF patients. We carried out global methylome analysis of LV harvested at a decompensated HF stage following exposure to VO induced by aortocaval shunt. VO resulted in pathological cardiac remodeling, characterized by massive LV dilatation and contractile dysfunction at 16 weeks after shunt. Although methylated DNA was not markedly altered globally, 25 differentially methylated promoter regions (DMRs) were identified in shunt vs. sham hearts (20 hypermethylated and 5 hypomethylated regions). The validated hypermethylated loci in Junctophilin-2 (Jph2), Signal peptidase complex subunit 3 (Spcs3), Vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (Vapb), and Inositol polyphosphate multikinase (Ipmk) were associated with the respective downregulated expression and were consistently observed in dilated LV early after shunt at 1 week after shunt, before functional deterioration starts to manifest. These hypermethylated loci were also detected peripherally in the blood of the shunt mice. Altogether, we have identified conserved DMRs that could be novel epigenetic biomarkers in dilated LV upon VO exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Heart Disease)

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16 pages, 3952 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inhibition of JAK1,2 Prevents Fibrotic Remodeling of Pulmonary Vascular Bed and Improves Outcomes in the Rat Model of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

by Andrei A. Karpov, Aleksandra M. Mihailova, Leonid A. Shilenko, Dariya D. Vaulina, Elizaveta E. Sidorova, Anna A. Akhmetova, Pavel M. Docshin, Alexander S. Krasichkov, Kseniia E. Sanarova, Olga M. Moiseeva and Michael M. Galagudza

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(24), 15646; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232415646 - 9 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1798

Abstract

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare complication of acute pulmonary embolism with poor clinical outcomes. Therapeutic approaches to prevention of fibrotic remodeling of the pulmonary vascular bed in CTEPH are limited. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that Janus kinase [...] Read more.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare complication of acute pulmonary embolism with poor clinical outcomes. Therapeutic approaches to prevention of fibrotic remodeling of the pulmonary vascular bed in CTEPH are limited. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that Janus kinase 1/2 (JAK1/2) inhibition with ruxolitinib might prevent and attenuate CTEPH in a rat model. CTEPH was induced by repeated embolization of the pulmonary artery with partially biodegradable 180 ± 30 μm alginate microspheres. Two weeks after the last injection of microspheres, ruxolitinib was administered orally at doses of 0.86, 2.58, and 4.28 mg/kg per day for 4 weeks. Prednisolone (1.475 mg/kg, i.m.) was used as a reference drug. Ruxolitinib in all doses as well as prednisolone reduced pulmonary vascular wall hypertrophy. Ruxolitinib at a dose of 2.58 mg/kg and prednisolone reduced vascular wall fibrosis. Prednisolone treatment resulted in decreased right ventricular systolic pressure. Pulmonary vascular resistance was lower in the prednisolone and ruxolitinib (4.28 mg/kg) groups in comparison with the placebo group. The plasma level of brain natriuretic peptide was lower in groups receiving ruxolitinib at doses of 2.58 and 4.28 mg/kg versus placebo. This study demonstrated that JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib dose-dependently reduced pulmonary vascular remodeling, thereby preventing CTEPH formation in rats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Heart Disease)

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Review

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34 pages, 8251 KiB

Open AccessReview

Tic-Tac: A Translational Approach in Mechanisms Associated with Irregular Heartbeat and Sinus Rhythm Restoration in Atrial Fibrillation Patients

by Alfredo Parra-Lucares, Eduardo Villa, Esteban Romero-Hernández, Gabriel Méndez-Valdés, Catalina Retamal, Geovana Vizcarra, Ignacio Henríquez, Esteban A. J. Maldonado-Morales, Juan H. Grant-Palza, Sofía Ruíz-Tagle, Victoria Estrada-Bobadilla and Luis Toro

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(16), 12859; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241612859 - 16 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1690

