Article
Cell Biology
Vanessa P. Teixeira, Kiany Miranda, Sergio Scalzo, Cibele Rocha-Resende, Mario Morais Silva, Geisa C. S. V. Tezini, Marcos B. Melo, Fernando Pedro Souza-Neto, Kaoma S. C. Silva, Itamar C. G. Jesus, Anderson K. Santos, Mauro de Oliveira, Raphael E. Szawka, Helio C. Salgado, Marco Antonio Maximo Prado, Maristela O. Poletini, Silvia Guatimosim
Summary: In this study, it was found that enhanced cholinergic signaling in mice leads to cardiac dilation and failure under conditions of reduced estrogen levels. Treatment with 17 beta-estradiol was able to normalize cardiac parameters in the mice, suggesting a link between estrogen status and cardiac response in this model.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Menglong Wang, Mengmeng Zhao, Junping Yu, Yao Xu, Jishou Zhang, Jianfang Liu, Zihui Zheng, Jing Ye, Zhen Wang, Di Ye, Yongqi Feng, Shuwan Xu, Wei Pan, Cheng Wei, Jun Wan
Summary: This study investigated the effects of the selective NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 on heart failure (HF) induced by pressure overload in obese mice and its metabolic mechanism. The results showed that MCC950 improved cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation in obese mice. It also promoted M2 macrophage infiltration and regulated fatty acid and glucose uptake and utilization. Additionally, MCC950 affected the phosphorylation of AKT and AMPK in obese mice with HF.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Matthew A. Sparks, Fitra Rianto, Edward Diaz, Ritika Revoori, Thien Hoang, Lucas Bouknight, Johannes Stegbauer, Anuradha Vivekanandan-Giri, Phillip Ruiz, Subramaniam Pennathur, Dennis M. Abraham, Susan B. Gurley, Steven D. Crowley, Thomas M. Coffman
Summary: Deletion of AT(1A) receptors in cardiomyocytes plays a crucial role in regression of cardiac hypertrophy, independent of reducing pressure overload.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agnieszka A. Gorska, Clara Sandmann, Eva Riechert, Christoph Hofmann, Ellen Malovrh, Eshita Varma, Vivien Kmietczyk, Julie Oelschlaeger, Lonny Juergensen, Verena Kamuf-Schenk, Claudia Stroh, Jennifer Furkel, Mathias H. Konstandin, Carsten Sticht, Etienne Boileau, Christoph Dieterich, Norbert Frey, Hugo A. Katus, Shirin Doroudgar, Mirko Voelkers
Summary: The study reveals the role of mTOR in pathological remodeling of the heart, showing that it protects cardiomyocytes by controlling the translation of specific genes, with Cand2 being a mTOR-regulated protective gene.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Meryl Musicante, Hannah H. Kim, Yuanjian Chen, Fang Liao, Syamal K. Bhattacharya, Lu Lu, Yao Sun
Summary: This study revealed that eNOS plays a beneficial role in preventing cardiac myocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis, supporting the idea that eNOS may modify the severity of HCM phenotypes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Katarzyna Hackert, Susanne Homann, Shakila Mir, Arne Beran, Simone Gorressen, Florian Funk, Jens W. Fischer, Maria Grandoch, Joachim P. Schmitt
Summary: 4-MU can attenuate inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling in pressure-overloaded myocardium by reducing both resident and invading cardiac macrophages, leading to reduced myocardial fibrosis. Additionally, 4-MU also reduces left ventricular hypertrophy and increases cardiac output after TAC surgery.
Review
Cell Biology
Xin Liu, Guo-Ping Shi, Junli Guo
Summary: Pressure overload and heart failure are major causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, where innate immune cells and inflammatory mediators play crucial roles. Different innate immune cells, including mast cells, macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils, dendritic cells, eosinophils, and natural killer T cells, exhibit varying levels of activity in these pathological processes, with some exacerbating cardiodysfunction and others displaying cardioprotective activities. Overall, immune regulation of cardiac innate immune cells holds promise as a therapeutic approach in experimental cardiac disease treatment.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jamie Francisco, Jin Guan, Yu Zhang, Yasuki Nakada, Satvik Mareedu, Eunah Sung, Che-Ming Hu, Shinichi Oka, Peiyong Zhai, Junichi Sadoshima, Dominic P. Del Re
Summary: Inflammation is a crucial factor in cardiovascular disease, and Yes-associated protein (YAP) has been found to play a key role in modulating inflammation in ischemic injury. This study investigated the role of YAP in non-ischemic cardiac inflammation. The results showed that YAP activation in myeloid cells contributes to cardiac inflammation and fibrosis during pressure overload stress. Inhibition of YAP may be a potential therapeutic target for non-ischemic heart disease.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fang-fang Ren, Lin Zhao, Xian-yun Jiang, Jing-jing Zhang, Jia-min Gou, Xiao-yu Yu, Shu-jin Wu, Lei Li
Summary: Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, plays a critical role in the development of heart failure. Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), a bioactive sphingolipid, has been shown to inhibit apoptosis in myofibroblasts, non-muscle cells in the heart. In this study, the researchers investigated the role of the SPC receptor, calmodulin (CaM), in cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the associated signaling pathways. They found that SPC administration improved survival rate, cardiac hypertrophy, and cardiac fibrosis in mice with pressure overload-induced heart failure. In cardiomyocytes, SPC treatment inhibited cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, and cell apoptosis. This was accompanied by reduced levels of pro-apoptotic proteins and phosphorylation of CaM, JNK, and p38, as well as increased levels of a cardiomyocyte-protective protein. The protective effect of SPC was annulled by a compound that increased CaM function. The researchers also demonstrated that SPC-mediated inhibition of cardiomyocyte apoptosis involved the regulation of p38 and JNK phosphorylation, which was downstream of CaM. These findings provide new evidence for SPC regulation of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and suggest it as a potential therapeutic target for cardiac remodeling following stress overload.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elise L. Kessler, Jiong-Wei Wang, Bart Kok, Maike A. Brans, Angelique Nederlof, Leonie van Stuijvenberg, Chenyuan Huang, Aryan Vink, Fatih Arslan, Igor R. Efimov, Carolyn S. P. Lam, Marc A. Vos, Dominique P. de Kleijn, Magda S. C. Fontes, Toon A. B. van Veen
Summary: Deficiency of TLR2 alleviates adverse cardiac remodeling caused by chronic pressure overload, with TLR2 and TLR4 both contributing to this process. The findings provide insights into potential therapeutic targets for preventing or intervening in cardiac diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Vicente Bodi, Jose Gavara, Maria P. Lopez-Lereu, Jose V. Monmeneu, Elena de Dios, Nerea Perez-Sole, Clara Bonanad, Victor Marcos-Garces, Joaquim Canoves, Gema Minana, Julio Nunez, David Moratal, Francisco J. Chorro, Jose F. Rodriguez-Palomares, Andrea Freixa, Roger Borras, Jose T. Ortiz-Perez, Cesar Rios-Navarro
Summary: This study used cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to investigate the impact of persistent microvascular obstruction (MVO) on adverse left ventricular remodeling (ALVR) after reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The results showed that 6% of STEMI patients exhibited persistent MVO, which was associated with detrimental effects on left ventricular remodeling. Further research on microvascular injury repair is needed based on these findings.
JACC-CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zoltan Gombos, Erika Koltai, Ferenc Torma, Peter Bakonyi, Attila Kolonics, Dora Aczel, Tamas Ditroi, Peter Nagy, Takuji Kawamura, Zsolt Radak
Summary: The study used an overload model in rats to investigate the molecular signaling pathways involved in skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Results showed an increase in muscle mass and upregulation of anabolic signaling pathways like SIRT1, Akt, mTOR, and S6, while downregulation of FOXO1 and SIRT3 suggested reduced protein breakdown and mitophagy. Additionally, decreased levels of NAD(+), sestrin2, and OGG1 indicated a change in the redox milieu of the skeletal muscle during overload-induced hypertrophy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Volha A. Golubeva, Lisa E. Dorn, Christopher J. Gilbert, Charles P. Rabolli, Anindhya Sundar Das, Vishmi S. Wanasinghe, Roland Veress, Dmitry Terentyev, Federica Accornero
Summary: This study reveals that the loss of m(6)A binding protein YTHDF2 leads to cardiac dysfunction and controls the stability of m(6)A-modified MYZAP messenger RNA, thus playing a novel role in maintaining cardiac homeostasis.
JACC-BASIC TO TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Weiwei Lu, Zhaojie Meng, Rebecca Hernandez, Changcheng Zhou
Summary: The study demonstrates the crucial role of IKK-beta in regulating fibroblast functions and cardiac remodeling, showing that fibroblast-specific IKK-beta deficiency can protect mice from hypertension-induced adverse cardiac remodeling, including hypertrophy, fibrosis, and macrophage infiltration. Ablation of fibroblast IKK-beta inhibits proinflammatory and profibrogenic responses, leading to improved cardiac remodeling and function.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Carmen Asensio-Lopez, Yassine Sassi, Fernando Soler, Maria Josefa Fernandez del Palacio, Domingo Pascual-Figal, Antonio Lax
Summary: Elevation of miR-199a-5p post-myocardial infarction leads to pathological cardiac hypertrophy by increasing soluble sST2 levels. AntimiR199a therapy regulates Sirt1 and inactivates P300 protein to inhibit Yy1, reducing sST2 release by cardiomyocytes after myocardial infarction. Pharmacological inhibition of miR-199a rescues cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in mice, offering a potential therapeutic approach for cardiac failure.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Maria J. J. Hagelaars, Laura Rijns, Patricia Y. W. Dankers, Sandra Loerakker, Carlijn V. C. Bouten
Summary: This study reviews the role of microenvironment in the development of renal tubules and provides insights on how this knowledge can be used in biomaterial-based tubular engineering using computational models. Understanding the complex chemical, physical, and mechanical interactions between cells and their microenvironment is crucial for guiding renal tubulogenesis. The study highlights the importance of a reciprocal interaction between understanding and engineering to effectively regenerate kidney tissue function.
