| 1. |
- Balogh, Johanna, et al.
(författare)
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Desmin filaments influence myofilament spacing and lateral compliance of slow skeletal muscle fibres.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Biophysical Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 1542-0086 .- 0006-3495. ; 88:2, s. 1156-1165
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Intermediate filaments composed of desmin interlink Z-disks and sarcolemma in skeletal muscle. Depletion of desmin results in lower active stress of smooth, cardiac, and skeletal muscles. Structural functions of intermediate filaments in fast (psoas) and slow (soleus) skeletal muscle were examined using x-ray diffraction on permeabilized muscle from desmin-deficient mice (Des–/–) and controls (Des+/+). To examine lateral compliance of sarcomeres and cells, filament distances and fiber width were measured during osmotic compression with dextran. Equatorial spacing (x-ray diffraction) of contractile filaments was wider in soleus Des–/– muscle compared to Des+/+, showing that desmin is important for maintaining lattice structure. Osmotic lattice compression was similar in Des–/– and Des+/+. In width measurements of single fibers and bundles, Des–/– soleus were more compressed by dextran compared to Des+/+, showing that intermediate filaments contribute to whole-cell compliance. For psoas fibers, both filament distance and cell compliance were similar in Des–/– and Des+/+. We conclude that desmin is important for stabilizing sarcomeres and maintaining cell compliance in slow skeletal muscle. Wider filament spacing in Des–/– soleus cannot, however, explain the lower active stress, but might influence resistance to stretch, possibly minimizing stretch-induced cell injury.
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| 2. |
- Balogh, Johanna, et al.
(författare)
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Hearts from mice lacking desmin have a myopathy with impaired active force generation and unaltered wall compliance.
- 2002
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Ingår i: Cardiovascular Research. - 1755-3245. ; 53:2, s. 439-450
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Desmin intermediate filaments are key structures in the cytoskeleton of cardiac muscle. Since they are associated with Z-discs and intercalated discs, they may have a role in sarcomere alignment or force transmission. We have explored the mechanical function of the desmin filaments in the cardiac wall by comparing desmin-deficient (Des-/-) and wild-type (Des+/+) mice. METHODS: The Langendorff technique was used to examine the contractility of the whole heart. Rate of force generation, Ca(2+)-sensitivity and force per cross-sectional area were measured in skinned ventricle muscle preparations. RESULTS: Des-/- mice have a cardiomyopathy with increased heart weight. Diastolic pressure was increased at all filling volumes in the Des-/- group. Since passive wall stress (i.e. force per area) was unchanged, the alteration in diastolic pressure is a consequence of the thicker ventricle wall. Developed pressure, rate of pressure increase and developed wall stress were significantly reduced, suggesting that active force generation of the contractile apparatus is reduced in Des-/-. Concentrations of actin and myosin in the ventricle were unaltered. Measurements in skinned muscle preparations showed a lower active force development with unaltered Ca(2+)-sensitivity and rate of tension development. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the intermediate filaments have a role in active force generation of cardiac muscle, possibly by supporting sarcomere alignment or force transmission. The desmin filaments do not contribute the passive elasticity of the ventricle wall. Des-/- mice provide a model for genetic cardiomyopathy where the main factor contributing to altered cardiac performance is a decrease in active force generation, possibly in combination with a loss of functional contractile units.
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| 3. |
- Balogh, Johanna, et al.
(författare)
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Lower active force generation and improved fatigue resistance in skeletal muscle from desmin deficient mice.
- 2003
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Ingår i: Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility. - 0142-4319. ; 24:7, s. 453-459
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The mechanical effects of the intermediate filament protein desmin was examined in desmin deficient mice (Des-/-) and their wild type control (Des+/+). Active force generation was determined in intact soleus muscles and in skinned single fibres from soleus and psoas. A decreased force generation of skinned muscle fibres from Des-/- mice and a tendency towards decreased active force in intact soleus muscle were detected. Concentrations of the contractile protein actin and myosin were not altered in Des-/- muscles. Ca(2+)-sensitivity of skinned single fibres in Des-/- muscles was unchanged compared to Des+/+. Using a protocol with repeated short tetani an increased fatigue resistance was found in the intact soleus muscles from Des-/- mice. In conclusion, desmin intermediate filaments are required for optimal generation or transmission of active force in skeletal muscle. Although other studies have shown that the desmin intermediate filaments appear to influence Ca(2+)-handling, the Ca(2+)-sensitivity of the contractile filaments is not altered in skeletal muscle of Des-/- mice. Previous studies have reported a switch towards slower myosin isoforms in slow skeletal muscle of Des-/- mice. The increased fatigue resistance show that this change is reflected in the physiological function of the muscle.
