Language：English   Publisher：Cardiology (Switzerland)  

DOI： 10.1159/000527385

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：The Japanese Circulation Society  

DOI： 10.1253/circj.cj-22-0343

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AIMS: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an increasing and life-threatening disease. Obesity contributes to an increased risk of AAA. Omentin is a circulating adipokine, which is downregulated in obese complications. Here, we examined whether omentin could modulate angiotensin (Ang) II-induced AAA formation in apolipoprotein E-knockout (apoE-KO) mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: apoE-KO mice were crossed with transgenic mice expressing the human omentin gene in fat tissue (OMT-Tg mice) to generate apoE-KO/OMT-Tg mice. apoE-KO/OMT-Tg and apoE-KO mice were subjected to continuous Ang II infusion by using osmotic mini pumps. apoE-KO/OMT-Tg mice exhibited a lower incidence of AAA formation and a reduced maximal diameter of AAA compared with apoE-KO mice. apoE-KO/OMT-Tg mice showed attenuated disruption of medial elastic fibres in response to Ang II compared with apoE-KO mice. apoE-KO/OMT-Tg mice also displayed reduced expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, MMP2, and pro-inflammatory genes in aortic walls compared with apoE-KO mice. Furthermore, systemic administration of omentin also attenuated AAA formation and disruption of medial elastic fibres in response to Ang II in apoE-KO mice. Treatment of human monocyte-derived macrophages with omentin protein attenuated expression of MMP9 and pro-inflammatory mediators, and MMP9 activation after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Treatment of human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) with omentin protein reduced expression and activation of MMP2 after stimulation with tumour necrosis factor α. Omentin treatment increased phosphorylation levels of Akt in human macrophages and VSMCs. The suppressive effects of omentin on MMP9 and MMP2 expression were reversed by inhibition of integrin-αVβ3/PI3-kinase/Akt signalling in macrophages and VSMCs, respectively. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that omentin acts as an adipokine that can attenuate Ang II-induced development of AAA through suppression of MMP9 and MMP2 expression and inflammatory response in the vascular wall.

DOI： 10.1093/cvr/cvab179

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AIMS: Autotaxin (ATX) promotes myocardial inflammation, fibrosis, and the subsequent cardiac remodelling through lysophosphatidic acid production. However, the prognostic impact of serum ATX in non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) has not been clarified. We investigated the prognostic impact of serum ATX in patients with NIDCM. METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled 104 patients with NIDCM (49.8 ± 13.4 years, 76 men). We divided the patients into two groups using different cutoffs of median serum ATX levels for men and women: high-ATX group and low-ATX group. Cardiac events were defined as a composite of cardiac death and heart failure resulting in hospitalization. Median ATX level was 203.5 ng/mL for men and 257.0 ng/mL for women. Brain natriuretic peptide levels [224.0 (59.6-689.5) pg/mL vs. 96.5 (40.8-191.5) pg/mL, P = 0.010] were higher in the high-ATX group than low-ATX group, whereas high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and collagen volume fraction levels in endomyocardial biopsy samples were not significantly different between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the event-free survival rate was significantly lower in the high-ATX group than low-ATX group (log-rank; P = 0.007). Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that high-ATX was an independent determinant of composite cardiac events. In both sexes, serum ATX levels did not correlate with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels and collagen volume fraction but had a weak correlation with brain natriuretic peptide levels (men; spearman's rank: 0.274, P = 0.017, women; spearman's rank: 0.378, P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: High serum ATX levels can be associated with increasing adverse clinical outcomes in patients with NIDCM. These results indicate serum ATX may be a novel biomarker or therapeutic target in NIDCM.

DOI： 10.1002/ehf2.13817

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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an increasing and life-threatening disease worldwide. Recent evidence indicates that blood coagulation factors promote renal dysfunction in CKD patients. Activated factor X (FXa) inhibitors are safe and first-line drugs for the prevention of thrombosis in patients with atrial fibrillation. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of edoxaban on CKD using the mouse 5/6 nephrectomy model. Eight-week-old wild-type mice were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy surgery and randomly assigned to two groups, edoxaban or vehicle admixture diet. Edoxaban treatment led to reduction of urinary albumin excretion and plasma UN levels compared with vehicle group, which was accompanied with reduced glomerular cross-sectional area and cell number. Edoxaban treatment also attenuated fibrinogen positive area in the remnant kidneys after subtotal nephrectomy. Moreover, edoxaban treatment resulted in attenuated tubulointerstitial fibrosis after 5/6 nephrectomy, which was accompanied by reduced expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, inflammatory mediators, and oxidative stress markers in the remnant kidneys. Treatment of cultured proximal tubular cells, HK-2 cells, with FXa protein led to increased expression levels of EMT markers, inflammatory mediators, and oxidative stress markers, which were abolished by pretreatment with edoxaban. Treatment of HK-2 cells with edoxaban attenuated FXa-stimulated phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and NF-κB. Our findings indicate that edoxaban can improve renal injury after subtotal nephrectomy by reducing EMT and inflammatory response, suggesting that FXa inhibition could be a novel therapeutic target for CKD patients with atrial fibrillation.

DOI： 10.14814/phy2.15218

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Skeletal muscle atrophy caused by various conditions including aging, nerve damage, and steroid administration, is a serious health problem worldwide. We recently reported that neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NDNF) functions as a muscle-derived secreted factor, also known as myokine, which exerts protective actions on endothelial cell and cardiomyocyte function. Here, we investigated whether NDNF regulates skeletal muscle atrophy induced by steroid administration and sciatic denervation. NDNF-knockout (KO) mice and age-matched wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to continuous dexamethasone (DEX) treatment or sciatic denervation. NDNF-KO mice exhibited decreased gastrocnemius muscle weight and reduced cross sectional area of myocyte fiber after DEX treatment or sciatic denervation compared with WT mice. Administration of an adenoviral vector expressing NDNF (Ad-NDNF) or recombinant NDNF protein to gastrocnemius muscle of WT mice increased gastrocnemius muscle weight after DEX treatment. NDNF-KO mice showed increased expression of ubiquitin E3-ligases, including atrogin-1 and MuRF-1, in gastrocnemius muscle after DEX treatment, whereas Ad-NDNF reduced expression of atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 in gastrocnemius muscle of WT mice after DEX treatment. Pretreatment of cultured C2C12 myocytes with NDNF protein reversed reduced myotube diameter and increased expression of atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 after DEX stimulation. Treatment of C2C12 myocytes increased Akt phosphorylation. Pretreatment of C2C12 myotubes with the PI3-kinase/Akt inhibitor reversed NDNF-induced increase in myotube fiber diameter after DEX treatment. In conclusion, our findings indicated that NDNF prevents skeletal muscle atrophy in vivo and in vitro through reduction of ubiquitin E3-ligases expression, suggesting that NDNF could be a novel therapeutic target of muscle atrophy.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.01.028

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：Japan Heart Foundation  

DOI： 10.11281/shinzo.54.261

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BACKGROUND: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate the pathological and physiological functions of the heart. GPCR antagonists are widely used in the treatment of chronic heart failure. Despite therapeutic advances in the treatments for cardiovascular diseases, heart failure is a major clinical health problem, with significant mortality and morbidity. Corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2) is highly expressed in cardiomyocytes, and cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of the genes encoding CRHR2 suppresses pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction. This suggests that the negative modulation of CRHR2 may prevent the progression of heart failure. However, there are no systemic drugs against CRHR2. FINDINGS: We developed a novel, oral, small molecule antagonist of CRHR2, RQ-00490721, to investigate the inhibition of CRHR2 as a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of heart failure. In vitro, RQ-00490721 decreased CRHR2 agonist-induced 3', 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production. In vivo, RQ-00490721 showed sufficient oral absorption and better distribution to peripheral organs than to the central nervous system. Oral administration of RQ-00490721 inhibited the CRHR2 agonist-induced phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) in the heart, which regulates a transcription activator involved in heart failure. RQ-00490721 administration was not found to affect basal heart function in mice but protected them from pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction. INTERPRETATION: Our results suggest that RQ-00490721 is a promising agent for use in the treatment of chronic heart failure.

DOI： 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112566

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In the heart, fatty acid is a major energy substrate to fuel contraction under aerobic conditions. Ischemia downregulates fatty acid metabolism to adapt to the limited oxygen supply, making glucose the preferred substrate. However, the mechanism underlying the myocardial metabolic shift during ischemia remains unknown. Here, we show that lipoprotein lipase (LPL) expression in cardiomyocytes, a principal enzyme that converts triglycerides to free fatty acids and glycerol, increases during myocardial infarction (MI). Cardiomyocyte-specific LPL deficiency enhanced cardiac dysfunction and apoptosis following MI. Deficiency of aquaporin 7 (AQP7), a glycerol channel in cardiomyocytes, increased the myocardial infarct size and apoptosis in response to ischemia. Ischemic conditions activated glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 2 (GPD2), which converts glycerol-3-phosphate into dihydroxyacetone phosphate to facilitate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis from glycerol. Conversely, GPD2 deficiency exacerbated cardiac dysfunction after acute MI. Moreover, cardiomyocyte-specific LPL deficiency suppressed the effectiveness of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonist treatment for MI-induced cardiac dysfunction. These results suggest that LPL/AQP7/GPD2-mediated glycerol metabolism plays an important role in preventing myocardial ischemia-related damage.

DOI： 10.1096/fj.202100882R

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BACKGROUND: Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) is a myocyte-secreted glycoprotein that could play a role in myocardial maintenance in response to harmful stimuli. We investigated the association between serum FSTL1 levels, especially focused on transcardiac gradient and the hemodynamics, to explore the prognostic impact of FSTL1 levels in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS: Thirty-two ambulatory patients with DCM (23 men; mean age 59 years) were prospectively enrolled. Blood samples were simultaneously collected from the aortic root (Ao), coronary sinus (CS), as well as from the peripheral vein during cardiac catheterization in stable conditions. The transcardiac gradient of FSTL1 was calculated by the difference between serum FSTL1 levels of CS and Ao (FSTL1CS-Ao). Patients were divided into two groups based on the median of FSTL1CS-Ao: Low FSTL1CS-Ao group, <0 ng/mL; High FSTL1CS-Ao group, ≥0 ng/mL. Cardiac events were defined as a composite of cardiac deaths and hospitalizations for worsening heart failure. RESULTS: Mean left ventricular ejection fraction and median plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels were 30.9% and 92.3 pg/mL, respectively. FSTL1CS-Ao was negatively correlated with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (r = -0.400, p = 0.023). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that event-free survival rate was significantly lower in the Low FSTL1CS-Ao group than in the High FSTL1CS-Ao group (p = 0.013). Cox regression analyses revealed that the transcardiac gradient of FSTL1 was an independent predictor for cardiac events. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cut-off value of FSTL1CS-Ao for the prediction of cardiac events was -4.09 ng/mL with sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 86% (area under the curve, 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: Fifty percent of patients had negative transcardiac gradient of FSTL1. Reduced transcardiac gradient of FSTL1 might be a novel prognostic predictor in DCM patients with impaired hemodynamics.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jjcc.2021.07.005

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Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

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Background Circadian rhythm disorders, often seen in modern lifestyles, are a major social health concern. The aim of this study was to examine whether circadian rhythm disorders would influence angiogenesis and blood perfusion recovery in a mouse model of hind limb ischemia. Methods and Results A jet-lag model was established in C57BL/6J mice using a light-controlled isolation box. Control mice were kept at a light/dark 12:12 (12-hour light and 12-hour dark) condition. Concentrations of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor and circulating endothelial progenitor cells in control mice formed a circadian rhythm, which was diminished in the jet-lag model (P<0.05). The jet-lag condition deteriorated tissue capillary formation (P<0.001) and tissue blood perfusion recovery (P<0.01) in hind limb ischemia, which was associated with downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression in local ischemic tissue and in the plasma. Although the expression of clock genes (ie, Clock, Bmal1, and Cry) in local tissues was upregulated after ischemic injury, the expression levels of cryptochrome (Cry) 1 and Cry2 were inhibited by the jet-lag condition. Next, Cry1 and Cry2 double-knockout mice were examined for blood perfusion recoveries and a reparative angiogenesis. Cry1 and Cry2 double-knockout mice revealed suppressed capillary density (P<0.001) and suppressed tissue blood perfusion recovery (P<0.05) in the hind limb ischemia model. Moreover, knockdown of CRY1/2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells was accompanied by increased expression of WEE1 and decreased expression of HOXC5. This was associated with decreased proliferative capacity, migration ability, and tube formation ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, respectively, leading to impairment of angiogenesis. Conclusions Our data suggest that circadian rhythm disorder deteriorates reparative ischemia-induced angiogenesis and that maintenance of circadian rhythm plays an important role in angiogenesis.

DOI： 10.1161/JAHA.121.020896

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Adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs), mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells from subcutaneous adipose tissue, have been shown to stimulate angiogenesis in hind limb ischemia, an effect attributed to paracrine action on endothelial cells (ECs) in mice. Despite promising therapeutic effects, the relevant molecules promoting neovascularization in this setting have not been fully elucidated. Extracellular vesicles, crucial mediators of intercellular communication, are recognized as a new therapeutic modality for regenerative medicine. Here, we found that GW4869, an exosome biogenesis inhibitor targeting neutral sphingomyelinase, impaired ADRCs-mediated angiogenesis and improvement of blood perfusion in a murine hind limb ischemia model. In addition, while the supernatant of ADRCs induced murine EC migration, this effect was attenuated by pre-treatment with GW4869. RNA analysis revealed that treatment of ADRCs with GW4869 reduced the expression of microRNA-21 (miR-21), miR-27b, miR-322, and let-7i in ADRCs-derived exosomes. Furthermore, the exosomes derived from GW4869-treated ADRCs induced the expression of the miR-21 targets Smad7 and Pten, and the miR-322 target Cul2, in ECs. These findings suggest that several miRNAs in ADRCs-derived exosomes contribute to angiogenesis and improvement of blood perfusion in a murine hind limb ischemia model.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.83.3.465

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Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the likely precursors of multiple lines of mesenchymal cells. The existence of bona fide MSCs with self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential into all mesenchymal lineages, however, has been unclear because of the lack of MSC-specific marker(s) that are not expressed by the terminally differentiated progeny. Meflin, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein, is an MSC marker candidate that is specifically expressed in rare stromal cells in all tissues. Our previous report showed that Meflin expression becomes down-regulated in bone marrow-derived MSCs cultured on plastic, making it difficult to examine the self-renewal and differentiation of Meflin-positive cells at the single-cell level. Here, we traced the lineage of Meflin-positive cells in postnatal and adult mice, showing that those cells differentiated into white and brown adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes and skeletal myocytes. Interestingly, cells derived from Meflin-positive cells formed clusters of differentiated cells, implying the in situ proliferation of Meflin-positive cells or their lineage-committed progenitors. These results, taken together with previous findings that Meflin expression in cultured MSCs was lost upon their multilineage differentiation, suggest that Meflin is a useful potential marker to localize MSCs and/or their immature progenitors in multiple tissues.

DOI： 10.1111/gtc.12855

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[Figure: see text].

DOI： 10.1161/ATVBAHA.121.316191

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Publisher：医歯薬出版  

DOI： 10.32118/ayu276111067

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Oxford University Press (OUP)  

<title>Abstract</title>
<sec>
<title>Aims</title>
Secreted factors produced by adipose tissue are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. We previously identified adipolin, also known as C1q/TNF-related protein 12, as an insulin-sensitizing adipokine. However, the role of adipolin in vascular disease remains unknown. Here, we investigated whether adipolin modulates pathological vascular remodelling.


</sec>
<sec>
<title>Methods and results</title>
Adipolin-knockout (APL-KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to wire-induced injury of the femoral artery. APL-KO mice showed increased neointimal thickening after vascular injury compared with WT mice, which was accompanied by an enhanced inflammatory response and vascular cell proliferation in injured arteries. Adipolin deficiency also led to a reduction in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) 1 protein levels in injured arteries. Treatment of cultured macrophages with adipolin protein led to a reduction in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated expression of inflammatory mediators, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL) 6, and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1. These effects were reversed by inhibition of TGF-β receptor II (TGF-βRII)/Smad2 signalling. Adipolin also reduced platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-stimulated proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through a TGF-βRII/Smad2-dependent pathway. Furthermore, adipolin treatment significantly increased TGF-β1 concentration in media from cultured VSMCs and macrophages.


</sec>
<sec>
<title>Conclusion</title>
These data indicate that adipolin protects against the development of pathological vascular remodelling by attenuating macrophage inflammatory responses and VSMC proliferation.


</sec>

DOI： 10.1093/cvr/cvz074

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Other Link： http://academic.oup.com/cardiovascres/article-pdf/116/1/237/31555893/cvz074.pdf

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of death worldwide. We previously identified adipolin, also known as C1q/Tnf-related protein 12, as an anti-inflammatory adipokine with protective features against metabolic and vascular disorders. Here, we investigated the effect of adipolin on myocardial remodeling in a mouse model of MI. METHODS: Male adipolin-knockout (APL-KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to the permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery to create MI. RESULTS: APL-KO mice exhibited increased ratios of heart weight/body weight and lung weight/body weight after MI compared with WT mice. APL-KO mice showed increased left ventricular diastolic diameter and decreased fractional shortening after MI compared with WT mice. APL-KO mice exhibited increased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and enhanced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the post-MI hearts compared with WT mice. Systemic administration of adenoviral vectors expressing adipolin to WT mice after MI surgery improved left ventricular contractile dysfunction and reduced cardiac expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Treatment of cultured cardiomyocytes with adipolin protein reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and hypoxia-induced apoptosis. Treatment with adipolin protein increased Akt phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes. Inhibition of PI3 kinase/Akt signaling reversed the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of adipolin in cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that adipolin ameliorates pathological remodeling of myocardium after MI, at least in part, by its ability to reduce myocardial inflammatory response and apoptosis.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0243483

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Public Library of Science (PLoS)  

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Obesity-related metabolic disorders including dyslipidemia cause impaired collateralization under ischemic conditions, thereby resulting in exacerbated cardiovascular dysfunction. Pemafibrate is a novel selective PPARα modulator, which has been reported to improve atherogenic dyslipidemia, in particular, hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-cholesterol. Here, we investigated whether pemafibrate modulates the revascularization process in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male wild-type (WT) mice were randomly assigned to two groups, normal diet or pemafibrate admixture diet from the ages of 6 weeks. After 4 weeks, mice were subjected to unilateral hindlimb surgery to remove the left femoral artery and vein. Pemafibrate treatment enhanced blood flow recovery and capillary formation in ischemic limbs of mice, which was accompanied by enhanced phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Treatment of cultured endothelial cells with pemafibrate resulted in increased network formation and migratory activity, which were blocked by pretreatment with the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Pemafibrate treatment also increased plasma levels of the PPARα-regulated gene, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 in WT mice. Systemic administration of adenoviral vectors expressing FGF21 (Ad-FGF21) to WT mice enhanced blood flow recovery, capillary density and eNOS phosphorylation in ischemic limbs. Treatment of cultured endothelial cells with FGF21 protein led to increases in endothelial cell network formation and migration, which were canceled by pretreatment with L-NAME. Furthermore, administration of pemafibrate or Ad-FGF21 had no effects on blood flow in ischemic limbs in eNOS-deficient mice. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that pemafibrate can promote revascularization in response to ischemia, at least in part, through direct and FGF21-mediated modulation of endothelial cell function. Thus, pemafibrate could be a potentially beneficial drug for ischemic vascular disease.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0235362

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BACKGROUND: Heart failure is a complex syndrome that results from structural or functional impairment of ventricular filling or blood ejection. Protein phosphorylation is a major and essential intracellular mechanism that mediates various cellular processes in cardiomyocytes in response to extracellular and intracellular signals. The RHOA-associated protein kinase (ROCK/Rho-kinase), an effector regulated by the small GTPase RHOA, causes pathological phosphorylation of proteins, resulting in cardiovascular diseases. RHOA also activates protein kinase N (PKN); however, the role of PKN in cardiovascular diseases remains unclear. METHODS: To explore the role of PKNs in heart failure, we generated tamoxifen-inducible, cardiomyocyte-specific PKN1- and PKN2-knockout mice by intercrossing the αMHC-CreERT2 line with Pkn1flox/flox and Pkn2flox/flox mice and applied a mouse model of transverse aortic constriction- and angiotensin II-induced heart failure. To identify a novel substrate of PKNs, we incubated GST-tagged myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTFA) with recombinant GST-PKN-catalytic domain or GST-ROCK-catalytic domain in the presence of radiolabeled ATP and detected radioactive GST-MRTFA as phosphorylated MRTFA. RESULTS: We demonstrated that RHOA activates 2 members of the PKN family of proteins, PKN1 and PKN2, in cardiomyocytes of mice with cardiac dysfunction. Cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of the genes encoding Pkn1 and Pkn2 (cmc-PKN1/2 DKO) did not affect basal heart function but protected mice from pressure overload- and angiotensin II-induced cardiac dysfunction. Furthermore, we identified MRTFA as a novel substrate of PKN1 and PKN2 and found that MRTFA phosphorylation by PKN was considerably more effective than that by ROCK in vitro. We confirmed that endogenous MRTFA phosphorylation in the heart was induced by pressure overload- and angiotensin II-induced cardiac dysfunction in wild-type mice, whereas cmc-PKN1/2 DKO mice suppressed transverse aortic constriction- and angiotensin II-induced phosphorylation of MRTFA. Although RHOA-mediated actin polymerization accelerated MRTFA-induced gene transcription, PKN1 and PKN2 inhibited the interaction of MRTFA with globular actin by phosphorylating MRTFA, causing increased serum response factor-mediated expression of cardiac hypertrophy- and fibrosis-associated genes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that PKN1 and PKN2 activation causes cardiac dysfunction and is involved in the transition to heart failure, thus providing unique targets for therapeutic intervention for heart failure.

DOI： 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.041019

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：AMER SOC BIOCHEMISTRY MOLECULAR BIOLOGY INC  

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key mediators of intercellular communication that have the potential to improve cardiac function when used in cell-based therapy. However, the means by which cardiomyocytes respond to EVs remains unclear. Here, we sought to clarify the role of exosomes in improving cardiac function by investigating the effect of cardiomyocyte endocytosis of exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells on acute myocardial infarction (MI). Exposing cardiomyocytes to the culture supernatant of adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) prevented cardiomyocyte cell damage under hypoxia in vitro. In vivo, the injection of ADRCs into the heart simultaneous with coronary artery ligation decreased overall cardiac infarct area and prevented cardiac rupture after acute MI. Quantitative RT-PCR-based analysis of the expression of 35 known anti-apoptotic and secreted microRNAs (miRNAs) in ADRCs revealed that ADRCs express several of these miRNAs, among which miR-214 was the most abundant. Of note, miR-214 silencing in ADRCs significantly impaired the anti-apoptotic effects of the ADRC treatment on cardiomyocytes in vitro and in vivo. To examine cardiomyocyte endocytosis of exosomes, we cultured the cardiomyocytes with ADRC-derived exosomes labeled with the fluorescent dye PKH67 and found that hypoxic culture conditions increased the levels of the labeled exosomes in cardiomyocytes. Chlorpromazine, an inhibitor of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, significantly suppressed the ADRC-induced decrease of hypoxia-damaged cardiomyocytes and also decreased hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte capture of both labeled EVs and extracellular miR-214 secreted from ADRCs. Our results indicate that clathrin-mediated endocytosis in cardiomyocytes plays a critical role in their uptake of circulating, exosome-associated miRNAs that inhibit apoptosis.

