瞬时受体电位香草酸亚型1激活通过抑制线粒体通透性转换孔开放保护急性心肌梗死小鼠的心肌细胞抗凋亡北大核心CSCD

瞬时受体电位香草酸亚型1(TRPV1)在心肌缺血激活后可传导心绞痛信号,释放神经肽,减轻心肌梗死后的心肌细胞凋亡。目前,TRPV1激活抑制心肌梗死后细胞凋亡的具体机制尚不清楚。线粒体通透性转换孔(MPTP)的开放与心肌细胞缺血再灌注损伤密切相关,抑制其开放可保护心肌缺血后的心肌细胞抗凋亡。本研究证明,TRPV1激活通过抑制MPTP开放而减少心肌细胞凋亡。首先,本研究利用左冠状动脉前降支结扎术建立了TRPV1基因敲除(TRPV1-/-)和野生型(WT)小鼠心肌梗死模型,辅以环孢素A(CSA)预处理抑制MPTP开放,比较观察TRPV1、MPTP在心肌梗死中的作用。心肌组织切片氯化三苯基四氮唑(TTC)染色显示,心肌缺血24 h,TRPV1-/-小鼠的心肌梗死面积明显大于WT型小鼠。而经CSA预处理的TRPV1-/-小鼠比TRPV1-/-小鼠梗死面积明显减小。TUNEL检测心肌细胞凋亡指数(AI)揭示,WT型心肌梗死小鼠的AI明显低于TRPV1-/-心肌梗死小鼠,而CSA预处理明显降低TRPV1-/-小鼠心肌细胞的AI。Western印迹检测胱天蛋白酶3、胱天蛋白酶9、Bcl-2、Bax、p53和细胞色素C(Cyt-C)水平。结果证明,TRPV1的激活可抑制MPTP的开放,减少线粒体Cyt-C的外溢,降低胱天蛋白酶9和胱天蛋白酶3的表达。GENMEN光度法检测MPTP开放实验显示,激活的TRPV1明显抑制了MPTP的开放。本研究证实,急性心肌梗死后的TRPV1激活可能通过抑制MPTP开放而抵抗心肌细胞凋亡,对心肌起保护作用。     

瞬时受体电位香草酸亚型1激活通过抑制线粒体通透性转换孔开放保护急性心肌梗死小鼠的心肌细胞抗凋亡

瞬时受体电位香草酸亚型1（TRPV1）在心肌缺血激活后可传导心绞痛信号,释放神经肽,减轻心肌梗死后的心肌细胞凋亡。目前,TRPV1激活抑制心肌梗死后细胞凋亡的具体机制尚不清楚。线粒体通透性转换孔（MPTP）的开放与心肌细胞缺血再灌注损伤密切相关,抑制其开放可保护心肌缺血后的心肌细胞抗凋亡。本研究证明,TRPV1激活通过抑制MPTP开放而减少心肌细胞凋亡。首先,本研究利用左冠状动脉前降支结扎术建立了TRPV1基因敲除（TRPV1-/-）和野生型（WT）小鼠心肌梗死模型,辅以环孢素A（CSA）预处理抑制 MPTP开放,比较观察TRPV1、MPTP在心肌梗死中的作用。心肌组织切片氯化三苯基四氮唑（TTC）染色显示,心肌缺血24 h,TRPV1-/-小鼠的心肌梗死面积明显大于WT型小鼠。而经CSA预处理的TRPV1-/-小鼠比TRPV1-/-小鼠梗死面积明显减小。TUNEL检测心肌细胞凋亡指数（AI）揭示,WT型心肌梗死小鼠的AI明显低于TRPV1-/- 心肌梗死小鼠,而CSA预处理明显降低TRPV1-/-小鼠心肌细胞的AI。Western印迹检测胱天蛋白酶3、胱天蛋白酶9、Bcl-2、Bax、p53和细胞色素C（Cyt-C）水平。结果证明,TRPV1的激活可抑制MPTP的开放,减少线粒体Cyt-C的外溢,降低胱天蛋白酶9和胱天蛋白酶3的表达。GENMEN光度法检测MPTP开放实验显示,激活的TRPV1明显抑制了MPTP的开放。本研究证实,急性心肌梗死后的TRPV1激活可能通过抑制MPTP开放而抵抗心肌细胞凋亡,对心肌起保护作用。     

