Timothy A. Hacker

A Low Dose of Dietary Resveratrol Partially Mimics Caloric Restriction and Retards Aging Parameters in Mice

Resveratrol in high doses has been shown to extend lifespan in some studies in invertebrates and to prevent early mortality in mice fed a high-fat diet. We fed mice from middle age (14-months) to old age (30-months) either a control diet, a low dose of resveratrol (4.9 mg kg−1 day−1), or a calorie restricted (CR) diet and examined genome-wide transcriptional profiles. We report a striking transcriptional overlap of CR and resveratrol in heart, skeletal muscle and brain. Both dietary interventions inhibit gene expression profiles associated with cardiac and skeletal muscle aging, and prevent age-related cardiac dysfunction. Dietary resveratrol also mimics the effects of CR in insulin mediated glucose uptake in muscle. Gene expression profiling suggests that both CR and resveratrol may retard some aspects of aging through alterations in chromatin structure and transcription. Resveratrol, at doses that can be readily achieved in humans, fulfills the definition of a dietary compound that mimics some aspects of CR.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C Knockout Mice

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) is an inherited autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations in sarcomeric proteins. Among these, mutations that affect myosin binding protein-C (MyBP-C), an abundant component of the thick filaments, account for 20% to 30% of all mutations linked to FHC. However, the mechanisms by which MyBP-C mutations cause disease and the function of MyBP-C are not well understood. Therefore, to assess deficits due to elimination of MyBP-C, we used gene targeting to produce a knockout mouse that lacks MyBP-C in the heart. Knockout mice were produced by deletion of exons 3 to 10 from the endogenous cardiac (c) MyBP-C gene in murine embryonic stem (ES) cells and subsequent breeding of chimeric founder mice to obtain mice heterozygous (+/−) and homozygous (−/−) for the knockout allele. Wild-type (+/+), cMyBP-C+/−, and cMyBP-C−/− mice were born in accordance with Mendelian inheritance ratios, survived into adulthood, and were fertile. Western blot analyses confirmed that cMyBP-C was absent in hearts of homozygous knockout mice. Whereas cMyBP-C+/− mice were indistinguishable from wild-type littermates, cMyBP-C−/− mice exhibited significant cardiac hypertrophy. Cardiac function, assessed using 2-dimensionally guided M-mode echocardiography, showed significantly depressed indices of diastolic and systolic function only in cMyBP-C−/− mice. Ca2+ sensitivity of tension, measured in single skinned myocytes, was reduced in cMyBP-C−/− but not cMyBP-C+/− mice. These results establish that cMyBP-C is not essential for cardiac development but that the absence of cMyBP-C results in profound cardiac hypertrophy and impaired contractile function.

RBM20 , a gene for hereditary cardiomyopathy, regulates titin splicing

Alternative splicing has a major role in cardiac adaptive responses, as exemplified by the isoform switch of the sarcomeric protein titin, which adjusts ventricular filling. By positional cloning using a previously characterized rat strain with altered titin mRNA splicing, we identified a loss-of-function mutation in the gene encoding RNA binding motif protein 20 (Rbm20) as the underlying cause of pathological titin isoform expression. The phenotype of Rbm20-deficient rats resembled the pathology seen in individuals with dilated cardiomyopathy caused by RBM20 mutations. Deep sequencing of the human and rat cardiac transcriptome revealed an RBM20-dependent regulation of alternative splicing. In addition to titin (TTN), we identified a set of 30 genes with conserved splicing regulation between humans and rats. This network is enriched for genes that have previously been linked to cardiomyopathy, ion homeostasis and sarcomere biology. Our studies emphasize the key role of post-transcriptional regulation in cardiac function and provide mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of human heart failure.

Intact β-Adrenergic Response and Unmodified Progression Toward Heart Failure in Mice With Genetic Ablation of a Major Protein Kinase A Phosphorylation Site in the Cardiac Ryanodine Receptor

Increased phosphorylation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR)2 by protein kinase A (PKA) at the phosphoepitope encompassing Ser2808 has been advanced as a central mechanism in the pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure. In this scheme, persistent activation of the sympathetic system during chronic stress leads to PKA “hyperphosphorylation” of RyR2-S2808, which increases Ca2+ release by augmenting the sensitivity of the RyR2 channel to diastolic Ca2+. This gain-of-function is postulated to occur with the unique participation of RyR2-S2808, and other potential PKA phosphorylation sites have been discarded. Although it is clear that RyR2 is among the first proteins in the heart to be phosphorylated by &bgr;-adrenergic stimulation, the functional impact of phosphorylation in excitation–contraction coupling and cardiac performance remains unclear. We used gene targeting to produce a mouse model with complete ablation of the RyR2-S2808 phosphorylation site (RyR2-S2808A). Whole-heart and isolated cardiomyocyte experiments were performed to test the role of &bgr;-adrenergic stimulation and PKA phosphorylation of Ser2808 in heart failure progression and cellular Ca2+ handling. We found that the RyR2-S2808A mutation does not alter the &bgr;-adrenergic response, leaves cellular function almost unchanged, and offers no significant protection in the maladaptive cardiac remodeling induced by chronic stress. Moreover, the RyR2-S2808A mutation appears to modify single-channel activity, although modestly and only at activating [Ca2+]. Taken together, these results reveal some of the most important effects of PKA phosphorylation of RyR2 but do not support a major role for RyR2-S2808 phosphorylation in the pathogenesis of cardiac dysfunction and failure.

