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Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Improved Rodent Model of Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury
Published on: March 7, 2022
Tubastatin A Improves Post-Resuscitation Myocardial Dysfunction by Inhibiting NLRP3-Mediated Pyroptosis Through
Jiefeng Xu1,2,3, Xue Zhao1,4, Xiangkang Jiang1,2,3
1Department of Emergency Medicine Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine Hangzhou China.
Abstract:
Background Myocardial dysfunction is the leading cause of early death following successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in people with cardiac arrest (CA), which is potentially driven by cell pyroptosis mediated by NOD-like receptor pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Recently, histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibition was shown to exert effective myocardial protection against regional ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this study, we investigated whether tubastatin A, a specific histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor, could improve postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction through the inhibition of NLRP3-mediated cell pyroptosis and its modulation mechanism. Methods and Results Healthy male white domestic swine were used to establish the model of CA/CPR in vivo, and the H9c2 cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation model was used to simulate the CA/CPR process in vitro. Consequently, tubastatin A inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, decreased proinflammatory cytokines production and cell pyroptosis, and increased cell survival after hypoxia/reoxygenation in H9c2 cardiomyocytes in vitro. In addition, tubastatin A increased the acetylated levels of transcription factor EB and its translocation to the nucleus, and its protective effect above was partly abrogated by transcription factor EB short interfering RNA after hypoxia/reoxygenation in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Similarly, tubastatin A promoted cardiac transcription factor EB nuclear translocation, inhibited NLRP3-mediated cell pyroptosis, and mitigated myocardial dysfunction after CA/CPR in swine. Conclusions The inhibition of histone deacetylase 6 activity by tubastatin A limited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and cell pyroptosis probably through the enhancement of transcription factor EB signaling, and therefore improved myocardial dysfunction after CA/CPR.
Insights
Tubastatin A, a histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor, reduces cell pyroptosis and improves heart function after cardiac arrest and CPR. It works by enhancing transcription factor EB signaling, protecting the heart from dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Myocardial dysfunction is a primary cause of death post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after cardiac arrest (CA).
- NOD-like receptor pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated cell pyroptosis is a key driver of this dysfunction.
- Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibition shows promise in protecting the heart from injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if tubastatin A, an HDAC6 inhibitor, can improve post-CPR myocardial dysfunction.
- To determine if tubastatin A inhibits NLRP3-mediated cell pyroptosis and elucidate its mechanism.
Main Methods:
- In vivo CA/CPR model in swine and in vitro H9c2 cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation model.
- Assessment of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, cytokine production, and cell survival.
- Evaluation of transcription factor EB (TF EB) acetylation and nuclear translocation.
Main Results:
- Tubastatin A inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, reduced pyroptosis, and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines in cardiomyocytes.
- Tubastatin A increased TF EB acetylation and nuclear translocation, with partial abrogation of protective effects by TF EB siRNA.
- In swine, tubastatin A promoted TF EB nuclear translocation, inhibited pyroptosis, and mitigated myocardial dysfunction post-CA/CPR.
Conclusions:
- HDAC6 inhibition by tubastatin A limits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and cell pyroptosis.
- This protective effect is likely mediated by enhanced transcription factor EB signaling.
- Tubastatin A improves myocardial dysfunction following cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
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