Go to The Journal of Clinical Investigation
  • About
  • Editors
  • Consulting Editors
  • For authors
  • Publication ethics
  • Publication alerts by email
  • Transfers
  • Advertising
  • Job board
  • Contact
  • Physician-Scientist Development
  • Current issue
  • Past issues
  • By specialty
    • COVID-19
    • Cardiology
    • Immunology
    • Metabolism
    • Nephrology
    • Oncology
    • Pulmonology
    • All ...
  • Videos
  • Collections
    • In-Press Preview
    • Resource and Technical Advances
    • Clinical Research and Public Health
    • Research Letters
    • Editorials
    • Perspectives
    • Physician-Scientist Development
    • Reviews
    • Top read articles

  • Current issue
  • Past issues
  • Specialties
  • In-Press Preview
  • Resource and Technical Advances
  • Clinical Research and Public Health
  • Research Letters
  • Editorials
  • Perspectives
  • Physician-Scientist Development
  • Reviews
  • Top read articles
  • About
  • Editors
  • Consulting Editors
  • For authors
  • Publication ethics
  • Publication alerts by email
  • Transfers
  • Advertising
  • Job board
  • Contact
MG53 suppresses NF-κB activation to mitigate age-related heart failure
Xiaoliang Wang, Xiuchun Li, Hannah Ong, Tao Tan, Ki Ho Park, Zehua Bian, Xunchang Zou, Erin Haggard, Paul M. Janssen, Robert E. Merritt, Timothy M. Pawlik, Bryan A. Whitson, Nahush A. Mokadam, Lei Cao, Hua Zhu, Chuanxi Cai, Jianjie Ma
Xiaoliang Wang, Xiuchun Li, Hannah Ong, Tao Tan, Ki Ho Park, Zehua Bian, Xunchang Zou, Erin Haggard, Paul M. Janssen, Robert E. Merritt, Timothy M. Pawlik, Bryan A. Whitson, Nahush A. Mokadam, Lei Cao, Hua Zhu, Chuanxi Cai, Jianjie Ma
View: Text | PDF
Research Article Aging Cardiology

MG53 suppresses NF-κB activation to mitigate age-related heart failure

  • Text
  • PDF
Abstract

Aging is associated with chronic oxidative stress and inflammation that affect tissue repair and regeneration capacity. MG53 is a TRIM family protein that facilitates repair of cell membrane injury in a redox-dependent manner. Here, we demonstrate that the expression of MG53 was reduced in failing human hearts and aged mouse hearts, concomitant with elevated NF-κB activation. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of longitudinal, systemic administration of recombinant human MG53 (rhMG53) protein in aged mice. Echocardiography and pressure-volume loop measurements revealed beneficial effects of rhMG53 treatment in improving heart function of aged mice. Biochemical and histological studies demonstrated that the cardioprotective effects of rhMG53 are linked to suppression of NF-κB–mediated inflammation, reducing apoptotic cell death and oxidative stress in the aged heart. Repetitive administration of rhMG53 in aged mice did not have adverse effects on major vital organ functions. These findings support the therapeutic value of rhMG53 in treating age-related decline in cardiac function.

Authors

Xiaoliang Wang, Xiuchun Li, Hannah Ong, Tao Tan, Ki Ho Park, Zehua Bian, Xunchang Zou, Erin Haggard, Paul M. Janssen, Robert E. Merritt, Timothy M. Pawlik, Bryan A. Whitson, Nahush A. Mokadam, Lei Cao, Hua Zhu, Chuanxi Cai, Jianjie Ma

×

Figure 1

Failing human hearts and aged mouse hearts show reduced MG53 and increased p65 activation.

Options: View larger image (or click on image) Download as PowerPoint
Failing human hearts and aged mouse hearts show reduced MG53 and increas...
(A) Western blot of MG53, total p65 (t-p65), and phosphorylated p65 (p-p65) in nonfailing human hearts (NFHs, n = 13) and failing human hearts (FHs, n = 15). GAPDH serves as loading control. (B) Quantification of MG53, t-p65, and p-p65 in NFH and HF tissues. (C) Inverse correlation between MG53 and p-p65 expression in human heart tissues. (D) Left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) in young (3 months, n = 15) and aged (24 months, n = 14) mice. (E) Western blot for MG53, p-p65, p65 in young mouse hearts (YH, 3 months, n = 4) and aged (AH, 24 months, n = 4) mouse hearts. (F) Quantification of MG53, t-p65, and p-p65 expression in young and aged mouse hearts. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. Differences were analyzed for significance by unpaired t test; P values are presented in the individual panels.

Copyright © 2026 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN 2379-3708

Sign up for email alerts