Early clinical features of new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) in adults

Peer reviewe

GATA4-targeted compound exhibits cardioprotective actions against doxorubicin-induced toxicity in vitro and in vivo : establishment of a chronic cardiotoxicity model using human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes

Doxorubicin is a widely used anticancer drug that causes dose-related cardiotoxicity. The exact mechanisms of doxorubicin toxicity are still unclear, partly because most in vitro studies have evaluated the effects of short-term high-dose doxorubicin treatments. Here, we developed an in vitro model of long-term low-dose administration of doxorubicin utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). Moreover, given that current strategies for prevention and management of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity fail to prevent cancer patients developing heart failure, we also investigated whether the GATA4-targeted compound 3i-1000 has cardioprotective potential against doxorubicin toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. The final doxorubicin concentration used in the chronic toxicity model in vitro was chosen based on cell viability data evaluation. Exposure to doxorubicin at the concentrations of 1-3 mu M markedly reduced (60%) hiPSC-CM viability already within 48 h, while a 14-day treatment with 100 nM doxorubicin concentration induced only a modest 26% reduction in hiPCS-CM viability. Doxorubicin treatment also decreased DNA content in hiPSC-CMs. Interestingly, the compound 3i-1000 attenuated doxorubicin-induced increase in pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) expression and caspase-3/7 activation in hiPSC-CMs. Moreover, treatment with 3i-1000 for 2 weeks (30 mg/kg/day, i.p.) inhibited doxorubicin cardiotoxicity by restoring left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening in chronic in vivo rat model. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that long-term exposure of hiPSC-CMs can be utilized as an in vitro model of delayed doxorubicin-induced toxicity and provide in vitro and in vivo evidence that targeting GATA4 may be an effective strategy to counteract doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.Peer reviewe

GATA-targeted compounds modulate cardiac subtype cell differentiation in dual reporter stem cell line

BackgroundPharmacological modulation of cell fate decisions and developmental gene regulatory networks holds promise for the treatment of heart failure. Compounds that target tissue-specific transcription factors could overcome non-specific effects of small molecules and lead to the regeneration of heart muscle following myocardial infarction. Due to cellular heterogeneity in the heart, the activation of gene programs representing specific atrial and ventricular cardiomyocyte subtypes would be highly desirable. Chemical compounds that modulate atrial and ventricular cell fate could be used to improve subtype-specific differentiation of endogenous or exogenously delivered progenitor cells in order to promote cardiac regeneration.MethodsTranscription factor GATA4-targeted compounds that have previously shown in vivo efficacy in cardiac injury models were tested for stage-specific activation of atrial and ventricular reporter genes in differentiating pluripotent stem cells using a dual reporter assay. Chemically induced gene expression changes were characterized by qRT-PCR, global run-on sequencing (GRO-seq) and immunoblotting, and the network of cooperative proteins of GATA4 and NKX2-5 were further explored by the examination of the GATA4 and NKX2-5 interactome by BioID. Reporter gene assays were conducted to examine combinatorial effects of GATA-targeted compounds and bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) inhibition on chamber-specific gene expression.ResultsGATA4-targeted compounds 3i-1000 and 3i-1103 were identified as differential modulators of atrial and ventricular gene expression. More detailed structure-function analysis revealed a distinct subclass of GATA4/NKX2-5 inhibitory compounds with an acetyl lysine-like domain that contributed to ventricular cells (%Myl2-eGFP+). Additionally, BioID analysis indicated broad interaction between GATA4 and BET family of proteins, such as BRD4. This indicated the involvement of epigenetic modulators in the regulation of GATA-dependent transcription. In this line, reporter gene assays with combinatorial treatment of 3i-1000 and the BET bromodomain inhibitor (+)-JQ1 demonstrated the cooperative role of GATA4 and BRD4 in the modulation of chamber-specific cardiac gene expression.ConclusionsCollectively, these results indicate the potential for therapeutic alteration of cell fate decisions and pathological gene regulatory networks by GATA4-targeted compounds modulating chamber-specific transcriptional programs in multipotent cardiac progenitor cells and cardiomyocytes. The compound scaffolds described within this study could be used to develop regenerative strategies for myocardial regeneration.Peer reviewe

GSK3β Serine 389 Phosphorylation Modulates Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy and Ischemic Injury

