Browsing by Author "Saura, Marta"
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Item Bisphenol A Induces Accelerated Cell Aging in Murine Endothelium.(https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/10/1429, 2021) Moreno Gómez Toledano, Rafael; Sánchez Esteban, Sandra; Cook, Alberto; Mínguez Moratinos, Marta; Ramírez Carracedo, Rafael; Reventun, Paula; Delgado Marín, María; Bosch, Ricardo J.; Saura, MartaBisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread endocrine disruptor affecting many organs and systems. Previous work in our laboratory demonstrated that BPA could induce death due to necroptosis in murine aortic endothelial cells (MAECs). This work aims to evaluate the possible involvement of BPA-induced senescence mechanisms in endothelial cells. The β-Gal assays showed interesting differences in cell senescence at relatively low doses (100 nM and 5 µM). Western blots confirmed that proteins involved in senescence mechanisms, p16 and p21, were overexpressed in the presence of BPA. In addition, the UPR (unfolding protein response) system, which is part of the senescent phenotype, was also explored by Western blot and qPCR, confirming the involvement of the PERK-ATF4-CHOP pathway (related to pathological processes). The endothelium of mice treated with BPA showed an evident increase in the expression of the proteins p16, p21, and CHOP, confirming the results observed in cells. Our results demonstrate that oxidative stress induced by BPA leads to UPR activation and senescence since pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in BPA-treated cells reduced the percentage of senescent cells prevented the overexpression of proteins related to BPA-induced senescence and reduced the activation of the UPR system. The results suggest that BPA participates actively in accelerated cell aging mechanisms, affecting the vascular endothelium and promoting cardiovascular diseases.Item Differential expression of circulating miRNAs as a novel tool to assess BAG3-associated familial dilated cardiomyopathy.(Bioscience Reports, 2019) Zaragoza Sánchez, Carlos; Saura, Marta; Hernández, Ignacio; Ramírez Carracedo, Rafael; García García, Francisco; Zamorano, José L.; Mangas, Alipio; Toro, RocíoA new familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDCM) was found related to mutations in BAG3 gene. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent new targets of FDCM, although no studies have assessed clinical association between Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3)-related DCM and miRNAs. Here, we studied whether a clinical association between BAG3-related FDCM and circulating miRNAs may have diagnostic and prognostic value in a small cohort of familial related individuals carrying a BAG3 mutation (BAG3+) and/or diagnosed of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (DCM+). The analysis of 1759 circulating miRNAs showed significant differences between BAG3+ and BAG3- individuals for miRNAs mir-3191-3p, 6769b-3p, 1249-ep, 154-5p, 6855-5p, and 182-5p, while comparisons between BAG3+/DCM+ versus BAG3+/DCM- were restricted to miRNAs mir-154-5p, 6885-5p, and 182-5p, showing significant correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, A wave, left atrium length, and left atrium area. Additionally, when stratified by gender and age, miRNAs were statistically correlated with critical parameters, including left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and ventricular diameter, in women and young men. Likewise, 56% of BAG3+/DCM+, significantly co-expressed mir-154-5p and mir-182-5p, and a slight 4% did not express such combination, suggesting that co-expression of mir-154-5p and mir-182-5p may potentially show diagnostic value. Further studies will require long-term follow-up, and validation in larger populations.Item EMMPRIN-Targeted Magnetic Nanoparticles for In Vivo Visualization and Regression of Acute Myocardial Infarction.(Theranostics, Vol. 6, Nº 4, 2016) Cuadrado, Irene; Garcia Miguel Piedras, María José; Herruzo Priego, Irene; Turpín, María del Carmen; Castejón, Borja; Reventun, Paula; Martín de Ana, Ana María; Saura, Marta; Zamorano, José Luis; Zaragoza Sánchez, CarlosInhibition of extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation may represent a mechanism for cardiac protection against ischemia. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is highly expressed in response to acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and induces activation of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), including gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. We targeted EMMPRIN with paramagnetic/fluorescent micellar nanoparticles conjugated with the EMMPRIN binding peptide AP-9 (NAP9), or an AP-9 scrambled peptide as a negative control (NAPSC). We found that NAP9 binds to endogenous EMMPRIN in cultured HL1 myocytes and in mouse hearts subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (IR). Injection of NAP9 at the time of or one day after IR, was enough to reduce progression of myocardial cell death when compared to Control and NAPSC injected mice (infarct size in NAP9 injected mice: 32%±6.59 vs Control: 46%±9.04 or NAPSC injected mice: 48%±7.64). In the same way, cardiac parameters were recovered to almost healthy levels (LVEF NAP9 63% ± 7.24 vs Control 42% ± 4.74 or NAPSC 39% ± 6.44), whereas ECM degradation was also reduced as shown by inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activation. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scans have shown a signal enhancement in the left ventricle of NAP9 injected mice with respect to non-injected, and to mice injected with NAPSC. A positive correlation between CMR enhancement and Evans-Blue/TTC staining of infarct size was calculated (R:0.65). Taken together, these results point to EMMPRIN targeted nanoparticles as a new approach to the mitigation of ischemic/reperfusion injury.Item iNOS-Derived Nitric Oxide Induces Integrin-Linked Kinase Endocytic Lysosome-Mediated Degradation in the Vascular Endothelium.(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology., 2017-05) Reventun, Paula; Alique, Matilde; Cuadrado, Irene; Márquez, Susana; Toro, Rocío; Zaragoza Sánchez, Carlos; Saura, MartaOBJECTIVE: ILK (integrin-linked kinase) plays a key role in controlling vasomotor tone and is decreased in atherosclerosis. The objective of this study is to test whether nitric oxide (NO) regulates ILK in vascular remodeling. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We found a striking correlation between increased levels of inducible nitric oxide and decreased ILK levels in human atherosclerosis and in a mouse model of vascular remodeling (carotid artery ligation) comparing with inducible NO synthase knockout mice. Inducible NO synthase induction produced the same result in mouse aortic endothelial cells, and these effects were mimicked by an NO donor in a time-dependent manner. We found that NO decreased ILK protein stability by promoting the dissociation of the complex ILK/heat shock protein 90/endothelial NO synthase, leading to endothelial NO synthase uncoupling. NO also destabilized ILK signaling platform and lead to decreased levels of paxillin and α-parvin. ILK phosphorylation of its downstream target GSK3-β was decreased by NO. Mechanistically, NO increased ILK ubiquitination mediated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP, but ILK ubiquitination was not followed by proteasome degradation. Alternatively, NO drove ILK to degradation through the endocytic-lysosomal pathway. ILK colocalized with the lysosome marker LAMP-1 in endothelial cells, and inhibition of lysosome activity with chloroquine reversed the effect of NO. Likewise, ILK colocalized with the early endosome marker EEA1. ILK endocytosis proceeded via dynamin because a specific inhibitor of dynamin (Dyngo 4a) was able to reverse ILK endocytosis and its lysosome degradation. CONCLUSIONS: Endocytosis regulates ILK signaling in vascular remodeling where there is an overload of inducible NO, and thus its inhibition may represent a novel target to fight atherosclerotic disease.Item Integrin-Linked Kinase Expression in Human Valve Endothelial Cells Plays a Protective Role in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease.(Antioxidants, 2022) Sánchez-Esteban, Sandra; Castro-Pinto, Mercedes; Cook-Calvete, Alberto; Reventún, Paula; Delgado-Marín, María; Benito-Manzanaro, Lucía; Hernandez, Ignacio; López-Menendez, José; Zamorano, José Luis; Zaragoza Sánchez, Carlos; Saura, MartaCalcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is highly prevalent during aging. CAVD initiates with endothelial dysfunction, leading to lipid accumulation, inflammation, and osteogenic transformation. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) participates in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, such as endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. However, ILK role in CAVD is unknown. First, we determined that ILK expression is downregulated in aortic valves from patients with CAVD compared to non-CAVD, especially at the valve endothelium, and negatively correlated with calcification markers. Silencing ILK expression in human valve endothelial cells (siILK-hVECs) induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and promoted a switch to an osteoblastic phenotype; SiILK-hVECs expressed increased RUNX2 and developed calcified nodules. siILK-hVECs exhibited decreased NO production and increased nitrosative stress, suggesting valvular endothelial dysfunction. NO treatment of siILK-hVECs prevented VEC transdifferentiation, while treatment with an eNOS inhibitor mimicked ILK-silencing induction of EndMT. Accordingly, NO treatment inhibited VEC calcification. Mechanistically, siILK-hVECs showed increased Smad2 phosphorylation, suggesting a TGF-β-dependent mechanism, and NO treatment decreased Smad2 activation and RUNX2. Experiments performed in eNOS KO mice confirmed the involvement of the ILK-eNOS signaling pathway in valve calcification, since aortic valves from these animals showed decreased ILK expression, increased RUNX2, and calcification. Our study demonstrated that ILK endothelial expression participates in human CAVD development by preventing endothelial osteogenic transformationItem Ivabradine Induces Cardiac Protection against Myocardial Infarction by Preventing Cyclophilin-A Secretion in Pigs under Coronary Ischemia/Reperfusion.(International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021) Hernández, Ignacio; Tesoro Santos, Laura; Ramírez Carracedo, Rafael; Díez Mata, Javier; Sánchez, Sandra; Saura, Marta; Zamorano, José Luis; Zaragoza Sánchez, Carlos; Botana, LauraIn response to cardiac ischemia/reperfusion, proteolysis mediated by extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and its secreted ligand cyclophilin-A (CyPA) significantly contributes to cardiac injury and necrosis. Here, we aimed to investigate if, in addition to the effect on the funny current (I(f)), Ivabradine may also play a role against cardiac necrosis by reducing EMMPRIN/CyPA-mediated cardiac inflammation. In a porcine model of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (IR), we found that administration of 0.3 mg/kg Ivabradine significantly improved cardiac function and reduced cardiac necrosis by day 7 after IR, detecting a significant increase in cardiac CyPA in the necrotic compared to the risk areas, which was inversely correlated with the levels of circulating CyPA detected in plasma samples from the same subjects. In testing whether Ivabradine may regulate the levels of CyPA, no changes in tissue CyPA were found in healthy pigs treated with 0.3 mg/kg Ivabradine, but interestingly, when analyzing the complex EMMPRIN/CyPA, rather high glycosylated EMMPRIN, which is required for EMMPRIN-mediated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation and increased CyPA bonding to low-glycosylated forms of EMMPRIN were detected by day 7 after IR in pigs treated with Ivabradine. To study the mechanism by which Ivabradine may prevent secretion of CyPA, we first found that Ivabradine was time-dependent in inhibiting co-localization of CyPA with the granule exocytosis marker vesicle-associated membrane protein 1 (VAMP1). However, Ivabradine had no effect on mRNA expression nor in the proteasome and lysosome degradation of CyPA. In conclusion, our results point toward CyPA, its ligand EMMPRIN, and the complex CyPA/EMMPRIN as important targets of Ivabradine in cardiac protection against IR.Item Ivabradine-Stimulated Microvesicle Release Induces Cardiac Protection against Acute Myocardial Infarction.(International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020) Ramírez Carracedo, Rafael; Tesoro Santos, Laura; Hernández, Ignacio; Díez Mata, Javier; Botana, Laura; Saura, Marta; Sanmartin, Marcelo; Zamorano, José Luis; Zaragoza Sánchez, CarlosIvabradine can reduce heart rate through inhibition of the current I(f ) by still unexplored mechanisms. In a porcine model of ischemia reperfusion (IR), we found that treatment with 0.3 mg/kg Ivabradine increased plasma release of microvesicles (MVs) over Placebo, as detected by flow cytometry of plasma isolated from pigs 7 days after IR, in which a tenfold increase of Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN) containing (both high and low-glycosylated) MVs, was detected in response to Ivabradine. The source of MVs was investigated, finding a 37% decrease of CD31+ endothelial cell derived MVs, while CD41+ platelet MVs remained unchanged. By contrast, Ivabradine induced the release of HCN4+ (mostly cardiac) MVs. While no differences respect to EMMPRIN as a cargo component were found in endothelial and platelet derived MVs, Ivabradine induced a significant release of EMMPRIN+/HCN4+ MVs by day 7 after IR. To test the role of EMMPRIN+ cardiacMVs (EMCMV), H9c2 cellmonolayers were incubated for 24 h with 107 EMCMVs, reducing apoptosis, and increasing 2 times cell proliferation and 1.5 times cell migration. The in vivo contribution of Ivabradine-induced plasma MVs was also tested, in which 108 MVs isolated from the plasma of pigs treated with Ivabradine or Placebo 7 days after IR, were injected in pigs under IR, finding a significant cardiac protection by increasing left ventricle ejection fraction and a significant reduction of the necrotic area. In conclusion ivabradine induces cardiac protection by increasing at least the release of EMMPRIN containing cardiac microvesicles.Item Nanotecnología aplicada a conservar la matriz extracelular como herramienta teranóstica en el infarto agudo de miocardio.(Revista Española de Cardiología, 2019) Ramírez Carracedo, Rafael; Díez, Javier; Sanmartín; Saura, Marta; Zamorano, Jose Luis; Zaragoza Sánchez, CarlosItem NIL10: A New IL10-Receptor Binding Nanoparticle That Induces Cardiac Protection in Mice and Pigs Subjected to Acute Myocardial Infarction through STAT3/NF-kB Activation.(Pharmaceutics, 2022) Tesoro Santos, Laura; Hernández, Ignacio; Ramírez Carracedo, Rafael; Díez-Mata, Javier; Alcharani, Nunzio; Jiménez-Guirado, Beatriz; Ovejero-Paredes, Karina; Filice, Marco; Zamorano, Jose Luis; Saura, Marta; Zaragoza Sánchez, Carlos; Botana, LauraBackground: Early response after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) prevents extensive cardiac necrosis, in which inflammation resolution, including expression of anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10), may play a key role. (2) Methods: We synthesized NIL10, a micelle-based nanoparticle, to target IL-10 receptor in mice and pigs subjected to AMI. (3) Results: Administration of NIL10 induced cardiac protection of wild-type and IL-10 knockout mice and pigs subjected to AMI. Cardiac protection was not induced in IL-10-receptor null mice, as shown by a significant recovery of cardiac function, in which inflammatory foci and fibrosis were strongly reduced, together with the finding that resolving M2-like macrophage populations were increased after day 3 of reperfusion. In addition, anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-4, IL-7, IL-10, IL-13, IL-16, and IL-27 were also elevated. Mechanistically, NIL10 induced activation of the IL-10 receptor/STAT-3 signaling pathway, and STAT3-dependent inhibition of nuclear translocation of pro-inflammatory NF-kB transcription factor. (4) Conclusions: Taken together, we propose using NIL10 as a novel therapeutic tool against AMI-induced cardiac damageItem Nitric Oxide Induces Cardiac Protection by Preventing Extracellular Matrix Degradation through the Complex Caveolin-3/EMMPRIN in Cardiac Myocytes.(PLOS One, 2016-09-20) Cuadrado, Irene; Castejón, Borja; Martín, Ana M.; Saura, Marta; Reventun-Torralba, Paula; Zamorano, Jose Luis; Zaragoza Sánchez, CarlosInhibition of Extracellular Matrix degradation by nitric oxide (NO) induces cardiac protection against coronary ischemia/reperfusion (IR). Glycosylation of Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN) stimulates enzymatic activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the heart, although the mechanisms leading to EMMPRIN glycosylation are poorly understood.We sought to determine if NO may induce cardiac protection by preventing glycosylation of EMMPRIN in a mouse model of IR. Here we found that Caveolin-3 binds to low glycosylated EMMPRIN (LG-EMMPRIN) in cardiac cells and in the hearts of healthy mice, whereas IR disrupted the complex in nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) knockout (KO) mice. By contrast, the binding was partially restored when mice were fed with an NO donor (DEA-NO) in the drinkingwater, showing a significant reduction on infarct