SP600125对大鼠肺缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用及机制

目的:探讨SP600125-c-Jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)特异性抑制剂对大鼠肺缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用及机制。方法:复制在体大鼠原位单肺缺血/再灌注模型,随机分3组(n=10):假手术对照组(Control组)、缺血再灌注组(I/R组)与缺血再灌注+SP600125干预组(SP600125组)。实验结束时取肺组织测湿/干重比(W/D)、肺泡损伤率(IAR);采用蛋白印迹法检测肺组织磷酸化JNK(p-JNK)、JNK蛋白的表达;免疫组化法检测肺组织Bcl-2、Bax、Caspase-3蛋白的表达;原位末端标记法检测肺组织细胞凋亡指数(AI);电镜观察肺组织超微结构的改变。结果:SP600125组肺组织p-JNK、Bax、caspase-3的蛋白表达显著低于I/R组(均P<0.01),Bcl-2的蛋白表达及Bcl-2/Bax的比值显著高于I/R组(均P<0.01),AI、W/D及IAR显著低于I/R组(均P<0.01),肺组织超微结构损伤不同程度减轻。结论:SP600125可能通过抑制JNK信号通路,上调Bcl-2/Bax的比值减少caspase-3依赖性的肺细胞凋亡,从而减轻肺缺血/再灌注损伤。     

飞机噪声刺激引起小鼠初级听皮层神经元凋亡

目的噪声对人体最直接的危害是听力损伤,以往研究多关注外周听觉器官改变,其对听皮层神经元的影响并不清楚,本研究探讨飞机噪声刺激5天后,小鼠初级听皮层神经元的形态改变和凋亡相关变化。方法采用苏木素-伊红(hematoxylin and eosin,HE)染色检测小鼠神经元形态变化,采用免疫组织化学方法和Western blot检测B淋巴细胞瘤-白血病2蛋白(Bcl-2)、Bcl-2相关X蛋白(Bax)、天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶-3(caspase-3)蛋白表达。结果与对照组相比,噪声刺激可导致小鼠初级听皮层神经元体积变小、分布不均、颜色深染、胞浆不清、核固缩。噪声组小鼠听皮层神经元凋亡比例显著增加,Bax蛋白表达显著增加,而Bcl-2表达无明显改变,Bax/Bcl-2显著增加,同时伴有caspase-3水平增加。结论飞机噪声刺激可导致小鼠听皮层神经元形态异常,出现明显凋亡改变,其机制与Bax/Bcl-2信号通路及caspase-3活性增加有关。     

硫酸化茯苓多糖对人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7凋亡的影响

为了探讨硫酸化茯苓多糖(SP)对人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7凋亡的影响,采用MTT法检测不同浓度、作用时间SP对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的抑制作用,倒置显微镜观察MCF-7细胞的形态学变化,RT-PCR检测SP处理MCF-7细胞凋亡相关基因(Bcl-2,Bax)的表达;Western blotting技术检测SP对乳腺癌细胞凋亡蛋白Bcl-2、Bax表达变化。结果表明,SP对MCF-7细胞增殖有抑制作用,且在一定范围内呈剂量效应;细胞贴壁能力减弱,细胞间隙增大,胞膜褶皱;Bcl-2基因表达水平和蛋白表达水平明显降低(p0.05),Bax基因表达水平和蛋白表达水平明显升高(p0.05)。基于以上研究,SP通过促凋亡基因Bax的表达,抑制抗凋亡基因Bcl-2的表达来下调Bcl-2/Bax比值,激活凋亡途径,诱导MCF-7细胞的凋亡。     

