While several previous studies have indicated the link between periodontal disease (PD) and myocardial infarction (MI), theunderlying mechanisms remain unclear. Autophagy, a cellular quality control process that is ac...While several previous studies have indicated the link between periodontal disease (PD) and myocardial infarction (MI), theunderlying mechanisms remain unclear. Autophagy, a cellular quality control process that is activated in several diseases, includingheart failure, can be suppressed by Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.). However, it is uncertain whether autophagy impairment byperiodontal pathogens stimulates the development of cardiac dysfunction after MI. Thus, this study aimed to investigate therelationship between PD and the development of MI while focusing on the role of autophagy. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes(NRCMs) and MI model mice were inoculated with wild-type P.g. or gingipain-deficient P.g. to assess the effect of autophagyinhibition by P.g. Wild-type P.g.-inoculated NRCMs had lower cell viability than those inoculated with gingipain-deficient P.g. Thisstudy also revealed that gingipains can cleave vesicle-associated membrane protein 8 (VAMP8), a protein involved in lysosomalsensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs), at the 47th lysine residue, thereby inhibiting autophagy. Wild-type P.g.-inoculated MI model mice were more susceptible to cardiac rupture, with lower survival rates and autophagy activity thangingipain-deficient P.g.-inoculated MI model mice. After inoculating genetically modified MI model mice (VAMP8-K47A) with wildtype P.g., they exhibited significantly increased autophagy activation compared with the MI model mice inoculated with wild-typeP.g., which suppressed cardiac rupture and enhanced overall survival rates. These findings suggest that gingipains, which arevirulence factors of P.g., impair the infarcted myocardium by cleaving VAMP8 and disrupting autophagy. This study confirms thestrong association between PD and MI and provides new insights into the potential role of autophagy in this relationship.展开更多
The aim of present study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of enhanced green fluorescent protein （EGFP） gene delivery to myocardium in vivo by ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction （UTMD） and po...The aim of present study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of enhanced green fluorescent protein （EGFP） gene delivery to myocardium in vivo by ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction （UTMD） and polyethylenimine （PEI）. SonoVue/DNA and PEI/DNA/SonoVue complexes were prepared. Gel electrophoresis analysis was performed to determine the structural integrity of plasmid DNA or PEI/DNA after UTMD. Solutions of plasmid DNA, SonoVue/DNA, PEI/DNA complexes or PEI/DNA/SonoVue complexes were respectively transduced into BALB/c mice hearts by means of transthoracic ultrasound irradiation. Mice undergoing PBS injection, plasmid injection or PEI/DNA complexes injection without ultrasound irradiation served as controls. Gene expression in myocardium was detected 4 days after treatment. Cryosections and histological examinations were conducted. Electrophoresis gel assay showed no damage to DNA or PEI/DNA complexes after UTMD. When the heart was not exposed to ultrasound, the expression of EGFP was observed in the subendocardial myocardium obviously. The strongest expression was detected in the anterior wall of the left ventricle when the heart was exposed to ultrasound alone. Injection of PEI/DNA complexes and UTMD resulted in the highest transfection efficiency and the distributional difference of EGFP was not obvious. No tissue damage was seen histologically. In conclusion, a combination of UTMD and PEI was highly effective in transfecting mice hearts without causing any apparently adverse effect. It provides an alternative to current clinical gene therapy and opens a new concept of non-viral gene delivery for the treatment of cardiac disease.展开更多
Ventricular septum defects(VSDs)are common types of congenital heart diseases caused by developmental defect;they contribute to 25%-30%of all adult congenital heart diseases.The peroxisome proliferator-activated recep...Ventricular septum defects(VSDs)are common types of congenital heart diseases caused by developmental defect;they contribute to 25%-30%of all adult congenital heart diseases.The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPAR-y)is widely expressed in mammalian tissues and in the immune system,regulating cell differentiation and immune and inflammatory responses.The PPAR-y gene has recently been found crucial for heart development,but the mechanism of action is not clear.This study aims to investigate the effects of the PPAR-y gene in the myocardium on the development of ventricular septation.In this study,we applied Cre-loxP recombination enzyme(CRE)technology to downregulate the expression of the PPAR-y gene in different cardiac tissues,RT-PCR to examine the expression of the c-fos and TGF-B!genes,and histology staining to check the defect of embryonic heart at embryonic day 14.5(E14.5).We found that the downregulation of the PPAR-p gene resulted in a ventricular membranous septation defect of the embryonic heart at E14.5.Furthermore,only conversion of a Tnt:Cre,but not Mef2c:Cre,Tie2:Cre,or Wnt:Cre PPAR-T floxed allele to a null allele resulted in VSD.PPAR-/mi-Orv+embryos showed increascs in atrioventricular(AV)-cushion cells and the expression of c-fos gene but no change in the expression of TGF-B1 at E10.5.Our study demonstrates PPAR-N in the myocardium is required for ventricular septation through regulation of AV-cushion cell proliferation by a Tntc-fos signal.展开更多
