The Role of Mechanosignaling in the Control of Myocardial Mass.

Regulation of myocardial mass is key for maintaining cardiovascular health. This review highlights the complex and regulatory relationship between mechanosignaling and myocardial mass, influenced by many internal and external factors including hemodynamic and microgravity, respectively. The heart is a dynamic organ constantly adapting to changes in workload (preload and afterload) and mechanical stress exerted on the myocardium, influencing both physiological adaptations and pathological remodeling.

Aging reveals a sex-dependent susceptibility of sarcospan-deficient mice to cardiometabolic disease.

Numerous genes including sarcospan (SSPN) have been designated as obesity-susceptibility genes by human genome-wide association studies. Variants in the locus have been linked with sex-dependent obesity-associated traits; however, this association has not been investigated in vivo. To delineate the role SSPN plays in regulating metabolism with potential to impact cardiac function, we subjected young and aged global SSPN-deficient (SSPN) male and female mice to obesogenic conditions (60% fat diet).

Disruption of Z-Disc Function Promotes Mechanical Dysfunction in Human Myocardium: Evidence for a Dual Myofilament Modulatory Role by Alpha-Actinin 2.

The gene encodes α-actinin 2, located in the Z-disc of the sarcomeres in striated muscle. In this study, we sought to investigate the effects of an missense variant of unknown significance (p.A868T) on cardiac muscle structure and function.

Sarcospan Deficiency Increases Oxidative Stress and Arrhythmias in Hearts after Acute Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

The protein sarcospan (SSPN) is an integral member of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) and has been shown to be important in the heart during the development and the response to acute stress. In this study, we investigated the role of SSPN in the cardiac response to acute ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in SSPN-deficient (SSPN) mice. First, the hemodynamic response of SSPN mice was tested and was similar to SSPN (wild-type) mice after isoproterenol injection.

Efficacy and Safety of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in a Pre-Clinical Model of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy.

Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a familial heart disease, characterized by contractile dysfunction, ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), and the risk of sudden cardiac death. Currently, implantable cardioverter defibrillators and antiarrhythmics are the mainstays in ACM therapeutics. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have been highlighted in the treatment of heart diseases, including ACM.