Hengtao Zhang

MicroRNA Induced Cardiac Reprogramming In Vivo Evidence for Mature Cardiac Myocytes and Improved Cardiac Function

Rationale: A major goal for the treatment of heart tissue damaged by cardiac injury is to develop strategies for restoring healthy heart muscle through the regeneration and repair of damaged myocardium. We recently demonstrated that administration of a specific combination of microRNAs (miR combo) into the infarcted myocardium leads to direct in vivo reprogramming of noncardiac myocytes to cardiac myocytes. However, the biological and functional consequences of such reprogramming are not yet known. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether noncardiac myocytes directly reprogrammed using miRNAs in vivo develop into mature functional cardiac myocytes in situ, and whether reprogramming leads to improvement of cardiac function. Methods and Results: We subjected fibroblast-specific protein 1-Cre mice/tandem dimer Tomato (tdTomato) mice to cardiac injury by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and injected lentiviruses encoding miR combo or a control nontargeting miRNA. miR combo significantly increased the number of reprogramming events in vivo. Five to 6 weeks after injury, morphological and physiological properties of tdTomato− and tdTomato+ cardiac myocyte–like cells were analyzed ex vivo. tdTomato+ cells expressed cardiac myocyte markers, sarcomeric organization, excitation–contraction coupling, and action potentials characteristic of mature ventricular cardiac myocytes (tdTomato− cells). Reprogramming was associated with improvement of cardiac function, as analyzed by serial echocardiography. There was a time delayed and progressive improvement in fractional shortening and other measures of ventricular function, indicating that miR combo promotes functional recovery of damaged myocardium. Conclusions: The findings from this study further validate the potential use of miRNA-mediated reprogramming as a therapeutic approach to promote cardiac regeneration after myocardial injury.Rationale: A major goal for the treatment of heart tissue damaged by cardiac injury is to develop strategies for restoring healthy heart muscle through the regeneration and repair of damaged myocardium. We recently demonstrated that administration of a specific combination of microRNAs (miR combo) into the infarcted myocardium leads to direct in vivo reprogramming of noncardiac myocytes to cardiac myocytes. However, the biological and functional consequences of such reprogramming are not yet known. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether noncardiac myocytes directly reprogrammed using miRNAs in vivo develop into mature functional cardiac myocytes in situ, and whether reprogramming leads to improvement of cardiac function. Methods and Results: We subjected fibroblast-specific protein 1-Cre mice/tandem dimer Tomato (tdTomato) mice to cardiac injury by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and injected lentiviruses encoding miR combo or a control nontargeting miRNA. miR combo significantly increased the number of reprogramming events in vivo. Five to 6 weeks after injury, morphological and physiological properties of tdTomato− and tdTomato+ cardiac myocyte–like cells were analyzed ex vivo. tdTomato+ cells expressed cardiac myocyte markers, sarcomeric organization, excitation–contraction coupling, and action potentials characteristic of mature ventricular cardiac myocytes (tdTomato− cells). Reprogramming was associated with improvement of cardiac function, as analyzed by serial echocardiography. There was a time delayed and progressive improvement in fractional shortening and other measures of ventricular function, indicating that miR combo promotes functional recovery of damaged myocardium. Conclusions: The findings from this study further validate the potential use of miRNA-mediated reprogramming as a therapeutic approach to promote cardiac regeneration after myocardial injury. # Novelty and Significance {#article-title-18}

