BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence has indicated that the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a crucial event during early stages of cardiac fibrosis. In the present study, we first investigated the influence of Irbesartan (Irb) on myocardial EndMT in diabetic rats. METHODS: Diabetic rats were divided into two groups: the diabetic group (DM) and the Irb-treated group (DM+Irb). Wistar-Kyoto rats served as controls. The pathological changes were investigated by microscopy. Immunofluorescence was performed to evaluate the co-expression of CD31 and fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP1). FSP1 and α-SMA expressions were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. EndMT was also studied in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) that had been exposed to high glucose (HG) levels. RESULTS: Increased interstitial fibrosis was detected in the DM group. Double labeling revealed CD31 expression in FSP1-positive cells in the DM group, and this expression was diminished by Irb treatment (P<0.05). In vitro, we found that HG stimulated angiotensin II synthesis in HAECs. When HAECs were exposed to HG, some of the cells acquired a spindle-shaped morphology and demonstrated a loss of CD31 labeling, which was attenuated by Irb treatment. FSP1 and α-SMA mRNA and protein expression levels were markedly upregulated in diabetic rats compared to controls, and their expressions were inhibited by Irb treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results provide the novel insight that an angiotensin II receptor blocker might prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy by abrogating EndMT in diabetic rats.
BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence has indicated that the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a crucial event during early stages of cardiac fibrosis. In the present study, we first investigated the influence of Irbesartan (Irb) on myocardial EndMT in diabeticrats. METHODS:Diabeticrats were divided into two groups: the diabetic group (DM) and the Irb-treated group (DM+Irb). Wistar-Kyoto rats served as controls. The pathological changes were investigated by microscopy. Immunofluorescence was performed to evaluate the co-expression of CD31 and fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP1). FSP1 and α-SMA expressions were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. EndMT was also studied in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) that had been exposed to high glucose (HG) levels. RESULTS: Increased interstitial fibrosis was detected in the DM group. Double labeling revealed CD31 expression in FSP1-positive cells in the DM group, and this expression was diminished by Irb treatment (P<0.05). In vitro, we found that HG stimulated angiotensin II synthesis in HAECs. When HAECs were exposed to HG, some of the cells acquired a spindle-shaped morphology and demonstrated a loss of CD31 labeling, which was attenuated by Irb treatment. FSP1 and α-SMA mRNA and protein expression levels were markedly upregulated in diabeticrats compared to controls, and their expressions were inhibited by Irb treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results provide the novel insight that an angiotensin II receptor blocker might prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy by abrogating EndMT in diabeticrats.
Authors: Ye Hongwei; Cao Ruiping; Fang Yingyan; Zhang Guanjun; Hu Jie; Liu Xingyu; Tang Jie; Li Zhenghong; Gao Qin; Hu Junfeng; Zhang Heng Journal: Exp Biol Med (Maywood) Date: 2019-04-26
Authors: Min Wu; Ri-Ning Tang; Hong Liu; Ming-Ming Pan; Lin-Li Lv; Jian-Dong Zhang; Steven D Crowley; Bi-Cheng Liu Journal: Int J Cardiol Date: 2013-12-07 Impact factor: 4.164
Authors: Jason C Kovacic; Stefanie Dimmeler; Richard P Harvey; Toren Finkel; Elena Aikawa; Guido Krenning; Andrew H Baker Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2019-01-22 Impact factor: 24.094