Activation of endothelial β-catenin signaling induces heart failure

Sci Rep. 2016 May 5:6:25009. doi: 10.1038/srep25009.

Abstract

Activation of β-catenin-dependent canonical Wnt signaling in endothelial cells plays a key role in angiogenesis during development and ischemic diseases, however, other roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in endothelial cells remain poorly understood. Here, we report that sustained activation of β-catenin signaling in endothelial cells causes cardiac dysfunction through suppressing neuregulin-ErbB pathway in the heart. Conditional gain-of-function mutation of β-catenin, which activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling in Bmx-positive arterial endothelial cells (Bmx/CA mice) led to progressive cardiac dysfunction and 100% mortality at 40 weeks after tamoxifen treatment. Electron microscopic analysis revealed dilatation of T-tubules and degeneration of mitochondria in cardiomyocytes of Bmx/CA mice, which are similar to the changes observed in mice with decreased neuregulin-ErbB signaling. Endothelial expression of Nrg1 and cardiac ErbB signaling were suppressed in Bmx/CA mice. The cardiac dysfunction of Bmx/CA mice was ameliorated by administration of recombinant neuregulin protein. These results collectively suggest that sustained activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in endothelial cells might be a cause of heart failure through suppressing neuregulin-ErbB signaling, and that the Wnt/β-catenin/NRG axis in cardiac endothelial cells might become a therapeutic target for heart failure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology*
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology*
  • Mice
  • Neuregulin-1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, mouse
  • Neuregulin-1
  • Nrg1 protein, mouse
  • beta Catenin
  • ErbB Receptors