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Role of endogenous PDGF-BB in cultured cardiomyocytes exposed to hypoxia
Rong Rong1, You-Cui Wang2, Li-qun Hu3
1Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China; Cadre's Ward, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei 230001, Anhui, China.
Insights
Endogenous platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) protects cardiomyocytes from hypoxia-induced damage. Upregulated PDGF-BB expression under hypoxia is crucial for maintaining heart cell function and survival.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) is vital for cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and fibrosis.
- The specific function of PDGF-BB in cardiomyocytes under hypoxic conditions remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in PDGF-BB expression in cardiomyocytes exposed to hypoxia.
- To elucidate the role of endogenous PDGF-BB in protecting cardiomyocytes against hypoxic injury.
Main Methods:
- Cultured cardiomyocytes were subjected to hypoxic conditions for 24 hours.
- PDGF-BB expression levels were assessed.
- PDGF-BB was knocked down using interference RNA delivered via a lentiviral vector.
- Cell viability (LDH levels), apoptosis, and beat rhythm were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Hypoxia significantly increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels but did not alter heart rhythm in cardiomyocytes.
- PDGF-BB expression was substantially upregulated in hypoxic cardiomyocytes.
- Knockdown of PDGF-BB led to increased apoptosis, elevated LDH levels, and reduced beat rhythm.
Conclusions:
- Endogenous PDGF-BB plays a critical protective role in cultured cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia.
- Maintaining PDGF-BB levels is essential for cardiomyocyte survival and function under hypoxic stress.
Abstract:
Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) plays a critical role in cell proliferation, angiogenesis and fibrosis. However, its exact role in cardiomyocytes exposed to hypoxia is not well known. This study was therefore designed to detect whether PDGF-BB expression was changed in a hypoxic condition, then the possible role of endogenous PDGF-BB in cardiomyocytes was explored, with interference RNA in a lentiviral vector ex vivo. The results showed that cultured cardiomyocytes exhibited an optimal proliferation from 3 to 10 days. However, LDH level was significantly increased but the heart rhythm was not altered in cardiomyocytes exposed to hypoxia for 24 hours. PDGF-BB expression was substantially upregulated in hypoxic cardiomyocytes. In order to know the role of PDGF-BB, we performed PDGF-BB knockdown in cultured cardiomyocytes. The number of apoptotic cells and the level of LDH were significantly increased but the beat rhythm was reduced in cardiomyocytes with PDGF-BB knockdown. These findings suggest that endogenous PDGF-BB exerts a crucial protective effect to cultured cardiomyocytes exposed to hypoxia.
