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Michael N Sack

Publications and source records attributed to Michael N Sack.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Diazoxide-induced respiratory inhibition - a putative mitochondrial K(ATP) channel independent mechanism of pharmacological preconditioning.

The ischemic preconditioning biological phenomenon has been explored to identify putative pharmacologic agents to mimic this cytoprotective program against cellular ischemic injury. Diazoxide administration confers this cytoprotection, however, whether this is via direct activation of the putative mitochondrial K(ATP) (mK(ATP)) channel which was originally proposed has been questioned. Here, we present data supporting an alternate hypothesis evoking mitochondrial respiratory inhibition rather than mK(ATP) channel activation, as a mediating event in the diazoxide-activated cytoprotective program. Mitochondrial respiration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured in digitonin-permeabilized C2C12 myotubes, allowing for the modulation of mK(ATP) conductance by changing the potassium concentration of the medium (0-130 mM). Diazoxide dose-dependently attenuated succinate-supported respiration, an effect that was independent of mK(ATP) channel conductance. Similarly, 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), a putative mK(ATP) channel blocker, released diazoxide-induced respiratory inhibition independently of potassium concentration. Since diazoxide-induced cytoprotection and respiratory inhibition are both integrally linked to ROS generation we repeated above experiments following ROS generation using DCF fluorescence. Cytoprotective doses of diazoxide increased ROS generation independently of potassium concentration and 5-HD inhibited ROS production under the same conditions. Collectively these data support the hypothesis that diazoxide-mediated cytoprotection is independent of the conductance of the mK(ATP) channel and rather implicate mitochondrial respiratory inhibition-triggered ROS signaling.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Mitochondrial depolarization and the role of uncoupling proteins in ischemia tolerance.

Modest depolarization of the mitochondrial inner membrane potential is known to attenuate mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation. Transient pharmacologic uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation results in modest depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential and confers protection against subsequent cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury. Whether cardiac mitochondria have an innate capacity to temporally self-modulate their membrane potential as a possible adaptive mechanism in the context of cardiac ischemia and early reperfusion is supported by emerging data and is an intriguing concept that warrants further investigation. The objective of this review is to explore the various mechanisms whereby mitochondrial depolarization can be evoked in the context of both cardiac ischemia and reperfusion and in response to the cardioprotective program of ischemic preconditioning. The potential regulatory pathways orchestrating this biological perturbation of mitochondrial function are explored from the level of signal transduction to potential transcription-mediated modulations of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial inner membrane proteins, emphasizing the potential function of the mitochondrial uncoupling proteins.

Humans↗

Ceramide attenuates hypoxic cell death via reactive oxygen species signaling.

We have previously demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), a cytokine known to be induced by ischemia, independently promotes preconditioning in part via ceramide generation. As reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling is evoked by ischemic preconditioning, by TNFalpha and by ceramide we reasoned that ceramide-induced preconditioning is ROS-mediated. Fibroblastic L-cells were subjected to 8 hours simulated ischemia and were preconditioned by pretreatment with cell permeable c2 ceramide (1 microM) with or without the antioxidant N-mercaptopropionyl glycine (MPG; 1 mM). Pretreatment with ceramide reduced lactate dehydrogenase release at the end of the simulated ischemia but this cytoprotective effect was lost in the presence of MPG. Concurrent temporal ROS generation was measured using confocal microscopy on cells stained with dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA). Ceramide increased ROS production after 30 minutes and this induction was decreased by MPG. Incubation of ceramide with cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, NS 398 (10 microM), or with a mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitor, rotenone (10 microM) reduced the cytoprotective effect of ceramide in parallel with a partial diminution in ROS generation. In contrast, inhibition of other ROS-producing systems including nitric oxide synthase, xanthine oxidase, or NADPH oxidase failed to modulate ceramide-induced cytoprotection. Collectively, these data demonstrate that ceramide induces a cell survival program through ROS signaling activated, in part, via cyclooxygenase and the mitochondrial respiratory chain.

Animals↗

Uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 function in concert to augment tolerance to cardiac ischemia.

