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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2020) | Viewed by 41721

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Muneyoshi Okada

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Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Higashi 23 bancho 35–1, Towada, Aomori 034–8628, Japan
Interests: cardiovascular pharmacology; cardiovascular disease; myocardial infarction; cardiac hypertrophy; arrhythmia; heart failure; pulmonary arterial hypertension; fibrosis; extracellular matrix; cardiac fibroblast; cardiomyocyte; matricryptin/matrikine; matricellular protein; matrix metalloproteinase; cardiac electrophysiology
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Dear Colleagues,

Components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), such as collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and proteoglycan, maintain cardiac structure and function by forming a complicated three-dimensional network. Cell–ECM interaction is also important for regulating the functions of cardiomyocytes and non-cardiomyocytes. An imbalance between the production and degradation of the ECM during the development and progression of heart disease is associated with pathological cardiac remodeling, including hypertrophy and fibrosis. Recently, it has been reported that matricellular proteins, a family of non-structural ECM proteins, and matricryptins/matrikines, bioactive fragments of ECM proteins, are involved in cardiac remodeling. In this Special Issue, we expect to gather novel knowledge that will lead to the discovery of drugs targeting the ECM and its fragments for heart disease.

Dr. Muneyoshi Okada
Guest Editor

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Keywords

extracellular matrix
cardiac remodeling
fibrosis
hypertrophy
heart failure
fibroblast
cardiomyocyte
matricryptin/matrikine
matricellular protein
matrix metalloproteinase

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Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease 2.0 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences (5 articles)

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 1352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Investigation of Fibulin-2 in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

by Ayman M. Ibrahim, Mohamed Roshdy, Sara Elshorbagy, Mohammed Hosny, Sarah Halawa, Dina Yehia, Hasnaa A. Elfawy, Ahmed Eldessouki, Faisal Mohamed, Amany Ellithy, Mohamed Abdelfattah, Amr Elsawy, Mohamed Elkhatib, Mona Allouba, Ahmed Elguindy, Yasmine Aguib and Magdi Yacoub

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(19), 7176; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21197176 - 29 Sep 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3558

Abstract

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited heart muscle disease, with a prevalence of at least 1 in 500 in the general population. The disease is pleiotropic and is characterized by an increased stiffness of the myocardium, partly due to changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM), with elevated levels of interstitial fibrosis. Myocardial fibrosis is linked to impaired diastolic function and possibly phenotypic heterogeneity of HCM. The ECM consists of a very large number of proteins, which actively interact with each other as well as with myocardial cells. The role of other multiple components of the ECM in HCM has not been defined. Fibulin-2 is a glycoprotein component of the ECM, which plays an important role during embryogenesis of the heart; however, its role in adult myocardium has not been adequately studied. We here describe, for the first time, abnormal expression of fibulin-2 in the myocardium in patients with HCM as compared to normal controls. This abnormal expression was localized in the cytoplasm of myocardial cells and in the interstitial fibroblasts. In addition, fibulin-2 levels, measured by ELISA, were significantly elevated in the serum of patients with HCM as compared to normal controls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease)

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19 pages, 6287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spontaneous Right Ventricular Pseudoaneurysms and Increased Arrhythmogenicity in a Mouse Model of Marfan Syndrome

by Felke Steijns, Marjolijn Renard, Marine Vanhomwegen, Petra Vermassen, Jana Desloovere, Robrecht Raedt, Lars E. Larsen, Máté I. Tóth, Julie De Backer and Patrick Sips

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(19), 7024; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21197024 - 24 Sep 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2585

Abstract

Patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS), a connective tissue disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the gene encoding the extracellular matrix protein fibrillin-1, have an increased prevalence of primary cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. We have performed an in-depth in vivo and ex vivo study of the cardiac phenotype of Fbn1^mgR/mgR mice, an established mouse model of MFS with a severely reduced expression of fibrillin-1. Using ultrasound measurements, we confirmed the presence of aortic dilatation and observed cardiac diastolic dysfunction in male Fbn1^mgR/mgR mice. Upon post-mortem examination, we discovered that the mutant mice consistently presented myocardial lesions at the level of the right ventricular free wall, which we characterized as spontaneous pseudoaneurysms. Histological investigation demonstrated a decrease in myocardial compaction in the MFS mouse model. Furthermore, continuous 24 h electrocardiographic analysis showed a decreased heart rate variability and an increased prevalence of extrasystolic arrhythmic events in Fbn1^mgR/mgR mice compared to wild-type littermates. Taken together, in this paper we document a previously unreported cardiac phenotype in the Fbn1^mgR/mgR MFS mouse model and provide a detailed characterization of the cardiac dysfunction and rhythm disorders which are caused by fibrillin-1 deficiency. These findings highlight the wide spectrum of cardiac manifestations of MFS, which might have implications for patient care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease)

