Language：English   Publisher：Bio Protocol  

Following myocardial infarction (MI), myocardial cells undergo cell death, and the necrotic region is replaced by extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagens. Myofibroblasts are responsible for producing these ECM proteins. Cardiac myofibroblasts are differentiated from resident fibroblasts in response to inflammation. To date, genetically modified mice driven by the Periostin promoter and adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9) carrying the Periostin promoter have been used for gene transfer into cardiac myofibroblasts. However, these methods require multiple steps and are time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, we developed a method for delivering genes into cardiac myofibroblasts using retroviruses. Specifically, the DNA of the target gene was transfected into Plat-E cells, which are packaging cells, to generate retroviruses. The virus-containing supernatant was then harvested, and the viruses were pelleted by centrifugation and suspended in PBS-containing polybrene. Subsequently, permanent occlusion of the left coronary artery was performed, and 20 μL of viral solution was immediately administered using a 29G needle at a position 1–2 mm below the ligation site in the heart of mice maintained in an open chest state. Using this method, we were able to introduce genes into the myofibroblasts of interest surrounding the MI site.

DOI： 10.21769/BioProtoc.5500

Open Access

Web of Science

Scopus

PubMed

Language：Japanese   Publisher：The Japanese Pharmacological Society  

DOI： 10.1254/fpj.25016

Open Access

Scopus

PubMed

CiNii Research

Language：English   Publisher：Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications  

Fibrosis results from the excessive production of extracellular matrix proteins by myofibroblasts. It has recently been reported that in the heart, myofibroblasts develop chondrocyte-like properties following myocardial infarction as fibrosis progresses and tissues stiffen. However, the nature of these chondrocyte-like myofibroblasts remains unclear. In this study, we found that the expression of the proline- and arginine-rich end leucine-rich repeat protein (PRELP) was upregulated in hearts and livers stiffened by fibrosis with chronic inflammation. Moreover, we established that Prelp was specifically expressed in chondrocyte-like myofibroblasts. Prelp expression was found to be regulated by the transcription factor SOX9, and in cardiac and liver myofibroblasts, Prelp-knockdown was observed to reduce collagen expression. These findings reveal that PRELP is specifically expressed in chondrocyte-like myofibroblasts and that it promotes collagen production. PRELP could thus serve as a novel therapeutic target for treating fibrosis.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150785

Open Access

Web of Science

Scopus

PubMed

Language：Japanese

DOI： 10.32118/ayu294100958

Event date： 2026.1

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (invited, special)  

Venue：名古屋   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2025.11

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (invited, special)  

Venue：名古屋   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2025.7

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (invited, special)  

Venue：名古屋   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2025.7

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (invited, special)  

Venue：名古屋   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2026.3

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：大阪   Country：Japan  

Application no：特願2021-502191 

Patent/Registration no：特許第7675438号  Date registered：2025.5