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Biomedical subjects

Robert S Ross

Publications and source records attributed to Robert S Ross.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Expression of the cytoplasmic domain of beta1 integrin induces apoptosis in adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVM) via the involvement of caspase-8 and mitochondrial death pathway.

Stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) induces cardiac myocyte apoptosis. Integrins, a family of cell-surface receptors, play an important role in the regulation of cardiac myocyte apoptosis and ventricular remodeling. Cleavage of extracellular domain of beta1 integrin, also called integrin shedding, is observed during cardiac hypertrophy and progression to early heart failure. Here we show that stimulation of beta-AR induces beta1 integrin fragmentation in mouse heart. To examine the role of intracellular domain of beta1 integrin in cardiac myocyte apoptosis, a chimeric receptor consisting of the cytoplasmic tail domain of beta(1A) integrin and the extracellular/transmembrane domain of the interleukin-2 receptor (TAC-beta1) was expressed in adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVM) using adenoviruses. TAC-beta1 increased the percentage of apoptotic ARVM as measured by TUNEL-staining assay. TAC-beta1-induced apoptosis was found to be associated with increased cytosolic cytochrome c and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. TAC-beta1 increased caspase-8 activity. Z-IETD-FMK, a specific caspase-8 inhibitor, significantly inhibited TAC-beta1-induced apoptosis. TAC-beta1 expression also increased cleavage of Bid, a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein. These data suggest that shedding of beta1 integrin may be a mechanism of induction of apoptosis during beta-AR-stimulated cardiac remodeling.

Animals↗

Dynamics of hippocampal and cortical activation during consolidation of a nonspatial memory.

Observations of temporally graded retrograde amnesia after hippocampal damage suggest that the hippocampal region plays a critical, time-limited role in memory consolidation. However, these observations do not indicate where permanent memory is stored, nor do they clarify whether the hippocampus normally remains involved in a nonessential way. Evidence from multiple neural imaging studies indicate the time-limited role of the hippocampus and suggest that the anterior cingulate cortex is a critical storage site of different types of long-term memory. However, each of the previous studies examined spatial memory, leaving open the question of whether different cortical areas support long-term memory for other types of material. We characterized the course of involvement of cortical and hippocampal areas in animals trained in an explicitly nonspatial task. First, we confirmed previous findings that hippocampal damage produces temporally graded retrograde amnesia for the social transmission of a food preference (STFP) within our experimental protocol. Damage to the hippocampal region 1 d, but not 21 d, after training impaired subsequent recall of STFP. Then, we characterized the anatomical patterns of activation of the immediate early gene c-fos during retrieval of STFP immediately and 1, 2, and 21 d after training. The ventral subiculum was activated during retrieval shortly after learning, but the level of activation declined at successive times. In contrast, olfactory recipient regions including piriform, entorhinal, and orbitofrontal cortex showed the opposite pattern, increasingly greater activation in successively later retrieval tests. These findings support the view that different cortical networks support long-term memory for different types of information.

Analysis of Variance↗

Spatial distribution of nerve sprouting after myocardial infarction in mice.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) elicits nerve sprouting. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of nerve sprouting and neurotrophic gene expression after MI. METHODS: We created MI in mice by coronary artery ligation. The hearts were removed 3 hours to 2 months after MI and examined for nerve fiber density and neurotrophic factor gene expression using Affymetrix microarray and mRNA analyses. RESULTS: The density of nerve fibers immunopositive for growth-associated protein (GAP)-43 was the highest 3 hours after MI both in the peri-infarct area and in the area remote to infarct, resulting in sympathetic (but not parasympathetic) hyperinnervation in the ventricles. The GAP-43-positive nerve fiber density of myocardium was greater in the outer transverse loop than in the inner vertical loop. The differences between these two myocardial loops peaked within 3 hours after MI and persisted for 2 months afterward. Gene expression of nerve growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, leukemia inhibitory factor, transforming growth factor-beta(3), and interleukin-1alpha was increased up to 2 months after MI compared with normal control. Expression of these growth factors was more pronounced and persistent in the peri-infarct area than in the remote area. CONCLUSION: MI induces sympathetic nerve sprouting in both peri-infarct and remote areas, more in the outer transverse loop. Selective up-regulation of nerve growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, leukemia inhibitory factor, transforming growth factor-beta(3), and interleukin-1alpha occurred in the peri-infarct area and, to a lesser extent, in the remote area.

