Fig. 7

Construction of the HF animal model using ISO (n = 6). (A). HAPLN1 was efficiently knocked down in the ISO-induced rat models as detected by RT-qPCR. (B-C). HAPLN1 knockdown improved cardiac function indicators in the HF rat model, including HW/BW, LVFS, LVEF, and LVESV. (D). HE staining results showed that HAPLN1 knockdown ameliorated the pathologic changes in cardiac tissue in the HF rat model. Scale bar = 50 μm. Black arrows represent irregular cross-striations of myocardial tissue. (E). Protein expression levels of ANF and BNF were elevated in the HF rat model, which was significantly reversed by HAPLN1 knockdown. The results are presented as the mean ± SD from three independent experiments. ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001 vs. sham group; ^#P < 0.05, ^###P < 0.001 vs. HF + sh-NC group. Notes: ISO, isoproterenol; RT-qPCR, Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; HW/BW, heart weight/body weight; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; LVFS, left ventricular fraction shortening; LVESV, left ventricular end-systolic volume; HE staining, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining