Irisin ameliorates angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis through autophagy

Cardiac hypertrophy is the main cause of heart failure and sudden death in patients. But the pathogenesis is unclear. Angiotensin II may contribute to cardiac hypertrophy in response to pressure overload. In angiotensin II-treated cardiomyocytes, there is a larger cross-sectional area, more apoptosis cells, and a reduction of irisin expression. An increase in P62, an autophagy flux index, as well as LC3II, were observed in cardiomyocytes after angiotensin II-induced injury. Surprisely, irisin supplementation increased LC3II expression and decreased P62 expression, consisted of results of RFP-GFP-LC3B adenovirus transfection, and reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, meanwhile, the protection of irisin was reversed by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine. In animal experiments, overexpression of irisin reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and alleviated myocardial hypertrophy caused by pressure overload. The above results indicate that irisin-induced protective autophagy and alleviated the apoptosis signaling pathway in cardiomyocytes, consequently reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis after angiotensin II-induced injury. Hence, increasing irisin expression may be a new way to improve cardiac function and quality of life in patients with cardiac hypertrophy.     

一氧化氮在血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导心肌细胞肥大中的作用

在培养新生大鼠心肌细胞上,探讨一氧化氮（ＮＯ）在血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的心肌细胞以大中的作用。结果显示,血管紧张素Ⅱ可使心肌细胞蛋白质含量显著增加,心肌细胞一氧化氮合酶（ＮＯＳ）活性和培养液ＮＯ浓度明显降低。血管紧张素Ⅱ可明显降低心肌细胞ｅＮＯＳｍＲＮＡ水平。Ｓａｒａｌｓｉｎ和百日咳毒素（ＰＴＸ）可抑制血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的蛋白质含量增加、心肌细胞ＮＯＳ活性减弱和培养液ＮＯ浓度降低。硝普钠提高心肌细胞培养     

Metabolic switch and hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes following treatment with angiotensin II are prevented by AMP-activated protein kinase

Angiotensin II induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, but its consequences on cardiomyocyte metabolism and energy supply are not completely understood. Here we investigate the effect of angiotensin II on glucose and fatty acid utilization and the modifying role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator of metabolism and proliferation. Treatment of H9C2 cardiomyocytes with angiotensin II (Ang II, 1 microm, 4 h) increased [(3)H]leucine incorporation, up-regulated the mRNA expression of the hypertrophy marker genes MLC, ANF, BNP, and beta-MHC, and decreased the phosphorylation of the negative mTOR-regulator tuberin (TSC-2). Rat neonatal cardiomyocytes showed similar results. Western blot analysis revealed a time- and concentration-dependent down-regulation of AMPK-phosphorylation in the presence of angiotensin II, whereas the protein expression of the catalytic alpha-subunit remained unchanged. This was paralleled by membrane translocation of glucose-transporter type 4 (GLUT4), increased uptake of [(3)H]glucose and transient down-regulation of phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), whereas fatty acid uptake remained unchanged. Similarly, short-term transaortic constriction in mice resulted in down-regulation of P-AMPK and P-ACC but up-regulation of GLUT4 membrane translocation in the heart. Preincubation of cardiomyocytes with the AMPK stimulator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR; 1 mM, 4 h) completely prevented the angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocytes hypertrophy. In addition, AICAR reversed the metabolic effects of angiotensin II: GLUT4 translocation was reduced, but ACC phosphorylation and TSC phosphorylation were elevated. In summary, angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes is accompanied by decreased activation of AMPK, increased glucose uptake, and decreased mTOR inhibition. Stimulation with the AMPK activator AICAR reverses these metabolic changes, increases fatty acid utilization, and inhibits cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.     

Cyclin D2 induces proliferation of cardiac myocytes and represses hypertrophy

The myocytes of the adult mammalian heart are considered unable to divide. Instead, mitogens induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We have investigated the effect of adenoviral overexpression of cyclin D2 on myocyte proliferation and morphology. Cardiomyocytes in culture were identified by established markers. Cyclin D2 induced DNA synthesis and proliferation of cardiomyocytes and impaired hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II and serum. At the molecular level, cyclin D2 activated CDK4/6 and lead to pRB phosphorylation and downregulation of the cell cycle inhibitors p21Waf1/Cip1 and p27Kip1. Expression of the CDK4/6 inhibitor p16 inhibited proliferation and cyclin D2 overexpressing myocytes became hypertrophic under such conditions. Inhibition of hypertrophy by cyclin D2 correlated with downregulation of p27Kip1. These data show that hypertrophy and proliferation are highly related processes and suggest that cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is due to low amounts of cell cycle activators unable to overcome the block imposed by cell cycle inhibitors. Cell cycle entry upon hypertrophy may be converted to cell division by increased expression of activators such as cyclin D2.     

