TLR2 activates AP-1 to facilitate CTGF transcription and stimulate
doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury
Abstract
Objective: Our study aimed to explore the mechanism network that
TLR2/AP-1 combined with SOX10 to activate the MAPK pathway via CTGF in
Dox-induced myocardial injury. Methods: Rats with Dox-induced myocardial
injury were treated with a TLR2 inhibitor or CTGF silencing lentiviral
vector. H9c2 cells were treated with genetic vectors or MAPK pathway
activators. Cardiac function was tested using echocardiography and serum
markers. H&E, sirius red, and TUNEL staining were used to detect
myocardial pathological changes, collagen accumulation, and apoptosis.
Western blot was used to detect proteins related to cardiac hypertrophy,
fibrosis, apoptosis, and MAPK pathway. H9c2 cell injury was assessed by
testing cell viability, LDH release, and mitochondrial membrane
potential. Results: TLR2 and CTGF were highly expressed in patients with
heart failure, and Dox treatment further increased their expression.
Inhibiting TLR2 or silencing CTGF improved cardiac function and reduced
myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis in Dox-treated rats. Silencing TLR2
alleviated Dox-induced H9c2 cell injury, which was nullified by CTGF
overexpression. TLR2 activated AP-1, which cooperated with SOX10 to
promote CTGF transcription. MAPK activation aggravated H9c2 cells
against Dox-induced injury. Conclusions: TLR2 activates AP-1 which
cooperates with SOX10 to promote CTGF transcription and subsequently
activate the MAPK pathway, thereby stimulating Dox-induced myocardial
injury.