AJP - Heart Fuel your research with LabChart
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 284: H364-H371, 2003. First published September 26, 2002; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00511.2002
0363-6135/03 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
284/1/H364    most recent
00511.2002v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (62)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Creemers, E. E. J. M.
Right arrow Articles by Spinale, F. G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Creemers, E. E. J. M.
Right arrow Articles by Spinale, F. G.
Vol. 284, Issue 1, H364-H371, January 2003

Deficiency of TIMP-1 exacerbates LV remodeling after myocardial infarction in mice

Esther E. J. M. Creemers1, Jeniffer N. Davis2, Andrea M. Parkhurst2, Peter Leenders3, Kathryn B. Dowdy2, Elizabeth Hapke4, Anne M. Hauet4, Patricia G. Escobar2, Jack P. M. Cleutjens1, Jos F. M. Smits3, Mat J. A. P. Daemen1, Michael R. Zile4, and Francis G. Spinale2

Departments of 1 Pathology and 3 Pharmacology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, University of Maastricht, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; and Departments of 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery and 4 Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425


    ABSTRACT
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

Recent studies have been directed at modulating the heart failure process through inhibition of activated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). We hypothesized that a loss of MMP inhibitory control by tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1 deficiency alters the course of postinfarction chamber remodeling and induced chronic myocardial infarction (MI) in wild-type (WT) and TIMP-1-/- mice. Left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume loops obtained from WT and TIMP-1-/- mice demonstrated that LV end-diastolic volume [52 ± 4 (WT) vs. 71 ± 6 (TIMP-1-/-) µl] and LV end-diastolic pressure [9.0 ± 1.2 (WT) vs. 12.7 ± 1.4 (TIMP-1-/-) mmHg] were significantly increased in the TIMP-1-/- mice 2 wk after MI. LV contractility was reduced to a similar degree in the WT and TIMP-1-/- groups after MI, as indicated by a significant fall in the LV end-systolic pressure-volume relationship. Ventricular weight and cross-sectional areas of LV myocytes were significantly increased in TIMP-1-/- mice, indicating that the hypertrophic response was more pronounced. The observed significant loss of fibrillar collagen in the TIMP-1-/- controls may have been an important contributory factor for the observed LV alterations in the TIMP-1-/- mice after MI. These findings demonstrate that TIMP-1 deficiency amplifies adverse LV remodeling after MI in mice and emphasizes the importance of local endogenous control of cardiac MMP activity by TIMP-1.

myocardial remodeling; pressure-volume loops


    INTRODUCTION
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES (MMPs) are a fundamental proteolytic system responsible for extracellular matrix protein degradation within the myocardium. Under ambient conditions, the myocardial MMPs largely reside in their latent form, whereas after a pathological stimulus the pool of latent MMPs becomes activated, as has been demonstrated for human, rat, and porcine myocardium (3, 6, 33, 34). Prevention of the breakdown of the myocardial extracellular matrix with pharmacological broad-spectrum MMP inhibitors in animal models of cardiomyopathy and myocardial infarction (MI) has demonstrated effects on the left ventricular (LV) architectural remodeling process (4, 20, 27, 32). An important endogenous regulator of overall MMP activity are the tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) (18, 19). Normally, the TIMPs are in delicate balance with the MMPs and matrix is digested in a highly regulated fashion. A loss of TIMP-mediated inhibitory control has also been reported to occur in several cardiac pathologies (1, 25). For example, in end-stage cardiomyopathic disease in humans, increased MMP activity is paralleled by decreased TIMP-1, -3, and -4 expression (18). In a preliminary report, it was demonstrated that in TIMP-1-null mice, LV chamber enlargement occurred as a function of age, suggesting that constitutive expression of TIMP-1 is necessary for the maintenance of LV myocardial geometry (29). This study tested the hypothesis that TIMP-1 deficiency would modify the LV chamber and myocardial matrix remodeling after MI compared with age-matched wild-type (WT) mice, despite identical MI size.


    METHODS
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

Experimental animals. The mice used in these studies were adult inbred 129 Sv mice from which a stable line of TIMP-1-deficient (TIMP-1-/-) mice was created through the use of a replacement vector carrying a stop codon-containing oligonucleotide and the neo resistance cassette with the 5' end of the TIMP-1 coding frame (23, 29). The original breeding pairs used to develop the mice for this study were a kind gift from Dr. Paul J. Soloway (Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY). Tail clips and a PCR protocol were used to confirm the genotype. All studies were done on age-matched mice (2 mo of age), and the groups were balanced with respect to gender. MI was induced surgically by chronic ligation of the coronary artery in TIMP-1-/- mice (n = 29) and age-matched littermates (n = 33) according to recently described methods (21). Nonoperated TIMP-1-/- mice (n = 15) and littermates (n = 12) served as controls. Terminal studies, including echocardiography, LV conductance volumetry, morphometry, and histology were performed 14 days after MI, as described below. All animals were treated and cared for in accordance with the National Institutes of Health Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Research Council, Washington, DC, 1996).