size (NOS2KO: 34.6±5 vs NOS2KO+DEA-NO: 20.7±9), in expression of matrix metalloproteinases, and cardiac performancewas improved (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). NOS2KO: 31±4 vs NOS2KO+DEA-NO: 46±6). The role of Caveolin-3/EMMPRIN in NOmediated cardiac protectionwas further assayed in Caveolin-3 KO mice, showing no significant improvement on infarct size (Caveolin-3 KO: 34.8±3 vs Caveolin-3 KO+DEA-NO:33.7 ±5), or in the expression of MMPs, suggesting that stabilization of the complex Caveolin-3/ LG-EMMPRIN may play a significant role in the cardioprotective effect of NO against IR.Item Nitric Oxide prevents aortic neointimal hyperplasia by controlling macrophage polarization.(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 2014) Lavin, Begoña; Gómez Mónica; Pello, Óscar M.; Castejón, Borja; Garcia Miguel Piedras, María José; Saura, Marta; Zaragoza Sánchez, CarlosObjective— Nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) prevents neointima hyperplasia by still unknown mechanisms. To demonstrate the significance of endothelial nitric oxide in the polarization of infiltrated macrophages through the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 in neointima formation. Approach and Results— After aortic endothelial denudation, NOS3 null mice show elevated neointima formation, detecting increased mobilization of LSK (lineage-negative [Lin]-stem-cell antigen 1 [SCA1]+KIT+) progenitor cells, and high ratios of M1 (proinflammatory) to M2 (resolving) macrophages, accompanied by high expression of interleukin-5, interleukin-6, MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor), interleukin-1β, and interferon-γ. In conditional c-Myc knockout mice, in which M2 polarization is defective, denuded aortas showed extensive wall thickening as well. Conditioned medium from NOS3-deficient endothelium induced extensive repolarization of M2 macrophages to an M1 phenotype, and vascular smooth muscle cells proliferated and migrated faster in conditioned medium from M1 macrophages. Among the different proteins participating in cell migration, MMP-13 was preferentially expressed by M1 macrophages. M1-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell migration was inhibited when macrophages were isolated from MMP-13–deficient mice, whereas exogenous administration of MMP-13 to vascular smooth muscle cell fully restored migration. Excess vessel wall thickening in mice lacking NOS3 was partially reversed by simultaneous deletion of MMP-13, indicating that NOS3 prevents neointimal hyperplasia by preventing MMP-13 activity. An excess of M1-polarized macrophages that coexpress MMP-13 was also detected in human carotid samples from endarterectomized patients. Conclusions— These findings indicate that at least M1 macrophage-mediated expression of MMP-13 in NOS3 null mice induces neointima formation after vascular injury, suggesting that MMP-13 may represent a new promising target in vascular disease.Item Niveles de quinasa ligada a la integrina endotelial y calcificación valvular: estudio molecular de la calcificación en la estenosis valvular aórtica.(Cirugía Cardiovascular, 2022) Castro-Pintoa, Mercedes; López-Menéndez, José; Sánchez-Esteban, Sandra; Hernández, Ignacio; Reventún, Paula; Rodríguez-Roda, Jorge; Zaragoza Sánchez, Carlos; Saura, MartaIntroducción y objetivos La quinasa ligada a integrina (ILK) endotelial controla la producción del óxido nítrico, modulando señales de transducción al interior celular. La disminución de ILK endotelial se ha relacionado con la calcificación valvular. Analizamos la asociación de la ILK con la calcificación de la válvula aórtica. Métodos Estudio observacional, unicéntrico y prospectivo. Recogimos tejido valvular aórtico de pacientes intervenidos de estenosis aórtica, y controles de válvulas no calcificadas. Cuantificamos los niveles de ILK endotelial empleando técnicas de análisis molecular, así como marcadores de crecimiento óseo (BMP2 y RUNX2). Para el control de factores de confusión empleamos regresión logística múltiple por pasos, introduciendo parámetros relacionados con la aterosclerosis y calcificación valvular (edad, DM, HTA, insuficiencia renal). Resultados Obtuvimos muestras de 75 pacientes y 28 controles. El 69,9% eran varones, la edad media fue de 67 años (DE 9,59 años). Los niveles de ILK fueron significativamente más bajos en válvulas patológicas que en controles (0,96 vs. 0,76; p < 