Biomedical subjects

Kensuke Egashira

Publications and source records attributed to Kensuke Egashira.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

Essential role of vascular endothelial growth factor in angiotensin II-induced vascular inflammation and remodeling.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and activates vascular inflammation. However, the decisive role of VEGF in Ang II-induced vascular inflammation and remodeling has not been addressed. Ang II infusion to wild-type mice increased local expression of VEGF and its receptors in cells of aortic wall and plasma VEGF, and caused aortic inflammation (monocyte infiltration) and remodeling (wall thickening and fibrosis). Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha colocalized with VEGF-positive cell types. Blockade of VEGF by the soluble VEGF receptor 1 (sFlt-1) gene transfer attenuated the Ang II-induced inflammation and remodeling. The sFlt-1 gene transfer also inhibited the increased expression of VEGF and inflammatory factors such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. In contrast, sFlt-1 gene transfer did not affect Ang II-induced arterial hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. VEGF is an essential mediator in Ang II-induced vascular inflammation and structural changes through its proinflammatory actions.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2004

cAMP-response element-binding protein mediates tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced vascular smooth muscle cell migration.

OBJECTIVE: Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contributes to formation of vascular stenotic lesions such as atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty. Previous studies have demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a potent migration factor for VSMCs. cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) is the stimulus-induced transcription factor and activates transcription of target genes such as c-fos and interleukin-6. We examined whether CREB is involved in TNF-alpha-induced VSMC migration. METHODS AND RESULTS: TNF-alpha induced CREB phosphorylation with a peak at 15 minutes of stimulation. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) inhibited TNF-alpha-induced CREB phosphorylation. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of dominant-negative form of CREB suppressed TNF-alpha-induced CREB phosphorylation and c-fos mRNA expression. VSMC migration was evaluated using a Boyden chamber. Overexpression of dominant-negative form of CREB suppressed VSMC migration as well as Rac1 expression induced by TNF-alpha. Overexpression of dominant-negative Rac1 also inhibited TNF-alpha-induced VSMC migration. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that p38-MAPK/CREB/Rac1 pathway plays a critical role in TNF-alpha-induced VSMC migration and may be a novel therapeutic target for vascular stenotic lesion. Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contributes to formation of vascular stenotic lesions. TNF-alpha, a potent migration factor for VSMCs, activated CREB through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK). CREB inhibition suppressed TNF-alpha-induced VSMC migration and Rac1 expression. These results suggest p38-MAPK/CREB/Rac1 pathway mediates TNF-alpha-induced VSMC migration.

CREB-Binding Protein↗

PubMed2004

Cholesterol-lowering independent regression and stabilization of atherosclerotic lesions by pravastatin and by antimonocyte chemoattractant protein-1 therapy in nonhuman primates.

OBJECTIVE: Anti-atherosclerotic effects of statins might be mediated partly by pleiotropic cholesterol-lowering independent mechanisms. We used nonhuman primates and examined whether treatment with pravastatin or antimonocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) therapy can induce regression and stabilization of established atherosclerotic lesions through cholesterol-lowering independent mechanisms. METHODS AND RESULTS: Advanced atherosclerosis was induced in the abdominal aorta and the common iliac artery of cynomolgus monkeys by undergoing balloon injury and giving atherogenic diet for 6 months. At 6 months, the diet was changed to normal chow, and the animals were allocated to 4 treatment groups: control vehicle group and other groups treated with pravastatin (1 or 10 mg/kg) or with mutant MCP-1 gene transfection for additional 6 months. Each compound was treated instead of the atherogenic diet, and cholesterol contents in pravastatin-treated groups were adjusted to equalize plasma cholesterol level among groups. Pravastatin reduced neointimal formation in the aorta, but not in the common iliac artery. Pravastatin reduced intimal macrophage area and other markers of plaque destabilization in the common iliac artery. Equivalent inhibitory effects were observed in animals that received mutant MCP-1 gene transfection. No serious side effects were noted by 2 therapeutic modalities. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated cholesterol-lowering independent regression and stabilization of established atherosclerotic lesions by pravastatin and by anti-MCP-1 therapy in nonhuman primates. An anti-inflammatory mechanism may be involved in the beneficial effects of pravastatin.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2004

Gene transfer of stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha enhances ischemic vasculogenesis and angiogenesis via vascular endothelial growth factor/endothelial nitric oxide synthase-related pathway: next-generation chemokine therapy for therapeutic neovascularization.

BACKGROUND: Stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) is implicated as a chemokine for endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). We therefore hypothesized that SDF-1alpha gene transfer would induce therapeutic neovascularization in vivo by functioning as a chemokine of EPC. METHODS AND RESULTS: To examine SDF-1alpha-induced mobilization of EPC, we used bone marrow-transplanted mice whose blood cells ubiquitously express beta-galactosidase (LacZ). We produced unilateral hindlimb ischemia in the mice and transfected them with plasmid DNA encoding SDF-1alpha or empty plasmids into the ischemic muscles. SDF-1alpha gene transfer mobilized EPCs into the peripheral blood, augmented recovery of blood perfusion to the ischemic limb, and increased capillary density associated with partial incorporation of LacZ-positive cells into the capillaries of the ischemic limb, suggesting that SDF-1alpha induced vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. SDF-1alpha gene transfer did not affect ischemia-induced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) but did enhance Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity. Blockade of VEGF or NOS prevented all such SDF-1alpha-induced effects. CONCLUSIONS: SDF-1alpha gene transfer enhanced ischemia-induced vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in vivo through a VEGF/eNOS-related pathway. This strategy might become a novel chemokine therapy for next generation therapeutic neovascularization.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Critical role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 receptor CCR2 on monocytes in hypertension-induced vascular inflammation and remodeling.

Activated monocytes are present in the arterial walls of hypertensive patients and animals. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), which controls monocyte function through its receptor (CCR2), is implicated in hypertensive inflammatory changes in the arterial wall. The role of CCR2 expression on monocytes in hypertension-induced vascular remodeling, however, has not been addressed. We hypothesized that CCR2 on monocytes is critical in hypertension-induced vascular inflammation and remodeling. Hypertension was induced by infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II) into wild-type mice, CCR2-deficient (CCR2-/-) mice, and bone marrow-transferred mice with a leukocyte-selective CCR2 deficiency (BMT-CCR2-/-). In wild-type mice, Ang II increased CCR2 intensity in circulating monocytes, which was prevented by an Ang II type-1 (AT1) receptor blocker or blunted in AT1 receptor-deficient mice. Enhanced CCR2 intensity on monocytes was observed in hypertensive patients and rats, and was reduced by treatment with the Ang II receptor blocker, supporting the clinical relevance of the observation in mice. In CCR2-/- and BMT-CCR2-/- mice, Ang II-induced vascular inflammation and vascular remodeling (aortic wall thickening and fibrosis) were blunted as compared with control mice. In contrast, Ang II-induced left ventricular hypertrophy developed in CCR2-/- and BMT-CCR2-/- mice. The present study suggests that CCR2 expression in monocytes has a critical role in vascular inflammation and remodeling in Ang II-induced hypertension, and possibly in other forms of hypertension.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2004

Hypertensive myocardial fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction: another model of inflammation?

Excessive myocardial fibrosis deteriorates diastolic function in hypertensive hearts. Involvement of macrophages is suggested in fibrotic process in various diseased situations. We sought to examine the role of macrophages in myocardial remodeling and cardiac dysfunction in pressure-overloaded hearts. In Wistar rats with suprarenal aortic constriction, pressure overload induced perivascular macrophage accumulation and fibroblast proliferation with a peak at day 3, decreasing to lower levels by day 28. Myocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 mRNA was upregulated after day 1, peaking at day 3 and returning to insignificant levels by day 28, whereas transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta induction was observed after day 3, with a peak at day 7, and remained relatively elevated at day 28. After day 7, concentric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy developed, associated with reactive fibrosis and myocyte hypertrophy. At day 28, echocardiography showed normal LV fractional shortening but decreased ratio of early to late filling wave of transmitral Doppler velocity, and hemodynamic studies revealed elevated LV end-diastolic pressure, suggesting normal systolic but impaired diastolic function. Chronic treatment with an anti-MCP-1 monoclonal neutralizing antibody inhibited not only macrophage accumulation but also fibroblast proliferation and TGF-beta induction. Furthermore, the neutralizing antibody attenuated myocardial fibrosis, but not myocyte hypertrophy, and ameliorated diastolic dysfunction without affecting blood pressure and systolic function. In conclusion, roles of MCP-1-mediated macrophage accumulation are suggested in myocardial fibrosis in pressure-overloaded hearts through TGF-beta-mediated process. Inhibition of inflammation may be a new strategy to prevent myocardial fibrosis and resultant diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive hearts.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 is an essential inflammatory mediator in angiotensin II-induced progression of established atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic inflammatory processes might be involved in the progression and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, identification of the mechanism underlying arterial inflammatory function might lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Angiotensin II (AngII) is implicated in atherogenesis by activating the vascular inflammation system, mainly through monocyte chemotaxis. Therefore, we hypothesized that AngII increases plaque size and promotes destabilization of established atheromas by activating the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) pathway. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report here that 4-week infusion of AngII not only increased plaque size but also induced a destabilization phenotype (ie, increased macrophages and lipids and decreased collagen and smooth muscle cells) of pre-existing atherosclerotic lesions of hypercholesterolemic mice. AngII also enhanced the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNFalpha, IL-6, etc.) and chemokines (MCP-1, CCR2, etc). Blockade of MCP-1, by transfecting the deletion mutant of the human MCP-1 gene into the skeletal muscles, limited AngII-induced progression and destabilization of established atherosclerotic lesions and suppressed the induction of proinflammatory genes. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that MCP-1 functions as a central inflammatory mediator in the AngII-induced progression and changes in plaque composition of established atheroma.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2004