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13 pages, 16488 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decreased Expression of Canstatin in Rat Model of Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Protective Effect of Canstatin on Right Ventricular Remodeling

by Akira Sugiyama, Maina Kaisho, Muneyoshi Okada, Kosuke Otani and Hideyuki Yamawaki

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(18), 6797; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21186797 - 16 Sep 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2172

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease which causes right ventricular (RV) failure. Canstatin, a C-terminal fragment of type IV collagen α2 chain, is expressed in various rat organs. However, the expression level of canstatin in plasma and organs during PAH is still unclear. We aimed to clarify it and further investigated the protective effects of canstatin in a rat model of monocrotaline-induced PAH. Cardiac functions were assessed by echocardiography. Expression levels of canstatin in plasma and organs were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting, respectively. PAH was evaluated by catheterization. RV remodeling was evaluated by histological analyses. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate RV remodeling-related genes. The plasma concentration of canstatin in PAH rats was decreased, which was correlated with a reduction in acceleration time/ejection time ratio and an increase in RV weight/body weight ratio. The protein expression of canstatin in RV, lung and kidney was decreased in PAH rats. While recombinant canstatin had no effect on PAH, it significantly improved RV remodeling, including hypertrophy and fibrosis, and prevented the increase in RV remodeling-related genes. We demonstrated that plasma canstatin is decreased in PAH rats and that administration of canstatin exerts cardioprotective effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease)

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16 pages, 7572 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a High-Efficacy Reprogramming Method for Generating Human Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells from Pathologic and Senescent Somatic Cells

by Naomichi Tanaka, Hidemasa Kato, Hiromi Tsuda, Yasunori Sato, Toshihiro Muramatsu, Atsushi Iguchi, Hiroyuki Nakajima, Akihiro Yoshitake and Takaaki Senbonmatsu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(18), 6764; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21186764 - 15 Sep 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3272

Abstract

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are a type of artificial pluripotent stem cell induced by the epigenetic silencing of somatic cells by the Yamanaka factors. Advances in iPS cell reprogramming technology will allow aging or damaged cells to be replaced by a patient’s own rejuvenated cells. However, tissue that is senescent or pathologic has a relatively low reprogramming efficiency as compared with juvenile or robust tissue, resulting in incomplete reprogramming; iPS cells generated from such tissue types do not have sufficient differentiation ability and are therefore difficult to apply clinically. Here, we develop a new reprogramming method and examine it using myofibroblasts, which are pathologic somatic cells, from patient skin tissue and from each of the four heart chambers of a recipient heart in heart transplant surgery. By adjusting the type and amount of vectors containing transcriptional factors for iPS cell reprogramming, as well as adjusting the transfection load and culture medium, the efficiency of iPS cell induction from aged patient skin-derived fibroblasts was increased, and we successfully induced iPS cells from myocardial fibroblasts isolated from the pathologic heart of a heart transplant recipient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease)

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14 pages, 2272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decellularized Extracellular Matrices and Cardiac Differentiation: Study on Human Amniotic Fluid-Stem Cells

by Giulia Gaggi, Andrea Di Credico, Pascal Izzicupo, Silvia Sancilio, Michele Di Mauro, Giovanni Iannetti, Susanna Dolci, Giovanni Amabile, Angela Di Baldassarre and Barbara Ghinassi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(17), 6317; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21176317 - 31 Aug 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2942

Abstract

Cell therapy with a variety of stem populations is increasingly being investigated as a promising regenerative strategy for cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Their combination with adequate scaffolds represents an improved therapeutic approach. Recently, several biomaterials were investigated as scaffolds for CV tissue repair, with decellularized extracellular matrices (dECMs) arousing increasing interest for cardiac tissue engineering applications. The aim of this study was to analyze whether dECMs support the cardiac differentiation of ^{Cardiopoietic}AF stem cells. These perinatal stem cells, which can be easily isolated without ethical or safety limitations, display a high cardiac differentiative potential. Differentiation was previously achieved by culturing them on Matrigel, but this 3D scaffold is not transplantable. The identification of a new transplantable scaffold able to support ^{Cardiopoietic}AF stem cell cardiac differentiation is pivotal prior to encouraging translation of in vitro studies in animal model preclinical investigations. Our data demonstrated that decellularized extracellular matrices already used in cardiac surgery (the porcine Cor^TMPATCH and the equine MatrixPatch^TM) can efficiently support the proliferation and cardiac differentiation of ^{Cardiopoietic}AF stem cells and represent a useful cellular scaffold to be transplanted with stem cells in animal hosts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease)

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16 pages, 4594 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elastic Modulus of ECM Hydrogels Derived from Decellularized Tissue Affects Capillary Network Formation in Endothelial Cells

by Mako Kobayashi, Junpei Kadota, Yoshihide Hashimoto, Toshiya Fujisato, Naoko Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Kimura and Akio Kishida

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(17), 6304; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21176304 - 31 Aug 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3071

Abstract

Recent applications of decellularized tissue have included the use of hydrogels for injectable materials and three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting bioink for tissue regeneration. Microvascular formation is required for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to support cell growth and regeneration in tissues and organs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the formation of capillary networks in decellularized extracellular matrix (d-ECM) hydrogels. The d-ECM hydrogels were obtained from the small intestine submucosa (SIS) and the urinary bladder matrix (UBM) after decellularizing with sodium deoxycholate (SDC) and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP). The SDC d-ECM hydrogel gradually gelated, while the HHP d-ECM hydrogel immediately gelated. All d-ECM hydrogels had low matrix stiffness compared to that of the collagen hydrogel, according to a compression test. D-ECM hydrogels with various elastic moduli were obtained, irrespective of the decellularization method or tissue source. Microvascular-derived endothelial cells were seeded on d-ECM hydrogels. Few cells attached to the SDC d-ECM hydrogel with no network formation, while on the HHP d-ECM hydrogel, a capillary network structure formed between elongated cells. Long, branched networks formed on d-ECM hydrogels with lower matrix stiffness. This suggests that the capillary network structure that forms on d-ECM hydrogels is closely related to the matrix stiffness of the hydrogel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease)

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13 pages, 2046 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Beneficial Effects of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism on Myocardial Fibrosis in an Experimental Model of the Myxomatous Degeneration of the Mitral Valve

by Jaime Ibarrola, Mattie Garaikoetxea, Amaia Garcia-Peña, Lara Matilla, Eva Jover, Benjamin Bonnard, Maria Cuesta, Amaya Fernández-Celis, Frederic Jaisser and Natalia López-Andrés

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(15), 5372; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21155372 - 28 Jul 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4577

Abstract

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) patients develop myocardial fibrosis that is not solely explained by volume overload, but the pathophysiology has not been defined. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) improve cardiac function by decreasing cardiac fibrosis in other heart diseases. We examined the role of MRA in myocardial fibrosis associated with myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve. Myocardial fibrosis has been analyzed in a mouse model of mitral valve myxomatous degeneration generated by pharmacological treatment with Nordexfenfluramine (NDF) in the presence of the MRA spironolactone. In vitro, adult human cardiac fibroblasts were treated with NDF and spironolactone. In an experimental mouse, MRA treatment reduced interstitial/perivascular fibrosis and collagen type I deposition. MRA administration blunted NDF-induced cardiac expression of vimentin and the profibrotic molecules galectin-3/cardiotrophin-1. In parallel, MRA blocked the increase in cardiac non-fibrillar proteins such as fibronectin, aggrecan, decorin, lumican and syndecan-4. The following effects are blocked by MRA: in vitro, in adult human cardiac fibroblasts, NDF-treatment-induced myofibroblast activation, collagen type I and proteoglycans secretion. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, the contribution of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) to the development of myocardial fibrosis associated with mitral valve myxomatous degeneration. MRA could be a therapeutic approach to reduce myocardial fibrosis associated with MVP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease)

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11 pages, 680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Serum Matrix Metalloproteinases and Left Atrial Remodeling—The Hoorn Study

by Pauline B. C. Linssen, Hans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca, Casper G. Schalkwijk, Joline W. J. Beulens, Petra J. M. Elders, Amber A. van der Heijden, Roderick C. Slieker, Coen D. A. Stehouwer and Ronald M. A. Henry

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(14), 4944; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21144944 - 13 Jul 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2091

Abstract

Extracellular matrix protein turnover may play an important role in left atrial (LA) remodelling. The aim is to investigate the associations between matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) and LA volume index (LAVI) and if these associations are independent of TIMP-1 levels. Participants from The Hoorn Study, a population-based cohort study (n = 674), underwent echocardiography. Serum MMPs (i.e., MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-10) and TIMP-1 levels were measured with ELISA. Multiple linear regression analyses were used. MMP-1 levels were not associated with LAVI. Higher MMP-2 levels were associated with larger LAVI (regression coefficient per SD increase in MMP (95% CI); 0.03 (0.01; 0.05). Higher MMP-3 and MMP-9 levels were associated with smaller LAVI; −0.04 (−0.07; −0.01) and −0.04 (−0.06; −0.02) respectively. Only in women were higher MMP-10 levels associated with larger LAVI; 0.04 (0.00; 0.07, p-interaction 0.04). Additionally, only in women were higher TIMP-1 levels associated with smaller LAVI; −0.05 (−0.09; −0.01, p-interaction 0.03). The associations between MMPs and LAVI were independent of TIMP-1 levels. In conclusion, serum MMPs are associated with LAVI, independent of CVD risk factors and TIMP-1 levels. In addition, these associations differ according to sex and within MMP subgroups. This shows that the role of MMPs in LA remodelling is complex. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease)

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17 pages, 2217 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Serum Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Remodelling Reflect Extra-Valvular Cardiac Damage in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis

by Laura Bäz, Gudrun Dannberg, Katja Grün, Julian Westphal, Sven Möbius-Winkler, Christian Jung, Alexander Pfeil, P. Christian Schulze and Marcus Franz

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(11), 4174; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21114174 - 11 Jun 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2692

Abstract

In patients with aortic stenosis (AS), a novel staging classification of extra-valvular left and right heart damage with prognostic relevance was introduced in 2017. The aim of the study was to evaluate the biomarkers of cardiovascular tissue remodelling in relation to this novel staging classification. Patients were categorized according to the novel staging classification into stages 0 to 4. The levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1), B and C domain containing tenascin-C (B⁺ Tn-C, C⁺ Tn-C), the ED-A and ED-B domain containing fibronectin (ED-A⁺ Fn, ED-B⁺ Fn), endothelin 1 (ET-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were determined in serum by ELISA. There were significantly decreased serum levels of MMP-9 and increased levels of B⁺ Tn-C and C⁺ Tn-C when comparing stages 0 and 1 with stage 2, with no further dynamics in stages 3 and 4. In contrast, for TIMP-1, C⁺ Tn-C, ED-A⁺ Fn, ET-1 and NGAL, significantly increased serum levels could be detected in stages 3 and 4 compared to both stages 0 and 1 and stage 2. ED-A⁺ Fn and ET-1 could be identified as independent predictors of the presence of stage 3 and/or 4. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study identifying novel serum biomarkers differentially reflecting the patterns of left and right heart extra-valvular damage in patients suffering from AS. Our findings might indicate a more precise initial diagnosis and risk stratification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease)

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15 pages, 5684 KiB

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Dexfenfluramine and Pergolide Cause Heart Valve Disease via Valve Metabolic Reprogramming and Ongoing Matrix Remodeling

by Cécile Oury, Patrick Maréchal, Nathalie Donis, Alexia Hulin, Alexandre Hego, Julien Tridetti, Mai-Linh Nguyen, Raluca Dulgheru, Marianne Fillet, Alain Nchimi and Patrizio Lancellotti

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(11), 4003; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21114003 - 03 Jun 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2554

Abstract

Several clinical reports indicate that the use of amphetaminic anorectic drugs or ergot derivatives could cause valvular heart disease (VHD). We sought to investigate whether valvular lesions develop in response to long-term oral administration of these drugs and to identify drug-targeted biological processes that may lead to VHD. Treatment of New Zealand White rabbits with pergolide, dexfenfluramine, or high-dose serotonin for 16 weeks induced valvular alterations characterized by extracellular matrix remodeling. Transcriptome profiling of tricuspid valves using RNA sequencing revealed distinct patterns of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that clustered according to the different treatments. Genes that were affected by the three treatments were functionally enriched for reduced cell metabolism processes. The two drugs yielded more changes in gene expression than serotonin and shared most of the DEGs. These DEGs were mostly enriched for decreased biosynthetic processes, increased cell-matrix interaction, and cell response to growth factors, including TGF-β, which was associated with p38 MAPK activation. Treatment with pergolide specifically affected genes involved in homeostasis, which was corroborated by the activation of the master regulator of cell energy homeostasis, AMPK-α, as well as decreased levels of metabolism-related miR-107. Thus, both pergolide and dexfenfluramine may cause VHD through valve metabolic reprogramming and matrix remodeling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease)

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15 pages, 2732 KiB

Open AccessArticle

TLR4 Stimulation Promotes Human AVIC Fibrogenic Activity through Upregulation of Neurotrophin 3 Production

by Qingzhou Yao, Erlinda The, Lihua Ao, Yufeng Zhai, Maren K. Osterholt, David A. Fullerton and Xianzhong Meng

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(4), 1276; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21041276 - 14 Feb 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2575

Abstract

Background: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that manifests as progressive valvular fibrosis and calcification. An inflammatory milieu in valvular tissue promotes fibrosis and calcification. Aortic valve interstitial cell (AVIC) proliferation and the over-production of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins contribute to valvular thickening. However, the mechanism underlying elevated AVIC fibrogenic activity remains unclear. Recently, we observed that AVICs from diseased aortic valves express higher levels of neurotrophin 3 (NT3) and that NT3 exerts pro-osteogenic and pro-fibrogenic effects on human AVICs. Hypothesis: Pro-inflammatory stimuli upregulate NT3 production in AVICs to promote fibrogenic activity in human aortic valves. Methods and Results: AVICs were isolated from normal human aortic valves and were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.20 µg/mL). LPS induced TLR4-dependent NT3 production. This effect of LPS was abolished by inhibition of the Akt and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathways. The stimulation of TLR4 in human AVICs with LPS resulted in a greater proliferation rate and an upregulated production of matrix metallopeptidases-9 (MMP-9) and collagen III, as well as augmented collagen deposition. Recombinant NT3 promoted AVIC proliferation in a tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk)-dependent fashion. The neutralization of NT3 or the inhibition of Trk suppressed LPS-induced AVIC fibrogenic activity. Conclusions: The stimulation of TLR4 in human AVICs upregulates NT3 expression and promotes cell proliferation and collagen deposition. The NT3-Trk cascade plays a critical role in the TLR4-mediated elevation of fibrogenic activity in human AVICs. Upregulated NT3 production by endogenous TLR4 activators may contribute to aortic valve fibrosis associated with CAVD progression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease)

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Review

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21 pages, 1709 KiB

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Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases in Extracellular Matrix Remodeling during Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Merle M. Krebber, Christian G. M. van Dijk, Robin W. M. Vernooij, Maarten M. Brandt, Craig A. Emter, Christoph D. Rau, Joost O. Fledderus, Dirk J. Duncker, Marianne C. Verhaar, Caroline Cheng and Jaap A. Joles

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(18), 6742; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21186742 - 14 Sep 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3747

Abstract

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are pivotal regulators of extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and could, due to their dynamic activity, function as prognostic tools for fibrosis and cardiac function in left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We conducted a systematic review on experimental animal models of LVDD and HFpEF published in MEDLINE or Embase. Twenty-three studies were included with a total of 36 comparisons that reported established LVDD, quantification of cardiac fibrosis and cardiac MMP or TIMP expression or activity. LVDD/HFpEF models were divided based on underlying pathology: hemodynamic overload (17 comparisons), metabolic alteration (16 comparisons) or ageing (3 comparisons). Meta-analysis showed that echocardiographic parameters were not consistently altered in LVDD/HFpEF with invasive hemodynamic measurements better representing LVDD. Increased myocardial fibrotic area indicated comparable characteristics between hemodynamic and metabolic models. Regarding MMPs and TIMPs; MMP2 and MMP9 activity and protein and TIMP1 protein levels were mainly enhanced in hemodynamic models. In most cases only mRNA was assessed and there were no correlations between cardiac tissue and plasma levels. Female gender, a known risk factor for LVDD and HFpEF, was underrepresented. Novel studies should detail relevant model characteristics and focus on MMP and TIMP protein expression and activity to identify predictive circulating markers in cardiac ECM remodeling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease)

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17 pages, 912 KiB

Open AccessReview

Role of Extracellular Matrix in Pathophysiology of Patent Ductus Arteriosus: Emphasis on Vascular Remodeling

by Ting-Yi Lin, Jwu-Lai Yeh and Jong-Hau Hsu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(13), 4761; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21134761 - 04 Jul 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5102

Abstract

The ductus arteriosus (DA) is a shunt vessel between the aorta and the pulmonary artery during the fetal period that is essential for the normal development of the fetus. Complete closure usually occurs after birth but the vessel might remain open in certain infants, as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), causing morbidity or mortality. The mechanism of DA closure is a complex process involving an orchestration of cell–matrix interaction between smooth muscle cells (SMC), endothelial cells, and extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM is defined as the noncellular component secreted by cells that consists of macromolecules such as elastin, collagens, proteoglycan, hyaluronan, and noncollagenous glycoproteins. In addition to its role as a physical scaffold, ECM mediates diverse signaling that is critical in development, maintenance, and repair in the cardiovascular system. In this review, we aim to outline the current understandings of ECM and its role in the pathophysiology of PDA, with emphasis on DA remodeling and highlight future outlooks. The molecular diversity and plasticity of ECM present a rich array of potential therapeutic targets for the management of PDA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracellular Matrix in Heart Disease)

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