A urocortina 2 (Ucn2) é um peptídeo que pertence à família dos fatores liberadores de corticotrofina (CRF) e, assim como seu receptor específico CRF2R? (corticotropin releasing factor receptor type 2?), encontram-se expressos no músculo esquelético. Embora tenha sido demonstrado que o tratamento sistêmico com Ucn2 seja capaz de induzir hipertrofia e prevenir a perda de massa muscular, nada se conhece acerca dos mecanismos moleculares através dos quais a Ucn2 desempenha suas ações biológicas. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o mecanismo de ação da Ucn2 no músculo esquelético de roedores para o aparecimento da resposta hipertrófica e a possível participação das vias de sinalização Akt/mTOR, Akt/Foxo e ERK1/2 neste efeito anabólico. Para isto foi utilizado o modelo de transfecção in vivo da Ucn2 pelo método da eletroporação em músculos tibialis anterior de camundongos. Nestes músculos foram quantificados: 1) o estado de fosforilação de componentes efetores destas vias; 2) moléculas sinalizadoras da via autofágica; 3) a taxa de síntese proteica in vivo e 4) a expressão de genes relacionados à atrofia muscular (atrogenes). Outra metodologia utilizada para verificar o efeito direto da Ucn2 na musculatura esquelética foi a incubação in vitro de músculos soleus e EDL isolados de roedores com este peptídeo a fim de investigar a taxa de degradação proteica total, bem como a atividade dos sistemas proteolíticos lisossomal¸ ubiquitina-proteassoma e dependente de Ca+2. A superexpressão in vivo da Ucn2 por 14 dias promoveu hipertrofia e preveniu a atrofia em músculos tibialis anterior de camundongos normais e submetidos ao modelo de desnervação motora isquiática.Resumo Este crescimento muscular induzido pela Ucn2 in vivo foi associado a ativação das vias de sinalização AMPc/PKA/CREB, AMPc/Epac, Akt/mTOR/S6, Akt/mTOR/4E-BP1 e ERK1/2/eIF4E com consequente estimulação da síntese proteica. Em concordância, utilizando uma técnica de manipulação genética in vivo, demonstramos que a hipertrofia promovida pela Ucn2 é dependente da estimulação das cascatas de sinalização ativadas por Akt e ERK1/2. Ademais, essa alteração fenotípica promovida pela Ucn2 induziu melhora da resistência à fadiga muscular, sendo este impacto funcional dependentente de ERK1/2, mas não de Akt. Além disso, a superexpressão da Ucn2 induziu \"shifting\" para o tipo de fibra oxidativa (tipo I), sendo esta plasticidade possivelmente mediada por PGC-1?, o que pode ter contribuído pelo menos em parte, para o efeito benéfico promovido pela Ucn2 na função muscular. O efeito antiatrófico da Ucn2 in vivo foi associado à estimulação da via Akt/Foxo1,3 concomitante com a redução da atividade transcricional de Foxo, resultando na diminuição da expressão da E3-ligase atrogin-1 e do gene autofágico LC3. Em paralelo, a Ucn2 in vivo promoveu inibição do fluxo autofágico, inferido pelo acúmulo das proteínas LC3-I, LC3-II e p62 nestes músculos. Corroborando os achados in vivo, os efeitos antiproteolíticos da Ucn2 in vitro parecem ser mediados pelo AMPc e envolvem a supressão da atividade do sistema lisossomal/autofágico em músculos EDL de ratos normais. Portanto, além da participação de efetores dowsntream do AMPc, como PKA e EPAC, diferentes quinases participam dos efeitos biológicos da Ucn2 na musculatura esquelética. Esses resultados são importantes para caracterizar novas estratégias terapêuticas capazes de atuar no combate à atrofia muscular em diversas situações catabólicas. / Urocortin 2 (Ucn2) is a peptide that belongs to corticotrophin releasing factors (CRF) family and, as well as its specific receptor CRF2R? (corticotropin releasing factor receptor type 2?), are expressed in skeletal muscle. Although it has been demonstrated that Ucn2 systemic treatment is able to induce hypertrophy and prevent loss of muscle mass, nothing is known about the molecular mechanisms through which Ucn2 plays its biological actions. The main objective of this work was to investigate the Ucn2 mechanism of action in rodent skeletal muscle for the appearance of the hypertrophic response and the possible participation of Akt/mTOR, Akt/Foxo and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in this anabolic effect. For this, an in vivo transfection model of Ucn2 was used by the electroporation method in tibialis anterior muscles of mice. Were quantified in these muscles: 1) the phosphorylation state of effector components of these pathways; 2) signaling molecules of the autophagic pathway; 3) the rate of protein synthesis in vivo and 4) the expression of genes related to muscle atrophy (atrogenes). Another methodology used to verify the direct effect of Ucn2 in skeletal muscle was the incubation of soleus and EDL muscles isolated from rodents with this peptide in vitro in order to investigate the total rate of protein degradation, as well as the activity of the lysosomal, ubiquitin-proteasome and Ca+2 dependent proteolytic systems. Ucn2 overexpression in vivo for 14 days promoted hypertrophy and prevented atrophy in tibialis anterior muscles of normal mice and submitted to the sciatic motor denervation model. This muscle growth induced by Ucn2 in vivo was associated with the activation ofAbstract cAMP/PKA/CREB, cAMP/Epac, Akt/mTOR/S6, Akt/mTOR/4E-BP1 and ERK1/2/eIF4E signaling pathways with consequent stimulation of protein synthesis. In agreement, using a genetic manipulation technique in vivo, we demonstrated that the hypertrophy promoted by Ucn2 is dependent on the stimulation of the signaling cascades activated by Akt and ERK1/2. In addition, this phenotypic alteration promoted by Ucn2 induced an improvement in muscle fatigue resistance, being this functional impact dependent on ERK1/2, but not on Akt. Moreover, Ucn2 overexpression in vivo induced the shift to type I oxidative fiber, and this plasticity is possibly mediated by PGC-1?, which may have contributed at least in part to the beneficial effect promoted by Ucn2 in muscle function. The anti-atrophic effect of Ucn2 in vivo was associated with the stimulation of Akt/Foxo1,3 pathway concomitant with the reduction of Foxo transcriptional activity, resulting in a decrease in the expression of the atrogin-1 E3-ligase and of the autophagic gene LC3. In parallel, Ucn2 in vivo promoted inhibition of autophagic flow, inferred by the accumulation of LC3-I, LC3-II and p62 proteins in these muscles. Corroborating the in vivo findings, the antiproteolytic effects of Ucn2 in vitro appear to be mediated by cAMP and involve the suppression of lysosomal/autophagic system activity in EDL muscles of normal rats. Thus, in addition to the participation of cAMP dowsntream effectors, such as PKA and EPAC, different kinases participate in the biological effects of Ucn2 on skeletal muscle. These results are important to characterize new therapeutic strategies able to prevent muscular atrophy in several catabolic situations.