Prior studies show that glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) contributes to cardiac ischemic injury and cardiac hypertrophy. GSK3β is constitutionally active and phosphorylation of GSK3β at serine 9 (S9) inactivates the kinase and promotes cellular growth. GSK3β is also phosphorylated at serine 389 (S389), but the significance of this phosphorylation in the heart is not known. We analyzed GSK3β S389 phosphorylation in diseased hearts and utilized overexpression of GSK3β carrying ser→ala mutations at S9 (S9A) and S389 (S389A) to study the biological function of constitutively active GSK3β in primary cardiomyocytes. We found that phosphorylation of GSK3β at S389 was increased in left ventricular samples from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic cardiomyopathy, and in hearts of mice subjected to thoracic aortic constriction. Overexpression of either GSK3β S9A or S389A reduced the viability of cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia–reoxygenation. Overexpression of double GSK3β mutant (S9A/S389A) further reduced cardiomyocyte viability. Determination of protein synthesis showed that overexpression of GSK3β S389A or GSK3β S9A/S389A increased both basal and agonist-induced cardiomyocyte growth. Mechanistically, GSK3β S389A mutation was associated with activation of mTOR complex 1 signaling. In conclusion, our data suggest that phosphorylation of GSK3β at S389 enhances cardiomyocyte survival and protects from cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

GSK3β Serine 389 Phosphorylation Modulates Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy and Ischemic Injury

Prior studies show that glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) contributes to cardiac ischemic injury and cardiac hypertrophy. GSK3β is constitutionally active and phosphorylation of GSK3β at serine 9 (S9) inactivates the kinase and promotes cellular growth. GSK3β is also phosphorylated at serine 389 (S389), but the significance of this phosphorylation in the heart is not known. We analyzed GSK3β S389 phosphorylation in diseased hearts and utilized overexpression of GSK3β carrying ser→ala mutations at S9 (S9A) and S389 (S389A) to study the biological function of constitutively active GSK3β in primary cardiomyocytes. We found that phosphorylation of GSK3β at S389 was increased in left ventricular samples from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic cardiomyopathy, and in hearts of mice subjected to thoracic aortic constriction. Overexpression of either GSK3β S9A or S389A reduced the viability of cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia–reoxygenation. Overexpression of double GSK3β mutant (S9A/S389A) further reduced cardiomyocyte viability. Determination of protein synthesis showed that overexpression of GSK3β S389A or GSK3β S9A/S389A increased both basal and agonist-induced cardiomyocyte growth. Mechanistically, GSK3β S389A mutation was associated with activation of mTOR complex 1 signaling. In conclusion, our data suggest that phosphorylation of GSK3β at S389 enhances cardiomyocyte survival and protects from cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

Discovery of Small Molecules Targeting the Synergy of Cardiac Transcription Factors GATA4 and NKX2-5

Transcription factors are pivotal regulators of gene transcription, and many diseases are associated with the deregulation of transcriptional networks. In the heart, the transcription factors GATA4 and NKX2-5 are required for cardiogenesis. GATA4 and NKX2-5 interact physically, and the activation of GATA4, in cooperation with NKX2-5, is essential for stretch-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Here, we report the identification of four small molecule families that either inhibit or enhance the GATA4-NKX2-5 transcriptional synergy. A fragment-based screening, reporter gene assay, and pharmacophore search were utilized for the small molecule screening, identification, and optimization. The compounds modulated the hypertrophic agonist-induced cardiac gene expression. The most potent hit compound, N-[4-(diethylamino)phenyl]-5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazole-4-carboxamide (3, IC50 = 3 mu M), exhibited no activity on the protein kinases involved in the regulation of GATA4 phosphorylation. The identified and chemically and biologically characterized active compound, and its derivatives may provide a novel class of small molecules for modulating heart regeneration.Peer reviewe

GSK3β Serine 389 Phosphorylation Modulates Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy and Ischemic Injury

Prior studies show that glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) contributes to cardiac ischemic injury and cardiac hypertrophy. GSK3β is constitutionally active and phosphorylation of GSK3β at serine 9 (S9) inactivates the kinase and promotes cellular growth. GSK3β is also phosphorylated at serine 389 (S389), but the significance of this phosphorylation in the heart is not known. We analyzed GSK3β S389 phosphorylation in diseased hearts and utilized overexpression of GSK3β carrying ser→ala mutations at S9 (S9A) and S389 (S389A) to study the biological function of constitutively active GSK3β in primary cardiomyocytes. We found that phosphorylation of GSK3β at S389 was increased in left ventricular samples from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic cardiomyopathy, and in hearts of mice subjected to thoracic aortic constriction. Overexpression of either GSK3β S9A or S389A reduced the viability of cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia–reoxygenation. Overexpression of double GSK3β mutant (S9A/S389A) further reduced cardiomyocyte viability. Determination of protein synthesis showed that overexpression of GSK3β S389A or GSK3β S9A/S389A increased both basal and agonist-induced cardiomyocyte growth. Mechanistically, GSK3β S389A mutation was associated with activation of mTOR complex 1 signaling. In conclusion, our data suggest that phosphorylation of GSK3β at S389 enhances cardiomyocyte survival and protects from cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

Synthesis, identification and structure-activity relationship analysis of GATA4 and NKX2-5 protein-protein interaction modulators

Transcription factors GATA4 and NKX2-5 directly interact and synergistically activate several cardiac genes and stretch-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Previously, we identified phenylisoxazole carboxamide 1 as a hit compound, which inhibited the GATA4-NKX2-5 transcriptional synergy. Here, the chemical space around the molecular structure of 1 was explored by synthesizing and characterizing 220 derivatives and structurally related compounds. In addition to the synergistic transcriptional activation, selected compounds were evaluated for their effects on transcriptional activities of GATA4 and NKX2-5 individually as well as potential cytotoxicity. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis revealed that the aromatic isoxazole substituent in the southern part regulates the inhibition of GATA4-NKX2-5 transcriptional synergy. Moreover, inhibition of GATA4 transcriptional activity correlated with the reduced cell viability. In summary, comprehensive SAR analysis accompanied by data analysis successfully identified potent and selective inhibitors of GATA4-NKX2-5 transcriptional synergy and revealed structural features important for it.Peer reviewe

Cardiac Actions of a Small Molecule Inhibitor Targeting GATA4-NKX2-5 Interaction

Transcription factors are fundamental regulators of gene transcription, and many diseases, such as heart diseases, are associated with deregulation of transcriptional networks. In the adult heart, zinc-finger transcription factor GATA4 is a critical regulator of cardiac repair and remodelling. Previous studies also suggest that NKX2-5 plays function role as a cofactor of GATA4. We have recently reported the identification of small molecules that either inhibit or enhance the GATA4-NKX2-5 transcriptional synergy. Here, we examined the cardiac actions of a potent inhibitor (3i-1000) of GATA4-NKX2-5 interaction in experimental models of myocardial ischemic injury and pressure overload. In mice after myocardial infarction, 3i-1000 significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening, and attenuated myocardial structural changes. The compound also improved cardiac function in an experimental model of angiotensin II-mediated hypertension in rats. Furthermore, the up-regulation of cardiac gene expression induced by myocardial infarction and ischemia reduced with treatment of 3i-1000 or when micro-and nanoparticles loaded with 3i-1000 were injected intramyocardially or intravenously, respectively. The compound inhibited stretch- and phenylephrine-induced hypertrophic response in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. These results indicate significant potential for small molecules targeting GATA4-NKX2-5 interaction to promote myocardial repair after myocardial infarction and other cardiac injuries

GATA4-targeted compound exhibits cardioprotective actions against doxorubicin-induced toxicity in vitro and in vivo:establishment of a chronic cardiotoxicity model using human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes

Abstract Doxorubicin is a widely used anticancer drug that causes dose-related cardiotoxicity. The exact mechanisms of doxorubicin toxicity are still unclear, partly because most in vitro studies have evaluated the effects of short-term high-dose doxorubicin treatments. Here, we developed an in vitro model of long-term low-dose administration of doxorubicin utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). Moreover, given that current strategies for prevention and management of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity fail to prevent cancer patients developing heart failure, we also investigated whether the GATA4-targeted compound 3i-1000 has cardioprotective potential against doxorubicin toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. The final doxorubicin concentration used in the chronic toxicity model in vitro was chosen based on cell viability data evaluation. Exposure to doxorubicin at the concentrations of 1–3 µM markedly reduced (60%) hiPSC-CM viability already within 48 h, while a 14-day treatment with 100 nM doxorubicin concentration induced only a modest 26% reduction in hiPCS-CM viability. Doxorubicin treatment also decreased DNA content in hiPSC-CMs. Interestingly, the compound 3i-1000 attenuated doxorubicin-induced increase in pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) expression and caspase-3/7 activation in hiPSC-CMs. Moreover, treatment with 3i-1000 for 2 weeks (30 mg/kg/day, i.p.) inhibited doxorubicin cardiotoxicity by restoring left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening in chronic in vivo rat model. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that long-term exposure of hiPSC-CMs can be utilized as an in vitro model of delayed doxorubicin-induced toxicity and provide in vitro and in vivo evidence that targeting GATA4 may be an effective strategy to counteract doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity