Alcohol-induced histone H3K9 hyperacetylation and cardiac hypertrophy are reversed by a histone acetylases inhibitor anacardic acid in developing murine hearts.

BACKGROUND: The expression of cardiac genes is precisely regulated, and any perturbation may cause developmental defects. In a previous study, we demonstrated that alcohol consumption during pregnancy could lead to uncontrolled expressions of cardiac genes and eventually result in cardiac dysplasia. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we have investigated the alcohol-induced cardiac hypertrophy and its potential mechanisms. Furthermore, the protective effect of anacardic acid against the alcohol-induced cardiac hypertrophy has been explored in experimental mice.

METHODS AND RESULTS: C57BL/6 pregnant mice were gavaged with 56% ethanol or saline and the hearts of their fetus were collected for analysis. Binding of p300, CBP, PCAF, SRC1, except GCN5, were increased to the NKX2.5 promoter in fetal mouse hearts exposed to alcohol. Increased acetylation of H3K9 and increased mRNA expression of NKX2.5, β-MHC and Cx43 were observed in the same samples. Treatment with a pan-acetylase inhibitor, anacardic acid, reduced the binding affinity of p300 and PCAF to the NKX2.5, β-MHC, Cx43 promoters and attenuated H3K9 hyperacetylation. Interestingly, anacardic acid down-regulated over-expression of these cardiac genes induced by alcohol and ultimately attenuated ethanol-induced cardiac hypertrophy in fetal mice.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that alcohol exposure during pregnancy could lead to fetal cardiac hypertrophy. The over-expression of NKX2.5, β-MHC, Cx43 mediated by p300 and PCAF may be critical mechanisms of alcohol-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Anacardic acid can down-regulate the over-expression of cardiac genes and reverse cardiac hypertrophy caused by alcohol treatment in pregnant mice, suggesting it could be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.