Blocking the MyD88-dependent pathway protects the myocardium from ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat hearts

We examined whether blocking the MyD88 mediated pathway could protect myocardium from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by transfecting Ad5-dnMyD88 into the myocardium of rats (n=8) 3 days before the hearts were subjected to ischemia (45min) and reperfusion (4h). Ad5-GFP served as control (n=8). One group of rats was (n=8) subjected to I/R without transfection. Transfection of Ad5-dnMyD88 significantly reduced infarct size by 53.6% compared with the I/R group (15.1+/-3.02 vs 32.5+/-2.59) while transfection of Ad5-GFP did not affect I/R induced myocardial injury (35.4+/-2.59 vs 32.5+/-2.59). Transfection of Ad5-dnMyD88 significantly inhibited I/R-enhanced NFkappaB activity by 50% and increased the levels of phospho-Akt by 35.6% and BCL-2 by 81%, respectively. Cardiac myocyte apoptosis after I/R was significantly reduced by 59% in the Ad5-dnMyD88 group. The results demonstrate that both inhibition of the NFkappaB activation pathway and activation of the Akt signaling pathway may be responsible for the protective effect of transfection of dominant negative MyD88.     

Myocardial ischemia activates an injurious innate immune signaling via cardiac heat shock protein 60 and Toll-like receptor 4

Innate immune response after transient ischemia is the most common cause of myocardial inflammation and may contribute to injury, yet the detailed signaling mechanisms leading to such a response are not well understood. Herein we tested the hypothesis that myocardial ischemia activates interleukin receptor-associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1), a kinase critical for the innate immune signaling such as that of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), via a mechanism that involves heat shock proteins (HSPs) and TLRs. Coronary artery occlusion induced a rapid myocardial IRAK-1 activation within 30 min in wild-type (WT), TLR2(-/-), or Trif(-/-) mice, but not in TLR4(def) or MyD88(-/-) mice. HSP60 protein was markedly increased in serum or in perfusate of isolated heart following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). In vitro, recombinant HSP60 induced IRAK-1 activation in cells derived from WT, TLR2(-/-), or Trif(-/-) mice, but not from TLR4(def) or MyD88(-/-) mice. Both myocardial ischemia- and HSP60-induced IRAK-1 activation was abolished by anti-HSP60 antibody. Moreover, HSP60 treatment of cardiomyocytes (CMs) led to marked activation of caspase-8 and -3, but not -9. Expression of dominant-negative mutant of Fas-associated death domain protein or a caspase-8 inhibitor completely blocked HSP60-induced caspase-8 activation, suggesting that HSP60 likely activates an apoptotic program via the death-receptor pathway. In vivo, I/R-induced myocardial apoptosis and cytokine expression were significantly attenuated in TLR4(def) mice or in WT mice treated with anti-HSP60 antibody compared with WT controls. Taken together, the current study demonstrates that myocardial ischemia activates an innate immune signaling via HSP60 and TLR4, which plays an important role in mediating apoptosis and inflammation during I/R.     

Preserved ventricular contractility in infarcted mouse heart overexpressing beta(2)-adrenergic receptors

Effects of cardiac specific overexpression of beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (beta(2)-AR) on the development of heart failure (HF) were studied in wild-type (WT) and transgenic (TG) mice following myocardial infarction (MI) by coronary artery occlusion. Animals were studied by echocardiography at weeks 7 to 8 and by catheterization at week 9 after surgery. Post-infarct mortality, due to HF or cardiac rupture, was not different among WT mice, and there was no difference in infarct size (IS). Compared with the sham-operated group (all P < 0.01), WT mice with moderate (<36%) and large (>36%) IS developed lung congestion, cardiac hypertrophy, left ventricular (LV) dilatation, elevated LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), and suppressed maximal rate of increase of LV pressure (LV dP/dt(max)) and fractional shortening (FS). Whereas changes in organ weights and echo parameters were similar to those in infarcted WT groups, TG mice had significantly higher levels of LV contractility in both moderate (dP/dt(max) 4,862 +/- 133 vs. 3,694 +/- 191 mmHg/s) and large IS groups (dP/dt(max) 4,556 +/- 252 vs. 3,145 +/- 312 mmHg/s, both P < 0.01). Incidence of pleural effusion (36% vs. 85%, P < 0.05) and LVEDP levels (6 +/- 0.3 vs. 9 +/- 0.8 mmHg, P < 0.05) were also lower in TG than in WT mice with large IS. Thus beta(2)-AR overexpression preserved LV contractility following MI without adverse consequence.     

Cardiac-restricted overexpression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer causes myocardial remodeling and dysfunction in aging mice

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a pivotal role in adverse left ventricular (LV) myocardial remodeling. The transmembrane protein extracellular MMP inducer (EMMPRIN) causes increased MMP expression in vitro, and elevated levels occur in patients with LV failure. However, the direct consequences of a prolonged increase in the myocardial expression of EMMPRIN in vivo remained unexplored. Cardiac-restricted EMMPRIN expression (EMMPRINexp) was constructed in mice using the full-length human EMMPRIN gene ligated to the myosin heavy chain promoter, which yielded approximately a twofold increase in EMMPRIN compared with that of the age/strain-matched wild-type (WT) mice; EMMPRINexp (n=27) and WT (n=33) mice were examined at 3.2+/-0.1 or at 13.3+/-0.5 mo of age (n=43 and 26, respectively). LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) was similar in young EMMPRINexp and WT mice (54+/-2 vs. 57+/-3 microl), but LV ejection fraction (EF) was reduced (51+/-1 vs. 57+/-1%; P<0.05). In old EMMPRINexp mice, LV EDV was increased compared with WT mice values (76+/-3 vs. 58+/-3 microl; P<0.05) and LV EF was significantly reduced (45+/-1 vs. 57+/-2%; P<0.05). In EMMPRINexp old mice, myocardial MMP-2 and membrane type-1 MMP levels were increased by >50% from WT values (P<0.05) and were accompanied by a twofold higher collagen content (P<0.05). Persistent myocardial EMMPRINexp in aging mice caused increased levels of both soluble and membrane type MMPs, fibrosis, and was associated with adverse LV remodeling. These findings suggest that EMMPRIN is an upstream signaling pathway that can play a mechanistic role in adverse remodeling within the myocardium.     

Effect of modulating cardiac A1 adenosine receptor expression on protection with ischemic preconditioning

Activation of A(1) adenosine receptors (A(1)ARs) may be a crucial step in protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury; however, the use of pharmacological A(1)AR antagonists to inhibit myocardial protection has yielded inconclusive results. In the current study, we have used mice with genetically modified A(1)AR expression to define the role of A(1)AR in intrinsic protection and ischemic preconditioning (IPC) against I/R injury. Normal wild-type (WT) mice, knockout mice with deleted (A(1)KO(-/-)) or single-copy (A(1)KO(+/-)) A(1)AR, and transgenic mice (A(1)TG) with increased cardiac A(1)AR expression underwent 45 min of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Subsets of each group were preconditioned with short durations of ischemia (3 cycles of 5 min of occlusion and 5 min of reperfusion) before index ischemia. Infarct size (IF) in WT, A(1)KO(+/-), and A(1)KO(-/-) mice was (in % of risk region) 58 +/- 3, 60 +/- 4, and 61 +/- 2, respectively, and was less in A(1)TG mice (39 +/- 4, P < 0.05). A strong correlation was observed between A(1)AR expression level and response to IPC. IF was significantly reduced by IPC in WT mice (35 +/- 3, P < 0.05 vs. WT), A(1)KO(+/-) + IPC (48 +/- 4, P < 0.05 vs. A(1)KO(+/-)), and A(1)TG + IPC mice (24 +/- 2, P < 0.05 vs. A(1)TG). However, IPC did not decrease IF in A(1)KO(-/-) + IPC mice (63 +/- 2). In addition, A(1)KO(-/-) hearts subjected to global I/R injury demonstrated diminished recovery of developed pressure and diastolic function compared with WT controls. These findings demonstrate that A(1)ARs are critical for protection from myocardial I/R injury and that cardioprotection with IPC is relative to the level of A(1)AR gene expression.     

