Fibroblast-specific MyD88-dependent signaling aggravates inflammation and cardiac dysfunction in the MI heart

Excessive fibrosis and chronic inflammation are vital to adverse cardiac remodeling of the MI heart. The crosstalk of fibroblasts (FBs) (primary drivers of fibrosis) and immune cells (that govern inflammation) is critical for the repair and remodeling of the injured heart. However, the molecular mechanisms through which FBs communicate with immune cells are poorly understood. In the MI heart, substantial cardiac cell damage releases alarmins, which trigger an immune response through the TLR/MyD88 pathway. The role of MyD88-dependent signaling is well characterized in immune cell biology. However, the role of FB-derived MyD88 signaling in MI heart injury is unknown.

To define the role of FB-MyD88 in MI pathology.

MyD88 was deleted from fibroblasts or myofibroblasts with tamoxifen-inducible Tcf21- or Postn- promoter-driven Cre recombinase. Control and MyD88 KO mice were subjected to permanent LAD ligation (MI injury), and cardiac parameters were evaluated. Additionally, co-culture experiments and chemokine profiling were conducted to identify mechanisms facilitating FB-immune cell crosstalk. FB-specific MyD88 deletion restricted MI-induced adverse cardiac remodeling and cardiac dysfunction. Surprisingly, FB-specific MyD88 deletion reduced myeloid cell recruitment and molecular markers of chronic inflammation in the KO heart. The mechanistic studies confirmed that MyD88 is required for the activation of NF-κB in FBs. Additionally, co-culture experiments demonstrated that FB-MyD88 facilitates immune cell crosstalk through chemokines and promotes an inflammatory gene program.

These findings suggest that FB-MyD88 promotes MI-induced chronic inflammation and cardiac dysfunction. Therefore, targeting MyD88 could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy.