Effects of angiotensin-(1-7) on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of arginine vasopressin-stimulated rat cardiac fibroblasts: role of mas receptor-calcineurin-NF-κB signaling pathway

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2014 Dec;64(6):536-42. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000151.

Abstract

: Interstitial fibrosis is a common pathological change in various heart diseases, especially cardiac hypertrophy. Arginine vasopressin (AVP), one of the hallmarks of heart failure, exhibits a profibrotic effect by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). In contrast, angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] was reported to be beneficial for cardiac remodeling by its antifibrotic effect. To evaluate the effect of Ang-(1-7) on AVP-stimulated CFs and the subsequent signaling molecules involved, CFs isolated from neonatal rat hearts were incubated with AVP and treated with or without Ang-(1-7). Cell proliferation, cell cycle, collagen production, and related cellular signaling molecules were then assessed. The results showed that Ang-(1-7) dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation and collagen production in AVP-stimulated CFs. In addition, Ang-(1-7) also significantly suppressed calcineurin activity in a dose-dependent manner in AVP-stimulated CFs, which was associated with reduced collagen production. Accordingly, the nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), downstream signal of calcineurin, were also notably restrained by Ang-(1-7) in AVP-stimulated CFs. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of Ang-(1-7) on AVP-activated calcineurin-NF-κB signaling was completely reversed by the Mas receptor antagonist A-799. These findings suggest that Ang-(1-7) exerts an antifibrotic effect by inhibiting AVP-stimulated CF proliferation and collagen synthesis by inactivating Mas receptor-calcineurin-NF-κB signaling pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin I / administration & dosage
  • Angiotensin I / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Arginine Vasopressin / administration & dosage
  • Arginine Vasopressin / metabolism*
  • Calcineurin / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Collagen / biosynthesis
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Fibrosis / prevention & control
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Peptide Fragments / administration & dosage
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Arginine Vasopressin
  • Collagen
  • Angiotensin I
  • Calcineurin
  • angiotensin I (1-7)