Activation of the MyD88 signaling pathway inhibits ischemia-reperfusion injury in the small intestine

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize microbial components and trigger the signaling cascade that activates innate and adaptive immunity. Recent studies have shown that the activation of TLR-dependent signaling pathways plays important roles in the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injuries in many organs. All TLRs, except TLR3, use a common adaptor protein, MyD88, to transduce activation signals. We investigated the role of MyD88 in I/R injury of the small intestine. MyD88 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) knockout and wild-type mice were subjected to intestinal I/R injury. I/R-induced small intestinal injury was characterized by infiltration of inflammatory cells, disruption of the mucosal epithelium, destruction of villi, and increases in myeloperoxidase activity and mRNA levels of TNF-α and the IL-8 homolog KC. MyD88 deficiency worsened the severity of I/R injury, as assessed using the histological grading system, measuring luminal contents of hemoglobin (a marker of intestinal bleeding), and counting apoptotic epithelial cells, while it inhibited the increase in mRNA expression of TNF-α and KC. I/R significantly enhanced COX-2 expression and increased PGE(2) concentration in the small intestine of wild-type mice, which were markedly inhibited by MyD88 deficiency. COX-2 knockout mice were also highly susceptible to intestinal I/R injury. Exogenous PGE(2) reduced the severity of injury in both MyD88 and COX-2 knockout mice to the level of wild-type mice. These findings suggest that the MyD88 signaling pathway may inhibit I/R injury in the small intestine by inducing COX-2 expression.     

Cardiac-specific overexpression of diacylglycerol kinase zeta attenuates left ventricular remodeling and improves survival after myocardial infarction

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling, including cardiomyocyte necrosis, scar formation, LV geometric changes, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, contributes to cardiac dysfunction and mortality after myocardial infarction (MI). Although precise cellular signaling mechanisms for LV remodeling are not fully elucidated, G(q) protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway, including diacylglycerol (DAG) and PKC, are involved in this process. DAG kinase (DGK) phosphorylates DAG and controls cellular DAG levels, thus acting as a negative regulator of PKC and subsequent cellular signaling. We previously reported that DGK inhibited angiotensin II and phenylephrine-induced activation of the DAG-PKC signaling and subsequent cardiac hypertrophy. The purpose of this study was to examine whether DGK modifies LV remodeling after MI. Left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated in transgenic mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of DGKzeta (DGKzeta-TG) and wild-type (WT) mice. LV chamber dilatation (4.12 +/- 0.10 vs. 4.53 +/- 0.32 mm, P < 0.01), reduction of LV systolic function (34.8 +/- 8.3% vs. 28.3 +/- 4.8%, P < 0.01), and increases in LV weight (95 +/- 3.6 vs. 111 +/- 4.1 mg, P < 0.05) and lung weight (160 +/- 15 vs. 221 +/- 25 mg, P < 0.05) at 4 wk after MI were attenuated in DGKzeta-TG mice compared with WT mice. In the noninfarct area, fibrosis fraction (0.51 +/- 0.04, P < 0.01) and upregulation of profibrotic genes, such as transforming growth factor-beta1 (P < 0.01), collagen type I (P < 0.05), and collagen type III (P < 0.01), were blocked in DGKzeta-TG mice. The survival rate at 4 wk after MI was higher in DGKzeta-TG mice than in WT mice (61% vs. 37%, P < 0.01). In conclusion, these results demonstrate the first evidence that DGKzeta suppresses LV structural remodeling and fibrosis and improves survival after MI. DGKzeta may be a potential novel therapeutic target to prevent LV remodeling after MI.     

Overexpression of the Na+/H+ exchanger and ischemia-reperfusion injury in the myocardium

In the myocardium, the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform-1 (NHE1) activity is detrimental during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, causing increased intracellular Na(+) (Na(i)(+)) accumulation that results in subsequent Ca(2+) overload. We tested the hypothesis that increased expression of NHE1 would accentuate myocardial I/R injury. Transgenic mice were created that increased the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger activity specifically in the myocardium. Intact hearts from transgenic mice at 10-15 wk of age showed no change in heart performance, resting intracellular pH (pH(i)) or phosphocreatine/ATP levels. Transgenic and wild-type (WT) hearts were subjected to 20 min of ischemia followed by 40 min of reperfusion. Surprisingly, the percent recovery of rate-pressure product (%RPP) after I/R improved in NHE1-overexpressing hearts (64 +/- 5% vs. 41 +/- 5% in WT; P < 0.05). In addition, NMR spectroscopy revealed that NHE1 overexpressor hearts contained higher ATP during early reperfusion (levels P < 0.05), and there was no difference in Na(+) accumulation during I/R between transgenic and WT hearts. HOE642 (cariporide), an NHE1 inhibitor, equivalently protected both WT and NHE1-overexpressing hearts. When hearts were perfused with bicarbonate-free HEPES buffer to eliminate the contribution of HCO(3)(-) transporters to pH(i) regulation, there was no difference in contractile recovery after reperfusion between controls and transgenics, but NHE1-overexpressing hearts showed a greater decrease in ATP during ischemia. These results indicate that the basal activity of NHE1 is not rate limiting in causing damage during I/R, therefore, increasing the level of NHE1 does not enhance injury and can have some small protective effects.     

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.     

VEGFR1 (Flt-1+/-) gene knockout leads to the disruption of VEGF-mediated signaling through the nitric oxide/heme oxygenase pathway in ischemic preconditioned myocardium

This report demonstrates that mice deficient in Flt-1 failed to establish ischemic preconditioning (PC)-mediated cardioprotection in isolated working buffer-perfused ischemic/reperfused (I/R) hearts compared to wild type (WT) subjected to the same PC protocol. WT and Flt-1+/- mice were divided into four groups: (1) WT I/R, (2) WT + PC, (3) Flt-1+/- I/R, and (4) Flt-1+/- + PC. Group 1 and 3 mice were subjected to 30 min of ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion and group 2 and 4 mice were subjected to four episodes of 4-min global ischemia followed by 6 min of reperfusion before ischemia/reperfusion. For both wild-type and Flt-1+/- mice, the postischemic functional recovery for the hearts was lower than the baseline, but the recovery for the knockout mice was less compared to the WT mice even in preconditioning. The myocardial infarction and apoptosis were higher in Flt-1+/- compared to wild-type I/R. Flt-1+/- KO mice demonstrated pronounced inhibition of the expression of iNOS, p-AKT & p-eNOS. Significant inhibition of STAT3 & CREB were also observed along with the inhibition of HO-1 mRNA. Results demonstrate that Flt-1+/- mouse hearts are more susceptible to ischemia/reperfusion injury and also document that preconditioning is not as effective as found in WT and therefore suggest the importance of VEGF/Flt-1 signaling in ischemic/reperfused myocardium.     

Overexpression of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger gene attenuates postinfarction myocardial dysfunction

We monitored myocardial function in postinfarcted wild-type (WT) and transgenic (TG) mouse hearts with overexpression of the cardiac Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger. Five weeks after infarction, cardiac function was better maintained in TG than WT mice [left ventricular (LV) systolic pressure: WT, 41 +/- 2; TG, 58 +/- 3 mmHg; P < 0.05; maximum rising rate of LV pressure (+dP/dt(max)): WT, 3,750 +/- 346; TG, 5,075 +/- 334 mmHg/s; P < 0.05]. The isometric contractile response to beta-adrenergic stimulation was greater in papillary muscles from TG than WT mice (WT, 13.2 +/- 0.9; TG, 16.3 +/- 1.0 mN/mm(2) at 10(-4) M isoproterenol). The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) content investigated by rapid cooling contractures in papillary muscles was greater in TG than WT mouse hearts. We conclude that myocardial function is better preserved in TG mice 5 wk after infarction, which results from enhanced SR Ca(2+) content via overexpression of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger.     

Accelerated LV remodeling after myocardial infarction in TIMP-1-deficient mice: effects of exogenous MMP inhibition

Alterations in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) have been implicated in adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). However, the direct mechanistic role of TIMPs in the post-MI remodeling process has not been completely established. The goal of this project was to define the effects of altering endogenous MMP inhibitory control through combined genetic and pharmacological approaches on post-MI remodeling in mice. This study examined the effects of MMP inhibition (MMPi) with PD-166793 (30 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) on LV geometry and function (conductance volumetry) after MI in wild-type (WT) mice and mice deficient in the TIMP-1 gene [TIMP-1 knockout (TIMP1-KO)]. At 3 days after MI (coronary ligation), mice were randomized into four groups: WT-MI/MMPi (n = 10), TIMP1-KO-MI/MMPi (n = 10), WT-MI (n = 22), and TIMP1-KO-MI (n = 23). LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) and ejection fraction were determined 14 days after MI. Age-matched WT (n = 20) and TIMP1-KO (n = 28) mice served as reference controls. LVEDV was similar under control conditions in WT and TIMP1-KO mice (36 +/- 2 and 40 +/- 2 microl, respectively) but was greater in TIMP1-KO-MI than in WT-MI mice (48 +/- 2 vs. 61 +/- 5 microl, P < 0.05). LVEDV was reduced from MI-only values in WT-MI/MMPi and TIMP1-KO-MI/MMPi mice (42 +/- 2 and 36 +/- 2 microl, respectively, P < 0.05) but was reduced to the greatest degree in TIMP1-KO mice (P < 0.05). LV ejection fraction was reduced in both groups after MI and increased in TIMP1-KO-MI/MMPi, but not in WT-MI/MMPi, mice. These unique results demonstrated that myocardial TIMP-1 plays a regulatory role in post-MI remodeling and that the accelerated myocardial remodeling induced by TIMP-1 gene deletion can be pharmacologically "rescued" by MMP inhibition. These results define the importance of local endogenous control of MMP activity with respect to regulating LV structure and function after MI.     

