Overexpression of CKIP-1 alleviates hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte injury by up-regulating Nrf2 antioxidant signaling via Keap1 inhibition

Acute myocardial infarction causes irreversible myocardial damage and is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Casein kinase 2 interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) has been suggested to confer cytoprotection against various pathologic injuries. However, it remains unclear whether CKIP-1 regulates myocardial infarction-induced cardiomyocyte injury. This study aimed to explore the potential role of CKIP-1 in regulating hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte injury and reveal the underlying mechanism. The results demonstrated that hypoxia-exposed cardiomyocytes showed lower CKIP-1 expression. CKIP-1 restoration by transfecting a CKIP-1 expression vector significantly improved viability and reduced apoptosis in hypoxia-treated cardiomyocytes. Moreover, CKIP-1 overexpression suppressed hypoxia-induced oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes. Mechanism research revealed that CKIP-1 overexpression reduced the expression of kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and increased the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), actions which resulted in an increase in the transcription of Nrf2 target genes. However, Keap1 overexpression partially reversed CKIP-1-mediated Nrf2 promotion and cardioprotection. Notably, the blockade of Nrf2 signaling also significantly abolished CKIP-1-mediated cardioprotection. Overall, our findings demonstrate that CKIP-1 alleviates hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte injury through the up-regulation of Nrf2 antioxidant signaling via the down-regulation of Keap1, suggesting a potential role for CKIP-1 in myocardial infarction.