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Yang D, Jian Z, Tang C, Chen Z, Zhou Z, Zheng L, Peng X. Zebrafish Congenital Heart Disease Models: Opportunities and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5943. [PMID: 38892128 PMCID: PMC11172925 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are common human birth defects. Genetic mutations potentially cause the exhibition of various pathological phenotypes associated with CHDs, occurring alone or as part of certain syndromes. Zebrafish, a model organism with a strong molecular conservation similar to humans, is commonly used in studies on cardiovascular diseases owing to its advantageous features, such as a similarity to human electrophysiology, transparent embryos and larvae for observation, and suitability for forward and reverse genetics technology, to create various economical and easily controlled zebrafish CHD models. In this review, we outline the pros and cons of zebrafish CHD models created by genetic mutations associated with single defects and syndromes and the underlying pathogenic mechanism of CHDs discovered in these models. The challenges of zebrafish CHD models generated through gene editing are also discussed, since the cardiac phenotypes resulting from a single-candidate pathological gene mutation in zebrafish might not mirror the corresponding human phenotypes. The comprehensive review of these zebrafish CHD models will facilitate the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of CHDs and offer new opportunities for their treatments and intervention strategies.
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Mfarej MG, Hyland CA, Sanchez AC, Falk MM, Iovine MK, Skibbens RV. Cohesin: an emerging master regulator at the heart of cardiac development. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:rs2. [PMID: 36947206 PMCID: PMC10162415 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-12-0557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cohesins are ATPase complexes that play central roles in cellular processes such as chromosome division, DNA repair, and gene expression. Cohesinopathies arise from mutations in cohesin proteins or cohesin complex regulators and encompass a family of related developmental disorders that present with a range of severe birth defects, affect many different physiological systems, and often lead to embryonic fatality. Treatments for cohesinopathies are limited, in large part due to the lack of understanding of cohesin biology. Thus, characterizing the signaling networks that lie upstream and downstream of cohesin-dependent pathways remains clinically relevant. Here, we highlight alterations in cohesins and cohesin regulators that result in cohesinopathies, with a focus on cardiac defects. In addition, we suggest a novel and more unifying view regarding the mechanisms through which cohesinopathy-based heart defects may arise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G. Mfarej
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
| | - Caitlin A. Hyland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
| | - Annie C. Sanchez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
| | - Matthias M. Falk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
| | - M. Kathryn Iovine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
| | - Robert V. Skibbens
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
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Halabi R, Cechmanek PB, Hehr CL, McFarlane S. Semaphorin3f as a cardiomyocyte derived regulator of heart chamber development. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:126. [PMID: 35986301 PMCID: PMC9389736 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00874-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background During development a pool of precursors form a heart with atrial and ventricular chambers that exhibit distinct transcriptional and electrophysiological properties. Normal development of these chambers is essential for full term survival of the fetus, and deviations result in congenital heart defects. The large number of genes that may cause congenital heart defects when mutated, and the genetic variability and penetrance of the ensuing phenotypes, reveals a need to understand the molecular mechanisms that allow for the formation of chamber-specific cardiomyocyte differentiation. Methods We used in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and functional analyses to identify the consequences of the loss of the secreted semaphorin, Sema3fb, in the development of the zebrafish heart by using two sema3fb CRISPR mutant alleles. Results We find that in the developing zebrafish heart sema3fb mRNA is expressed by all cardiomyocytes, whereas mRNA for a known receptor Plexina3 (Plxna3) is expressed preferentially by ventricular cardiomyocytes. In sema3fb CRISPR zebrafish mutants, heart chamber development is impaired; the atria and ventricles of mutants are smaller in size than their wild type siblings, apparently because of differences in cell size and not cell numbers. Analysis of chamber differentiation indicates defects in chamber specific gene expression at the border between the ventricular and atrial chambers, with spillage of ventricular chamber genes into the atrium, and vice versa, and a failure to restrict specialized cardiomyocyte markers to the atrioventricular canal (AVC). The hypoplastic heart chambers are associated with decreased cardiac output and heart edema. Conclusions Based on our data we propose a model whereby cardiomyocytes secrete a Sema cue that, because of spatially restricted expression of the receptor, signals in a ventricular chamber-specific manner to establish a distinct border between atrial and ventricular chambers that is important to produce a fully functional heart. Video abstract
Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-022-00874-8.
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Genome sequencing in families with congenital limb malformations. Hum Genet 2021; 140:1229-1239. [PMID: 34159400 PMCID: PMC8263393 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02295-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The extensive clinical and genetic heterogeneity of congenital limb malformation calls for comprehensive genome-wide analysis of genetic variation. Genome sequencing (GS) has the potential to identify all genetic variants. Here we aim to determine the diagnostic potential of GS as a comprehensive one-test-for-all strategy in a cohort of undiagnosed patients with congenital limb malformations. We collected 69 cases (64 trios, 1 duo, 5 singletons) with congenital limb malformations with no molecular diagnosis after standard clinical genetic testing and performed genome sequencing. We also developed a framework to identify potential noncoding pathogenic variants. We identified likely pathogenic/disease-associated variants in 12 cases (17.4%) including four in known disease genes, and one repeat expansion in HOXD13. In three unrelated cases with ectrodactyly, we identified likely pathogenic variants in UBA2, establishing it as a novel disease gene. In addition, we found two complex structural variants (3%). We also identified likely causative variants in three novel high confidence candidate genes. We were not able to identify any noncoding variants. GS is a powerful strategy to identify all types of genomic variants associated with congenital limb malformation, including repeat expansions and complex structural variants missed by standard diagnostic approaches. In this cohort, no causative noncoding SNVs could be identified.
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Cardiac Neural Crest Cells: Their Rhombomeric Specification, Migration, and Association with Heart and Great Vessel Anomalies. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 41:403-429. [PMID: 32405705 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00863-w] [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] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Outflow tract abnormalities are the most frequent congenital heart defects. These are due to the absence or dysfunction of the two main cell types, i.e., neural crest cells and secondary heart field cells that migrate in opposite directions at the same stage of development. These cells directly govern aortic arch patterning and development, ascending aorta dilatation, semi-valvular and coronary artery development, aortopulmonary septation abnormalities, persistence of the ductus arteriosus, trunk and proximal pulmonary arteries, sub-valvular conal ventricular septal/rotational defects, and non-compaction of the left ventricle. In some cases, depending on the functional defects of these cells, additional malformations are found in the expected spatial migratory area of the cells, namely in the pharyngeal arch derivatives and cervico-facial structures. Associated non-cardiovascular anomalies are often underestimated, since the multipotency and functional alteration of these cells can result in the modification of multiple neural, epidermal, and cervical structures at different levels. In most cases, patients do not display the full phenotype of abnormalities, but congenital cardiac defects involving the ventricular outflow tract, ascending aorta, aortic arch and supra-aortic trunks should be considered as markers for possible impaired function of these cells. Neural crest cells should not be considered as a unique cell population but on the basis of their cervical rhombomere origins R3-R5 or R6-R7-R8 and specific migration patterns: R3-R4 towards arch II, R5-R6 arch III and R7-R8 arch IV and VI. A better understanding of their development may lead to the discovery of unknown associated abnormalities, thereby enabling potential improvements to be made to the therapeutic approach.
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Ni J, Wang H, Wei X, Shen K, Sha Y, Dong Y, Shu Y, Wan X, Cheng J, Wang F, Liu Y. Isoniazid causes heart looping disorder in zebrafish embryos by the induction of oxidative stress. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2020; 21:22. [PMID: 32178728 PMCID: PMC7076990 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-020-0399-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The cardiotoxicity of isoniazid on zebrafish embryos and its underlying mechanism is unclear. Methods Here, we exposed zebrafish embryos at 4 h post-fertilization to different levels of isoniazid and recorded the morphology and number of malformed and dead embryos under the microscope. Results The high concentration of isoniazid group showed more malformed and dead embryos than the low concentration of isoniazid group and control group. The morphology of the heart and its alteration were visualized using transgenic zebrafish (cmlc2: GFP) and confirmed by in situ hybridization. The negative effects of isoniazid on the developing heart were characterized by lower heart rate and more heart looping disorders. Mechanistically, PCR showed decreased expression of heart-specific transcription factors when exposed to isoniazid. Oxidative stress was induced by isoniazid in cardiomyocytes, mediated by decreased activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, which were rescued by scavengers of reactive oxygen species. Conclusion In conclusion, this study demonstrated that isoniazid led to heart looping disturbance by the downregulation of cardiac-specific transcription factors and induction of cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ni
- Department of Emergency, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hongye Wang
- The First Clinical Medical School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiyi Wei
- The First Clinical Medical School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kangjie Shen
- The First Clinical Medical School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yeqin Sha
- The First Clinical Medical School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxiang Dong
- The First Clinical Medical School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yimei Shu
- The First Clinical Medical School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaojie Wan
- Clinical School of Imaging, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingwen Cheng
- The Medical School of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Emergency, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Yihai Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Gunadi, Kalim AS, Budi NYP, Hafiq HM, Maharani A, Febrianti M, Ryantono F, Yulianda D, Iskandar K, Veltman JA. Aberrant Expressions and Variant Screening of SEMA3D in Indonesian Hirschsprung Patients. Front Pediatr 2020; 8:60. [PMID: 32219083 PMCID: PMC7078240 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The semaphorin 3D (SEMA3D) gene has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), a complex genetic disorder characterized by the loss of ganglion cells in varying lengths of gastrointestinal tract. We wished to investigate the role of SEMA3D variants, both rare and common variants, as well as its mRNA expression in Indonesian HSCR patients. Methods: Sanger sequencing was performed in 54 HSCR patients to find a pathogenic variant in SEMA3D. Next, we determined SEMA3D expression in 18 HSCR patients and 13 anorectal malformation colons as controls by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results: No rare variant was found in the SEMA3D gene, except one common variant in exon 17, p.Lys701Gln (rs7800072). The risk allele (C) frequency at rs7800072 among HSCR patients (23%) was similar to those reported for the 1,000 Genomes (27%) and ExAC (28%) East Asian ancestry controls (p = 0.49 and 0.41, respectively). A significant difference in SEMA3D expression was observed between groups (p = 0.04). Furthermore, qPCR revealed that SEMA3D expression was strongly up-regulated (5.5-fold) in the ganglionic colon of HSCR patients compared to control colon (ΔCT 10.8 ± 2.1 vs. 13.3 ± 3.9; p = 0.025). Conclusions: We report the first study of aberrant SEMA3D expressions in HSCR patients and suggest further understanding into the contribution of aberrant SEMA3D expression in the development of HSCR. In addition, this study is the first comprehensive analysis of SEMA3D variants in the Asian ancestry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunadi
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery/Genetics Working Group, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Alvin Santoso Kalim
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery/Genetics Working Group, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Nova Yuli Prasetyo Budi
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery/Genetics Working Group, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Hamzah Muhammad Hafiq
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery/Genetics Working Group, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Annisa Maharani
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery/Genetics Working Group, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Maharani Febrianti
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery/Genetics Working Group, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Fiko Ryantono
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery/Genetics Working Group, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Dicky Yulianda
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery/Genetics Working Group, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Kristy Iskandar
- Department of Child Health/Genetics Working Group, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/UGM Academic Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Joris A Veltman
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Alankarage D, Ip E, Szot JO, Munro J, Blue GM, Harrison K, Cuny H, Enriquez A, Troup M, Humphreys DT, Wilson M, Harvey RP, Sholler GF, Graham RM, Ho JWK, Kirk EP, Pachter N, Chapman G, Winlaw DS, Giannoulatou E, Dunwoodie SL. Identification of clinically actionable variants from genome sequencing of families with congenital heart disease. Genet Med 2018; 21:1111-1120. [DOI: 10.1038/s41436-018-0296-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianchuang Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL
| | - Shuyan Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL
| | - Kexiang Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Kai Jiao
- Department of Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL
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Rask-Andersen M, Martinsson D, Ahsan M, Enroth S, Ek WE, Gyllensten U, Johansson Å. Epigenome-wide association study reveals differential DNA methylation in individuals with a history of myocardial infarction. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 25:4739-4748. [PMID: 28172975 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death worldwide and represent a substantial economic burden on public health care systems. Epigenetic markers have potential as diagnostic markers before clinical symptoms have emerged, and as prognostic markers to inform the choice of clinical intervention. In this study, we performed an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) for CVDs, to identify disease-specific alterations in DNA methylation. CpG methylation in blood samples from the northern Sweden population health study (NSPHS) (n = 729) was assayed on the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Individuals with a history of a CVD were identified in the cohort. It included individuals with hypertension (N = 147), myocardial infarction (MI) (N = 48), stroke (N = 27), thrombosis (N = 22) and cardiac arrhythmia (N = 5). Differential DNA methylation was observed at 211 CpG-sites in individuals with a history of MI (q <0.05). These sites represent 196 genes, of which 42 have been described in the scientific literature to be related to cardiac function, cardiovascular disease, cardiogenesis and recovery after ischemic injury. We have shown that individuals with a history of MI have a deviating pattern of DNA methylation at many genomic loci of which a large fraction has previously been linked to CVD. Our results highlight genes that might be important in the pathogenesis of MI or in recovery. In addition, the sites pointed out in this study can serve as candidates for further evaluation as potential biomarkers for MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Rask-Andersen
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - David Martinsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Muhammad Ahsan
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stefan Enroth
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Weronica E Ek
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ulf Gyllensten
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Åsa Johansson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Qiao XH, Wang F, Zhang XL, Huang RT, Xue S, Wang J, Qiu XB, Liu XY, Yang YQ. MEF2C loss-of-function mutation contributes to congenital heart defects. Int J Med Sci 2017; 14:1143-1153. [PMID: 29104469 PMCID: PMC5666546 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.21353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of developmental abnormality in humans, and is a leading cause for substantially increased morbidity and mortality in affected individuals. Increasing studies demonstrates a pivotal role of genetic defects in the pathogenesis of CHD, and presently mutations in more than 60 genes have been associated with CHD. Nevertheless, CHD is of pronounced genetic heterogeneity, and the genetic basis underpinning CHD in a large proportion of patients remains unclear. In the present study, the whole coding exons and splicing donors/acceptors of the MEF2C gene, which codes for a transcription factor essential for normal cardiovascular development, were sequenced in 200 unrelated patients affected with CHD, and a novel heterozygous missense mutation, p.L38P, was identified in an index patient with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and ventricular septal defect (VSD). Genetic scan of the mutation carrier's family members available showed that the mutation was present in all affected family members but absent in unaffected family members. Analysis of the proband's pedigree revealed that the mutation co-segregated with PDA, which was transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with complete penetrance. The mutation changed the amino acid that was completely conserved evolutionarily, and did not exist in 300 unrelated, ethnically-matched healthy individuals used as controls. Functional deciphers by using a dual-luciferase reporter assay system unveiled that the mutant MEF2C protein had a significantly reduced transcriptional activity. Furthermore, the mutation significantly diminished the synergistic activation between MEF2C and GATA4, another cardiac core transcription factor that has been causally linked to CHD. In conclusion, this is the first report on the association of a MEF2C loss-of-function mutation with an increased vulnerability to CHD in humans, which provides novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying CHD, implying potential implications for early diagnosis and timely prophylaxis of CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hui Qiao
