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Expression of androgen-binding protein (ABP) in human cardiac myocytes
H W Schock1, Z Herbert, H Sigusch
1Institut für Anatomie II, Friedrich-Schiller-University (FSU) Jena, Germany.
Insights
This study found androgen-binding protein (ABP) is expressed in the heart muscle cells of men with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This suggests ABP may play a role in how sex hormones affect heart health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cardiomyocytes are recognized as targets for androgens.
- Altered systemic steroid levels are implicated in cardiac conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
- The precise mechanism by which gonadal steroid hormones impact the human heart remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and localization of androgen-binding protein (ABP) in human myocardial tissue from male patients diagnosed with DCM.
- To explore the potential role of ABP in the cardiac effects of gonadal steroids.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution immunocytochemistry on semithin sections.
- In situ hybridization using synthetic oligonucleotide probes.
- Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) mass spectrometry on affinity-purified myocardial extracts.
Main Results:
- Distinct cytoplasmic ABP immunoreactivity was detected in a subset of cardiomyocytes.
- In situ hybridization confirmed specific ABP gene expression signals within these myocytes.
- A portion of ABP-positive cells also exhibited androgen receptor immunostaining.
- SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry identified a 50 kDa protein consistent with ABP in human myocardium.
Conclusions:
- The findings provide evidence for the intrinsic expression of ABP within the human heart.
- ABP may be secreted by myocytes in a paracrine fashion.
- This paracrine secretion could modulate the bioavailability of gonadal steroids within the myocardium, potentially influencing cardiac function.
Abstract:
Cardiomyocytes are known to be androgen targets. Changing systemic steroid levels are thought to be linked to various cardiac ailments, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The mode of action of gonadal steroid hormones on the human heart is unknown to date. In the present study, we used high-resolution immunocytochemistry on semithin sections (1 microm thick), IN SITU hybridization, and mass spectrometry to investigate the expression of androgen-binding protein (ABP) in human myocardial biopsies taken from male patients with DCM. We observed distinct cytoplasmic ABP immunoreactivity in a fraction of the myocytes. IN SITU hybridization with synthetic oligonucleotide probes revealed specific hybridization signals in these cells. A portion of the ABP-positive cells contained immunostaining for androgen receptor. With SELDI TOF mass spectrometry of affinity purified tissue extracts of human myocardium, we confirmed the presence of a 50 kDa protein similar to ABP. Our observations provide evidence of an intrinsic expression of ABP in human heart. ABP may be secreted from myocytes in a paracrine manner perhaps to influence the bioavailabity of gonadal steroids in myocardium.
