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An R120G missense mutation in the small heat shock protein ␣-B-crystallin (CryAB R120G ) causes desmin-related cardiomyopathy (DRM). DRM is characterized by the formation of aggregates containing CryAB and desmin, and it can be recapitulated in transgenic mice by cardiac-specific expression of the mutant protein. In this article, we show that expression of CryAB R120G leads to the formation of electron-dense bodies characteristic of the DRMs and identify these bodies as aggresomes, which are characteristic of the neurodegenerative diseases. Cardiomyocytes transfected with adenovirus containing CryAB R120G establish the necessity and sufficiency of CryAB R120G expression for aggresome formation. The commonality of these aggresomes with oligomeric protein aggregates found in the amyloid-related degenerative diseases was corroborated by the presence of high levels of amyloid oligomers that may represent a primary toxic species in the amyloid diseases. These oligomeric amyloid intermediates are present also in cardiomyocytes derived from many human dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies.H uman heart failure is the leading cause of death in the developed world, and it represents a final common endpoint for several disease entities, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, and the cardiomyopathies (1, 2). A lack of pathogenic commonality is underscored by the large number of mutations in different classes of cardiac proteins that have been linked to dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (3). Mutations in the cytoskeletal and associated proteins can be causative because these proteins function in structural, sensor, and signaling roles in the normal and diseased cardiomyocyte (4). For example, up-regulation of the intermediate filament protein desmin occurs in cardiac disorders such as cardiac hypertrophy and congestive heart failure (CHF) (5), and desmin mutations are associated with desmin-related cardiomyopathy (DRM) and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (6, 7). Mutations in other proteins also have been associated with the DRMs, and genetic evidence linking an R120G mutation in ␣-B-crystallin (CryAB, CryAB R120G ) to human DRM (8) prompted a series of experiments in which we showed that cardiac-restricted transgenic (TG) expression of CryAB R120G was sufficient to cause heart failure in a mouse model (9). Although up-regulation of CryAB is associated with disease states including DRM, its synthesis probably represents a general cellular response to stress because CryAB has chaperone-like activity. Indeed, CryAB, which binds to both desmin and cytoplasmic actin, probably participates normally as a chaperone in intermediate filament formation and maintenance in the heart.The ␣-crystallins (␣-A and ␣-B) were of interest initially as major structural proteins present in the lens of the vertebrate eye. However, the discovery that they were related to the small heat shock proteins (hsps) in Drosophila (10) prompted reevaluation of their broader role(s), and it is now known that CryAB belongs to the sma...

Background-Mitochondria and sarcomeres have a well-defined architectural relation that partially depends on the integrity of the cytoskeletal network. An R120G missense mutation in the small heat shock protein ␣-B-crystallin (CryAB) causes desmin-related cardiomyopathy. Desmin-related cardiomyopathy is characterized by the formation of intracellular aggregates containing CryAB and desmin that are amyloid positive, and disease can be recapitulated in transgenic mice by cardiac-specific expression of the mutant protein. Methods and Results-To understand the resultant pathology, we explored the acute effects of R120G expression both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, transfection of adult cardiomyocytes with R120G-expressing adenovirus resulted in altered contractile mechanics. In vivo, as the cytoskeletal network is disturbed but before deficits in organ function can be detected, alterations in mitochondrial organization and architecture occur, leading to a reduction in the maximal rate of oxygen consumption with substrates that utilize complex I activity, alterations in the permeability transition pore, and compromised inner membrane potential. Apoptotic pathways are subsequently activated, which eventually results in cardiomyocyte death, dilation, and heart failure. Conclusions-Cardiac chaperone dysfunction acutely leads to altered cardiomyocyte mechanics, perturbations in mitochondrial-sarcomere architecture, and deficits in mitochondrial function, which can result in activation of apoptosis and heart failure.

Preeclampsia (PE) affects 5–8% of all pregnancies and is associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Placental mitochondrial dysfunction has been reported in PE. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression through mRNA degradation and translational repression. MiR-210 has been previously shown to be up regulated in placentas from pregnancies complicated by PE. We hypothesized that placental mitochondrial dysfunction during PE can be mediated by miR-210. Placentas were collected at term from normotensive pregnancies (CTRL) and those complicated by severe PE (n=6 each) following c-section (no labor). Villous tissue from PE showed significantly increased levels of HIF-1α compared to CTRL with no change in corresponding mRNA expression but with reduced DNA-binding activity. Mitochondrial complex III was significantly decreased in PE along with significantly reduced protein expression in complex I and IV during PE. Among the four miRNAs tested, miR-210 showed significant up regulation in PE and significant down regulation of its target, ISCU mRNA. To understand the role of miR-210 in PE, loss- and gain-of-function studies were performed using primary trophoblasts. Trophoblasts were transfected with miR-210 inhibitor or pre-miR-210 and mitochondrial function was measured using Seahorse Extracellular Flux Analyzer. Cells transfected with pre-miR-210 showed significant reduction in oxygen consumption. In contrast, transfection of trophoblast with AntagomiR-210 was sufficient to prevent the DFO-mediated respiratory deficiency. These data collectively suggest that miR-210 over expression during PE could be responsible for placental mitochondria dysfunction.