Echocardiographic measurements. Echocardiography was performed before MI and 2 wk after MI. Mice were sedated (40 mg/kg ketamine and 2 mg/kg xylazine) and placed in a recumbent position on a warming blanket to maintain ambient body temperature. Heart rate was determined from a surface ECG. From a transthoracic approach described previously (9, 29, 31), two-dimensional targeted echocardiographic recordings were obtained with an optimized 15-mHz transducer (15-6L UltraBand; Agilent Technologies, Abbyville, SC) integrated with a digital imaging system (Sonos 5500 Ultraharmonic Imaging System; Agilent Technologies). The two-dimensional parasternal long-axis view of the LV was recorded to precisely define the LV long axis and papillary muscles. The LV endocardial border was manually defined and LV areas at end diastole were computed by planimetry.

LV conductance volumetry. A 1.1-mm steel endotracheal tube was placed, and the anesthesized mice were mechanically ventilated (MiniVent 845; Hugo Sachs/Harvard Apparatus, March-Hugstetten, Germany). The mice were positioned on a feedback temperature-controlled operating table (Vestavia Scientific, Birmingham, AL). Under microscopic guidance (Zeiss OPMI), the right carotid artery was exposed. A precalibrated four-electrode pressure sensor catheter (1.4-Fr, SPR-839; Millar Instruments, Houston, TX) was positioned in the LV. The catheter was interfaced to a pressure-conductance unit (ARIA, MPCU-200; Millar Instruments), in which electrical excitation was performed under digital control (DAQ, PV Analysis Software; Millar Instruments). The continuous digital pressure and conductance signals were integrated with an ECG signal (PowerLab; AD Instruments) and displayed in real time with a dual-display heads-up flat screen (Sony Electronics). This allowed for optimal placement of the LV catheter with respect to the LV conductance signal. The LV conductance signal was converted to a LV volume with an algorithm described previously (8, 10, 11, 15, 36). One of the important factors in this algorithm is the determination of a parallel conductance volume coefficient (Vp) (8). In the present study, Vp was computed by using an isotonic saline injection in age-matched WT mice (n = 3). Briefly, a 5-µl bolus of 15% hypertonic saline was injected into the external jugular vein and the LV pressure-conductance signals were continuously acquired. The saline bolus caused a significant LV volume shift without a marked change in LV systolic pressure (Fig. 1A). The isochronal LV systolic and diastolic volumes were plotted along with the line of identity (Fig. 1B). From the intersection of these two lines, a mean value of 26 µl was computed for Vp. This factor was used in the software algorithms (PVAN; Millar Instruments) to compute absolute LV volumes. This saline calibration was repeated on a weekly basis in both WT and TIMP-1-/- mice to ensure that the computed Vp remained within 10% of predicted values.


View larger version (21K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 1.   Determination of the parallel conductance volume coefficient (Vp) to compute absolute left ventricular (LV) volumes (8, 10, 11, 15, 36). Vp was calculated by injection of an isotonic saline bolus, which caused a significant LV shift without marked changes in LV systolic pressure (A). The isochronal LV systolic and diastolic volumes were plotted along with the line identity (B). From the intersection of these 2 lines, a mean value of 26 µl was computed for Vp. es, End systolic; ed, end diastolic.

Steady-state LV pressures and conductance volumetry were determined with the ventilator suspended, and the signals were digitized for a minimum of 12 consecutive cardiac cycles. From these signals, the following were determined: LV peak systolic pressure, LV end-diastolic pressure, LV peak positive developed pressure (dP/dtmax), LV end-diastolic volume, LV stroke volume, and LV ejection fraction (10, 11, 36). LV radial systolic wall stress at the septal region and the posterior free wall was computed with a spherical frame of reference. For this purpose, LV wall thickness measurements were determined by planimetry from the perfusion fixed sections and LV peak systolic pressure and volumes were determined by the conductance catheter.

After these steady-state measurements, LV preload alterations were performed through infusion of 1 µg/kg of phenylephrine to compute the LV end-systolic pressure-volume (P-V) relationship (ESPVR). Briefly, a minimum of five isochronal LV end-systolic pressure values was plotted on the y-axis and the end-systolic volume was plotted on the x-axis. The slope of this relationship was determined with linear regression. This relationship can be used as an index of LV contractile function in mice (10, 11, 36). Because LV ESPVR can be influenced by intrinsic differences in LV geometry, this relationship was normalized to ambient LV end-diastolic volume.

Immunohistochemistry and morphometry. At completion of the hemodynamic studies, 0.5 ml of 0.1 mM cadmium chloride were injected into the LV to arrest the hearts in diastole. After perfusion with PBS, hearts were excised, weighed, routinely processed, and imbedded in paraffin. Infarct size, LV diameter, thickness of the infarcted wall, and collagen deposition were studied 2 wk after surgery in the TIMP-1-/- and WT groups with a computerized morphometry system (Quantimet 570; Leica, Cambridge, UK) on AZAN- or Sirius red-stained sections (21). Myocyte cross-sectional area was determined on hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides with computer-assisted methods described previously (33). Immunohistochemistry was performed to quantify macrophages (moma-2 monoclonal antibody on cryostat sections; Ref. 17), endothelial cells (anti-thrombomodulin polyclonal antibody; kindly provided by Dr. Peter Carmeliet, Center for Transgene Technology and Gene Therapy, Leuven, Belgium), T cells (anti CD-3; DAKO), smooth muscle cells, and myofibroblasts (mouse anti-human alpha -smooth muscle actin; DAKO). Cell numbers were counted per 0.1-mm2 infarcted area by light microscopy at ×40 magnification with a grid.

Statistics. Data are expressed as means ± SE. Indexes of function and geometry were compared in controls and at 2 wk after MI in TIMP-1-/- and WT groups with ANOVA, with post hoc mean separation performed by Bonferroni bounds. Means between groups were compared with the use of the Mann-Whitney U-test. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.


    RESULTS
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

Overall survival after MI surgery was comparable between WT and TIMP-1-/- mice; however, it may be notable that those TIMP-1-/- mice that did die died earlier after MI surgery than the WT mice. Of the 33 WT and 29 TIMP-1-/- mice that underwent MI surgery, 3 WT (10%) and 8 TIMP-1-/- (27%) mice did not recover from their anesthesia after surgery. In the WT group, eight additional animals died between days 2 and 10 because of LV rupture (n = 3) or acute heart failure (n = 5), as judged by postmortem findings (large infarct, cardiac dilatation, pleural effusion, and severe lung congestion). In the TIMP-1-/- group, no animals were lost after the first day after surgery. The MI sizes determined by quantitative morphometric planimetry were identical between the WT and TIMP-1-/- mice. [MI size: 42 ± 3% (WT) vs. 42 ± 3% (TIMP-1-/-) of the LV circumference].

LV geometry and function. Long-axis LV echocardiography indicated that LV dilatation was significantly increased in the TIMP-1-/- group in response to MI, and representative echocardiograms are shown in Fig. 2A. The absolute values for LV end-diastolic area (LVEDA) were obtained from echocardiograms from WT and TIMP-1-/- mice before and 2 wk after MI. In WT mice, LVEDA was 140 ± 6 × 10-3 cm2 and increased to 176 ± 8 × 10-3 cm2 in response to MI (P < 0.05). In the TIMP-1-/- mice, LVEDA was 163 ± 4 × 10-3 cm2 and significantly increased to 201 ± 5 × 10-3 cm2 after MI. Both LVEDA values were significantly elevated in TIMP-1-/- groups compared with the corresponding WT groups (both P < 0.05; n = 11-15 per group).


View larger version (46K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 2.   LV volumes and LV pressures from the conductance catheter and echocardiography. A: representative long-axis LV echocardiograms from wild-type (WT) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1-/- mice. TIMP-1-/- mice exhibited larger LV volumes compared with age-matched WT mice with or without myocardial infarction (MI). LVAP, LV apex; LA, left atrium. B: LV pressure-volume loops obtained from a representative WT and a TIMP-1-/- mouse with and without MI. At 2 wk after MI, definable changes in the LV pressure-volume loops were observed. C and D: LV volumes and pressures at specific points in the cardiac cycle were determined by conductance volumetry with established and validated algorithms. Both LV end-diastolic volumes (LVEDV; corrected for tibial length; C) and LV end-diastolic pressures (LVEDP; D) were increased in the TIMP-1-/- group in response to MI compared with WT. *P < 0.05 vs. age-matched controls; dagger P < 0.05 vs. WT-MI mice.

LV P-V loops were obtained under steady-state conditions for WT and TIMP-1-/- mice. At 2 wk after MI, definable changes in the P-V loops were observed in both WT and TIMP-1-/- mice (Fig. 2B). As can be seen from Fig. 2, a parallel rightward shift of the P-V loop occurred after MI in both WT and TIMP-1-/- mice; however, in the TIMP-1-/- mice, this rightward shift was greater. LV end-diastolic volume increased after MI in both groups of mice but was higher in the TIMP-1-/- mice compared with the WT mice (Fig. 2C). In addition, LV end-diastolic pressure increased significantly in the TIMP-1-/- mice at 2 wk after MI compared with age-matched controls or with WT post-MI values (Fig. 2, B and D). Other hemodynamic parameters are summarized in Table 1. Under control conditions, ambient mean arterial pressure and LV peak pressure were slightly but significantly higher in the TIMP-1-/- mice compared with the WT mice. Although LV architectural remodeling occurred in both WT and TIMP-1-/- mice after MI, LV ejection fraction was unchanged from respective control values. LV dP/dtmax appeared higher in the control TIMP-1-/- group but decreased after MI. The time constant of isovolumic relaxation (tau ) was significantly prolonged in the TIMP-1-/- mice after MI and was not significantly affected in the WT group.

                              
View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 1.   Hemodynamics from conductance catheter

LV radial systolic stress at the posterior free wall was similar between control WT and TIMP-1-/- mice. LV radial systolic stress at the septum was similar to posterior free wall values in control WT and TIMP-1-/- mice (207 ± 48 and 234 ± 28 g/cm2). After MI, LV radial systolic stress at the posterior free wall increased by over sixfold in both WT and TIMP-1-/- mice and remained unchanged at the septum from control values in both WT and TIMP-1-/- groups (Fig. 3). Thus the increased LV dilatation in the TIMP-1-/- mice after MI was not translated into increased radial wall stress because of the parallel increase in wall thickness (i.e., mass).


