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Different types of cell death and their interactions in myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury

Myocardial ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury is a multifaceted process observed in patients with coronary artery disease when blood flow is restored to the heart tissue following ischemia-induced damage. Cardiomyocyte cell death, particularly through apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, is pivotal in myocardial I/R injury. Preventing cell death during the process of I/R is vital for improving ischemic cardiomyopathy. These multiple forms of cell death can occur simultaneously, interact with each other, and contribute to the complexity of myocardial I/R injury. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive summary of the key molecular mechanisms and regulatory patterns involved in these five types of cell death in myocardial I/R injury. We will also discuss the crosstalk and intricate interactions among these mechanisms, highlighting the interplay between different types of cell death. Furthermore, we will explore specific molecules or targets that participate in different cell death pathways and elucidate their mechanisms of action. It is important to note that manipulating the molecules or targets involved in distinct cell death processes may have a significant impact on reducing myocardial I/R injury. By enhancing researchers’ understanding of the mechanisms and interactions among different types of cell death in myocardial I/R injury, this review aims to pave the way for the development of novel interventions for cardio-protection in patients affected by myocardial I/R injury.

Iron homeostasis and ferroptosis in muscle diseases and disorders: mechanisms and therapeutic prospects

The muscular system plays a critical role in the human body by governing skeletal movement, cardiovascular function, and the activities of digestive organs. Additionally, muscle tissues serve an endocrine function by secreting myogenic cytokines, thereby regulating metabolism throughout the entire body. Maintaining muscle function requires iron homeostasis. Recent studies suggest that disruptions in iron metabolism and ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent cell death, are essential contributors to the progression of a wide range of muscle diseases and disorders, including sarcopenia, cardiomyopathy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Thus, a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms regulating iron metabolism and ferroptosis in these conditions is crucial for identifying potential therapeutic targets and developing new strategies for disease treatment and/or prevention. This review aims to summarize recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in the context of muscle injury, as well as associated muscle diseases and disorders. Moreover, we discuss potential targets within the ferroptosis pathway and possible strategies for managing muscle disorders. Finally, we shed new light on current limitations and future prospects for therapeutic interventions targeting ferroptosis.

Cardiomyocyte-restricted MIAT deletion is sufficient to protect against murine myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT), an intergenic long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), is conserved between rodents and humans and is directly linked to maladaptive cardiac remodeling in both patients and mouse models with various forms of heart failure (HF). We previously reported attenuation of cardiac stress, apoptosis, and fibrosis in a murine model of myocardial infarction (MI) with global MIAT ablation. Our transcriptomic profiling and mechanistic studies further revealed MIAT-induced activation of maladaptive genes, such as Hoxa4, Fmo2, Lrrn4, Marveld3, and Fat4. However, the source of MIAT and its contribution to MI and HF remain unknown. In this study, we generate a novel cardiomyocyte (CM)-specific MIAT conditional knockout mouse model, which exhibits improved cardiac function after MI. We further report that CM-specific MIAT ablation is sufficient to reduce cardiac damage, apoptosis, and fibrosis following chronic MI. Mechanistically, CM-specific MIAT deletion in mice leads to decreased expression of proapoptotic and pathological profibrotic genes, such as p53, Bak1, Col3a1, Col6a1, Postn, and Snail1 after chronic MI. These results enable us to begin to dissect cell-specific contributions to MIAT signaling and bolster the idea that MIAT plays a direct pathological role in CMs after MI.

Targeted temperature management alleviates post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction by inhibiting ferroptosis

Targeted temperature management (TTM) is a vital intervention for cardiac arrest survivors to mitigate post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction (PRMD). However, the optimal temperature for TTM remains a topic of debate. This study investigates the effects of TTM at different temperatures and explores the underlying mechanisms using in vivo and in vitro models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury following cardiac arrest (CA) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We found that TTM at 33 °C significantly improved post-resuscitation hemodynamics and myocardial function, reducing both myocardial and mitochondrial damage in the rat model of CA/CPR. Additionally, Deferoxamin (DFO), as an iron chelating agent, also demonstrated protective effects against PRMD. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that hypothermia at 33 °C and DFO mitigated mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and iron overload, while suppressing ferritinophagy and ferroptosis. Furthermore, TTM at 33 °C and DFO facilitated the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), with Nrf2 activation leading to inhibited ferritinophagy and enhanced iron export. Our findings indicate that TTM at 33° C, as opposed to 36° C, significantly alleviates PRMD and reduced myocardial damage by inhibiting ferroptosis. Theses protective effects are associated with Nrf2 activation and modulation of iron homeostasis. Moreover, DFO not only suppressed ferroptosis through its iron chelation properties but also by activating the Nrf2 axis.

Genetic tracing and topography of spontaneous and stimulated cardiac regeneration in mice

Despite recent efforts to stimulate endogenous cardiomyocyte proliferation for cardiac regeneration, the lack of reliable in vivo methods for monitoring cardiomyocyte replication has hindered our understanding of its mechanisms. Thymidine analogs, used to label proliferating cells, are unsuitable for long-term cardiac regeneration studies as their DNA incorporation elicits a damage response, leading to their elimination. Here we present CycleTrack, a genetic strategy based on the transcriptional activation of Cre recombinase from a temporally regulated cyclin B2 promoter segment, for permanent labeling of cardiomyocytes passing through the G2/M phase. Using CycleTrack, we visualized cardiomyocyte turnover in neonatal and adult mice under various conditions, including pregnancy, increased ventricular afterload, and myocardial infarction. CycleTrack also provided visual and quantitative evidence of ventricular remuscularization following treatment with pro-regenerative microRNAs. We identify the subendocardium as a key site of mitotic activity and provide a mode of cardiomyocyte division along their short axis. CycleTrack is a powerful tool to monitor cardiomyocyte renewal during regenerative interventions.

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