G. Patricia Escobar

Myocardial Infarct Expansion and Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibition

Background—A potential mechanism for left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) is activation of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). This study examined the effects of MMP inhibition (MMPi) on regional LV geometry and MMP levels after MI. Methods and Results—In pigs instrumented with radiopaque markers to measure regional myocardial geometry, MI was created by ligating the obtuse marginals of the circumflex artery. In the first study, pigs were randomized to MMPi (n=7; PD166793, 20 mg · kg−1 · d−1) or MI only (n=7) at 5 days after MI, and measurements were performed at 2 weeks. Regional MI areas were equivalent at randomization and were increased in the MI-only group at 2 weeks after MI compared with the MMPi group. In the second study, pigs randomized to MMPi (n=9) or MI only (n=8) were serially followed up for 8 weeks. At 8 weeks after MI, LV end-diastolic dimension was lower with MMPi than in the MI-only group (4.7±0.1 versus 5.1±0.1 cm, P <0.05). Regional MI area was reduced with MMPi at 8 weeks after MI (1.3±0.1 versus 1.7±0.1 cm2, P <0.05). MMPi reduced ex vivo MMP proteolytic activity. In the MI region, membrane-type MMP levels were normalized and levels of the endogenous tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP-1) were increased compared with normal levels with MMPi. These effects were not observed in the MI-only group. Conclusions—MMPi attenuated the degree of post-MI LV dilation and expansion of the infarct during the late phase of MI healing. In addition, exogenous MMPi caused region-specific modulation of certain MMP and TIMP species.

Selective Targeting and Timing of Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibition in Post-Myocardial Infarction Remodeling

Background—A cause-and-effect relationship exists between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) induction and left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Whether broad-spectrum MMP inhibition is necessary and the timing at which MMP inhibition should be instituted after MI remain unclear. This study examined the effects of MMP-1 and MMP-7-sparing inhibition (sMMPi) on regional and global LV remodeling when instituted before or after MI. Methods and Results—Pigs instrumented with coronary snares and radiopaque markers within the area at risk were randomized to MI only (n=11) or sMMPi (PGE-530742, 10 mg/kg PO TID) begun 3 days before MI (n=11) or 3 days after MI (n=10). Eleven weight-matched noninstrumented pigs served as reference controls. At 10 days after MI, infarct size was similar between groups (47±3% of the area at risk). Marker area increased from baseline in the MI-only group (10±3%, P <0.05) but was unchanged with sMMPi. LV end-diastolic volume increased in the MI-only group (82±3 mL) compared with controls (56±3 mL, P <0.05) but was attenuated with pre-MI and post-MI sMMPi (69±3 and 69±4 mL, respectively, P <0.05). Collagen content increased in the infarct zone of the MI-only group (34±5%) compared with control (2±1%, P <0.05) but was reduced with pre-MI and post-MI sMMPi (24±1% and 23±2%, P <0.05). Collagen content increased in the border zone (12±2%) and decreased in the remote zone (3±1%) of the pre-MI sMMPi group compared with post-MI sMMPi values (7±1% and 5±1%, P <0.05). Conclusions—Inhibition of MMP-1 and −7 is not required to favorably influence LV remodeling after MI. Moreover, a temporal difference exists with respect to the timing of sMMPi and regional and global myocardial remodeling patterns after MI.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 Affects Connexin-43 Levels, Electrical Conduction, and Survival After Myocardial Infarction

Background— Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Specific causative roles of particular MMPs, however, remain unclear. MMP-7 is abundant in cardiomyocytes and macrophages, but MMP-7 function after MI has not been defined. Methods and Results— Wild-type (WT; n=55) and MMP-7–null (MMP-7−/−; n=32) mice underwent permanent coronary artery ligation for 7 days. MI sizes were similar, but survival was greatly improved in MMP-7−/− mice. The survival difference could not be attributed to differences in left ventricular dilation because end-diastolic volumes increased similarly. ECG analysis revealed a prolonged PR interval in WT but not in MMP-7−/− post-MI mice. Post-MI conduction velocity, determined by optically mapping electrical wavefront propagation, decreased to 78±6% of control for WT and was normalized in MMP-7−/− mice. In WT mice, slower conduction velocity correlated with a 53% reduction in the gap junction protein connexin-43. Direct binding of MMP-7 to connexin-43, determined by surface plasmon resonance technology, occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Connexin-43 processing by MMP-7 was confirmed by in silico and in vitro substrate analyses and MMP-7 infusion induced arrhythmias in vivo. Conclusions— MMP-7 deletion results in improved survival and myocardial conduction patterns after MI. This is the first report to implicate MMP-7 in post-MI remodeling and to demonstrate that connexin-43 is a novel MMP-7 substrate.

Chronic Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibition Following Myocardial Infarction in Mice: Differential Effects on Short and Long-Term Survival

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling occurs after myocardial infarction (MI), and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to adverse LV remodeling after MI. Short-term pharmacological MMP inhibition (MMPi; days to weeks) in animal models of MI have demonstrated a reduction in adverse LV remodeling. However, the long-term effects (months) of MMPi on survival and LV remodeling after MI have not been examined. MI was induced in adult mice (n = 131) and, at 3 days post-MI, assigned to MMPi [MI-MMPi: (s)-2-(4-bromo-biphenyl-4-sulfonylamino)-3-methyl-butyric acid (PD200126), 7.5 mg/day/p.o., n = 64] or untreated (MI-only, n = 67). Unoperated mice (n = 16) served as controls. The median survival in the MI-only group was 5 days, whereas median survival was significantly greater in the MI-MMPi group at 38 days (p < 0.05). However, with prolonged MMPi (>120 days), a significant divergence in the survival curves occurred in which significantly greater mortality was observed with prolonged MMPi (p < 0.05). LV echocardiography at 6 months revealed LV dilation in the MI-only and MI-MMPi groups (154 ± 14 and 219 ± 24 μl) compared with control (67 ± 4 μl, p < 0.05), with a greater degree of dilation in the MI-MMPi group (p < 0.05). MMPi conferred a beneficial effect on survival early post-MI, but prolonged MMPi (>3 months) was associated with higher mortality and adverse LV remodeling. These unique results suggest that an optimal temporal window exists with respect to pharmacological interruption of MMP activity in the post-MI period.

Cardiac-Restricted Overexpression of Membrane Type-1 Matrix Metalloproteinase in Mice Effects on Myocardial Remodeling With Aging

Background—The direct consequences of a persistently increased myocardial expression of the unique matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) membrane type-1 (MT1-MMP) on myocardial remodeling remained unexplored. Methods and Results—Cardiac-restricted MT1-MMPexp was constructed in mice using the full-length human MT1-MMP gene ligated to the myosin heavy chain promoter, which yielded approximately a 200% increase in MT1-MMP when compared with age/strain-matched wild-type (WT) mice. Left ventricular (LV) function and geometry was assessed by echocardiography in 3-month (“young”) WT (n=32) and MT1-MMPexp (n=20) mice and compared with 14-month (“middle-aged”) WT (n=58) and MT1-MMPexp (n=35) mice. LV end-diastolic volume was similar between the WT and MT1-MMPexp young groups, as was LV ejection fraction. In the middle-aged WT mice, LV end-diastolic volume and ejection fraction was similar to young WT mice. However, in the MT1-MMPexp middle-aged mice, LV end-diastolic volume was ≈43% higher and LV ejection fraction 40% lower (both P<0.05). Moreover, in the middle-aged MT1-MMPexp mice, myocardial fibrillar collagen increased by nearly 2-fold and was associated with ≈3-fold increase in the processing of the profibrotic molecule, latency-associated transforming growth factor binding protein. In a second study, 14-day survival after myocardial infarction was significantly lower in middle-aged MT1-MMPexp mice. Conclusions—Persistently increased myocardial MT1-MMP expression, in and of itself, caused LV remodeling, myocardial fibrosis, dysfunction, and reduced survival after myocardial injury. These findings suggest that MT1-MMP plays a mechanistic role in adverse remodeling within the myocardium.

Modulation of calcium transport improves myocardial contractility and enzyme profiles after prolonged ischemia-reperfusion