MicroRNA Induced Cardiac Reprogramming In Vivo

Rationale: A major goal for the treatment of heart tissue damaged by cardiac injury is to develop strategies for restoring healthy heart muscle through the regeneration and repair of damaged myocardium. We recently demonstrated that administration of a specific combination of microRNAs (miR combo) into the infarcted myocardium leads to direct in vivo reprogramming of noncardiac myocytes to cardiac myocytes. However, the biological and functional consequences of such reprogramming are not yet known. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether noncardiac myocytes directly reprogrammed using miRNAs in vivo develop into mature functional cardiac myocytes in situ, and whether reprogramming leads to improvement of cardiac function. Methods and Results: We subjected fibroblast-specific protein 1-Cre mice/tandem dimer Tomato (tdTomato) mice to cardiac injury by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and injected lentiviruses encoding miR combo or a control nontargeting miRNA. miR combo significantly increased the number of reprogramming events in vivo. Five to 6 weeks after injury, morphological and physiological properties of tdTomato− and tdTomato+ cardiac myocyte–like cells were analyzed ex vivo. tdTomato+ cells expressed cardiac myocyte markers, sarcomeric organization, excitation–contraction coupling, and action potentials characteristic of mature ventricular cardiac myocytes (tdTomato− cells). Reprogramming was associated with improvement of cardiac function, as analyzed by serial echocardiography. There was a time delayed and progressive improvement in fractional shortening and other measures of ventricular function, indicating that miR combo promotes functional recovery of damaged myocardium. Conclusions: The findings from this study further validate the potential use of miRNA-mediated reprogramming as a therapeutic approach to promote cardiac regeneration after myocardial injury.Rationale: A major goal for the treatment of heart tissue damaged by cardiac injury is to develop strategies for restoring healthy heart muscle through the regeneration and repair of damaged myocardium. We recently demonstrated that administration of a specific combination of microRNAs (miR combo) into the infarcted myocardium leads to direct in vivo reprogramming of noncardiac myocytes to cardiac myocytes. However, the biological and functional consequences of such reprogramming are not yet known. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether noncardiac myocytes directly reprogrammed using miRNAs in vivo develop into mature functional cardiac myocytes in situ, and whether reprogramming leads to improvement of cardiac function. Methods and Results: We subjected fibroblast-specific protein 1-Cre mice/tandem dimer Tomato (tdTomato) mice to cardiac injury by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and injected lentiviruses encoding miR combo or a control nontargeting miRNA. miR combo significantly increased the number of reprogramming events in vivo. Five to 6 weeks after injury, morphological and physiological properties of tdTomato− and tdTomato+ cardiac myocyte–like cells were analyzed ex vivo. tdTomato+ cells expressed cardiac myocyte markers, sarcomeric organization, excitation–contraction coupling, and action potentials characteristic of mature ventricular cardiac myocytes (tdTomato− cells). Reprogramming was associated with improvement of cardiac function, as analyzed by serial echocardiography. There was a time delayed and progressive improvement in fractional shortening and other measures of ventricular function, indicating that miR combo promotes functional recovery of damaged myocardium. Conclusions: The findings from this study further validate the potential use of miRNA-mediated reprogramming as a therapeutic approach to promote cardiac regeneration after myocardial injury. # Novelty and Significance {#article-title-18}

Temperature‐sensitive TREK currents contribute to setting the resting membrane potential in embryonic atrial myocytes

TREK channels belong to the superfamily of two‐pore‐domain K+ channels and are activated by membrane stretch, arachidonic acid, volatile anaesthetics and heat. TREK‐1 is highly expressed in the atrium of the adult heart. In this study, we investigated the role of TREK‐1 and TREK‐2 channels in regulating the resting membrane potential (RMP) of isolated chicken embryonic cardiac myocytes. At room temperature, the average RMP of embryonic day (ED) 11 atrial myocytes was −22 ± 2 mV. Raising the temperature to 35°C hyperpolarized the membrane to −69 ± 2 mV and activated a large outwardly rectifying K+ current that was relatively insensitive to conventional K+ channel inhibitors (TEA, 4‐AP and Ba2+) but completely inhibited by tetracaine (200 μm), an inhibitor of TREK channels. The heat‐induced hyperpolarization was mimicked by 10 μm arachidonic acid, an agonist of TREK channels. There was little or no inwardly rectifying K+ current (IK1) in the ED11 atrial cells. In marked contrast, ED11 ventricular myocytes exhibited a normal RMP (−86.1 ± 3.4 mV) and substantial IK1, but no temperature‐ or tetracaine‐sensitive K+ currents. Both RT‐PCR and real‐time PCR further demonstrated that TREK‐1 and TREK‐2 are highly and almost equally expressed in ED11 atrium but much less expressed in ED11 ventricle. In addition, immunofluorescence demonstrated TREK‐1 protein in the membrane of atrial myocytes. These data indicate the presence and function of TREK‐1 and TREK‐2 in the embryonic atrium. Moreover, we demonstrate that TREK‐like currents have an essential role in determining membrane potential in embryonic atrial myocytes, where IK1 is absent.

Expression of a two-pore domain K+ channel (TASK-1) in developing avian and mouse ventricular conduction systems

In this study, we report the identification and amino acid sequence of a novel two‐pore domain potassium channel (TASK‐1) in chicken. This protein, cTASK‐1, is highly similar to mouse and human TASK‐1 particularly within the pore regions. We describe the expression profile of both chicken and mouse TASK‐1 in the embryonic heart as the ventricular conduction system develops. The developmental distribution of TASK‐1 is similar in chicken and mouse. Initially, TASK‐1 is expressed throughout the myocardium of the early heart tube. However, as cardiogenesis proceeds, ventricular expression becomes restricted to the trabeculated myocardium and eventually the bundle of His, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers of the mature conduction system. This finding suggests that components of the ventricular conduction system differentiate from TASK‐1–positive myocytes of the early heart tube that retain TASK‐1 expression as they mature. Our results are consistent with a common mechanism for ventricular conduction system development in avians and mammals, despite differences in the anatomy of the mature conduction systems of these organisms. Developmental Dynamics 235:143–151, 2006.