下肢骨骼肌缺血后处理对兔缺血/再灌注心肌坏死和凋亡的影响

目的:探讨在体情况下,骨骼肌缺血后处理对兔缺血/再灌注心肌坏死和凋亡的影响。方法:新西兰大白兔36只,随机分成3组(每组随机选取6只进行梗死范围的测定,另外6只进行凋亡测定):①假手术组(Sham组);②缺血/再灌注组(I/R组);③远端后处理组(RPostC组)。在缺血前、后及再灌注60 min、120 min分别抽血测定肌酸激酶(CK),乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)的活性。采用伊文思兰(evans blue)和三苯基氯化四氮唑(TTC)染色方法确定心肌缺血区范围以及心肌坏死区范围。用Tunel法检测兔心肌缺血区细胞凋亡情况,免疫组织化学方法检测心肌缺血区蛋白caspase-3、Bcl-2及Bax的表达。结果:RPostC组心肌坏死程度、再灌注末CK活性较I/R组明显减低。RPostC组缺血区心肌Tunel阳性指数显著低于I/R组(21.79%±1.07%vs35.81%±1.10%,P<0.05)。而RPostC组缺血区心肌细胞caspase-3阳性指数显著低于I/R组(25.03%±1.16%vs39%±2.43%,P<0.05)。与Sham组比较,I/R组及RPostC组Bax蛋白表达指数、Bcl-2蛋白表达指数均升高;但RPostC组的Bax/Bcl-2比值降低,而I/R组的Bax/Bcl-2比值升高。与I/R组相比较,RPostC组Bax蛋白表达指数及Bax/Bcl-2比值显著降低,Bcl-2表达指数显著升高,差异均有统计学意义。结论:远端后处理能够明显的减少缺血/再灌注心肌细胞的坏死和凋亡,其减轻心肌细胞凋亡的机制可能与抑制促凋亡基因caspase-3的活化及Bcl-2表达的上调有关。     

褪黑素抑制新生大鼠脑缺血缺氧损伤后海马内Bcl-2/Bax的下调和caspase-3的活化

目的探讨褪黑素对新生大鼠缺氧缺血性脑损伤(hypoxic-ischemic brain damage,HIBD)后脑内Bcl-2、Bax和caspase-3表达的影响。方法用电凝结扎第7天的新生SD大鼠右颈总动脉制备新生大鼠脑缺血缺氧损伤模型,用称重法测定脑水肿程度;hematoxylin-eosin(HE)和triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)染色观察脑组织的梗死范围;Fluoro-Jade B(FJB)染色观察细胞的死亡情况;免疫荧光染色、Westernblot检测caspase-3、Bcl-2和Bax在各组的表达。结果 HIBD大鼠右侧大脑半球出现明显的梗死灶,且含水量较假手术组明显增加;褪黑素可使之减轻。HE和FJB染色显示,褪黑素可减轻大鼠缺血缺氧损伤引起的海马神经元的形态改变,降低FJB阳性细胞的数量。免疫荧光染色和Western Blot检测显示,HIBD大鼠右侧海马caspase-3、Bcl-2和Bax水平升高,Bcl-2/Bax降低;褪黑素干预后caspase-3和Bax水平达降低,Bcl-2水平升高,Bcl-2/Bax升高。结论褪黑素可通过抑制新生大鼠脑缺血缺氧损伤后海马内Bcl-2/Bax的下调和caspase-3的活化,抑制细胞凋亡,对新生鼠脑缺血缺氧损伤产生保护作用。     

急性铅应激诱导肝肾损伤及其分子机制初探

利用腹腔注射醋酸铅方法构建了铅染毒小鼠(Mus muscculus)模型,观察了染毒小鼠肝、肾的组织学变化,并通过免疫组织化学方法检测了染毒小鼠肝、肾组织中Caspase-3、Bcl-2和Bax蛋白的表达量.结果发现,急性铅染毒可诱导肝和肾组织学损伤,且在诱导肝细胞和肾细胞凋亡、损伤过程中,随时间的延长,Caspase-3的表达量逐渐增加,而Bcl-2与Bax两蛋白表达量的比值呈逐渐下降趋势,有一定的时效性,染毒48 h后,与对照组相比,均差异极显著,表明铅可能通过影响Caspase-3、Bcl-2和Bax的表达而诱导肝和肾细胞异常凋亡.     

凝血酶诱导大鼠海马神经细胞凋亡及其与Bcl-2及Bax表达变化关系的实验研究

目的研究不同浓度凝血酶诱导海马神经元凋亡的作用及其机制.方法将原代培养新生大鼠海马神经元分为对照组,凝血酶组(1U/ml,10U/ml,20U/ml,40U/ml),凝血酶受体激活肽组.应用TUNEL及流式细胞仪检测凋亡细胞数及凋亡百分率,免疫细胞化学方法检测Bcl-2,Bax蛋白表达.结果低浓度凝血酶组(1U/ml)凋亡细胞数和凋亡率与对照组无差异,Bcl-2表达增加;随凝血酶浓度增加,TUNEL阳性细胞数及凋亡率明显增多,Bcl-2表达下调,Bax表达上调,Bcl-2/Bax比值降低.凝血酶受体激活肽的作用与大剂量凝血酶类似.结论凝血酶可能通过激活PAR-1受体诱导凋亡,凋亡呈剂量依赖性.Bcl-2的表达减少,Bax的表达增加,Bcl-2/Bax降低可能为高浓度凝血酶诱导凋亡的机制之一.     

香蜂草苷诱导人肝癌细胞株HepG2凋亡及其作用机制

为了研究香蜂草苷对肝癌细胞株HepG2凋亡的影响,并探讨其作用机制,利用MTT法检测香蜂草苷对HepG2细胞增殖的抑制作用,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,试剂盒检测caspase-3和caspase-9活性,Western blot检测Bcl-2、Bax、RKIP、ERK、p-ERK蛋白表达。实验结果表明香蜂草苷可抑制HepG2细胞增殖并诱导其凋亡,其机制可能与提高caspase-3和caspase-9活性,上调Bax和下调Bcl-2表达有关。此外,我们的研究显示香蜂草苷诱导HepG2细胞凋亡可能还与其增加RKIP表达,抑制ERK/MAPK信号通路有关。     

TRPV1 gene knockout impairs preconditioning protection against myocardial injury in isolated perfused hearts in mice

Although the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1)-containing afferent nerve fibers are widely distributed in the heart, the relationship between TRPV1 function and cardiac ischemic preconditioning (PC) has not been well defined. Using TRPV1 knockout mice (TRPV1(-/-)), we studied the role of TRPV1 in PC-induced myocardial protection. Hearts of gene-targeted TRPV1-null mutant (TRPV1(-/-)) or wild-type (WT) mice were Langendorffly perfused in the presence or absence of CGRP(8-37), a selective calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist; or RP-67580, a selective neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist when hearts were subjected to three 5-min periods of ischemia PC followed by 30 min of global ischemia and 40 min of reperfusion (I/R). PC before I/R decreased left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure and increased LV developed pressure, coronary flow (CF), peak-positive maximum rate of rise of LV pressure in WT mice (PC-WT) compared with PC-TRPV1(-/-), TRPV1(-/-), or WT hearts (P < 0.05), and PC also decreased LV end-diastolic pressure in PC-TRPV1(-/-) compared with TRPV1(-/-). CGRP(8-37) or RP-67580 abolished PC-induced protection in WT but not TRPV1(-/-) hearts (P < 0.05). Moreover, PC decreased lactate dehydrogenase release and infarct size in PC-WT compared with PC-TRPV1(-/-), TRPV1(-/-), or WT hearts, and it also lowered these parameters in PC-TRPV1(-/-) compared with TRPV1(-/-) hearts (P < 0.05). Radioimmunoassay showed that the release of substance P and CGRP after PC was higher in WT hearts than in TRPV1(-/-) hearts (P < 0.05), which was attenuated by capsazepine in WT but not TRPV1(-/-) hearts. Thus PC-induced protection of the heart was impaired in TRPV1(-/-) hearts, indicating that TRPV1 contributes to the beneficial effects of preconditioning against I/R injury through release substance P and CGRP.     

