Biology subjects

Kuzmanov, U.

Publications and source records attributed to Kuzmanov, U..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Latent Transforming Growth Factor Binding Protein ? 2 promotes microfibrillar TGF-? bioavailability to drive pathologic fibrosis in remote regions of infarcted hearts

Myocardial infarction (MI) initiates ventricular remodeling that extends beyond the infarct into remote, viable myocardium, where diffuse extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and stiffening contribute to progressive dysfunction and heart failure. Latent transforming growth factor binding protein 2 (LTBP2) is an injury-induced, microfibril-associated ECM glycoprotein that, among the LTBP family, does not covalently bind latent TGF-{beta}. We asked whether LTBP2 regulates remote remodeling after MI, and how a protein lacking latent TGF-{beta}-binding capacity could influence TGF-{beta}-dependent fibrosis. Wild-type and Ltbp2-null mice underwent permanent coronary ligation or sham surgery and were followed for 28 days by echocardiography and speckle-tracking strain analysis. Remote myocardium was assessed by histology, atomic force microscopy, and quantitative proteomics. Mechanism was interrogated in primary cardiac fibroblasts using a TGF-{beta} reporter assay. Sufficiency was tested with a fibrillin-1?binding module of LTBP2 delivered as purified protein or by lentiviral expression. LTBP2 was induced in injury-activated cardiac fibroblasts and localized to infarct and remote myocardium by 7 days post-MI. Ltbp2 deletion improved 28-day survival (P=0.0272) where Ltbp2-null hearts showed preserved ejection fraction and faster diastolic strain rates, with protection concentrated in segments remote from the infarct. Remote myocardium contained less interstitial collagen and was significantly less stiff. Proteomic profiling showed enrichment of ECM organization and TGF-{beta}-responsive programs in wild-type hearts that was attenuated in knockouts. In fibroblasts, loss of LTBP2 increased LTBP1 matrix incorporation and shifted TGF-{beta} from the soluble to the matrix-bound compartment; conversely, the minimal LTBP2 module bound fibrillin-1 directly and mobilized latent TGF-{beta} from established matrix within 20 minutes. LTBP2 drives maladaptive remodeling of remote myocardium after MI by limiting matrix sequestration of latent TGF-{beta} and expanding the activatable pool, resolving how an LTBP that does not bind latent TGF-{beta} amplifies TGF-{beta}- dependent fibrosis. LTBP2 and its fibrillin-1 interaction surface may be tractable targets.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Advanced physiological maturation of iPSC-derived human cardiomyocytes using an algorithm-directed optimization of defined media components

Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) hold tremendous promise for in vitro modeling to assess native myocardial function and disease mechanisms as well as testing drug safety and efficacy. However, current iPSC- CMs are functionally immature, resembling in vivo CMs of fetal or neonatal developmental states. The use of targeted culture media and organoid formats have been identified as potential high-yield contributors to improve CM maturation. This study presents a novel iPSC-CM maturation medium formulation, designed using a differential evolutionary approach targeting metabolic functionality for iterative optimization. Relative to gold-standard reference formulations, our medium significantly matured morphology, Ca2+ handling, electrophysiology, and metabolism, which was further validated by multiomic screening, for cells in either pure or co-cultured microtissue formats. Together, these findings not only provide a reliable workflow for highly functional iPSC-CMs for downstream use, but also demonstrate the power of high-dimensional optimization processes in evoking advanced biological function in vitro.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2021

Phosphoproteomic analysis of chondrocytes after short-term exposure to inorganic polyphosphate

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease of the joint that affects over 230 million people worldwide. Currently there are no treatments that slow the progression of this disease. For these reasons, new biological treatment options are currently being explored. Inorganic polyphosphates are naturally occurring biological molecules that have an anabolic effect on chondrocytes grown in vitro in the presence of Ca2+. We hypothesized that when examining significant changes in protein phosphorylation, key candidates would emerge that could help to elucidate the anabolic effects of polyphosphate on chondrocytes. Therefore, we conducted a large-scale quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic study of bovine primary articular chondrocytes after 30-minute treatment with inorganic polyphosphate and Ca2+. Mass spectrometry identified more than 6000 phosphorylation sites on [~]1600 chondrocyte phosphoproteins while proteomic analysis detected approximately 4100 proteins. Analysis of the data revealed a swift and dynamic response to polyphosphate after 30 minutes. What emerged from the list of proteins most affected by the treatment were proteins with key roles in chondrogenesis including TNC, IGFBP-5, and CTGF, indicating that polyphosphate plays an important role in chondrocyte metabolism. This phosphoproteome serves as a meaningful resource to help elucidate the molecular events that contribute to extracellular matrix production in cartilage.

bioengineering↗