Anti-fibrotic effect of SPARC protein in cardiac fibroblasts (Potential mediator of the benefits associated with stem cell transplantation derived from adipose tissue post-myocardial infarction)

Author(s)

Marcus Vinicius Naghetini dos Santos

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2015-12-09

Examining board members

Jose Eduardo Krieger

• Advisor: Jose Eduardo Krieger

Abstract

Cardiac repair post-myocardial infarction (MI) remains a challenge despite great progress in clinical management and mortality reduction. In this sense, studies with pre-clinical models have shown that the transplantation of adult stem cells, such as stem cells derived from adipose tissue (ASCs), preserves ventricular function after MI. This improvement is not related to mechanisms of tissue replacement and cell transdifferentiation, but the paracrine action through the release of pleiotropic bioactive molecules. In the present study we tried to identify key proteins related with the beneficial pleiotropic response associated with ASC transplantation post-MI. We perform bioinformatic analyses of the proteins released by mASC subjected to stretch and hypoxia, mimmiking the MI microenvironment, to find novel targets. The network of interactions includes three candidates that interact with each other: SPARC, MMP-3 and Osteopontin. We standardized the model of cell death by H2O2 in cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibroblasts and endothelial cells, the three major cell types that form the heart, and evaluate the expression of these factors. The data show that hydrogen peroxide alters the expression of these factors heterogeneously in these cells and induces collagen production and secretion in fibroblasts. However, treatment with SPARC, Osteopontin and MMP-3 did not improve the viability of cells treated with H2O2 and does not influence the angiogenic response. Concerning to the production of collagen, SPARC protein could reduce this to basal levels, similar to what happened with the cells treated with conditioned medium of ASC. Together, these results showed that SPARC protein reduces collagen production similarly to the conditioned medium treatment, which is consistent with the idea that SPARC is responsible, at least in part, for the beneficial effects associated with the transplanted ASC post-MI (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/22549-1 - Modulation of cardiac repair after myocardial infarction by the interaction between proteins SPARC, MMP-3 and osteopontin secreted by adipose tissue stem cells.
• Grantee: Marcus Vinicius Naghetini dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master