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Elana M. Meijer, Suzanne E. Koch, Christian G. M. van Dijk, Renee G. C. Maas, Ihsan Chrifi, Wojciech Szymczyk, Paul J. Besseling, Lisa Pomp, Vera J. C. H. Koomen, Jan Willem Buikema, Carlijn V. C. Bouten, Marianne C. Verhaar, Anthal I. P. M. Smits, Caroline Cheng
Summary: This study reports the creation of a perfused human macrovessel model using human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived vascular organoid cells on an electrospun polycaprolactone-bisurea (PCL-BU) 3D scaffold. The cells harvested from the vascular organoids can be cryopreserved and expanded without loss of cell purity and proliferative capacity. The cells show shear stress response and establish a functional barrier that self-restores after a thrombin challenge. The static bioreactor culture results in a biomimetic vascular bi-layer hierarchy under laminar flow.
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Piero Pollesello, Zoltan Papp
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Laura C. Van Eyndhoven, Vincent P. G. Verberne, Carlijn V. C. Bouten, Abhyudai Singh, Jurjen Tel
Summary: Using a murine fibroblast reporter model, we investigated the impact of various stochastic and deterministic host-intrinsic factors on early IFN-I responses. We demonstrated the influence of epigenetic drugs on the percentage of responding cells and uncovered transient heritability driving responder fates through mathematical modeling. Additionally, we found that cell density plays a crucial role in dictating responsiveness, similar to quorum sensing, providing insights into cellular decision-making during early IFN-I responses.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Marta Moya-Jodar, Asier Ullate-Agote, Paula Barlabe, Juan Roberto Rodriguez-Madoz, Gloria Abizanda, Carolina Barreda, Xonia Carvajal-Vergara, Amaia Vilas-Zornoza, Juan Pablo Romero, Leire Garate, Xabier Agirre, Giulia Coppiello, Felipe Prosper, Xabier L. Aranguren
Summary: In this study, distinct cell populations coexisting with epiblast-like cells in 5iLAF naive human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) cultures were discovered and characterized. These cell populations closely resemble different cell types of the human embryo at early developmental stages. The presence of a totipotent eight-cell (8C)-stage-like cell population, as well as three populations analogous to trophectoderm cells at different maturation stages, and cells resembling primitive endoderm were detected. This provides an excellent opportunity to model the earliest events of human embryogenesis using 5iLAF naive hiPSC cultures.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Arnold Peter Raduly, Attila Toth, Fruzsina Sarkany, Balazs Horvath, Norbert Szentandrassy, Peter P. Nanasi, Zoltan Csanadi, Istvan Edes, Zoltan Papp, Attila Borbely
Summary: This study aimed to compare the effects of different mechanisms of calcium-sensitizing positive inotropic agents (OM, EMD, and Levo) on cardiomyocytes. The results showed that OM exerted its positive inotropic effect by prolonging systolic contraction and increasing calcium sensitivity. In contrast, EMD and Levo exerted positive inotropic effects through different mechanisms. These findings have important implications for the further development of drugs for treating heart failure.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dylan Mostert, Ignasi Jorba, Bart G. W. Groenen, Robert Passier, Marie-Jose T. H. Goumans, Huibert A. van Boxtel, Nicholas A. Kurniawan, Carlijn V. C. Bouten, Leda Klouda
Summary: Environmental stiffness is crucial for cell function. Methacrylated human recombinant collagen peptide (RCPhC1-MA) hydrogels are evaluated as a matrix to control 3D microenvironmental stiffness and monitor cardiac cell response. RCPhC1-MA hydrogels can form reproducible stiffness and allow real-time monitoring of extracellular matrix production and cardiomyocyte contractility in the presence of cardiac fibroblasts.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Brigitta Bernat, Rita Erdelyi, Laszlo Fazekas, Greta Garami, Reka Maria Szekeres, Barbara Takacs, Mariann Bombicz, Balazs Varga, Fruzsina Sarkany, Arnold Peter Raduly, Dana Diana Romanescu, Zoltan Papp, Attila Toth, Zoltan Szilvassy, Bela Juhasz, Daniel Priksz