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1-deficient mice are protected from angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP), a chromatin-bound enzyme, is activated by cell oxidative stress. Because oxidative stress is also considered a main component of angiotensin II-mediated cell signaling, it was postulated that PARP could be a downstream target of angiotensin II-induced signaling leading to cardiac hypertrophy. To determine a role of PARP in angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy, we infused angiotensin II into wild-type (PARP(+/+)) and PARP-deficient mice. Angiotensin II infusion significantly increased heart weight-to-tibia length ratio, myocyte cross-sectional area, and interstitial fibrosis in PARP(+/+) but not in PARP(-/-) mice. To confirm these results, we analyzed the effect of angiotensin II in primary cultures of cardiomyocytes. When compared with PARP(-/-) cardiomyocytes, angiotensin II (1 microM) treatment significantly increased protein synthesis in PARP(+/+) myocytes, as measured by (3)H-leucine incorporation into total cell protein. Angiotensin II-mediated hypertrophy of myocytes was accompanied with increased poly-ADP-ribosylation of nuclear proteins and depletion of cellular NAD content. When cells were treated with cell death-inducing doses of angiotensin II (10-20 microM), robust myocyte cell death was observed in PARP(+/+) but not in PARP(-/-) myocytes. This type of cell death was blocked by repletion of cellular NAD levels as well as by activation of the longevity factor Sir2alpha deacetylase, indicating that PARP induction and subsequent depletion of NAD levels are the sequence of events causing angiotensin II-mediated cardiomyocyte cell death. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that PARP is a nuclear integrator of angiotensin II-mediated cell signaling contributing to cardiac hypertrophy and suggest that this could be a novel therapeutic target for the management of heart failure.     

Calcineurin blockade prevents cardiac mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and hypertrophy in renovascular hypertension

Chronic stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system induces an elevation of blood pressure and the development of cardiac hypertrophy via the actions of its effector, angiotensin II. In cardiomyocytes, mitogen-activated protein kinases as well as protein kinase C isoforms have been shown to be important in the transduction of trophic signals. The Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin has also been suggested to play a role in cardiac growth. In the present report, we investigate possible cross-talks between calcineurin, protein kinase C, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in controlling angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy. Angiotensin II-stimulated cardiomyocytes and mice with angiotensin II-dependent renovascular hypertension were treated with the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporin A. Calcineurin, protein kinase C, and mitogen-activated protein kinase activations were determined. We show that cyclosporin A blocks angiotensin II-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in cultured primary cardiomyocytes and in the heart of hypertensive mice. Cyclosporin A also inhibits specific protein kinase C isoforms. In vivo, cyclosporin A prevents the development of cardiac hypertrophy, and this effect appears to be independent of hemodynamic changes. These data suggest cross-talks between the calcineurin pathway, the protein kinase C, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascades in transducing angiotensin II-mediated stimuli in cardiomyocytes and could provide the basis for an integrated model of cardiac hypertrophy.     

MiR-30-Regulated Autophagy Mediates Angiotensin II-Induced Myocardial Hypertrophy

