Biology subjects

Kohr, M. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Kohr, M. J..

8 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Perinatal exposure to individual and a metal mixture induces persistent and sex-specific alterations to the cardiac transcriptome of offspring

Exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium, has been individually linked to cardiac dysfunction during development and into adulthood. Although these metals are commonly encountered as a mixture, few studies have investigated the mixture effects of gestational exposure to these metals on the developing postnatal heart. To this end, we investigated the transcriptomic effects of individual heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead) and the combined mixture on female C57BI/6 mice prior to gestation through lactation. RNA was extracted from whole offspring hearts, and total RNA was sent for bulk RNA-sequencing. We found heavy metal exposure altered genes associated with circadian rhythm, cell division and DNA damage repair, and immune signaling. Moreover, we detected changes to the cellular composition of these hearts and an increase in Il2ra expression, indicating an increase in activated natural killer cells. When targeting postnatal heart development and maturation pathways, we found the mixture induced a general upregulation of almost all targeted pathways, which seemed to be driven by co-exposure to all metals instead of one metal driving the mixture phenotype, and revealed a potential functional-energetic mismatch. This study is one of the first to show that perinatal exposure to heavy metals altered circadian rhythm and immune signaling gene expression in a metal- and sex-specific manner, disrupted normal cardiac cellular composition, and upregulated genes associated with postnatal heart maturation.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2026

Formate reduces ischemic injury in the male heart by increasing protein S-nitrosation

Ischemic heart disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. We and others have demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) signaling and associated protein S-nitrosation (SNO) play a key role in reducing ischemic injury in the heart. We also find that while females typically exhibit endogenous protection from ischemic injury, this protection is abrogated with the loss of the formate-generating enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase 5 (ADH5), but formate supplementation provided a rescue. Here, we investigate the cardioprotective efficacy of formate in male hearts. Hearts were Langendorff-perfused and subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury with and without formate. Formate-mediated protection was also examined using an in vitro model of coverslip-induced ischemic injury to identify molecular underpinnings. We found that formate yields protection from I/R injury in ex vivo and in vitro models by increasing post-ischemic protein SNO levels, while NO synthase inhibition blocked this formate-mediated increase in protein SNO in vitro, and attenuated protection from I/R injury ex vivo. Moreover, post-ischemic levels of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a cofactor necessary for NOS function, were preserved in formate-treated hearts. Furthermore, inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), a one-carbon enzyme critical for BH4 recycling, blunted formate-mediated protection ex vivo. Collectively, our findings suggest that formate is a potent cardioprotective agent that confers protection by preserving post-ischemic BH4 levels, and enhancing protein SNO levels through a NOS-dependent mechanism. These findings have significant implications for the clinical prevention and treatment of ischemic heart disease in males.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Perinatal Exposure to Metal Mixtures Disrupts Neuronal Function and Behavior

BackgroundEnvironmental exposure to heavy metals such as lead (Pb), arsenic (As), hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], and cadmium (Cd), (PACC), is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. These metals often co-occur in contaminated environments, but their combined effects on brain development remain poorly understood. ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that perinatal exposure to a mixture of environmentally relevant levels of Pb, As, Cd, and Cr(VI), causes developmental defects in cognition, behavior, and neuronal function. MethodsFemale C57BL/6J mice were exposed to either a single metal or the PACC mixture in drinking water. Exposure began two weeks preconception and continued until weaning at postnatal day 21. Juvenile mice were tested at 4-5 weeks of age in open field (locomotion), novel object recognition (short-term memory), Y-maze (working memory), and elevated plus maze (anxiety-like behavior). A subset of animals underwent Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampal CA1 neurons. ResultsPerinatal exposure to PACC metal mixture increased anxiety-like behavior and impaired short-term memory but not locomotion or working memory. Pyramidal neurons in mPFC and hippocampal CA1 displayed increased intrinsic excitability, mPFC neurons also showed elevated amplitude in spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents. DiscussionOur findings suggest that perinatal exposure to the PACC metal mixture impairs cognition, increases anxiety-like behavior, and alters neuronal function in specific brain regions of juvenile mice, leading to disruption in neuronal function and behavior later in life. Further studies are needed to provide mechanistic insight into how perinatal heavy metal exposure affects neuronal development. HighlightsO_LIPerinatal exposure to a metal mixture including lead (Pb), arsenic (As), hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), and cadmium (Cd), collectively termed PACC metal mixture--impairs cognition and increases anxiety in mice. C_LIO_LINeuronal excitability and synaptic transmission are altered in medial prefrontal cortex after PACC metal mixture exposure. C_LIO_LIPACC mixture exposure decreases short-term memory in both males and females, and increases anxiety in males C_LIO_LIPrincipal component and clustering analyses reveal that PACC mixture exposure and control mice form distinct, nonoverlapping populations in physiological-behavioral space. C_LIO_LIEnvironmentally relevant PACC metal mixtures exert stronger effects than individual metals alone. C_LI

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2025

Formate reduces ischemic injury in female hearts lacking alcohol dehydrogenase 5

Ischemic heart disease is a primary cause of death for men and women in the United States. Recent epidemiologic findings, however, suggest that pre-menopausal women have inherent protection from many cardiovascular pathologies compared to age-matched men, which is lost with menopause. We and others have documented similar protective signaling in animal models, with females exhibiting protection from ischemic injury that is lost with ovariectomy (OVX). Furthermore, in recent studies, we demonstrated that the loss of alcohol dehydrogenase 5 (ADH5) blocked sex-specific cardioprotection in females, but activation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) provided a rescue. ADH5 and ALDH2 both metabolize formaldehyde to formate, potentially implicating formate in female-specific cardioprotection. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine a role for formate during ischemic injury in female hearts using wild-type (WT) and ADH5-/- mice. We also aimed to explore estrogen-dependent effects by using ovariectomized (OVX) WT mice. To assess the protective effects of formate in intact female WT and ADH5-/- hearts, as well as OVX WT hearts, hearts were Langendorff-perfused and subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Since formate is used in one-carbon metabolism (OCM), select OCM enzymes were also probed via western blot. Importantly, we found that formate significantly reduced infarct size in female ADH5-/- hearts subjected to I/R injury, but formate was without effect in intact female WT hearts. Additionally, formate failed to reduce I/R injury in OVX WT hearts, despite OVX WT hearts exhibiting reduced ADH5 and ALDH2 activity. However, we noted that the expression of certain OCM enzymes was downregulated in OVX WT hearts vs. intact WT females, which may prevent proper formate utilization by OCM in OVX WT hearts. Furthermore, blockage of formate import into OCM in intact female WT hearts also exacerbated I/R injury. Taken together, our findings support formate utilization by OCM as a key component of cardioprotective signaling in female hearts, with estrogen acting as a potential mediator.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2025

GSNOR deletion differentially alters age-related cardiac function in a sex-dependent manner.

S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), a regulator of protein S-nitrosylation (SNO), has been proposed as a longevity protein. GSNOR signaling has been implicated in both the alleviation and exacerbation of aging. In the context of ischemia reperfusion injury, we previously showed a sex-dependent response to GSNOR inhibition; cardiac damage was alleviated in males and exacerbated in females. Considering sex differences in the incidence of cardiovascular disease with age, we investigated the effect of GSNOR deletion (-/-) on age-related changes in cardiac function. We performed longitudinal 2D-echocardiography measurements in M-Mode on male and female, wildtype (WT) and GSNOR-/- mice at young (3-4 months), middle (13-15 months) and old age (18-20 months). Left ventricular wall thickness and ejection fraction decreased with age in WT mice but was maintained in GSNOR-/-. Western blot and GSNOR-activity assay showed GSNOR activity and expression decreased with age in WT females alone. Isolated cardiomyocyte force-coupling analysis showed increasing age was inversely correlated with sarcomere shortening and Ca2+ release kinetics in WT males, but not GSNOR-/-. WT females showed slower Ca2+ re-uptake after contraction and time to peak sarcomere shortening, but all other parameters were maintained. GSNOR-/- females exhibited slower Ca2+ re-uptake and decreased sarcomere shortening. Proteomic analysis of SNO from females showed upregulation of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase, E1 Beta and Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase in young WT females relative to middle-age mice. Together our data suggest that GSNOR deletion is cardioprotective by maintaining cardiac function in males; while in females the absence of GSNOR removes an age-essential SNO-imbalance, which may exacerbate pathologies.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Gestational arsenite exposure alters maternal postpartum heart size and induces Ca2+ handling dysregulation in cardiomyocytes

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in the US. Studies suggest a role for environmental exposures in the etiology of cardiovascular disease, including exposure to arsenic through drinking water. Arsenic exposure during pregnancy has been shown to have effects on offspring, but few studies have examined impacts on maternal cardiovascular health. While our prior work documented the detrimental effect of arsenic on the maternal heart during pregnancy, our current study examines the effect of gestational arsenic exposure on the maternal heart postpartum. Timed-pregnant wild-type (C57BL/6J) mice were exposed to 0, 100 or 1000 {micro}g/L sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) via drinking water from embryonic day 2.5 (E2.5) until parturition. Postpartum heart structure and function was assessed via transthoracic echocardiography and gravimetric measurement. Hypertrophic markers were probed via qRT-PCR and western blot. Isolated cardiomyocyte Ca2+-handling and contraction were also assessed, and expression of proteins associated with Ca2+ handling and contraction. Interestingly, we found that exposure to either 100 or 1000 {micro}g/L sodium arsenite increased postpartum heart size at P12 vs. non-exposed postpartum controls. At the cellular level, we found altered cardiomyocyte Ca2+-handling and contraction. We also found altered expression of key contractile proteins, including -Actin and cardiac myosin binding protein C (cMyBP-c). Together, these findings suggest that gestational arsenic exposure impacts the postpartum maternal heart, possibly inducing long-term cardiovascular changes. Furthermore, these findings highlight the importance of reducing arsenic exposure during pregnancy, and the need for more research on the impact of arsenic and other environmental exposures on maternal heart health and adverse pregnancy events. New & NoteworthyGestational exposure to sodium arsenite at environmentally relevant doses (100 and 1000 {micro}g/L) increases postpartum heart size, and induces dysregulated Ca2+ homeostasis and impaired shortening in isolated cardiomyocytes. This is the first study to demonstrate that gestational arsenic exposure impacts postpartum heart structure and function beyond the exposure period.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2023

Prenatal Arsenite Exposure Alters Maternal Cardiac Remodeling During Late Pregnancy

Exposure to inorganic arsenic through drinking water is widespread and has been linked to many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Arsenic exposure has been shown to alter hypertrophic signaling in the adult heart, as well as in-utero offspring development. However, the effect of arsenic on maternal cardiac remodeling during pregnancy has not been studied. As such, there is a need to understand how environmental exposure contributes to adverse pregnancy-related cardiovascular events. This study seeks to understand the impact of trivalent inorganic arsenic exposure during gestation on maternal cardiac remodeling in late pregnancy, as well as offspring outcomes. C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 0 (control), 100 or 1000 {micro}g/L sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) beginning at embryonic day (E) 2.5 and continuing through E17.5. Maternal heart function and size were assessed via transthoracic echocardiography, gravimetric measurement, and histology. Transcript levels of hypertrophic markers were probed via qRT-PCR and confirmed by western blot. Offspring outcomes were assessed through echocardiography and gravimetric measurement. We found that exposure to 1000 {micro}g/L iAs abrogated normal physiologic growth of the maternal heart during late pregnancy and reduced transcript levels of estrogen receptor alpha (ER), progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (Pgrmc1) and progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (Pgrmc2). Both 100 and 1000 {micro}g/L iAs also reduced transcription of protein kinase B (Akt) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Akt protein expression was also significantly reduced after 1000 {micro}g/L iAs exposure in the maternal heart with no change in activating phosphorylation. This significant abrogation of maternal cardiac hypertrophy suggests that arsenic exposure during pregnancy can potentially contribute to cardiovascular disease. Taken together, our findings further underscore the importance of reducing arsenic exposure during pregnancy and indicate that more research is needed to assess the impact of arsenic and other environmental exposures on the maternal heart and adverse pregnancy events.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2023

Nitric Oxide modulates spontaneous Ca2+ release and ventricular arrhythmias during β adrenergic signalling through S-nitrosylation of Calcium/Calmodulin dependent kinase II

RationaleNitric oxide (NO) has been identified as a signalling molecule generated during {beta}-adrenergic receptor (AR) stimulation in the heart. Furthermore, a role for NO in triggering spontaneous Ca2+ release via S-nitrosylation of Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II delta (CaMKII{delta}) is emerging. NO donors are routinely used clinically for their cardioprotective effects in the heart, but it is unknown how NO donors modulate the pro-arrhythmic CaMKII to alter cardiac arrhythmia incidence. ObjectiveWe test the role of S-nitrosylation of CaMKII{delta} at the Cys-273 inhibitory site and Cys-290 activating site in cardiac Ca2+ handling and arrhythmogenesis before and during {beta}-AR stimulation. Methods and ResultsWe measured Ca2+-handling in isolated cardiomyocytes from C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice and mice lacking CaMKII{delta} expression (CaMKII{delta}-KO) or with deletion of the S-nitrosylation site on CaMKII{delta} at Cys-273 or Cys-290 (CaMKII{delta}-C273S and -C290A knock-in mice). Cardiomyocytes were exposed to NO donors, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO; 150 M), sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 200 M) and/or {beta}-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (ISO; 100 nM). WT and CaMKII{delta}-KO cardiomyocytes treated with GSNO showed no change in Ca2+ transient or spark properties under baseline conditions (0.5 Hz stimulation frequency). Both WT and CaMKII{delta}-KO cardiomyocytes responded to ISO with a full inotropic and lusitropic Ca2+ transient response as well as increased Ca2+ spark frequency. However, the increase in Ca2+ spark frequency was significantly attenuated in CaMKII{delta}-KO cardiomyocytes. The protection from ISO-induced Ca2+ sparks and waves was mimicked by GSNO pre-treatment in WT cardiomyocytes, but lost in CaMKII{delta}-C273S cardiomyocytes that displayed a robust increase in Ca2+ waves. This observation is consistent with CaMKII{delta}-C273 S-nitrosylation being critical in limiting ISO-induced arrhythmogenic sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ leak. When GSNO was applied after ISO this protection was not observed in WT or CaMKII{delta}-C273S but was apparent in CaMKII{delta}-C290A. In Langendorff-perfused isolated hearts, GSNO pre-treatment limited ISO-induced arrhythmias in WT but not CaMKII{delta}-C273S hearts, while GSNO exposure after ISO sustained or exacerbated arrhythmic events. ConclusionsWe conclude that prior S-nitrosylation of CaMKII{delta} at Cys-273 can limit subsequent {beta}-AR induced arrhythmias, but that S-nitrosylation at Cys-290 might worsen or sustain {beta}-AR-induced arrhythmias. This has important implications for the administration of NO donors in the clinical setting.

physiology↗