Cardiac hypertrophy is exacerbated in aged mice lacking the osteoprotegerin gene

Aims Osteoprotegerin (OPG) may play a role in the progression of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. However, its pathophysiological role in changes in cardiac structure and function with ageing remains to be elucidated. Methods and results We conducted experiments using 2.5- and 12-month-old OPG −/− mice and age-matched wild-type (WT) mice and compared the morphology and function of the left ventricle (LV). Both 2.5- and 12-month-old OPG −/− mice showed a higher systolic blood pressure and a greater heart weight/body weight ratio than age-matched WT mice. Twelve-month-old OPG −/− mice had a significantly larger LV chamber and reduced wall thickness compared with age-matched WT mice, and contractile function was decreased. The morphological differences were accompanied by an increase in the number of apoptotic cells and activation of tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in the LV of 12-month-old OPG −/− mice. Correspondingly, OPG small interfering RNA induced the expressions of TRAIL and cleaved caspase-3 in cultured cardiac myocytes. In addition, these mice revealed a decrease in interstitial fibrosis, activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and tissue inhibitors of MMP-1 and -2, and inactivation of procollagen α1 synthesis. Moreover, intraperitoneal administration of recombinant OPG to either 2.5- or 12-month-old OPG −/− mice for 28 days led to partial improvement of LV structure and function without affecting systolic blood pressure. Conclusion These results suggest that OPG plays a role in preserving myocardial structure and function with ageing through a reduction in apoptosis and preservation of the matrix structure. In addition, this appears to be independent of effects on the vasculature.