Summary: Multi-target drug candidate BGP-15 has demonstrated cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic effects in diseased models. This study investigated the effects of BGP-15 on ECG and echocardiographic parameters, heart rate variability (HRV), and arrhythmia incidence. The results showed that BGP-15 did not affect the ECG waveforms, but decreased heart rate and increased vagally mediated HRV, while reducing arrhythmogenesis and improving left ventricle relaxation.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Tom C. L. Bracco Gartner, Ye Wang, Laurynas Leiteris, Iris van Adrichem, Judith Marsman, Marie Jose Goumans, Carlijn V. C. Bouten, Joost P. G. Sluijter, Jaap M. J. den Toonder, Willem J. L. Suyker, Jesper Hjortnaes
Summary: Cardiac fibroblasts in the ever-beating human heart remain quiescent due to the antifibrotic effect of cyclic strain conditions revealed by a novel platform for studying cardiac fibrosis-on-a-chip. This study provides insights into the mechanosensitive pathways and genes involved in the fibrogenic process, which can contribute to the development of new therapies against cardiac fibrosis.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Ethics
Anne-Floor J. de Kanter, Karin R. Jongsma, Carlijn V. C. Bouten, Annelien L. Bredenoord
Summary: Innovations in the field of Regenerative Medicine may soon allow for the replacement and re-growth of healthy tissues after injury or disease. One promising innovation is a regenerative valve implant, made from 'smart' and 'lifelike' materials, that can stimulate the re-growth of a healthy heart valve. However, the ethical implications and conceptual understanding of these materials are still unclear.
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Pilar Montero-Calle, Maria Flandes-Iparraguirre, Bernd Kuebler, Begona Aran, Eduardo Larequi, Ilazki Anaut, Giulia Coppiello, Xabier L. Aranguren, Anna Veiga, Maria Teresa Basurte Elorz, Manuel Garcia de Yebenes, Juan J. Gavira, Felipe Prosper, Olalla Iglesias-Garcia, Manuel M. Mazo Vega
Summary: Transthyretin (TTR) amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a life-threatening disease characterized by abnormal production of misfolded TTR protein by liver cells, leading to systemic release and cardiac deposition, resulting in cardiac toxicity and heart failure. The generation of a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a patient with familial transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy provides a valuable resource for studying disease pathophysiology and for therapeutic discovery.
STEM CELL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Janine Grolleman, Nicole C. A. van Engeland, Minahil Raza, Sepinoud Azimi, Vito Conte, Cecilia M. Sahlgren, Carlijn V. C. Bouten
Summary: Recent experimental evidence suggests that vimentin, an intermediate filament protein, plays a role in regulating cellular mechanical homeostasis. Vimentin-expressing cells adapt their cellular morphology and mechanics to changes in microenvironment stiffness, while vimentin-depleted cells lose this ability on short timescales but regain it on longer timescales. Additionally, vimentin-depleted cells compensate for the loss of vimentin by increasing collagen matrix synthesis and crosslinking.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maaike Bril, Aref Saberi, Ignasi Jorba, Mark C. van Turnhout, Cecilia M. Sahlgren, Carlijn V. C. Bouten, Albert P. H. J. Schenning, Nicholas A. Kurniawan
Summary: This study presents a dynamic, cell-compatible, and reconfigurable hydrogel-based platform that allows reversible micrometer-scale changes in surface topography of the cellular environment using blue light stimulation. By investigating fibroblast response to controlled geometry actuations, the study reveals that fibroblasts reorganize their nucleus and focal adhesions in response to recurring topographical changes. This dynamic conditioning is associated with long-term maintenance of focal adhesions and epigenetic modifications.
Article
Cell Biology
Dylan Mostert, Janine Grolleman, Mark C. van Turnhout, Bart G. W. Groenen, Vito Conte, Cecilia M. Sahlgren, Nicholas A. Kurniawan, Carlijn V. C. Bouten
Summary: Ventral actin stress fibers (SFs) are a subset of actin SFs that begin and terminate at focal adhesion (FA) complexes. A computational toolbox called SFAlab is introduced to quantify and provide spatial information about ventral SFs in cells, as well as to analyze nuclei, cells, and FA. SFAlab has been validated for accurate ventral SF detection and is robust against user subjectivity and experimental artifacts.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Medicine, General & Internal
F. Kainz, P. Pokreisz, A. Kiss, C. Holzinger, Podesser Bk
WIENER KLINISCHE WOCHENSCHRIFT
(2023)