Animals↗

Integrins, membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases and ADAMs: potential implications for cardiac remodeling.

The concept of myocardial remodeling links an initial pathological insult to a progressive geometric change of the ventricle. Currently, our concepts of the remodeling process have evolved to include not only changes in ventricular size and shape, but cellular and molecular remodeling, particularly as the ventricle evolves towards failure. In recent years, much attention has focused on the role of cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) connections in this process. In this review, we will specifically delineate how cell membrane-linked molecules of three classes: integrins, membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases, and ADAMs (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase) might play crucial roles in myocardial remodeling. These molecules are essential for cell-ECM adhesion, cell signaling, matrix modification, and proteolysis of surface receptors. Our goal is to put forth concepts on how they might interrelate to modulate the remodeling process in the heart.

Animals↗

beta-Adrenergic receptor-stimulated apoptosis in adult cardiac myocytes involves MMP-2-mediated disruption of beta1 integrin signaling and mitochondrial pathway.

Stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-AR) induces apoptosis in adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVMs) via the JNK-dependent activation of mitochondrial death pathway. Recently, we have shown that inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) inhibits beta-AR-stimulated apoptosis and that the apoptotic effects of MMP-2 are possibly mediated via its interaction with beta1 integrins. Herein we tested the hypothesis that MMP-2 impairs beta1 integrin-mediated survival signals, such as activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and activates the JNK-dependent mitochondrial death pathway. Inhibition of MMP-2 using SB3CT, a selective gelatinase inhibitor, significantly increased FAK phosphorylation (Tyr-397 and Tyr-576). TIMP-2, tissue inhibitor of MMP-2, produced a similar increase in FAK phosphorylation, whereas treatment of ARVMs with purified active MMP-2 significantly inhibited FAK phosphorylation. Inhibition of MMP-2 using SB3CT inhibited beta-AR-stimulated activation of JNKs and levels of cytosolic cytochrome c. Treatment of ARVMs with purified MMP-2 increased cytosolic cytochrome c release. Furthermore, inhibition of MMP-2 using SB3CT and TIMP-2 attenuated beta-AR-stimulated decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential. Overexpression of beta1 integrins using adenoviruses expressing the human beta1A-integrin decreased beta-AR-stimulated cytochrome c release and apoptosis. Overexpression of beta1 integrins also inhibited apoptosis induced by purified active MMP-2. These data suggest that MMP-2 interferes with the beta1 integrin survival signals and activates JNK-dependent mitochondrial death pathway leading to apoptosis.

Animals↗

Acetylcholine in the orbitofrontal cortex is necessary for the acquisition of a socially transmitted food preference.

The social transmission of food preference task (STFP) has been used to examine the involvement of the hippocampus in learning and memory for a natural odor-odor association. However, cortical involvement in STFP has not been extensively studied. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is important in odor-guided learning, and cholinergic depletion of the entire neocortex results in impairments in STFP. Here we examined the specific role of cholinergic modulation in the OFC by assessing the effect of 192 immunoglobulin G-saporin infusion directly into OFC prior to training on STFP. Cholinergic depletion in the OFC impaired expression of the socially transmitted odor association measured 2 d after training, indicating that cholinergic function in the OFC is essential for this form of associative learning.

Acetylcholine↗

Molecular and mechanical synergy: cross-talk between integrins and growth factor receptors.

