PLK1 Downregulation Attenuates ET-1-Induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy by Suppressing the ERK1/2 Pathway

Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is a key remodeling response to cardiac stress and an independent risk factor for heart failure. However, the molecular mechanism of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is not yet fully understood. We here found Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) was crucial in regulating endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Notably, PLK1 expression was significantly elevated in ET-1-induced hypertrophic cardiomyocytes and pressure overload-induced hypertrophic cardiac tissue. Knocking down PLK1 reduced the cell size of hypertrophic cardiomyocytes and suppressed the expression of hypertrophic markers, including ANP, BNP and β-MHC. The PLK1 Inhibitor BI2536 had similar effects on hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, the ERK1/2 pathway was identified as the key downstream pathway mediating the effects of PLK1 on ET-1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Finally, the deficiency of PLK1 attenuated the hypertrophy of hiPSC-CMs. In summary, our study revealed that PLK1 regulates ET-1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through the ERK1/2 pathway, providing insights into the pathogenesis and potential therapies for pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy; ERK1/2; Endothelin-1; PLK1; hiPSC-CMs.