Cartilage intermediate layer protein 1 (CILP1): A novel mediator of cardiac extracellular matrix remodelling

Heart failure is accompanied by extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, often leading to cardiac fibrosis. In the present study we explored the significance of cartilage intermediate layer protein 1 (CILP1) as a novel mediator of cardiac ECM remodelling. Whole genome transcriptional analysis of human cardiac tissue samples revealed a strong association of CILP1 with many structural (e.g. COL1A2 r² = 0.83) and non-structural (e.g. TGFB3 r² = 0.75) ECM proteins. Gene enrichment analysis further underscored the involvement of CILP1 in human cardiac ECM remodelling and TGFβ signalling. Myocardial CILP1 protein levels were significantly elevated in human infarct tissue and in aortic valve stenosis patients. CILP1 mRNA levels markedly increased in mouse heart after myocardial infarction, transverse aortic constriction, and angiotensin II treatment. Cardiac fibroblasts were found to be the primary source of cardiac CILP1 expression. Recombinant CILP1 inhibited TGFβ-induced αSMA gene and protein expression in cardiac fibroblasts. In addition, CILP1 overexpression in HEK293 cells strongly (5-fold p < 0.05) inhibited TGFβ signalling activity. In conclusion, our study identifies CILP1 as a new cardiac matricellular protein interfering with pro-fibrotic TGFβ signalling, and as a novel sensitive marker for cardiac fibrosis.