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Role of protein kinase C β2 in relaxin-mediated inhibition of cardiac fibrosis

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Abstract

Introduction

Relaxin is a pleiotropic hormone owing endogenous antifibrosis effect on numerous organs. We demonstrated relaxin’s inhibitive effect on cardiac fibrosis previously.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) β2 in relaxin’s action under high glucose conditions.

Methods and results

Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were isolated, exposed to high glucose and incubated with recombinant human relaxin (rhRLX). Western blot analysis revealed a relaxin-mediated decrease in total expression and translocation of PKCβ2, showing downregulation of PKCβ2 is involved in relaxin’s action. Blocking PKCβ2 pathway with ruboxistaurin accelerated rhRLX-mediated inhibition in both proliferation of CFs and deposition of collagen.

Conclusion

In conclusion, relaxin can inhibit high glucose-associated cardiac fibrosis partly through PKCβ2 pathway. Further work should be done to fully understand intracellular mechanisms of relaxin’s action to accelerate its clinical use.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81100169).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, People’s Republic of China

    W. Su, P. Wang, H. Chen & H. Li

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  1. W. Su
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  2. P. Wang
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  3. H. Chen
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  4. H. Li
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to H. Chen or H. Li.

Additional information

W. Su and P. Wang contributed equally to this work.

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Su, W., Wang, P., Chen, H. et al. Role of protein kinase C β2 in relaxin-mediated inhibition of cardiac fibrosis. J Endocrinol Invest 37, 559–564 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-014-0068-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-014-0068-7

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