β3AR-Dependent Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Generation Limits Chronic Postischemic Heart Failure

Alessandro Cannavo, Seungho Jun, Giuseppe Rengo, Federica Marzano, Jacopo Agrimi, Daniela Liccardo, Andrea Elia, Gizem Keceli, Giovanna G. Altobelli, Lorenzo Marcucci, Aram Megighian, Erhe Gao, Ning Feng, Kai Kammers, Nicola Ferrara, Livio Finos, Walter J. Koch, Nazareno Paolocci

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Loss of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/TrkB (tropomyosin kinase receptor B) signaling accounts for brain and cardiac disorders. In neurons, β-adrenergic receptor stimulation enhances local BDNF expression. It is unclear if this occurs in a pathophysiological relevant manner in the heart, especially in the β-adrenergic receptor-desensitized postischemic myocardium. Nor is it fully understood whether and how TrkB agonists counter chronic postischemic left ventricle (LV) decompensation, a significant unmet clinical milestone. Methods: We conducted in vitro studies using neonatal rat and adult murine cardiomyocytes, SH-SY5Y neuronal cells, and umbilical vein endothelial cells. We assessed myocardial ischemia (MI) impact in wild type, β3AR knockout, or myocyte-selective BDNF knockout (myoBDNF KO) mice in vivo (via coronary ligation [MI]) or in isolated hearts with global ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Results: In wild type hearts, BDNF levels rose early after MI (<24 hours), plummeting at 4 weeks when LV dysfunction, adrenergic denervation, and impaired angiogenesis ensued. The TrkB agonist, LM22A-4, countered all these adverse effects. Compared with wild type, isolated myoBDNF KO hearts displayed worse infarct size/LV dysfunction after I/R injury and modest benefits from LM22A-4. In vitro, LM22A-4 promoted neurite outgrowth and neovascularization, boosting myocyte function, effects reproduced by 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, a chemically unrelated TrkB agonist. Superfusing myocytes with the β3AR-agonist, BRL-37344, increased myocyte BDNF content, while β3AR signaling underscored BDNF generation/protection in post-MI hearts. Accordingly, the β1AR blocker, metoprolol, via upregulated β3ARs, improved chronic post-MI LV dysfunction, enriching the myocardium with BDNF. Last, BRL-37344-imparted benefits were nearly abolished in isolated I/R injured myoBDNF KO hearts. Conclusions: BDNF loss underscores chronic postischemic heart failure. TrkB agonists can improve ischemic LV dysfunction via replenished myocardial BDNF content. Direct cardiac β3AR stimulation, or β-blockers (via upregulated β3AR), is another BDNF-based means to fend off chronic postischemic heart failure.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)867-881
Number of pages15
JournalCirculation research
Volume132
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 31 2023

Keywords

  • brain-derived neurotrophic factor
  • cardiac disorders
  • heart failure
  • myocardial ischemia
  • receptors, adrenergic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology

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