Article
Biology
Giuseppina Mastrototaro, Pierluigi Carullo, Jianlin Zhang, Beatrice Scellini, Nicoletta Piroddi, Simona Nemska, Maria Carmela Filomena, Simone Serio, Carol A. Otey, Chiara Tesi, Fabian Emrich, Wolfgang A. Linke, Corrado Poggesi, Simona Boncompagni, Marie-Louise Bang, Nuno Guimaraes-Camboa
Summary: Palladin (PALLD) is a protein associated with actin and immunoglobulin in the heart. Its role in the heart has been unclear due to embryonic lethality in knockout mice. However, a study found that PALLD is necessary for normal cardiac function, as its deletion in adult mice led to cardiac abnormalities and dysfunction. Additionally, PALLD interacts with other proteins such as CARP/Ankrd1 and FHOD1. This research sheds light on the importance of PALLD in the heart.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthias Petersen, Nesrin Schmiedel, Franziska Dierck, Susanne Hille, Anca Remes, Frauke Senger, Inga Schmidt, Renate Luellmann-Rauch, Oliver J. Mueller, Derk Frank, Ashraf Y. Rangrez, Norbert Frey, Christian Kuhn
Summary: In this study, we discovered an unexpected role for Fibin in cardiac hypertrophy. Fibin was found to be significantly upregulated in hypertrophic hearts and in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, Fibin was shown to have an anti-hypertrophic effect by inhibiting NFAT- and SRF-dependent signaling pathways.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Tyler L. Stevens, Heather R. Manring, Michael J. Wallace, Aaron Argall, Trevor Dew, Peter Papaioannou, Steve Antwi-Boasiako, Xianyao Xu, Stuart G. Campbell, Fadi G. Akar, Maegen A. Borzok, Thomas J. Hund, Peter J. Mohler, Sara N. Koenig, Mona El Refaey
Summary: In this study, a mouse model of ACM was developed to investigate the dual role of genetics and external stressors in ACM progression. The findings suggest that cardiovascular stress is a key trigger for unmasking both electrical and structural phenotypes in ACM.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Allen C. T. Teng, Liyang Gu, Michelle Di Paola, Robert Lakin, Zachary J. Williams, Aaron Au, Wenliang Chen, Neal Callaghan, Farigol Hakem Zadeh, Yu-Qing Zhou, Meena Fatah, Diptendu Chatterjee, L. Jane Jourdan, Jack Liu, Craig A. Simmons, Thomas Kislinger, Christopher M. Yip, Peter H. Backx, Robert G. Gourdie, Robert M. Hamilton, Anthony O. Gramolini
Summary: Disrupting the function of Tmem65 results in impaired ICD structure, abnormal cardiac electrophysiology, and ultimately cardiomyopathy in mice.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tse-En Wang, Ling-Yu Yeh, Robert Kuo-Kuang Lee, Chung-Hao Lu, Tsung-Hsien Yang, Yu-Wen Kuo, Radhika Joshi, Pei-Shiue Tsai, Sheng-Hsiang Li
Summary: QSOX1c promotes in vitro aggregation of thiol-rich, oxidative stressed, and apoptotic sperm cells, suggesting a potential role in separating defective sperm cells and improving sperm quality before artificial insemination.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuxuan Guo, Yangpo Cao, Blake D. Jardin, Isha Sethi, Qing Ma, Behzad Moghadaszadeh, Emily C. Troiano, Neil Mazumdar, Michael A. Trembley, Eric M. Small, Guo-Cheng Yuan, Alan H. Beggs, William T. Pu
Summary: The lack of knowledge about cardiomyocyte maturation is a major obstacle in cardiac regenerative medicine. Actn2 mutation in mice resulted in defective structural maturation of transverse-tubules and mitochondria, triggering transcriptional dysregulation and impairing the normal progression of maturational gene expression. Actn2-based sarcomere organization regulates cardiomyocyte structural and transcriptional maturation through MRTF-SRF signaling.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aiko Robert, Michael Scholl, Thomas Vogels
Summary: Recent research has shown that injecting purified tau aggregates from human tauopathy patients can replicate the structural features and cell type specificity of the original tau pathology. These models may have unique translational value in studying the functional consequences of tau pathology, tau-based diagnostics, and tau-targeting therapeutics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yukinobu Ito, Makoto Yoshida, Hirotake Masuda, Daichi Maeda, Yukitsugu Kudo-Asabe, Michinobu Umakoshi, Hiroshi Nanjo, Akiteru Goto
Summary: This study investigated morphological differences in intercalated discs (ICDs) in patients with DCM, and found that reduced N-cadherin immunostaining intensity and ICD scattering were specific to DCM. The results suggest that disorganized ICDs contribute to the development of DCM and that N-cadherin immunostaining is useful for pathological diagnosis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Yawei Wang, Min Wang, Renlong Bao, Ligui Wang, Xinying Du, Shaofu Qiu, Chaojie Yang, Hongbin Song
