Our long term goal in experiments proposed here is to identify the mechanism(s) responsible for the down-regulation of the slow skeletal troponin I (ssTnI) isoform, which occurs during post-natal maturation of the heart. Preliminary data underpin our hypothesis that the microRNA, miR-208a, is involved in silencing the cardiac expression of ssTnI after birth. Our experiments continue research supported by this proposal that demonstrated that expression of ssTnI in the adult heart of transgenic mice protects the myocardium against common stresses including familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Preliminary data demonstrate: i) increased expression of miR-208a with muscle specific miRs, miR-1 and miR-133a in developing cardiomyocytes, and ii) knockdown of miR-208a in cardiomyocytes by a 208a-antagomiR induces ssTnI expression. Our objectives are as follows:
Aim #1 To determine mechanism(s) of ssTnI and miR-208a mediated regulation by (a) investigating interplay of miR-208a with thyroid hormone mediated down regulation of ssTnI, (b) analyzing the role of miR-208a in conjunction with other co-regulated miRNAs in ssTnI gene regulation, (c) investigating transcriptional mechanisms of ssTnI gene regulation, and (d) evaluating ssTnI as a direct target of miRNA- mediated regulation.
Aim #2 : To determine the relative impact of miR-208a KO on modifications of thin filament proteins, on myofilament response to Ca, on myocyte mechanics and Ca, and on in situ cardiac function.
Aim #3. To determine whether reduced expression of miR-208a improves cardiac function in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) associated with an alpha-tropomyosin mutation. Our approach to Aim #1 includes i) analysis of expression of ssTnI in neonatal cardiac myocytes by gain and loss of function approaches to dissect the relative significance of thyroid related signaling in the repression of ssTnI;ii) determination the relative role of miR-208a as a repressor of ssTnI expression employing co-induction with other miRs;iii) identification of transcription factors targeted by miR-208a and determination of their DNA binding and expression;and iv) identification of targets of miR-208a in ssTnI 3'UTR. Our approaches to Aims #2 include studies comparing miR208a-KO mice to controls to determine the functional impact of altered myofilament properties as reflected in isoform population, post-translational modifications, pCa-force relations and cross- bridge kinetics. Findings from studies of skinned myocytes are integrated into myocardial function by studies of Ca2+ transients and mechanics at the level of cardiac myocytes and of dynamics of in situ beating hearts responding to stresses including those dominated by altered thin filament properties.
In Aim #3 our approach is to determine whether cross-breeding a familial DCM mouse model linked to a tropomyosin mutation with the miR208a-KO mouse is able to rescue the DCM phenotype. Experiments proposed here fill a significant gap in our understanding of the control of expression of the isoform population of myocardial TnI, an essential thin filament protein, and test a significant therapeutic approach to cardiac disorders.

Public Health Relevance

Cardiac dysfunction associated with many cardiac diseases involves alterations in cardiac troponin I that adversely affects cardiac function. The fetal counterpart of this protein, ssTnI, is resistant to such alterations, yet ssTnI gets silenced after birth. This research proposal is designed to understand the role of microRNA in ssTnI silencing. Once these regulatory molecules are identified, we will maneuver microRNAs level to induce the expression of ssTnI in adult heart and this could lead to improved muscle contraction of a failing heart.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL022231-36
Application #
8666785
Study Section
Cardiac Contractility, Hypertrophy, and Failure Study Section (CCHF)
Program Officer
Adhikari, Bishow B
Project Start
2011-08-18
Project End
2015-04-30
Budget Start
2014-05-01
Budget End
2015-04-30
Support Year
36
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$390,775
Indirect Cost
$145,775
Name
University of Illinois at Chicago
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
098987217
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612
Warren, Chad M; Karam, Chehade N; Wolska, Beata M et al. (2015) Green Tea Catechin Normalizes the Enhanced Ca2+ Sensitivity of Myofilaments Regulated by a Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy-Associated Mutation in Human Cardiac Troponin I (K206I). Circ Cardiovasc Genet 8:765-73
Carley, Andrew N; Taglieri, Domenico M; Bi, Jian et al. (2015) Metabolic efficiency promotes protection from pressure overload in hearts expressing slow skeletal troponin I. Circ Heart Fail 8:119-27
Yar, Sumeyye; Monasky, Michelle M; Solaro, R John (2014) Maladaptive modifications in myofilament proteins and triggers in the progression to heart failure and sudden death. Pflugers Arch 466:1189-97
Puglisi, Jose L; Goldspink, Paul H; Gomes, Aldrin V et al. (2014) Influence of a constitutive increase in myofilament Ca(2+)-sensitivity on Ca(2+)-fluxes and contraction of mouse heart ventricular myocytes. Arch Biochem Biophys 552-553:50-9
Briston, Sarah J; Dibb, Katharine M; Solaro, R John et al. (2014) Balanced changes in Ca buffering by SERCA and troponin contribute to Ca handling during ?-adrenergic stimulation in cardiac myocytes. Cardiovasc Res 104:347-54
Nagalingam, Raghu S; Sundaresan, Nagalingam R; Noor, Mariam et al. (2014) Deficiency of cardiomyocyte-specific microRNA-378 contributes to the development of cardiac fibrosis involving a transforming growth factor ? (TGF?1)-dependent paracrine mechanism. J Biol Chem 289:27199-214
Henze, Marcus; Patrick, Stacey E; Hinken, Aaron et al. (2013) New insights into the functional significance of the acidic region of the unique N-terminal extension of cardiac troponin I. Biochim Biophys Acta 1833:823-32
Nagalingam, Raghu S; Sundaresan, Nagalingam R; Gupta, Mahesh P et al. (2013) A cardiac-enriched microRNA, miR-378, blocks cardiac hypertrophy by targeting Ras signaling. J Biol Chem 288:11216-32
Jeong, Euy-Myoung; Monasky, Michelle M; Gu, Lianzhi et al. (2013) Tetrahydrobiopterin improves diastolic dysfunction by reversing changes in myofilament properties. J Mol Cell Cardiol 56:44-54
Nixon, Benjamin R; Liu, Bin; Scellini, Beatrice et al. (2013) Tropomyosin Ser-283 pseudo-phosphorylation slows myofibril relaxation. Arch Biochem Biophys 535:30-8

Showing the most recent 10 out of 119 publications