Overexpression of decorin promoted angiogenesis in diabetic cardiomyopathy via IGF1R-AKT-VEGF signaling

Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 14:7:44473. doi: 10.1038/srep44473.

Abstract

Microcirculatory dysfunction is believed to play an important role in diabetic cardiomyopathy. The small leucine-rich proteoglycan decorin is generally considered a pro-angiogenic factor. Here, we investigate whether overexpression of decorin ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy and its effects on angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Diabetes was induced through intraperitoneal injection with streptozotocin combined with a high-fat diet, and decorin was overexpressed via recombinant adeno-associated virus in Wistar rats. Six months later, cardiac function was determined using an echocardiography and cardiac catheter system. The results showed that cardiac function was decreased in diabetic rats and restored by overexpression of decorin. In addition, overexpression of decorin upregulated the expression of VEGF and attenuated the reduction in the cardiac capillary density. In the in vitro study, high glucose induced apoptosis and inhibited the capabilities of tube formation, migration and proliferation, which were all ameliorated by decorin overexpression. Meanwhile, decorin overexpression increased the expression of VEGF and IGF1R, as well as the phosphorylation level of AKT and AP-1. Nonetheless, all of these effects were abolished by pretreatment with the IGF1R antibody or AKT inhibitor. In conclusion, overexpression of decorin ameliorated diabetic cardiomyopathy and promoted angiogenesis through the IGF1R-AKT-VEGF signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Decorin / genetics*
  • Dependovirus / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / genetics*
  • Diabetic Cardiomyopathies / complications
  • Diabetic Cardiomyopathies / genetics*
  • Diet, High-Fat / adverse effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Glucose / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / complications
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Somatomedin
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics*

Substances

  • Dcn protein, rat
  • Decorin
  • Receptors, Somatomedin
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • vascular endothelial growth factor A, rat
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Glucose