This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Nebigil, C. G. Articles by Maroteaux, L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Nebigil, C. G. Articles by Maroteaux, L. Pubmed/NCBI databases Gene GEO Profiles HomoloGene UniGene Medline Plus Health Information Cardiomyopathy Congenital Heart Defects Related Collections Cardiac development Myocardial cardiomyopathy disease Cell signalling/signal transduction Developmental biology Genetically altered mice

(Circulation. 2001;103:2973.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.

Basic Science Reports

Ablation of Serotonin 5-HT_2B Receptors in Mice Leads to Abnormal Cardiac Structure and Function

Canan G. Nebigil, PharmD, PhD; Pierre Hickel, BS; Nadia Messaddeq, PhD; Jean-Luc Vonesch, PhD; Marie P. Douchet, MD; Laurent Monassier, MD, PhD; Katalin György, PhD; Rachel Matz, PhD; Ramaroson Andriantsitohaina, PhD; Philippe Manivet, PharmD; Jean-Marie Launay, PharmD, PhD; Luc Maroteaux, PhD

From the Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch (C.G.N., P.H., N.M., J.L.V., L. Maroteaux); the Faculté de Médecine, Strasbourg (M.P.D., L. Monassier); CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie, Illkirch (K.G., R.M., R.A.); and Centre de Recherches Claude Bernard, Service de Biochimie, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris (P.M., J.-M.L.), France.

Correspondence to Luc Maroteaux, IGBMC, BP 163, 67404 Illkirch Cedex, France. E-mail lucm{at}igbmc.u-strasbg.fr

	Abstract

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Background—Identification of factors regulating myocardial structure and function is important to understand the pathogenesis of heart disease. Because little is known about the molecular mechanism of cardiac functions triggered by serotonin, the link between downstream signaling circuitry of its receptors and the heart physiology is of widespread interest. None of the serotonin receptor (5-HT_1A, 5-HT_1B, or 5-HT_2C) disruptions in mice have resulted in cardiovascular defects. In this study, we examined 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice to assess the putative role of serotonin in heart structure and function.

Methods and Results—We have generated G_q-coupled 5-HT_2B receptor–null mice by homologous recombination. Surviving 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice exhibit cardiomyopathy with a loss of ventricular mass due to a reduction in number and size of cardiomyocytes. This phenotype is intrinsic to cardiac myocytes. 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant ventricles exhibit dilation and abnormal organization of contractile elements, including Z-stripe enlargement and N-cadherin downregulation. Echocardiography and ECG both confirm the presence of left ventricular dilatation and decreased systolic function in the adult 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice.

Conclusions—Mutation of 5-HT_2B receptor leads to a cardiomyopathy without hypertrophy and a disruption of intercalated disks. 5-HT_2B receptor is required for cytoskeleton assembly to membrane structures by its regulation of N-cadherin expression. These results constitute, for the first time, strong genetic evidence that serotonin, via the 5-HT_2B receptor, regulates cardiac structure and function.

Key Words: cardiomyopathy • cell adhesion molecules • genetics • serotonin

	Introduction

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Cardiomyopathy is an important risk factor for subsequent cardiac morbidity and mortality. Relatively little is known about the molecular mechanism underlying cardiomyopathy and heart failure. The neurohormone serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is involved in blood pressure regulation and cardiac function in adults. 5-HT plays an important role in hemodynamic stability. 5-HT–specific reuptake inhibitors (by increasing the availability of 5-HT) produce arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and heart block.¹ The mitogenic action of 5-HT² triggers the valvular fibroplasia observed in carcinoid patients³ and in obese people taking the 5-HT uptake inhibitor/5-HT_2B receptor ligand fenfluramine as an appetite suppressant.^{4 5}

The various biological actions of 5-HT are mediated by numerous cognate receptors. There are at least 15 receptor subtypes that belong to 4 classes: 5-HT_1/5, 5-HT₂, 5-HT₃, and 5-HT_4/6/7.⁶ 5-HT binding to 5-HT_2A, 5-HT_2B, or 5-HT_2C receptors activates phospholipase C, releases inositol trisphosphate, and increases intracellular calcium levels. 5-HT_2B receptor is involved in 5-HT–induced mitogenesis in which c-Src is required for cell cycle progression via the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.⁷ Stimulation of the 5-HT_2B receptor results in cross talk with the 5-HT_1B/1D receptor subtype via activation of phospholipase A₂.⁸ The 5-HT_2B receptor also activates nitric oxide synthesis through a PDZ domain.⁹

To understand the specificity of each receptor subtype, the genetic inactivation approach in mice was used. Mutation of 5-HT receptors 5-HT_1A, 5-HT_1B, or 5-HT_2C in mice leads to behavioral abnormalities.¹⁰ We have recently shown that 5-HT_2B receptor inactivation in mice leads to trabeculation defects in embryonic heart, causing a 30% lethality at midgestation.¹¹ Now, we investigated cardiopathy in surviving 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice. This study reveals that 5-HT via the 5-HT_2B receptor is involved in the regulation of cardiomyocyte cytoarchitecture and function. 5-HT_2B receptor ablation in mice leads to cardiomyopathy, including left ventricular (LV) dysfunction without hypertrophy.

	Methods

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Generation of 5-HT_2B Receptor–Knockout Mice
Targeted mutagenesis by homologous recombination was described previously.¹¹ All animal experimentation was performed in accordance with institutional guidelines, and protocols were approved by the French Animal Care Committee in accordance with European regulations.

Morphological Analysis of Mouse Embryos
Transmission electron microscopy and histological techniques were performed as previously described.¹² Immunohistochemistry was performed on heart cryosections with the anti–sarcomeric myosin heavy chain (MHC) antibody (MF-20). Anti-tropomyosin and N-cadherin antibody reactions were performed on paraffin sections as described.¹¹ Signal intensity was quantified with a fluoroimager (Typhoon, Molecular Dynamics) and calculated as the product of averaged pixel intensity per area.

Cardiomyocyte Density Determination and Confocal Microscopic Analysis
Confocal microscope images of the sections were taken on a Leica TCS4D. Total numbers of nuclei per field were calculated by counting propidium iodide–stained nuclei. Nonmyocytes were tabulated by counting the number of nuclei not surrounded by cytoplasmic myosin, and this number was used to calculate total myocytes as described.¹³

Analysis of Hypertrophic Cardiac Genes by RT-PCR
Semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on 1 µg of total RNA extracted from age-matched control and knockout mice with the ribosomal elongation factor 1A used as an internal control as previously described.¹¹ The following primers were used: atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), 5'-CCAGGCCATATTGGAGCAAA-3' and 5'-GAAGCTGTTGCAGC-CTAGTC-3'; GATA4, 5'-CACTATGGGCACAGCAGCTCC-3' and 5'-TTGGAGCTGGCCTGCGATGTC-3'; -MHC, 5'-CTGCTGGAGAGG-TTATTCCTCG-3' and 5'-GGAAGAGTGAGCGGCGCATCAAGG-3'; and ß-MHC 5'-TGCAAAGGCTCCAGGTCTGAGGGC-3' and 5'-GCCAACACCACCCTGTCCAAGTTC-3'. The PCR products were quantified with an image analyzer (Bio-Rad, GS-700) and calculated as arbitrary units.

Cardiomyocyte Isolation and Video Imaging
Ventricular cardiomyocytes from newborn mice were isolated as previously described.¹⁴ Beating rate in response to dobutamine was determined by video recording of isolated cardiomyocytes. The analysis was performed on the stage of an inverted microscope (Leica DMRiB) with software developed by J.-L.V.

Echocardiographic Methods
Animals (19-week-old mice) anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (30 mg/kg IP) were observed with 2D-guided M-mode echocardiograms with a short-focal-length, 12-MHz (Hewlett-Packard Medical Systems) transducer. LV end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters (LVESD and LVEDD, respectively) were measured. The percentage of LV fractional shortening was then calculated.

Blood Pressure Measurements
Systolic arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded by the tail-cuff technique with the LE5002 Storage Pressure Meter (Letica) in awake 19-week-old mutant and control mice.

Electrocardiogram
Nineteen-week-old mice anesthetized with tribromoethanol (2.5% solution, 13 µL/g body wt SC) were recorded with the 4 arms of the ECG leads attached at the origin of each paw by unipolar and bipolar lead derivations. The signal was recorded by an ECG (EKG-Burdick, Siemens) connected to a data acquisition system (MP100 and Acknowledge Software, Biopac Systems Inc).

Isolated Perfused Heart Preparation
Hearts from mice (12 to 19 weeks old, 23 to 25 g) anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (60 mg/kg IP) and heparinized (500 U/kg IP) were cannulated and perfused according to Langendorff at 37°C and pH 7.4 with modified Krebs-Henseleit solution containing (mmol/L) NaCl 118, NaHCO₃ 24, KCl 4.7, KH₂PO₄ 1.2, MgSO₄ 1.2, CaCl₂ 2.5, disodium EDTA 0.5, and glucose 10, gassed with 95% O₂/5% CO₂. Perfusion pressure was constant and equivalent to 100 cm H₂O. The diastolic tension of the suture was adjusted to 1 g during the stabilization period of the heart.

Measurement of Markers for Cardiac Failure and Myocardial Damage
Enzyme immunoassay for creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme and for cardiac troponin I was determined from samples of serum from adult mice.¹⁵

Data Analysis and Statistics
All values represent the average of independent experiments±SEM (n=number of experiments as indicated in the text). Comparisons between groups were performed with Student’s unpaired t test or ANOVA and a Fischer test. Significance was set at P<0.05.

	Results

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Heart Morphology
5-HT_2B receptor inactivation leads to partial embryonic death due to trabecular defects in the heart leading to midgestation lethality (30%, n=120).¹¹ The 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice that reached birth displayed no obvious defects, although 30% (n=120)¹¹ of newborn mice developed signs of fatigue and dyspnea between postnatal days 2 and 5 and died within 24 hours from the onset of these symptoms. A likely cause of neonatal death is inadequate cardiac output due to hypoplasia of the LV, despite the lack of evidence for pulmonary edema. All 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice that survived the first postnatal week developed to adulthood with cardiac problems. This variation in severity of the phenotype could not be attributed to variability in the genetic background of the mice (all the findings were obtained from 129/PAS pure background mice, and similar mortality was also observed on a C57/Black6J-129/PAS mixed background).

Newborn 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant hearts display a striking decrease in the ratio of heart to body weight (28%). This difference was 24% in 6-week-old mutants (Table 1). Histological analysis demonstrated that the decrease in heart mass was restricted to the ventricles (as shown in Figure 1A).

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 1. Morphometry of 5-HT2B Receptor–Mutant Mouse Cardiac Parameters

View larger version (68K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1. 5-HT2B receptor–mutant mice exhibit decreased ventricular mass due to decreased cell number and size. A, Representative sagittal section from paraffin-embedded adult hearts (12 weeks old). rv indicates right ventricle. B, Cardiomyocytes (MHC-positive cells) and total cells (propidium iodide (PI)–stained nucleus) per field were counted (n>100 from 4 independent stainings). Numbers are expressed as mean±SD for n=8 sections. C, Ventricular myocytes from newborn mice were isolated, and their size was measured. Values are expressed as mean±SEM, n>100. Bars: A, 200 µm; B, 50 µm; C, 100 µm. D, Markers known to be expressed in hypertrophic growth (ANF, MHC, and GATA4) were analyzed by RT-PCR in adult mice (12 weeks). 5-HT2B receptor–mutant (-/-) and wild-type (+/+) mice.

Cardiomyocyte Number and Size
The ratio of cardiomyocytes to total cells (stained with MF-20 antibody, myocyte-specific MHC, and propidium iodide, respectively) revealed 15% fewer cardiomyocytes in the newborn mutants, as shown in Figure 1B. Isolated mutant cardiomyocytes are 12% shorter than wild-type (n>15) (Figure 1C). The decrease in ventricular mass observed in 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice results, therefore, from decreases in both cell density and size of cardiomyocytes.

Hypertrophic Gene Expression in Heart
To determine whether the loss of ventricular mass creates compensatory hypertrophic growth associated with altered expression of hypertrophic markers,¹⁶ ANF, -MHC, ß-MHC, and GATA4 expression was evaluated in 12-week-old mutant hearts. Semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis of mutant heart mRNA demonstrated that none of these mRNAs showed significant variation in expression level (<5% variation compared with control, n=5 different individuals). Similar results were obtained in newborn mutants (data not shown).

Cardiomyocyte Function
To determine whether the cardiac phenotype of 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice was cell-intrinsic, the function of spontaneously beating isolated cardiomyocytes from newborns was investigated. The ß-adrenergic receptor agonist dobutamine increased the beating rate of wild-type cardiomyocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Mutant cardiomyocytes, however, exhibited an impaired response to dobutamine in the absence of sympathetic innervation (Figure 2), indicating cell autonomous defects.

View larger version (38K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 2. Cardiac phenotype in 5-HT2B receptor–mutant mice is intrinsic to cardiomyocytes. A, Beating rate of isolated cardiomyocytes from newborn hearts in response to different concentrations of dobutamine. B, Beating rate in isolated single cardiomyocytes was deduced from these digital video recordings. Beating rate is expressed as mean myocyte contractions/min±SEM. Mutant (-/-, n=5) and wild-type (+/+, n=3) mice.

Ultrastructural Analysis
A loss of myocardial organization, a scattered area of degenerated cardiomyocytes, and myofibrillar disarray were apparent in newborn mutant hearts. Wavy myofibrils were identified by anti-tropomyosin staining (Figure 3A). In this area, myofilaments appeared misaligned, I bands were not detectable, abnormally wide Z bands were seen, and mitochondria were rounded and irregular (Figure 3B). The sarcomere length in mutants is 33% smaller than that in control mice (n=25). Notably, no evidence for myocardial apoptosis, fibrosis, or significant inflammatory cell infiltrates was found. Nearly identical histopathological findings were observed in all adult mutant hearts.

View larger version (127K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 3. 5-HT2B receptor–mutant mice display dramatic disruption of cardiomyocyte cytoarchitecture with myofibrillar disarrays. A, Representative sections from paraffin-embedded adult hearts stained with tropomyosin antibody. B, High magnification of sarcomeres from LVs. A bands (A), M lines (M), I bands (I), Z bands (Z), desmosomes (d), mitochondria (m), and nexus (n) are shown. Bars: A, 50 µm; B, 1 µm. 5-HT2B receptor–mutant (-/-) and control (+/+) mice.

Furthermore, 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant cardiomyocytes had reduced numbers of adherens junctions (Table 1), and the intercalated disks were consistently disorganized (Figure 4A). Z line–associated protein expression was investigated. Vinculin staining in mutant newborn ventricles was unaltered (not shown). N-cadherin expression, however, was reduced by 38.8% in mutant myocardium (Figure 4B, Table 1).

View larger version (138K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 4. Intracellular junctional structures are perturbed in 5-HT2B receptor–mutant mice. A, High magnification of intercalated disk (ID) structures from LVs of newborn mice. Actin fibers (F), desmosomes (D), mitochondria (M), nexus (N), and Z bands (Z) are shown. B, Immunohistochemistry for intercalated disk protein N-cadherin in newborn hearts. DAPI staining shows distribution of cells (right). Bars: B, 50 µm; A, 0.5 µm. 5-HT2B receptor–mutant (-/-) and control (+/+) mice.

Hemodynamic Measurements
Transthoracic echocardiograms (Figure 5A, Table 2) show LV dilation and reduced systolic performance of the adult mutant mice. In male mutants, the LVEDD was 25% higher than wild-type. Extreme LV dilation (increased LVEDD) was observed, and the LVESD was increased by 50% in male 5-HT_2B receptor mutants (n>4). The percent of LV fractional shortening, as an indicator of systolic cardiac function, was significantly decreased in male (20%) (Figure 5A, Table 2) but not in female mutants (not shown). When myocardial function was measured by Langendorff’s heart preparation in vitro, however, the developed force in response to adrenergic stimuli (isoproterenol) was also significantly reduced in female mutants (Table 2, Figure 5B). A slight decrease in mutant female coronary flow was also observed, whereas no apparent change in basal blood pressure or heart rate was detected (Table 2).

View larger version (35K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 5. Functional analysis reveals LV dysfunction in 5-HT2B receptor–mutant mice. A, Ventricular diameters (left) and LV fractional shortening (right) of adult hearts were obtained by 2D echocardiograms. Values are expressed as mean±SEM, n=5. B, Langendorff preparation of isolated hearts from adult females perfused and stimulated with adrenergic agonist. Values are ±SEM (n=3). C, ECG from wild-type (left) and mutant (right) adult males, in 2-arm bipolar derivation. Letters indicate P, Q, R, S, and T waves. Arrows indicate all P waves. D, Classic markers of human heart failure, creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme (CK-MB mass measurement) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI), were detected in serum of mice by enzyme immunoassay. Values are ng/mL±SEM (n>10); *difference between mutant (-/-) and wild-type (+/+) mice (P<0.05).

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 2. 5-HT2B Receptor–Mutant Adult Mouse Cardiovascular Parameters

ECG Analysis
ECG analysis in mutants revealed neither atrioventricular nor intraventricular conduction defects (similar PR intervals, QRS duration, and amplitude). The resting heart rate was significantly decreased in the anesthetized female mutants. The P duration, but not P amplitude, was significantly increased in female (47%) and to a lesser extent in male (17%) mutants. The most striking difference between wild-type and 5-HT_2B receptor mutants (both female and male) was dramatically elevated T-wave amplitude, which is an indicator of abnormalities in repolarization of ventricles (Figure 5C, Table 2). Serum potassium levels, however, were not altered (not shown).

Biochemical Markers of Heart Failure
Clinical indications of human acute myocardial infarction and injury are revealed by serum levels of the cardiac-specific biochemical markers troponin I and creatine kinase-MB.¹⁵ Strikingly elevated markers were observed in the serum of 5-HT_2B receptor mutants (6 weeks old) (Figure 5D). Interestingly, male 5-HT_2B receptor mutants exhibited more pronounced biological changes than females.

	Discussion

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
In this study, we provide the first evidence that G_q-coupled 5-HT_2B receptor ablation in mice leads to cardiomyopathy with LV dysfunction, dilation, and an abnormal structure within the Z band correlated with a deficiency in N-cadherin expression.

5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice exhibit thinning of the ventricular wall and a reduction in ventricular mass that appears to be due to 2 complementary mechanisms: loss of myocardial cells and decrease in cell size. The primary loss of myocardial cells could be due to apoptosis and/or impaired proliferation of cardiomyocytes. No apoptotic bodies were observed by transmission electron microscopy, yet mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) activation in response to 5-HT was strongly reduced in newborn mutant hearts (unpublished observations). Together, these data suggest that ventricular hypoplasia is mainly due to impaired proliferation, not to apoptosis. Mutation of the thin-filament protein troponin T in mice also results in cardiomyopathy due to a primary loss of cardiomyocytes and decrease in cell size.¹³ Myofibril loss is the most obvious structural change in human cardiomyopathy,¹⁷ and sarcomeric disarray is characteristic of failing hearts.¹⁸ Actually, the decrease in cardiomyocyte size could be due to impaired growth during postnatal development. The loss of ventricular mass creates biomechanical stress on the remaining viable heart muscle, which typically triggers a hypertrophic response by inducing embryonic gene reexpression. In the 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant heart, however, despite increased preload conditions (increased LVEDD), the expression of hypertrophic markers was not elevated, and there were no morphological signs of hypertrophy. Unlike the 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice, -MHC– and myf5-mutant mice develop hypertrophy, and interstitial fibrosis accompanied cardiomyopathy.¹⁹ Why 5-HT_2B receptor mutants fail to have a hypertrophic response remains to be investigated. Combined myofibrillar breakdown and inhibited myofibrillogenesis may account for loss of ventricular mass without substantial hypertrophy. Mice overexpressing tropomodulin²⁰ or mutated troponin T are models of dilated cardiomyopathy with inhibited myofibrillogenesis without a hypertrophic response.¹³

Other neurotransmitters and hormones that use G_q protein signaling are also involved in cardiomyopathies. In vitro and in vivo studies have indicated a role for hormones such as angiotensin II, bradykinin B₂,²¹ endothelin 1, norepinephrine, and prostaglandin F₂, not only in stimulation of cardiac hypertrophy but also in decompensation of the hypertrophied heart through induction of cardiomyocyte apoptosis.²² Targeted expression of the carboxy-terminus of the -subunit of G_q or overexpression of the G_q protein in the heart causes cardiomyopathy. The regulation of cardiomyocyte cytoarchitecture through the G_q-coupled pathway, however, is poorly understood.

Our data suggest that alteration in cardiomyocyte cytoarchitecture results from 5-HT_2B receptor mutation. How does the 5-HT_2B receptor affect the organization of myofibrils and related cardiomyocyte cytoarchitecture? 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant cardiomyocytes exhibit abnormal organization of contractile elements, including Z-stripe enlargement (Figure 5). Interestingly, most of the mutations leading to dilated cardiomyopathy in humans affect structural proteins involved in cytoskeleton–extracellular matrix interaction at the Z stripe.²³ The altered intercalated disk structures observed in the hearts of 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice could be a molecular mechanism leading to impaired contractility and myofibrillar degeneration. Z line–associated structures are responsible for the lateral alignment of myofibrils, and their anchorage is at N-cadherin– and vinculin-containing costameres along the cell membrane. The 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice exhibit decreased N-cadherin levels. N-Cadherin plays an important role in maintaining myofibril integrity,²⁴ in cardiomyocyte interaction, and in myofibrillogenesis.²⁵ Downregulation of N-cadherin and disruption of intercellular adhesion have also been reported in failing guinea pig hearts.²⁶ Addition of antibodies against N-cadherin to cardiomyocyte cultures also induces myofibrillar and cytosolic disorganization.²⁷ Furthermore, mutation of the Drosophila 5-HT2Dro receptor (a pharmacological orthologue to 5-HT_2B receptor) results in embryos that do not gastrulate properly because of changes in E-cadherin–dependent cell adhesiveness.²⁸ Our data suggest that the 5-HT_2B receptor in mammals is required for proper myofibril integrity and myofibrillogenesis by regulating N-cadherin expression.

The 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mouse phenotype has similarity to the natural history of patients with dilated cardiopathy. LV dilatation and depressed LV systolic performance in the mutant mice are typical features used to diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy in humans. Moreover, serum biochemical indicators of myocardial infarction are increased in the 5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice. No apparent changes in basal blood pressure and heart rate are detected (Table 2), suggesting that either the 5-HT_2B receptor is not involved in basal blood pressure control or systemic vascular flow redistribution compensates at least partially for this impaired contractility.

5-HT_2B receptor–mutant mice exhibit sex differences: Consistent with the idea that the morphological lesions detected in male mutant mice underlie abnormal functions, female mutant mice with less severe histopathological findings did not reveal significant functional changes under steady-state conditions. Similar sex differences occur in other cardiomyopathy models, such as in the ß-MHC–mutant mouse.²⁹ In X-linked cardiomyopathy in humans, heart failure occurs rapidly after onset of symptoms in males but is delayed in its onset and progression in females.³⁰ Cardioprotective effects in females have been attributed to estrogen action.

The 5-HT_2B receptor–specific agonist norfenfluramine, ergot drugs, and 5-HT released from carcinoid tumors contribute to valvular fibroplasia in humans.^{4 5} The lack of detectable valvular defects in mutant mice, however, indicates that the 5-HT_2B receptor is not required for heart valve development.

Mutation of a noncytoskeletal molecule, the 5-HT_2B receptor, provides the first genetic evidence that 5-HT, via this receptor, regulates cardiomyocyte function and structure. These findings should facilitate a genetic approach and new avenues of drug design in fighting cardiovascular disease.

	Acknowledgments

 
This work was supported by funds from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, the Hôpital Universitaire de Strasbourg, the Université Louis Pasteur, and by grants from the Fondation de France, the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, the Association pour la Recherche contre le Cancer (9503, 7389), the Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, and a Lilly–Université L. Pasteur Fellowship (Dr Nebigil). We wish to acknowledge Dr K. Niederreither for stimulating discussions and a critical reading of the manuscript.

Received December 1, 2000; revision received February 7, 2001; accepted February 16, 2001.

	References

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 

1. Sheline YI, Freedland KE, Carney RM. How safe are serotonin reuptake inhibitors for depression in patients with coronary heart disease? Am J Med. 1997;102:54–59.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
   
2. Yavarone MS, Shuey DL, Tamir H, et al. Serotonin and cardiac morphogenesis in the mouse embryo. Teratology. 1993;47:573–584.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
   
3. Robiolio PA, Rigolin VH, Wilson JS, et al. Carcinoid heart disease: correlation of high serotonin levels with valvular abnormalities detected by cardiac catheterization and echocardiography. Circulation. 1995;92:790–795.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
4. Fitzgerald LW, Burn TC, Brown BS, et al. Possible role of valvular serotonin 5-HT2B receptors in the cardiopathy associated with fenfluramine. Mol Pharmacol. 2000;57:75–81.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
5. Rothman RB, Ayestas MA, Dersch CM, et al. Aminorex, fenfluramine, and chlorphentermine are serotonin transporter substrates: implications for primary pulmonary hypertension. Circulation. 1999;100:869–875.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
6. Hoyer D, Fozard JR, Saxena PR, et al. IUPHAR classification of receptors for 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin). Pharmacol Rev. 1994;46:157–203.[Abstract]
   
7. Nebigil CG, Launay J-M, Hickel P, et al. 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2B receptor regulates cell-cycle progression: cross talk with tyrosine kinase pathways. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2000;97:2591–2596.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
8. Tournois C, Mutel V, Manivet P, et al. Cross-talk between 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors in a serotonergic cell line: involvement of arachidonic acid metabolism. J Biol Chem. 1998;273:17498–17503.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
9. Manivet P, Mouillet-Richard S, Callebert J, et al. PDZ-dependent activation of nitric-oxide synthases by the serotonin 2B receptor. J Biol Chem. 2000;275:9324–9331.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
10. Murphy DL, Wichems C, Li Q, et al. Molecular manipulations as tools for enhancing our understanding of 5-HT neurotransmission. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 1999;20:246–252.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
11. Nebigil CG, Choi D-S, Dierich A, et al. Serotonin 2B receptor is required for heart development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2000;97:9508–9513.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
12. Choi D-S, Ward S, Messaddeq N, et al. 5-HT2B receptor-mediated serotonin morphogenetic functions in mouse cranial neural crest and myocardiac cells. Development. 1997;124:1745–1755.[Abstract]
    
13. Tardiff JC, Factor SM, Tompkins BD, et al. A truncated cardiac troponin T molecule in transgenic mice suggests multiple cellular mechanisms for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. J Clin Invest. 1998;101:2800–2811.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
14. Adams JW, Sakata Y, Davis MG, et al. Enhanced Gq signaling: a common pathway mediates cardiac hypertrophy and apoptotic heart failure. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998;95:10140–10145.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
15. Collinson PO. Troponin T or troponin I or CK-MB (or none?). Eur Heart J. 1998;19(suppl N):N16–N24.
    
16. Chien KR, Zhu H, Knowlton KU, et al. Transcriptional regulation during cardiac growth and development. Annu Rev Physiol. 1993;55:77–95.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
17. Mann DL, Urabe Y, Kent RL, et al. Cellular versus myocardial basis for the contractile dysfunction of hypertrophied myocardium. Circ Res. 1991;68:402–415.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
18. Schaper J, Froede R, Hein S, et al. Impairment of the myocardial ultrastructure and changes of the cytoskeleton in dilated cardiomyopathy. Circulation. 1991;83:504–514.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
19. McKinsey TA, Olson EN. Cardiac hypertrophy: sorting out the circuitry. Curr Opin Genet Dev. 1999;9:267–274.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
20. Sussman MA, Welch S, Cambon N, et al. Myofibril degeneration caused by tropomodulin overexpression leads to dilated cardiomyopathy in juvenile mice. J Clin Invest. 1998;101:51–61.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
21. Emanueli C, Maestri R, Corradi D, et al. Dilated and failing cardiomyopathy in bradykinin B₂ receptor knockout mice. Circulation. 1999;100:2359–2365.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
22. Dorn GW II, Brown JH. Gq signaling in cardiac adaptation and maladaptation. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 1999;9:26–34.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
23. Beltrami CA, Finato N, Rocco M, et al. The cellular basis of dilated cardiomyopathy in humans. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 1995;27:291–305.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
24. Soler AP, Knudsen KA. N-cadherin involvement in cardiac myocyte interaction and myofibrillogenesis. Dev Biol. 1994;162:9–17.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
25. Radice GL, Rayburn H, Matsunami H, et al. Developmental defects in mouse embryos lacking N-cadherin. Dev Biol. 1997;181:64–78.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
26. Wang X, Gerdes AM. Chronic pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy and failure in guinea pigs, III: intercalated disc remodeling. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 1999;31:333–343.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
27. Goncharova EJ, Kam Z, Geiger B. The involvement of adherens junction components in myofibrillogenesis in cultured cardiac myocytes. Development. 1992;114:173–183.[Abstract]
    
28. Colas J-F, Launay J-M, Vonesch J-L, et al. Serotonin synchronises convergent extension of ectoderm with morphogenetic gastrulation movements in Drosophila. Mech Dev. 1999;877:77–91.
    
29. Berul CI, Christe ME, Aronovitz MJ, et al. Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mice display gender differences in electrophysiological abnormalities. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 1998;2:7–14.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
30. Towbin JA. The role of cytoskeletal proteins in cardiomyopathies. Curr Opin Cell Biol. 1998;10:131–139. [Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Fligny, Y. Fromes, P. Bonnin, M. Darmon, E. Bayard, J.-M. Launay, F. Cote, J. Mallet, and G. Vodjdani Maternal serotonin influences cardiac function in adult offspring FASEB J, July 1, 2008; 22(7): 2340 - 2349. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Ojaimi, K. Qanud, T. H. Hintze, and F. A. Recchia Altered expression of a limited number of genes contributes to cardiac decompensation during chronic ventricular tachypacing in dogs Physiol Genomics, March 14, 2007; 29(1): 76 - 83. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. I. Gustafsson, K. Tommeras, I. Nordrum, J. P. Loennechen, A. Brunsvik, E. Solligard, R. Fossmark, I. Bakke, U. Syversen, and H. Waldum Long-Term Serotonin Administration Induces Heart Valve Disease in Rats Circulation, March 29, 2005; 111(12): 1517 - 1522. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Jaffre, J. Callebert, A. Sarre, N. Etienne, C. G. Nebigil, J.-M. Launay, L. Maroteaux, and L. Monassier Involvement of the Serotonin 5-HT2B Receptor in Cardiac Hypertrophy Linked to Sympathetic Stimulation: Control of Interleukin-6, Interleukin-1{beta}, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-{alpha} Cytokine Production by Ventricular Fibroblasts Circulation, August 24, 2004; 110(8): 969 - 974. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. E. Larkin, B. C. Frank, R. M. Gaspard, I. Duka, H. Gavras, and J. Quackenbush Cardiac transcriptional response to acute and chronic angiotensin II treatments Physiol Genomics, July 8, 2004; 18(2): 152 - 166. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Blanpain, E. Le Poul, J. Parma, C. Knoop, M. Detheux, M. Parmentier, G. Vassart, and M. J Abramowicz Serotonin 5-HT2B receptor loss of function mutation in a patient with fenfluramine-associated primary pulmonary hypertension Cardiovasc Res, December 1, 2003; 60(3): 518 - 528. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Cote, E. Thevenot, C. Fligny, Y. Fromes, M. Darmon, M.-A. Ripoche, E. Bayard, N. Hanoun, F. Saurini, P. Lechat, et al. Disruption of the nonneuronal tph1 gene demonstrates the importance of peripheral serotonin in cardiac function PNAS, November 11, 2003; 100(23): 13525 - 13530. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. G. Nebigil and L. Maroteaux Functional Consequence of Serotonin/5-HT2B Receptor Signaling in Heart: Role of Mitochondria in Transition Between Hypertrophy and Heart Failure? Circulation, August 19, 2003; 108(7): 902 - 908. [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. G. Nebigil, F. Jaffre, N. Messaddeq, P. Hickel, L. Monassier, J.-M. Launay, and L. Maroteaux Overexpression of the Serotonin 5-HT2B Receptor in Heart Leads to Abnormal Mitochondrial Function and Cardiac Hypertrophy Circulation, July 1, 2003; 107(25): 3223 - 3229. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. L. Brutsaert Cardiac Endothelial-Myocardial Signaling: Its Role in Cardiac Growth, Contractile Performance, and Rhythmicity Physiol Rev, January 1, 2003; 83(1): 59 - 115. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Ozcelik, B. Erdmann, B. Pilz, N. Wettschureck, S. Britsch, N. Hubner, K. R. Chien, C. Birchmeier, and A. N. Garratt Conditional mutation of the ErbB2 (HER2) receptor in cardiomyocytes leads to dilated cardiomyopathy PNAS, June 25, 2002; 99(13): 8880 - 8885. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Manivet, B. Schneider, J. C. Smith, D.-S. Choi, L. Maroteaux, O. Kellermann, and J.-M. Launay The Serotonin Binding Site of Human and Murine 5-HT2B Receptors. MOLECULAR MODELING AND SITE-DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS J. Biol. Chem., May 3, 2002; 277(19): 17170 - 17178. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. K.L. Banes and S. W. Watts Upregulation of Arterial Serotonin 1B and 2B Receptors in Deoxycorticosterone Acetate-Salt Hypertension Hypertension, February 1, 2002; 39(2): 394 - 398. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Nebigil, C. G. Articles by Maroteaux, L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Nebigil, C. G. Articles by Maroteaux, L. Pubmed/NCBI databases Gene GEO Profiles HomoloGene UniGene Medline Plus Health Information Cardiomyopathy Congenital Heart Defects Related Collections Cardiac development Myocardial cardiomyopathy disease Cell signalling/signal transduction Developmental biology