DOI： 10.1074/jbc.RA119.007537

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RATIONALE: Myofibroblasts have roles in tissue repair following damage associated with ischemia, aging, and inflammation and also promote fibrosis and tissue stiffening, causing organ dysfunction. One source of myofibroblasts is mesenchymal stromal/stem cells that exist as resident fibroblasts in multiple tissues. We previously identified meflin (mesenchymal stromal cell- and fibroblast-expressing Linx paralogue), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein, as a specific marker of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells and a regulator of their undifferentiated state. The roles of meflin in the development of heart disease, however, have not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: We examined the expression of meflin in the heart and its involvement in cardiac repair after ischemia, fibrosis, and the development of heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We found that meflin has an inhibitory role in myofibroblast differentiation of cultured mesenchymal stromal/stem cells. Meflin expression was downregulated by stimulation with TGF (transforming growth factor)-β, substrate stiffness, hypoxia, and aging. Histological analysis revealed that meflin-positive fibroblastic cells and their lineage cells proliferated in the hearts after acute myocardial infarction and pressure-overload heart failure mouse models. Analysis of meflin knockout mice revealed that meflin is essential for the increase in the number of cells that highly express type I collagen in the heart walls after myocardial infarction induction. When subjected to pressure overload by transverse aortic constriction, meflin knockout mice developed marked cardiac interstitial fibrosis with defective compensation mechanisms. Analysis with atomic force microscopy and hemodynamic catheterization revealed that meflin knockout mice developed stiff failing hearts with diastolic dysfunction. Mechanistically, we found that meflin interacts with bone morphogenetic protein 7, an antifibrotic cytokine that counteracts the action of TGF-β and augments its intracellular signaling. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggested that meflin is involved in cardiac tissue repair after injury and has an inhibitory role in myofibroblast differentiation of cardiac fibroblastic cells and the development of cardiac fibrosis.

DOI： 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.119.314806

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：The Japanese Circulation Society  

<p>The identification of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) has led to the discovery of a growing family of ligands and receptors. CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1) and CRHR2 are mammalian G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) with high affinity for CRH and the CRH family of peptides. CRHR1 is predominantly expressed in the brain and plays a vital role in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stress responses by secreting adrenal corticotropic hormone (ACTH). CRHR2 is predominantly expressed in the heart, and a CRHR2-specific ligand, urocortin 2 (UCN2), shows positive cardiac chronotropic and inotropic effects through 3´,5´-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling in response to CRHR2-mediated Gαs activation in mice and humans. Central administration of the CRH family of peptides increases mean arterial pressure through CRHR1 activation, whereas peripheral administration of the peptides decreases mean arterial pressure through CRHR2 activation. These observations have led to further investigations of CRHR2 as an important and unique GPCR in the physiological and pathological functioning of the cardiovascular (CV) system. Moreover, recent clinical trials demonstrate CRHR2 as a potentially therapeutic target in the treatment of heart failure. We present recent reviews of the role of CRHRs in basic CV physiology and in the pathophysiology of CV diseases.</p>

DOI： 10.1253/circj.CJ-18-0428

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV  

Background: Anti-Xa activity (AXA) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and relationship to bleeding events remains unclear.
Methods: We evaluated AXA in 94 patients at both trough and peak rivaroxaban concentrations. Rivaroxaban dosage was determined according to creatinine clearance (CrCl): 10 and 15 mg once daily for patients with CrCl 15-49 and CrCl &gt;= 50 mL/min, respectively. AXA value distribution and its association with bleeding events were examined in enrolled subjects.
Results: The mean peak AXA level was significantly higher than the mean trough level (1.98 +/- 0.81 vs. 0.16 +/- 0.15 IU/mL; p &lt; 0.001). The peak AXA level significantly differed among patients with CrCl 15-29, 30-49, 50-79, and &gt;= 80 mL/min (2.51 +/- 0.83, 1.72 +/- 0.76, 2.05 +/- 0.82, and 1.66 +/- 0.51 IU/mL, respectively; p = 0.004). Major and non-major clinically relevant bleeding events occurred in 22 patients (23.4% and 14.6% per year, respectively). The mean peak AXA level was significantly higher in patients who experienced bleeding events than in those who did not (2.40 +/- 0.70 vs. 1.84 +/- 0.80 IU/mL; p = 0.001). A Cox multivariate analysis showed that the peak AXA level was independently related to the incidence of major and non-major clinically relevant bleeding events (p = 0.012). Cumulative bleeding rates were significantly higher in patients with high peak AXA levels (p &lt; 0.001).
Conclusion: Peak AXA level was an independent predictor for bleeding events in Japanese NVAF patients receiving rivaroxaban. (C) 2016 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jjcc.2016.11.013

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP  

Cardiomyocytes are susceptible to apoptosis caused by hypoxia during the acute and subacute phases of myocardial infarction (MI). Angiogenesis can reduce MI-induced damage by mitigating hypoxia. It has been speculated that the ischemic border zone is a unique area rescued by angiogenic therapy. However, the mechanism and timing for new vessel formation in the mammalian heart following hypoxia are unclear. Identifying targets that benefit from angiogenesis treatment is indispensable for the development of revolutionary therapies. Here, we describe a novel circulatory system wherein new vessels develop from the endocardium of the left ventricle to perfuse the hypoxic area and salvage damaged cardiomyocytes at 3-14 days after MI by activating vascular endothelial growth factor signaling. Moreover, enhanced angiogenesis increased cardiomyocyte survival along the endocardium in the ischemic zone and suppressed ventricular remodeling in infarcted hearts. In contrast, cardiomyocytes in the border zone's hypoxic area underwent apoptosis within 12 h of MI, and the border area that was amenable to treatment disappeared. These data indicate that the non-perfused area along the endocardium is a site of active angiogenesis and a promising target for MI treatment.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-017-07524-x

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：ROCKEFELLER UNIV PRESS  

Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to effectively pump blood and maintain tissue perfusion. Despite numerous therapeutic advancements over previous decades, the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure remains poor, emphasizing the need to identify additional pathophysiological factors. Here, we show that corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 2 (Crhr2) is a G protein-coupled receptor highly expressed in cardiomyocytes and continuous infusion of the Crhr2 agonist, urocortin 2 (Ucn2), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in mice. Moreover, plasma Ucn2 levels were 7.5-fold higher in patients with heart failure compared to those in healthy controls. Additionally, cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of Crhr2 protected mice from pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction. Mice treated with a Crhr2 antagonist lost maladaptive 3'-5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent signaling and did not develop heart failure in response to overload. Collectively, our results indicate that constitutive Crhr2 activation causes cardiac dysfunction and suggests that Crhr2 blockade is a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with chronic heart failure.