Aging Kit mutant mice develop cardiomyopathy

Both bone marrow (BM) and myocardium contain progenitor cells expressing the c-Kit tyrosine kinase. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of c-Kit mutations on: i. myocardial c-Kit(+) cells counts and ii. the stability of left ventricular (LV) contractile function and structure during aging. LV structure and contractile function were evaluated (echocardiography) in two groups of Kit mutant (W/Wv and W41/W42) and in wild type (WT) mice at 4 and 12 months of age and the effects of the mutations on LV mass, vascular density and the numbers of proliferating cells were also determined. In 4 month old Kit mutant and WT mice, LV ejection fractions (EF) and LV fractional shortening rates (FS) were comparable. At 12 months of age EF and FS were significantly decreased and LV mass was significantly increased only in W41/W42 mice. Myocardial vascular densities and c-Kit(+) cell numbers were significantly reduced in both mutant groups when compared to WT hearts. Replacement of mutant BM with WT BM at 4 months of age did not prevent these abnormalities in either mutant group although they were somewhat attenuated in the W/Wv group. Notably BM transplantation did not prevent the development of cardiomyopathy in 12 month W41/W42 mice. The data suggest that decreased numbers and functional capacities of c-Kit(+) cardiac resident progenitor cells may be the basis of the cardiomyopathy in W41/W42 mice and although defects in mutant BM progenitor cells may prove to be contributory, they are not causal.     

Protection against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in TLR4-deficient mice is mediated through a phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent mechanism

TLRs play a critical role in the induction of innate and adaptive immunity. However, TLRs have also been reported to mediate the pathophysiology of organ damage following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We have reported that TLR4(-/-) mice show decreased myocardial injury following I/R; however, the protective mechanisms have not been elucidated. We examined the role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in TLR4(-/-) cardioprotection following I/R injury. TLR4(-/-) and age-matched wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to myocardial ischemia for 45 min, followed by reperfusion for 4 h. Pharmacologic inhibitors of PI3K (wortmannin or LY294002) were administered 1 h before myocardial I/R. Myocardial infarct size/area at risk was reduced by 51.2% in TLR4(-/-) vs WT mice. Cardiac myocyte apoptosis was also increased in WT vs TLR4(-/-) mice following I/R. Pharmacologic blockade of PI3K abrogated myocardial protection in TLR4(-/-) mice following I/R. Specifically, heart infarct size/area at risk was increased by 98% in wortmannin and 101% in LY294002-treated TLR4(-/-) mice, when compared with control TLR4(-/-) mice. These data indicate that protection against myocardial I/R injury in TLR4(-/-) mice is mediated through a PI3K/Akt-dependent mechanism. The mechanisms by which PI3K/Akt are increased in the TLR4(-/-) myocardium may involve increased phosphorylation/inactivation of myocardial phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 as well as increased phosphorylation/inactivation of myocardial glycogen synthase kinase-3beta. These data implicate innate immune signaling pathways in the pathology of acute myocardial I/R injury. These data also suggest that modulation of TLR4/PI3K/Akt-dependent signaling pathways may be a viable strategy for reducing myocardial I/R injury.     

Deficiency of TIMP-1 exacerbates LV remodeling after myocardial infarction in mice