Dysregulated autophagy may lead to the development of disease. Role of autophagy and the diagnostic potential of microRNAs that regulate the autophagy in cardiac hypertrophy have not been evaluated. A rat model of cardiac hypertrophy was established using transverse abdominal aortic constriction (operation group). Cardiomyocyte autophagy was enhanced in rats from the operation group, compared with those in the sham operation group. Moreover, the operation group showed up-regulation of beclin-1 (an autophagy-related gene), and down-regulation of miR-30 in cardiac tissue. The effects of inhibition and over-expression of the beclin-1 gene on the expression of hypertrophy-related genes and on autophagy were assessed. Angiotensin II-induced myocardial hypertrophy was found to be mediated by over-expression of the beclin-1 gene. A dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that beclin-1 was a target gene of miR-30a. miR-30a induced alterations in beclin-1 gene expression and autophagy in cardiomyocytes. Treatment of cardiomyocytes with miR-30a mimic attenuated the Angiotensin II-induced up-regulation of hypertrophy-related genes and decreased in the cardiomyocyte surface area. Conversely, treatment with miR-30a inhibitor enhanced the up-regulation of hypertrophy-related genes and increased the surface area of cardiomyocytes induced by Angiotensin II. In addition, circulating miR-30 was elevated in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, and circulating miR-30 was positively associated with left ventricular wall thickness. Collectively, these above-mentioned results suggest that Angiotensin II induces down-regulation of miR-30 in cardiomyocytes, which in turn promotes myocardial hypertrophy through excessive autophagy. Circulating miR-30 may be an important marker for the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy.     

Signalling Pathways for Cardiac Hypertrophy

Mechanical stretch is an initial factor for cardiac hypertrophy in response to haemodynamic overload (high blood pressure). Stretch of cardiomyocytes activates second messengers such as phosphatidylinositol, protein kinase C, Raf-1 kinase and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs), which are involved in increased protein synthesis. The cardiac renin–angiotensin system is linked to the formation of pressure-overload hypertrophy. Angiotensin II increases the growth of cardiomyocytes by an autocrine mechanism. Angiotensin II-evoked signal transduction pathways differ among cell types. In cardiac fibroblasts, angiotensin II activates ERKs through a pathway including the Gβγ subunit of Gi protein, Src family tyrosine kinases, Shc, Grb2 and Ras, whereas Gq and protein kinase C are important in cardiac myocytes. In addition, mechanical stretch enhances the endothelin-1 release from the cardiomyocytes. Further, the Na⁺–H⁺ exchanger mediates mechanical stretch-induced Raf-1 kinase and ERK activation followed by increased protein synthesis in cardiomyocytes. Not only mechanical stress, but also neurohumoral factors induce cardiac hypertrophy. The activation of protein kinase cascades by norepinephrine is induced by protein kinase A through β-adrenoceptors as well as by protein kinase C through -adrenoceptors.     

Propofol depresses angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro

Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is formed in response to pressure or volume overload, injury, or neurohormonal activation. The most important vascular hormone that contributes to the development of hypertrophy is angiotensin II (Ang II). Accumulating studies have suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play an important role in cardiac hypertrophy. Propofol is a general anesthetic that possesses antioxidant action. We therefore examined whether propofol inhibited Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Our results showed that both ROS formation and hypertrophic responses induced by Ang II in cardiomyocytes were partially blocked by propofol. Further studies showed that propofol inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) induced by Ang II via a decrease in ROS production. In addition, propofol also markedly attenuated Ang II-stimulated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation via a decrease in ROS production. In conclusion, propofol prevents cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by interfering with the generation of ROS and involves the inhibition of the MEK/ERK signaling transduction pathway and NF-kappaB activation.     

Rho plays an important role in angiotensin II-induced hypertrophic responses in cardiac myocytes

Angiotensin II (Ang II) evokes a variety of hypertrophic responses such as activation of protein kinases, reprogramming of gene expressions and an increase in protein synthesis in cardiac myocytes. In this study, we examined the role of Rho family small GTP binding proteins (G proteins) in Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Ang II strongly activated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs) in cardiac myocytes of neonatal rats. Although Ang II-induced activation of ERKs was completely suppressed by an Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist, CV-11974, this activation was not inhibited by the pretreatment with C3 exoenzyme, which abrogates Rho functions. Overexpression of Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor (Rho-GDI), dominant negative mutants of Rac1 (D.N.Rac1), or D.N.Cdc42 had no effects on Ang II-induced activation of transfected ERK2. The promoter activity of skeletal a-actin and c-fos genes was increased by Ang II, and the increase was partly inhibited by overexpression of Rho-GDI and the pretreatment with C3 exoenzyme. Ang II increased phenylalanine incorporation into cardiac myocytes by approximately 1.4 fold as compared with control, and this increase was also significantly suppressed by the pretreatment with C3 exoenzyme. These results suggest that the Rho family small G proteins play important roles in Ang II-induced hypertrophic responses in cardiac myocytes.     

Mas receptor mediates cardioprotection of angiotensin‐(1‐7) against Angiotensin II‐induced cardiomyocyte autophagy and cardiac remodelling through inhibition of oxidative stress

Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays an important role in the onset and development of cardiac remodelling associated with changes of autophagy. Angiotensin1‐7 [Ang‐(1‐7)] is a newly established bioactive peptide of renin–angiotensin system, which has been shown to counteract the deleterious effects of Ang II. However, the precise impact of Ang‐(1‐7) on Ang II‐induced cardiomyocyte autophagy remained essentially elusive. The aim of the present study was to examine if Ang‐(1‐7) inhibits Ang II‐induced autophagy and the underlying mechanism involved. Cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to Ang II for 48 hrs while mice were infused with Ang II for 4 weeks to induce models of cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo. LC3b‐II and p62, markers of autophagy, expression were significantly elevated in cardiomyocytes, suggesting the presence of autophagy accompanying cardiac hypertrophy in response to Ang II treatment. Besides, Ang II induced oxidative stress, manifesting as an increase in malondialdehyde production and a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity. Ang‐(1‐7) significantly retarded hypertrophy, autophagy and oxidative stress in the heart. Furthermore, a role of Mas receptor in Ang‐(1‐7)‐mediated action was assessed using A779 peptide, a selective Mas receptor antagonist. The beneficial responses of Ang‐(1‐7) on cardiac remodelling, autophagy and oxidative stress were mitigated by A779. Taken together, these result indicated that Mas receptor mediates cardioprotection of angiotensin‐(1‐7) against Ang II‐induced cardiomyocyte autophagy and cardiac remodelling through inhibition of oxidative stress.     

Scoparone alleviates Ang II-induced pathological myocardial hypertrophy in mice by inhibiting oxidative stress

Long-term poorly controlled myocardial hypertrophy often leads to heart failure and sudden death. Activation of ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1) by angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a pivotal role in myocardial hypertrophy. Previous studies have demonstrated that scoparone (SCO) has beneficial effects on hypertension and extracellular matrix remodelling. However, the function of SCO on Ang II-mediated myocardial hypertrophy remains unknown. In our study, a mouse model of myocardial hypertrophy was established by Ang II infusion (2 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks, and SCO (60 mg/kg bodyweight) was administered by gavage daily. In vitro experiments were also performed. Our results showed that SCO could alleviate Ang II infusion-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice. In vitro, SCO treatment blocks Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiac fibroblast collagen synthesis and differentiation to myofibroblasts. Meanwhile, we found that SCO treatment blocked Ang II-induced oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts by inhibiting RAC1-GTP and total RAC1 in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst by overexpression of RAC1 completely abolished SCO-mediated protection in cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts in vitro. In conclusion, SCO, an antioxidant, may attenuate Ang II-induced myocardial hypertrophy by suppressing of RAC1 mediated oxidative stress.     

Interleukin-6 family of cytokines mediate angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rodent cardiomyocytes

This study was designed to investigate whether angiotensin II induces the interleukin (IL)-6 family of cytokines in cardiac fibroblasts and, if so, whether these cytokines can augment cardiac hypertrophy. Angiotensin II increased IL-6, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and cardiotrophin-1 mRNA by 6.5-, 10.2-, and 2.0-fold, respectively, but did not affect IL-11, ciliary neurotrophic factor, or oncostatin M in cardiac fibroblasts. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that angiotensin II-stimulated conditioned medium from cardiac fibroblasts contained 9.3 ng/ml IL-6 at 24 h, which was 24-fold higher than the control. It phosphorylated gp130 and STAT3 in cardiomyocytes, which was reduced with RX435 (anti-gp130 blocking antibody). It increased [(3)H]phenylalanine uptake and cell area by 44% and 86% in cardiomyocytes compared with mock medium. RX435 suppressed these increases by 26% and 38%, while TAK044 (endothelin-A/B-R blocker) suppressed them by 52% and 52%, respectively. Antisense oligonucleotides against LIF and cardiotrophin-1 blocked their up-regulation, and attenuated the conditioned medium-induced increase in [(3)H]phenylalanine uptake by 21% and 13%, respectively. The combination of antisense oligonucleotides to LIF and cardiotrophin-1 decreased their uptake by 33%. These results indicated that angiotensin II induced IL-6, LIF, and cardiotrophin-1 in cardiac fibroblasts, and that these cytokines, particularly LIF and cardiotrophin-1, activated gp130-linked signaling and contributed to angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.     