DOI： 10.1084/jem.20161924

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS  

DOI： 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.117.003826

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Language：English   Publisher：Japan Society for Cell Biology  

<p>Protein phosphorylation plays an important role in the physiological regulation of cardiac function. Myocardial contraction and pathogenesis of cardiac diseases have been reported to be associated with adaptive or maladaptive protein phosphorylation; however, phosphorylation signaling in the heart is not fully elucidated. We recently developed a novel kinase-interacting substrate screening (KISS) method for exhaustive screening of protein kinase substrates, using mass spectrometry and affinity chromatography. First, we examined protein phosphorylation by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase A (PKA), which has been relatively well studied in cardiomyocytes. The KISS method showed that ERK and PKA mediated the phosphorylation of known cardiac-substrates of each kinase such as Rps6ka1 and cTnI, respectively. Using this method, we found about 330 proteins as Rho-kinase-mediated substrates, whose substrate in cardiomyocytes is unknown. Among them, CARP/Ankrd1, a muscle ankyrin repeat protein, was confirmed as a novel Rho-kinase-mediated substrate. We also found that non-phosphorylatable form of CARP repressed cardiac hypertrophy-related gene Myosin light chain-2v (MLC-2v) promoter activity, and decreased cell size of heart derived H9c2 myoblasts more efficiently than wild type-CARP. Thus, focused proteomics enable us to reveal a novel signaling pathway in the heart.</p>

DOI： 10.1247/csf.16011

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CiNii Research

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS  

Rationale: Activated cardiac fibroblasts (CF) are crucial players in the cardiac damage response; excess fibrosis, however, may result in myocardial stiffening and heart failure development. Inhibition of activated CF has been suggested as a therapeutic strategy in cardiac disease, but whether this truly improves cardiac function is unclear.
Objective: To study the effect of CF ablation on cardiac remodeling.
Methods and Results: We characterized subgroups of murine CF by single-cell expression analysis and identified periostin as the marker showing the highest correlation to an activated CF phenotype. We generated bacterial artificial chromosome-transgenic mice allowing tamoxifen-inducible Cre expression in periostin-positive cells as well as their diphtheria toxin-mediated ablation. In the healthy heart, periostin expression was restricted to valvular fibroblasts; ablation of this population did not affect cardiac function. After chronic angiotensin II exposure, ablation of activated CF resulted in significantly reduced cardiac fibrosis and improved cardiac function. After myocardial infarction, ablation of periostin-expressing CF resulted in reduced fibrosis without compromising scar stability, and cardiac function was significantly improved. Single-cell transcriptional analysis revealed reduced CF activation but increased expression of prohypertrophic factors in cardiac macrophages and cardiomyocytes, resulting in localized cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.
Conclusions: Modulation of the activated CF population is a promising approach to prevent adverse cardiac remodeling in response to angiotensin II and after myocardial infarction.

DOI： 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.308643

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：OXFORD UNIV PRESS  

Aims Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The kidney and its natriuretic function are in the centre of the prevailing models to explain the pathogenesis of hypertension; however, the mechanisms underlying blood pressure elevation remain unclear in most patients. Development of hypertension is strongly correlated with age, and this blood pressure increase typically accelerates in the fourth decade of life. The cause of age-dependent blood pressure elevation is poorly understood. This study aims to understand the role of procontractile G-protein-mediated signalling pathways in vascular smooth muscle in age-dependent hypertension.
Methods and results Similar to humans at mid-life, we observed in 1-year-old mice elevated blood pressure levels without any evidence for increased vessel stiffness, impaired renal function, or endocrine abnormalities. Hypertensive aged mice showed signs of endothelial dysfunction and had an increased vascular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and elevated endothelial ET-1 expression. Age-dependent hypertension could be normalized by ETA receptor blockade, smooth muscle-specific inactivation of the gene encoding the ETA receptor, as well as by acute disruption of downstream signalling via induction of smooth muscle-specific G alpha(12)/G alpha(13), G alpha(q)/G alpha(11), or LARG deficiency using tamoxifen-inducible smooth muscle-specific conditional mouse knock-out models. Induction of smooth muscle-specific ETA receptor deficiency normalized the blood pressure in aged mice despite the continuous presence of signs of endothelial dysfunction.
Conclusion Age-dependent blood pressure elevation is due to a highly reversible activation of procontractile signalling in vascular smooth muscle cells indicating that increased vascular tone can be a primary factor in the development of hypertension.

DOI： 10.1093/cvr/cvv249

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Language：Japanese  

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Language：English   Publisher：Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology  

Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of death, and cardiac rupture following myocardial infarction leads to extremely poor prognostic feature. A large body of evidence suggests that Akt is involved in several cardiac diseases. We previously reported that Akt-mediated Girdin phosphorylation is essential for angiogenesis and neointima formation. The role of Girdin expression and phosphorylation in myocardial infarction, however, is not understood. Therefore, we employed Girdin-deficient mice and Girdin S1416A knock-in (GirdinSA/SA) mice, replacing the Akt phosphorylation site with alanine, to address this question. We found that Girdin was expressed and phosphorylated in cardiac fibroblasts in vitro and that its phosphorylation was crucial for the proliferation and migration of cardiac fibroblasts. In vivo, Girdin was localized in non-cardiomyocyte interstitial cells and phosphorylated in α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells, which are likely to be cardiac myofibroblasts. In an acute myocardial infarction model, GirdinSA/SA suppressed the accumulation and proliferation of cardiac myofibroblasts in the infarcted area. Furthermore, lower collagen deposition in GirdinSA/SA mice impaired cardiac repair and resulted in increased mortality attributed to cardiac rupture. These findings suggest an important role of Girdin phosphorylation at serine 1416 in cardiac repair after acute myocardial infarction and provide insights into the complex mechanism of cardiac rupture through the Akt/Girdin-mediated regulation of cardiac myofibroblasts.

DOI： 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2015.09.012

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors were recently reported to have cardioprotective effects via amelioration of ventricular function. However, the role of DPP-4 inhibition in atrial remodeling, especially of the arrhythmogenic substrate, remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of a DPP-4 inhibitor, alogliptin, on atrial fibrillation (AF) in a rabbit model of heart failure caused by ventricular tachypacing (VTP). METHODS: Rabbits subjected to VTP at 380 bpm for 1 or 3 weeks, with or without alogliptin treatment, were assessed using echocardiography, electrophysiology, histology, and immunoblotting and compared with nonpaced animals. RESULTS: VTP rabbits exhibited increased duration of atrial burst pacing-induced AF, whereas administration of alogliptin shortened this duration by 73%. The extent of atrial fibrosis after VTP was reduced by 39% in the alogliptin-treated group. VTP rabbits treated with alogliptin displayed a 1.6-fold increase in left atrial myocardial capillary density compared with nontreated rabbits. A 2-fold increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation was observed in the left atrium of alogliptin-treated rabbits compared with nontreated rabbits. Moreover, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester) blocked the beneficial effects of alogliptin on AF duration, fibrosis, and capillary density. CONCLUSION: Alogliptin shortened the duration of AF caused by VTP-induced fibrotic atrial tissue by augmenting atrial angiogenesis and activating eNOS. Our findings suggest that DPP-4 inhibitors may be useful in the prevention of heart failure-induced AF.

DOI： 10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.03.010

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：The Japanese Circulation Society  

<b><i>Background:</i></b>Until now, there have been few reports on the accuracy of in-stent restenosis (ISR) detection using high-definition computed tomography (HDCT). The purpose of this study was to assess ISR using HDCT with a new gemstone detector and to examine the diagnostic accuracy compared with invasive coronary angiography.<b><i>Methods and Results:</i></b>We evaluated 162 consecutive patients with 316 stents and the image quality (IQ) scores used to assess ISR, and analyzed whether stent strut thickness and diameter affected IQ score and assessability. In the 316 stents, 278 were diagnosed as assessable with HDCT (88.0%). IQ score for stent diameter ≥3 mm was significantly higher than that for stent diameter <3 mm, for stents with both thick struts ≥140 μm in thickness (mean IQ: 2.04±0.97 vs. 2.83±1.06, P<0.001) and thin struts <140 μm (mean IQ: 1.92±0.87 vs. 2.64±0.96, P=0.01). Assessability for stent diameter ≥3 mm was significantly higher than that for stent diameter <3 mm only for stents with thick struts (92.8% vs. 76.1%, P<0.001). Stent strut thickness, however, was not statistically significantly associated with either IQ score or assessability.<b><i>Conclusions:</i></b>In-stent lumens have high HDCT assessability, and HDCT is useful to evaluate thick-strut stents with diameter <3 mm. (<i>Circ J</i> 2015; <b>79:</b> 1542–1548)

DOI： 10.1253/circj.CJ-14-1344

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CiNii Research

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publisher：Hypertension Research  

DOI： 10.1038/hr.2013.101

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Language：English   Publisher：Journal of Experimental Medicine  

Structural cardiac remodeling, including hypertrophy and fibrosis, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of heart failure. In vitro studies suggested a role of the small GTPase RhoA in hypertrophic cardiomyocyte growth, but neither the molecular mechanisms leading to RhoA activation nor their relevance in vivo are known. We use here a mass spectrometric approach to identify Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs) activated during cardiac pressure overload in vivo and show that RhoGEF12 is a central player during cardiac remodeling. We show that RhoGEF12 is required for stretch-induced RhoA activation and hypertrophic gene transcription in vitro and that its activation depends on integrin β1 and heterotrimeric G proteins of the G12/13 family. In vivo, cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of RhoGEF12 protects mice from overload-induced hypertrophy, fibrosis, and development of heart failure. Importantly, in mice with preexisting hypertrophy, induction of RhoGEF12 deficiency protects from cardiac decompensation, resulting in significantly increased longterm survival. Collectively, RhoGEF12 acts as an integrator of stretch-induced signaling cascades in cardiomyocytes and is an interesting new target for therapeutic intervention in patients with pressure overload-induced heart failure. © 2013 Takefuji et al.

DOI： 10.1084/jem.20122126

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English  

DOI： 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.109256

PubMed

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publisher：Journal of Human Genetics  

Coronary artery spasm has an important function in the etiology of variant angina and other acute coronary syndromes. Abnormal activation of Rho-family GTPases has been observed in cardiovascular disorders, but the function of genetic variability in Rho-family GTPases remains to be evaluated in cardiovascular disorders. We examined the genetic variability of Rho-family GTPases and their regulators in coronary artery spasm. We performed a comprehensive candidate gene analysis of 67 single nucleotide polymorphisms with amino-acid substitution in Rho-family GTPases and their regulators in 103 unrelated Japanese patients with acetylcholine-induced coronary artery spasm and 102 control Japanese subjects without acetylcholine-induced coronary artery spasm. We noted an association of the single nucleotide polymorphism of ARHGAP9 (rs11544238, Ala370Ser) with coronary artery spasm (odds ratio=2.67). We found that ARHGAP9 inactivated Rac as RacGAP and that the mRNA level of ARHGAP9 was strongly detected in hematopoietic cells. ARHGAP9 negatively regulated cell migration. The Ala370Ser polymorphism counteracted ARHGAP9-reduced cell migration, spreading and adhesion. The Ala370Ser polymorphism in the ARHGAP9 gene is associated with coronary artery spasm. These data suggest that the polymorphism of ARHGAP9 has a critical function in the infiltration of hematopoietic cells into the endothelium and inflammation leading to endothelial dysfunction. © 2010 The Japan Society of Human Genetics. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1038/jhg.2009.120

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：AMER SOC BIOCHEMISTRY MOLECULAR BIOLOGY INC  

RhoA is transiently activated by specific extracellular signals such as endothelin-1 (ET-1) in vascular smooth muscle cells. RhoGAP negatively regulates RhoA activity: thus, RhoA becomes the GDP-bound inactive form afterward. Sustained activation of RhoA is induced with high doses of the extracellular signals and is implicated in certain diseases such as vasospasms. However, it remains largely unknown how prolonged activation of RhoA is induced. Here we show that Rho-kinase, an effector of RhoA, phosphorylated p190A RhoGAP at Ser(1150) and attenuated p190A RhoGAP activity in COS7 cells. Binding of Rnd to p190A RhoGAP is thought to enhance its activation. Phosphorylation of p190A RhoGAP by Rho-kinase impaired Rnd binding. Stimulation of vascular smooth muscle cells with a high dose of ET-1 provoked sustained RhoA activation and p190A RhoGAP phosphorylation, both of which were prohibited by a Rho-kinase inhibitor. The phosphomimic mutation of p190A RhoGAP weakened Rnd binding and RhoGAP activities. Taken together, these results suggest that ET-1 induces Rho-kinase activation and subsequent phosphorylation of p190A RhoGAP, leading to prolonged RhoA activation.

DOI： 10.1074/jbc.M806853200

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Language：English   Publisher：KARGER  

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：社団法人日本循環器学会  

CiNii Books

CiNii Research

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Rho family GTPases are key regulators of various physiological processes. Several recent studies indicated that the antagonistic relationship between Rho and Rac is essential for cell polarity and that the Rac activity is negatively regulated by Rho. In this study, we found that Rho-kinase, an effector of Rho, counteracted the Rac GEF STEF-induced Rac1 activation in COS7 cells. Rho-kinase phosphorylated STEF at Thr1662 in vitro, and Y-27632, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, suppressed lysophosphatidic acid-induced phosphorylation of STEF in PC12D cells. STEF interacted with specific molecules such as microtubule-associated protein 1B, and the phosphorylation of STEF by Rho-kinase diminished its interaction with these molecules. STEF promoted nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12D cells, while the phosphomimic mutant of STEF had a weakened ability to enhance neurite outgrowth. Taken together, these results suggest that the phosphorylation of STEF by Rho-kinase exerts the inhibitory effect on the function of STEF.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.02.028

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

After binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF), the EGF receptor is activated, internalized by endocytosis, and subsequently degraded in the lysosomal pathway. Endocytotic trafficking of the activated EGF receptor is essential for controlling EGF signaling. Upon ligand-induced activation of EGF receptors, Cbl (ubiquitin ligase) binds to the activated receptor and leads to translocation of the CIN85 (Cbl-interacting protein of 85 kDa)/endophilin complex in the vicinity of the activated EGF receptors. Endophilin is known as a key regulator of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and the translocation of endophilin in the vicinity of active EGF receptor is thought to promote receptor internalization. The constitutively active mutant of small GTPase Rho inhibits EGF receptor endocytosis. In this study, we found that this inhibitory effect was canceled by the dominant negative form of Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase), which is an effector of Rho. To clarify the molecular mechanisms of endocytosis downstream of Rho/Rho-kinase signal, we searched for and identified endophilin A1 as a novel substrate of Rho-kinase. We identified the phosphorylation site of endophilin A1 at Thr-14 and made endophilin T14D (substitution of Thr-14 by Asp), which is expected to mimic the phosphorylation state of endophilin A1. Endophilin T14D inhibited EGF receptor internalization. Furthermore, phosphorylation of endophilin by Rho-kinase inhibited the binding to CIN85. Taken together, these results suggest that Rho-kinase phosphorylates endophilin downstream of Rho and regulates EGF receptor endocytosis through the inhibition of binding between endophilin and CIN85.

DOI： 10.1111/j.1365-2443.2005.00895.x

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Language：English   Publisher：JAPAN SOC CELL BIOLOGY  

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Cell migration is important in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Macrophages and smooth muscle cells migrate into the subendothelial space of arteries, leading to plaque formation. Long-term inhibition of the activity of Rho-kinase induces a regression of atherosclerotic coronary lesions, probably by preventing migration of macrophages and smooth muscle cells. Previous reports concerning the effect of Rho-kinase inhibitors on cell migration are contradictory, however. We examined here the cell type specificity of Rho-kinase inhibitors and found that migration of endothelial cells, macrophages, and smooth muscle cells was inhibited by treatment with Rho-kinase inhibitors in a dose-dependent fashion in a three-dimensional migration assay, whereas that of fibroblasts and epithelial cells was not inhibited. Myosin II inhibitor prevented cell migration in a manner similar to Rho-kinase inhibitors. In contrast, in a two-dimensional migration assay, cell migration was not inhibited by Rho-kinase or myosin II inhibitors for any of the cell types examined. Taken together, these results indicate that Rho-kinase inhibitors suppress migration of specific cell types under specific conditions through the regulation of myosin II activity. Our findings suggest that Rho-kinase is the therapeutic target of atherosclerosis accompanied with invasion by leukocytes and smooth muscle cells.

DOI： 10.1111/j.1365-2443.2005.00823.x

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Language：English   Publisher：Developmental Cell  

Rho family GTPases, particularly Rac1 and Cdc42, are key regulators of cell polarization and directional migration. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is also thought to play a pivotal role in polarized cell migration. We have found that IQGAP1, an effector of Rac1 and Cdc42, interacts directly with APC. IQGAP1 and APC localize interdependently to the leading edge in migrating Vero cells, and activated Rac1/Cdc42 form a ternary complex with IQGAP1 and APC. Depletion of either IQGAP1 or APC inhibits actin meshwork formation and polarized migration. Depletion of IQGAP1 or APC also disrupts localization of CLIP-170, a microtubule-stabilizing protein that interacts with IQGAP1. Taken together, these results suggest a model in which activation of Rac1 and Cdc42 in response to migration signals leads to recruitment of IQGAP1 and APC which, together with CLIP-170, form a complex that links the actin cytoskeleton and microtubule dynamics during cell polarization and directional migration. Copyright © 2004 Cell Press.

DOI： 10.1016/j.devcel.2004.10.017

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Language：Japanese  

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Language：Japanese  

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Language：English   Publisher：JAPAN SOC CELL BIOLOGY  

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Language：English   Publisher：JAPAN SOC CELL BIOLOGY  

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Language：Japanese  

PubMed

Language：Japanese  

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Language：English   Publisher：LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS  

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Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

A 54-year-old woman with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was admitted because of convulsion. Previously, she had suffered methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sepsis induced by a central venous catheter. Despite removal of the central venous catheter and administration of vancomycin, fever and increased C-reactive protein level persisted. MRSA had probably infected the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator system. Gallium scintigraphy showed accumulation at the right subclaviculan area, although local inflammatory signs were absent. Intravascular ultrasonography demonstrated intravenous vegetation at the bifurcation of the right subclavian vein and right internal jugular vein. Antibiotic therapy was not curative, so she underwent extirpation of the intravenous vegetation, which cured the systemic inflammation. Intravascular ultrasonography was useful to differentiate central venous catheter-related infection from implantable cardioverter defibrillator-related infection.

PubMed

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公財)先進医薬研究振興財団  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公財)鈴木謙三記念医科学応用研究財団  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公財)福田記念医療技術振興財団  

心不全重症度の簡易判定法について検討した。週齢8週の雄マウスから心筋細胞を採取した。採取した心筋細胞からmRNAを抽出し、心筋細胞のmRNAに発現しているGタンパク質共役受容体(GPCR)を測定した。浸透圧ポンプを用いて、GPCRアゴニストをマウスに持続投与した。心不全モデルとして、マウスの大動脈弓に狭窄を作製した。多くのGPCRの発現量はコントロール群と心不全群では変化していないが、心不全により発現量が大きく変化しているGPCRを幾つか見出した。GPCRアゴニストをマウスに4週間投与したところ、心臓の大きさが変化した。この心肥大はアゴニスト濃度を依存的に認め、心エコーにより心駆出率を評価したところ、心駆出率はアゴニスト投与により低下した。アゴニストが心筋細胞そのものを肥大していると考えられた。

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公財)日本心臓財団  

Other Link： https://search-tp.jamas.or.jp/index.php?module=Default&action=Link&pub_year=2015&ichushi_jid=J00679&link_issn=&doc_id=20151224150034&doc_link_id=%2Fah2sinzd%2F2015%2Fs04712%2F007%2F1484-1484%26dl%3D0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalonline.jp%2Fjamas.php%3FGoodsID%3D%2Fah2sinzd%2F2015%2Fs04712%2F007%2F1484-1484%26dl%3D0&type=MedicalOnline&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00004_2.gif

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公財)先進医薬研究振興財団  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本薬理学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：医歯薬出版(株)  

従来、血管平滑筋の収縮機序は、細胞内Ca2+濃度上昇によるミオシン軽鎖キナーゼの活性を介したミオシン軽鎖のリン酸化で説明されてきた。しかし、細胞内Ca2+濃度とミオシン軽鎖のリン酸化レベルおよび発生張力がかならずしも一致しないことから、細胞内Ca2+濃度以外にも血管平滑筋収縮を制御するメカニズムが存在していると考えられてきた。10年ほど前に、低分子量GTP結合蛋白質Rhoとその標的蛋白質Rho-kinase/ROCK/ROKが細胞内Ca2+濃度に依存しない平滑筋収縮を制御していることが明らかにされ、Rho/Rho-kinaseによる血管平滑筋収縮が冠動脈攣縮や高血圧などの循環器疾患に関与していることがあいついで報告されている。現在、Rho-kinase阻害薬の臨床治験が進行中であり、Rho-kinaseは循環器疾患を中心とした種々の疾患の治療のターゲットとして注目されている。(著者抄録)

Other Link： https://search-tp.jamas.or.jp/index.php?module=Default&action=Link&pub_year=2007&ichushi_jid=J00060&link_issn=&doc_id=20070629270018&doc_link_id=%2Faa7ayuma%2F2007%2F022113%2F019%2F1129-1133%26dl%3D0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalonline.jp%2Fjamas.php%3FGoodsID%3D%2Faa7ayuma%2F2007%2F022113%2F019%2F1129-1133%26dl%3D0&type=MedicalOnline&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00004_2.gif

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公財)日本心臓財団  

夜間睡眠時呼吸障害(nocturnal disordered breathing)は慢性心不全および左室収縮機能不全症例の多くに認められ,また高度の夜間睡眠時呼吸障害は心臓死の独立した危険因子であることが知られている.今回われわれは心臓再同期療法(cardiac resynchronization therapy:以下CRT)が心室内伝導障害を有する慢性心不全症例の夜間睡眠時呼吸障害を改善させるか否かについて検討した.対象は2001年6月から2002年1月に当院においてCRTを施行された連続8症例(男性7例,女性1例)であり,CRT施行前と施行1週間後にポリソムノグラフィおよび心機能評価目的でのカテーテル検査をそれぞれ施行し,中枢性無呼吸あるいは閉塞性無呼吸の頻度の変化でCRTによる夜間睡眠時呼吸障害への効果,影響を評価した.CRT施行前では左室内圧波形のpeak positive LVdP/dtは左室ペーシングで平均32.4%,両室ペーシングで30.5%と有意に改善が認められた.無呼吸係数はCRT施行前6.40/hに対し,CRT施行後は1.38/hと有意に減少し(p=0.026),無呼吸-低換気係数もCRT施行前14.9/hに対し,CRT施行後は3.75/hと有意に減少した(p=0.005).また無呼吸の中でも中枢性無呼吸はCRT施行前4.61/hに対し,施行後0.38/hと有意に減少した(p=0.048).心室内伝導障害を有する慢性心不全症例において,CRTは夜間睡眠時呼吸障害および中枢性無呼吸の頻度を減少させた(著者抄録)

Other Link： https://search-tp.jamas.or.jp/index.php?module=Default&action=Link&pub_year=2006&ichushi_jid=J00679&link_issn=&doc_id=20060621320012&doc_link_id=10.11281%2Fshinzo1969.38.6_617&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.11281%2Fshinzo1969.38.6_617&type=J-STAGE&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00007_3.gif

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本不整脈学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公財)日本糖尿病財団  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：ライフサイエンス出版(株)  

心房細動22例(発作性14例,持続性・慢性8例)に対するCARTOガイド下Extensive Encircling PV Isolation(上下肺静脈を一括して焼灼する肺静脈隔離術)の治療成績について検討した.acute resultは"successful"が22例,"unsuccessful"0例,chronic resultは"successful" 19例,"improve"2例,"unsuccessful"1例であった.これらの結果から本治療法は発作性の患者だけでなく持続性,慢性の患者に対しても有用であると考えられた

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本不整脈学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本不整脈学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本不整脈学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)日本臨床社  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：ライフサイエンス出版(株)  

59歳女.動悸と眩暈感を主訴とした.3日に1回の頻度で心房細動発作が起き,前医にて発作性心房細動の診断のもと種々の抗不整脈薬投与を受けたが効果は認められなかった.その後,抗不整脈薬は中止され,以後持続性の心房細動となった.今回,心房細動に対するカテーテルアブレーション目的で入院となり,肺静脈,上大静脈および左房に起源を持つ心房細動と診断し,バスケットカテーテルガイド下にfocal ablationとisolationを行なった.術後3ヵ月経過しているが心房細動の再発は認めていない

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本循環器学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本心血管インターベンション学会  

1999年2月1日〜2000年4月1日の間に待機的経皮的冠動脈形成術(PCI)施行前に動脈造影法(QCA),血管内超音波(IVUS)を施行した133例151病変を対象とし,IVUSによって測定した血管内腔径を基準として,小血管におけるQCAの問題点について検討した.QCAによって測定した対照血管径(RD)は2.64±0.09mm,病変長は11.3±0.8mm,狭窄率(%DS)は60.2±1.8%で,IVUSを用いて計測した対照内腔径(LD)は2.62±0.08mmであった.RDとLDはr=0.67と有意な相関を示した.RDが2.8mm以上の群ではその相関性は保たれていたが,2.8mm未満の群ではRDとLDの相関は弱まった.QCA上2.5mm未満と測定された66病変のうち,34.8%がIVUS上2.5mm以上の内腔径であった

Language：Japanese   Publisher：ライフサイエンス出版(株)  

心室内伝導障害を有するうっ血性心不全症例において,左室ペーシングと両室ペーシングが左室収縮能に及ぼす急性効果について比較検討した.左脚ブロック型心室内伝導障害を有する心不全患者18例を対象とした.洞調律症例11例と同様,心房細動症例7例においても,左室ペーシングと両室ペーシングはLV dP/dt maxを同等に改善した.洞調律症例と心房細動症例におけるLV dP/dt maxの改善率を比べたところ,ペーシングによるLV dP/dt maxの改善効果は,心房細動症例でも洞調律症例とほぼ同等であった.心不全患者におけるペーシング療法の左室収縮能に対する効果は,房室伝導時間の最適化を介するメカニズムよりも心室収縮の同期性の改善の方が大きいことが示唆された

Language：Japanese   Publisher：臨床心臓電気生理研究会  

63歳女.主訴は突然の動悸発作.心房頻拍と診断され,Cibenzoline,pilsicainide,verapamilを投与されたが無効であり,Carvedilol投与により心拍数はコントロールされた.頻拍は最初周期長257〜266msecの心房頻拍であった(AT1).右房でpost pacing interval(PPI)を検討したところ,PPIは頻拍周期に一致せず,頻拍は左房起源と考えられた.左房のelectroanatomical mapping(CARTO)を施行したところ,AT1は僧帽弁輪を反時計方向に旋回するマクロリエントリー性ATと考えられた.僧帽弁輪と弁輪近傍のscarの間に線状焼灼を加えたところ,頻拍周期は305msecに延長した.そこで再度CARTOを施行した.左上肺静脈(LSPV)にanchorする左房天井部の伝導ブロック部(DP)の周囲を旋回するマクロリエントリー性ATと考えられた.左房天井部のDPのgap部位での通電で頻拍は停止した.しかし,2ヵ月後周期長378〜387msecの心房頻拍(AT3)が再発した.CARTOではあたかもAT2の逆回りの興奮順序を呈したが,左房のactivation timeは224msecと短く頻拍周期をカバーしなかった.以上から,AT3のメカニズムはfocal ATと診断された.頻拍は最早期興奮部位での通電で停止した.術後2ヵ月半経過するが頻拍の再発は認められていない

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本不整脈学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本心血管インターベンション学会  

ステント植え込み術を施行し,初期成功の得られた糖尿病症例80例87病変を対象とし,血糖コントロールの良否が遠隔期のステント内新生内膜増殖に与える影響を検討した.血糖コントロール良好な群が不良な群に比して遠隔期の新生内膜増殖率が少なかった.血糖コントロールを良好に保つことにより,ステント植え込み後の遠隔期成績が改善する可能性が示唆された

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本循環器学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本不整脈学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本超音波医学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本循環器学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本循環器学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本循環器学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本循環器学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本循環器学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本循環器学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本不整脈心電学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本不整脈心電学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本不整脈心電学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本心臓病学会  

54歳女.埋め込み型除細動器を装着していたが,痙攣発作の精査のため入院となり,経過中に中心静脈カテーテルを誘引としてメチシリン耐性黄色ブドウ球菌敗血症をきたした.カテーテル抜去及びバンコマイシン投与にも拘わらず発熱と炎症所見の持続が認められ,埋め込み型除細動器への感染が危惧された.Gaシンチグラムで右鎖骨下の集積を認めたが,その際に同部の感染所見は認めなかった.血管内エコー法を実施し,右鎖骨下静脈と右内頸静脈分岐部に疣贅を認めた.抗生物質に不応性であったため静脈内疣贅摘出術を施行し,感染徴候は速やかに改善した.血管内エコー法が感染源の特定及び治療法の選択に有用であると考えられた

Other Link： https://search-tp.jamas.or.jp/index.php?module=Default&action=Link&pub_year=2002&ichushi_jid=J02134&link_issn=&doc_id=20020722330005&doc_link_id=1572261549643877376&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcir.nii.ac.jp%2Fcrid%2F1572261549643877376&type=CiNii&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00003_1.gif

Language：Japanese   Publisher：ライフサイエンス出版(株)  

electroanatomical mapping(CARTO)法を用いてカテーテルアブレーション治療を行った心房頻拍(AT)症例10例を対象に,CARTOシステムの有用性を検討した.その結果,頻拍の根治に成功したのは8例で,根治困難なタイプの心房頻拍も根治可能であった.しかし,頻拍回路の決定が困難な場合には従来のentrainment mappingの手法の併用が必要と考えられた

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本循環器学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本不整脈学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本不整脈学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本循環器学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本循環器学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本不整脈学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本循環器学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本不整脈心電学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本不整脈学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本不整脈学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本不整脈学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本冠疾患学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(NPO)日本冠疾患学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本赤十字社医学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本赤十字社医学会  

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本心臓病学会  

Event date： 2021.3

Language：English   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (nominated)  

Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.3

Language：English   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Event date： 2018.1

Language：English   Presentation type：Poster presentation  

Country：United States  

循環器治療薬の薬理学的作用

心筋疾患、感染性心疾患