BACKGROUND Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury causes myocardial dysfunction in part through intracellular calcium overload. A recently described pharmacologic compound, MCC-135 (5-methyl-2-[1-piperazinyl] benzenesulfonic acid monohydrate, Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation), alters intracellular calcium levels. This project tested the hypothesis that MCC-135 would influence regional myocardial contractility when administered at reperfusion and after a prolonged period of ischemia. METHODS A circumflex snare and sonomicrometry crystals within remote and area-at-risk regions were placed in pigs (n = 18, 32 kg). Coronary occlusion was instituted for 120 minutes followed by 180 minutes of reperfusion. At 105 minutes of ischemia pigs were randomly assigned to IR only (n = 11) or MCC-135 (IR-MCC [300 microg. kg(-1). h(-1), n = 7]) administered intravenously. Regional myocardial contractility was determined by calculation of the regional end-systolic pressure-dimension relation (RESPDR [mm Hg/cm]). Myocardial injury was determined by measurement of plasma levels of myocyte-specific enzymes. RESULTS At 90 minutes ischemia, mean troponin-I was 35 +/- 8 ng/mL with no significant difference between groups. At 180 minutes reperfusion, heart rate was increased by 18% +/- 5% in the IR only group (p < 0.05) and was reduced by 11% +/- 4% with IR-MCC (p < 0.05). At 90 minutes ischemia RESPDR was reduced from baseline by 51% +/- 6% (p < 0.05). By 30 minutes reperfusion, reductions in RESPDR were attenuated with IR-MCC compared with IR only values. The CK-MB levels were increased at 180 minutes reperfusion in the IR only group (52 +/- 9 ng/mL) compared with baseline (6 +/- 1 ng/mL, p < 0.05) but were attenuated with IR-MCC (24 +/- 4 ng/mL, p < 0.05) compared with IR only values. CONCLUSIONS Despite similar degrees of injury at 90 minutes ischemia MCC-135 improved regional contractility and reduced the egress of CK-MB. Moreover MCC-135 was associated with decreased heart rate, a determinant of myocardial oxygen demand. Pharmacologic modulation of calcium transport ameliorates myocardial dysfunction in the acute IR period.

Caspase inhibition modulates left ventricular remodeling following myocardial infarction through cellular and extracellular mechanisms.

Background: Myocyte death occurs by necrosis and caspase-mediated apoptosis in myocardial infarction (MI). In vitro studies suggest caspase activation causes myocardial contractile protein degradation without inducing apoptosis. Thus, caspase activation may evoke left ventricular (LV) remodeling through independent processes post-MI. The effects of caspase activation on LV geometry post-MI remain unclear. This project applied pharmacologic caspase inhibition (CASPI) to a porcine model of MI. Methods and Results: Pigs (34 kg) were instrumented to induce 60 minutes of coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion and a 7-day follow-up period. Upon reperfusion, the pigs were randomized to saline (n = 12) or CASPI (n = 10, IDN6734, 6 mg/kg IV, then 6 mg/kg/h for 24 hours). Plasma troponin-I values were reduced with CASPI compared with saline at 24 hours post-MI (133 ± 15 vs. 189 ± 20 ng/mL, respectively, P < 0.05). LV end-diastolic area (echocardiography) and interregional length (sonomicrometry) increased from baseline in both groups but were attenuated with CASPI by 40% and 90%, respectively (P < 0.05). Myocyte length was reduced with CASPI compared with saline (128 ± 3 vs. 141 ± 4 μm, respectively, P < 0.05). Plasma-free pro-matrix metalloproteinase-2 values increased from baseline with CASPI (27% ± 6%, P < 0.05) indicative of reduced conversion to active MMP-2. Separate in vitro studies demonstrated that activated caspase species cleaved pro-MMP-2 yielding active MMP-2 forms and that MMP activity was increased in the presence of activated caspase-3. Conclusions: CASPI attenuated regional and global LV remodeling post-MI and altered viable myocyte geometry. Caspases increased MMP activity in vitro, whereas CASPI modified conversion of MMP-2 to the active form in vivo. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that the elaboration of caspases post-MI likely contribute to LV remodeling through both cellular and extracellular mechanisms.

Cardiac-Restricted Overexpression of Membrane Type-1 Matrix Metalloproteinase in Mice

Background—The direct consequences of a persistently increased myocardial expression of the unique matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) membrane type-1 (MT1-MMP) on myocardial remodeling remained unexplored. Methods and Results—Cardiac-restricted MT1-MMPexp was constructed in mice using the full-length human MT1-MMP gene ligated to the myosin heavy chain promoter, which yielded approximately a 200% increase in MT1-MMP when compared with age/strain-matched wild-type (WT) mice. Left ventricular (LV) function and geometry was assessed by echocardiography in 3-month (“young”) WT (n=32) and MT1-MMPexp (n=20) mice and compared with 14-month (“middle-aged”) WT (n=58) and MT1-MMPexp (n=35) mice. LV end-diastolic volume was similar between the WT and MT1-MMPexp young groups, as was LV ejection fraction. In the middle-aged WT mice, LV end-diastolic volume and ejection fraction was similar to young WT mice. However, in the MT1-MMPexp middle-aged mice, LV end-diastolic volume was ≈43% higher and LV ejection fraction 40% lower (both P<0.05). Moreover, in the middle-aged MT1-MMPexp mice, myocardial fibrillar collagen increased by nearly 2-fold and was associated with ≈3-fold increase in the processing of the profibrotic molecule, latency-associated transforming growth factor binding protein. In a second study, 14-day survival after myocardial infarction was significantly lower in middle-aged MT1-MMPexp mice. Conclusions—Persistently increased myocardial MT1-MMP expression, in and of itself, caused LV remodeling, myocardial fibrosis, dysfunction, and reduced survival after myocardial injury. These findings suggest that MT1-MMP plays a mechanistic role in adverse remodeling within the myocardium.

Direct inhibition of the sodium/hydrogen exchanger after prolonged regional ischemia improves contractility on reperfusion independent of myocardial viability

BACKGROUND A mechanism for myocardial dysfunction after ischemia and reperfusion is Na(+)/H(+) exchanger activation. Although past in vivo models of limited ischemia and reperfusion intervals demonstrate that Na(+)/H(+) exchanger inhibition confers myocardial protection when administered at the onset of ischemia, the effect of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger inhibition on myocardial function after prolonged ischemia and reperfusion remains unknown. This investigation tested the hypothesis that Na(+)/H(+) exchanger inhibition instituted at reperfusion and after prolonged coronary occlusion in pigs would influence myocardial contractility independent of myocardial viability. METHODS A coronary snare and sonomicrometry crystals were placed in pigs (n = 21, 32 kg). Coronary occlusion was instituted for 120 minutes followed by reperfusion for 180 minutes. At 105 minutes of ischemia, pigs were randomized to ischemia and reperfusion only (saline solution, n = 11) or Na(+)/H(+) exchanger inhibition (HOE-642, 3 mg/kg intravenously, n = 10). Myocardial injury was determined by tissue staining and measurement of plasma myocyte-specific enzymes. Myocardial contractility was determined by calculation of the regional end-systolic pressure-dimension relation (millimeters of mercury per centimeter) and by assessment of interregional shortening. RESULTS Infarct size was not different between groups (39% +/- 6%, P =.26). Moreover, at 180 minutes of reperfusion, plasma troponin-I and creatine kinase MB values had increased to identical levels in the ischemia and reperfusion-only and Na(+)/H(+) exchanger inhibition groups (300 +/- 35 and 50 +/- 6 ng/mL, respectively). At 90 minutes of ischemia, regional end-systolic pressure-dimension relation decreased from baseline (5.7 +/- 0.5 versus 2.7 +/- 0.3, P <.05) in the area at risk. By 30 minutes of reperfusion, regional end-systolic pressure-dimension relation decreased further in the ischemia and reperfusion-only group (1.6 +/- 0.2, P <.05), but improved with Na(+)/H(+) exchanger inhibition (4.4 +/- 0.7, P <.05). CONCLUSIONS Na(+)/H(+) exchanger inhibition instituted at reperfusion improved contractility independent of myocardial viability as assessed by absolute infarct size and myocyte-specific enzyme release. Thus, modulation of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger activity in the setting of prolonged ischemia and reperfusion may hold therapeutic potential.

Cardiac-Restricted Overexpression of Membrane Type-1 Matrix Metalloproteinase in MiceCLINICAL PERSPECTIVE

Background—The direct consequences of a persistently increased myocardial expression of the unique matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) membrane type-1 (MT1-MMP) on myocardial remodeling remained unexplored. Methods and Results—Cardiac-restricted MT1-MMPexp was constructed in mice using the full-length human MT1-MMP gene ligated to the myosin heavy chain promoter, which yielded approximately a 200% increase in MT1-MMP when compared with age/strain-matched wild-type (WT) mice. Left ventricular (LV) function and geometry was assessed by echocardiography in 3-month (“young”) WT (n=32) and MT1-MMPexp (n=20) mice and compared with 14-month (“middle-aged”) WT (n=58) and MT1-MMPexp (n=35) mice. LV end-diastolic volume was similar between the WT and MT1-MMPexp young groups, as was LV ejection fraction. In the middle-aged WT mice, LV end-diastolic volume and ejection fraction was similar to young WT mice. However, in the MT1-MMPexp middle-aged mice, LV end-diastolic volume was ≈43% higher and LV ejection fraction 40% lower (both P<0.05). Moreover, in the middle-aged MT1-MMPexp mice, myocardial fibrillar collagen increased by nearly 2-fold and was associated with ≈3-fold increase in the processing of the profibrotic molecule, latency-associated transforming growth factor binding protein. In a second study, 14-day survival after myocardial infarction was significantly lower in middle-aged MT1-MMPexp mice. Conclusions—Persistently increased myocardial MT1-MMP expression, in and of itself, caused LV remodeling, myocardial fibrosis, dysfunction, and reduced survival after myocardial injury. These findings suggest that MT1-MMP plays a mechanistic role in adverse remodeling within the myocardium.