Vascular remodeling-associated hypertension leads to left ventricular hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction in profilin-1 transgenic mice

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2012 Dec;60(6):544-52. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0b013e318271225d.

Abstract

Hypertension is a major health problem and a main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. We have shown that overexpression of profilin-1 in blood vessels of transgenic mice generates mechanical tone and led to vascular remodeling/hypertension. However, little is known whether cardiac contractile performance in these mice is compromised. We investigated the in vivo contractile function and in vitro contractile performance using isolated papillary muscles from both right ventricle and left ventricle of profilin-1 mice at older age. Our results showed mild left ventricular hypertrophy and moderate systolic dysfunction in profilin-1 mice as evident by increased heart/body weight ratio and echocardiography analysis. Under near physiological conditions, right ventricle papillary muscles of profilin-1 mice maintained their peak isometric active developed tension, and the rate of force development over the entire frequency range of 4-14 Hz. Positive inotropic responses to increasing Ca and β-adrenergic stimulation were also maintained. Conversely, left ventricular papillary muscles of profilin-1 mice exhibited depressed peak isometric, peak isometric active developed tension and rate of force development, and depressed positive inotropic responses to increasing Ca and β-adrenergic stimulation. We here provide functional evidence that a significant contractile dysfunction in profilin-1 mice exists. Targeting vascular profilin-1 signaling could represent a promising therapeutic approach in hypertensive patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Hypertension / etiology*
  • Hypertension / genetics
  • Hypertension / metabolism
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / etiology*
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / genetics
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / metabolism
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / physiopathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Myocardial Contraction* / drug effects
  • Papillary Muscles / drug effects
  • Papillary Muscles / metabolism*
  • Papillary Muscles / physiopathology
  • Profilins / genetics
  • Profilins / metabolism*
  • Systole
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / etiology*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / genetics
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / metabolism
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / physiopathology
  • Ventricular Function, Right

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists
  • Profilins
  • Calcium