PhD Scientific Days 2024

Poster Session M - Cardiovascular Medicine and Research 1.

Differential Proteomic Remodeling of Right and Left Ventricles in Response to Transverse Aortic Constriction in Rats

Text of the abstract

Background: Heart failure (HF) involves complex pathophysiological processes, including significant cardiac tissue remodeling. The proteomic responses of the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) to pressure overload from Transverse Aortic Constriction (TAC) surgery are not well understood.

Aims: This study explores the proteomic changes in the RV and LV post-TAC surgery in rats to improve understanding of RV's role in HF pathogenesis.

Methods: Male Wistar rats underwent TAC surgery to induce HF, with sham-operated animals as controls. Fifteen weeks later, their ventricular tissues were analyzed via mass spectrometry. Differential protein expression between RV and LV compared to sham controls was assessed using the limma R package, categorizing proteins into functional pathways and identifying interactions using the string-db database.

Results: The analysis revealed 208 proteins significantly less expressed and 40 more expressed in the RV than in the LV post-surgery. Downregulated proteins in the RV mostly related to cellular respiration and fatty acid metabolism, while upregulated proteins were linked to energy metabolism and contractile function. Notable proteins in the RV included SPARC, NES, CSPG4, ANPEP, ITGB5, ITGA6, and ITGA9, associated with myocardial extracellular matrix remodeling.

Conclusion: The study highlights the differential proteomic remodeling of the RV and LV under pressure overload, underscoring the importance of distinct molecular pathways in developing HF therapies. These findings emphasize the need to consider ventricular-specific responses in HF treatment and pathogenesis.

Keywords: Heart failure, proteomic remodeling, transverse aortic constriction, right ventricle, left ventricle, rats.

Funding: RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00003, K134939, TKP2021-EGA-23, ÚNKP-23-3-II-SE-13