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| 4. |
- Balogh, Johanna, et al.
(författare)
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Phospholipase C and cAMP-dependent positive inotropic effects of ATP in mouse cardiomyocytes via P2Y(11)-like receptors.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1095-8584 .- 0022-2828. ; 39:2, s. 223-230
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ATP is released as a cotransmitter together with catecholamines from sympathetic nerves. In the heart ATP has been shown to cause a pronounced positive inotropic effect and may also act in synergy with β-adrenergic agonists to augment cardiomyocyte contractility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inotropic effects mediated by purinergic P2 receptors using isolated mouse cardiomyocytes. Stable adenine nucleotide analogs were used and the agonist rank order for adenine nucleotide stimulation of the mouse cardiomyocytes was AR-C67085 > ATPγS > 2-MeSATP >>> 2-MeSADP = 0, that fits the agonist profile of the P2Y11 receptor. ATPγS induced a positive inotropic response in single mouse cardiomyocytes. The response was similar to that for the β1 receptor agonist isoproterenol. The most potent response was obtained using AR-C67085, a P2Y11 receptor agonist. This agonist also potentiated contractions in isolated trabecular preparations. The adenylyl cyclase blocker (SQ22563) and phospholipase C (PLC) blocker (U73122) demonstrated that both pathways were required for the inotropic response of AR-C67085. A cAMP enzyme immunoassay confirmed that AR-C67085 increased cAMP in the cardiomyocytes. These findings are in agreement with the P2Y11 receptor, coupled both to activation of IP3 and cAMP, being a major receptor for ATP induced inotropy. Analyzing cardiomyocytes from desmin deficient mice, Des–/–, with a congenital cardiomyopathy, we found a lower sensitivity to AR-C67085, suggesting a down-regulation of P2Y11 receptor function in heart failure. The prominent action of the P2Y11 receptor in controling cardiomyocyte contractility and possible alterations in its function during cardiomyopathy may suggest this receptor as a potential therapeutic target. It is possible that agonists for the P2Y11 receptor could be used to improve cardiac output in patients with circulatory shock and that P2Y11 receptor antagonist could be beneficial in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).
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| 5. |
- Wihlborg, Anna-Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Positive inotropic effects by uridine triphosphate (UTP) and uridine diphosphate (UDP) via P2Y(2) and P2Y(6) receptors on cardiomyocytes and release of UTP in man during myocardial infarction
- 2006
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Ingår i: Circulation Research. - 0009-7330. ; 98:7, s. 970-976
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to examine a possible role for extracellular pyrimidines as inotropic factors for the heart. First, nucleotide plasma levels were measured to evaluate whether UTP is released in patients with coronary heart disease. Then, inotropic effects of pyrimidines were examined in isolated mouse cardiomyocytes. Finally, expression of pyrimidine-selective receptors ( a subgroup of the P2 receptors) was studied in human and mouse heart, using real time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Venous plasma levels of UTP were increased (57%) in patients with myocardial infarction. In electrically stimulated cardiomyocytes the stable P2Y(2/4) agonist UTP gamma S increased contraction by 52%, similar to beta(1)-adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol (65%). The P2Y(6)-agonist UDP gamma S also increased cardiomyocyte contraction (35%), an effect abolished by the P2Y(6)-blocker MRS2578. The phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 inhibited both the UDP beta S and the UTP gamma S-induced inotropic effect, indicating an IP3-mediated effect via P2Y(6) receptors. The P2Y(14) agonist UDP-glucose was without effect. Quantification of mRNA with real time polymerase chain reaction revealed P2Y(2) as the most abundant pyrimidine receptor expressed in cardiomyocytes from man. Presence of P2Y(6) receptor mRNA was detected in both species and confirmed at protein level with Western blot and immunohistochemistry in man. In conclusion, UTP levels are increased in humans during myocardial infarction, giving the first evidence for UTP release in man. UTP is a cardiac inotropic factor most likely by activation of P2Y(2) receptors in man. For the first time we demonstrate inotropic effects of UDP, mediated by P2Y(6) receptors via an IP3-dependent pathway. Thus, the extracellular pyrimidines ( UTP and UDP) could be important inotropic factors involved in the development of cardiac disease.
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