View larger version (16K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 3.   Radial wall stress at the posterior wall. KO, knockout. * P < 0.05 vs. age-matched controls.

The LV ESPVR was computed as an index of LV contractile function. There was no difference in ESPVR between WT and TIMP-1-/- control mice (0.032 ± 0.009 and 0.030 ± 0.007 dyn · cm · mg · mmHg-1, respectively; P = 0.83). After MI, the ESPVR significantly fell to a similar degree in both WT and TIMP-1-/- mice compared with reference controls (0.016 ± 0.004 and 0.014 ± 0.005 dyn · cm · mg · mmHg-1, respectively; P < 0.05). Thus, despite a preservation of steady-state LV ejection fraction, LV contractility was significantly reduced in both WT and TIMP-1-/- groups after MI.

LV myocardial morphometry. Ventricular mass was significantly larger in the TIMP-1-/- mice compared with the WT mice in both control and MI animals. The absolute increase in ventricular mass in response to MI was higher in the TIMP-1-/- group, indicating that the hypertrophic response was more pronounced in TIMP-1-/- than in WT mice (Fig. 4A). Cross-sectional areas of LV myocytes were measured in a circumferential orientation in both WT and TIMP-1-/- mice and also revealed an increased hypertrophic response after MI in the TIMP-1-/- group (Fig. 4B).


View larger version (12K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 4.   Hypertrophic parameters. Total ventricular mass was corrected for tibial length to take into account any intrinsic differences in mouse size. Both total ventricular mass (A) and the cross-sectional areas of LV myocytes (B) were increased in the TIMP-1-/- group compared with the age-matched WT controls at 2 wk after MI. * P < 0.05 vs. age-matched controls; dagger P < 0.05 vs. WT-MI mice; &P < 0.05 vs. WT controls.

The fibrillar collagen contents and cellular composition of the infarcts are summarized in Table 2. No differences were found in the densities of the total cell numbers, the number of macrophages, myofibroblast-like cells, T cells, and endothelial cells per square millimeter of infarct between the WT and TIMP-1-/- mice. With Sirius red staining, the percentage of the myocardial section occupied by fibrillar collagen was computed. Extensive collagen deposition was found in the center of the infarcts, with no differences observed between TIMP-1-/- and WT mice. However, in the septum of TIMP-1-/- control animals, we found significantly lower collagen percentages than in WT controls, indicating that there was a difference in structural composition of the hearts at the starting point of the experiment. These reduced collagen levels, together with the observed increase in infarct length in the TIMP-1-/- infarcts (Table 2), indicate that the remodeling of the infarct region is altered in the TIMP-1-/- mice.

                              
View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 2.   LV myocardial morphometrics


    DISCUSSION
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

Although alterations in MMP and TIMPs have been identified in end-stage human heart failure, it has remained unclear whether interruption in the balance between MMPs and TIMPs within the myocardium can directly influence the LV architectural remodeling process after specific pathological stimuli such as MI. The present study demonstrated that a loss of function of TIMP-1 in mice caused significant alterations in LV geometry and function with respect to the post-MI remodeling process. Specifically, the present study demonstrated that in TIMP-1-/- mice, a greater degree of LV dilation occurred, which was accompanied by a greater hypertrophic response, increased LV filling pressures, and abnormalities in active myocardial relaxation.

The majority of past studies that have examined the LV architectural remodeling process in mice after MI have used transthoracic echocardiography (13, 30). The present study employed this technique and demonstrated that significant LV dilation occurred in mice after induction of an MI, and the degree of LV dilation that occurred in the WT mice is consistent with past reports (21, 27). In age-matched TIMP-1-/- mice, LV echocardiographic dimensions were larger than in WT mice, which was expected from past observations from this laboratory (29). However, it is difficult to assess absolute LV volumes from echocardiographic measurements, particularly after MI. Accordingly, the present study used conductance volumetry to more carefully assess indexes of LV geometry and function in mice after MI. As expected, LV volumes were significantly greater in mice after MI in both WT and TIMP-1-/- groups but were disproportionately higher in TIMP-1-/- mice after MI. Despite the significant LV chamber remodeling that occurred in both WT and TIMP-1-/- mice, LV ejection fraction was preserved compared with referenced control values. The present studies were performed at 14 days after MI, and therefore it remains to be established whether a longer time interval after MI would have resulted in the development of decreased LV ejection fraction. However, results from the present study did demonstrate abnormalities in underlying LV contractile function, which would suggest that the development to overt LV failure would be likely with longer followup periods. Specifically, a significant fall in LV ESPVR occurred in both WT and TIMP-1-/- mice after MI. Whether the significant LV chamber remodeling that occurred in the TIMP-1-/- mice after MI coupled with the diminished contractile function would accelerate the progression to LV pump failure remains to be established and warrants further study.

In the present study, a loss of myocardial matrix integrity may have directly affected myocardial contractile performance. Specifically, the maintenance of myocardial fiber alignment and geometry within the LV free wall is determined, at least in part, by the myocyte-integrin-matrix interface (28). The architecture of the myocardial collagen matrix with respect to cardiac muscle alignment was described in early electron microscopy studies (2, 26). In addition, realignment of cardiac muscle fibers was reported previously to occur in rodent models of MI (24). Thus defects in the myocyte-matrix relationship within the post-MI myocardium could significantly influence the transduction of myocyte shortening into muscle fiber shortening.

There are several possible mechanisms for the relatively preserved LV ejection fractions in the current mouse model. First, in this 129 Sv mouse strain, the development of overt LV pump failure may take longer to develop than those reported previously. Second, LV ejection fraction is highly dependent on loading conditions. The present study demonstrated that an index of LV systolic function was significantly reduced in both WT and TIMP-1-/- MI mice. Thus a defect in LV function was demonstrated in the present study. Third, the present study cannot discount whether the MI or catheterization procedure superimposed on the MI caused mitral regurgitation. This low impedance outlet would cause a pseudonormalization of LV ejection fraction. This possibility is supported by the fact that the LV ESPVR was reduced in the MI mice. Thus future studies that directly determine whether this murine model of MI causes significant papillary muscle injury leading to mitral regurgitation is warranted. This is particularly important because MR in and of itself can cause significant LV chamber remodeling and influence local MMP/TIMP myocardial levels (22).

Myocardial hypertrophy occurred in the TIMP-1-/- mice after MI, as evidenced by greater ventricular mass and myocyte cross-sectional area. Because a greater degree of LV dilation occurred in the TIMP-1-/- mice, this hypertrophic response was likely due to increased stress placed on the viable myocardium. However, recent results have demonstrated that TIMPs may have multiple biological effects with respect to cell growth and viability (12). Thus the greater degree of myocardial hypertrophy in the TIMP-1-/- mice was likely multifactorial. The increased LV volumes and hypertrophy that occurred in the TIMP-1-/- mice after MI likely gave rise to specific changes in LV diastolic function. Specifically, LV end-diastolic pressure was increased and myocardial active relaxation (tau ) was prolonged in TIMP-1-/- mice after MI. The mechanism for the prolongation of isovolumic relaxation time in TIMP-1-/- mice is likely to be multifactorial. Isovolumic relaxation can be influenced by LV loading conditions, different degrees of hypertrophy, and abnormalities in calcium handling/reuptake. It is likely that all of these were present in the post-MI mice. Moreover, the degree of LV hypertrophy was greater in the TIMP-1-/- mice after MI, which would likely be manifested as a prolongation in myocardial active relaxation. However, whether and to what degree other processes, such as calcium handling, are affected to a more severe degree in TIMP-1-/- mice remain to be examined.

The fibrillar collagen matrix forms the structural backbone of the myocardium (2). This network provides strength and stiffness to the myocardium and also contributes to the maintenance of myocyte alignment and geometry (35). Disruption of the structural collagens has been implicated in the pathophysiology of dilated cardiomyopathy. Recently, Kim and colleagues (16) demonstrated that direct disruption of the extracellular matrix in the heart by chronic myocardial overexpression of MMP-1 resulted in marked deterioration of systolic and diastolic function at 12 mo of age. TIMP-1 deficiency, which theoretically also results in increased MMP activity, has comparable cardiac effects. In the present study, LV sections were prepared for morphological assessment of the MI wound healing response as well as characterization of cellular and extracellular remodeling. Thus LV myocardial samples were not available for careful biochemical assessment of MMP levels and activational states. Four TIMP subtypes have been identified to date, which may be differentially regulated in the progression of the heart failure process (18). TIMPs may play several biological roles in tissue remodeling, including growth regulation (12). In light of the results of the present study, future research regarding the specific effects of TIMP-1 deletion on relative myocardial MMP levels and the expression of alternative TIMP proteins after the induction of MI is warranted.

In a previous study (29) we demonstrated that TIMP-1-/- mice, in the absence of an underlying myocardial disease, had reduced content of myocardial fibrillar collagen at 4 mo of age. In the present study, we confirmed these results and additionally showed that these TIMP-1-/- hearts, with an inadequate fibrillar collagen matrix, exhibited more extensive LV dilatation in response to MI. Thus loss of fibrillar collagen at the starting point of our experiments (i.e., at the moment of MI induction) may have been an important contributory factor for the alterations in LV geometry in the TIMP-1-/- mice after MI.

The egress of inflammatory cells from the vasculature, as well as the migration of inflammatory cells through the infarcted tissue, is dependent on a number of orchestrated steps, including the activation of proteases. These protease systems are highly redundant, but reduction in the activity of MMP-9 or the serine proteinase plasmin has been shown to modify the inflammatory response after MI in mice (5, 7, 14). The present study demonstrates that TIMP-1 deficiency does not have an apparent effect on the inflammatory response of the heart. This may be due to the fact that at 2 wk after MI the initial inflammatory response is largely completed or because other TIMP molecules may have compensated for the lack of TIMP-1. However, on the basis of the observations that fibrillar collagen was reduced and that the length of the MI was larger in the TIMP-1-/- mice, we conclude that structural remodeling of the MI region was altered in the absence of TIMP-1.

In the control state, ambient mean arterial pressure was higher in the TIMP-1-/- mice. The TIMP-1-/- murine construct was a global gene deletion and therefore potentially may have influenced vascular structure and function. Specifically, alterations in extracellular structure may have influenced vascular resistive properties. In the present study, LV stroke volume was also slightly higher in the control TIMP-1-/- mice. Although remaining speculative, these factors likely contributed to the differences in arterial pressure observed in the control TIMP-1-/- mice. Future studies that directly examine vasomotor tone and vascular structure in these TIMP-1-/- mice will be necessary to more carefully address this issue.

In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of local endogenous control of MMPs by TIMP-1 for the remodeling process of the heart after MI, not only with respect to extracellular matrix structure but also with respect to myocyte growth and myocardial function. Furthermore, the results from the present study emphasize the therapeutic potential for modifying post-MI architectural remodeling through local regulation of myocardial MMP activity.


    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was funded by Netherlands Heart Foundation Grant 99.054 and by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grants HL-45024, HL-97012, and PO1-HL-48788.


    FOOTNOTES

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: F. G. Spinale, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Rm. 625, Strom Thurmond Research Bldg., 770 MUSC Complex, Medical Univ. of South Carolina, 114 Doughty St., Charleston, SC 29425.

The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.

First published September 26, 2002;10.1152/ajpheart.00511.2002

Received 27 June 2002; accepted in final form 18 September 2002.


    REFERENCES
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

1.   Baghelai, K, Marktanner R, Dattilo JB, Dattilo MPM, Jakoi ER, Yager DR, Makhoul RG, and Wechsler AS. Decreased expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 in stunned myocardium. J Surg Res 77: 35-39, 1998[ISI][Medline].

2.   Caulfield, JB, and Borg TK. The collagen network of the heart. Lab Invest 40: 364-372, 1979[ISI][Medline].

3.   Cleutjens, JPM, Kandala JC, Guarda E, Guntaka RV, and Weber KT. Regulation of collagen degradation in the rat myocardium after infarction. J Mol Cell Cardiol 27: 1281-1292, 1994.

4.   Creemers, EEJM, Cleutjens JPM, Smits JFM, and Daemen MJAP Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition after myocardial infarction. A new approach to prevent heart failure? Circ Res 89: 201-210, 2001[Abstract/Free Full Text].

5.   Creemers, EEJM, Cleutjens J, Smits J, Heymans S, Moons L, Collen D, Daemen M, and Carmeliet P. Disruption of the plasminogen gene in mice abolishes wound healing after myocardial infarction. Am J Pathol 156: 1865-1873, 2000[Abstract/Free Full Text].

6.   Danielsen, CC, Wiggers H, and Andersen HR. Increased amounts of collagenase and gelatinase in porcine myocardium following ischemia and reperfusion. J Mol Cell Cardiol 30: 1431-1442, 1998[ISI][Medline].

7.   Ducharme, A, Frantz S, Aikawa M, Rabkin E, Lindsey M, Rohde LE, Schoen FJ, Kelly RA, Werb Z, Libby P, and Lee RT. Targeted deletion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 attenuates left ventricular enlargement and collagen accumulation after experimental myocardial infarction. J Clin Invest 106: 55-62, 2000[ISI][Medline].

8.   Feldman, MD, Mao Y, Valvano JW, Pearce JA, and Freeman GL. Development of a multifrequency conductance catheter-based system to determine LV function in mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 279: H1411-H1420, 2000[Abstract/Free Full Text].

9.   Gardin, JM, Siri FM, Kitsis RN, Edwards JG, and Leinwand LA. Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular mass and systolic function in mice. Circ Res 76: 907-914, 1995[Abstract/Free Full Text].

10.   Georgakopoulos, D, and Kass DA. Estimation of parallel conductance by dual-frequency conductance catheter in mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 279: H443-H450, 2000[Abstract/Free Full Text].

11.   Georgakopoulos, D, Mitzner WA, Chen CH, Byrne BJ, Millar HD, Hare JM, and Kass DA. In vivo murine left ventricular pressure-volume relations by miniaturized conductance micromanometry. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 274: H1416-H1422, 1998[Abstract/Free Full Text].

12.   Hayakawa, T, Yamashita K, Tanzawa K, Uchijima E, and Iwata K. Growth-promoting activity of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) for a wide range of cells. A possible new growth factor in serum. FEBS Lett 298: 29-32, 1992[ISI][Medline].

13.   Hayashidani, S, Tsutsui H, Shiomi T, Suematsu N, Kinugawa S, Ide T, Wen J, and Takeshita A. Fluvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitor, attenuates left ventricular remodeling and failure after experimental myocardial infarction. Circulation 105: 868-873, 2002[Abstract/Free Full Text].

14.   Heymans, S, Luttun A, Nuyens D, Theilmeier G, Creemers E, Moons L, Dyspersin GD, Cleutjens JPM, Shipley M, Angellilo A, Levi M, Nube O, Baker A, Keshet E, Lupu F, Herbert JM, Smits JF, Shapiro SD, Baes M, Borgers M, Collen D, Daemen MJ, and Carmeliet P. Inhibition of plasminogen activators or matrix metalloproteinases prevent cardiac rupture but impairs therapeutic angiogenesis and causes cardiac failure. Nat Med 10: 1135-1142, 1999.

15.   Hoit, BD. New approaches to phenotypic analysis in adult mice. J Mol Cell Cardiol 33: 27-35, 2001[ISI][Medline].

16.   Kim, HE, Dalal SS, Young E, Legato MJ, Weisfeldt ML, and D'Armiento J. Disruption of the myocardial extracellular matrix leads to cardiac dysfunction. J Clin Invest 106: 857-866, 2000[ISI][Medline].

17.   Leenen, PJ, de Bruijn MF, Voerman JS, Campbell PA, and van Ewijk W. Markers of mouse macrophage development detected by monoclonal antibodies. J Immunol Methods 174: 5-19, 1994[ISI][Medline].

18.   Li, YY, Feldman AM, Sun Y, and McTiernan CF. Differential expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in the failing human heart. Circulation 98: 1728-1734, 1998[Abstract/Free Full Text].

19.   Li, YY, McTiernan CF, and Feldman AM. Interplay of matrix metalloproteinases, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases and their regulators in cardiac remodeling. Cardiovasc Res 46: 214-224, 2000[Abstract/Free Full Text].

20.   Lindsey, ML, Gannon J, Aikawa M, Schoen FJ, Rabkin E, Lopresti-Morrow L, Crawford J, Black S, Libby P, Mitchell PG, and Lee RT. Selective matrix metalloproteinase inhibition reduces left ventricular remodeling but does not inhibit angiogenesis after myocardial infarction. Circulation 105: 753-758, 2002[Abstract/Free Full Text].

21.   Lutgens, E, Daemen MJAP, de Muinck ED, and Smits JFM Chronic myocardial infarction in mice: structural and functional consequences. Cardiovasc Res 41: 586-593, 1999[Abstract/Free Full Text].

22.   Nagatomo, Y, Carabello BA, Coker ML, McDermott PJ, Nemoto S, Hamawaki M, and Spinale FG. Differential effects of pressure or volume overload on myocardial MMP levels and inhibitory control. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 278: H151-H161, 2000[Abstract/Free Full Text].

23.   Nothnick, WB, Soloway PD, and Curry TE, Jr. Pattern of messenger ribonucleic acid expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) during testicular maturation in male mice lacking a functional TIMP-1 gene. Biol Reprod 59: 364-370, 1998[Abstract/Free Full Text].

24.   Olivetti, G, Capasso JM, Sonnenblick EH, and Anversa P. Side-to-side slippage of myocytes participates in ventricular wall remodeling acutely after myocardial infarction in rats. Circ Res 67: 23-34, 1990[Abstract/Free Full Text].

25.   Peterson, JT, Li H, Dillon L, and Bryant JW. Evolution of matrix metalloprotease and tissue inhibitor expression during heart failure progression in the infarcted rat. Cardiovasc Res 46: 307-315, 2000[Abstract/Free Full Text].

26.   Robinson, TF, Cohen-Gould L, and Factor SM. Skeletal framework of mammalian heart muscle. Arrangement of inter- and pericellular connective tissue structures. Lab Invest 49: 482-498, 1983[ISI][Medline].

27.   Rohde, LE, Ducharme A, Arroyo LH, Aikawa M, Sukhova GH, Lopez-Anaya A, McClure KF, Mitchell PG, Libby P, and Lee RT. Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition attenuates early left ventricular enlargement after experimental myocardial infarction in mice. Circulation 99: 3063-3070, 1999[Abstract/Free Full Text].

28.   Ross, RS, and Borg TK. Integrins and the myocardium. Circ Res 88: 1112-1119, 2001[Abstract/Free Full Text].

29.   Roten, L, Nemoto S, Simsic J, Coker ML, Rao V, Baicu S, Defreyte G, Soloway PJ, Zile MR, and Spinale FG. Effects of gene deletion of the tissue inhibitor of the matrix metalloproteinase-type 1 (TIMP-1) on left ventricular geometry and function in mice. J Mol Cell Cardiol 32: 109-120, 2000[ISI][Medline].

30.   Scherrer-Crosbie, M, Ullrich R, Bloch KD, Nakajima H, Nasseri B, Aretz HT, Lindsey ML, Vancon AC, Huang PL, Lee RT, Zapol WM, and Picard MH. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase limits left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction in mice. Circulation 104: 1286-1291, 2001[Abstract/Free Full Text].

31.   Sivasubramanian, N, Coker ML, Kurrelmeyer KM, MacLellan WR, DeMayo FJ, Spinale FG, and Mann DL. Left ventricular remodeling in transgenic mice with cardiac restricted overexpression of tumor necrosis factor. Circulation 104: 826-831, 2001[Abstract/Free Full Text].

32.   Spinale, FG, Coker ML, Krombach SR, Mukherjee R, Hallak H, Houck WV, Clair MJ, Kribbs SB, Johnson LL, Peterson JT, and Zile MR. Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition during the development of congestive heart failure: effects on left ventricular dimensions and function. Circ Res 85: 364-376, 1999[Abstract/Free Full Text].

33.   Spinale, FG, Coker ML, Thomas CV, Walker JD, Mukherjee R, and Hebbar L. Time-dependent changes in matrix metalloproteinase activity and expression during the progression of congestive heart failure. Circ Res 82: 482-495, 1998[Abstract/Free Full Text].

