Effects of progranulin on the pathological conditions in experimental myocardial infarction model

Progranulin is a secreted growth factor associated with multiple physiological functions in ischemic pathophysiology. However, it is still not fully understood how progranulin is involved in ischemic lesion and cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we investigated the effects of progranulin on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury. We investigated progranulin expression using Western blotting and immunostaining after permanent left coronary artery (LCA) occlusion in mice. Infarct size and the number of infiltrating neutrophils were measured 24 h after permanent LCA occlusion. Recombinant mouse progranulin was administered before LCA occlusion. In addition, we evaluated cardiac function using cardiac catheterization and echocardiography, and fibrosis size by Masson’s trichrome staining after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in rabbits. Recombinant human progranulin was administered immediately after induction of reperfusion. Progranulin expression increased in the myocardial ischemic area 1, 3, and 5 days after permanent LCA occlusion in mice. The administration of recombinant mouse progranulin significantly attenuated infarct size and infiltrating neutrophils 24 h after permanent LCA occlusion in mice. We also found that administration of recombinant human progranulin ameliorated the deterioration of cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in rabbits. These findings suggest that progranulin may protect myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.