Transcriptomic Analysis of the Stellate Ganglion After Myocardial Infarction

The stellate ganglion is the predominant source of sympathetic innervation to the heart, and excess sympathetic transmission in the heart contributes to cardiovascular disease. We currently have a limited understanding of the factors that contribute to sympathetic hyperactivity in disease. To remedy this situation, we used the comprehensive approach of RNAseq to identify transcriptomic changes occurring within mouse stellate ganglia after myocardial infarction (MI). Male and female C57Bl6/j mice underwent cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (MI) or sham surgery. Post-MI mice were treated after surgery with vehicle or with Intracellular Sigma Peptide (ISP) to promote nerve growth into the cardiac scar. Stellates and left ventricles (infarct/peri-infarct) were removed 14 days after surgery and RNA isolated. qPCR and RT2 PCR arrays confirmed the presence of an infarct in the left ventricle characterized by decreased expression of myocyte genes and increased expression of genes encoding scar components, metalloproteases, inflammatory cytokines, and growth factors.