1
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Sommerfeld LC, Holmes AP, Yu TY, O'Shea C, Kavanagh DM, Pike JM, Wright T, Syeda F, Aljehani A, Kew T, Cardoso VR, Kabir SN, Hepburn C, Menon PR, Broadway-Stringer S, O'Reilly M, Witten A, Fortmueller L, Lutz S, Kulle A, Gkoutos GV, Pavlovic D, Arlt W, Lavery GG, Steeds R, Gehmlich K, Stoll M, Kirchhof P, Fabritz L. Reduced plakoglobin increases the risk of sodium current defects and atrial conduction abnormalities in response to androgenic anabolic steroid abuse. J Physiol 2024. [PMID: 38345865 DOI: 10.1113/jp284597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) are commonly abused by young men. Male sex and increased AAS levels are associated with earlier and more severe manifestation of common cardiac conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, and rare ones, such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Clinical observations suggest a potential atrial involvement in ARVC. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is caused by desmosomal gene defects, including reduced plakoglobin expression. Here, we analysed clinical records from 146 ARVC patients to identify that ARVC is more common in males than females. Patients with ARVC also had an increased incidence of atrial arrhythmias and P wave changes. To study desmosomal vulnerability and the effects of AAS on the atria, young adult male mice, heterozygously deficient for plakoglobin (Plako+/- ), and wild type (WT) littermates were chronically exposed to 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or placebo. The DHT increased atrial expression of pro-hypertrophic, fibrotic and inflammatory transcripts. In mice with reduced plakoglobin, DHT exaggerated P wave abnormalities, atrial conduction slowing, sodium current depletion, action potential amplitude reduction and the fall in action potential depolarization rate. Super-resolution microscopy revealed a decrease in NaV 1.5 membrane clustering in Plako+/- atrial cardiomyocytes after DHT exposure. In summary, AAS combined with plakoglobin deficiency cause pathological atrial electrical remodelling in young male hearts. Male sex is likely to increase the risk of atrial arrhythmia, particularly in those with desmosomal gene variants. This risk is likely to be exaggerated further by AAS use. KEY POINTS: Androgenic male sex hormones, such as testosterone, might increase the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which is often caused by desmosomal gene defects (e.g. reduced plakoglobin expression). In this study, we observed a significantly higher proportion of males who had ARVC compared with females, and atrial arrhythmias and P wave changes represented a common observation in advanced ARVC stages. In mice with reduced plakoglobin expression, chronic administration of 5α-dihydrotestosterone led to P wave abnormalities, atrial conduction slowing, sodium current depletion and a decrease in membrane-localized NaV 1.5 clusters. 5α-Dihydrotestosterone, therefore, represents a stimulus aggravating the pro-arrhythmic phenotype in carriers of desmosomal mutations and can affect atrial electrical function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Sommerfeld
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Standort Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - Andrew P Holmes
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ting Y Yu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Research and Training Centre in Physical Sciences for Health, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher O'Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Research and Training Centre in Physical Sciences for Health, Birmingham, UK
| | - Deirdre M Kavanagh
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jeremy M Pike
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Thomas Wright
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Fahima Syeda
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Areej Aljehani
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tania Kew
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Victor R Cardoso
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - S Nashitha Kabir
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Claire Hepburn
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Priyanka R Menon
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Molly O'Reilly
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Anika Witten
- Genetic Epidemiology, Institute for Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Core Facility Genomics of the Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lisa Fortmueller
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Standort Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Genetic Epidemiology, Institute for Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Susanne Lutz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kulle
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Georgios V Gkoutos
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- MRC Health Data Research UK (HDR), Midlands Site, UK
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
- Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, London UK & Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Gareth G Lavery
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
| | - Richard Steeds
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Katja Gehmlich
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Monika Stoll
- Genetic Epidemiology, Institute for Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Core Facility Genomics of the Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Standort Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Standort Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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2
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Al-Aidarous S, Protonotarios A, Elliott PM, Lambiase PD. Management of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Heart 2024; 110:156-162. [PMID: 37433658 DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2023-322612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a disease characterised by fibrofatty replacement of the ventricular myocardium due to specific mutations, leading to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Treating this condition can be challenging due to progressive fibrosis, phenotypic variations and small patient cohorts limiting the feasibility of conducting meaningful clinical trials. Although widely used, the evidence base for anti-arrhythmic drugs is limited. Beta-blockers are theoretically sound, yet their efficacy in reducing arrhythmic risk is not robust. Additionally, the impact of sotalol and amiodarone is inconsistent with studies reporting contradictory results. Emerging evidence suggests that combining flecainide and bisoprolol may be efficacious.Radiofrequency ablation has shown some potential in disrupting ventricular tachycardia circuits, with combined endo and epicardial ablation yielding better results which could be considered at the index procedure. In addition, stereotactic radiotherapy may be a future option that can decrease arrhythmias beyond simple scar formation by altering levels of Nav1.5 channels, Connexin 43 and Wnt signalling, potentially modifying myocardial fibrosis.Future therapies, such as adenoviruses and GSk3b modulation, are still in early-stage research. While implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation is a key intervention for reducing arrhythmic death, the risks of inappropriate shocks and device complications must be carefully considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayed Al-Aidarous
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alexandros Protonotarios
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
- St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Perry M Elliott
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Pier D Lambiase
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Cardiology, Saint Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Heart Centre, London, UK
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3
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Jin Q, Lee KY, Selimi Z, Shimura D, Wang E, Zimmerman JF, Shaw RM, Kucera JP, Parker KK, Saffitz JE, Kleber AG. Determinants of electrical propagation and propagation block in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 186:71-80. [PMID: 37956903 PMCID: PMC10872523 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Gap junction and ion channel remodeling occur early in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ACM), but their pathogenic consequences have not been elucidated. Here, we identified the arrhythmogenic substrate, consisting of propagation slowing and conduction block, in ACM models expressing two different desmosomal gene variants. Neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were transduced to express variants in genes encoding desmosomal proteins plakoglobin or plakophilin-2. Studies were performed in engineered cells and anisotropic tissues to quantify changes in conduction velocity, formation of unidirectional propagation, cell-cell electrical coupling, and ion currents. Conduction velocity decreased by 71% and 63% in the two ACM models. SB216763, an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta, restored conduction velocity to near normal levels. Compared to control, both ACM models showed greater propensity for unidirectional conduction block, which increased further at greater stimulation frequencies. Cell-cell electrical conductance measured in cell pairs was reduced by 86% and 87% in the two ACM models. Computer modeling showed close correspondence between simulated and experimentally determined changes in conduction velocity. The simulation identified that reduced cell-cell electrical coupling was the dominant factor leading to slow conduction, while the combination of reduced cell-cell electrical coupling, reduced sodium current and inward rectifier potassium current explained the development of unidirectional block. Expression of two different ACM variants markedly reduced cell-cell electrical coupling and conduction velocity, and greatly increased the likelihood of developing unidirectional block - both key features of arrhythmogenesis. This study provides the first quantitative analysis of cellular electrophysiological changes leading to the substrate of reentrant arrhythmias in early stage ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianru Jin
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keel Yong Lee
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zoja Selimi
- Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daisuke Shimura
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ethan Wang
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John F Zimmerman
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robin M Shaw
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jan P Kucera
- Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kevin Kit Parker
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Saffitz
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andre G Kleber
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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4
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Atici AE, Crother TR, Noval Rivas M. Mitochondrial quality control in health and cardiovascular diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1290046. [PMID: 38020895 PMCID: PMC10657886 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1290046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the primary causes of mortality worldwide. An optimal mitochondrial function is central to supplying tissues with high energy demand, such as the cardiovascular system. In addition to producing ATP as a power source, mitochondria are also heavily involved in adaptation to environmental stress and fine-tuning tissue functions. Mitochondrial quality control (MQC) through fission, fusion, mitophagy, and biogenesis ensures the clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria and preserves mitochondrial homeostasis in cardiovascular tissues. Furthermore, mitochondria generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which trigger the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and regulate cell survival. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in multiple CVDs, including ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), atherosclerosis, heart failure, cardiac hypertrophy, hypertension, diabetic and genetic cardiomyopathies, and Kawasaki Disease (KD). Thus, MQC is pivotal in promoting cardiovascular health. Here, we outline the mechanisms of MQC and discuss the current literature on mitochondrial adaptation in CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asli E. Atici
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Guerin Children’s at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Infectious and Immunologic Diseases Research Center (IIDRC), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Timothy R. Crother
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Guerin Children’s at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Infectious and Immunologic Diseases Research Center (IIDRC), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Magali Noval Rivas
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Guerin Children’s at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Infectious and Immunologic Diseases Research Center (IIDRC), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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5
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Ng R, Gokhan I, Stankey P, Akar FG, Campbell SG. Chronic diastolic stretch unmasks conduction defects in an in vitro model of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 325:H1373-H1385. [PMID: 37830983 PMCID: PMC10977872 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00709.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
We seek to elucidate the precise nature of mechanical loading that precipitates conduction deficits in a concealed-phase model of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). ACM is a progressive disorder often resulting from mutations in desmosomal proteins. Exercise has been shown to worsen disease progression and unmask arrhythmia vulnerability, yet the underlying pathomechanisms may depend on the type and intensity of exercise. Because exercise causes myriad changes to multiple inter-dependent hemodynamic parameters, it is difficult to isolate its effects to specific changes in mechanical load. Here, we use engineered heart tissues (EHTs) with iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes expressing R451G desmoplakin, an ACM-linked mutation, which results in a functionally null model of desmoplakin (DSP). We also use a novel bioreactor to independently perturb tissue strain at different time points during the cardiac cycle. We culture EHTs under three strain regimes: normal physiological shortening; increased diastolic stretch, simulating high preload; and isometric culture, simulating high afterload. DSPR451G EHTs that have been cultured isometrically undergo adaptation, with no change in action potential parameters, conduction velocity, or contractile function, a phenotype confirmed by global proteomic analysis. However, when DSPR451G EHTs are subjected to increased diastolic stretch, they exhibit concomitant reductions in conduction velocity and the expression of connexin-43. These effects are rescued by inhibition of both lysosome activity and ERK signaling. Our results indicate that the response of DSPR451G EHTs to mechanical stimuli depends on the strain and the timing of the applied stimulus, with increased diastolic stretch unmasking conduction deficits in a concealed-phase model of ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Ng
- Yale University, New Haven, United States
| | | | | | - Fadi G Akar
- Cardiovascular Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Stuart G Campbell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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6
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Bueno‐Beti C, Lim CX, Protonotarios A, Szabo PL, Westaby J, Mazic M, Sheppard MN, Behr E, Hamza O, Kiss A, Podesser BK, Hengstschläger M, Weichhart T, Asimaki A. An mTORC1-Dependent Mouse Model for Cardiac Sarcoidosis. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e030478. [PMID: 37750561 PMCID: PMC10727264 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.030478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Background Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory, granulomatous disease of unknown cause affecting multiple organs, including the heart. Untreated, unresolved granulomatous inflammation can lead to cardiac fibrosis, arrhythmias, and eventually heart failure. Here we characterize the cardiac phenotype of mice with chronic activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 signaling in myeloid cells known to cause spontaneous pulmonary sarcoid-like granulomas. Methods and Results The cardiac phenotype of mice with conditional deletion of the tuberous sclerosis 2 (TSC2) gene in CD11c+ cells (TSC2fl/flCD11c-Cre; termed TSC2KO) and controls (TSC2fl/fl) was determined by histological and immunological stains. Transthoracic echocardiography and invasive hemodynamic measurements were performed to assess myocardial function. TSC2KO animals were treated with either everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, or Bay11-7082, a nuclear factor-kB inhibitor. Activation of mTOR signaling was evaluated on myocardial samples from sudden cardiac death victims with a postmortem diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. Chronic activation of mTORC1 signaling in CD11c+ cells was sufficient to initiate progressive accumulation of granulomatous infiltrates in the heart, which was associated with increased fibrosis, impaired cardiac function, decreased plakoglobin expression, and abnormal connexin 43 distribution, a substrate for life-threatening arrhythmias. Mice treated with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus resolved granulomatous infiltrates, prevented fibrosis, and improved cardiac dysfunction. In line, activation of mTOR signaling in CD68+ macrophages was detected in the hearts of sudden cardiac death victims who suffered from cardiac sarcoidosis. Conclusions To our best knowledge this is the first animal model of cardiac sarcoidosis that recapitulates major pathological hallmarks of human disease. mTOR inhibition may be a therapeutic option for patients with cardiac sarcoidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Bueno‐Beti
- Clinical Cardiology Academic Group, Molecular and Clinical Research Science InstituteSt George’s University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Clarice X. Lim
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and GeneticsMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Alexandros Protonotarios
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, Clinical Science Research GroupUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Petra Lujza Szabo
- Center for Biomedical ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Joseph Westaby
- Clinical Cardiology Academic Group, Molecular and Clinical Research Science InstituteSt George’s University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Mario Mazic
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and GeneticsMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Mary N. Sheppard
- Clinical Cardiology Academic Group, Molecular and Clinical Research Science InstituteSt George’s University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Elijah Behr
- Clinical Cardiology Academic Group, Molecular and Clinical Research Science InstituteSt George’s University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Ouafa Hamza
- Center for Biomedical ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Attila Kiss
- Center for Biomedical ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Bruno K. Podesser
- Center for Biomedical ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | - Thomas Weichhart
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and GeneticsMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Angeliki Asimaki
- Clinical Cardiology Academic Group, Molecular and Clinical Research Science InstituteSt George’s University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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van Ham WB, Meijboom EEM, Ligtermoet ML, Nikkels PGJ, van Veen TAB. Maturation and Function of the Intercalated Disc: Report of Two Pediatric Cases Focusing on Cardiac Development and Myocardial Hyperplasia. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:354. [PMID: 37623366 PMCID: PMC10455643 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10080354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of the normal human heart, ranging from gestational age to the mature adult heart, relies on a very delicate and timely orchestrated order of processes. One of the most striking alterations in time is the gradual extinction of the ability for cardiomyocytes to proliferate. Once passing this event, cardiomyocytes grow and increase in contractile strength by means of physiological hypertrophy. This process, importantly, seems to depend on an adequate development of electromechanical coupling that is achieved by the appropriate formation of the intercellular junction named the intercalated disc (ICD). In this report, we describe two sudden death cases of young and apparently healthy-born individuals without external abnormalities compared to an age-matched control. Histological examination, including the comparison with the age-matched and histology-matched controls, showed a disturbed formation of the protein machinery composing the electromechanical junctions at the ICD and an increased nuclei count for both patients. As a cause or consequence, cardiomyocytes in both sudden death cases showed signs of a delayed developmental stage, presumably resulting in an exaggerated degree of hyperplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem B. van Ham
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Esmeralda E. M. Meijboom
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Merel L. Ligtermoet
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter G. J. Nikkels
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Toon A. B. van Veen
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
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8
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Nielsen MS, van Opbergen CJM, van Veen TAB, Delmar M. The intercalated disc: a unique organelle for electromechanical synchrony in cardiomyocytes. Physiol Rev 2023; 103:2271-2319. [PMID: 36731030 PMCID: PMC10191137 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00021.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The intercalated disc (ID) is a highly specialized structure that connects cardiomyocytes via mechanical and electrical junctions. Although described in some detail by light microscopy in the 19th century, it was in 1966 that electron microscopy images showed that the ID represented apposing cell borders and provided detailed insight into the complex ID nanostructure. Since then, much has been learned about the ID and its molecular composition, and it has become evident that a large number of proteins, not all of them involved in direct cell-to-cell coupling via mechanical or gap junctions, reside at the ID. Furthermore, an increasing number of functional interactions between ID components are emerging, leading to the concept that the ID is not the sum of isolated molecular silos but an interacting molecular complex, an "organelle" where components work in concert to bring about electrical and mechanical synchrony. The aim of the present review is to give a short historical account of the ID's discovery and an updated overview of its composition and organization, followed by a discussion of the physiological implications of the ID architecture and the local intermolecular interactions. The latter will focus on both the importance of normal conduction of cardiac action potentials as well as the impact on the pathophysiology of arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten S Nielsen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Chantal J M van Opbergen
- The Leon Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University Grossmann School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States
| | - Toon A B van Veen
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mario Delmar
- The Leon Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University Grossmann School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States
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9
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Bueno-Beti C, Asimaki A. Cheek-Pro-Heart: What Can the Buccal Mucosa Do for Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy? Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041207. [PMID: 37189825 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a heart muscle disease associated with ventricular arrhythmias and a high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Although the disease was described over 40 years ago, its diagnosis is still difficult. Several studies have identified a set of five proteins (plakoglobin, Cx43, Nav1.5, SAP97 and GSK3β), which are consistently re-distributed in myocardial samples from ACM patients. Not all protein shifts are specific to ACM, but their combination has provided us with a molecular signature for the disease, which has greatly aided post-mortem diagnosis of SCD victims. The use of this signature, however, was heretofore restricted in living patients, as the analysis requires a heart sample. Recent studies have shown that buccal cells behave similarly to the heart in terms of protein re-localization. Protein shifts are associated with disease onset, deterioration and favorable response to anti-arrhythmic therapy. Accordingly, buccal cells can be used as a surrogate for the myocardium to aid diagnosis, risk stratification and even monitor response to pharmaceutical interventions. Buccal cells can also be kept in culture, hence providing an ex vivo model from the patient, which can offer insights into the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis, including drug response. This review summarizes how the cheek can aid the heart in the battle against ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Bueno-Beti
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Angeliki Asimaki
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
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10
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Tsui H, van Kampen SJ, Han SJ, Meraviglia V, van Ham WB, Casini S, van der Kraak P, Vink A, Yin X, Mayr M, Bossu A, Marchal GA, Monshouwer-Kloots J, Eding J, Versteeg D, de Ruiter H, Bezstarosti K, Groeneweg J, Klaasen SJ, van Laake LW, Demmers JAA, Kops GJPL, Mummery CL, van Veen TAB, Remme CA, Bellin M, van Rooij E. Desmosomal protein degradation as an underlying cause of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadd4248. [PMID: 36947592 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.add4248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited progressive cardiac disease. Many patients with ACM harbor mutations in desmosomal genes, predominantly in plakophilin-2 (PKP2). Although the genetic basis of ACM is well characterized, the underlying disease-driving mechanisms remain unresolved. Explanted hearts from patients with ACM had less PKP2 compared with healthy hearts, which correlated with reduced expression of desmosomal and adherens junction (AJ) proteins. These proteins were also disorganized in areas of fibrotic remodeling. In vitro data from human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and microtissues carrying the heterozygous PKP2 c.2013delC pathogenic mutation also displayed impaired contractility. Knockin mice carrying the equivalent heterozygous Pkp2 c.1755delA mutation recapitulated changes in desmosomal and AJ proteins and displayed cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis with age. Global proteomics analysis of 4-month-old heterozygous Pkp2 c.1755delA hearts indicated involvement of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in ACM pathogenesis. Inhibition of the UPS in mutant mice increased area composita proteins and improved calcium dynamics in isolated cardiomyocytes. Additional proteomics analyses identified lysine ubiquitination sites on the desmosomal proteins, which were more ubiquitinated in mutant mice. In summary, we show that a plakophilin-2 mutation can lead to decreased desmosomal and AJ protein expression through a UPS-dependent mechanism, which preceded cardiac remodeling. These findings suggest that targeting protein degradation and improving desmosomal protein stability may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoyee Tsui
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT, Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan Johannes van Kampen
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT, Netherlands
| | - Su Ji Han
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT, Netherlands
| | - Viviana Meraviglia
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZA, Netherlands
| | - Willem B van Ham
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CM, Netherlands
| | - Simona Casini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Netherlands
| | - Petra van der Kraak
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Aryan Vink
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Xiaoke Yin
- James Black Centre, King's College, University of London, WC2R 2LS London, UK
| | - Manuel Mayr
- James Black Centre, King's College, University of London, WC2R 2LS London, UK
| | - Alexandre Bossu
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CM, Netherlands
| | - Gerard A Marchal
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Netherlands
| | - Jantine Monshouwer-Kloots
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT, Netherlands
| | - Joep Eding
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT, Netherlands
| | - Danielle Versteeg
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT, Netherlands
| | - Hesther de Ruiter
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT, Netherlands
| | - Karel Bezstarosti
- Proteomics Center, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Netherlands
| | - Judith Groeneweg
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd J Klaasen
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT, Netherlands
| | - Linda W van Laake
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen A A Demmers
- Proteomics Center, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Netherlands
| | - Geert J P L Kops
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT, Netherlands
| | - Christine L Mummery
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZA, Netherlands
| | - Toon A B van Veen
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CM, Netherlands
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Netherlands
| | - Milena Bellin
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZA, Netherlands
| | - Eva van Rooij
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT, Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Netherlands
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11
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Li K, Jiang Y, Zeng Y, Zhou Y. Advances in Ion Channel, Non-Desmosomal Variants and Autophagic Mechanisms Implicated in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:2186-2200. [PMID: 36975511 PMCID: PMC10047275 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45030141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by the replacement of cardiac myocytes with fibro-fatty tissues, leading to abnormal excitation-contraction (EC) coupling and a range of malignant events, such as ventricular tachycardia (VT), sudden cardiac death/arrest (SCD/A) and heart failure (HF). The concept of ACM has recently been ex-tended to include right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), left ventricular cardiomyopathy (ALVC) and biventricular cardiomyopathy. ARVC is generally seen as the most common type of ACM. The pathogenesis of ACM involves mutation variants in desmosomal or non-desmosomal gene loci, as well as various external factors, such as intense exercise, stress and infections. Ion channel alterations, autophagy and non-desmosomal variants are also important components in the development of ACM. As clinical practice enters the era of precision therapy, it is important to review recent studies on these topics to better diagnose and treat the molecular phase of ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Li
- Department of Cardiology, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
- Institution for Hypertension of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Yufeng Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
- Institution for Hypertension of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Yiyao Zeng
- Department of Cardiology, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
- Institution for Hypertension of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Yafeng Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
- Institution for Hypertension of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-512-65955026
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12
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Marchal GA, Remme CA. Subcellular diversity of Nav1.5 in cardiomyocytes: distinct functions, mechanisms and targets. J Physiol 2023; 601:941-960. [PMID: 36469003 DOI: 10.1113/jp283086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In cardiomyocytes, the rapid depolarisation of the membrane potential is mediated by the α-subunit of the cardiac voltage-gated Na+ channel (NaV 1.5), encoded by the gene SCN5A. This ion channel allows positively charged Na+ ions to enter the cardiomyocyte, resulting in the fast upstroke of the action potential and is therefore crucial for cardiac excitability and electrical propagation. This essential role is underscored by the fact that dysfunctional NaV 1.5 is associated with high risk for arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. However, development of therapeutic interventions regulating NaV 1.5 has been limited due to the complexity of NaV 1.5 structure and function and its diverse roles within the cardiomyocyte. In particular, research from the last decade has provided us with increased knowledge on the subcellular distribution of NaV 1.5 as well as the proteins which it interacts with in distinct cardiomyocyte microdomains. We here review these insights, detailing the potential role of NaV 1.5 within subcellular domains as well as its dysfunction in the setting of arrhythmia disorders. We furthermore provide an overview of current knowledge on the pathways involved in (microdomain-specific) trafficking of NaV 1.5, and their potential as novel targets. Unravelling the complexity of NaV 1.5 (dys)function may ultimately facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing lethal arrhythmias. This is not only of importance for pathophysiological conditions where sodium current is specifically decreased within certain subcellular regions, such as in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but also for other acquired and inherited disorders associated with NaV 1.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard A Marchal
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Heart Failure & Arrhythmias, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,National Institute of Optics, National Research Council (CNR-INO), Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Heart Failure & Arrhythmias, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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13
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Wang C, Ramahdita G, Genin G, Huebsch N, Ma Z. Dynamic mechanobiology of cardiac cells and tissues: Current status and future perspective. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:011314. [PMID: 37008887 PMCID: PMC10062054 DOI: 10.1063/5.0141269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical forces impact cardiac cells and tissues over their entire lifespan, from development to growth and eventually to pathophysiology. However, the mechanobiological pathways that drive cell and tissue responses to mechanical forces are only now beginning to be understood, due in part to the challenges in replicating the evolving dynamic microenvironments of cardiac cells and tissues in a laboratory setting. Although many in vitro cardiac models have been established to provide specific stiffness, topography, or viscoelasticity to cardiac cells and tissues via biomaterial scaffolds or external stimuli, technologies for presenting time-evolving mechanical microenvironments have only recently been developed. In this review, we summarize the range of in vitro platforms that have been used for cardiac mechanobiological studies. We provide a comprehensive review on phenotypic and molecular changes of cardiomyocytes in response to these environments, with a focus on how dynamic mechanical cues are transduced and deciphered. We conclude with our vision of how these findings will help to define the baseline of heart pathology and of how these in vitro systems will potentially serve to improve the development of therapies for heart diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ghiska Ramahdita
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | | | | | - Zhen Ma
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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14
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De Bortoli M, Meraviglia V, Mackova K, Frommelt LS, König E, Rainer J, Volani C, Benzoni P, Schlittler M, Cattelan G, Motta BM, Volpato C, Rauhe W, Barbuti A, Zacchigna S, Pramstaller PP, Rossini A. Modeling incomplete penetrance in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy by human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:1759-1773. [PMID: 36915380 PMCID: PMC10006475 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) are commonly used to model arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), a heritable cardiac disease characterized by severe ventricular arrhythmias, fibrofatty myocardial replacement and progressive ventricular dysfunction. Although ACM is inherited as an autosomal dominant disease, incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity are extremely common, resulting in different clinical manifestations. Here, we propose hiPSC-CMs as a powerful in vitro model to study incomplete penetrance in ACM. Six hiPSC lines were generated from blood samples of three ACM patients carrying a heterozygous deletion of exon 4 in the PKP2 gene, two asymptomatic (ASY) carriers of the same mutation and one healthy control (CTR), all belonging to the same family. Whole exome sequencing was performed in all family members and hiPSC-CMs were examined by ddPCR, western blot, Wes™ immunoassay system, patch clamp, immunofluorescence and RNASeq. Our results show molecular and functional differences between ACM and ASY hiPSC-CMs, including a higher amount of mutated PKP2 mRNA, a lower expression of the connexin-43 protein, a lower overall density of sodium current, a higher intracellular lipid accumulation and sarcomere disorganization in ACM compared to ASY hiPSC-CMs. Differentially expressed genes were also found, supporting a predisposition for a fatty phenotype in ACM hiPSC-CMs. These data indicate that hiPSC-CMs are a suitable model to study incomplete penetrance in ACM.
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Key Words
- ABC, active ß-catenin
- ACM, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
- ASY, asymptomatic
- Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
- BBB, bundle-branch block
- CMs, cardiomyocytes
- CTR, control
- Cx43, connexin-43
- DEGs, differentially expressed genes
- GATK, Genome Analysis Toolkit
- Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes
- ICD, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
- ID, intercalated disk
- Incomplete penetrance
- LBB, left bundle-branch block
- MRI, magnetic resonance imagingmut, mutated
- NSVT, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia
- RV, right ventricle
- hiPSC, human induced pluripotent stem cell
- wt, wild type
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia De Bortoli
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Viviana Meraviglia
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2316 Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Katarina Mackova
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Laura S Frommelt
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Eva König
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Johannes Rainer
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Chiara Volani
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,Universita` degli Studi di Milano, The Cell Physiology MiLab, Department of Biosciences, Milano, Italy
| | - Patrizia Benzoni
- Universita` degli Studi di Milano, The Cell Physiology MiLab, Department of Biosciences, Milano, Italy
| | - Maja Schlittler
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Giada Cattelan
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Benedetta M Motta
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Claudia Volpato
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Werner Rauhe
- San Maurizio Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Andrea Barbuti
- Universita` degli Studi di Milano, The Cell Physiology MiLab, Department of Biosciences, Milano, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, Trieste, Italy
| | - Peter P Pramstaller
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rossini
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
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15
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Zink M, Seewald A, Rohrbach M, Brodehl A, Liedtke D, Williams T, Childs SJ, Gerull B. Altered Expression of TMEM43 Causes Abnormal Cardiac Structure and Function in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9530. [PMID: 36076925 PMCID: PMC9455580 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited heart muscle disease caused by heterozygous missense mutations within the gene encoding for the nuclear envelope protein transmembrane protein 43 (TMEM43). The disease is characterized by myocyte loss and fibro-fatty replacement, leading to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. However, the role of TMEM43 in the pathogenesis of ACM remains poorly understood. In this study, we generated cardiomyocyte-restricted transgenic zebrafish lines that overexpress eGFP-linked full-length human wild-type (WT) TMEM43 and two genetic variants (c.1073C>T, p.S358L; c.332C>T, p.P111L) using the Tol2-system. Overexpression of WT and p.P111L-mutant TMEM43 was associated with transcriptional activation of the mTOR pathway and ribosome biogenesis, and resulted in enlarged hearts with cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Intriguingly, mutant p.S358L TMEM43 was found to be unstable and partially redistributed into the cytoplasm in embryonic and adult hearts. Moreover, both TMEM43 variants displayed cardiac morphological defects at juvenile stages and ultrastructural changes within the myocardium, accompanied by dysregulated gene expression profiles in adulthood. Finally, CRISPR/Cas9 mutants demonstrated an age-dependent cardiac phenotype characterized by heart enlargement in adulthood. In conclusion, our findings suggest ultrastructural remodeling and transcriptomic alterations underlying the development of structural and functional cardiac defects in TMEM43-associated cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Zink
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anne Seewald
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mareike Rohrbach
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Brodehl
- Erich and Hanna Klessmann Institute, Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Daniel Liedtke
- Institute for Human Genetics, Biocenter, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tatjana Williams
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sarah J. Childs
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Brenda Gerull
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
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16
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Coscarella IL, Landim-Vieira M, Pinto JR, Chelko SP. Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Exercise Pitfalls, Role of Connexin-43, and Moving beyond Antiarrhythmics. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158753. [PMID: 35955883 PMCID: PMC9369094 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ACM), a Mendelian disorder that can affect both left and right ventricles, is most often associated with pathogenic desmosomal variants that can lead to fibrofatty replacement of the myocardium, a pathological hallmark of this disease. Current therapies are aimed to prevent the worsening of disease phenotypes and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Despite the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) there is no present therapy that would mitigate the loss in electrical signal and propagation by these fibrofatty barriers. Recent studies have shown the influence of forced vs. voluntary exercise in a variety of healthy and diseased mice; more specifically, that exercised mice show increased Connexin-43 (Cx43) expression levels. Fascinatingly, increased Cx43 expression ameliorated the abnormal electrical signal conduction in the myocardium of diseased mice. These findings point to a major translational pitfall in current therapeutics for ACM patients, who are advised to completely cease exercising and already demonstrate reduced Cx43 levels at the myocyte intercalated disc. Considering cardiac dysfunction in ACM arises from the loss of cardiomyocytes and electrical signal conduction abnormalities, an increase in Cx43 expression-promoted by low to moderate intensity exercise and/or gene therapy-could very well improve cardiac function in ACM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Leite Coscarella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL 32303, USA
| | - Maicon Landim-Vieira
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL 32303, USA
| | - José Renato Pinto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL 32303, USA
| | - Stephen P. Chelko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL 32303, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21215, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-850-644-2215
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17
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van Opbergen CJM, Sall J, Petzold C, Dancel-Manning K, Delmar M, Liang FX. "Orphan" Connexin43 in Plakophilin-2 Deficient Hearts Revealed by Volume Electron Microscopy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:843687. [PMID: 35663385 PMCID: PMC9159532 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.843687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies revealed an abundance of functional Connexin43 (Cx43) hemichannels consequent to loss of plakophilin-2 (PKP2) expression in adult murine hearts. The increased Cx43-mediated membrane permeability is likely responsible for excess entry of calcium into the cells, leading to an arrhythmogenic/cardiomyopathic phenotype. The latter has translational implications to the molecular mechanisms of inheritable arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Despite functional evidence, visualization of these "orphan" (i.e., non-paired in a gap junction configuration) Cx43 hemichannels remains lacking. Immuno-electron microscopy (IEM) remains an extremely powerful tool to localize, with nanometric resolution, a protein within its native structural landscape. Yet, challenges for IEM are to preserve the antigenicity of the molecular target and to provide access for antibodies to reach their target, while maintaining the cellular/tissue ultrastructure. Fixation is important for maintaining cell structure, but strong fixation and vigorous dehydration (as it is routine for EM) can alter protein structure, thus impairing antigen-antibody binding. Here, we implemented a method to combine pre-embedding immunolabeling (pre-embedding) with serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM). We utilized a murine model of cardiomyocyte-specific, Tamoxifen (TAM) activated knockout of PKP2. Adult hearts were harvested 14 days post-TAM, at this time hearts present a phenotype of concealed ARVC (i.e., an arrhythmogenic phenotype but no overt structural disease). Thick (200 µm) vibratome slices were immunolabelled for Cx43 and treated with nanogold or FluoroNanogold, coupled with a silver enhancement. Left or right ventricular free walls were dissected and three-dimensional (3D) localization of Cx43 in cardiac muscle was performed using SBF-SEM. Reconstructed images allowed us to visualize the entire length of gap junction plaques, seen as two parallel, closely packed strings of Cx43-immunoreactive beads at the intercalated disc. In contrast, in PKP2-deficient hearts we observed bulging of the intercellular space, and entire areas where only one of the two strings could be observed, indicating the presence of orphan Cx43. We conclude that pre-embedding and SBF-SEM allowed visualization of cardiac Cx43 plaques in their native environment, providing for the first time a visual complement of functional data indicating the presence of orphan Cx43 hemichannels resulting from loss of desmosomal integrity in the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal J M van Opbergen
- The Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Joseph Sall
- Microscopy Laboratory, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Chris Petzold
- Microscopy Laboratory, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kristen Dancel-Manning
- Microscopy Laboratory, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Mario Delmar
- The Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Feng-Xia Liang
- Microscopy Laboratory, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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18
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Camors EM, Roth AH, Alef JR, Sullivan RD, Johnson JN, Purevjav E, Towbin JA. Progressive Reduction in Right Ventricular Contractile Function Due to Altered Actin Expression in an Aging Mouse Model of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Circulation 2022; 145:1609-1624. [PMID: 35437032 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.120.049261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited genetic disorder of desmosomal dysfunction, and plakophilin-2 (PKP2) has been reported to be the most common disease-causing gene when mutation-positive. In the early "concealed" phase, the ACM heart is at high risk of sudden cardiac death before cardiac remodeling occurs due to mistargeted ion channels and altered Ca2+ handling. However, the results of pathogenic PKP2 variants on myocyte contraction in ACM pathogenesis remain unknown. METHODS We studied the outcomes of a human truncating variant of PKP2 on myocyte contraction using a novel knock-in mouse model with insertion of thymidine in exon 5 of Pkp2, which mimics a familial case of ACM (PKP2-L404fsX5). We used serial echocardiography, electrocardiography, blood pressure measurements, histology, cardiomyocyte contraction, intracellular calcium measurements, and gene and protein expression studies. RESULTS Serial echocardiography of Pkp2 heterozygous (Pkp2-Het) mice revealed progressive failure of the right ventricle (RV) in animals older than three months of age. By contrast, left ventricular (LV) function remained normal. Electrocardiograms of six-month-old anesthetized Pkp2-Het mice showed normal baseline heart rates and QRS complexes. Cardiac responses to β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (2 mg.kg-1) plus caffeine (120 mg.kg-1) were also normal. However, adrenergic stimulation enhanced the susceptibility of Pkp2-Het hearts to tachyarrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Histologic staining showed no significant fibrosis or adipocyte infiltration in the RVs and LVs of six- and twelve-month-old Pkp2-Het hearts. Contractility assessment of isolated myocytes demonstrated progressively reduced Pkp2-Het RV cardiomyocyte function consistent with RV failure measured by echocardiography. However, aging Pkp2-Het and control RV myocytes loaded with intracellular Ca2+ indicator Fura-2 showed comparable Ca2+ transients. Western blotting of Pkp2-RV homogenates revealed a 40% decrease in actin, while actin immunoprecipitation followed by a 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine staining showed doubled oxidation level. This correlated with a 39% increase in troponin-I phosphorylation. In contrast, Pkp2-Het LV myocytes had normal contraction, actin expression and oxidation, and troponin-I phosphorylation. Finally, Western blotting of cardiac biopsies revealed actin expression was 40% decreased in RVs of end-stage ACM patients. CONCLUSIONS During the early "concealed" phase of ACM, reduced actin expression drives loss of RV myocyte contraction, contributing to progressive RV dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel M Camors
- Heart Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Alyson H Roth
- Heart Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Joseph R Alef
- Heart Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Ryan D Sullivan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AR
| | - Jason N Johnson
- Heart Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN; Pediatric Cardiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Enkhsaikhan Purevjav
- Heart Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Jeffrey A Towbin
- Heart Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN; Pediatric Cardiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
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19
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Kiss E, Fischer C, Sauter JM, Sun J, Ullrich ND. The Structural and the Functional Aspects of Intercellular Communication in iPSC-Cardiomyocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084460. [PMID: 35457277 PMCID: PMC9031673 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in the technology of producing novel cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-cardiomyocytes) fuel new hope for future clinical applications. The use of iPSC-cardiomyocytes is particularly promising for the therapy of cardiac diseases such as myocardial infarction, where these cells could replace scar tissue and restore the functionality of the heart. Despite successful cardiogenic differentiation, medical applications of iPSC-cardiomyocytes are currently limited by their pronounced immature structural and functional phenotype. This review focuses on gap junction function in iPSC-cardiomyocytes and portrays our current understanding around the structural and the functional limitations of intercellular coupling and viable cardiac graft formation involving these novel cardiac muscle cells. We further highlight the role of the gap junction protein connexin 43 as a potential target for improving cell–cell communication and electrical signal propagation across cardiac tissue engineered from iPSC-cardiomyocytes. Better insight into the mechanisms that promote functional intercellular coupling is the foundation that will allow the development of novel strategies to combat the immaturity of iPSC-cardiomyocytes and pave the way toward cardiac tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Kiss
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Carolin Fischer
- Center of Neurology, Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Otfried-Müller-Straße 27, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Jan-Mischa Sauter
- Division of Cardiovascular Physiology, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.-M.S.); (J.S.)
