Ultrasonic Microbubble Cavitation Deliver Gal-3 shRNA to Inhibit Myocardial Fibrosis after Myocardial Infarction
Wenqu Li,
Qiaofeng Jin,
Li Zhang,
Shukun He,
Yishu Song,
Lingling Xu,
Cheng Deng,
Lufang Wang,
Xiaojuan Qin,
Mingxing Xie
Affiliations
Wenqu Li
Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Ave., Wuhan 430022, China
Qiaofeng Jin
Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Ave., Wuhan 430022, China
Li Zhang
Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Ave., Wuhan 430022, China
Shukun He
Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Ave., Wuhan 430022, China
Yishu Song
Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Ave., Wuhan 430022, China
Lingling Xu
Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Ave., Wuhan 430022, China
Cheng Deng
Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Ave., Wuhan 430022, China
Lufang Wang
Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Ave., Wuhan 430022, China
Xiaojuan Qin
Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Ave., Wuhan 430022, China
Mingxing Xie
Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Ave., Wuhan 430022, China
Galectin-3 (Gal-3) participates in myocardial fibrosis (MF) in a variety of ways. Inhibiting the expression of Gal-3 can effectively interfere with MF. This study aimed to explore the value of Gal-3 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) transfection mediated by ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) in anti-myocardial fibrosis and its mechanism. A rat model of myocardial infarction (MI) was established and randomly divided into control and Gal-3 shRNA/cationic microbubbles + ultrasound (Gal-3 shRNA/CMBs + US) groups. Echocardiography measured the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) weekly, and the heart was harvested to analyze fibrosis, Gal-3, and collagen expression. LVEF in the Gal-3 shRNA/CMB + US group was improved compared with the control group. On day 21, the myocardial Gal-3 expression decreased in the Gal-3 shRNA/CMBs + US group. Furthermore, the proportion of the myocardial fibrosis area in the Gal-3 shRNA/CMBs + US group was 6.9 ± 0.41% lower than in the control group. After inhibition of Gal-3, there was a downregulation in collagen production (collagen I and III), and the ratio of Col I/Col III decreased. In conclusion, UTMD-mediated Gal-3 shRNA transfection can effectively silence the expression of Gal-3 in myocardial tissue, reduce myocardial fibrosis, and protect the cardiac ejection function.