34.   Thomas, CV, Coker ML, Zellner JL, Handy JR, Crumbley AJ, and Spinale FG. Increased matrix metalloproteinase activity and selective upregulation in LV myocardium from patients with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. Circulation 97: 1708-1715, 1998[Abstract/Free Full Text].

35.   Whittaker, P, Boughner DR, and Kloner RA. Role of collagen in acute myocardial infarct expansion. Circulation 84: 2123-2134, 1991[Abstract/Free Full Text].

36.   Yang, B, Larson DF, and Watson R. Age-related left ventricular function in the mouse: analysis based on in vivo pressure-volume relationships. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 277: H1906-H1913, 1999[Abstract/Free Full Text].


Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 284(1):H364-H371
0363-6135/03 $5.00 Copyright © 2003 the American Physiological Society



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Ann. Thorac. Surg.Home page
M. D. McEvoy, A.-G. Taylor, J. A. Zavadzkas, I. M. Mains, R. L. Ford, R. E. Stroud, L. B. Jeffords, C. U. Beck, S. T. Reeves, and F. G. Spinale
Aprotinin exerts differential and dose-dependent effects on myocardial contractility, oxidative stress, and cytokine release after ischemia-reperfusion.
Ann. Thorac. Surg., August 1, 2008; 86(2): 568 - 575.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
X. Xu, W. Wan, L. Ji, S. Lao, A. S. Powers, W. Zhao, J. M. Erikson, and J. Q. Zhang
Exercise training combined with angiotensin II receptor blockade limits post-infarct ventricular remodelling in rats
Cardiovasc Res, June 1, 2008; 78(3): 523 - 532.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
P. J.H. Smeets, B. E.J. Teunissen, P. H.M. Willemsen, F. A. van Nieuwenhoven, A. E. Brouns, B. J.A. Janssen, J. P.M. Cleutjens, B. Staels, G. J. van der Vusse, and M. van Bilsen
Cardiac hypertrophy is enhanced in PPAR{alpha}-/- mice in response to chronic pressure overload
Cardiovasc Res, April 1, 2008; 78(1): 79 - 89.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
K. R. McGaffin, C.-K. Sun, J. J. Rager, L. C. Romano, B. Zou, M. A. Mathier, R. M. O'Doherty, C. F. McTiernan, and C. P. O'Donnell
Leptin signalling reduces the severity of cardiac dysfunction and remodelling after chronic ischaemic injury
Cardiovasc Res, January 1, 2008; 77(1): 54 - 63.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Physiol. Rev.Home page
F. G. Spinale
Myocardial Matrix Remodeling and the Matrix Metalloproteinases: Influence on Cardiac Form and Function
Physiol Rev, October 1, 2007; 87(4): 1285 - 1342.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
H. K. Graham and A. W. Trafford
Spatial disruption and enhanced degradation of collagen with the transition from compensated ventricular hypertrophy to symptomatic congestive heart failure
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, March 1, 2007; 292(3): H1364 - H1372.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
R. Mukherjee, J. T. Mingoia, J. A. Bruce, J. S. Austin, R. E. Stroud, G. P. Escobar, D. M. McClister Jr, C. M. Allen, M. A. Alfonso-Jaume, M. E. Fini, et al.
Selective spatiotemporal induction of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 transcription after myocardial infarction
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, November 1, 2006; 291(5): H2216 - H2228.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
S. Janssens and H. R. Lijnen
What has been learned about the cardiovascular effects of matrix metalloproteinases from mouse models?
Cardiovasc Res, February 15, 2006; 69(3): 585 - 594.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
D. Vanhoutte, M. Schellings, Y. Pinto, and S. Heymans
Relevance of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors after myocardial infarction: A temporal and spatial window
Cardiovasc Res, February 15, 2006; 69(3): 604 - 613.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
E. Lubos, R. Schnabel, H. J. Rupprecht, C. Bickel, C. M. Messow, S. Prigge, F. Cambien, L. Tiret, T. Munzel, and S. Blankenberg
Prognostic value of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 for cardiovascular death among patients with cardiovascular disease: results from the AtheroGene study
Eur. Heart J., January 2, 2006; 27(2): 150 - 156.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
M. L. Lindsey, G. P. Escobar, L. W. Dobrucki, D. K. Goshorn, S. Bouges, J. T. Mingoia, D. M. McClister Jr., H. Su, J. Gannon, C. MacGillivray, et al.
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene deletion facilitates angiogenesis after myocardial infarction
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, January 1, 2006; 290(1): H232 - H239.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
P. K. Shah
Preservation of Cardiac Extracellular Matrix by Passive Myocardial Restraint: An Emerging New Therapeutic Paradigm in the Prevention of Adverse Remodeling and Progressive Heart Failure
Circulation, August 30, 2005; 112(9): 1245 - 1247.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
M. L. Lindsey, D. K. Goshorn, C. E. Squires, G. P. Escobar, J. W. Hendrick, J. T. Mingoia, S. E. Sweterlitsch, and F. G. Spinale
Age-dependent changes in myocardial matrix metalloproteinase/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase profiles and fibroblast function
Cardiovasc Res, May 1, 2005; 66(2): 410 - 419.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page