| | - Jinmeng Sun
- Division of Cardiovascular Physiology, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.-M.S.); (J.S.)
| | - Nina D. Ullrich
- Division of Cardiovascular Physiology, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.-M.S.); (J.S.)
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg-Mannheim, 10785 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence:
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20
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Analysis of buccal mucosa as a prognostic tool in children with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. PROGRESS IN PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY 2022; 64:None. [PMID: 35300203 PMCID: PMC8917042 DOI: 10.1016/j.ppedcard.2021.101458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background The diagnosis of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is challenging especially in children at risk of adverse events. Analysis of cardiac myocyte junctional protein distribution may have diagnostic and prognostic implications, but its utility is limited by the need for a myocardial sample. We previously reported that buccal mucosa cells show junctional protein redistribution similar to that seen in cardiac myocytes of adult patients with ACM. Objectives We aimed to determine when junctional protein distribution abnormalities first occur in children with ACM variants and whether they correlate with progression of clinically apparent disease. Methods We analyzed buccal mucosa samples of children and adolescents with a family history of ACM (n = 13) and age-matched controls (n = 13). Samples were immunostained for plakoglobin, desmoplakin, plakophilin-1 and connexin43 and analyzed by confocal microscopy. All participants were swabbed at least twice with an average interval of 12–18 months between samplings. Results Junctional protein re-localization in buccal mucosa cells did not correlate with the presence of ACM-causing variants but instead occurred with clinical onset of disease. No changes in protein distribution were seen unless and until there was clinical evidence of disease. In addition, progressive shifts in the distribution of key proteins correlated with worsening of the disease phenotype. Finally, we observed restoration of junctional signal for Cx43 in patient with a favorable response to anti-arrhythmic therapy. Conclusions Due to ethical concerns about obtaining heart biopsies in children with no apparent disease, it has not been possible to analyze molecular changes in cardiac myocytes with the onset/progression of clinical disease. Using buccal smears as a surrogate for the myocardium may facilitate future studies of mechanisms and pathophysiological consequences of junctional protein redistribution in ACM. Buccal cells may also be a safe and inexpensive tool for risk stratification and potentially monitoring response to treatment in children bearing ACM variants.
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Daimi H, Lozano-Velasco E, Aranega A, Franco D. Genomic and Non-Genomic Regulatory Mechanisms of the Cardiac Sodium Channel in Cardiac Arrhythmias. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1381. [PMID: 35163304 PMCID: PMC8835759 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nav1.5 is the predominant cardiac sodium channel subtype, encoded by the SCN5A gene, which is involved in the initiation and conduction of action potentials throughout the heart. Along its biosynthesis process, Nav1.5 undergoes strict genomic and non-genomic regulatory and quality control steps that allow only newly synthesized channels to reach their final membrane destination and carry out their electrophysiological role. These regulatory pathways are ensured by distinct interacting proteins that accompany the nascent Nav1.5 protein along with different subcellular organelles. Defects on a large number of these pathways have a tremendous impact on Nav1.5 functionality and are thus intimately linked to cardiac arrhythmias. In the present review, we provide current state-of-the-art information on the molecular events that regulate SCN5A/Nav1.5 and the cardiac channelopathies associated with defects in these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houria Daimi
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Monastir 5000, Tunisia
| | - Estefanía Lozano-Velasco
- Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (E.L.-V.); (A.A.); (D.F.)
- Medina Foundation, Technology Park of Health Sciences, Av. del Conocimiento, 34, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Amelia Aranega
- Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (E.L.-V.); (A.A.); (D.F.)
- Medina Foundation, Technology Park of Health Sciences, Av. del Conocimiento, 34, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Diego Franco
- Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (E.L.-V.); (A.A.); (D.F.)
- Medina Foundation, Technology Park of Health Sciences, Av. del Conocimiento, 34, 18016 Granada, Spain
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22
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Cardiomyopathies. Cardiovasc Pathol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822224-9.00014-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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23
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Buccal Mucosa Cells as a Potential Diagnostic Tool to Study Onset and Progression of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010057. [PMID: 35008484 PMCID: PMC8744793 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) pathogenic variants are found in genes encoding desmosomal proteins and in non-desmosomal genes, such as phospholamban (PLN, p.Arg14del variant). Previous research showed that plakoglobin protein levels and localization in the cardiac tissue of ACM patients, and PLN p.Arg14del patients diagnosed with an ACM phenotype, are disturbed. Moreover, the effects of pathogenic variants in desmosomal genes are reflected in non-cardiac tissues like buccal mucosa cells (BMC) which could serve as a promising new and non-invasive tool to support diagnosis. We collected the BMC of 33 ACM patients, 17 PLN p.Arg14del patients and 34 controls, labelled the BMC with anti-plakoglobin antibodies at different concentrations, and scored their membrane labelling. We found that plakoglobin protein levels were significantly reduced in BMC obtained from diagnosed ACM patients and preclinical variant carriers when compared to controls. This effect was independent from age and sex. Moderate to strong correlations were found with the revised 2010 Task Force Criteria score which is commonly used for ACM diagnosis (rs = −0.67, n = 64, p < 0.0001 and rs = −0.71, n = 64, p < 0.0001). In contrast, plakoglobin scores in PLN p.Arg14del patients were comparable to controls (p > 0.209), which suggests differences in underlying etiology. However, for the individual diagnosis of the ‘classical’ ACM patient, this method might not be discriminative enough to distinguish true patients from variant carriers and controls, because of the high interindividual variability.
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Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Risk Stratification in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. CARDIOGENETICS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/cardiogenetics11040025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetically determined myocardial disease associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD). It is most frequently caused by mutations in genes encoding desmosomal proteins. However, there is growing evidence that ACM is not exclusively a desmosome disease but rather appears to be a disease of the connexoma. Fibroadipose replacement of the right ventricle (RV) had long been the hallmark of ACM, although biventricular involvement or predominant involvement of the left ventricle (LD-ACM) is increasingly found, raising the challenge of differential diagnosis with arrhythmogenic dilated cardiomyopathy (a-DCM). A-DCM, ACM, and LD-ACM are increasingly acknowledged as a single nosological entity, the hallmark of which is electrical instability. Our aim was to analyze the complex molecular mechanisms underlying arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies, outlining the role of inflammation and autoimmunity in disease pathophysiology. Secondly, we present the clinical tools used in the clinical diagnosis of ACM. Focusing on the challenge of defining the risk of sudden death in this clinical setting, we present available risk stratification strategies. Lastly, we summarize the role of genetics and imaging in risk stratification, guiding through the appropriate patient selection for ICD implantation.
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25
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Bueno-Beti C, Asimaki A. Histopathological Features and Protein Markers of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:746321. [PMID: 34950711 PMCID: PMC8688541 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.746321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a heritable heart muscle disease characterized by syncope, palpitations, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) especially in young individuals. It is estimated to affect 1:5,000 individuals in the general population, with >60% of patients bearing one or more mutations in genes coding for desmosomal proteins. Desmosomes are intercellular adhesion junctions, which in cardiac myocytes reside within the intercalated disks (IDs), the areas of mechanical and electrical cell-cell coupling. Histologically, ACM is characterized by fibrofatty replacement of cardiac myocytes predominantly in the right ventricular free wall though left ventricular and biventricular forms have also been described. The disease is characterized by age-related progression, vast phenotypic manifestation and incomplete penetrance, making proband diagnosis and risk stratification of family members particularly challenging. Key protein redistribution at the IDs may represent a specific diagnostic marker but its applicability is still limited by the need for a myocardial sample. Specific markers of ACM in surrogate tissues, such as the blood and the buccal epithelium, may represent a non-invasive, safe and inexpensive alternative for diagnosis and cascade screening. In this review, we shall cover the most relevant biomarkers so far reported and discuss their potential impact on the diagnosis, prognosis and management of ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angeliki Asimaki
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
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26
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Zhang J, Liang Y, Bradford WH, Sheikh F. Desmosomes: emerging pathways and non-canonical functions in cardiac arrhythmias and disease. Biophys Rev 2021; 13:697-706. [PMID: 34765046 PMCID: PMC8555023 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00829-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmosomes are critical adhesion structures in cardiomyocytes, with mutation/loss linked to the heritable cardiac disease, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Early studies revealed the ability of desmosomal protein loss to trigger ARVC disease features including structural remodeling, arrhythmias, and inflammation; however, the precise mechanisms contributing to diverse disease presentations are not fully understood. Recent mechanistic studies demonstrated the protein degradation component CSN6 is a resident cardiac desmosomal protein which selectively restricts cardiomyocyte desmosomal degradation and disease. This suggests defects in protein degradation can trigger the structural remodeling underlying ARVC. Additionally, a subset of ARVC-related mutations show enhanced vulnerability to calpain-mediated degradation, further supporting the relevance of these mechanisms in disease. Desmosomal gene mutations/loss has been shown to impact arrhythmogenic pathways in the absence of structural disease within ARVC patients and model systems. Studies have shown the involvement of connexins, calcium handling machinery, and sodium channels as early drivers of arrhythmias, suggesting these may be distinct pathways regulating electrical function from the desmosome. Emerging evidence has suggested inflammation may be an early mechanism in disease pathogenesis, as clinical reports have shown an overlap between myocarditis and ARVC. Recent studies focus on the association between desmosomal mutations/loss and inflammatory processes including autoantibodies and signaling pathways as a way to understand the involvement of inflammation in ARVC pathogenesis. A specific focus will be to dissect ongoing fields of investigation to highlight diverse pathogenic pathways associated with desmosomal mutations/loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Yan Liang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - William H. Bradford
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Farah Sheikh
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
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27
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Lin YN, Mesquita T, Sanchez L, Chen YH, Liu W, Li C, Rogers R, Wang Y, Li X, Wu D, Zhang R, Ibrahim A, Marbán E, Cingolani E. Extracellular vesicles from immortalized cardiosphere-derived cells attenuate arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in desmoglein-2 mutant mice. Eur Heart J 2021; 42:3558-3571. [PMID: 34345905 PMCID: PMC8442111 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is characterized by progressive loss of cardiomyocytes, and fibrofatty tissue replacement. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by cardiosphere-derived cells, immortalized, and engineered to express high levels of β-catenin, exert anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic effects. The aim of the current study was to assess efficacy of EVs in an ACM murine model. METHODS AND RESULTS Four-week-old homozygous knock-in mutant desmoglein-2 (Dsg2mt/mt) were randomized to receive weekly EVs or vehicle for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, DSG2mt/mt mice receiving EVs showed improved biventricular function (left, P < 0.0001; right, P = 0.0037) and less left ventricular dilation (P < 0.0179). Electrocardiography revealed abbreviated QRS duration (P = 0.0003) and QTc interval (P = 0.0006) in EV-treated DSG2mt/mt mice. Further electrophysiology testing in the EV group showed decreased burden (P = 0.0042) and inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias (P = 0.0037). Optical mapping demonstrated accelerated repolarization (P = 0.0290) and faster conduction (P = 0.0274) in Dsg2mt/mt mice receiving EVs. DSG2mt/mt hearts exhibited reduced fibrosis, less cell death, and preserved connexin 43 expression after EV treatment. Hearts of Dsg2mt/mt mice expressed markedly increased levels of inflammatory cytokines that were, in part, attenuated by EV therapy. The pan-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), the inflammasome sensor NLRP3, and the macrophage marker CD68 were all reduced in EV-treated animals. Blocking EV hsa-miR-4488 in vitro and in vivo reactivates NF-κB and blunts the beneficial effects of EVs. CONCLUSIONS Extracellular vesicle treatment improved cardiac function, reduced cardiac inflammation, and suppressed arrhythmogenesis in ACM. Further studies are needed prior to translating the present findings to human forms of this heterogenous disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Nien Lin
- Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, China Medical University and Hospital, 2, Yu-Der Road, North District, Taichung 40447, Taiwan; and
| | - Thassio Mesquita
- Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Lizbeth Sanchez
- Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Yin-Huei Chen
- Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, China Medical University and Hospital, 2, Yu-Der Road, North District, Taichung 40447, Taiwan; and
| | - Weixin Liu
- Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Chang Li
- Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Russell Rogers
- Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Yizhou Wang
- Genomics Core, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Xinling Li
- Genomics Core, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Di Wu
- Genomics Core, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Rui Zhang
- Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ahmed Ibrahim
- Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Eduardo Marbán
- Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Eugenio Cingolani
- Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
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Gerull B, Brodehl A. Insights Into Genetics and Pathophysiology of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Curr Heart Fail Rep 2021; 18:378-390. [PMID: 34478111 PMCID: PMC8616880 DOI: 10.1007/s11897-021-00532-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetic disease characterized by life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in apparently healthy young adults. Mutations in genes encoding for cellular junctions can be found in about half of the patients. However, disease onset and severity, risk of arrhythmias, and outcome are highly variable and drug-targeted treatment is currently unavailable. Recent Findings This review focuses on advances in clinical risk stratification, genetic etiology, and pathophysiological concepts. The desmosome is the central part of the disease, but other intercalated disc and associated structural proteins not only broaden the genetic spectrum but also provide novel molecular and cellular insights into the pathogenesis of ACM. Signaling pathways and the role of inflammation will be discussed and targets for novel therapeutic approaches outlined. Summary Genetic discoveries and experimental-driven preclinical research contributed significantly to the understanding of ACM towards mutation- and pathway-specific personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Gerull
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), Department of Medicine I, University Clinic Würzburg, Am Schwarzenberg 15, 97078, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Andreas Brodehl
- Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Erich and Hanna Klessmann Institute, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Georgstrasse 11, 32545, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
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Marian AJ, Asatryan B, Wehrens XHT. Genetic basis and molecular biology of cardiac arrhythmias in cardiomyopathies. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 116:1600-1619. [PMID: 32348453 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias are common, often the first, and sometimes the life-threatening manifestations of hereditary cardiomyopathies. Pathogenic variants in several genes known to cause hereditary cardiac arrhythmias have also been identified in the sporadic cases and small families with cardiomyopathies. These findings suggest a shared genetic aetiology of a subset of hereditary cardiomyopathies and cardiac arrhythmias. The concept of a shared genetic aetiology is in accord with the complex and exquisite interplays that exist between the ion currents and cardiac mechanical function. However, neither the causal role of cardiac arrhythmias genes in cardiomyopathies is well established nor the causal role of cardiomyopathy genes in arrhythmias. On the contrary, secondary changes in ion currents, such as post-translational modifications, are common and contributors to the pathogenesis of arrhythmias in cardiomyopathies through altering biophysical and functional properties of the ion channels. Moreover, structural changes, such as cardiac hypertrophy, dilatation, and fibrosis provide a pro-arrhythmic substrate in hereditary cardiomyopathies. Genetic basis and molecular biology of cardiac arrhythmias in hereditary cardiomyopathies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali J Marian
- Department of Medicine, Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, 6770 Bertner Street, Suite C900A, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Babken Asatryan
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Xander H T Wehrens
- Department of Biophysics and Molecular Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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30
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van der Voorn SM, Te Riele ASJM, Basso C, Calkins H, Remme CA, van Veen TAB. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: pathogenesis, pro-arrhythmic remodelling, and novel approaches for risk stratification and therapy. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 116:1571-1584. [PMID: 32246823 PMCID: PMC7526754 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a life-threatening cardiac disease caused by mutations in genes predominantly encoding for desmosomal proteins that lead to alterations in the molecular composition of the intercalated disc. ACM is characterized by progressive replacement of cardiomyocytes by fibrofatty tissue, ventricular dilatation, cardiac dysfunction, and heart failure but mostly dominated by the occurrence of life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). As SCD appears mostly in apparently healthy young individuals, there is a demand for better risk stratification of suspected ACM mutation carriers. Moreover, disease severity, progression, and outcome are highly variable in patients with ACM. In this review, we discuss the aetiology of ACM with a focus on pro-arrhythmic disease mechanisms in the early concealed phase of the disease. We summarize potential new biomarkers which might be useful for risk stratification and prediction of disease course. Finally, we explore novel therapeutic strategies to prevent arrhythmias and SCD in the early stages of ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M van der Voorn
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85060, Utrecht 3508 AB, The Netherlands
| | - Anneline S J M Te Riele
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85060, Utrecht 3508 AB, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina Basso
- Cardiovascular Pathology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua Medical School, Via A. Gabelli, 61 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Hugh Calkins
- Johns Hopkins Hospital, Sheikh Zayed Tower 7125R, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1105AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Toon A B van Veen
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85060, Utrecht 3508 AB, The Netherlands
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Marchal GA, Jouni M, Chiang DY, Pérez-Hernández M, Podliesna S, Yu N, Casini S, Potet F, Veerman CC, Klerk M, Lodder EM, Mengarelli I, Guan K, Vanoye CG, Rothenberg E, Charpentier F, Redon R, George AL, Verkerk AO, Bezzina CR, MacRae CA, Burridge PW, Delmar M, Galjart N, Portero V, Remme CA. Targeting the Microtubule EB1-CLASP2 Complex Modulates Na V1.5 at Intercalated Discs. Circ Res 2021; 129:349-365. [PMID: 34092082 PMCID: PMC8298292 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.120.318643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard A Marchal
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC - location AMC, The Netherlands (G.A.M., S.P., S.C., C.C.V., E.M.L., I.M., A.O.V., C.R.B., V.P., C.A.R.)
| | - Mariam Jouni
- Department of Pharmacology, University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (M.J., F.P., C.G.V., A.L.G., P.W.B.)
| | - David Y Chiang
- Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (D.Y.C., C.A.M.)
| | | | - Svitlana Podliesna
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC - location AMC, The Netherlands (G.A.M., S.P., S.C., C.C.V., E.M.L., I.M., A.O.V., C.R.B., V.P., C.A.R.)
| | - Nuo Yu
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands (N.Y., N.G.)
| | - Simona Casini
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC - location AMC, The Netherlands (G.A.M., S.P., S.C., C.C.V., E.M.L., I.M., A.O.V., C.R.B., V.P., C.A.R.)
| | - Franck Potet
- Department of Pharmacology, University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (M.J., F.P., C.G.V., A.L.G., P.W.B.)
| | - Christiaan C Veerman
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC - location AMC, The Netherlands (G.A.M., S.P., S.C., C.C.V., E.M.L., I.M., A.O.V., C.R.B., V.P., C.A.R.)
| | - Mischa Klerk
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam UMC - location AMC, The Netherlands (M.K., A.O.V.)
| | - Elisabeth M Lodder
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC - location AMC, The Netherlands (G.A.M., S.P., S.C., C.C.V., E.M.L., I.M., A.O.V., C.R.B., V.P., C.A.R.)
| | - Isabella Mengarelli
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC - location AMC, The Netherlands (G.A.M., S.P., S.C., C.C.V., E.M.L., I.M., A.O.V., C.R.B., V.P., C.A.R.)
| | - Kaomei Guan
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany (K.G.)
| | - Carlos G Vanoye
- Department of Pharmacology, University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (M.J., F.P., C.G.V., A.L.G., P.W.B.)
| | - Eli Rothenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology (E.R.), NYU School of Medicine
| | - Flavien Charpentier
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (F.C., R.R., V.P.)
| | - Richard Redon
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (F.C., R.R., V.P.)
| | - Alfred L George
- Department of Pharmacology, University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (M.J., F.P., C.G.V., A.L.G., P.W.B.)
| | - Arie O Verkerk
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC - location AMC, The Netherlands (G.A.M., S.P., S.C., C.C.V., E.M.L., I.M., A.O.V., C.R.B., V.P., C.A.R.)
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam UMC - location AMC, The Netherlands (M.K., A.O.V.)
| | - Connie R Bezzina
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC - location AMC, The Netherlands (G.A.M., S.P., S.C., C.C.V., E.M.L., I.M., A.O.V., C.R.B., V.P., C.A.R.)
| | - Calum A MacRae
- Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (D.Y.C., C.A.M.)
| | - Paul W Burridge
- Department of Pharmacology, University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (M.J., F.P., C.G.V., A.L.G., P.W.B.)
| | - Mario Delmar
- Division of Cardiology (M.P.-H., M.D.), NYU School of Medicine
| | - Niels Galjart
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands (N.Y., N.G.)
| | - Vincent Portero
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC - location AMC, The Netherlands (G.A.M., S.P., S.C., C.C.V., E.M.L., I.M., A.O.V., C.R.B., V.P., C.A.R.)
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (F.C., R.R., V.P.)
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC - location AMC, The Netherlands (G.A.M., S.P., S.C., C.C.V., E.M.L., I.M., A.O.V., C.R.B., V.P., C.A.R.)
