The role of the cytoskeleton in left ventricular pressure overload hypertrophy and failure

To characterize alterations in gene expression which may occur during the development of compensated left ventricular pressure overload hypertrophy (CH) and the transition to decompensated congestive heart failure (DH), differential RNA display was used to compare mRNA transcripts from sham operated, 4-week, and 8-week thoracic aorta banded guinea-pigs. Of several regulated transcripts chosen for analysis, one was identified by nucleotide sequence homology as titin, a sarcomeric cytoskeletal protein. By differential display and comparative PCR, titin transcripts were increased in CH and then declined in DH. Comparative PCR of desmin and tubulin demonstrated increased mRNA levels for these cytoskeletal proteins in CH and DH. Western analysis showed associated increases in titin (DH) and desmin (CH and DH) protein expression but no increase in tubulin protein. Isolated Langendorff cardiac mechanics failed to reveal functional differences in either hypertrophy phenotype when microtubules were depolymerized (colchicine 10(-6)M). In summary, the major cytoskeletal proteins are differentially regulated in LV pressure overload hypertrophy and failure. Neither the level of beta-tubulin or its polymerization state appear to affect LV function in this model of cardiac hypertrophy.