STIM1–Ca2+ signaling modulates automaticity of the mouse sinoatrial node

Significance Each heartbeat originates in the sinoatrial node (SAN), a collection of specialized cardiomyocytes (SANCs), which exhibit rhythmic action potentials and spontaneous Ca2+ transients. We have found that the Ca2+ sensor protein stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is enriched in the SANCs. Here we show that STIM1 Ca2+ signaling is important in SANCs to maintain the Ca2+ content of intracellular Ca2+ stores and that this contributes to maintaining the regular sinus rhythm of the heart. Cardiac pacemaking is governed by specialized cardiomyocytes located in the sinoatrial node (SAN). SAN cells (SANCs) integrate voltage-gated currents from channels on the membrane surface (membrane clock) with rhythmic Ca2+ release from internal Ca2+ stores (Ca2+ clock) to adjust heart rate to meet hemodynamic demand. Here, we report that stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and Orai1 channels, key components of store-operated Ca2+ entry, are selectively expressed in SANCs. Cardiac-specific deletion of STIM1 in mice resulted in depletion of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ stores of SANCs and led to SAN dysfunction, as was evident by a reduction in heart rate, sinus arrest, and an exaggerated autonomic response to cholinergic signaling. Moreover, STIM1 influenced SAN function by regulating ionic fluxes in SANCs, including activation of a store-operated Ca2+ current, a reduction in L-type Ca2+ current, and enhancing the activities of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. In conclusion, these studies reveal that STIM1 is a multifunctional regulator of Ca2+ dynamics in SANCs that links SR Ca2+ store content with electrical events occurring in the plasma membrane, thereby contributing to automaticity of the SAN.

Control of Voltage-gated Potassium Channel Kv2.2 Expression by Pyruvate-Isocitrate Cycling Regulates Glucose-stimulated Insulin Secretion

Background: Pyruvate-isocitrate cycling is involved in control of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Results: Pyruvate-isocitrate cycling controls expression of the voltage-gated potassium channel family member Kv2.2 in islet cells. Conclusion: Pyruvate-isocitrate cycling maintains Kv2.2 expression, allowing it to serve as a negative regulator of Kv channel activity. Significance: Kv2.2 is a potential new target for reversing β-cell dysfunction of type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have shown that the pyruvate-isocitrate cycling pathway, involving the mitochondrial citrate/isocitrate carrier and the cytosolic NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDc), is involved in control of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Here we demonstrate that pyruvate-isocitrate cycling regulates expression of the voltage-gated potassium channel family member Kv2.2 in islet β-cells. siRNA-mediated suppression of ICDc, citrate/isocitrate carrier, or Kv2.2 expression impaired GSIS, and the effect of ICDc knockdown was rescued by re-expression of Kv2.2. Moreover, chronic exposure of β-cells to elevated fatty acids, which impairs GSIS, resulted in decreased expression of Kv2.2. Surprisingly, knockdown of ICDc or Kv2.2 increased rather than decreased outward K+ current in the 832/13 β-cell line. Immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated interaction of Kv2.1 and Kv2.2, and co-overexpression of the two channels reduced outward K+ current compared with overexpression of Kv2.1 alone. Also, siRNA-mediated knockdown of ICDc enhanced the suppressive effect of the Kv2.1-selective inhibitor stromatoxin1 on K+ currents. Our data support a model in which a key function of the pyruvate-isocitrate cycle is to maintain levels of Kv2.2 expression sufficient to allow it to serve as a negative regulator of Kv channel activity.

Developmental expression of a functional TASK-1 2P domain K+ channel in embryonic chick heart

BackgroundBackground K+ channels are the principal determinants of the resting membrane potential (RMP) in cardiac myocytes and thus, influence the magnitude and time course of the action potential (AP).MethodsRT-PCR and in situ hybridization are used to study the distribution of TASK-1 and whole-cell patch clamp technique is employed to determine the functional expression of TASK-1 in embryonic chick heart.ResultsChicken TASK-1 was expressed in the early tubular heart, then substantially decreased in the ventricles by embryonic day 5 (ED5), but remained relatively high in ED5 and ED11 atria. Unlike TASK-1, TASK-3 was uniformly expressed in heart at all developmental stages. In situ hybridization studies further revealed that TASK-1 was expressed throughout myocardium at Hamilton-Hamburger stages 11 and 18 (S11 & S18) heart. In ED11 heart, TASK-1 expression was more restricted to atria. Consistent with TASK-1 expression data, patch clamp studies indicated that there was little TASK-1 current, as measured by the difference currents between pH 8.4 and pH 7.4, in ED5 and ED11 ventricular myocytes. However, TASK-1 current was present in the early embryonic heart and ED11 atrial myocytes. TASK-1 currents were also identified as 3 μM anandamide-sensitive currents. 3 μM anandamide reduced TASK-1 currents by about 58% in ED11 atrial myocytes. Zn2+ (100 μM) which selectively inhibits TASK-3 channel at this concentration had no effect on TASK currents. In ED11 ventricle where TASK-1 expression was down-regulated, IK1 was about 5 times greater than in ED11 atrial myocytes.ConclusionFunctional TASK-1 channels are differentially expressed in the developing chick heart and TASK-1 channels contribute to background K+ conductance in the early tubular embryonic heart and in atria. TASK-1 channels act as a contributor to background K+ current to modulate the cardiac excitability in the embryonic heart that expresses little IK1.

MicroRNA Induced Cardiac Reprogramming In VivoNovelty and Significance: Evidence for Mature Cardiac Myocytes and Improved Cardiac Function

Rationale: A major goal for the treatment of heart tissue damaged by cardiac injury is to develop strategies for restoring healthy heart muscle through the regeneration and repair of damaged myocardium. We recently demonstrated that administration of a specific combination of microRNAs (miR combo) into the infarcted myocardium leads to direct in vivo reprogramming of noncardiac myocytes to cardiac myocytes. However, the biological and functional consequences of such reprogramming are not yet known. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether noncardiac myocytes directly reprogrammed using miRNAs in vivo develop into mature functional cardiac myocytes in situ, and whether reprogramming leads to improvement of cardiac function. Methods and Results: We subjected fibroblast-specific protein 1-Cre mice/tandem dimer Tomato (tdTomato) mice to cardiac injury by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and injected lentiviruses encoding miR combo or a control nontargeting miRNA. miR combo significantly increased the number of reprogramming events in vivo. Five to 6 weeks after injury, morphological and physiological properties of tdTomato− and tdTomato+ cardiac myocyte–like cells were analyzed ex vivo. tdTomato+ cells expressed cardiac myocyte markers, sarcomeric organization, excitation–contraction coupling, and action potentials characteristic of mature ventricular cardiac myocytes (tdTomato− cells). Reprogramming was associated with improvement of cardiac function, as analyzed by serial echocardiography. There was a time delayed and progressive improvement in fractional shortening and other measures of ventricular function, indicating that miR combo promotes functional recovery of damaged myocardium. Conclusions: The findings from this study further validate the potential use of miRNA-mediated reprogramming as a therapeutic approach to promote cardiac regeneration after myocardial injury.Rationale: A major goal for the treatment of heart tissue damaged by cardiac injury is to develop strategies for restoring healthy heart muscle through the regeneration and repair of damaged myocardium. We recently demonstrated that administration of a specific combination of microRNAs (miR combo) into the infarcted myocardium leads to direct in vivo reprogramming of noncardiac myocytes to cardiac myocytes. However, the biological and functional consequences of such reprogramming are not yet known. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether noncardiac myocytes directly reprogrammed using miRNAs in vivo develop into mature functional cardiac myocytes in situ, and whether reprogramming leads to improvement of cardiac function. Methods and Results: We subjected fibroblast-specific protein 1-Cre mice/tandem dimer Tomato (tdTomato) mice to cardiac injury by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and injected lentiviruses encoding miR combo or a control nontargeting miRNA. miR combo significantly increased the number of reprogramming events in vivo. Five to 6 weeks after injury, morphological and physiological properties of tdTomato− and tdTomato+ cardiac myocyte–like cells were analyzed ex vivo. tdTomato+ cells expressed cardiac myocyte markers, sarcomeric organization, excitation–contraction coupling, and action potentials characteristic of mature ventricular cardiac myocytes (tdTomato− cells). Reprogramming was associated with improvement of cardiac function, as analyzed by serial echocardiography. There was a time delayed and progressive improvement in fractional shortening and other measures of ventricular function, indicating that miR combo promotes functional recovery of damaged myocardium. Conclusions: The findings from this study further validate the potential use of miRNA-mediated reprogramming as a therapeutic approach to promote cardiac regeneration after myocardial injury. # Novelty and Significance {#article-title-18}