Recent studies have been directed at modulating the heart failure process through inhibition of activated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). We hypothesized that a loss of MMP inhibitory control by tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1 deficiency alters the course of postinfarction chamber remodeling and induced chronic myocardial infarction (MI) in wild-type (WT) and TIMP-1(-/-) mice. Left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume loops obtained from WT and TIMP-1(-/-) mice demonstrated that LV end-diastolic volume [52 +/- 4 (WT) vs. 71 +/- 6 (TIMP-1(-/-)) microl] and LV end-diastolic pressure [9.0 +/- 1.2 (WT) vs. 12.7 +/- 1.4 (TIMP-1(-/-)) mmHg] were significantly increased in the TIMP-1(-/-) mice 2 wk after MI. LV contractility was reduced to a similar degree in the WT and TIMP-1(-/-) groups after MI, as indicated by a significant fall in the LV end-systolic pressure-volume relationship. Ventricular weight and cross-sectional areas of LV myocytes were significantly increased in TIMP-1(-/-) mice, indicating that the hypertrophic response was more pronounced. The observed significant loss of fibrillar collagen in the TIMP-1(-/-) controls may have been an important contributory factor for the observed LV alterations in the TIMP-1(-/-) mice after MI. These findings demonstrate that TIMP-1 deficiency amplifies adverse LV remodeling after MI in mice and emphasizes the importance of local endogenous control of cardiac MMP activity by TIMP-1.     

Targeted deletion of MMP-2 attenuates early LV rupture and late remodeling after experimental myocardial infarction

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is prominently overexpressed both after myocardial infarction (MI) and in heart failure. However, its pathophysiological significance in these conditions is still unclear. We thus examined the effects of targeted deletion of MMP-2 on post-MI left ventricular (LV) remodeling and failure. Anterior MI was produced in 10- to 12-wk-old male MMP-2 knockout (KO) and sibling wild-type (WT) mice by ligating the left coronary artery. By day 28, MI resulted in a significant increase in mortality in association with LV cavity dilatation and dysfunction. The MMP-2 KO mice had a significantly better survival rate than WT mice (56% vs. 85%, P < 0.05), despite a comparable infarct size (50 +/- 3% vs. 51 +/- 3%, P = not significant), heart rate, and arterial blood pressure. The KO mice had a significantly lower incidence of LV rupture (10% vs. 39%, P < 0.05), which occurred within 7 days of MI. The KO mice exerted less LV cavity dilatation and improved fractional shortening after MI by echocardiography. The LV zymographic MMP-2 level significantly increased in WT mice after coronary artery ligation; however, this was completely prevented in KO mice. In contrast, the increase in the LV zymographic MMP-9 level after MI was similar between KO and WT mice. MMP-2 activation is therefore considered to contribute to an early cardiac rupture as well as late LV remodeling after MI. The inhibition of MMP-2 activation may therefore be a potentially useful therapeutic strategy to manage post-MI hearts.     

The proteoglycan biglycan enhances antigen-specific T cell activation potentially via MyD88 and TRIF pathways and triggers autoimmune perimyocarditis

Biglycan is a proteoglycan ubiquitously present in extracellular matrix of a variety of organs, including heart, and it was reported to be overexpressed in myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction may be complicated by perimyocarditis through unknown mechanisms. Our aim was to investigate the capacity of TLR2/TLR4 ligand biglycan to enhance the presentation of specific Ags released upon cardiomyocyte necrosis. In vitro, OVA-pulsed bone marrow-derived dendritic cells from wild-type (WT; C57BL/6) and TLR2-, TLR4-, MyD88-, or TRIF-deficient mice were cotreated with LPS, biglycan, or vehicle and incubated with OVA-recognizing MHC I- or MHC II-restricted T cells. Biglycan enhanced OVA-specific cross-priming by >80% to MHC I-restricted T cells in both TLR2- and TLR4-pathway-dependent manners. Accordingly, biglycan-induced cross-priming by both MyD88- and TRIF-deficient dendritic cells (DCs) was strongly diminished. OVA-specific activation of MHC II-restricted T cells was predominantly TLR4 dependent. Our first in vivo correlate was a model of experimental autoimmune perimyocarditis triggered by injection of cardiac Ag-pulsed DCs (BALB/c). Biglycan-treated DCs triggered perimyocarditis to a comparable extent and intensity as LPS-treated DCs (mean scores 1.3 ± 0.3 and 1.5 ± 0.4, respectively). Substitution with TLR4-deficient DCs abolished this effect. In a second in vivo approach, WT and biglycan-deficient mice were followed 2 wk after induction of myocardial infarction. WT mice demonstrated significantly greater myocardial T lymphocyte infiltration in comparison with biglycan-deficient animals. We concluded that the TLR2/4 ligand biglycan, a component of the myocardial matrix, may enhance Ag-specific T cell priming, potentially via MyD88 and TRIF, and stimulate autoimmune perimyocarditis.     

