Background and Purpose: The intracellular signalling molecule cGMP, formed by NO-sensitive GC (NO-GC), has an established function in the vascular system.Despite numerous reports about NO-induced cGMP effects in the heart, the underlying cGMP signals are poorly characterized.Experimental Approach: Therefore, we analysed cGMP signals in cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts isolated from knock-in mice expressing a FRET-based cGMP indicator.Key Results: Whereas in cardiac myocytes, none of the known NO-GC-activating substances (NO, GC activators, and GC stimulators) increased cGMP even in the presence of PDE inhibitors, they induced substantial cGMP increases in cardiac fibroblasts.As cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts are electrically connected via gap junctions, we asked whether cGMP can take the same route. Indeed, in cardiomyocytes cocultured on cardiac fibroblasts, NO-induced cGMP signals were detectable, and two groups of unrelated gap junction inhibitors abolished these signals. Conclusion and Implication:We conclude that NO-induced cGMP formed in cardiac fibroblasts enters cardiac myocytes via gap junctions thereby turning cGMP into an intercellular signalling molecule. The findings shed new light on NO/cGMP signalling in the heart and will potentially broaden therapeutic opportunities for cardiac disease.Abbreviations: % CER, % change of emission ratio; 8MMX, 8-methoxymethyl-IBMX; Ang II, angiotensin II; ANP, atrial natriuretic peptide; BAY60, BAY60-7550; BNP, brain natriuretic peptide; CNP, C-type natriuretic peptide; ES cells, embryonic stem cells; GSNO, Snitrosoglutathione; NO-GC, NO-sensitive GC; ROI, region of interest; α/βGlycA, 18-α/βglycyrrhetinic acid

In the NO/cGMP signaling cascade, relevant in the cardiovascular system, two NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase (NO-GC) isoforms are responsible for NO-dependent cGMP generation. Here, the impact of the major NO-GC isoform, NO-GC1, on fibrosis development in the cardiovascular system was studied in NO-GC1-deficient mice treated with AngiotensinII (AngII), known to induce vascular and cardiac remodeling. Morphometric analysis of NO-GC1 KO’s aortae demonstrated an enhanced increase of perivascular area after AngII treatment accompanied by a higher aortic collagen1 mRNA content. Increased perivascular fibrosis also occurred in cardiac vessels of AngII-treated NO-GC1 KO mice. In line, AngII-induced interstitial fibrosis was 32% more pronounced in NO-GC1 KO than in WT myocardia associated with a higher cardiac Col1 and other fibrotic marker protein content. In sum, increased perivascular and cardiac interstitial fibrosis together with the enhanced collagen1 mRNA content in AngII-treated NO-GC1-deficient mice represent an exciting manifestation of antifibrotic properties of cGMP formed by NO-GC1, a finding with great pharmaco-therapeutic implications.

The occurrence of NO/cGMP signalling in cardiac cells is a matter of debate. Recent measurements with a FRET-based cGMP indicator in isolated cardiac cells revealed NO-induced cGMP signals in cardiac fibroblasts while cardiomyocytes were devoid of these signals. In a fibroblast/myocyte co-culture model though, cGMP formed in fibroblasts in response to NO entered cardiomyocytes via gap junctions. Here, we demonstrate gap junction-mediated cGMP transfer from cardiac fibroblasts to myocytes in intact tissue. In living cardiac slices of mice with cardiomyocyte-specific expression of a FRET-based cGMP indicator (αMHC/cGi-500), NO-dependent cGMP signals were shown to occur in myocytes, to depend on gap junctions and to be degraded mainly by PDE3. Stimulation of NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase enhanced Forskolin- and Isoproterenol-induced cAMP and phospholamban phosphorylation. Genetic inactivation of NO-GC in Tcf21-expressing cardiac fibroblasts abrogated the synergistic action of NO-GC stimulation on Iso-induced phospholamban phosphorylation, identifying fibroblasts as cGMP source and substantiating the necessity of cGMP-transfer to myocytes. In sum, NO-stimulated cGMP formed in cardiac fibroblasts enters cardiomyocytes in native tissue where it exerts an inhibitory effect on cAMP degradation by PDE3, thereby increasing cAMP and downstream effects in cardiomyocytes. Hence, enhancing β-receptor-induced contractile responses appears as one of NO/cGMP’s functions in the non-failing heart.