Lineage Reprogramming of Fibroblasts into Proliferative Induced Cardiac Progenitor Cells by Defined Factors

Several studies have reported reprogramming of fibroblasts into induced cardiomyocytes; however, reprogramming into proliferative induced cardiac progenitor cells (iCPCs) remains to be accomplished. Here we report that a combination of 11 or 5 cardiac factors along with canonical Wnt and JAK/STAT signaling reprogrammed adult mouse cardiac, lung, and tail tip fibroblasts into iCPCs. The iCPCs were cardiac mesoderm-restricted progenitors that could be expanded extensively while maintaining multipotency to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells in vitro. Moreover, iCPCs injected into the cardiac crescent of mouse embryos differentiated into cardiomyocytes. iCPCs transplanted into the post-myocardial infarction mouse heart improved survival and differentiated into cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. Lineage reprogramming of adult somatic cells into iCPCs provides a scalable cell source for drug discovery, disease modeling, and cardiac regenerative therapy.

Measuring right ventricular function in the normal and hypertensive mouse hearts using admittance-derived pressure-volume loops

Mice are a widely used animal model for investigating cardiovascular disease. Novel technologies have been used to quantify left ventricular function in this species, but techniques appropriate for determining right ventricular (RV) function are less well demonstrated. Detecting RV dysfunction is critical to assessing the progression of pulmonary vascular diseases such as pulmonary hypertension. We used an admittance catheter to measure pressure-volume loops in anesthetized, open-chested mice before and during vena cava occlusion. Mice exposed to chronic hypoxia for 10 days, which causes hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH), were compared with control (CTL) mice. HPH resulted in a 27.9% increase in RV mass (P < 0.005), a 67.5% increase in RV systolic pressure (P < 0.005), and a 61.2% decrease in cardiac output (P < 0.05). Preload recruitable stroke work (PRSW) and slope of the maximum derivative of pressure (dP/dt(max))-end-diastolic volume (EDV) relationship increased with HPH (P < 0.05). Although HPH increased effective arterial elastance (E(a)) over fivefold (from 2.7 ± 1.2 to 16.4 ± 2.5 mmHg/μl), only a mild increase in the ventricular end-systolic elastance (E(es)) was observed. As a result, a dramatic decrease in the efficiency of ventricular-vascular coupling occurred (E(es)/E(a) decreased from 0.71 ± 0.27 to 0.35 ± 0.17; P < 0.005). Changes in cardiac reserve were evaluated by dobutamine infusion. In CTL mice, dobutamine significantly enhanced E(es) and dP/dt(max)-EDV but also increased E(a), causing a decrease in E(es)/E(a). In HPH mice, slight but nonsignificant decreases in E(es), PRSW, dP/dt(max)-EDV, and E(a) were observed. Thus 10 days of HPH resulted in RV hypertrophy, ventricular-vascular decoupling, and a mild decrease in RV contractile reserve. This study demonstrates the feasibility of obtaining RV pressure-volume measurements in mice. These measurements provide insight into ventricular-vascular interactions healthy and diseased states.

Decreased myocardial glucose uptake during ischemia in diabetic swine

The purpose of the study was to assess myocardial glucose uptake in nondiabetic (n = 5) and streptozotocin-diabetic (n = 6) Yucatan miniature swine under matched hyperglycemic and hypoinsulinemic conditions. Fasting conscious diabetic swine had significantly higher plasma glucose levels (20.9 +/- 2.6 v 5.2 +/- 0.3 mmol/L) and lower insulin levels (6 +/- 1 v 14 +/- 4 microU/mL) than nondiabetic animals. Myocardial glucose uptake was measured in open-chest anesthetized animals under aerobic and ischemic conditions 12 weeks after streptozotocin treatment. Coronary blood flow was controlled by an extracorporeal perfusion circuit. Ischemia was induced by reducing left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery blood flow by 60% for 40 minutes. Animals were treated with somatostatin to suppress insulin secretion, and nondiabetic swine received intravenous (IV) glucose to match the hyperglycemia in the diabetic animals. The rate of glucose uptake by the myocardium was not statistically different under aerobic conditions, but was significantly lower in diabetic swine during ischemia (0.20 +/- 0.08 v 0.63 +/- 0.14 micromol x g(-1) x min(-1), P < .01). Myocardial glucose transporter (GLUT4) protein concentration was decreased by 31% in diabetic swine. In conclusion, 12 weeks of streptozotocin diabetes in swine caused a significant decrease in myocardial GLUT4 protein and a decrease in myocardial glucose uptake during ischemia.