Involvement of MyD88 in host defense and the down-regulation of anti-heat shock protein 70 autoantibody formation by MyD88 in Toxoplasma gondii-infected mice

This study investigated the influence of TLR (toll-like receptor)4, TLR2, and MyD88 in Toxoplasma gondii-infected wild-type (WT) mice and TLR4-, TLR2-, and MyD88-deficient mice. Ninety-five percent of MyD88-deficient mice died 10-16 days after intraperitoneal infection with 100 cysts of T. gondii Fukaya strain, whereas 95-100% of TLR4- and TLR2-deficient mice and WT C57BL/6 (B6) mice survived for more than 7 wk after T. gondii infection. The distribution of T. gondii in various organs of TLR4-, TLR2-, and MyD88-deficient mice and WT B6 mice was assessed 2 wk after T. gondii intraperitoneal infection using quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction. In MyD88-deficient mice, high levels of T. gondii load were observed in the brain, tongue, heart, lungs, spleen, liver, mesenteric lymph node, and kidneys after infection. The T. gondii load was significantly increased in the lungs in both TLR4- and TLR2-deficient mice compared with WT B6 mice. High levels of anti-mouse heat shock protein (mHSP)70 autoantibody and anti-T. gondii HSP70 antibody production were detected in the sera from MyD88-deficient mice.     

A1 adenosine receptor overexpression attenuates ischemia-reperfusion-induced apoptosis and caspase 3 activity

We tested the hypothesis that myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced apoptosis is attenuated in transgenic mice overexpressing cardiac A(1) adenosine receptors. Isolated hearts from transgenic (TG, n = 19) and wild-type (WT, n = 22) mice underwent 30 min of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion, with evaluation of apoptosis, caspase 3 activity, function, and necrosis. I/R-induced apoptosis was attenuated in TG hearts. TG hearts had less I/R-induced apoptotic nuclei (0.88 +/- 0.10% vs. 4.22 +/- 0.24% terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells in WT, P < 0.05), less DNA fragmentation (3.30 +/- 0.38-fold vs. 4.90 +/- 0.39-fold over control in WT, P < 0.05), and less I/R-induced caspase 3 activity (145 +/- 25% over nonischemic control vs. 234 +/- 31% in WT, P < 0.05). TG hearts also had improved recovery of function and less necrosis than WT hearts. In TG hearts pretreated with LY-294002 (3 microM) to evaluate the role of phosphosinositol-3-kinase in acute signaling, there was no change in the functional protection or apoptotic response to I/R. These data suggest that cardioprotection with transgenic overexpression of A(1) adenosine receptors involves attenuation of I/R-induced apoptosis that does not involve acute signaling through phosphoinositol-3-kinase.     

Role of TLR2, TLR4, and MyD88 in murine ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and neutrophilia.

Exposure to air pollutants such as ozone (O(3)) induces airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway inflammation. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are first-line effector molecules in innate immunity to infections and signal via adapter proteins, including myeloid differentiation factor-88 (MyD88). We investigated the sensing of ozone by TLR2, TLR4, and MyD88. Ozone induced AHR in wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice, but AHR was absent in TLR2(-/-), TLR4(-/-), and MyD88(-/-) mice. Bronchoalveolar lavage neutrophilia induced by ozone was inhibited at 3 h but not at 24 h in TLR2(-/-) and TLR4(-/-) mice, while in MyD88(-/-) mice, this was inhibited at 24 h. We investigated the expression of inflammatory cytokines and TLR2, TLR4, and MyD88 in these mice. Ozone induced time-dependent increases in inflammatory gene expression of keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) and IL-6 and of TLR2, TLR4, and MyD88 in WT mice. IL-6 and KC expression induced by ozone was inhibited in TLR2(-/-), TLR4(-/-), and MyD88(-/-) mice. Expression of MyD88 was increased in TLR2(-/-) and TLR4(-/-) mice, while induction of TLR2 or TLR4 was reduced in TLR2(-/-) and TLR4(-/-) mice, respectively. TLR2 and TLR4 mediate AHR induced by oxidative stress such as ozone, while the adapter protein MyD88, but not TLR2 or TLR4, is important in mediating ozone-induced neutrophilia. TLR2 and TLR4 may also be important in regulating the speed of neutrophilic response. Therefore, ozone may induce murine AHR and neutrophilic inflammation through the activation of the Toll-like receptor pathway that may sense noninfectious stimuli such as oxidative stress.