Cardiomyocytes Undergo a Mesenchymal-Like Fate Transition in Myocardial Fibrosis

Abstract

BACKGROUNDMyocardial fibrosis, a pathological hallmark of adverse cardiac remodeling and heart failure, has been conventionally attributed to the activation of resident fibroblasts. Although recent studies suggest contributions from non-fibroblast lineages, direct in vivo genetic evidence that cardiomyocytes can undergo a mesenchymal-like fate transition during myocardial fibrosis remains absent. This study aims to investigate whether such a transition occurs and to elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanisms. METHODSHuman myocardial infarction (MI) tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and integrated with public single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) data to detect mesenchymal-like signatures in cardiomyocytes. Genetic lineage-tracing was performed in MI mice, and in cardiomyocyte-specific Hgs (hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate) gene knockout mice, to map the fate of cardiomyocyte-derived cells. Mechanistic insights were obtained through proteomic and snRNA-seq analysis of Hgs knockout hearts and validated through gain- and loss-of-function experiments targeting Aldh1a2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A2). RESULTSIn human MI samples, a subset of cardiomyocytes showed reduced expression of cardiomyocyte markers concurrent with acquisition of mesenchymal-associated markers. Genetic lineage tracing demonstrated that adult cardiomyocytes can adopt a mesenchymal-like cell fate during post-MI remodeling. We identify HGS as a factor constraining this transition. Hgs knockout in adult cardiomyocytes upregulated Aldh1a2, triggered the mesenchymal-like fate transition, and gave rise to cells expressing markers of activated fibroblasts or osteoblasts, accompanied by pronounced myocardial fibrosis and calcification. Forced Aldh1a2 overexpression in cardiomyocytes drove the mesenchymal-like fate transition in vitro and in vivo, whereas Aldh1a2 deletion in cardiomyocytes mitigated MI-induced myocardial fibrosis. CONCLUSIONSThis study provides in vivo genetic evidence that adult cardiomyocytes possess the capacity to undergo a mesenchymal-like fate transition under pathological conditions. Our data suggest that HGS and ALDH1A2 serve as regulators of the transition, offering a new basis for understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms of myocardial fibrosis. Novelty and SignificanceO_ST_ABSWhat Is Known?C_ST_ABSO_LIMyocardial fibrosis is primarily driven by resident fibroblast activation, with additional contributions from cardiac CD34+ cells, pericytes, and macrophages. C_LIO_LIAdult cardiomyocytes exhibit phenotypic plasticity and transdifferentiate into epicardial-like or pacemaker cells under specific conditions. C_LI What New Information Does This Article Contribute?O_LIA subset of cardiomyocytes adopts a mesenchymal-like cell fate during myocardial fibrosis, marked by downregulation of cardiomyocyte identity markers and loss of aligned cell-cell contacts. C_LIO_LIThese cells acquire mesenchymal morphology and markers, ECM components, migratory gene signatures, and proliferative capacity. C_LIO_LIHGS and ALDH1A2 act as regulators of this mesenchymal-like fate transition. C_LI Myocardial fibrosis drives heart failure progression, yet the cellular sources of pathological fibroblasts remain incompletely defined. Here, we demonstrate that a subset of cardiomyocytes adopts a mesenchymal-like cell fate during myocardial fibrosis by using an integrated approach combining human MI samples, murine genetic lineage tracing, and snRNA-seq. Mechanistically, we identify HGS and ALDH1A2 as regulators of this transition. Cardiomyocyte-specific Hgs deletion upregulates Aldh1a2, triggering the mesenchymal-like fate transition. Furthermore, Aldh1a2 overexpression drives this transition, while its deletion attenuates MI-induced fibrosis. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized plasticity of adult cardiomyocytes and identify potential therapeutic targets for fibrotic heart disease.