0,001). Existió correlación lineal negativa significativa entre la ILK y la calcificación valvular (coeficiente de Pearson = −0,35; p = 0,002). En el modelo multivariante, ILK presentó una asociación significativa con la calcificación valvular (OR 0,068; p < 0,001), así como la DM (OR 11,80; p = 0,03). Observamos un aumento de marcadores de crecimiento óseo según avanzaba la calcificación, con correlación inversa significativa de ILK y BMP2 (R = −0,417; p < 0,001) y RUNX2 (R = −0,587; p < 0,001). Conclusiones La disminución de la expresión endotelial de ILK puede influir en la calcificación de la válvula aórtica, marcando el inicio del proceso de transdiferenciación del endotelio valvular a tejido con capacidad osteogénica.Item Non-Invasive Detection of Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer EMMPRIN, a New Therapeutic Target against Atherosclerosis, Inhibited by Endothelial Nitric Oxide.(International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018) Ramírez Carracedo, Rafael; Tesoro Santos, Laura; Hernández, Ignacio; Díez Mata, Javier; Filice, Marco; Toro, Rocío; Rodríguez Piñero, Manuel; Zamorano, José Luis; Saura, Marta; Zaragoza Sánchez, CarlosLack of endothelial nitric oxide causes endothelial dysfunction and circulating monocyte infiltration, contributing to systemic atheroma plaque formation in arterial territories. Among the different inflammatory products, macrophage-derived foam cells and smooth muscle cells synthesize matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), playing a pivotal role in early plaque formation and enlargement. We found increased levels of MMP-9 and MMP-13 in human endarterectomies with advanced atherosclerosis, together with significant amounts of extracellular matrix (ECM) metalloproteinase inducer EMMPRIN. To test whether the absence of NO may aggravate atherosclerosis through EMMPRIN activation, double NOS3/apoE knockout (KO) mice expressed high levels of EMMPRIN in carotid plaques, suggesting that targeting extracellular matrix degradation may represent a new mechanism by which endothelial NO prevents atherosclerosis. Based on our previous experience, by using gadolinium-enriched paramagnetic fluorescence micellar nanoparticles conjugated with AP9 (NAP9), an EMMPRIN-specific binding peptide, magnetic resonance sequences allowed non-invasive visualization of carotid EMMPRIN in NOS3/apoE over apoE control mice, in which atheroma plaques were significantly reduced. Taken together, these results point to EMMPRIN as a new therapeutic target of NO-mediated protection against atherosclerosis, and NAP9 as a non-invasive molecular tool to target atherosclerosis.Item Preclinical models of atherosclerosis. The future of Hybrid PET/MR technology for the early detection of vulnerable plaque.(Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine, 2016) Cuadrado, Irene; Saura, Marta; Castejón, Borja; Martín, Ana María; Herruzo Priego, Irene; Balatsos, Nikolas; Zamorano, Jose Luis; Zaragoza Sánchez, CarlosCardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in developed countries. The aetiology is currently multifactorial, thus making them very difficult to prevent. Preclinical models of atherothrombotic diseases, including vulnerable plaque-associated complications, are now providing significant insights into pathologies like atherosclerosis, and in combination with the most recent advances in new non-invasive imaging technologies, they have become essential tools to evaluate new therapeutic strategies, with which can forecast and prevent plaque rupture. Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography imaging is currently used for plaque visualisation in clinical and pre-clinical cardiovascular research, albeit with significant limitations. However, the combination of PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies is still the best option available today, as combined PET/MRI scans provide simultaneous data acquisition together with high quality anatomical information, sensitivity and lower radiation exposure for the patient. The coming years may represent a new era for the implementation of PET/MRI in clinical practice, but first, clinically efficient attenuation correction algorithms and research towards multimodal reagents and safety issues should be validated at the preclinical level.Item Preclinical models of congestive heart failure, advantages, and limitations for application in clinical practice.(Frontiers in Physiology, 2022) Saura, Marta; Zamorano, José Luis; Zaragoza Sánchez, CarlosCongestive heart failure (CHF) has increased over the years, in part because of recent progress in the management of chronic diseases, thus contributing to the maintenance of an increasingly aging population. CHF represents an unresolved health problem and therefore the establishment of animal models that recapitulates the complexity of CHF will become a critical element to be addressed, representing a serious challenge given the complexity of the pathogenesis of CHF itself, which is further compounded by methodological biases that depend on the animal species in use. Animal models of CHF have been developed in many different species, with different surgical procedures, all with promising results but, for the moment, unable to fully recapitulate the human disease. Large animal models often provide a more promising reality, with all the difficulties that their use entails, and which limit their performance to fewer laboratories, the costly of animal housing, animal handling, specialized facilities, skilled methodological training, and reproducibility as another important limiting factor when considering a valid animal model versus potentially better performing alternatives. In this review we will discuss the different animal models of CHF, their advantages and, above all, the limitations of each procedure with respect to effectiveness of results in terms of clinical application.Item Theranostic Contribution of Extracellular Matrix Metalloprotease Inducer-Paramagnetic Nanoparticles Against Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Pig Model of Coronary Ischemia- Reperfusion.(Circulation: cardiovascular imaging, 2022) Ramírez Carracedo, Rafael; Sanmartin, Marcelo; Ten, Amadeo; Hernandez, Ignacio; Tesoro Santos, Laura; Diez-Mata, Javier; Botana, Laura; Ovejero-Paredes, Karina; Filice, Marco; Alberich-Bayarri, Angel; Martí-Bonmatí, Luis; Largo-Aramburu, Carlota; Saura, Marta; Zamorano, Jose Luis; Zaragoza Sánchez, CarlosBACKGROUND: Rapid screening and accurate diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction are critical to reduce the progression of myocardial necrosis, in which proteolytic degradation of myocardial extracellular matrix plays a major role. In previous studies, we found that targeting the extracellular matrix metalloprotease inducer (EMMPRIN) by injecting nanoparticles conjugated with the specific EMMPRIN-binding peptide AP9 significantly improved cardiac function in mice subjected to ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS: In a porcine model of coronary ischemia/reperfusion, we tested the theragnostic effects of administering 0.1 mg/kg gadolinium-containing nanoparticles conjugated with AP9 (NAP9), a synthetic peptide that targets EMMPRIN or a control nanoparticle (NAPSC). Cardiac magnetic resonance assessment of the infarct progression, ventricular function, and nanoparticle distribution was performed the next 7 days. We also measured the infarcted area of the heart and cardiac remodeling at 7 or 21 days after ischemia/reperfusion. RESULTS: After 21 days of ischemia/reperfusion, NAP9 reduced the extension of cardiac necrosis (14.1±9.7 versus 35.5±1.8) and the levels of collagenolytic activity of MMPs (matrix metalloproteases), along with a significant reduction in collagen deposition (7.5±4.5 versus 41.3±20); including the ratio of type I versus III collagen fibers in the necrotic myocardium. In terms of cardiac function, the response to NAP9 administration resulted in a significant improvement of cardiac performance overtime, as evidenced by the left ventricle ejection fraction (64.0±7.8), when compared with those present in the NAPSC group (47.3±4.7). As shown by magnetic resonance imaging, noninvasive molecular imaging of NAP9 enabled us to find a significant reduction in cardiac necrosis, myocardial edema, hemorrhage, and microvascular obstruction, suggesting that NAP9 may reduce myocardial injury and preserve left ventricular function, at least, by preventing the effect of EMMPRIN on extracellular matrix degradation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data point towards NAP9 as a promising theragnostic tool in managing acute myocardial infarction, by inhibiting EMMPRIN-induced extracellular matrix degradation and allowing noninvasive visualization of cardiac necrosis progression over time.