TAX1BP1 overexpression attenuates cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in STZ-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy in mice by regulating autophagy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is associated with suppressed autophagy and augmented inflammation in the heart. The effects of Taxl binding protein 1 (TAXIBP1) on both autophagy and inflammation suggest that it may participate in the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Mice were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce experimental diabetes. An adenovirus system was used to induce heart specific TAX1BP1 overexpression 12 weeks after STZ injection. TAXI BPI expression was significantly decreased in STZ-induced diabetic mouse hearts. TAXI BPI over expression in the heart alleviated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, attenuated inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, and improved cardiac function in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Diabetic mice exhibited decreased autophagy. By contrast, increased autophagy was observed in diabetic mice overexpressing TAX1BP1. TAXIBP1 overexpression promoted autophagic flux, as demonstrated by increased LC3-RFP fluorescence in vitro. Furthermore, the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA abolished the protective effects of TAXIBP1 in vivo. Interestingly, we found that TABP1. increased autophagy via the activation of a non-canonical NF-KB signaling pathway. Conversely, ReIB knockdown disrupted the protective effects of TAX1BP1 in cardiomyocytes. TAX1BP1 thus restores the decreased autophagy level, leading to decreased inflammatory responses and oxidative stress and reduced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes.