Downregulation of Profilin-1 Expression Attenuates Cardiomyocytes Hypertrophy and Apoptosis Induced by Advanced Glycation End Products in H9c2 Cells

Cardiomyocytes hypertrophy and apoptosis induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is the crucial pathological foundation contributing to the onset and development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). However, the mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we report that profilin-1 (PFN-1), a well-known actin-binding protein, serves as a potent regulator in AGEs-induced cardiomyocytes hypertrophy and apoptosis. PFN-1 was upregulated in AGEs-treated H9c2 cells, which was associated with increased cardiomyocytes hypertrophy and apoptosis. Silencing PFN-1 expression remarkably attenuated AGEs-induced H9c2 cell hypertrophy and apoptosis. Mechanistically, AGEs increased PFN-1 expression through elevating ROS production and RhoA and ROCK2 expression. Consequently, elevated PFN-1 promoted actin cytoskeleton disorganization. When either ROS production/ROCK activation was blocked or cells were treated with Cytochalasin D (actin depolymerizer), H9c2 cells were protected against AGEs-induced cardiac myocyte abnormalities, concomitantly with downregulated expression of PFN-1 and improved actin cytoskeleton alteration. Collectively, these data suggest that PFN-1 may play an important role in AGEs-induced hypertrophy and apoptosis in H9c2 cells.