Cardiac endothelial ischemia/reperfusion injury-derived protein damage-associated molecular patterns disrupt the integrity of the endothelial barrier

Sarawut Kumphune; Porrnthanate Seenak; Nitchawat Paiyabhrom; Worawat Songjang; Panyupa Pankhong; Noppadon Jumroon; Siriwan Thaisakun; Narumon Phaonakrop; Sittiruk Roytrakul; Wachirawadee Malakul; Arunya Jiraviriyakul; Nitirut Nernpermpisooth

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24600

Cardiac endothelial ischemia/reperfusion injury-derived protein damage-associated molecular patterns disrupt the integrity of the endothelial barrier

Heliyon. 2024 Jan 17;10(2):e24600. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24600. eCollection 2024 Jan 30.

Authors

Sarawut Kumphune^{1

2

3}, Porrnthanate Seenak^{3

4}, Nitchawat Paiyabhrom⁵, Worawat Songjang^{3

5}, Panyupa Pankhong^{3

5}, Noppadon Jumroon^{3

5}, Siriwan Thaisakun⁶, Narumon Phaonakrop⁶, Sittiruk Roytrakul⁶, Wachirawadee Malakul⁷, Arunya Jiraviriyakul^{3

5}, Nitirut Nernpermpisooth^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Biomedical Engineering and Innovation Research Centre, Chiang Mai University, Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
² Biomedical Engineering Institute, Chiang Mai University, Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
³ Integrative Biomedical Research Unit (IBRU), Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.
⁴ Department of Cardio-Thoracic Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.
⁵ Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.
⁶ National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
⁷ Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.

Abstract

Human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs) are sensitive to ischemia and vulnerable to damage during reperfusion. The release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) during reperfusion induces additional tissue damage. The current study aimed to identify early protein DAMPs in human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) using a proteomic approach and their effect on endothelial cell injury. HCMECs were subjected to 60 min of simulated ischemia and 6 h of reperfusion, which can cause lethal damage. DAMPs in the culture media were subjected to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry proteomic analysis. The cells were treated with endothelial IRI-derived DAMP medium for 24 h. Endothelial injury was assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase activity, morphological features, and the expression of endothelial cadherin, nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and caveolin-1. The top two upregulated proteins, DNAJ homolog subfamily B member 11 and pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 2, are promising and sensitive predictors of cardiac microvascular endothelial damage. HCMECs expose to endothelial IRI-derived DAMP, the lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly increased compared with the control group (10.15 ± 1.03 vs 17.67 ± 1.19, respectively). Following treatment with endothelial IRI-derived DAMPs, actin-filament dysregulation, and downregulation of vascular endothelial cadherin, caveolin-1, and eNOS expressions were observed, along with cell death. In conclusion, the early protein DAMPs released during cardiac microvascular endothelial IRI could serve as novel candidate biomarkers for acute myocardial IRI. Distinct features of impaired plasma membrane integrity can help identify therapeutic targets to mitigate the detrimental consequences mediated of endothelial IRI-derived DAMPs.

Keywords: Cardiac microvascular endothelial cells; Damage-associated molecular patterns; Endothelial nitric oxide synthase; Ischemia reperfusion injury; Vascular endothelial-cadherin.