Lercanidipine attenuates angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by blocking calcineurin-NFAT3 and CaMKII-HDAC4 signaling

Mol Med Rep. 2017 Oct;16(4):4545-4552. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7211. Epub 2017 Aug 10.

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that lercanidipine, a calcium channel blocker, may protect against cardiac hypertrophy; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of lercanidipine on hypertrophy and the mechanisms involved were investigated. Cardiomyocytes isolated from neonatal rats were cultured and treated with angiotensin II (Ang II) in the presence or absence of lercanidipine or tacrolimus (FK506, a calcineurin inhibitor). Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the mRNA expression of genes of interest, whereas the protein expression of calcium‑dependent signaling molecules was detected using western blot analysis. In addition, the cell surface area and the nuclear translocation of target proteins were evaluated using immunofluorescence. The results of the present study demonstrated that lercanidipine and FK506 inhibited Ang II‑induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, as evidenced by decreases in fetal gene (atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide) expression levels and cell surface area. Notably, lercanidipine suppressed Ang II‑induced activation of calcineurin A (CnA) and nuclear factor of activated T cells 3 (NFAT3). In addition, calcium/calmodulin‑dependent kinase II (CaMKII)‑histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) signaling was also inhibited by lercanidipine. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that lercanidipine may ameliorate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, possibly partially by blocking Cn-NFAT3 and CaMKII-HDAC4 signaling.

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Atrial Natriuretic Factor / genetics
  • Atrial Natriuretic Factor / metabolism
  • Calcineurin / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / metabolism*
  • Cardiomegaly / metabolism
  • Cardiomegaly / pathology
  • Cardiomegaly / physiopathology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dihydropyridines / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / genetics
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Dihydropyridines
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Angiotensin II
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
  • Atrial Natriuretic Factor
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2
  • Calcineurin
  • Histone Deacetylases
  • lercanidipine