Chronic stress is strongly associated with the occurrence and development of depression and cardiovascular disease.Stress can induce altered mitochondrial function and activation of apoptosis in the cardio-cerebral sy...Chronic stress is strongly associated with the occurrence and development of depression and cardiovascular disease.Stress can induce altered mitochondrial function and activation of apoptosis in the cardio-cerebral system.However,it is unknown whether the protein kinase C ε（PKCε）-aldehyde dehydrogenase 2（ALDH2） pathway is altered under chronic stress,and this study sought to address this question.A rat model of depression was established using a chronic unpredictable mild stress（CUMS） protocol.After experiencing CUMS for 4 weeks,the sucrose preference test and the forced swim test verified depressive-like behaviors.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays showed that ALDH2 activity was decreased in the rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,but was not altered in the myocardium.Western blot assays demonstrated reduced levels of ALDH2 and PKCε,but increased levels of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal（4 HNE） adducts.Caspase-3 expression did not obviously alter,but active forms of caspase-3 were increased in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.In the myocardium,expression of ALDH2,PKCε and 4 HNE adducts did not remarkably alter;while caspase-3 expression was reduced and the active forms of caspase-3 were upregulated.Pearson＇s correlation test demonstrated that expression of 4 HNE adducts was positively correlated with levels of the active forms of caspase-3 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,but not in the myocardium.In conclusion,chronic stress can damage the PKCε-ALDH2 signaling pathway in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,but not in the myocardium.Moreover,4 HNE is associated with active forms of caspase-3 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.展开更多
基金supported by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) 20K08399 (to Yasuhiro Maejima)KAKENHI 19K18985,Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows+1 种基金MSD Life Science FoundationPublic Interest Incorporated Foundation (to Yuka Shiheido-Watanabe)
文摘While several previous studies have indicated the link between periodontal disease (PD) and myocardial infarction (MI), theunderlying mechanisms remain unclear. Autophagy, a cellular quality control process that is activated in several diseases, includingheart failure, can be suppressed by Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.). However, it is uncertain whether autophagy impairment byperiodontal pathogens stimulates the development of cardiac dysfunction after MI. Thus, this study aimed to investigate therelationship between PD and the development of MI while focusing on the role of autophagy. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes(NRCMs) and MI model mice were inoculated with wild-type P.g. or gingipain-deficient P.g. to assess the effect of autophagyinhibition by P.g. Wild-type P.g.-inoculated NRCMs had lower cell viability than those inoculated with gingipain-deficient P.g. Thisstudy also revealed that gingipains can cleave vesicle-associated membrane protein 8 (VAMP8), a protein involved in lysosomalsensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs), at the 47th lysine residue, thereby inhibiting autophagy. Wild-type P.g.-inoculated MI model mice were more susceptible to cardiac rupture, with lower survival rates and autophagy activity thangingipain-deficient P.g.-inoculated MI model mice. After inoculating genetically modified MI model mice (VAMP8-K47A) with wildtype P.g., they exhibited significantly increased autophagy activation compared with the MI model mice inoculated with wild-typeP.g., which suppressed cardiac rupture and enhanced overall survival rates. These findings suggest that gingipains, which arevirulence factors of P.g., impair the infarcted myocardium by cleaving VAMP8 and disrupting autophagy. This study confirms thestrong association between PD and MI and provides new insights into the potential role of autophagy in this relationship.
基金a grant from the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No. 30670548).