Transient cardiac ischemia activates cell survival signaling, conferring subsequent ischemia tolerance to the heart. This biological phenomenon, termed ischemic preconditioning, results in improved clinical outcome and attenuated infarct size following myocardial infarction. To explore genomic modifications underpinning this ischemia tolerance, we delineated the regulation and function of the cardiac enriched mitochondrial uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 during delayed ischemic preconditioning in the rat. Cardiac transcripts of genes encoding uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 are up-regulated in parallel with infarct size reduction in preconditioned hearts. Mitochondria isolated from preconditioned hearts exhibit an augmented inducible proton leak. In parallel, following anoxia-reoxygenation these mitochondria generate less hydrogen peroxide compared with non-preconditioned mitochondria. Preconditioning in rat cardiac derived myoblasts is abolished following uncoupling protein-2 depletion by RNA-interference. RNAi of uncoupling protein-3 partially attenuates the capacity to precondition these cells. Functional characterization of anoxia and reoxygenation tolerance following uncoupling protein 2 or 3 and combined 2 and 3 RNAi shows the largest reduction in viability follows depletion of both homologues. Uncoupling protein-2 depletion alone significantly attenuates anoxia-reoxygenation tolerance but uncoupling protein-3 depletion does not reduce anoxia tolerance. In parallel combined uncoupling protein depletion and isolated uncoupling protein-2 depletion augments ROS production in viable cardiomyocytes following anoxia-reoxygenation. Concurrent anti-oxidant administration ameliorates the uncoupling protein-depleted anoxia-susceptible phenotype. In conclusion, mitochondrial uncoupling proteins are necessary components of ischemia tolerance and function as components of the cellular antioxidant defense program. In the cytoprotective hierarchy, uncoupling protein-2 appears to play a greater role than uncoupling protein-3 in modulating ischemia/anoxia tolerance in heart-derived cells.

Animals↗

The mitochondrial biogenesis regulatory program in cardiac adaptation to ischemia--a putative target for therapeutic intervention.

The resurgence of mitochondrial biology research stems from the realization that the distinct regulation of mitochondria to meet diverse homeostatic demands is driven by exquisite biochemical and molecular control mechanisms. This program termed mitochondrial biogenesis is integral to orchestrating mitochondrial function and appears to exhibit adaptive remodeling following biomechanical and oxidative stress. The major bioenergetic function of mitochondria partitions the final utilization of oxygen between oxidative phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species. As disruption in oxidative phosphorylation and excessive reactive oxygen species contribute to cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury, we hypothesize that the mitochondrial biogenesis regulatory program is an explicit target for cardiac therapeutic interventions. The objectives of this review are to (a) define the advances in understanding the mitochondrial biogenesis regulatory program integrated to its control of mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxygen utilization, (b) reveal how this program is modulated by chronic hypoxia and ischemic preconditioning, and (c) examine the therapeutic potential of modulating the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis as a strategy to attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PKCepsilon activation augments cardiac mitochondrial respiratory post-anoxic reserve--a putative mechanism in PKCepsilon cardioprotection.

Modest cardiac-overexpression of constitutively active PKCepsilon (aPKCepsilon) in transgenic mice evokes cardioprotection against ischemia. As aPKCepsilon interacts with mitochondrial respiratory-chain proteins we hypothesized that aPKCepsilon modulates respiration to induce cardioprotection. Using isolated cardiac mitochondria wild-type and aPKCepsilon mice display similar basal mitochondrial respiration, rate of ATP synthesis and adenosine nucleotide translocase (ANT) functional content. Conversely, the aPKCepsilon mitochondria exhibit modest hyperpolarization of their inner mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) compared to wild-type mitochondrial by flow cytometry. To assess whether this hyperpolarization engenders resilience to simulated ischemia, anoxia-reoxygenation experiments were performed. Mitochondria were exposed to 45 min anoxia followed by reoxygenation. At reoxygenation, aPKCepsilon mitochondria recovered ADP-dependent respiration to 44 +/- 3% of baseline compared to 28 +/- 2% in WT controls (P = 0.03) in parallel with enhanced ATP synthesis. This preservation in oxidative phosphorylation is coupled to greater ANT functional content [42% > concentration of atractyloside for inhibition in the aPKCepsilon mitochondria vs. WT control (P < 0.0001)], retention of mitochondrial cytochrome c and conservation of DeltaPsi(m). These data demonstrate that mitochondria from PKCepsilon activated mice are intrinsically resilient to anoxia-reoxygenation compared to WT controls. This resilience is in part due to enhanced recovery of oxidative phosphorylation coupled to maintained ANT activity. As maintenance of ATP is a prerequisite for cellular viability we conclude that PKCepsilon activation augmented mitochondrial respiratory capacity in response to anoxia-reoxygenation may contribute to the PKCepsilon cardioprotective program.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

H-89, a non-specific inhibitor of protein kinase A, promotes post-ischemic cardiac contractile recovery and reduces infarct size.

