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ABSTRACT: Background
A hallmark of heart failure is impaired cytoplasmic Ca(2+) handling of cardiomyocytes. It remains unknown whether specific alterations in nuclear Ca(2+) handling via altered excitation-transcription coupling contribute to the development and progression of heart failure.Methods and results
Using tissue and isolated cardiomyocytes from nonfailing and failing human hearts, as well as mouse and rabbit models of hypertrophy and heart failure, we provide compelling evidence for structural and functional changes of the nuclear envelope and nuclear Ca(2+) handling in cardiomyocytes as remodeling progresses. Increased nuclear size and less frequent intrusions of the nuclear envelope into the nuclear lumen indicated altered nuclear structure that could have functional consequences. In the (peri)nuclear compartment, there was also reduced expression of Ca(2+) pumps and ryanodine receptors, increased expression of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, and differential orientation among these Ca(2+) transporters. These changes were associated with altered nucleoplasmic Ca(2+) handling in cardiomyocytes from hypertrophied and failing hearts, reflected as increased diastolic Ca(2+) levels with diminished and prolonged nuclear Ca(2+) transients and slowed intranuclear Ca(2+) diffusion. Altered nucleoplasmic Ca(2+) levels were translated to higher activation of nuclear Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and nuclear export of histone deacetylases. Importantly, the nuclear Ca(2+) alterations occurred early during hypertrophy and preceded the cytoplasmic Ca(2+) changes that are typical of heart failure.Conclusions
During cardiac remodeling, early changes of cardiomyocyte nuclei cause altered nuclear Ca(2+) signaling implicated in hypertrophic gene program activation. Normalization of nuclear Ca(2+) regulation may therefore be a novel therapeutic approach to prevent adverse cardiac remodeling.
SUBMITTER: Ljubojevic S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4101040 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Ljubojevic Senka S Radulovic Snjezana S Leitinger Gerd G Sedej Simon S Sacherer Michael M Holzer Michael M Winkler Claudia C Pritz Elisabeth E Mittler Tobias T Schmidt Albrecht A Sereinigg Michael M Wakula Paulina P Zissimopoulos Spyros S Bisping Egbert E Post Heiner H Marsche Gunther G Bossuyt Julie J Bers Donald M DM Kockskämper Jens J Pieske Burkert B
Circulation 20140613 3
<h4>Background</h4>A hallmark of heart failure is impaired cytoplasmic Ca(2+) handling of cardiomyocytes. It remains unknown whether specific alterations in nuclear Ca(2+) handling via altered excitation-transcription coupling contribute to the development and progression of heart failure.<h4>Methods and results</h4>Using tissue and isolated cardiomyocytes from nonfailing and failing human hearts, as well as mouse and rabbit models of hypertrophy and heart failure, we provide compelling evidence ...[more]