It has been previously shown that heat acclimation leads to an elevated basal level of 72-kDa heat shock protein (HSP72). Augmented expression of HSP72 is considered as a cytoprotective response. This led us to hypothesize that alterations in the heat shock protein (HSP) defense pathway are an integral part of the heat acclimation repertoire. To investigate this, we studied the temporal profile of basal HSP expression upon acclimation and the dynamics of their accumulation subsequent to acute heat stress (HS). In parallel, HSP72 mRNA level before and after HS was measured. For comparison, HSC mRNA [the constitutive member of 70-kDa HSP (HSP70) family] was measured in similar conditions. Heat acclimation was attained by continuous exposure of rats to 34°C for 0, 1, 2, and 30 days. HS was attained by exposure to 41 or 43°C for 2 h. Thermoregulatory capacity of the rats was defined by rectal temperature, heating rate, and the cumulative heat strain invoked during HS. HSP72 and HSP70 gene transcripts were measured in the left ventricle of the heart by means of Western immunoblotting and semiquantitative RT-PCR, respectively. The resultant acclimatory change comprised a higher resting level of the encoded 72-kDa protein (Δ175%, P < 0.0001). After HS, peak HSP72 mRNA level was attained, 40 and 20 min post-HS at 41 and 43°C, respectively, vs. 60 and 40 min in the nonacclimated group. The subsequent HSP synthesis, however, was dependent on the severity of the cumulative heat strain. At the initial phase of heat acclimation, augmented HSP72 transcription unaccompanied by HSP synthesis was observed. It is concluded that upon heat acclimation, the HSP defense pathway is predisposed to a faster response. At the initial phases of heat acclimation, inability to elevate the HSP cytosolic level rules out their direct cytoprotective role.

The placenta plays a key role in regulation of fetal growth and development and in mediating in utero developmental programming. Obesity, which is associated with chronic inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in many tissues, exerts a programming effect in pregnancy. We determined the effect of increasing maternal adiposity and of fetal sex on placental ATP generation, mitochondrial biogenesis, expression of electron transport chain subunits, and mitochondrial function in isolated trophoblasts. Placental tissue was collected from women with prepregnancy BMI ranging from 18.5 to 45 following C-section at term with no labor. Increasing maternal adiposity was associated with excessive production of reactive oxygen species and a significant reduction in placental ATP levels in placentae with male and female fetuses. To explore the potential mechanism of placental mitochondrial dysfunction, levels of transcription factors regulating the expression of genes involved in electron transport and mitochondrial biogenesis were measured. Our in vitro studies showed significant reduction in mitochondrial respiration in cultured primary trophoblasts with increasing maternal obesity along with an abnormal metabolic flexibility of these cells. This reduction in placental mitochondrial respiration in pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity could compromise placental function and potentially underlie the increased susceptibility of these pregnancies to fetal demise in late gestation and to developmental programming.

. HIF-1␣-targeted pathways are activated by heat acclimation and contribute to acclimation-ischemic cross-tolerance in the heart. Physiol Genomics 23: 79-88, 2005. First published July 26, 2005 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00279.2004.-Hypoxiainducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a key regulator of the cellular hypoxic response. We previously showed that HIF-1 activation is essential for heat acclimation (AC) in Caenorhabditis elegans. Metabolic changes in AC rat hearts indicate HIF-1␣ activation in mammals as well. Here we characterize the HIF-1␣ profile and the transcriptional activation of its target genes following AC and following heat stress (HS) in hearts from nonacclimated (C; 24°C) and AC (34°C, 1 mo) rats. We used Western blot and immunohistochemistry to measure HIF-1␣ levels and EMSA and RT-PCR/quantitative RT-PCR to detect expression of the HIF-1␣-targeted genes, including vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf), heme oxygenase-1 (HO1), erythropoietin (Epo), and Epo receptor (EpoR). EpoR and Epo mRNA levels were measured to determine systemic effects in the kidneys and cross-tolerance effects in C and AC ischemic hearts (Langendorff, 75% ischemia, 40 min). The results demonstrated that 1) after AC, HIF-1␣ protein levels were increased, 2) HS alone induced transient HIF-1␣ upregulation, and 3) VEGF and HO1 mRNA levels increased after HS, with greater magnitude in the AC hearts. Epo mRNA in AC kidneys and EpoR mRNA in AC hearts were also elevated. In AC hearts, EpoR expression was markedly higher after HS or ischemia. Hearts from AC rats were dramatically protected against infarction after ischemiaperfusion. We conclude that HIF-1 contributes to the acclimation-ischemia cross-tolerance mechanism in the heart by induction of both chronic and inducible adaptive components.hypoxia-inducible factor-