Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Prevents Angiotensin II-Induced Differentiation of Human Atrial Fibroblasts into Myofibroblasts

Abstract EN

Differentiation of atrial fibroblasts into myofibroblasts plays a critical role in atrial fibrosis.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (DS-201), a water-soluble derivative of tanshinone IIA, has been shown to have potent antifibrotic properties.

However, the protective effects of DS-201 on angiotensin II- (Ang II-) induced differentiation of atrial fibroblasts into myofibroblasts remain to be elucidated.

In this study, human atrial fibroblasts were stimulated with Ang II in the presence or absence of DS-201.

Then, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, and collagen III expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were measured.

The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and the downstream signaling of TGF-β1, such as phosphorylation of Smad2/3, were also determined.

The results demonstrated that DS-201 significantly prevented Ang II-induced human atrial fibroblast migration and decreased Ang II-induced α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III expression.

Furthermore, increased production of ROS and expression of TGF-β1 stimulated by Ang II were also significantly inhibited by DS-201.

Consistent with these results, DS-201 significantly inhibited Ang II-evoked Smad2/3 phosphorylation and periostin expression.

These results and the experiments involving N-acetyl cysteine (antioxidant) and an anti-TGF-β1 antibody suggest that DS-201 prevent Ang II-induced differentiation of atrial fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, at least in part, through suppressing oxidative stress and inhibiting the activation of TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

All of these data indicate the potential utility of DS-201 for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis.