Female sex and ER-alpha modulate cardiac ischaemic remodeling

In this study, we present novel insights into mechanisms that account for the ER -dependent myocardial protection against myocardial injury, with more beneficial effects in female hearts. Using a transgenic mouse model with a cardiomyocyte-specific ER -overexpression (ER -OE), we first demonstrated that this was associated with an increase of LVM at the basal level in both female and male mice. After MI, the cardiomyocyte-specific ER -OE inhibited changes in LV-volumes and wall thickness only in female mice. These beneficial effects in female ER -OE hearts were associated with increased angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, attenuated ventricular fibrosis and enhanced JNK phosphorylation. This study indicates that in the female sex, ER in cardiomyocytes may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of ischemic heart disease, leading to more efficient cardiac repair after ischemic injury.

Autorentext

Dr.med.Xiang Zhang,was born on the 12th of March 1982 in China, graduated from Harbin medical university(China)with B.Sc. and M.Sc.in Human medicine. Since 2009 he works as physician and lecturer at Harbin medical university. He obtained doctorate degree on the 30th of May 2015 from Charité - University Medicine Berlin,Germany.