Angiotensin-(1–9) prevents cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by controlling mitochondrial dynamics via miR-129-3p/PKIA pathway

Angiotensin-(1–9) is a peptide from the noncanonical renin-angiotensin system with anti-hypertrophic effects in cardiomyocytes via an unknown mechanism. In the present study we aimed to elucidate it, basing us initially on previous work from our group and colleagues who proved a relationship between disturbances in mitochondrial morphology and calcium handling, associated with the setting of cardiac hypertrophy. Our first finding was that angiotensin-(1–9) can induce mitochondrial fusion through DRP1 phosphorylation. Secondly, angiotensin-(1–9) blocked mitochondrial fission and intracellular calcium dysregulation in a model of norepinephrine-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, preventing the activation of the calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway. To further investigate angiotensin-(1–9) anti-hypertrophic mechanism, we performed RNA-seq studies, identifying the upregulation of miR-129 under angiotensin-(1–9) treatment. miR-129 decreased the transcript levels of the protein kinase A inhibitor (PKIA), resulting in the activation of the protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway. Finally, we showed that PKA activity is necessary for the effects of angiotensin-(1–9) over mitochondrial dynamics, calcium handling and its anti-hypertrophic effects.