Heterogeneity of Ryanodine Receptor Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

Rationale: Most cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) mutations associated with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) are postulated to cause a distinctive form of Ca2+ release dysfunction. Considering the spread distribution of CPVT mutations, we hypothesized that dysfunctional heterogeneity also was feasible. Objective: To determine the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which a novel RyR2-V2475F mutation associated with CPVT in humans triggers Ca2+-dependent arrhythmias in whole hearts and intact mice. Methods and Results: Recombinant channels harboring CPVT-linked RyR2 mutations were functionally characterized using tritiated ryanodine binding and single-channel recordings. Homologous recombination was used to generate a knock-in mouse bearing the RyR2-V2475F mutation. Ventricular myocytes from mice heterozygous for the mutation (RyR2-V2475F+/−) and their wild-type littermates were Ca2+-imaged by confocal microscopy under conditions that mimic stress. The propensity of wild-type and RyR2-V2475F+/− mice to have development of arrhythmias was tested at the whole heart level and in intact animals. Recombinant RyR2-V2475F channels displayed increased cytosolic Ca2+ activation, abnormal protein kinase A phosphorylation, and increased activation by luminal Ca2+. The RyR2-V2475F mutation appears embryonic-lethal in homozygous mice, but heterozygous mice have no alterations at baseline. Spontaneous Ca2+ release events were more frequent and had shorter latency in isoproterenol-stimulated cardiomyocytes from RyR2-V2475F+/− hearts, but their threshold was unchanged with respect to wild-type. Adrenergically triggered tachyarrhythmias were more frequent in RyR2-V2475F+/− mice. Conclusions: The mutation RyR2-V2475F is phenotypically strong among other CPVT mutations and produces heterogeneous mechanisms of RyR2 dysfunction. In living mice, this mutation appears too severe to be harbored in all RyR2 channels but remains undetected under basal conditions if expressed at relatively low levels. &bgr;-adrenergic stimulation breaks the delicate Ca2+ equilibrium of RyR2-V2475F+/− hearts and triggers life-threatening arrhythmias.

Myocardial glucose transporters and glycolytic metabolism during ischemia in hyperglycemic diabetic swine

We assessed the effects of 4 weeks of streptozocin-induced diabetes on regional myocardial glycolytic metabolism during ischemia in anesthetized open-chest domestic swine. Diabetic animals were hyperglycemic (12.0 +/- 2.1 v 6.6 +/- .5 mmol/L), and had lower fasting insulin levels (27 +/- 8 v 79 +/- 19 pmol/L). Myocardial glycolytic metabolism was studied with coronary flow controlled by an extracorporeal perfusion circuit. Left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) flow was decreased by 50% for 45 minutes and left circumflex (CFX) flow was constant. Myocardial glucose uptake and extraction were measured with D-[6-3H]-2-deoxyglucose (DG) and myocardial blood flow was measured with microspheres. The rate of glucose conversion to lactate and lactate uptake and output were assessed with a continuous infusion of [6-14C]glucose and [U-13C]lactate into the coronary perfusion circuit. Both diabetic and nondiabetic animals had sharp decreases in subendocardial blood flow during ischemia (from 1.21 +/- .10 to 0.43 +/- .08 mL.g-1.min-1 in the nondiabetic group, and from 1.30 +/- .15 to 0.55 +/- .11 in the diabetic group). Diabetes had no significant effect on myocardial glucose uptake or glucose conversion to lactate under either well-perfused or ischemic conditions. Forty-five minutes of ischemia resulted in significant glycogen depletion in the subendocardium in both nondiabetic and diabetic animals, with no differences between the two groups. Glycolytic metabolism is not impaired in hyperglycemic diabetic swine after 1 month of the disease when compared with that in normoglycemic nondiabetic animals. The myocardial content of the insulin-regulatable glucose transporter (GLUT 4) was measured in left ventricular biopsies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Polyelectrolyte multilayers promote stent-mediated delivery of DNA to vascular tissue.

We report an approach to deliver DNA to vascular tissue in vivo using intravascular stents coated with degradable, DNA-containing polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs). Ionically cross-linked multilayers ∼120 nm thick were fabricated layer-by-layer on the surfaces of balloon-mounted stainless steel stents using plasmid DNA and a hydrolytically degradable poly(β-amino ester) (polymer 1). Characterization of stents coated using a fluorescently end-labeled analog of polymer 1 revealed film erosion to be uniform across the surfaces of the stents; differential stresses experienced upon balloon expansion did not lead to faster film erosion or dose dumping of DNA in areas near stent joints when stents were incubated in physiologically relevant media. The ability of film-coated stents to transfer DNA and transfect arterial tissue in vivo was then investigated in pigs and rabbits. Stents coated with films fabricated using fluorescently labeled DNA resulted in uniform transfer of DNA to sub-endothelial tissue in the arteries of pigs in patterns corresponding to the locations and geometries of stent struts. Stents coated with films fabricated using polymer 1 and plasmid DNA encoding EGFP resulted in expression of EGFP in the medial layers of stented tissue in both pigs and rabbits two days after implantation. The results of this study, combined with the modular and versatile nature of layer-by-layer assembly, provide a polymer-based platform that is well suited for fundamental studies of stent-mediated gene transfer. With further development, this approach could also prove useful for the design of nonviral, gene-based approaches for prevention of complications that arise from the implantation of stents and other implantable interventional devices.