Decreased Polycystin 2 Levels Result in Non-Renal Cardiac Dysfunction with Aging

PLoS One. 2016 Apr 15;11(4):e0153632. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153632. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Mutations in the gene for polycystin 2 (Pkd2) lead to polycystic kidney disease, however the main cause of mortality in humans is cardiac related. We previously showed that 5 month old Pkd2+/- mice have altered calcium-contractile activity in cardiomyocytes, but have preserved cardiac function. Here, we examined 1 and 9 month old Pkd2+/- mice to determine if decreased amounts of functional polycystin 2 leads to impaired cardiac function with aging. We observed changes in calcium handling proteins in 1 month old Pkd2+/- mice, and these changes were exacerbated in 9 month old Pkd2+/- mice. Anatomically, the 9 month old Pkd2+/- mice had thinner left ventricular walls, consistent with dilated cardiomyopathy, and the left ventricular ejection fraction was decreased. Intriguingly, in response to acute isoproterenol stimulation to examine β-adrenergic responses, the 9 month old Pkd2+/- mice exhibited a stronger contractile response, which also coincided with preserved localization of the β2 adrenergic receptor. Importantly, the Pkd2+/- mice did not have any renal impairment. We conclude that the cardiac-related impact of decreased polycystin 2 progresses over time towards cardiac dysfunction and altered adrenergic signaling. These results provide further evidence that polycystin 2 provides a critical function in the heart, independent of renal involvement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / metabolism
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / genetics
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / metabolism
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / pathology
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / physiopathology
  • Epinephrine / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Heart / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Norepinephrine / metabolism
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 / genetics
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / genetics
  • Signal Transduction
  • TRPP Cation Channels / deficiency
  • TRPP Cation Channels / metabolism*

Substances

  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2
  • TRPP Cation Channels
  • polycystic kidney disease 2 protein
  • Norepinephrine
  • Epinephrine