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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Isolation and Physiological Analysis of Mouse Cardiomyocytes
Published on: September 7, 2014
Identification of protein disulfide isomerase as a cardiomyocyte survival factor in ischemic cardiomyopathy
Anna Severino1, Mara Campioni, Stefania Straino
1Institute of Cardiology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
Objectives:
The aim of the study was to analyze the molecular mechanisms activated during postinfarction remodeling in human hearts.
Background:
The molecular mechanisms of initial response to ischemic insult in the heart and the pathways involved in compensation and remodeling are still largely unknown.
Methods:
Up-regulation or down-regulation of gene expression in the human viable peri-infarct (vs. remote) myocardial region was investigated by complementary deoxyribonucleic acid array technology and confirmed at a single-gene/protein level with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. An in vitro model of cardiomyocyte hypoxia in HL1 cells was used to validate anti-apoptotic effects of the candidate gene/protein and to assess the associated downstream cascade. Finally, a mouse model of myocardial infarction was used to test the in vivo effects of exogenous transfection with the candidate gene/protein.
Results:
Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), a member of the unfolded protein response, is 3-fold up-regulated in the viable peri-infarct myocardial region, and in a postmortem model, its expression is significantly inversely correlated with apoptotic rate and with presence of heart failure (HF) and biventricular dilatation. Induced PDI expression in HL1 cells conferred protection from hypoxia-induced apoptosis. Adenoviral-mediated PDI gene transfer to the mouse heart resulted in 2.5-fold smaller infarct size, significantly reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the peri-infarct region, and smaller left ventricular end-diastolic diameter versus mice treated with a transgene-null adenoviral vector.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that PDI promotes survival after ischemic damage and that zinc-superoxide dismutase is one of the PDI molecular targets. Pharmacological modulation of this pathway might prove useful for future prevention and treatment of HF.
Insights
Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) protects heart cells from damage after heart attacks. Upregulating PDI reduces cell death and infarct size, offering potential for heart failure treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Molecular Cardiology
- Ischemic Heart Disease Research
Background:
- Molecular mechanisms of cardiac response to ischemia and remodeling remain largely unknown.
- Understanding compensatory pathways is crucial for treating heart failure (HF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze molecular mechanisms during postinfarction remodeling in human hearts.
- To investigate the role of Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) in cardiac repair.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analysis (cDNA arrays, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry) in human peri-infarct regions.
- In vitro cardiomyocyte hypoxia model (HL1 cells) to assess PDI's anti-apoptotic effects.
- In vivo mouse model of myocardial infarction with adenoviral PDI gene transfer.
Main Results:
- Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) was upregulated in viable peri-infarct regions and inversely correlated with apoptosis and heart failure.
- PDI expression protected HL1 cells from hypoxia-induced apoptosis.
- Adenoviral PDI delivery in mice reduced infarct size, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and ventricular dilation.
Conclusions:
- PDI promotes survival after ischemic cardiac damage.
- Zinc-superoxide dismutase identified as a PDI molecular target.
- Modulating the PDI pathway may offer future therapeutic strategies for heart failure.