Blockade of hypoxia-reoxygenation-mediated collagen type I expression and MMP activity by overexpression of TGF-β₁delivered by AAV in mouse cardiomyocytes

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) is one of the most pleiotropic and multifunctional peptides known. While the cardioprotective effect of TGF-beta(1) during ischemia is well known, the specific role of TGF-beta(1) in altering the cardiac remodeling process remains unclear. This study was designed to examine the regulation of hypoxia-reoxygenation-mediated collagen type I expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by overexpression of TGF-beta(1) in cultured HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes. TGF-beta(1) was overexpressed in cardiomyocytes by transfection with adeno-associated virus (AAV)/TGF-beta(1)(Latent) or with AAV/TGF-beta(1)(ACT) (active TGF-beta(1)). Twenty-four hours of hypoxia followed by 3 h of reoxygenation (H-R) markedly enhanced (pro)collagen type I expression and activity of MMPs concomitant with an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) release and LOX-1 expression. Overexpression of TGF-beta(1) reduced these alterations induced by H-R. TGF-beta(1) overexpression also blocked H-R-mediated p38 and p44/42 MAPK activation. Transfection with AAV/TGF-beta(1)(ACT) was superior to that with AAV/TGF-beta(1)(Latent). These data for the first time demonstrate that H-R induces signals for cardiac remodeling in cardiomyocytes and TGF-beta(1) can modulate, possibly via antioxidant mechanism, these signals. These findings contribute to further understanding of the role of TGF-beta(1) in the cardiac remodeling process.