文摘The aim of present study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of enhanced green fluorescent protein （EGFP） gene delivery to myocardium in vivo by ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction （UTMD） and polyethylenimine （PEI）. SonoVue/DNA and PEI/DNA/SonoVue complexes were prepared. Gel electrophoresis analysis was performed to determine the structural integrity of plasmid DNA or PEI/DNA after UTMD. Solutions of plasmid DNA, SonoVue/DNA, PEI/DNA complexes or PEI/DNA/SonoVue complexes were respectively transduced into BALB/c mice hearts by means of transthoracic ultrasound irradiation. Mice undergoing PBS injection, plasmid injection or PEI/DNA complexes injection without ultrasound irradiation served as controls. Gene expression in myocardium was detected 4 days after treatment. Cryosections and histological examinations were conducted. Electrophoresis gel assay showed no damage to DNA or PEI/DNA complexes after UTMD. When the heart was not exposed to ultrasound, the expression of EGFP was observed in the subendocardial myocardium obviously. The strongest expression was detected in the anterior wall of the left ventricle when the heart was exposed to ultrasound alone. Injection of PEI/DNA complexes and UTMD resulted in the highest transfection efficiency and the distributional difference of EGFP was not obvious. No tissue damage was seen histologically. In conclusion, a combination of UTMD and PEI was highly effective in transfecting mice hearts without causing any apparently adverse effect. It provides an alternative to current clinical gene therapy and opens a new concept of non-viral gene delivery for the treatment of cardiac disease.
基金This project was supported by Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province,China(No.20152015CKB748)Independent Innovation Foundation of Huazhong University of Science and Technology,China(No.0118540198).
文摘Ventricular septum defects(VSDs)are common types of congenital heart diseases caused by developmental defect;they contribute to 25%-30%of all adult congenital heart diseases.The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPAR-y)is widely expressed in mammalian tissues and in the immune system,regulating cell differentiation and immune and inflammatory responses.The PPAR-y gene has recently been found crucial for heart development,but the mechanism of action is not clear.This study aims to investigate the effects of the PPAR-y gene in the myocardium on the development of ventricular septation.In this study,we applied Cre-loxP recombination enzyme(CRE)technology to downregulate the expression of the PPAR-y gene in different cardiac tissues,RT-PCR to examine the expression of the c-fos and TGF-B!genes,and histology staining to check the defect of embryonic heart at embryonic day 14.5(E14.5).We found that the downregulation of the PPAR-p gene resulted in a ventricular membranous septation defect of the embryonic heart at E14.5.Furthermore,only conversion of a Tnt:Cre,but not Mef2c:Cre,Tie2:Cre,or Wnt:Cre PPAR-T floxed allele to a null allele resulted in VSD.PPAR-/mi-Orv+embryos showed increascs in atrioventricular(AV)-cushion cells and the expression of c-fos gene but no change in the expression of TGF-B1 at E10.5.Our study demonstrates PPAR-N in the myocardium is required for ventricular septation through regulation of AV-cushion cell proliferation by a Tntc-fos signal.
基金supported by the Medical Research Fund of Guangdong Province of China,No.B2014449a grant from the Science and Technology Project of Zhongshan City of China,No.2014A1FC137
文摘Chronic stress is strongly associated with the occurrence and development of depression and cardiovascular disease.Stress can induce altered mitochondrial function and activation of apoptosis in the cardio-cerebral system.However,it is unknown whether the protein kinase C ε（PKCε）-aldehyde dehydrogenase 2（ALDH2） pathway is altered under chronic stress,and this study sought to address this question.A rat model of depression was established using a chronic unpredictable mild stress（CUMS） protocol.After experiencing CUMS for 4 weeks,the sucrose preference test and the forced swim test verified depressive-like behaviors.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays showed that ALDH2 activity was decreased in the rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,but was not altered in the myocardium.Western blot assays demonstrated reduced levels of ALDH2 and PKCε,but increased levels of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal（4 HNE） adducts.Caspase-3 expression did not obviously alter,but active forms of caspase-3 were increased in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.In the myocardium,expression of ALDH2,PKCε and 4 HNE adducts did not remarkably alter;while caspase-3 expression was reduced and the active forms of caspase-3 were upregulated.Pearson＇s correlation test demonstrated that expression of 4 HNE adducts was positively correlated with levels of the active forms of caspase-3 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,but not in the myocardium.In conclusion,chronic stress can damage the PKCε-ALDH2 signaling pathway in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,but not in the myocardium.Moreover,4 HNE is associated with active forms of caspase-3 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