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac condition predominantly affecting older adults, characterized by irregular heartbeat rhythm. The condition often leads to significant disability and increased mortality rates. Traditionally, two therapeutic strategies have been employed for its treatment: heart rate control and rhythm [...] Read more.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac condition predominantly affecting older adults, characterized by irregular heartbeat rhythm. The condition often leads to significant disability and increased mortality rates. Traditionally, two therapeutic strategies have been employed for its treatment: heart rate control and rhythm control. Recent clinical studies have emphasized the critical role of early restoration of sinus rhythm in improving patient outcomes. The persistence of the irregular rhythm allows for the progression and structural remodeling of the atria, eventually leading to irreversible stages, as observed clinically when AF becomes permanent. Cardioversion to sinus rhythm alters this progression pattern through mechanisms that are still being studied. In this review, we provide an in-depth analysis of the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for maintaining AF and how they are modified during sinus rhythm restoration using existing therapeutic strategies at different stages of clinical investigation. Moreover, we explore potential future therapeutic approaches, including the promising prospect of gene therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Heart Disease)

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28 pages, 1578 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of NAD+, SIRTs Interactions in Stimulating and Counteracting Carcinogenesis

by Ekaterina Podyacheva and Yana Toropova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(9), 7925; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24097925 - 27 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3387

Abstract

The World Health Organization has identified oncological diseases as one of the most serious health concerns of the current century. Current research on oncogenesis is focused on the molecular mechanisms of energy-biochemical reprogramming in cancer cell metabolism, including processes contributing to the Warburg [...] Read more.

The World Health Organization has identified oncological diseases as one of the most serious health concerns of the current century. Current research on oncogenesis is focused on the molecular mechanisms of energy-biochemical reprogramming in cancer cell metabolism, including processes contributing to the Warburg effect and the pro-oncogenic and anti-oncogenic roles of sirtuins (SIRTs) and poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs). However, a clear understanding of the interaction between NAD⁺, SIRTs in cancer development, as well as their effects on carcinogenesis, has not been established, and literature data vary greatly. This work aims to provide a summary and structure of the available information on NAD⁺, SIRTs interactions in both stimulating and countering carcinogenesis, and to discuss potential approaches for pharmacological modulation of these interactions to achieve an anticancer effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Heart Disease)

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13 pages, 1693 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Functional Characterisation of the Rare SCN5A p.E1225K Variant, Segregating in a Brugada Syndrome Familial Case, in Human Cardiomyocytes from Pluripotent Stem Cells

by Nicolò Salvarani, Giovanni Peretto, Crasto Silvia, Andrea Villatore, Cecilia Thairi, Anna Santoni, Camilla Galli, Paola Carrera, Simone Sala, Sara Benedetti, Elisa Di Pasquale and Chiara Di Resta

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(11), 9548; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119548 - 31 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1615

Abstract

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited autosomal dominant cardiac channelopathy. Pathogenic rare mutations in the SCN5A gene, encoding the alpha-subunit of the voltage-dependent cardiac Na⁺ channel protein (Nav1.5), are identified in 20% of BrS patients, affecting the correct function of the channel. [...] Read more.

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited autosomal dominant cardiac channelopathy. Pathogenic rare mutations in the SCN5A gene, encoding the alpha-subunit of the voltage-dependent cardiac Na⁺ channel protein (Nav1.5), are identified in 20% of BrS patients, affecting the correct function of the channel. To date, even though hundreds of SCN5A variants have been associated with BrS, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are still unclear in most cases. Therefore, the functional characterization of the SCN5A BrS rare variants still represents a major hurdle and is fundamental to confirming their pathogenic effect. Human cardiomyocytes (CMs) differentiated from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have been extensively demonstrated to be reliable platforms for investigating cardiac diseases, being able to recapitulate specific traits of disease, including arrhythmic events and conduction abnormalities. Based on this, in this study, we performed a functional analysis of the BrS familial rare variant NM_198056.2:c.3673G>A (NP_932173.1:p.Glu1225Lys), which has been never functionally characterized before in a cardiac-relevant context, as the human cardiomyocyte. Using a specific lentiviral vector encoding a GFP-tagged SCN5A gene carrying the specific c.3673G>A variant and CMs differentiated from control PSCs (PSC-CMs), we demonstrated an impairment of the mutated Nav1.5, thus suggesting the pathogenicity of the rare BrS detected variant. More broadly, our work supports the application of PSC-CMs for the assessment of the pathogenicity of gene variants, the identification of which is increasing exponentially due to the advances in next-generation sequencing methods and their massive use in genetic testing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Heart Disease)

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