Myeloid differentiation protein-88 (MyD88) is a crucial adaptor protein in the innate immune response. A protective role for MyD88 in normal cardiac function has been proposed in a surgical hypertrophic model. To assess the in vivo role of MyD88 in cardiac remodeling, we generated transgenic mice with cardiac-restricted expression of a dominant negative mutant of MyD88 (dnMyD88). Surprisingly, dnMyD88 transgenic mice displayed characteristic features of heart failure; including heart weight increase, cardiomyocytes enlargement, interstitial fibrosis, and re-expression of "fetal" genes. Echocardiographic examination of dnMyD88 hearts revealed dilated chamber volume and reduced cardiac contractility. DnMyD88 mice died from heart failure before they were 7 months old, as shown by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Additionally, the heart failure phenotype of dnMyD88 mice was associated with abnormal activation of the Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway. These data provide the first evidence that normal MyD88 signaling is crucial for maintaining the physiological function of the adult heart.
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:etsu-works-18129 |
Date | 01 November 2010 |
Creators | Chen, Wei Q., Li, Chuan Fu, Jiang, Xuan, Ruan, Hai B., Qi, Xin, Liu, Li, Zhao, Qing S., Gao, Xiang |
Publisher | Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University |
Source Sets | East Tennessee State University |
Detected Language | English |
Type | text |
Source | ETSU Faculty Works |
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