Myocardial ischemia is associated with increased production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), with potentially deleterious effects. We hypothesized that the ischemia-induced activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), could beneficially be inhibited by a PKA-inhibitor N-(2-[p-bromocinnamylamino]ethyl)-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide (H-89). H-89 when given to isolated perfused rat hearts before 30 minutes of global ischemia-reperfusion improved postischemic function and decreased infarct size. In another series, H-89 administered prior to preconditioning by 10 minutes of transient global ischemia decreased PKA activity (measured at the end of the preconditioning protocol) and augmented postischemic mechanical recovery. H-89 given for 5 minutes before the 10 minutes of transient ischemia further decreased infarct size from 13.4 +/- 1.0% (preconditioning alone) to 7.0 +/- 0.93 (P < 0.01). In a third series, forskolin (0.3 muM, 5 minutes, 10 minutes washout prior to ischemia) increased PKA activity and reduced infarct size. Prior H-89 decreased PKA activity after 5 minutes of forskolin and further reduced infarct size versus forskolin alone. In conclusion, three procedures increased postischemic recovery and reduced infarct size: H-89; preconditioning by transient ischemia; or forskolin as a preconditioning-mimetic. PKA-inhibition by H-89 further decreased infarct size beyond preconditioning or forskolin. Despite the reservation that H-89 could be non-selective in its actions, we propose H-89 as a candidate cardioprotective agent.

Animals↗

Genetic depletion of cardiac myocyte STAT-3 abolishes classical preconditioning.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional requirement of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) in cardiac myocyte tolerance to ischemia (I) and in classical preconditioning. METHODS: Cardiac myocyte STAT-3 was depleted in mice using Cre-lox p technology. Isolated cardiomyocytes from wild-type (WT) and STAT-3-deficient mice were evaluated for viability following simulated ischemia (SI; 26 h). Cardiomyocytes were then preconditioned by exposure to transient simulated ischemia or via the administration of preconditioning mimetics (100 microM adenosine, 100 microM diazoxide and 0.5 ng ml(-1) TNFalpha, individually and in combination) prior to index ischemia. To evaluate the effect of cardiac myocyte depletion of STAT-3 in the context of the intact heart, these experiments were performed in isolated perfused Langendorff heart preparations which were exposed to an index insult of 30-min global ischemia and 45-min reperfusion. Ischemic preconditioning was achieved by subjecting the hearts to four cycles of 5-min ischemia followed by 5-min reperfusion prior to index ischemia. Infarct size was measured following reperfusion. RESULTS: Cell viability was diminished equally in wild-type and STAT-3-depleted cardiomyocytes. In contrast, ischemic and pharmacological preconditioning protected wild-type cardiomyocytes but not STAT-3-deficient cardiomyocytes. These results were mirrored in the intact heart. CONCLUSION: The depletion of functional STAT-3 does not modulate tolerance to ischemic injury in cardiomyocytes. This signaling molecule, however, is crucial for the ischemic and all the tested pharmacological preconditioning programs.

Animals↗

Delayed ischemic preconditioning activates nuclear-encoded electron-transfer-chain gene expression in parallel with enhanced postanoxic mitochondrial respiratory recovery.

BACKGROUND: Delayed ischemic preconditioning promotes cardioprotection via genomic reprogramming. We hypothesize that molecular regulation of mitochondrial energetics is integral to this cardioprotective program. METHODS AND RESULTS: Preconditioning was induced by use of 3 episodes of 3-minute coronary artery occlusion separated by 5 minutes of reperfusion. Twenty-four hours later, infarct size was reduced by 58% after preconditioning compared with sham-operated controls (P<0.001). Cardiac mitochondria were isolated from sham and preconditioned rat hearts. Mitochondrial respiration and ATP production were similar between the groups; however, preconditioned mitochondria exhibit modest hyperpolarization of the inner mitochondrial membrane potential (> or =22% versus control, P<0.001). After 35-minute anoxia and reoxygenation, preconditioned mitochondria demonstrated a 191+/-12% improvement in ADP-sensitive respiration (P=0.002) with preservation of electron-transfer-chain (ETC) activity versus controls. This augmented mitochondrial recovery was eradicated when preconditioning was abolished by the antioxidant 2-mercaptopropionyl glycine (2-MPG). These biochemical modulations appear to be regulated at the genomic level in that the expression of genes encoding rate-controlling complexes in the ETC was significantly upregulated in preconditioned myocardium, with a concordant induction of steady-state protein levels of cytochrome oxidase, cytochrome c, and adenine nucleotide translocase-1. 2-MPG abolished preconditioning induction of these transcripts. Moreover, transcripts of nuclear regulatory peptides known to orchestrate mitochondrial biogenesis, nuclear respiratory factor-1 and peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1alpha, were significantly induced in preconditioned myocardium. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed preconditioned mitochondria display increased tolerance against anoxia-reoxygenation in association with modifications in mitochondrial bioenergetics, with concordant genomic induction of a mitochondrial energetic gene regulatory program. This program appears to be mediated by reactive oxygen species signaling.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

