Biology subjects

Vandevender, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Vandevender, A..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Adropin protects against cardiac metabolic remodeling and dysfunction in HFpEF

Cardiometabolic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogenous metabolic disease, which in the heart presents as left ventricle diastolic dysfunction, ventricular stiffness, and myocardial structural remodeling. Deleterious changes in cardiac metabolism are central to HFpEF pathophysiology, and proposed treatments for the disease have focused on repairing these defects. In this study, we used a preclinical mouse model that recapitulates cardiometabolic HFpEF to elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving cardiac dysfunction, and tested whether recombinant Adropin (a liver- and brain-derived endogenous peptide hormone) could reverse observed defects. We show that long-term treatment with Adropin reversed multiple markers of HFpEF-related cardiac dysfunction (including fibrosis, diastolic dysfunction, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy). Using untargeted metabolomics, we found that Adropin treatment reduced hexosamine biosynthesis pathway activity, leading to a reduction in the O-GlcNAcylation of the cardiac fatty acid oxidation enzyme long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCAD). Reducing LCAD O-GlcNAcylation increased LCAD activity in vitro, and reduced the accumulation of long-chain acylcarnitines in HFpEF mouse hearts in vivo. Our results suggest that Adropin may restore cardiac metabolic function in HFpEF, and that targeting this pathway may be a novel therapeutic avenue for this disease. CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE- Adropin is a circulating liver- and brain-derived peptide that regulates energy metabolism in the heart and other high metabolic-demand tissues. The plasma abundance of Adropin is decreased in diabetic, hypertensive, and aged individuals; all comorbid risk factors for the development of heart failure with preserved ejection (HFpEF). We therefore examined the potential role of Adropin in HFpEF pathophysiology. - Patients with HFpEF display significant reductions in circulating Adropin levels, matching those seen in comorbid diseases. In a mouse model of HFpEF, treatment with recombinant Adropin reduced diastolic dysfunction, cardiac fibrosis, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. - These data suggest that targeting the Adropin pathway may represent a new therapeutic approach in HFpEF.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Cardiac-specific deletion of GCN5L1 promotes fatty liver disease in HFpEF

The prevalence of cardiometabolic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) continues to grow, representing over half of heart failure cases in the United States. As no specific medication for HFpEF exists, treatment guidelines focus on the management of comorbidities related to metabolic syndrome (e.g. obesity, diabetes, hypertension) that promote the disease1. These same comorbidities also drive pathology in non-cardiac tissues, and the links between cardiometabolic disease presentations in different organs are increasingly being recognized. Preclinical studies on the potential crosstalk between HFpEF and metabolic disease in the liver (e.g. metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease; MASLD) have focused on how liver dysfunction may affect the heart, particularly through the release of secreted liver proteins. This may reflect the situation in the clinic, where incident MASLD is a risk factor for future HFpEF development. Here, in contrast to this developing paradigm of liver-initiated cardiac disease, we report for the first time a defect in cardiac metabolism related to the mitochondrial metabolic protein GCN5L1 that drives hepatic steatosis and MASLD in HFpEF.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2024

TCA Cycle Dysfunction and Amino Acid Catabolism Drive Hepatic Steatosis in Mice with HFpEF

The prevalence of cardiometabolic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) continues to grow worldwide, and now represents over half of current heart failure cases in the United States (1). Due to a lack of specific approved therapies, current treatment guidelines focus on the management of comorbidities related to metabolic syndrome (e.g. obesity, diabetes, hypertension) that promote HFpEF progression (1). The same comorbidities also drive cardiometabolic disease in non-cardiac tissues, and links between disease presentations in different organs are increasingly being recognized in the clinic. However, mechanistic studies examining the underlying pathophysiological connections have not kept pace, particularly in the cardio-hepatic disease axis (2). To address this, we used a recently developed and validated preclinical model of HFpEF (3) to examine how this disease impacts the liver. The development of HFpEF in mice leads to the simultaneous development of widespread hepatic steatosis that is consistent with human non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Mechanistically, we show that the liver steatosis observed is driven by excess glucogenic amino acid entry into the TCA cycle, which promotes hepatic glucose production and de novo lipogenesis. Our findings suggest that HFpEF development is a multi-organ event, with implications for both preclinical and translational research.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Mineralocorticoid receptor-independent activation of ENaC in bile duct ligated mice

Sodium and fluid retention in liver disease is classically thought to result from reduced effective circulating volume and stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Aldosterone dives Na+ retention by activating the mineralocorticoid receptor and promoting the maturation and apical surface expression of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), found in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron. However, evidence of fluid retention without RAAS activation suggests the involvement of additional mechanisms. Liver disease can greatly increase plasma and urinary bile acid concentrations and have been shown to activate ENaC in vitro. We hypothesize that elevated bile acids in liver disease activate ENaC and drive fluid retention independent of RAAS. We therefore increased circulating bile acids in mice through bile duct ligation (BDL) and measured effects on urine and body composition, while using spironolactone to antagonize the mineralocorticoid receptor. We found BDL lowered blood [K+] and hematocrit, and increased benzamil-sensitive natriuresis compared to sham, consistent with ENaC activation. BDL mice also gained significantly more body water. Blocking ENaC reversed fluid gains in BDL mice but had no effect in shams. In isolated collecting ducts from rabbits, taurocholic acid stimulated net Na+ absorption but had no effect on K+ secretion or flow-dependent ion fluxes. Our results provide experimental evidence for a novel aldosterone-independent mechanism for sodium and fluid retention in liver disease which may provide additional therapeutic options for liver disease patients. SignificanceAdvanced liver disease is often complicated by renal sodium retention, leading to fluid retention, poor outcomes, and increased mortality. This is currently thought to be driven by increased levels of the hormone aldosterone, although numerous published reports demonstrate normal aldosterone levels in many liver patients with volume overload. Management of these patients relies on diuretics and Na+ restriction, or more invasive procedures with increased risks for diuretic-resistant patients. Here, we report a novel mechanism for fluid retention in liver disease, which provides a basis to develop new strategies to treat fluid retention in these patients.

physiology↗