Summary: In this study, a tri-receptor transgenic mouse model expressing the three best-characterized human cellular receptors for HAdV was generated. The model accurately represents human HAdV infection and pathogenesis, making it useful for studying the mechanisms of HAdV and evaluating potential vaccines and therapeutic modalities.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chuangen Li, Harry Cheuk-Hay Lau, Xiang Zhang, Jun Yu
Summary: This review explores the overall features and mechanisms of carcinogen-induced and transgenic mouse models for colon tumorigenesis, as well as their limitations and applications in evaluating and studying drugs and treatment regimens against CRC. These mouse models provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of colon tumorigenesis and facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies against CRC.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Minako Yokoyama, Toshitsugu Fujita, Yuka Kadonosawa, Yota Tatara, Daisuke Motooka, Masahito Ikawa, Hodaka Fujii, Yoshihito Yokoayama
Summary: CBR1 is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent reductase with broad substrate specificity. This study generated transgenic mice overexpressing CBR1 and characterized the expression of CBR1 in various organs, as well as identified changes in protein expression patterns. The transgenic mice may be useful for further understanding the molecular mechanisms regulated by CBR1 and its effects on carcinogenesis and cardiotoxicity of certain cancer drugs.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Micah W. W. Yoder, Nathan T. T. Wright, Maegen A. A. Borzok
Summary: The intercalated disk in the heart is a structure composed of adherens junctions, desmosomes, and gap junctions, which provide mechanical stability and electrical synchronization. Calpain proteases, regulated by calcium homeostasis, play an important role in regulating the components of the intercalated disk. This review examines the role of calcium in calpain function, how calpains regulate the activity of specific proteins in the intercalated disk, and the molecular mechanisms behind calpain dysregulation and its impact on heart diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Physiology
Morten S. Nielsen, Chantal J. M. van Opbergen, Toon A. B. van Veen, Mario Delmar
Summary: The intercalated disc (ID) is a specialized structure that connects cardiomyocytes via mechanical and electrical junctions. Recent studies have revealed the complex nanostructure and molecular composition of the ID, highlighting the fact that it is not just a simple cell-to-cell coupling junction but rather an interacting molecular complex. Understanding the physiological implications of the ID architecture and the local intermolecular interactions is crucial for understanding normal cardiac conduction and the pathophysiology of arrhythmias.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jared T. Shapiro, Nicole M. Michaud, Jillian L. King, Nathan A. Crowder
Summary: Interneurons play a crucial role in information processing in the cortex. This study aimed to clarify the differences between interneuron subtypes by examining their effects on contrast tuning in V1 neurons. The results showed that the effects varied with cortical depth rather than light intensity, suggesting different computational roles for specific interneuron subtypes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jisu Shin, Sohui Park, HeeYang Lee, YoungSoo Kim
Summary: This study revealed the presence of ThS-positive phospho-tau (p-tau) aggregates in addition to amyloid plaques in the brains of 5XFAD mice. The use of ThS complicates the quantification of amyloid plaques and may hinder the assessment of A beta-targeting drugs in 5XFAD mice.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Martin J. Volz, Matthias Aurich, Mathias Konstandin, Hugo A. Katus, Norbert Frey, Michael M. Kreusser, Philip W. Raake
Summary: This case report highlights the hemodynamic changes caused by atrial septal defects (ASD) following endovascular mitral valve clipping. Immediate closure using an atrial septal occluder successfully restored the oxygen saturation and hemodynamic parameters.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Vitali Koch, Christophe Weber, Johannes H. Riffel, Kristina Buchner, Sebastian J. Buss, Selina Hein, Derliz Mereles, Marco Hagenmueller, Christian Erbel, Winfried Marz, Christian Booz, Moritz H. Albrecht, Thomas J. Vogl, Norbert Frey, Stefan E. Hardt, Marco Ochs
Summary: Dietary supplementation of the amino acid homoarginine (HA) may prevent cardiac remodeling and improve heart function in the setting of chronic kidney disease. HA treatment in rats undergoing 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) led to improvements in ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and decreased myocardial fibrosis, left ventricular weight, and myocyte cross-sectional area. These changes were accompanied by downregulation of specific molecular factors related to heart function.
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Brigitte Wildemann, Sven Jarius, Lorenz H. Lehmann, Florian Andre, Norbert Frey, Paul Schnitzler, Laura Jaeger, Christoph Gumbinger, Andrea Viehover
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martina E. Spehlmann, Ashraf Y. Rangrez, Dhiraj P. Dhotre, Nesrin Schmiedel, Nikita Chavan, Corinna Bang, Oliver J. Mueller, Yogesh S. Shouche, Andre Franke, Derk Frank, Norbert Frey
Summary: Growing evidence suggests that patients with heart failure (HF) have an altered gut microbiome. This study used a mouse model to investigate the association between the severity and progression of HF and the composition of gut microbiome and circulating metabolites. The results showed that gut bacterial diversity was significantly lower in mice with HF compared to controls, and the abundance and grouping of several bacteria differed based on the severity of cardiac dysfunction. Metabolic alterations, such as reduced short-chain fatty acids and an increase in primary bile acids, were strongly correlated with the differential abundance of distinct bacteria in HF.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Namrita Kaur, Andrea Ruiz-Velasco, Rida Raja, Gareth Howell, Jessica M. Miller, Riham R. E. Abouleisa, Qinghui Ou, Kimberly Mace, Susanne S. Hille, Norbert Frey, Pablo Binder, Craig P. Smith, Helene Fachim, Handrean Soran, Eileithyia Swanton, Tamer M. A. Mohamed, Oliver J. Mueller, Xin Wang, Jonathan Chernoff, Elizabeth J. Cartwright, Wei Liu
Summary: Myocardial inflammation contributes to cardiomyopathy in diabetic patients, primarily through inflammation induced by abnormal ER. Studies have revealed that ER stress-induced CHOP is a novel regulator of HMGB1 in the heart, with HMGB1 release promoting macrophage polarization and aggravating myocardial inflammation.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Pablo Binder, Binh Nguyen, Lucy Collins, Min Zi, Wei Liu, Foteini Christou, Xiaojing Luo, Susanne S. Hille, Norbert Frey, Elizabeth J. Cartwright, Jonathan Chernoff, Oliver J. Mueller, Kaomei Guan, Xin Wang
Summary: This study identifies a novel regulator of Nrf2, Pak2, and elucidates the potential therapeutic significance of Pak2-mediated regulation of Nrf2 homeostasis in alleviating ER stress and heart failure.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Hanna Froehlich, Norbert Frey, Lutz Frankenstein, Tobias Taeger
Summary: This article discusses the obesity paradox in patients with heart failure (HF) and the potential interference of new HF treatments, such as SGLT2 inhibitors. The literature provides evidence for the obesity paradox in various HF patients, and it has been observed in SGLT2 inhibitor-treated patients but not in those using sacubitril/valsartan. Cardiorespiratory fitness and HF severity appear to be important factors influencing the obesity paradox in HF. Unintentional weight loss is associated with a poor prognosis, but weight loss associated with SGLT2 inhibitor treatment appears to be safe.
Letter
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Evangelos Giannitsis, Hugo A. Katus, Norbert Frey
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Amr Abdin, Johann Bauersachs, Samira Soltani, Matthias Eden, Norbert Frey, Michael Boehm
Summary: Heart failure remains a global healthcare challenge despite significant developments in pharmacotherapies. There are concerns regarding low medication dosages and incomplete drug classes in real-world settings, and current guidelines lack detailed recommendations. A practical approach algorithm is proposed to assist physicians in treating HF patients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martina E. Spehlmann, Dhiraj P. Dhotre, Nesrin Schmiedel, Nikita Chavan, Corinna Bang, Ashraf Y. Rangrez
Summary: This study reports the correlation between gut bacterial diversity and heart failure. The results from a mouse model experiment show that the severity of heart failure is closely correlated with gut bacterial diversity.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Panagiotis Xynogalos, Ann-Kathrin Rahm, Sebastian Fried, Safak Chasan, Daniel Scherer, Claudia Seyler, Hugo A. Katus, Norbert Frey, Edgar Zitron
Summary: This study analyzed the effect of the antiarrhythmic drug verapamil on the inwardly rectifying potassium current of cardiomyocytes. The results showed that verapamil inhibited the Kir2.1, Kir2.2, and Kir2.3 channels, with the inhibition of Kir2.3 being a previously unknown finding. Further experiments revealed that the inhibition of Kir2.3 by verapamil was dependent on specific binding sites and interference with PIP2 activation. This finding provides a potential target for the development of selective antiarrhythmic drugs targeting Kir2.3 channels.
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kunika, Norbert Y. Frey, Ashraf Rangrez
Summary: Recent technological advancements have increased our understanding of the human microbiome, which plays a role in both health and disease progression, including cancer and heart disease. The microbiome may potentially be targeted in cancer therapy to improve treatment effectiveness. Additionally, the altered microbiome composition caused by cancer treatment is linked to long-term effects and can lead to gastrointestinal toxicity. The relationship between the microbiome and cardiac diseases in cancer patients following therapy is poorly understood.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Felix Wiedmann, Raffaele De Simone, Peter Rose, Matthias Karck, Matthias Gorenflo, Norbert Frey, Constanze Schmidt
Summary: This case report presents a successful implantation of a subcutaneous ICD in a young female patient with dextrocardia and situs solitus, indicating the feasibility of left S-ICD implantation even in the presence of anatomical abnormalities commonly associated with this condition.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-CASE REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Anushka Deshpande, Prithviraj Manohar Vijaya Shetty, Norbert Frey, Ashraf Yusuf Rangrez
Summary: This article discusses the molecular mechanisms that regulate cardiac development and adult cardiac homeostasis, focusing on the role of SRF and its potential therapeutic applications.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Medicine, General & Internal
Lara Kluemper, Matthias Lutz, Norbert Frey
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Andrew B. Harvey, Renelyn A. Woltes, Raymond N. Deepe, Hannah G. Tarolli, Jenna R. Drummond, Allison Trouten, Auva Zandi, Jeremy L. Barth, Rupak Mukherjee, Martin J. Romeo, Silvia G. Vaena, Ge Tao, Robin Muise-Helmericks, Paula S. Ramos, Russell A. Norris, Andy Wessels
Summary: This study highlights the importance of SOX9 in the regulation of epicardial cell invasion and emphasizes the role of EPDCs in regulating atrioventricular valve development and homeostasis. It also reports a novel expression profile of Cd109, a gene with previously unknown relevance in heart development.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
MariaSanta C. Mangione, Jinhua Wen, Dian J. Cao
Summary: mTOR, a mechanistic target of rapamycin, is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that plays a fundamental role in nutrient sensing, growth, metabolism, lifespan, and aging. Recent studies have highlighted the regulatory role of mTOR in innate immune responses and its involvement in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, especially in acute inflammation and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This review also discusses mTOR's role in trained immunity, immune senescence, and clonal hematopoiesis, as well as its architecture and regulatory complexes.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Junlin Li, Yajun Gong, Yiren Wang, Huihui Huang, Huan Du, Lianying Cheng, Cui Ma, Yongxiang Cai, Hukui Han, Jianhong Tao, Gang Li, Panke Cheng
Summary: Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is closely related to the final infarct size in acute myocardial infarction. Regulatory T cells play an important role in the inflammatory response after AMI, but different subtypes of Tregs have different effects on the injury.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yuxin Chu, Yutao Hua, Lihao He, Jin He, Yunxi Chen, Jing Yang, Ismail Mahmoud, Fanfang Zeng, Xiaochang Zeng, Gloria A. Benavides, Victor M. Darley-Usmar, Martin E. Young, Scott W. Ballinger, Sumanth D. Prabhu, Cheng Zhang, Min Xie
Summary: This study demonstrates that administering beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OHB) at the time of reperfusion can reduce infarct size and preserve cardiac function by activating autophagy and preserving mitochondrial homeostasis, potentially through mTOR inhibition.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2024)