p70s6 kinase is a functional target of insulin activated Akt cell-survival signaling.

Insulin administration attenuates cardiac ischemia-reperfusion apoptosis via activation of Akt-mediated cell-survival signaling. As p70s6 kinase is a cognate Akt-mediated phosphorylation target we evaluated whether p70s6 kinase activation is a functional requirement in insulin-mediated cell survival program during post-ischemic reoxygenation. Human cardiac-derived girardi cells were subjected to 6h of simulated ischemia and 2h of reoxygenation+/-insulin treatment [0.3mU/ml]. Concurrently, cells were pre-treated with anti-sense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) corresponding to the initiation start-site of human p70s6 kinase mRNA. Sense ODN and scrambled ODN were used as controls. Cell viability was measured using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and propidium iodide (PI) exclusion. Insulin at reoxygenation enhanced cell viability with attenuated LDH release (>or=50% , p<0.001 vs. ischemic controls) and reduced PI uptake by >or=30% vs. ischemic controls. The protection afforded by insulin was abolished by anti-sense ODN targeting p70s6 kinase, but not by the sense or scrambled ODNs. In parallel, insulin administration at reoxygenation significantly increased p70s6 kinase levels and activity compared with controls. P70s6 kinase activity was abolished by pre-treatment with anti-sense ODNs. Collectively, these data demonstrate that p70s6 kinase activation is a functional target of Akt following insulin-activated cytoprotection during ischemia-reoxygenation-induced injury.

Cell Hypoxia↗

Hypoxia-induced decrease of UCP3 gene expression in rat heart parallels metabolic gene switching but fails to affect mitochondrial respiratory coupling.

Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 (UCP2 and UCP3) are postulated to contribute to antioxidant defense, nutrient partitioning, and energy efficiency in the heart. To distinguish isotype function in response to metabolic stress we measured cardiac mitochondrial function and cardiac UCP gene expression following chronic hypobaric hypoxia. Isolated mitochondrial O(2) consumption and ATP synthesis rate were reduced but respiratory coupling was unchanged compared to normoxic groups. Concurrently, left ventricular UCP3 mRNA levels were significantly decreased with hypoxia (p<0.05) while UCP2 levels remained unchanged versus controls. Diminished UCP3 expression was associated with coordinate regulation of counter-regulatory metabolic genes. From these data, we propose a role for UCP3 in the regulation of fatty acid oxidation in the heart as opposed to uncoupling of mitochondria. Moreover, the divergent hypoxia-induced regulation of UCP2 and UCP3 supports distinct mitochondrial regulatory functions of these inner mitochondrial membrane proteins in the heart in response to metabolic stress.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial plasticity in classical ischemic preconditioning-moving beyond the mitochondrial KATP channel.

Ischemic preconditioning is a powerful biologic phenomenon that activates innate cell survival programs to protect the heart from ischemic injury. The preponderance of research into classical ischemic preconditioning has focused on signaling pathways orchestrating cardioprotection. Conceptually classified into triggers, mediators and end effectors of preconditioning multiple distinct signaling pathways appear to 'converge' on the mitochondria possibly via activation of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mK(ATP)) channel. The mechanisms by which mK(ATP) channel activation induces preconditioning are incompletely elucidated but include perturbations of mitochondrial architecture and function. Since evidence invoking the mK(ATP) channel has almost exclusively been based on studies using diazoxide and 5-hydroxydecanote the finding that these two compounds have mitochondrial effects independent of the mK(ATP) channel has initiated a controversy regarding the exclusivity of this particular channel in preconditioning. A concerted effort to characterize the mitochondrial phenotype is important to advance our understanding of the mechanistic events that underlie the robust cardioprotective phenotype unmasked by preconditioning. The purpose of this review is to collate the information available on mitochondrial biology associated with classical preconditioning, to delineate the distinct temporal presentation of these mitochondrial perturbations, to reassess the role of the mitochondrial K(ATP) channel and to propose a working model integrating the mitochondrial adaptations into the biology driving this cyto-protective phenotype.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Insulin therapy as an adjunct to reperfusion after acute coronary ischemia: a proposed direct myocardial cell survival effect independent of metabolic modulation.

Reperfusion therapy has become a practical and effective strategy in the salvage of ischemic myocardium. The direct enhancement of cardiac cellular tolerance against ischemic and reperfusion injury should further improve patient outcome in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This approach has been explored for many decades, and although we await mortality-weighted randomized clinical trials, the infusion of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) has shown promise in protecting post-infarct myocardium. The current dogma is that this cardioprotective effect of GIK acts via the modulation of cardiac and circulating metabolites to provide the heart with an optimal metabolic milieu to resist ischemia and reperfusion injury. This concept of metabolic modulation has gained favor in coronary heart disease, and its efficacy currently is being investigated in stable angina using the new class of partial fatty acid oxidation inhibitors, including trimetazidine and ranolazine. We contend that the mitogen insulin, itself, promotes tolerance against ischemic cell death via the activation of innate cell-survival pathways in the heart. To advance this viewpoint, we will present clinical data that support a dose-dependent effect of insulin's beneficial action in the management of acute myocardial infarction. Furthermore, we present experimental data that identify cell-survival programs that are directly activated by the administration of insulin. Finally, as intravenous insulin therapy is both labor intensive and associated with metabolic perturbations, we propose that the development of pharmaco-therapeutic agents that target downstream cell-survival insulin-activated signaling molecules may be an alternate approach to promote cardioprotection during ACS.

Acute Disease↗

Counter-regulatory effects of incremental hypoxia on the transcription of a cardiac fatty acid oxidation enzyme-encoding gene.

Cardiac fatty acid oxidation (FAO) enzyme gene expression is known to be downregulated during hypoxia in concordance with reduced FAO rates. To evaluate this metabolic switch, the transcriptional control of a cardiac FAO enzyme-encoding gene (medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, MCAD) was characterized in response to hypobaric hypoxia. Transgenic mice harboring 560-bp of the human MCAD gene promoter fused to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene were exposed to moderate (14% O2) or severe (8% O2) hypoxia for 2 or 7 days. MCAD-CAT activity and gene expression were significantly downregulated following 7 days of moderate hypoxia versus normoxic controls (p < 0.05). In parallel two known transcriptional regulators of MCAD expression, PPARalpha and Sp3, were concordantly downregulated at 7 days hypoxia. In contrast, severe hypoxia increased MCAD-CAT activity by 31 +/- 1.4% after 2 days hypoxia, returning to base +/- 4% after 2 days (p < 0.001) and returned to control levels after 7 days of hypoxia. These data demonstrate that MCAD gene expression is downregulated after 7 days of moderate hypoxia and inversely regulated with severe hypoxia. The known MCAD transcriptional regulators PPARalpha and Sp3 mirror MCAD expression. These data indicate that the transcriptional regulatory circuits involved in the control of MCAD gene expression under hypoxic conditions are modulated by upstream factors that are sensitive to the levels of oxygen.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase↗

Classic ischemic but not pharmacologic preconditioning is abrogated following genetic ablation of the TNFalpha gene.