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Marsh SR, Williams ZJ, Pridham KJ, Gourdie RG. Peptidic Connexin43 Therapeutics in Cardiac Reparative Medicine. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:52. [PMID: 34063001 PMCID: PMC8147937 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8050052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin (Cx43)-formed channels have been linked to cardiac arrhythmias and diseases of the heart associated with myocardial tissue loss and fibrosis. These pathologies include ischemic heart disease, ischemia-reperfusion injury, heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A number of Cx43 mimetic peptides have been reported as therapeutic candidates for targeting disease processes linked to Cx43, including some that have advanced to clinical testing in humans. These peptides include Cx43 sequences based on the extracellular loop domains (e.g., Gap26, Gap 27, and Peptide5), cytoplasmic-loop domain (Gap19 and L2), and cytoplasmic carboxyl-terminal domain (e.g., JM2, Cx43tat, CycliCX, and the alphaCT family of peptides) of this transmembrane protein. Additionally, RYYN peptides binding to the Cx43 carboxyl-terminus have been described. In this review, we survey preclinical and clinical data available on short mimetic peptides based on, or directly targeting, Cx43, with focus on their potential for treating heart disease. We also discuss problems that have caused reluctance within the pharmaceutical industry to translate peptidic therapeutics to the clinic, even when supporting preclinical data is strong. These issues include those associated with the administration, stability in vivo, and tissue penetration of peptide-based therapeutics. Finally, we discuss novel drug delivery technologies including nanoparticles, exosomes, and other nanovesicular carriers that could transform the clinical and commercial viability of Cx43-targeting peptides in treatment of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other indications requiring oral or parenteral administration. Some of these newly emerging approaches to drug delivery may provide a path to overcoming pitfalls associated with the drugging of peptide therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer R. Marsh
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA; (S.R.M.); (Z.J.W.); (K.J.P.)
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Zachary J. Williams
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA; (S.R.M.); (Z.J.W.); (K.J.P.)
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
- Translational Biology Medicine and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Kevin J. Pridham
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA; (S.R.M.); (Z.J.W.); (K.J.P.)
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Robert G. Gourdie
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA; (S.R.M.); (Z.J.W.); (K.J.P.)
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
- Translational Biology Medicine and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
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Schänzer A, Schumann E, Zengeler D, Gulatz L, Maroli G, Ahting U, Sprengel A, Gräf S, Hahn A, Jux C, Acker T, Fürst DO, Rupp S, Schuld J, van der Ven PFM. The p.Ala2430Val mutation in filamin C causes a "hypertrophic myofibrillar cardiomyopathy". J Muscle Res Cell Motil 2021; 42:381-397. [PMID: 33710525 DOI: 10.1007/s10974-021-09601-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) often leads to heart failure. Mutations in sarcomeric proteins are most frequently the cause of HCM but in many patients the gene defect is not known. Here we report on a young man who was diagnosed with HCM shortly after birth. Whole exome sequencing revealed a mutation in the FLNC gene (c.7289C > T; p.Ala2430Val) that was previously shown to cause aggregation of the mutant protein in transfected cells. Myocardial tissue from patients with this mutation has not been analyzed before and thus, the underlying etiology is not well understood. Myocardial tissue of our patient obtained during myectomy at the age of 23 years was analyzed in detail by histochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, electron microscopy and western blot analysis. Cardiac histology showed a pathology typical for myofibrillar myopathy with myofibril disarray and abnormal protein aggregates containing BAG3, desmin, HSPB5 and filamin C. Analysis of sarcomeric and intercalated disc proteins showed focally reduced expression of the gap junction protein connexin43 and Xin-positive sarcomeric lesions in the cardiomyocytes of our patient. In addition, autophagy pathways were altered with upregulation of LC3-II, WIPI1 and HSPB5, 6, 7 and 8. We conclude that the p.Ala2430Val mutation in FLNC most probably is associated with HCM characterized by abnormal intercalated discs, disarray of myofibrils and aggregates containing Z-disc proteins similar to myofibrillar myopathy, which supports the pathological effect of the mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Schänzer
- Institute of Neuropathology, Justus Liebig University, Arndstr.16, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Elisabeth Schumann
- Institute of Neuropathology, Justus Liebig University, Arndstr.16, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Diana Zengeler
- Center for Genomics and Transcriptomics (CeGat) GmbH, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lisann Gulatz
- Institute of Neuropathology, Justus Liebig University, Arndstr.16, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Giovanni Maroli
- Department of Cardiac Development and Remodeling, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Uwe Ahting
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Anke Sprengel
- Pediatric Heart Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sabine Gräf
- Institute of Neuropathology, Justus Liebig University, Arndstr.16, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Hahn
- Department of Child Neurology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christian Jux
- Pediatric Heart Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Till Acker
- Institute of Neuropathology, Justus Liebig University, Arndstr.16, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dieter O Fürst
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Rupp
- Pediatric Heart Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Julia Schuld
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter F M van der Ven
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Kotadia I, Whitaker J, Roney C, Niederer S, O’Neill M, Bishop M, Wright M. Anisotropic Cardiac Conduction. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2020; 9:202-210. [PMID: 33437488 PMCID: PMC7788398 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2020.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Anisotropy is the property of directional dependence. In cardiac tissue, conduction velocity is anisotropic and its orientation is determined by myocyte direction. Cell shape and size, excitability, myocardial fibrosis, gap junction distribution and function are all considered to contribute to anisotropic conduction. In disease states, anisotropic conduction may be enhanced, and is implicated, in the genesis of pathological arrhythmias. The principal mechanism responsible for enhanced anisotropy in disease remains uncertain. Possible contributors include changes in cellular excitability, changes in gap junction distribution or function and cellular uncoupling through interstitial fibrosis. It has recently been demonstrated that myocyte orientation may be identified using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging in explanted hearts, and multisite pacing protocols have been proposed to estimate myocyte orientation and anisotropic conduction in vivo. These tools have the potential to contribute to the understanding of the role of myocyte disarray and anisotropic conduction in arrhythmic states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irum Kotadia
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College, London, UK
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - John Whitaker
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College, London, UK
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Caroline Roney
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College, London, UK
| | - Steven Niederer
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College, London, UK
| | - Mark O’Neill
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College, London, UK
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Martin Bishop
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College, London, UK
| | - Matthew Wright
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College, London, UK
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Marchal GA, Verkerk AO, Mohan RA, Wolswinkel R, Boukens BJD, Remme CA. The sodium channel Na V 1.5 impacts on early murine embryonic cardiac development, structure and function in a non-electrogenic manner. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2020; 230:e13493. [PMID: 32386467 PMCID: PMC7539970 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIM The voltage-gated sodium channel NaV 1.5, encoded by SCN5A, is essential for cardiac excitability and ensures proper electrical conduction. Early embryonic death has been observed in several murine models carrying homozygous Scn5amutations. We investigated when sodium current (INa ) becomes functionally relevant in the murine embryonic heart and how Scn5a/NaV 1.5 dysfunction impacts on cardiac development. METHODS Involvement of NaV 1.5-generated INa in murine cardiac electrical function was assessed by optical mapping in wild type (WT) embryos (embryonic day (E)9.5 and E10.5) in the absence and presence of the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (30 µmol/L). INa was assessed by patch-clamp analysis in cardiomyocytes isolated from WT embryos (E9.5-17.5). In addition, cardiac morphology and electrical function was assessed in Scn5a-1798insD-/- embryos (E9.5-10.5) and their WT littermates. RESULTS In WT embryos, tetrodotoxin did not affect cardiac activation at E9.5, but slowed activation at E10.5. Accordingly, patch-clamp measurements revealed that INa was virtually absent at E9.5 but robustly present at E10.5. Scn5a-1798insD-/- embryos died in utero around E10.5, displaying severely affected cardiac activation and morphology. Strikingly, altered ventricular activation was observed in Scn5a-1798insD-/- E9.5 embryos before the onset of INa , in addition to reduced cardiac tissue volume compared to WT littermates. CONCLUSION We here demonstrate that NaV 1.5 is involved in cardiac electrical function from E10.5 onwards. Scn5a-1798insD-/- embryos displayed cardiac structural abnormalities at E9.5, indicating that NaV 1.5 dysfunction impacts on embryonic cardiac development in a non-electrogenic manner. These findings are potentially relevant for understanding structural defects observed in relation to NaV 1.5 dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard A. Marchal
- Department of Experimental Cardiology Amsterdam UMC (location Academic Medical Center) Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - Arie O. Verkerk
- Department of Experimental Cardiology Amsterdam UMC (location Academic Medical Center) Amsterdam the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Biology Amsterdam UMC (location Academic Medical Center) Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - Rajiv A. Mohan
- Department of Experimental Cardiology Amsterdam UMC (location Academic Medical Center) Amsterdam the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Biology Amsterdam UMC (location Academic Medical Center) Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - Rianne Wolswinkel
- Department of Experimental Cardiology Amsterdam UMC (location Academic Medical Center) Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan J. D. Boukens
- Department of Medical Biology Amsterdam UMC (location Academic Medical Center) Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- Department of Experimental Cardiology Amsterdam UMC (location Academic Medical Center) Amsterdam the Netherlands
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Blok M, Boukens BJ. Mechanisms of Arrhythmias in the Brugada Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197051. [PMID: 32992720 PMCID: PMC7582368 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmias in Brugada syndrome patients originate in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Over the past few decades, the characterization of the unique anatomy and electrophysiology of the RVOT has revealed the arrhythmogenic nature of this region. However, the mechanisms that drive arrhythmias in Brugada syndrome patients remain debated as well as the exact site of their occurrence in the RVOT. Identifying the site of origin and mechanism of Brugada syndrome would greatly benefit the development of mechanism-driven treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel Blok
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan J. Boukens
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-(0)20-566-4659
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Established and Emerging Mechanisms in the Pathogenesis of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: A Multifaceted Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176320. [PMID: 32878278 PMCID: PMC7503882 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a heritable myocardial disease that manifests with cardiac arrhythmias, syncope, sudden cardiac death, and heart failure in the advanced stages. The pathological hallmark of ACM is a gradual replacement of the myocardium by fibroadiposis, which typically starts from the epicardium. Molecular genetic studies have identified causal mutations predominantly in genes encoding for desmosomal proteins; however, non-desmosomal causal mutations have also been described, including genes coding for nuclear proteins, cytoskeleton componentsand proteins involved in excitation-contraction coupling. Despite the poor prognosis, currently available treatments can only partially control symptoms and to date there is no effective therapy for ACM. Inhibition of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway and activation of the Hippo and the TGF-β pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ACM. Yet, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of the disease and the cell source of fibroadiposis remains incomplete. Elucidation of the pathogenesis of the disease could facilitate targeted approaches for treatment. In this manuscript we will provide a comprehensive review of the proposed molecular and cellular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of ACM, including the emerging evidence on abnormal calcium homeostasis and inflammatory/autoimmune response. Moreover, we will propose novel hypothesis about the role of epicardial cells and paracrine factors in the development of the phenotype. Finally, we will discuss potential innovative therapeutic approaches based on the growing knowledge in the field.
