ERK5 knock down aggravates detrimental effects of hypothermal stimulation on cardiomyocytes via Bim upregulation

Mechanism of cold induced myocardial injury remained unclear. Our study investigated the role of ERK5/Bim pathway in hypothermal stimulation-induced apoptosis or damage of cardiomyocytes (CMs). Results showed that in CMs which under hypothermal stimulation, ERK5 siRNA promoted expression of Bim protein. Bim siRNA did not influence ERK5 expression but attenuated production of p-ERK5. ERK5 siRNA induced higher apoptosis rate; intracellular Ca2+ overload; ROS activity; ΔΨm damage in hypothermia stimulated CMs, when compared with hypothermal stimulation solely treated group, while Bim siRNA effected oppositely and canceled pro-apoptotic effect of ERK5 siRNA. In conclusion, ERK5 knock down releases inhibition to Bim expression, induces aggravated apoptosis in CMs under hypothermal stimulation, which related to higher intracellular Ca2+ overload, ROS activity, and more severe ΔΨm damage. Results revealed regulative role of ERK5/Bim pathway in hypothermal stimulation-induced injure or apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.