The full repertoire of molecules and mechanisms which lead to cardiac hypertrophy are poorly understood. Many studies over the last several decades have shown how various growth factors are involved in the hypertrophic response. It has also been intuitively obvious that mechanical mechanisms which impose hemodynamic loads on the working myocardium must also be involved in this process. Integrins are cell adhesion receptors that are potent bi-directional signaling molecules. They are cellular mechanoreceptors in many cells and are clearly one of the molecules which orchestrate mechano-biochemical coupling in the heart. In recent years they too have been shown to be involved in the hypertrophic response pathway. This review will detail background information on integrins in general, discuss integrins in the myocardium and illustrate how integrin and growth factor signaling pathways might combinatorially function in the heart.

Animals↗

Functional adult myocardium in the absence of Na+-Ca2+ exchange: cardiac-specific knockout of NCX1.

The excitation-contraction coupling cycle in cardiac muscle is initiated by an influx of Ca2+ through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Ca2+ influx induces a release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and myocyte contraction. To maintain Ca2+ homeostasis, Ca2+ entry is balanced by efflux mediated by the sarcolemmal Na+-Ca2+ exchanger. In the absence of Na+-Ca2+ exchange, it would be expected that cardiac myocytes would overload with Ca2+. Using Cre/loxP technology, we generated mice with a cardiac-specific knockout of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger, NCX1. The exchanger is completely ablated in 80% to 90% of the cardiomyocytes as determined by immunoblot, immunofluorescence, and exchange function. Surprisingly, the NCX1 knockout mice live to adulthood with only modestly reduced cardiac function as assessed by echocardiography. At 7.5 weeks of age, measures of contractility are decreased by 20% to 30%. We detect no adaptation of the myocardium to the absence of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger as measured by both immunoblots and microarray analysis. Ca2+ transients of isolated myocytes from knockout mice display normal magnitudes and relaxation kinetics and normal responses to isoproterenol. Under voltage clamp conditions, the current through L-type Ca2+ channels is reduced by 50%, although the number of channels is unchanged. An abbreviated action potential may further reduce Ca2+ influx. Rather than upregulate other Ca2+ efflux mechanisms, the myocardium appears to functionally adapt to the absence of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger by limiting Ca2+ influx. The magnitude of Ca2+ transients appears to be maintained by an increased gain of sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ release. The myocardium of the NCX1 knockout mice undergoes a remarkable adaptation to maintain near normal cardiac function.

Action Potentials↗

Osteopontin modulates angiotensin II-induced fibrosis in the intact murine heart.

OBJECTIVES: Osteopontin (OPN) is upregulated in left ventricular hypertrophy and is stimulated by angiotensin II (AngII). Our objective was to determine whether mice deficient in OPN would be protected from AngII-induced cardiac fibrosis. BACKGROUND: Interstitial fibrosis can lead to myocardial dysfunction and ultimately heart failure. Osteopontin activates integrins that regulate cell adhesion, migration, and growth, thus implicating OPN in the process of cardiac fibrosis. METHODS: Osteopontin null (OPN(-/-)) mice (n = 18) and wild-type controls (n = 20) were infused with AngII (2.5 or 3.0 microg/kg/min) for four days or three weeks via osmotic mini-pumps. Hearts were assessed morphometrically and histologically, including quantitative assessment of fibrosis via optical microscopic imaging analysis. Cardiac fibroblasts derived from these mice were evaluated for adhesion and proliferation. Cardiac transcript expression for cytokines, extracellular matrix (ECM), integrin, and atrial natriuretic peptide were assessed. RESULTS: Osteopontin(-/-) mice exhibited less cardiac fibrosis (0.7%) than wild-type mice (8.0%) (p < 0.01) and lowered heart/body weight ratios (0.10% vs. 0.23%) (p < 0.01) after three weeks of AngII infusion. Expression of transforming growth factor-beta, fibronectin, and collagen was not different between OPN(-/-) and wild-type mice, despite the decrease in ECM accumulation in the OPN(-/-) mice. Adhesion to ECM substrates decreased by 30% to 50% in cardiac fibroblasts of OPN(-/-) mice but was restored in OPN(-/-) cells by the addition of recombinant osteopontin. CONCLUSIONS: Osteopontin mediates cardiac fibrosis, probably through the modulation of cellular adhesion and proliferation. Because OPN is increased in cardiac hypertrophy and its lack attenuates fibrosis, understanding of OPN function is essential to extend our knowledge about molecular determinants of cardiac hypertrophy and failure.

Angiotensin II↗

Overexpression of the integrin beta(1A) subunit and the beta(1A) cytoplasmic domain modifies the beta-adrenergic regulation of the cardiac L-type Ca(2+)current.

Integrins are a family of cell-surface receptors that link the extracellular matrix (ECM) to the cellular cytoskeleton. The goal of this study was to determine the importance of the integrin beta(1) subunit in regulating cardiac L-type Ca(2+) channel function. Neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were cultured on collagen membranes and infected with adenovirus expressing either the human beta(1A) integrin (Adbeta(1A)) or a chimeric protein consisting of the cytoplasmic tail domain of the beta(1A) integrin and the extracellular/transmembrane domain of the interleukin-2 receptor (AdTAC-beta(1)). Expression of the free beta(1) integrin tail (TAC-beta(1)), but not the full-length beta(1A) integrin, altered cell morphology and disrupted normal cell adhesion. When compared with myocytes infected with control virus, neither Adbeta(1A) nor AdTAC-beta(1) infection produced any significant change in the current vs. voltage relationship of the whole-cell Ca(2+) current (I(Ca)) or the kinetics of I(Ca) decay. Expression of TAC-beta(1), but not beta(1A), induced a negative shift in the Ca(2+) channel steady-state inactivation curve. Application of the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol produced over a 90% increase in I(Ca) in control cells, but caused only an 18% increase in myocytes overexpressing the full-length beta(1A) integrin. In addition, beta-adrenergic stimulation resulted in a 5-10-fold increase in intracellular cAMP levels in control cells, but produced no significant response in Adbeta(1A)-infected cells. In contrast, expression of TAC-beta(1) was associated with an augmentation in the Ca(2+) channel response to isoproterenol (160% increase) and the Ca(2+) channel agonist BayK8644. Thus, integrin/ECM interactions may be critical in the regulation of I(Ca)

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Heterozygous inactivation of the vinculin gene predisposes to stress-induced cardiomyopathy.

Vinculin and its muscle splice variant metavinculin link focal adhesions and cell-to-cell contact sites to the actin cytoskeleton. We hypothesized that normal expression of vinculin isoforms would be essential for integrity of cardiomyocytes and preservation of normal cardiac function. We studied heterozygous vinculin knockout mice (Vin+/-) that develop and breed normally. The Vin+/- mice displayed: 1) a 58% reduction of vinculin and a 63% reduction of metavinculin protein levels versus wild-type littermates; 2) normal basal cardiac function and histology but abnormal electrocardiograms, intercalated disks, and ICD-related protein distribution; 3) increased mortality following acute hemodynamic stress imposed by transverse aortic constriction (TAC); 4) cardiac dysfunction by 6 weeks post-TAC; and 5) misalignment of alpha-actinin containing Z-lines and abnormal myocardial ultrastructure despite preserved cardiac function. Decreased expression of vinculin/metavinculin leads to abnormal myocyte structure without baseline physiological evidence of cardiac dysfunction. These structural changes predispose to stress-induced cardiomyopathy.

Actinin↗

Nitrogen-13 ammonia cardiac positron emission tomography in mice: effects of clonidine-induced changes in cardiac work on myocardial perfusion.

