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The Potential of Berberine to Target Telocytes in Rabbit Heart
Min Yang1, Tong Yang1, Lu Mei1
1MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
Planta Medica
|September 15, 2023
Summary
Berberine impacts cardiac telocytes, influencing cardiovascular health. These cells may be a key target for developing new heart disease therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Telocytes, a novel interstitial cell type, are present in the heart and interact with cardiomyocytes, influencing heart disease.
- Berberine demonstrates therapeutic potential for cardiovascular health, but its mechanism via cardiac telocytes remains unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between berberine and cardiac telocytes.
- To elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying berberine's cardiovascular effects mediated by telocytes.
Main Methods:
- Identification and localization of telocytes within various cardiac structures.
- Assessment of berberine's effects on intracellular calcium, membrane potential, and gene expression in cultured telocytes.
- Analysis of telocyte communication pathways, including gap junctions and extracellular vesicles.
Main Results:
- Telocytes were identified throughout the heart, interacting via gap junctions and extracellular vesicles.
- Berberine (5 µm) reduced intracellular calcium and membrane depolarization in telocytes.
- Berberine modulated the expression of CX43, β-catenin, TRPV4, and TRPV1 in cardiac telocytes.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac telocytes interact with berberine, potentially mediating its cardiovascular effects.
- Telocytes represent a significant cellular target for cardiovascular drug therapies.
