Resolvin D1 reduces expression and secretion of cytokines and monocyte adhesion triggered by Angiotensin II, in rat cardiac fibroblasts

Biomed Pharmacother. 2021 Sep:141:111947. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111947. Epub 2021 Jul 18.

Abstract

Cardiac fibroblasts (CF) play an important role in the healing process and in pathological remodeling of cardiac tissue. As sentinel cells in the heart, they respond to inflammatory stimuli, expressing cytokines and cell adhesion proteins, which ultimately lead to increased recruitment of monocytes and enhancement of the inflammatory response. Angiotensin II (Ang II) triggers an inflammatory response, leading to cardiac tissue remodeling. On the other hand, RvD1 has been shown to contribute to the resolution of inflammation; however, its role in Ang II-treated CF has not been addressed until now. The present research aimed to study the effect of RvD1 on cytokine levels, cell adhesion proteins expression in a model of Ang II-triggered inflammatory response. CF from adult Sprague Dawley rats were used to study mRNA and protein levels of MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-a, IL-10, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1; and adhesion of spleen mononuclear cells to CF after Ang II stimulation. Our results show that Ang II increased IL-6, MCP-1 and TNF-a mRNA levels, but only increased IL-6 and MCP-1 protein levels. These effects were blocked by Losartan, but not by PD123369. Moreover, RvD1 was able to prevent all Ang II effects in CF. Additionally, RvD1 reduced the intracellular Ca2+ increase triggered by Ang II, indicating that RvD1 acts in an early manner to block Ang II signaling. Conclusion: our findings confirm the pro-resolutive effects of inflammation by RvD1, which at the cardiovascular level, could contribute to repair damaged cardiac tissue.

Keywords: Angiotensin II; Cardiac fibroblast; Cytokines; Inflammation; Resolvin D1.

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects*
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Male
  • Monocytes / drug effects*
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • resolvin D1
  • Angiotensin II
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids