Karen L. Miller

Anti-hypertrophic and anti-oxidant effect of beta3-adrenergic stimulation in myocytes requires differential neuronal NOS phosphorylation

RATIONALE Stimulation of β3-adrenoreceptors (β3-AR) blunts contractility and improves chronic left ventricular function in hypertrophied and failing hearts in a neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) dependent manner. nNOS can be regulated by post-translational modification of stimulatory phosphorylation residue Ser1412 and inhibitory residue Ser847. However, the role of phosphorylation of these residues in cardiomyocytes and β3-AR protective signaling has yet to be explored. OBJECTIVE We tested the hypothesis that β3-AR regulation of myocyte stress requires changes in nNOS activation mediated by differential nNOS phosphorylation. METHODS AND RESULTS Endothelin (ET-1) or norepinephrine induced hypertrophy in rat neonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVMs) was accompanied by increased β3-AR gene expression. Co-administration of the β3-AR agonist BRL-37433 (BRL) reduced cell size and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, while augmenting NOS activity. BRL-dependent augmentation of NOS activity and ROS suppression due to NE were blocked by inhibiting nNOS (L-VNIO). BRL augmented nNOS phosphorylation at Ser1412 and dephosphorylation at Ser847. Cells expressing constitutively dephosphorylated Ser1412A or phosphorylated Ser847D nNOS mutants displayed reduced nNOS activity and a lack of BRL modulation. BRL also failed to depress ROS from NE in cells with nNOS-Ser847D. Inhibiting Akt decreased BRL-induced nNOS-Ser1412 phosphorylation and NOS activation, whereas Gi/o blockade blocked BRL-regulation of both post-translational modifications, preventing enhancement of NOS activity and ROS reduction. BRL resulted in near complete dephosphorylation of Ser847 and a moderate rise in Ser1412 phosphorylation in mouse myocardium exposed to chronic pressure-overload. CONCLUSION β3-AR regulates myocardial NOS activity and ROS via activation of nNOS involving reciprocal changes in phosphorylation at two regulatory sites. These data identify a novel and potent anti-oxidant and anti-hypertrophic pathway due to nNOS post-translational modification that is coupled to β3-AR receptor stimulation.

Nonmyocyte ERK1/2 signaling contributes to load-induced cardiomyopathy in Marfan mice

Among children with the most severe presentation of Marfan syndrome (MFS), an inherited disorder of connective tissue caused by a deficiency of extracellular fibrillin-1, heart failure is the leading cause of death. Here, we show that, while MFS mice (Fbn1C1039G/+ mice) typically have normal cardiac function, pressure overload (PO) induces an acute and severe dilated cardiomyopathy in association with fibrosis and myocyte enlargement. Failing MFS hearts show high expression of TGF-β ligands, with increased TGF-β signaling in both nonmyocytes and myocytes; pathologic ERK activation is restricted to the nonmyocyte compartment. Informatively, TGF-β, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), or ERK antagonism (with neutralizing antibody, losartan, or MEK inhibitor, respectively) prevents load-induced cardiac decompensation in MFS mice, despite persistent PO. In situ analyses revealed an unanticipated axis of activation in nonmyocytes, with AT1R-dependent ERK activation driving TGF-β ligand expression that culminates in both autocrine and paracrine overdrive of TGF-β signaling. The full compensation seen in wild-type mice exposed to mild PO correlates with enhanced deposition of extracellular fibrillin-1. Taken together, these data suggest that fibrillin-1 contributes to cardiac reserve in the face of hemodynamic stress, critically implicate nonmyocytes in disease pathogenesis, and validate ERK as a therapeutic target in MFS-related cardiac decompensation.