O remodelamento cardíaco é uma sequela da hipertensão. Receptores do tipo Toll (TLRs) pertencem a imunidade inata e sua ativação produz moléculas inflamatórias. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a participação do TLR4 no remodelamento cardíaco de ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR). Utilizamos SHR e Wistar de 6 e 21 semanas. O nível do RNAm do TLR4 de SHR de 21 semanas é maior em relação aos outros grupos. Outros grupos de Wistar e SHR de 19 semanas foram tratados com anticorpo anti-TLR4, os controles receberam anticorpo IgG inespecífico. Observamos redução no nível do RNAm do TLR4 e MyD88 e expressão protéica do TLR4, MyD88, TNF-<font face=\"symbol\">a e IL-1<font face=\"symbol\">b de SHR anti-TLR4 em relação aos SHR controle. Não houve alteração nos valores pressóricos. Verificamos redução no nível do RNAm de colágenos I e III, de metaloproteinases 2 e 9, de ANP, BNP e <font face=\"symbol\">a-actina esquelética e de deposição de colágeno, área e diâmetro de cardiomiócitos de SHR anti-TLR4 em relação aos SHR controle. Nossos resultados sugerem que o TLR4 participa do processo de remodelamento cardíaco de SHR adultos. / The cardiac remodeling is a sequel of hypertension. Toll-Like Receptors (TLR) are innate immunity receptor and its activation produces inflammatory molecules. The objective of this study was to evaluate the involvement of TLR4 in cardiac remodeling of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). We used male Wistar and SHR with 6 and 21 weeks. The level of TLR4 mRNA in SHR with 21 weeks is higher than the other groups. Wistar and SHR with 19 weeks were treated with anti-TLR4 or nonspecific IgG antibody (control group). We observed a reduction in the level of TLR4 and MyD88 mRNA and protein expression of TLR4, MyD88, TNF-<font face=\"symbol\">a and IL-1<font face=\"symbol\">b in anti-TLR4 SHR compared to control SHR. There was no change in blood pressure values in SHR after anti-TLR4 treatment. We observed reduction in mRNA level of collagens I and III, metalloproteinases 2 and 9, ANP, BNP, <font face=\"symbol\">a-skeletal actin, collagen deposition, cardiomyocyte area and diameter in anti-TLR4 SHR compared to control SHR. Our results suggest that TLR4 participates of cardiac remodeling process in adults SHR.

A hipertrofia cardíaca é caracterizada como um aumento da massa cardíaca e é considerada um mau prognóstico e está associada as diversas formas de insuficiência cardíaca. No entanto, outra forma de resposta hipertrófica pode ser gerada por meio do treinamento físico, o qual produz aumento proporcional da espessura da parede, levando ao fenótipo conhecido como \"coração de atleta\", onde há uma preservação ou melhora na função cardíaca. Ambos fenótipos de remodelamento cardíaco estão estritamente associados às vias canônicas e não canônicas do sistema renina angiotensina (SRA). Estudo prévio do nosso grupo demonstrou, que o treinamento físico aeróbio alterou a expressão de microRNAs envolvidos na regulação do SRA, em especial na regulação da expressão das enzimas chave deste sistema, a enzima conversora de angiotensina 1 (ECA) e enzima conversora de angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Porém, ainda pouco se sabe sobre o papel dos microRNAs na modulação do SRA local cardíaco em resposta ao treinamento físico. O presente estudo teve como objetivo traçar o perfil de expressão de microRNAs entre camundongos treinados e com superexpressão de ECA2 cardíaca. Nós utilizamos para isso, camundongos da linhagem C57BL/6 divididos em três grupos experimentais: 1) Sedentário 2) Grupo Treinado e com 3) superexpressão de ECA2 no coração. A superexpressão de ECA2 cardíaca resultou em aumento da massa cardíaca e na alteração de 14 microRNAs em relação ao grupo controle e o treinamento aeróbio embora não tenha apresentado alteração na massa cardíaca, alterou 4 microRNAs em relação ao controle. Destes microRNAs, 3 microRNAs (-133a-5p, -208a-3p e -215) foram confirmados por RT-qPCR. A busca por alvos preditos destes microRNAs gerou uma lista de 418 genes que resultou em 24 vias de sinalização via KEGG Pathway. Destas, atenção foi dada para as vias pró-hipertróficas de PI3K e MAPK que são conhecidas por participarem do remodelamento cardíaco fisiológico e patológico / Cardiac hypertrophy is characterized as an increase in heart mass and is considered a poor prognostic sign, being associated with the various forms of heart failure. However, another form of hypertrophic response can be generated through physical training, which produces a proportional increase in wall thickness, leading to the phenotype known as the \"athlete\'s heart,\" where there is preservation or improvement in cardiac function. Both phenotypes of cardiac remodeling are strictly associated with the canonical and noncanonical pathways of the renin angiotensin system (RAS). A previous study of our group demonstrated that aerobic physical training altered the expression of microRNAs involved in the regulation of RAS, especially in the regulation of the expression of the key enzymes of this system, angiotensin converting enzyme 1 (ACE) and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). However, little is known about the role of microRNAs in modulating cardiac local RAS in response to physical training. The present study aimed to identify the expression profile of microRNAs between trained mice and mice with overexpression of cardiac ACE2. We used C57BL/6 lineage mice divided into three experimental groups: 1) Sedentary 2) Trained Group and 3) overexpression of cardiac ACE2. The overexpression of cardiac ACE2 resulted in an increase in cardiac mass and in the alteration of 14 microRNAs in relation to the control group and the aerobic training, although it did not present alterations in the cardiac mass, altered 4 microRNAs in relation to the control. Of these microRNAs, 3 microRNAs (-133a-5p, -208a-3p and -215-5p) were confirmed by RT-qPCR. The search for predicted targets of these microRNAs generated a list of 418 genes that resulted in 24 signaling pathways via KEGG Pathway. Of these, attention was given to the pro-hypertrophic pathways of PI3K and MAPK that are known to participate in physiological and pathological cardiac remodeling

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ShcA (Src Homology and Collagen A) est une protéine adaptatrice qui se lie à la partie cytoplasmique de LRP1 (Low Density Lipoprotein-related receptor 1), un récepteur transmembranaire qui protège contre l'athérosclérose. La calcification vasculaire est une complication majeure de cette maladie et ses mécanismes ressemblent au processus d’ostéochondrogenèse. Nous avons étudié le rôle de ShcA endothélial dans la formation des lésions d’athérosclérose ainsi que les rôles de ShcA et LRP1 dans la chondrogenèse. ShcA endothélial participe à la formation des lésions d’athérosclérose in-vivo. En inhibant la NOS endothéliale et activant l’expression de ICAM-1 via ZEB1, ShcA favorise l’adhésion des monocytes. La suppression de ShcA dans les chondrocytes a conduit au développement de souris présentant un phénotype de nanisme par une inhibition de la différenciation hypertrophique des chondrocytes. Ceci conduit également à une diminution du développement de l’arthrose liée au vieillissement. La suppression de LRP1 dans les chondrocytes conduit également à un phénotype de nanisme chez la souris, mais par des mécanismes différents. / ShcA (Src Homology and Collagen A) is an adaptor protein that binds to the cytoplasmic tail of the Low Density Lipoprotein-related receptor1 (LRP1), a trans-membrane receptor that protects against atherosclerosis. Vascular calcification is a major complication of this disease and its mechanisms highly resemble the process of osteochondrogenesis. We studied the role of endothelial ShcA in atherosclerotic lesion formation as well as the roles of ShcA and LRP1 in chondogenesis. Endothelial ShcA participates in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions in-vivo. By inhibiting endothelial NOS and activating the expression of ICAM-1 via ZEB1, ShcA enhances monocyte adhesion. The deletion of ShcA in chondrocytes led to the development of mice with a dwarfism phenotype by inhibiting chondrocyte hypertrophic differentiation. This also led to a decrease in the development of age-related osteoarthritis. The deletion of LRP1 in chondrocytes also led to a dwarfism phenotype in our mouse model, but trough different mechanisms.

No description available.

<p>Evidence has shown that hypoxic hearts have greater heart/fetus mass ratio. However, it is still unclear if either hyperplasia or hypertrophy causes the relatively increased heart mass. Furthermore, the genes that might be involved in the process have not yet been identified. In the present study, the cardiac transcriptome was analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes related to hypoxia. Eggs were incubated for 15 and 19 days in two different environments, normoxic and hypoxic. Normalized microarray results were analyzed to isolate differentially expressed probes using the Affymetrix chip. Total RNA was also isolated from another set of fetuses incubated in the same conditions and used to perform a qPCR in order to confirm the microarray results. In the four groups (15N, 15H, 19N, 19H), some probes were differentially expressed. From the eggs incubated for 15 days, the microarray revealed five probes that were differentially expressed according to the criteria (p<0.01 and absolute fold change FC>2) in the two programs (PLIER & RMA) used to normalize the data. From the eggs incubated up to 19 days, eight probes were differentially expressed in both programs. No further tests were performed on the 19 days fetuses since there was no significant difference in that group after incubation for the heart/fetus mass ratio. Apolipoprotein-A1, p22, similar to ENS-1 and b2 adrenergic receptor were further tested in qPCR (15 days sample). The differently expressed genes are linked to cell division and should be further studied to identify their function, especially the similar to ENS-1.</p>

<p>Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and the insulin resistance syndrome are common conditions associated with a markedly increased cardiovascular risk. In a fairly large prospective longitudinal study of men from the general population, we found that an unfavorable serum fatty acid profile and components of the insulin resistance syndrome such as dyslipidemia, obesity and hypertension at age 50 predicted the prevalence of LVH at age 70. In cross-sectional analyses at age 70, several components of the insulin resistancesyndrome were significantly related to left ventricular relative wall thickness and concentric remodeling, but less to LVH. Left ventricular relative wall thickness was inversely related to insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle and borderline significantly directly related to insulin sensitivity in the myocardium in a healthy, normotensive sample of the cohort investigated with positron emission tomography, whereas left ventricular mass index was not related to myocardial or skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity. At age 70, echocardiographic LVH was related to a variety of common electrocardiographic diagnoses. In a prospective mortality analysis with baseline at age 70 and a median follow-up time of five years, echocardiographic and electrocardiographic LVH predicted mortality independently of each other and of other cardiovascular risk factors, implying that echocardiographic and electrocardiographic LVH in part carry different prognostic information.</p><p>In summary, components of the insulin resistance syndrome predicted LVH twenty years later, but were cross-sectionally more related to increased left ventricular relative wall thickness and concentric remodeling. Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic LVH predicted mortality independently of each other and of components of the insulin resistance syndrome.</p>

Angiotensin II signals cardiovascular disease through metalloproteinases including MMP-2, MMP-7 and ADAM-17/TACE. We hypothesized that these metalloproteinases regulate each other at the transcriptional level. Further, MMP-2, being a major gelatinase in cardiac and vascular tissue, could mediate angiotensin II-induced cardiovascular disease. We studied the development of hypertension (by tail cuff plethysmography), cardiac hypertrophy (by M-mode echocardiography and qRT-PCR analysis of hypertrophy marker genes) and fibrosis (by collagen staining and qRT-PCR analysis of fibrosis marker genes) in mice receiving angiotensin II. Angiotensin II induced hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis which correlated with an upregulation of MMP-2. Downregulation of MMP-2 by pharmacological inhibition and RNA interference attenuated hypertension but not cardiac hypertrophy or fibrosis. Downregulation of MMP-7 or ADAM-17/TACE by RNA interference attenuated angiotensin II-induced MMP-2 upregulation as well as hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. We conclude that MMP-2 selectively mediates angiotensin II-induced hypertension under the transcriptional control of MMP-7 and ADAM-17/TACE.