Inhibition of Fas-associated apoptosis in granulation tissue cells accompanies attenuation of postinfarction left ventricular remodeling by olmesartan

Blockade of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) signaling attenuates heart failure following myocardial infarction (MI), perhaps through reduction of fibrosis in the noninfarcted myocardium. However, its specific effect on the infarct tissue itself has not been fully clarified, which we examined in the present study. After MI induction in mice, treatment with the AT1 blocker olmesartan, beginning on the 3rd day post-MI, significantly improved survival (94%) 4 wk post-MI, compared with saline (53%) and hydralazine (73%). Olmesartan-treated mice also showed significant attenuation of left ventricular dilatation and dysfunction, as well as significantly greater infarct wall thickness, although the absolute size of the infarct scar was unchanged. In addition, significantly greater numbers of nonmyocytes (mainly vascular cells and myofibroblasts) were present within the infarct scar in olmesartan-treated hearts. Ten days post-MI, apoptosis among granulation tissue cells was significantly suppressed in the olmesartan-treated hearts, where expression of Fas, Bax, procaspase-3, and Daxx and activation of caspase-3, c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase, and c-Jun were all significantly attenuated. By contrast, expression of Fas ligand, Bcl-2, and Fas-associated death domain and activation of caspase-8 were unaffected, suggesting olmesartan exerts a negative regulatory effect on the alternate pathway downstream of Fas receptor. In vitro, olmesartan dose-dependently inhibited Fas-mediated apoptosis in granulation tissue-derived myofibroblasts. The present study proposes this antiapoptotic effect as another important mechanism for an AT1 blocker in improving post-MI ventricular remodeling, as well as its antifibrotic effect, and also suggests a significant link between renin-angiotensin and Fas/Fas ligand systems in postinfarction hearts.     

N-oleoyldopamine, a novel endogenous capsaicin-like lipid, protects the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury via activation of TRPV1

N-oleoyldopamine (OLDA), a bioactive lipid originally found in the mammalian brain, is an endovanilloid that selectively activates the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel. This study tests the hypothesis that OLDA protects the heart against ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury via activation of the TRPV1 in wild-type (WT) but not in gene-targeted TRPV1-null mutant (TRPV1(-/-)) mice. Hearts of WT or TRPV1(-/-) mice were Langendorffly perfused with OLDA (2 x 10(-9) M) in the presence or absence of CGRP8-37 (1 x 10(-6) M), a selective calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist; RP-67580 (1 x 10(-6) M), a selective neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist; chelerythrine (5 x 10(-6) M), a selective protein kinase C (PKC) antagonist; or tetrabutylammonium (TBA, 5 x 10(-4) M), a nonselective K(+) channel antagonist, followed by 35 min of global ischemia and 40 min of reperfusion (I/R). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), coronary flow (CF), and left ventricular peak positive dP/dt (+dP/dt) were evaluated after I/R. OLDA improved recovery of cardiac function after I/R in WT but not TRPV1(-/-) hearts by increasing LVDP, CF, and +dP/dt and by decreasing LVEDP. CGRP8-37, RP-67580, chelerythrine, or TBA abolished the protective effect of OLDA in WT hearts. Radioimmunoassay showed that the release of substance P (SP) and CGRP after OLDA treatment was higher in WT than in TRPV1(-/-) hearts, which was blocked by chelerythrine or TBA. Thus OLDA exerts a cardiac protective effect during I/R injury in WT hearts via CGRP and SP release, which is abolished by PKC or K(+) channel antagonists. The protective effect of OLDA is void in TRPV1(-/-) hearts, supporting the notion that TRPV1 mediates OLDA-induced protection against cardiac I/R injury.     

SR-A deficiency reduces myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury; involvement of increased microRNA-125b expression in macrophages

The macrophage scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) participates in the innate immune and inflammatory responses. This study examined the role of macrophage SR-A in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cell damage. SR-A^?/? and WT mice were subjected to ischemia (45 min) followed by reperfusion for up to 7 days. SR-A^?/? mice showed smaller myocardial infarct size and better cardiac function than did WT I/R mice. SR-A deficiency attenuated I/R-induced myocardial apoptosis by preventing p53-mediated Bak-1 apoptotic signaling. The levels of microRNA-125b in SR-A^?/? heart were significantly greater than in WT myocardium. SR-A is predominantly expressed on macrophages. To investigate the role of SR-A macrophages in H/R-induced injury, we isolated peritoneal macrophages from SR-A deficient (SR-A^?/?) and wild type (WT) mice. Macrophages were subjected to hypoxia followed by reoxygenation. H/R markedly increased NF-κB binding activity as well as KC and MCP-1 production in WT macrophages but not in SR-A^?/? macrophages. H/R induced caspase-3/7 and -8 activities and cell death in WT macrophages, but not in SR-A^?/? macrophages. The levels of miR-125b in SR-A^?/? macrophages were significantly higher than in WT macrophages. Transfection of WT macrophages with miR-125b mimics attenuated H/R-induced caspase-3/7 and -8 activities and H/R-decreased viability, and prevented H/R-increased p-53, Bak-1 and Bax expression. The data suggest that SR-A deficiency attenuates myocardial I/R injury by targeting p53-mediated apoptotic signaling. SR-A^?/? macrophages contain high levels of miR-125b which may play a role in the protective effect of SR-A deficiency on myocardial I/R injury and H/R-induced cell damage.     

蓝莓花色苷预处理对大鼠心肌梗死的保护作用

目的观察蓝莓花色苷（blueberryanthocyanin,BBA）预处理对实验性急性心肌梗死大鼠心肌梗死面积,心肌肌钙蛋白-T（cTn-T）表达,Bax、Bcl-2mRNA表达的影响,探讨其干预心肌梗死的机制。方法40只Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组,心肌梗死模型组,BBA低、中、高剂量组,药物干预4周,末次给药30min后结扎左冠状动脉前降支建立心梗动物模型。24h后,TTC检测心肌梗死面积;Westernblotting方法检测心肌细胞cTn-T蛋白表达;realtimePCR方法检测Bcl-2mRNA、BaxmRNA表达。结果模型组和假手术组相比,模型组心肌梗死面积显著升高（P〈0．01）,心肌细胞cTn．T蛋白表达下降（P〈0．05）,Bcl-2mRNA表达下降（P〈0．05）,BaxmRNA表达显著升高（P〈0．01）,Bcl-2／Bax比值显著降低（P〈0．01）。BBA干预给药组和模型组相比,中剂量组心肌梗死面积低于模型组（P〈0．05）,低剂量组心肌细胞cTn-T蛋白表达升高（P〈0．05）,中剂量组Bcl-2mRNA表达升高（P〈0．05）,低、中剂量组BaxmRNA表达下降（P〈0．05）,中剂量组Bcl-2／Bax比值升高（P〈0．05）。结论蓝莓花色苷对心肌梗死后心肌细胞具有明确的保护作用,其机制可能与减少心肌梗死面积,上调心肌细胞eTn-T蛋白的表达,上调Bcl-2mRNA表达、下调BaxmRNA表达,抑制心肌梗死后心肌细胞凋亡有关。     

The Circular RNA Cdr1as Promotes Myocardial Infarction by Mediating the Regulation of miR-7a on Its Target Genes Expression

Objectives

Recent studies have demonstrated the role of Cdr1as (or CiRS-7), one of the well-identified circular RNAs (circRNAs), as a miR-7a/b sponge or inhibitor in brain tissues or islet cells. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Cdr1as/miR-7a pathway in cardiomyocytes, and explore the mechanism underlying the function of miR-7a in protecting against myocardial infarction (MI)-induced apoptosis.