CCR2 mediates the uptake of bone marrow-derived fibroblast precursors in angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis

Angiotensin II plays an important role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. Recent studies have shown that bone marrow-derived fibroblast precursors are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis. Since bone marrow-derived fibroblast precursors express chemokine receptor, CCR2, we tested the hypothesis that CCR2 mediates the recruitment of fibroblast precursors into the heart, causing angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis. Wild-type and CCR2 knockout mice were infused with angiotensin II at 1,500 ng·kg(-1)·min(-1). Angiotensin II treatment resulted in elevated blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy that were not significantly different between wild-type and CCR2 knockout mice. Angiotensin II treatment of wild-type mice caused prominent cardiac fibrosis and accumulation of bone marrow-derived fibroblast precursors expressing the hematopoietic markers, CD34 and CD45, and the mesenchymal marker, collagen I. However, angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis and accumulation of bone marrow-derived fibroblast precursors in the heart were abrogated in CCR2 knockout mice. Furthermore, angiotensin II treatment of wild-type mice increased the levels of collagen I, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin in the heart, whereas these changes were not observed in the heart of angiotensin II-treated CCR2 knockout mice. Functional studies revealed that the reduction of cardiac fibrosis led to an impairment of cardiac systolic function and left ventricular dilatation in angiotensin II-treated CCR2 knockout mice. Our data demonstrate that CCR2 plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis through regulation of bone marrow-derived fibroblast precursors.     

MicroRNA-375-3p inhibitor suppresses angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by promoting lactate dehydrogenase B expression

Cardiac hypertrophy is a myocardial enlargement due to overload pressure, and the primary cause of heart failure. We investigated the function of miR-375-3p in cardiac hypertrophy and its regulating mechanisms. miR-375-3p was upregulated in hearts of the transverse aortic constriction rat model and angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced primary cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model; the opposite was observed for lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) protein expression. miR-375-3p knockdown reduced the surface area of primary cardiomyocytes increased by Ang II treatment and decreased the B-natriuretic peptide (BNP) and β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels. miR-375-3p was also observed to directly target LDHB. LDHB knockdown increased the surface area of Ang II-treated primary cardiomyocytes and increased the BNP and β-MHC mRNA and protein levels. LDHB knockdown attenuated the effects of miR-375-3p on the surface area of primary cardiomyocytes and BNP and β-MHC levels. Therefore, miR-375-3p inhibitor suppresses Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by promoting LDHB expression.     

G alpha 12/13- and reactive oxygen species-dependent activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase by angiotensin receptor stimulation in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes

In the present study, we examined signal transduction mechanism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the role of ROS in angiotensin II-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes. Among three MAPKs, c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK required ROS production for activation, as an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, diphenyleneiodonium, inhibited the activation. The angiotensin II-induced activation of JNK and p38 MAPK was also inhibited by the expression of the Galpha(12/13)-specific regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) domain, a specific inhibitor of Galpha(12/13), but not by an RGS domain specific for Galpha(q). Constitutively active Galpha(12)- or Galpha(13)-induced activation of JNK and p38 MAPK, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), was inhibited by diphenyleneiodonium. Angiotensin II receptor stimulation rapidly activated Galpha(13), which was completely inhibited by the Galpha(12/13)-specific RGS domain. Furthermore, the Galpha(12/13)-specific but not the Galpha(q)-specific RGS domain inhibited angiotensin II-induced ROS production. Dominant negative Rac inhibited angiotensin II-stimulated ROS production, JNK activation, and p38 MAPK activation but did not affect ERK activation. Rac activation was mediated by Rho and Rho kinase, because Rac activation was inhibited by C3 toxin and a Rho kinase inhibitor, Y27632. Furthermore, angiotensin II-induced Rho activation was inhibited by Galpha(12/13)-specific RGS domain but not dominant negative Rac. An inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor kinase AG1478 did not affect angiotensin II-induced JNK activation cascade. These results suggest that Galpha(12/13)-mediated ROS production through Rho and Rac is essential for JNK and p38 MAPK activation.