PDE2-mediated cAMP hydrolysis accelerates cardiac fibroblast to myofibroblast conversion and is antagonized by exogenous activation of cGMP signaling pathways

Recent studies suggest that the signal molecules cAMP and cGMP have antifibrotic effects by negatively regulating pathways associated with fibroblast to myofibroblast (MyoCF) conversion. The phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2) has the unique property to be stimulated by cGMP, which leads to a remarkable incr...

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Published in:American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology 2014-04, Vol.306 (8), p.H1246-H1252
Main Authors: Vettel, C, Lämmle, S, Ewens, S, Cervirgen, C, Emons, J, Ongherth, A, Dewenter, M, Lindner, D, Westermann, D, Nikolaev, V O, Lutz, S, Zimmermann, W H, El-Armouche, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Animals, Newborn
Atrial Natriuretic Factor - pharmacology
Biosynthesis
Cardiomyocytes
Cells, Cultured
Cyclic AMP - metabolism
Cyclic GMP - physiology
Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 2 - genetics
Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 2 - physiology
Enzymes
Fibroblasts - drug effects
Fibroblasts - enzymology
Fibroblasts - physiology
Gene Expression
Hydrolysis
Myocardium - cytology
Myocytes, Cardiac - enzymology
Myofibroblasts - physiology
Nitric Oxide Donors - pharmacology
Nitroprusside - pharmacology
Peptides
Rats
Receptors, Adrenergic, beta - physiology
Signal transduction
Signal Transduction - physiology
Stress response
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Summary:Recent studies suggest that the signal molecules cAMP and cGMP have antifibrotic effects by negatively regulating pathways associated with fibroblast to myofibroblast (MyoCF) conversion. The phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2) has the unique property to be stimulated by cGMP, which leads to a remarkable increase in cAMP hydrolysis and thus mediates a negative cross-talk between both pathways. PDE2 has been recently investigated in cardiomyocytes; here we specifically addressed its role in fibroblast conversion and cardiac fibrosis. PDE2 is abundantly expressed in both neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and cardiomyocytes. The overexpression of PDE2 in CFs strongly reduced basal and isoprenaline-induced cAMP synthesis, and this decrease was sufficient to induce MyoCF conversion even in the absence of exogenous profibrotic stimuli. Functional stress-strain experiments with fibroblast-derived engineered connective tissue (ECT) demonstrated higher stiffness in ECTs overexpressing PDE2. In regard to cGMP, neither basal nor atrial natriuretic peptide-induced cGMP levels were affected by PDE2, whereas the response to nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside was slightly but significantly reduced. Interestingly, despite persistently depressed cAMP levels, both cGMP-elevating stimuli were able to completely prevent the PDE2-induced MyoCF phenotype, arguing for a double-tracked mechanism. In conclusion, PDE2 accelerates CF to MyoCF conversion, which leads to greater stiffness in ECTs. Atrial natriuretic peptide- and sodium nitroprusside-mediated cGMP synthesis completely reverses PDE2-induced fibroblast conversion. Thus PDE2 may augment cardiac remodeling, but this effect can also be overcome by enhanced cGMP. The redundant role of cAMP and cGMP as antifibrotic meditators may be viewed as a protective mechanism in heart failure.
ISSN:0363-6135
1522-1539
DOI:10.1152/ajpheart.00852.2013