FGF23/FGFR4-mediated left ventricular hypertrophy is reversible

Sci Rep. 2017 May 16;7(1):1993. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-02068-6.

Abstract

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23 is a phosphaturic hormone that directly targets cardiac myocytes via FGF receptor (FGFR) 4 thereby inducing hypertrophic myocyte growth and the development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in rodents. Serum FGF23 levels are highly elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and it is likely that FGF23 directly contributes to the high rates of LVH and cardiac death in CKD. It is currently unknown if the cardiac effects of FGF23 are solely pathological, or if they potentially can be reversed. Here, we report that FGF23-induced cardiac hypertrophy is reversible in vitro and in vivo upon removal of the hypertrophic stimulus. Specific blockade of FGFR4 attenuates established LVH in the 5/6 nephrectomy rat model of CKD. Since CKD mimics a form of accelerated cardiovascular aging, we also studied age-related cardiac remodeling. We show that aging mice lacking FGFR4 are protected from LVH. Finally, FGF23 increases cardiac contractility via FGFR4, while known effects of FGF23 on aortic relaxation do not require FGFR4. Taken together, our data highlight a role of FGF23/FGFR4 signaling in the regulation of cardiac remodeling and function, and indicate that pharmacological interference with cardiac FGF23/FGFR4 signaling might protect from CKD- and age-related LVH.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biopsy
  • Diet
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / blood
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism*
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / etiology*
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / metabolism*
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myocardial Contraction / genetics
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4 / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Fgf23 protein, mouse
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
  • Fgfr4 protein, mouse
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4