Methods

Mouse MI injury model was established and evaluated by infarct size determination. Real-time PCR was performed to quantify the expression of Cdr1as and miR-7a in cardiomyocytes. Cell apoptosis was determined by caspase-3 activity analysis and flow cytometry assays with Annexin V/PI staining. Transfection of Cdr1as overexpressing plasmid and miR-7a mimic were conducted for gain-of-function studies. Luciferase reporter assay and western blot analysis were performed to verity potential miR-7a targets.

Results

Cdr1as and miR-7a were both upregulated in MI mice with increased cardiac infarct size, or cardiomyocytes under hypoxia treatment. Cdr1as overexpression in MCM cells promoted cell apoptosis, but was then reversed by miR-7a overexpression. The SP1 was identified as a new miR-7a target, in line with previously identified PARP, while miR-7a-induced decrease of cell apoptosis under hypoxia treatment was proven to be inhibited by PARP-SP1 overexpression. Moreover, Cdr1as overexpression in vivo increased cardiac infarct size with upregulated expression of PARP and SP1, while miR-7a overexpression reversed these changes.

Conclusions

Cdr1as also functioned as a powerful miR-7a sponge in myocardial cells, and showed regulation on the protective role of miR-7a in MI injury, involving the function of miR-7a targets, PARP and SP1.     

Toll-like receptor 3 plays a role in myocardial infarction and ischemia/reperfusion injury

Innate immune and inflammatory responses mediated by Toll like receptors (TLRs) have been implicated in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study examined the role of TLR3 in myocardial injury induced by two models, namely, myocardial infarction (MI) and I/R. First, we examined the role of TLR3 in MI. TLR3 deficient (TLR3^−/−) and wild type (WT) mice were subjected to MI induced by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery for 21 days. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography. Next, we examined whether TLR3 contributes to myocardial I/R injury. TLR3^−/− and WT mice were subjected to myocardial ischemia (45 min) followed by reperfusion for up to 3 days. Cardiac function and myocardial infarct size were examined. We also examined the effect of TLR3 deficiency on I/R-induced myocardial apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine production. TLR3^−/− mice showed significant attenuation of cardiac dysfunction after MI or I/R. Myocardial infarct size and myocardial apoptosis induced by I/R injury were significantly attenuated in TLR3^−/− mice. TLR3 deficiency increases B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) levels and attenuates I/R-increased Fas, Fas ligand or CD95L (FasL), Fas-Associated protein with Death Domain (FADD), Bax and Bak levels in the myocardium. TLR3 deficiency also attenuates I/R-induced myocardial nuclear factor KappaB (NF-κB) binding activity, Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) production as well as I/R-induced infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages into the myocardium. TLR3 plays an important role in myocardial injury induced by MI or I/R. The mechanisms involve activation of apoptotic signaling and NF-κB binding activity. Modulation of TLR3 may be an effective approach for ameliorating heart injury in heart attack patients.     

Adrenomedullin gene delivery attenuates myocardial infarction and apoptosis after ischemia and reperfusion

Adrenomedullin (AM) has been shown to protect against cardiac remodeling. In this study, we investigated the potential role of AM in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury through adenovirus-mediated gene delivery. One week after AM gene delivery, rats were subjected to 30-min coronary occlusion, followed by 2-h reperfusion. AM gene transfer significantly reduced the ratio of infarct size to ischemic area at risk and the occurrence of sustained ventricular fibrillation compared with control rats. AM gene delivery also attenuated apoptosis, assessed by both terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay and DNA laddering. The effect of AM gene transfer on infarct size, arrhythmia, and apoptosis was abolished by an AM antagonist, calcitonin gene-related peptide [CGRP(8-37)]. Expression of human AM significantly increased cardiac cGMP levels and reduced superoxide production, superoxide density, NAD(P)H oxidase activity, p38 MAPK activation, and Bax levels. Moreover, AM increased Akt and Bad phosphorylation and Bcl-2 levels, but decreased caspase-3 activation. These results indicate that AM protects against myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, and apoptosis in I/R injury via suppression of oxidative stress-induced Bax and p38 MAPK phosphorylation and activation of the Akt-Bad-Bcl-2 signaling pathway. Successful application of this technology may have a protective effect in coronary artery diseases.