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Scheirlynck E, Chivulescu M, Lie ØH, Motoc A, Koulalis J, de Asmundis C, Sieira J, Chierchia GB, Brugada P, Cosyns B, Edvardsen T, Droogmans S, Haugaa KH. Worse Prognosis in Brugada Syndrome Patients With Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Features. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2020; 6:1353-1363. [PMID: 33121663 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2020.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess the presence of echocardiographic and electrocardiographic similarities in patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) and the prevalence and prognostic value of AC structural/electrical features in patients with BrS. BACKGROUND BrS and AC are genetic cardiac diseases with high risk for sudden cardiac death. Although BrS and AC display different features, previous reports suggest a phenotypic overlap. METHODS We acquired clinical data, electrocardiogram, and transthoracic echocardiography in patients with BrS and AC. We assessed the presence of AC diagnostic criteria according to the 2010 AC task force criteria for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), fractional area change, depolarization, and repolarization in the patients with BrS. We compared arrhythmic outcome in BrS patients with and without AC structural/electrical criteria. RESULTS A total of 116 BrS and 141 AC patients were included. AC electrical features were present in 28 (24%) BrS patients and structural features in 97 (84%) BrS patients. BrS patients with an RVOT or depolarization AC criterion showed a trend towards worse severe arrhythmia-free survival compared to BrS patients without (p = 0.05). The criterion for RVOT dilation showed high sensitivity and improved detection of arrhythmic BrS patients when added to type 1 electrocardiogram pattern and syncope (area under the curve 0.73 [95% confidence interval: 0.59 to 0.87] vs. area under the curve 0.79 [95% confidence interval: 0.69 to 0.90]); p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS In this large cohort comparison, Brugada syndrome (BrS) and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy patients had phenotypic overlap. The presence of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy diagnostic criteria in BrS patients was associated with a trend towards higher arrhythmic risk. The right ventricular outflow tract dilation criterion improved detection of arrhythmic BrS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Scheirlynck
- Centrum voor Hart-en Vaatziekten, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Monica Chivulescu
- Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet-Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Øyvind H Lie
- Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet-Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andreea Motoc
- Centrum voor Hart-en Vaatziekten, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jorgos Koulalis
- Centrum voor Hart-en Vaatziekten, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carlo de Asmundis
- Heart Rhythm Management Center, Centrum voor Hart-en Vaatziekten Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel -Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Postgraduate program in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, European Reference Network GUARD-Heart, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Juan Sieira
- Heart Rhythm Management Center, Centrum voor Hart-en Vaatziekten Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel -Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Postgraduate program in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, European Reference Network GUARD-Heart, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gian-Battista Chierchia
- Heart Rhythm Management Center, Centrum voor Hart-en Vaatziekten Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel -Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Postgraduate program in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, European Reference Network GUARD-Heart, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pedro Brugada
- Heart Rhythm Management Center, Centrum voor Hart-en Vaatziekten Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel -Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Postgraduate program in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, European Reference Network GUARD-Heart, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bernard Cosyns
- Centrum voor Hart-en Vaatziekten, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thor Edvardsen
- Heart Rhythm Management Center, Centrum voor Hart-en Vaatziekten Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel -Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Postgraduate program in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, European Reference Network GUARD-Heart, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Steven Droogmans
- Centrum voor Hart-en Vaatziekten, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kristina H Haugaa
- Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet-Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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Gao S, Chen SN, Di Nardo C, Lombardi R. Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy and Skeletal Muscle Dystrophies: Shared Histopathological Features and Pathogenic Mechanisms. Front Physiol 2020; 11:834. [PMID: 32848821 PMCID: PMC7406798 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a heritable cardiac disease characterized by fibrotic or fibrofatty myocardial replacement, associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Originally described as a disease of the right ventricle, ACM is currently recognized as a biventricular entity, due to the increasing numbers of reports of predominant left ventricular or biventricular involvement. Research over the last 20 years has significantly advanced our knowledge of the etiology and pathogenesis of ACM. Several etiopathogenetic theories have been proposed; among them, the most attractive one is the dystrophic theory, based on the observation of similar histopathological features between ACM and skeletal muscle dystrophies (SMDs), such as progressive muscular degeneration, inflammation, and tissue replacement by fatty and fibrous tissue. This review will describe the pathophysiological and molecular similarities shared by ACM with SMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Gao
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Suet Nee Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Carlo Di Nardo
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaella Lombardi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States.,Division of Cardiology, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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40
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Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: An in-depth look at molecular mechanisms and clinical correlates. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2020; 31:395-402. [PMID: 32738304 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2020.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a familial disease, with approximately 60% of patients displaying a pathogenic variant. The majority of genes linked to ACM code for components of the desmosome: plakophilin-2 (PKP2), desmoglein-2 (DSG2) and desmocollin-2 (DSC2), plakoglobin (JUP) and desmoplakin (DSP). Genetic variants involving the desmosomes are known to cause dysfunction of cell-to-cell adhesions and intercellular gap junctions. In turn, this may result in failure to mechanically hold together the cardiomyocytes, fibrofatty myocardial replacement, cardiac conduction delay and ventricular arrhythmias. It is becoming clearer that pathogenic variants in desmosomal genes such as PKP2 are not only responsible for a mechanical dysfunction of the intercalated disc (ID), but are also the cause of various pro-arrhythmic mechanisms. In this review, we discuss in detail the different molecular interactions associated with desmosomal pathogenic variants, and their contribution to various ACM phenotypes.
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41
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Mavroidis M, Athanasiadis NC, Rigas P, Kostavasili I, Kloukina I, Te Rijdt WP, Kavantzas N, Chaniotis D, van Tintelen JP, Skaliora I, Davos CH. Desmin is essential for the structure and function of the sinoatrial node: implications for increased arrhythmogenesis. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020; 319:H557-H570. [PMID: 32678709 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00594.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Our objective was to investigate the effect of desmin depletion on the structure and function of the sinoatrial pacemaker complex (SANcl) and its implication in arrhythmogenesis. Analysis of mice and humans (SANcl) indicated that the sinoatrial node exhibits high amounts of desmin, desmoplakin, N-cadherin, and β-catenin in structures we call "lateral intercalated disks" connecting myocytes side by side. Examination of the SANcl from an arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy model, desmin-deficient (Des-/-) mouse, by immunofluorescence, ultrastructural, and Western blot analysis showed that the number of these lateral intercalated disks was diminished. Also, electrophysiological recordings of the isolated compact sinoatrial node revealed increased pacemaker systolic potential and higher diastolic depolarization rate compared with wild-type mice. Prolonged interatrial conduction expressed as a longer P wave duration was also observed in Des-/- mice. Upregulation of mRNA levels of both T-type Ca2+ current channels, Cav3.1 and Cav3.2, in the Des-/- myocardium (1.8- and 2.3-fold, respectively) and a 1.9-fold reduction of funny hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated K+ channel 1 could underlie these functional differences. To investigate arrhythmogenicity, electrocardiographic analysis of Des-deficient mice revealed a major increase in supraventricular and ventricular ectopic beats compared with wild-type mice. Heart rate variability analysis indicated a sympathetic predominance in Des-/- mice, which may further contribute to arrhythmogenicity. In conclusion, our results indicate that desmin elimination leads to structural and functional abnormalities of the SANcl. These alterations may be enhanced by the sympathetic component of the cardiac autonomic nervous system, which is predominant in the desmin-deficient heart, thus leading to increased arrhythmogenesis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The sinoatrial node exhibits high amounts of desmin and desmoplakin in structures we call "lateral intercalated disks," connecting side-by-side adjacent cardiomyocytes. These structures are diminished in desmin-deficient mouse models. Misregulation of T-type Ca2+ current and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated K+ channel 1 was proved along with prolonged interatrial conduction and cardiac autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manolis Mavroidis
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos C Athanasiadis
- Center of Clinical Research and Experimental Surgery, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Pavlos Rigas
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioanna Kostavasili
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ismini Kloukina
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Wouter P Te Rijdt
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nikolaos Kavantzas
- First Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Chaniotis
- Center of Clinical Research and Experimental Surgery, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - J Peter van Tintelen
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Irini Skaliora
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Constantinos H Davos
- Center of Clinical Research and Experimental Surgery, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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DeWitt ES, Chandler SF, Hylind RJ, Beausejour Ladouceur V, Blume ED, VanderPluym C, Powell AJ, Fynn-Thompson F, Roberts AE, Sanders SP, Bezzerides V, Lakdawala NK, MacRae CA, Abrams DJ. Phenotypic Manifestations of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy in Children and Adolescents. J Am Coll Cardiol 2020; 74:346-358. [PMID: 31319917 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a variably penetrant disease increasingly identified in young patients. OBJECTIVES This study sought to describe the diverse phenotype, genotype, and outcomes in pediatric and adolescent patients. METHODS Records from 1999 to 2016 were reviewed for individuals age <21 years with a consistent personal or family history. Patients were categorized by right ventricular (RV), left dominant (LD), or biventricular subtypes using 2010 Task Force Criteria or proposed features of LD disease, encompassing electrocardiographic, structural, histological, and arrhythmic characteristics. Genetic variants classified as pathogenic and/or likely pathogenic by 2015 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics criteria in recognized disease-associated genes were included. RESULTS Manifest disease was evident in 32 patients (age 15.1 ± 3.8 years), of whom 22 were probands, including 16 RV, 7 LD, and 9 biventricular ACM. Nondiagnostic features were seen in 5 of 15 family members. RV disease was associated with cardiac arrest and ventricular tachycardia (p = 0.02) and prevalence of PKP2 variants (p < 0.01), whereas biventricular disease was associated with a younger age of onset (p = 0.02). LD ACM was associated with variants in DSP and LMNA, and biventricular ACM with more a diverse etiology in desmosomal genes. Cardiac arrest was observed in 5 probands (age 15.3 ± 1.9 years) and ventricular tachycardia in 10 (age 16.6 ± 2.7 years), 6 probands, and 4 family members. Features suggestive of myocardial inflammation were seen in 6 patients, with ventricular tachycardia and/or cardiac arrest in 3 patients. Cardiac transplantation was performed in 10 patients. There were no deaths. In RV and biventricular disease, electrocardiographic preceded imaging features, whereas the reverse was seen in LD disease. CONCLUSIONS ACM in the young has highly varied phenotypic expression incorporating life-threatening arrhythmia, heart failure, and myocardial inflammation. Increased awareness of early onset, aggressive disease has important implications for patient management and familial screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth S DeWitt
- Inherited Cardiac Arrhythmia Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephanie F Chandler
- Inherited Cardiac Arrhythmia Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Robyn J Hylind
- Inherited Cardiac Arrhythmia Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Virginie Beausejour Ladouceur
- Inherited Cardiac Arrhythmia Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth D Blume
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christina VanderPluym
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrew J Powell
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Francis Fynn-Thompson
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amy E Roberts
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephen P Sanders
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Vassilios Bezzerides
- Inherited Cardiac Arrhythmia Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Neal K Lakdawala
- Cardiovascular Genetics Program, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Calum A MacRae
- Cardiovascular Genetics Program, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dominic J Abrams
- Inherited Cardiac Arrhythmia Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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43
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Nowak MB, Greer-Short A, Wan X, Wu X, Deschênes I, Weinberg SH, Poelzing S. Intercellular Sodium Regulates Repolarization in Cardiac Tissue with Sodium Channel Gain of Function. Biophys J 2020; 118:2829-2843. [PMID: 32402243 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In cardiac myocytes, action potentials are initiated by an influx of sodium (Na+) ions via voltage-gated Na+ channels. Na+ channel gain of function (GOF), arising in both inherited conditions associated with mutation in the gene encoding the Na+ channel and acquired conditions associated with heart failure, ischemia, and atrial fibrillation, enhance Na+ influx, generating a late Na+ current that prolongs action potential duration (APD) and triggering proarrhythmic early afterdepolarizations (EADs). Recent studies have shown that Na+ channels are highly clustered at the myocyte intercalated disk, facilitating formation of Na+ nanodomains in the intercellular cleft between cells. Simulations from our group have recently predicted that narrowing the width of the intercellular cleft can suppress APD prolongation and EADs in the presence of Na+ channel mutations because of increased intercellular cleft Na+ ion depletion. In this study, we investigate the effects of modulating multiple extracellular spaces, specifically the intercellular cleft and bulk interstitial space, in a novel computational model and experimentally via osmotic agents albumin, dextran 70, and mannitol. We perform optical mapping and transmission electron microscopy in a drug-induced (sea anemone toxin, ATXII) Na+ channel GOF isolated heart model and modulate extracellular spaces via osmotic agents. Single-cell patch-clamp experiments confirmed that the osmotic agents individually do not enhance late Na+ current. Both experiments and simulations are consistent with the conclusion that intercellular cleft narrowing or expansion regulates APD prolongation; in contrast, modulating the bulk interstitial space has negligible effects on repolarization. Thus, we predict that intercellular cleft Na+ nanodomain formation and collapse critically regulates cardiac repolarization in the setting of Na+ channel GOF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison B Nowak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Amara Greer-Short
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Xiaoping Wan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Xiaobo Wu
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia; Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Isabelle Deschênes
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Seth H Weinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia.
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Shaboodien G, Spracklen TF, Kamuli S, Ndibangwi P, Van Niekerk C, Ntusi NAB. Genetics of inherited cardiomyopathies in Africa. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther 2020; 10:262-278. [PMID: 32420109 DOI: 10.21037/cdt.2019.10.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is rising disproportionately in comparison to the rest of the world, affecting urban, semi-urban and rural dwellers alike. NCDs are predicted to surpass infections like human immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis and malaria as the leading cause of mortality in SSA over the next decade. Heart failure (HF) is the dominant form of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and a leading cause of NCD in SSA. The main causes of HF in SSA are hypertension, cardiomyopathies, rheumatic heart disease, pericardial disease, and to a lesser extent, coronary heart disease. Of these, the cardiomyopathies deserve greater attention because of the relatively poor understanding of mechanisms of disease, poor outcomes and the disproportionate impact they have on young, economically active individuals. Morphofunctionally, cardiomyopathies are classified as dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive and arrhythmogenic; regardless of classification, at least half of these are inherited forms of CVD. In this review, we summarise all studies that have investigated the incidence of cardiomyopathy across Africa, with a focus on the inherited cardiomyopathies. We also review data on the molecular genetic underpinnings of cardiomyopathy in Africa, where there is a striking lack of studies reporting on the genetics of cardiomyopathy. We highlight the impact that genetic testing, through candidate gene screening, association studies and next generation sequencing technologies such as whole exome sequencing and targeted resequencing has had on the understanding of cardiomyopathy in Africa. Finally, we emphasise the need for future studies to fill large gaps in our knowledge in relation to the genetics of inherited cardiomyopathies in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gasnat Shaboodien
- Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Timothy F Spracklen
- Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stephen Kamuli
- Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Polycarp Ndibangwi
- Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Carla Van Niekerk
- Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ntobeko A B Ntusi
- Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Cape Universities Body Imaging Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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45
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AlTurki A, Alotaibi B, Joza J, Proietti R. Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy/Dysplasia: Mechanisms and Management . RESEARCH REPORTS IN CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2147/rrcc.s198185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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46
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Jaouadi H, Bouyacoub Y, Chabrak S, Kraoua L, Zaroui A, Elouej S, Nagara M, Dallali H, Delague V, Levy N, Benkhalifa R, Mechmeche R, Zaffran S, Abdelhak S. Multiallelic rare variants support an oligogenic origin of sudden cardiac death in the young. Herz 2020; 46:94-102. [PMID: 31970460 DOI: 10.1007/s00059-019-04883-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Unexplained sudden death in the young is cardiovascular in most cases. Structural and conduction defects in cardiac-related genes can conspire to underlie sudden cardiac death. Here we report a clinical investigation and an extensive genetic assessment of a Tunisian family with sudden cardiac death in young members. In order to identify the family-genetic basis of sudden cardiac death, we performed Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), read depth copy-number-variation (CNV) screening and segregation analysis. We identify 6 ultra-rare pathogenic heterozygous variants in OBSCN, RYR2, DSC2, AKAP9, CACNA1C and RBM20 genes, and one homozygous splicing variant in TECRL gene consistent with an oligogenic model of inheritance. CNV analysis did not reveal any causative CNV consistent with the family phenotype. Overall, our results are highly suggestive for a cumulative effect of heterozygous missense variants as disease causation and to account for a greater disease severity among offspring. Our study further confirms the complexity of the inheritance of sudden cardiac death and highlights the utility of family-based WES and segregation analysis in the identification of family specific mutations within different cardiac genes pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hager Jaouadi
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Laboratory LR16IPT05, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74-1002, Tunis, belvédère, Tunisia.
| | - Yosra Bouyacoub
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Laboratory LR16IPT05, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74-1002, Tunis, belvédère, Tunisia
| | - Sonia Chabrak
- Department of Cardiology, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Lilia Kraoua
- Department of Congenital and Hereditary Diseases, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Amira Zaroui
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sahar Elouej
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marseille, France
| | - Majdi Nagara
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Laboratory LR16IPT05, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74-1002, Tunis, belvédère, Tunisia
| | - Hamza Dallali
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Laboratory LR16IPT05, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74-1002, Tunis, belvédère, Tunisia
| | - Valérie Delague
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Levy
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marseille, France
| | - Rym Benkhalifa
- Venoms and Therapeutic Biomolecules Laboratory LR16IPT08, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Rachid Mechmeche
- Department of Cardiology, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Stéphane Zaffran
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marseille, France
| | - Sonia Abdelhak
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Laboratory LR16IPT05, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74-1002, Tunis, belvédère, Tunisia
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Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disorder characterized by the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias, myocardial dysfunction and fibrofatty replacement of myocardial tissue. Mutations in genes that encode components of desmosomes, the adhesive junctions that connect cardiomyocytes, are the predominant cause of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and can be identified in about half of patients with the condition. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to myocardial destruction, remodelling and arrhythmic predisposition remain poorly understood. Through the development of animal, induced pluripotent stem cell and other models of disease, advances in our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy over the past decade have brought several signalling pathways into focus. These pathways include canonical and non-canonical WNT signalling, the Hippo-Yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway and transforming growth factor-β signalling. These studies have begun to identify potential therapeutic targets whose modulation has shown promise in preclinical models. In this Review, we summarize and discuss the reported molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.
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48
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van Opbergen CJM, den Braven L, Delmar M, van Veen TAB. Mitochondrial Dysfunction as Substrate for Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: A Search for New Disease Mechanisms. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1496. [PMID: 31920701 PMCID: PMC6914828 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a familial heart disease, associated with ventricular arrhythmias, fibrofatty replacement of the myocardial mass and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Malignant ventricular arrhythmias and SCD largely occur in the pre-clinical phase of the disease, before overt structural changes occur. To prevent or interfere with ACM disease progression, more insight in mechanisms related to electrical instability are needed. Currently, numerous studies are focused on the link between cardiac arrhythmias and metabolic disease. In line with that, a potential role of mitochondrial dysfunction in ACM pathology is unclear and mitochondrial biology in the ACM heart remains understudied. In this review, we explore mitochondrial dysfunction in relation to arrhythmogenesis, and postulate a link to typical hallmarks of ACM. Mitochondrial dysfunction depletes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and increases levels of reactive oxygen species in the heart. Both metabolic changes affect cardiac ion channel gating, electrical conduction, intracellular calcium handling, and fibrosis formation; all well-known aspects of ACM pathophysiology. ATP-mediated structural remodeling, apoptosis, and mitochondria-related alterations have already been shown in models of PKP2 dysfunction. Yet, the limited amount of experimental evidence in ACM models makes it difficult to determine whether mitochondrial dysfunction indeed precedes and/or accompanies ACM pathogenesis. Nevertheless, current experimental ACM models can be very useful in unraveling ACM-related mitochondrial biology and in testing potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal J M van Opbergen
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Lyanne den Braven
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mario Delmar
- Division of Cardiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Toon A B van Veen
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Cohen-Barak E, Godsel LM, Koetsier JL, Hegazy M, Kushnir-Grinbaum D, Hammad H, Danial-Farran N, Harmon R, Khayat M, Bochner R, Peled A, Rozenblat M, Krausz J, Sarig O, Johnson JL, Ziv M, Shalev SA, Sprecher E, Green KJ. The Role of Desmoglein 1 in Gap Junction Turnover Revealed through the Study of SAM Syndrome. J Invest Dermatol 2019; 140:556-567.e9. [PMID: 31465738 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.08.433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
An effective epidermal barrier requires structural and functional integration of adherens junctions, tight junctions, gap junctions (GJ), and desmosomes. Desmosomes govern epidermal integrity while GJs facilitate small molecule transfer across cell membranes. Some patients with severe dermatitis, multiple allergies, and metabolic wasting (SAM) syndrome, caused by biallelic desmoglein 1 (DSG1) mutations, exhibit skin lesions reminiscent of erythrokeratodermia variabilis, caused by mutations in connexin (Cx) genes. We, therefore, examined whether SAM syndrome-causing DSG1 mutations interfere with Cx expression and GJ function. Lesional skin biopsies from SAM syndrome patients (n = 7) revealed decreased Dsg1 and Cx43 plasma membrane localization compared with control and nonlesional skin. Cultured keratinocytes and organotypic skin equivalents depleted of Dsg1 exhibited reduced Cx43 expression, rescued upon re-introduction of wild-type Dsg1, but not Dsg1 constructs modeling SAM syndrome-causing mutations. Ectopic Dsg1 expression increased cell-cell dye transfer, which Cx43 silencing inhibited, suggesting that Dsg1 promotes GJ function through Cx43. As GJA1 gene expression was not decreased upon Dsg1 loss, we hypothesized that Cx43 reduction was due to enhanced protein degradation. Supporting this, PKC-dependent Cx43 S368 phosphorylation, which signals Cx43 turnover, increased after Dsg1 depletion, while lysosomal inhibition restored Cx43 levels. These data reveal a role for Dsg1 in regulating epidermal Cx43 turnover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eran Cohen-Barak
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Department of Dermatology, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel; Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Lisa M Godsel
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jennifer L Koetsier
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Marihan Hegazy
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Helwe Hammad
- Department of Dermatology, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | | | - Robert Harmon
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Morad Khayat
- The Genetic Institute, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Ron Bochner
- Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Alon Peled
- Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Human Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mati Rozenblat
- Department of Dermatology, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Judit Krausz
- Department of Pathology, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Ofer Sarig
- Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jodi L Johnson
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Michael Ziv
- Department of Dermatology, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Stavit A Shalev
- Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel; The Genetic Institute, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Eli Sprecher
- Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Human Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Kathleen J Green
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Cerrone M, Remme CA, Tadros R, Bezzina CR, Delmar M. Beyond the One Gene-One Disease Paradigm: Complex Genetics and Pleiotropy in Inheritable Cardiac Disorders. Circulation 2019; 140:595-610. [PMID: 31403841 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.118.035954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Inheritable cardiac disorders, which may be associated with cardiomyopathic changes, are often associated with increased risk of sudden death in the young. Early linkage analysis studies in Mendelian forms of these diseases, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and long-QT syndrome, uncovered large-effect genetic variants that contribute to the phenotype. In more recent years, through genotype-phenotype studies and methodological advances in genetics, it has become evident that most inheritable cardiac disorders are not monogenic but, rather, have a complex genetic basis wherein multiple genetic variants contribute (oligogenic or polygenic inheritance). Conversely, studies on genes underlying these disorders uncovered pleiotropic effects, with a single gene affecting multiple and apparently unrelated phenotypes. In this review, we explore these 2 phenomena: on the one hand, the evidence that variants in multiple genes converge to generate one clinical phenotype, and, on the other, the evidence that variants in one gene can lead to apparently unrelated phenotypes. Although multiple conditions are addressed to illustrate these concepts, the experience obtained in the study of long-QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, and in the study of functions related to SCN5A (the gene coding for the α-subunit of the most abundant sodium channel in the heart) and PKP2 (the gene coding for the desmosomal protein plakophilin-2), as well, is discussed in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Cerrone
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology (M.C., M.D.), NYU School of Medicine, New York.,Inherited Arrhythmias Clinic and Heart Rhythm Center, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology (M.C.), NYU School of Medicine, New York
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- Inherited Arrhythmias Clinic and Heart Rhythm Center, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology (M.C.), NYU School of Medicine, New York
| | - Rafik Tadros
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, AMC Heart Center, The Netherlands (C.A.R., C.R.B.)
| | - Connie R Bezzina
- Inherited Arrhythmias Clinic and Heart Rhythm Center, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology (M.C.), NYU School of Medicine, New York
| | - Mario Delmar
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology (M.C., M.D.), NYU School of Medicine, New York
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