Bone marrow mononuclear cell therapy limits myocardial infarct size through vascular endothelial growth factor.

No prior study has examined the effect of intravenous injection of bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) on myocardial infarction size (IS). We tested the hypothesis that transplantation of MNCs decreases IS through the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Immediately after ligation of the left coronary artery of immunodeficient mice, PBS or MNCs were intravenously administered. Myocardial IS was significantly less in MNCs-treated mice than in PBS-treated mice. Trace experiments showed accumulation of exogenously administered MNCs into the vicinity of infarcted myocardium. Injection of MNCs did not affect capillary density after infarction, but did reduced myocardial cell apoptosis. Blockade of VEGF by a neutralizing antibody or by gene transfer of a soluble form of Flt-1 VEGF receptor diminished the IS-limiting effects of MNCs. In conclusion, injection of MNCs can reduce myocardial IS through the release of VEGF. The MNC therapy for acute myocardial infarction might improve prognosis of patients with myocardial infarction.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Gene therapy via blockade of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 for renal fibrosis.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, also termed monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF)/CCL2, plays an important role in progressive organ fibrosis. It was hypothesized that MCP-1, through its cognate receptor, CCR2, regulates the pathogenesis and is therapeutically of importance for renal fibrosis. To achieve this goal, the therapeutic efficacy and efficiency in renal fibrosis induced by a unilateral ureteral obstruction nephropathy model in mice by the blockade of MCP-1/CCR2 signaling was studied. The delivery of N-terminal deletion mutant of the human MCP-1 gene, 7ND, into a skeletal muscle ameliorated renal fibrosis by resulting in decrease in the deposit of type I collagen and in reduced expression of TGF-beta. Concomitantly, gene transfer of 7ND reduced the cell infiltration, most of which were CCR2-positive macrophages, followed by the decrease in MCP-1 expression in the diseased kidneys. These observations suggest that MCP-1 through CCR2 signaling is responsible for Mphi recruitment, which augments downstream events, resulting in renal fibrosis. Moreover, these findings imply that gene therapy against MCP-1/CCR2 signaling via the mutant gene transferred strategy may serve a beneficial therapeutic application for renal fibrosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Anti-monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene therapy protects against focal brain ischemia in hypertensive rats.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is expressed in the ischemic cortex after focal brain ischemia and appears to exacerbate ischemic damage. The authors examined the effect of gene transfer of dominant negative MCP-1, called 7ND, 90 minutes after induction of focal brain ischemia in hypertensive rats. Adenoviral vectors encoding mutant MCP-1 (Ad7ND; n = 11), or Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (AdlacZ; n = 17) as control were injected into the lateral ventricle of male spontaneously hypertensive rats. Both AdlacZ (n = 12) and Ad7ND (n = 6) administration provided transgene expression as early as 6 hours after injection and the expression further increased on day 1, followed by a sustained detection on day 5. Five days after ischemia, infarct volume (75 +/- 13 mm, n = 5, mean +/- SD) significantly reduced to 72% of control (104 +/- 22 mm3, n = 5, P < 0.05) by 7ND gene transfer. Numbers of leukocytes in the vessels (48.3 +/- 32.9/cm2) and macrophage/monocyte infiltration (475.2 +/- 125.5/mm2) of the infarct area in the Ad7ND group were significantly less than those measured in the AdlacZ group (143.8 +/- 72.1/cm2 and 671.8 +/- 125.5/mm2, P < 0.05, respectively). In summary, the postischemic gene transfer of dominant negative MCP-1 attenuated the infarct volume and infiltration of inflammatory cells, suggesting potential usefulness of the anti-MCP-1 gene therapy.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed2004

Anti-monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene therapy attenuates pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a proinflammatory chemokine and may play an important role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. We examined a new therapeutic strategy that comprises the transfection of the mutant MCP-1 gene into skeletal muscles as a biofactory for anti-MCP-1 therapy against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Overexpression of the mutant MCP-1 gene at 10-14 days after intratracheal instillation of bleomycin resulted in decreased DNA damage, apoptosis, and pulmonary fibrosis at 14 days. However, overexpression of the mutant MCP-1 at 0-4 days after bleomycin instillation did not result in decreased pathological grade, DNA damage, or apoptosis at 7 and 14 days. Because, in this model, inflammatory cell infiltration begins at 3 days and is followed by interstitial fibrosis, it is likely that MCP-1 has an important role to play in the development of fibrogenesis but not in the development of early lung inflammation. This method does not require the use of viral vector or neutralizing antibody, and, as such, it is possible to avoid problems regarding the pathogenicity of the viral vector or immunocomplex. This new strategy may be a beneficial method of treating pulmonary fibrosis from the viewpoint of clinical application.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Endothelial dysfunction and coronary atherosclerosis.

Increasing evidence has revealed that endothelial cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of development and progression of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction induces disruption of the balance between vasoconstrictive factors and vasodilatory factors secreted from endothelial cells. Among these factors, NO and angiotensin II are especially important factors, and have been shown to exert various direct effects on the endothelial functions that are closely related to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction induces decreased NO bioactivity and increased angiotensin II expression, which increase oxidative stress and expression of adhesion molecules, cytokines, and chemokines. These conditions mediate inflammation, proliferation, and thrombogenesis in vessel wall and promote atherosclerotic lesions. On the other hand, therapies that improve endothelial dysfunction, such as administration of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or angiotensin converting inhibitors, have been demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular events and strokes. In this article, we focus on NO and angiotensin II and describe their roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

PubMed2004

[Anti-inflammatory effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors].

It has been suggested that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors(statins) have additional cholesterol-independent pleiotropic effects on preventing coronary events and strokes. One of major pleiotropic actions of statins, which have been proposed, is anti-inflammatory effect. Statins have been shown to reduce infiltration of inflammatory cells into atherosclerotic lesions. It has been also reported that statins increase production of nitric oxide, reduce expression of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules, and lower plasma C-reactive protein levels. Although these effects may partially account for anti-inflammatory property of statins, its mechanisms are not fully understood. Therefore, further studies are expected to elucidate process of anti-inflammatory effect of statins.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Anti-monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene therapy prevents dimethylnitrosamine-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) has been implicated in the process of hepatic inflammation, recruiting monocytes and lymphocytes during liver injury. MCP-1 also activates directly hepatic stellate cells, which play a major role in hepatic fibrosis. However, it remains unclear whether blockage of MCP-1 signaling could prevent hepatic fibrosis in vivo. We evaluated a strategy for anti-MCP-1 gene therapy against hepatic fibrosis by transfecting an amino-terminal deletion mutant, lacking the amino-terminal codons 2 to 8 of the human MCP-1 gene and designated 7ND, into skeletal muscle in a rat experimental model of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced fibrosis. Anti-MCP-1 gene therapy decreased significantly the occurrence of DMN-induced hepatic fibrosis, evaluated by computed image analysis and by measurement of hydroxyproline contents of the liver, accompanied by a reduction in the expressions of alpha-smooth muscle actin. This treatment also caused a significant decrease in hepatic tissue levels of interleukin (IL)-12 (Th1 cytokine) and an increase in those of IL-10 (Th2 cytokine), indicating a change in the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in the liver. In conclusion, blockade of MCP-1 after intramuscular transfer of the 7ND gene suppressed hepatic fibrosis, and this strategy may be a useful and feasible gene therapy against hepatic fibrosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[NO and atherosclerosis].

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Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

PubMed2003

Novel anti-inflammatory actions of amlodipine in a rat model of arteriosclerosis induced by long-term inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis.

Amlodipine (a new class of calcium channel antagonist) has been shown to limit the progression of arteriosclerosis and decrease the incidence of cardiovascular events. The mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of amlodipine, however, remain unclear. Therefore, we hypothesized that amlodipine attenuates the development of arteriosclerosis through the inhibition of inflammation in vivo. Long-term inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) by administration of a NO synthase inhibitor, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), to rats induces coronary vascular inflammation [monocyte infiltration, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression, increased activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)], and arteriosclerosis. Here, we used the rat model to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of amlodipine in vivo. Treatment with amlodipine markedly inhibited the L-NAME-induced increase in vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, and local ACE and Rho activity and prevented arteriosclerosis. Interestingly, amlodipine prevented the L-NAME-induced increase in MCP-1 receptor CCR2 expression in circulating monocytes. Amlodipine markedly attenuated the high mortality rate at 8 wk of treatment. These data suggest that amlodipine attenuated arteriosclerosis through inhibiting inflammatory disorders in the rat model of long-term inhibition of NO synthesis. The anti-inflammatory effects of amlodipine seem to be mediated not only by the inhibition of local factors such as MCP-1 but also by the decrease in CCR2 in circulating monocytes. Inhibition of the MCP-1 to CCR2 pathway may represent novel anti-inflammatory actions of amlodipine beyond blood pressure lowering.

Amlodipine↗

PubMed2003

Bone marrow monocyte lineage cells adhere on injured endothelium in a monocyte chemoattractant protein-1-dependent manner and accelerate reendothelialization as endothelial progenitor cells.

Peripheral blood (PB)-derived CD14+ monocytes were shown to transdifferentiate into endothelial cell (EC) lineage cells and contribute to neovascularization. We investigated whether bone marrow (BM)- or PB-derived CD34-/CD14+ cells are involved in reendothelialization after carotid balloon injury. Although neither hematopoietic nor mesenchymal stem cells were included in human BM-derived CD34-/CD14+ monocyte lineage cells (BM-MLCs), they expressed EC-specific markers (Tie2, CD31, VE-cadherin, and endoglin) to an extent identical to mature ECs. When BM-MLCs were cultured with vascular endothelial growth factors, hematopoietic markers were drastically decreased and new EC-specific markers (Flk and CD34) were induced. BM-MLCs were intra-arterially transplanted into balloon-injured arteries of athymic nude rats. When BM-MLCs were activated by monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in vivo or in vitro, they adhered onto injured endothelium, differentiated into EC-like cells by losing hematopoietic markers, and inhibited neointimal hyperplasia. Ability to prevent neointimal hyperplasia was more efficient than that of BM-derived CD34+ cells. MCP-dependent adhesion was not observed in PB-derived CD34-/CD14+ monocytes. Regenerated endothelium exhibited a cobblestone appearance, blocked extravasation of dye, and induced NO-dependent vasorelaxation. Basal adhesive activities on HUVECs under laminar flow and beta1-integrin expression (basal and active forms) were significantly increased in BM-MLCs compared with PB-derived monocytes. MCP-1 markedly enhanced adhesive activity of BM-MLCs (2.8-fold) on HUVECs by activating beta1-integrin conformation. Thus, BM-MLCs can function as EC progenitors that are more potent than CD34+ cells and acquire the ability to adhere on injured endothelium in a MCP-1-dependent manner, leading to reendothelialization associated with inhibition of intimal hyperplasia. This will open a novel window to MCP-1-mediated biological actions and vascular regeneration strategies by cell therapy.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

PubMed2003

Anti-monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene therapy attenuates left ventricular remodeling and failure after experimental myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Increased expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) has recently been described in clinical and experimental failing heart. However, its pathophysiological significance in heart failure remains obscure. We thus determined whether MCP-1 is increased in post-myocardial infarction (MI) hearts and its blockade can attenuate the development of left ventricular (LV) remodeling and failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Anterior MI was produced in mice by ligating the left coronary artery. After 4 weeks, MI mice exerted LV dilatation and contractile dysfunction in association with myocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis of noninfarcted LV. MCP-1 mRNA levels were increased by 40-fold in noninfarcted LV 1 day after ligation, which persisted until 28 days. To block the MCP-1 signals, an N-terminal deletion mutant of the human MCP-1 gene was transfected into the limb skeletal muscle 3 days before and 14 days after ligation. This method improved the survival rate of mice with MI at 4 weeks (61% versus 87%, P<0.05) as well as attenuated LV cavity dilatation and contractile dysfunction, interstitial fibrosis, recruitment of macrophages, and myocardial gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta compared with the nontreated MI mice despite the comparable infarct size calculated as percent LV circumference. CONCLUSIONS: The activation of MCP-1 expression contributes to the LV remodeling and failure after MI. An anti-MCP-1 gene therapy can be a useful novel strategy for preventing post-MI heart failure.

Angiotensin II↗