OBJECTIVE: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is known to mimic ischemic preconditioning (IP). However, it is not known whether TNFalpha-preconditioning is mediated by 'established' preconditioning signaling or via novel signaling cascades. Moreover, whether TNFalpha is required to induce the ischemic preconditioning phenotype has not been determined. METHODS: To evaluate the role of TNFalpha, we determined the infarct-sparing effect of IP comparing TNFalpha null (TNFalpha-/-) and wild-type mice. The IP protocol included 4x5 min ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) prior to the index 35 min of global ischemia followed by 45 min of reperfusion in isolated perfused murine hearts. Infarct size was measured as a percentage of cardiac volume. To evoke particular signaling pathways numerous pharmacologic studies were performed. RESULTS: Following IP, infarct size was significantly reduced by 43% in wild-type mice. In contrast, infarct size was not attenuated by IP in the TNFalpha-/- group versus I/R controls (Infarct size-36+/-3%). Interestingly, pharmacologic preconditioning with adenosine (100 microM) and diazoxide (30 microM) mimicked IP in both the wild-type (infarct size-11+/-4% and 18+/-2%) and in TNFalpha-/- mice (infarct size-15+/-4% and 23+/-3%) versus respective I/R controls. Recombinant TNFalpha (0.5 ng/ml) administered for 7 min followed by a 10-min washout mimicked IP in wild-type mice but not in the TNFalpha deficient mouse hearts. The cardioprotective effects of IP, adenosine and TNFalpha were abolished by the co-administration of the putative mitochondrial K(ATP) blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that cardiac TNFalpha production is required for ischemic preconditioning-induced cardioprotection but not necessary in pharmacologic preconditioning with adenosine or diazoxide in TNFalpha-/- mice. Moreover, TNFalpha administration is sufficient to activate preconditioning in wild-type mice. Finally, as 5-hydroxydecanoate abrogates ischemic, adenosine and TNFalpha induced preconditioning, this suggests that diverse signaling pathways converge at the level of mitochondrial K(ATP) channel activation to mediate this cardioprotection.

Adenosine↗

Innate immunity and cardiac preconditioning: a putative intrinsic cardioprotective program.

Ischemic preconditioning is thought to evoke cell survival programs in the heart in large part via the activation of G(I)-protein coupled receptor signal transduction pathways. However, the identification and characterization of G(I)-protein coupled receptor independent pathways would enable researchers to pursue novel cellular events that could direct or promote preconditioning. In this regard recent work has begun to explore the role of the innate immune system in intrinsic cardioprotection against both viral myocarditis and ischemia. Interestingly, cytokines such as TNFalpha, IL-1beta and leukemia inhibitory factor, which are components of innate immunity, have been shown to mimic ischemic preconditioning. Thus as the innate immune system functions via a diverse array of G(I)-protein independent receptors, the study of this immunological system in the heart may provide new insight into mechanisms driving and promoting ischemic preconditioning. We propose that innate immunity is indeed an integral part of ischemic preconditioning. In this review, we provide an overview of the innate immune system, describe the studies whereby cytokines mimic ischemic preconditioning and finally postulate some mechanisms whereby innate immunity may promote cardioprotection as a component of preconditioning.

Animals↗

Identification of a novel role for sphingolipid signaling in TNF alpha and ischemic preconditioning mediated cardioprotection.

TNF alpha administration mimics ischemic preconditioning and neutralizing antibodies to TNF alpha and IL-1 beta abolish exercise-induced preconditioning. However, the pharmacology of TNF alpha's cardioprotective effects and associated downstream signaling events has not been delineated. We evaluated the temporal and dose specific requirements of TNF alpha to function as a preconditioning mimetic. Furthermore we postulated that the preconditioning effect of TNF alpha might be orchestrated via sphingolipid signaling. The cardioprotective effect of TNF alpha and the role of sphingolipid signaling were assessed using a classical preconditioning protocol in the isolated perfused rat heart with the measurement of infarct size and contractile function modulation in response to index ischemia and reperfusion. Recombinant TNF alpha at an optimal dose of 0.5 ng/ml mimicked ischemic preconditioning by reducing infarct size by 60%v non-preconditioned ischemia-reperfusion controls (P<0.01). The infarct sparing effect of TNF alpha required a wash-out period prior to the index ischemic-reperfusion. Moreover, the classic ischemic preconditioning antagonist such as 5-hydroxydecanoate abolished TNF alpha preconditioning. An inhibitor of the sphingolipid signaling pathway, N-oleoylethanolamine (NOE, 1 microm) attenuated ischemic and TNF alpha preconditioning. Likewise, cell-permeable C(2)-ceramide and sphingosine 1-phosphate (sphingolipid signaling intermediates) both reproduced the preconditioning cardioprotective phenotype. Finally, TNF alpha and ceramide conferred preconditioning-like cardioprotection against post-ischemic contractile dysfunction and this cardioprotective effect was attenuated by NOE. In contrast, NOE did not reverse ischemic preconditioning enhanced post-ischemic contractile function. In conclusion, TNF alpha activates preconditioning-like tolerance against infarction and contractile dysfunction. This cardioprotection is mediated, in part, via activation of novel sphingolipid signaling intermediates.

Animals↗