We explored the feasibility of imaging myocardial perfusion and of demonstrating the flow changes in response to reduction of cardiac work non-invasively in anesthetized mice using high spatial resolution, dedicated small-animal positron emission tomography (microPET). In 31 C57BL/6 mice anesthetized with pentobarbital or isoflurane, (13)N-ammonia was injected intravenously and images were recorded with microPET from 4 to 20 min. Fifteen mice (group 1) were studied consecutively at baseline (BL) and after reduction of heart rate (HR) with intraperitoneal injection of clonidine (CLN) to investigate effects of CLN-induced reduction of cardiac work on myocardial (13)N-ammonia uptake. Eight mice (group 2) were imaged repeatedly at BL and eight mice (group 3) twice after CLN to examine reproducibility. Total myocardial (13)N-ammonia accumulation was determined from the transaxial images and normalized for injected dose (%ID). HR was 412+/-97 beats/min at BL and 212+/-44 beats/min after CLN (P<0.0001). In group 1, the %ID significantly decreased from 1.50%+/-0.27% at BL to 1.29%+/-0.28% after CLN (P<0.0001). In groups 2 and 3, reproducibility of %ID was good (y=0.96x+0.105, SEE=0.212%, r(2)=0.749, P<0.0001). In conclusion, (13)N-ammonia microPET imaging demonstrated non-invasively a reduction of myocardial perfusion induced by clonidine in mice. We believe this study is of importance as the first report on myocardial perfusion imaging and flow validation in in vivo mouse hearts with a left ventricular size of only 5 mm using (13)N-ammonia and PET. MicroPET will aid in elucidating cardiac pathophysiology in transgenic mice and monitoring effects of gene therapies on myocardial perfusion.

Ammonia↗

Focal complex formation in adult cardiomyocytes is accompanied by the activation of beta3 integrin and c-Src.

In pressure-overloaded myocardium, our recent study demonstrated cytoskeletal assembly of c-Src and other signaling proteins which was partially mimicked in vitro using adult feline cardiomyocytes embedded in three-dimensional (3D) collagen matrix and stimulated with an integrin-binding Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide. In the present study, we improved this model further to activate c-Src and obtain a full assembly of the focal adhesion complex (FAC), and characterized c-Src localization and integrin subtype(s) involved. RGD dose response experiments revealed that c-Src activation occurs subsequent to its cytoskeletal recruitment and is accompanied by p130Cas cytoskeletal binding and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) Tyr925 phosphorylation. When cardiomyocytes expressing hexahistidine-tagged c-Src via adenoviral gene delivery were used for RGD stimulation, the expressed c-Src exhibited relocation: (i) biochemical analysis revealed c-Src movement from the detergent-soluble to the -insoluble cytoskeletal fraction and (ii) confocal microscopic analysis showed c-Src movement from a nuclear/perinuclear to a sarcolemmal region. RGD treatment also caused sarcolemmal co-localization of FAK and vinculin. Characterization of integrin subtypes revealed that beta3, but not beta1, integrin plays a predominant role: (i) expression of cytoplasmic domain of beta1A integrin did not affect the RGD-stimulated FAC formation and (ii) both pressure-overloaded myocardium and RGD-stimulated cardiomyocytes exhibited phosphorylation of beta3 integrin at Tyr773/785 sites but not beta1 integrin at Thr788/789 sites. Together these data indicate that RGD treatment in cardiomyocytes causes beta3 integrin activation and c-Src sarcolemmal localization, that subsequent c-Src activation is accompanied by p130Cas binding and FAK Tyr925 phosphorylation, and that these events might be crucial for growth and remodeling of hypertrophying adult cardiomyocytes.

Adenoviridae↗

Cardiac excitation-contraction coupling in the absence of Na(+) - Ca2+ exchange.

We investigate cardiac excitation-contraction coupling in the absence of sarcolemmal Na(+) - Ca(2+) exchange using NCX1 knock out mice. Knock out of NCX1 is embryonic lethal, and we measure Ca(2+) transients and contractions in heart tubes from embryos at day 9.5 post coitum. Immunoblot and electron microscopy both indicate that sarcoplasmic reticular membranes are diminished in the knock out (NCX(-/-)) heart tubes. Both Ni(2+) and nifedipine block excitation-contraction coupling in NCX-containing (NCX+) and NCX(-/-) heart tubes indicating an essential role for the L-type Ca(2+) current. Under basal conditions (1Hz stimulation), the NCX(-/-) heart tubes have normal Ca(2+) transients but are unable to maintain homeostasis when Ca(2+) fluxes are increased by various interventions (increased stimulation frequency, caffeine, isoproterenol). In each case, the NCX(-/-) heart tubes respond to the intervention in a more deleterious manner (increased diastolic Ca(2+), decreased Ca(2+) transient) than the NCX+ heart tubes. Expression of the sarcolemmal Ca(2+) pump was not upregulated. The sarcolemmal Ca(2+) pump, however, was able to compensate surprisingly well for the absence of Na(+) - Ca(2+) exchange under basal conditions.

Action Potentials↗

Modulation of integrins and integrin signaling molecules in the pressure-loaded murine ventricle.

Integrins are heterodimeric cell-surface receptors that link the extracellular matrix and the intracellular cytoskeleton and function as mechanotransducers. Signaling through integrins is important for cell growth, migration, and survival. Extracellular matrix is altered in the myocardium during hypertrophic induction and the transition to heart failure. The role of integrins in this process is poorly understood. Recently, integrin subunits have been identified that are dominantly expressed in striated muscle. We tested the hypothesis that since integrins are mechanotransducers, their expression and signaling would be modulated with murine left ventricular hemodynamic loading. The acute and chronic effects of pressure overload on changes in the expression of integrins, as well as related integrin-mediated signaling events were studied. Acute pressure loading increased phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, p42 and p44 extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Chronic loading: (1) increased expression of alpha1, alpha5, and beta1 integrin transcripts and (2) increased protein expression of integrin subunits which are dominantly expressed in striated muscle (alpha7 and beta1D) both by western blotting and immunofluorescent microscopy. These results show that adaptive responses of the myocardium to pressure overload include acute modulation of integrin-related signaling molecules and more chronic changes effect expression of integrin subunits, including ones dominantly expressed in muscle.

Animals↗

Knockout mice for pharmacological screening: testing the specificity of Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibitors.

The role of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger as a major determinant of cell Ca2+ is well defined in cardiac tissue, and there has been much effort to develop specific inhibitors of the exchanger. We use a novel system to test the specificity of two putative specific inhibitors, KB-R7943 and SEA0400. The drugs are applied to electrically stimulated heart tubes from control mouse embryos or embryos with the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger knocked out. We monitored effects of the drugs on Ca2+ transients. Both drugs depress the Ca2+ transients at low concentrations even in the absence of any Na+-Ca2+ exchanger. KB-R7943 and SEA0400 are not completely specific and should be used with caution as Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibitors.

Aniline Compounds↗

Cardiac myocyte-specific excision of the beta1 integrin gene results in myocardial fibrosis and cardiac failure.

Integrins link the extracellular matrix to the cellular cytoskeleton and serve important roles in cell growth, differentiation, migration, and survival. Ablation of beta1 integrin in all murine tissues results in peri-implantation embryonic lethality. To investigate the role of beta1 integrin in the myocardium, we used Cre-LoxP technology to inactivate the beta1 integrin gene exclusively in ventricular cardiac myocytes. Animals with homozygous ventricular myocyte beta1 integrin gene excision were born in appropriate numbers and grew into adulthood. These animals had 18% of control levels of beta1D integrin protein in the heart and displayed myocardial fibrosis. High-fidelity micromanometer-tipped catheterization of the intact 5-week-old beta1 integrin knockout mice showed depressed left ventricular basal and dobutamine-stimulated contractility and relaxation (LV dP/dt(max) and LV dP/dt(min)) as compared with control groups (n=8 to 10 of each, P<0.01). Hemodynamic loading imposed by 7 days of transverse aortic constriction showed that the beta1 integrin knockout mice were intolerant of this stress as they had 53% survival versus 88% in controls (n=15 each). By 6 months of age, mice with depressed ventricular expression of beta1 integrin developed a dilated cardiomyopathy that was not evident in any control animals and had patchy decrease in glucose metabolism as determined by positron emission tomography. Myocyte membrane integrity as determined via Evan's blue dye staining was disrupted in the beta1 integrin knockout mice. This model provides strong evidence for the importance of beta1 integrin in cardiac form and function and indicates that integrins can be linked to development of cardiomyopathies.

Animals↗