Nestin expression is upregulated in the -brotic rat heart and is localized in collagen-expressing mesenchymal cells and (+)- cells

Abstract

Renal and lung fibrosis was characterized by the accumulation of collagen-immunoreactive mesenchymal cells expressing the intermediate filament protein nestin. The present study tested the hypothesis that nestin expression was increased in the hypertrophied/fibrotic left ventricle of suprarenal abdominal aorta constricted adult Male Sprague-Dawley rats and induced in ventricular fibroblasts by pro-fibrotic peptide growth factors. Nestin protein levels were upregulated in the pressure-overloaded left ventricle and expression positively correlated with the rise of mean arterial pressure. In sham and pressure-overloaded hearts, nestin immunoreactivity was detected in collagen type (+) -and CD31 -cells identified in the interstitium and perivascular region whereas staining was absent in smooth muscle α-actin -cells. A significantly greater number of collagen type (+) -cells co-expressing nestin was identified in the left ventricle of pressure-overloaded rats. Moreover, an accumulation of nestin -cells lacking collagen, CD31 and smooth muscle α-actin staining was selectively observed at the adventitial region of predominantly large calibre blood vessels in the hypertrophied/fibrotic left ventricle. Angiotensin II and TGF-β stimulation of ventricular fibroblasts increased nestin protein levels via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase- And protein kinase C/SMAD3-dependent pathways, respectively. CD31/eNOS -rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells synthesized/secreted collagen type (+), expressed prolyl 4-hydroxylase and TGF-β induced nestin expression. The selective accumulation of adventitial nestin -cells highlighted a novel feature of large vessel remodelling in the pressure-overloaded heart and increased appearance of collagen type (+)/nestin -cells may reflect an activated phenotype of ventricular fibroblasts. CD31/collagen/nestin -interstitial cells could represent displaced endothelial cells displaying an unmasked mesenchymal phenotype, albeit contribution to the reactive fibrotic response of the pressure-overloaded heart remains unknown.