- Department of Pediatric Internal Medicine, Ningbo Women & Children's Hospital, 339 Liuding Street, Ningbo 315012, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Xian-Ling Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Ri-Tai Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1630 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Song Xue
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1630 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xing-Biao Qiu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xing-Yuan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Yi-Qing Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, China
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, China
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Yi X, Jiang X, Li X, Jiang DS. Histone lysine methylation and congenital heart disease: From bench to bedside (Review). Int J Mol Med 2017; 40:953-964. [PMID: 28902362 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.3115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone post-translational modifications (PTM) as one of the key epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that plays critical role in various biological processes, including regulating chromatin structure dynamics and gene expression. Histone lysine methyltransferase contributes to the establishment and maintenance of differential histone methylation status, which can recognize histone methylated sites and build an association between these modifications and their downstream processes. Recently, it was found that abnormalities in the histone lysine methylation level or pattern may lead to the occurrence of many types of cardiovascular diseases, such as congenital heart disease (CHD). In order to provide new theoretical basis and targets for the treatment of CHD from the view of developmental biology and genetics, this review discusses and elaborates on the association between histone lysine methylation modifications and CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yi
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Xuejun Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Ding-Sheng Jiang
- Division of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
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13
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Wang Z, Ding M, Qian N, Song B, Yu J, Tang J, Wang J. Decreased expression of semaphorin 3D is associated with genesis and development in colorectal cancer. World J Surg Oncol 2017; 15:67. [PMID: 28320475 PMCID: PMC5359842 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-017-1128-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Semaphorin 3D (SEMA3D) plays important roles in the genesis and progress of many cancers. However, the relationship between SEMA3D and colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether SEMA3D can be used as a predictive marker for the diagnosis, metastasis, and prognosis of CRC by assessing the expression of SEMA3D in the tissues and serum of CRC patients. Methods Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to measure the expression of SEMA3D mRNA in 100 CRC tissues and matched normal tissues. qPCR was also used to detect the expression of SEMA3D mRNA in the CRC cell line RKO. RKO cells were transfected with SEMA3D small-interring RNA (siRNA) to interfere with endogenous SEMA3D. The migratory ability of control and SEMA3D siRNA-transfected RKO cells was determined by transwell assays. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized to detect the levels of SEMA3D in the serum of 80 CRC patients and 100 normal healthy controls. The expression of SEMA3D in 215 CRC tissues was assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Then, statistical analyses were adopted to assess SEMA3D protein levels and clinical pathological characteristics. Results The mRNA expression of SEMA3D was significantly lower in CRC tissues than in paired normal tissues (t = 5.027, P < 0.0001). Compared with normal healthy controls, the serum levels of SEMA3D were decreased significantly in CRC patients (t = 3.656, P = 0.0003). The expression of SEMA3D protein was linked to lymph node metastasis, and low expression led to lymph node metastasis (χ2 = 8.415, P = 0.004). The expression of SEMA3D in CRC tissues was a favorable prognostic factor. Patients with a higher expression of SEMA3D experienced longer survival (P = 0.002, log-rank [Mantel-Cox]; Kaplan-Meier). In addition, multivariate Cox’s proportional hazard model revealed that SEMA3D is an independent prognostic marker (hazard ratio [HR] 1.818, 95% CI 1.063–3.110, P = 0.029). Moreover, transwell assays showed that knocking down SEMA3D significantly increased RKO cell migration (t = 9.268, P = 0.0008). Conclusions SEMA3D might function as a tumor suppressor during the formation and development of CRC. SEMA3D might become a predictive marker for the diagnosis, metastasis, and prognosis of CRC and provide a novel target for the prevention and treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Meiman Ding
- The Criminal Investigation Detachment of Jiaxing Public Security Bureau, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Naiying Qian
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Beifeng Song
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayin Yu
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinlong Tang
- Department of Pathology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Abstract
As the most prevalent form of birth defect in humans worldwide, congenital heart disease (CHD) is responsible for substantial morbidity and is still the leading cause of birth defect-related demises. Increasing evidence demonstrates that genetic defects play an important role in the pathogenesis of CHD, and mutations in multiple genes, especially in those coding for cardiac core transcription factors, have been causally linked to various CHDs. Nevertheless, CHD is a genetically heterogeneous disease and the genetic determinants underpinning CHD in an overwhelming majority of patients remain elusive. In the current study, genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood samples of 165 unrelated patients with CHD, and the coding exons and splicing junction sites of the HAND1 gene, which encodes a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor essential for cardiovascular development, were sequenced. As a result, a novel heterozygous mutation, p.R118C, was identified in a patient with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The missense mutation, which was absent in 600 referential chromosomes, altered the amino acid that was completely conserved evolutionarily. Biological assays with a dual-luciferase reporter assay system revealed that the R118C-mutant HAND1 protein had significantly reduced transcriptional activity when compared with its wild-type counterpart. Furthermore, the mutation significantly decreased the synergistic activation of a downstream target gene between HAND1 and GATA4, another cardiac core transcription factor associated with TOF. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the association of a HAND1 loss-of-function mutation with enhanced susceptibility to TOF in humans. The findings provide novel insight into the molecular etiology underlying TOF, suggesting potential implications for the improved prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for TOF.
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15
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Wijnands KPJ, Chen J, Liang L, Verbiest MMPJ, Lin X, Helbing WA, Gittenberger-de Groot AC, van der Spek PJ, Uitterlinden AG, Steegers-Theunissen RPM. Genome-wide methylation analysis identifies novel CpG loci for perimembranous ventricular septal defects in human. Epigenomics 2017; 9:241-251. [DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Congenital heart diseases are the most common birth defects worldwide and leading cause of infant mortality. The perimembranous ventricular septal defect is most prevalent. Epigenetics may provide an underlying mechanism of the gene–environment interactions involved. Materials & methods: We examined epigenome-wide DNA methylation using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip in 84 case children and 196 control children. Results: We identified differential methylation of a CpG locus (cg17001566) within the PRDM16 gene after Bonferroni correction (p = 9.17 × 10-8). This was validated by bisulfite pyrosequencing. PRDM16 functions as a repressor of TGF-β signaling controlling tissue morphogenesis crucial during cardiogenesis. At 15% false-discovery rate, we identified seven additional CpG loci. Conclusion: These findings provide novel insights in the pathogenesis of perimembranous ventricular septal defect, which is of interest for future prediction and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim PJ Wijnands
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jun Chen
- Division of Biomedical Statistics & Informatics & Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Liming Liang
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael MPJ Verbiest
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xihong Lin
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Willem A Helbing
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Cardiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Peter J van der Spek
- Department of Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - André G Uitterlinden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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16
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Li L, Wang J, Liu XY, Liu H, Shi HY, Yang XX, Li N, Li YJ, Huang RT, Xue S, Qiu XB, Yang YQ. HAND1 loss-of-function mutation contributes to congenital double outlet right ventricle. Int J Mol Med 2017; 39:711-718. [DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.2865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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17
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Hamm MJ, Kirchmaier BC, Herzog W. Sema3d controls collective endothelial cell migration by distinct mechanisms via Nrp1 and PlxnD1. J Cell Biol 2016; 215:415-430. [PMID: 27799363 PMCID: PMC5100291 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201603100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Semaphorins regulate guidance during cell migration. In addition to repelling endothelial cells, Hamm et al. identify a novel mechanism by which Semaphorin3d/Neuropilin1 regulates collective endothelial cell migration through activating a kinase cascade, which regulates Actin network organization and cell–cell contacts. During cardiovascular development, tight spatiotemporal regulation of molecular cues is essential for controlling endothelial cell (EC) migration. Secreted class III Semaphorins play an important role in guidance of neuronal cell migration and were lately linked to regulating cardiovascular development. Recently, SEMA3D gene disruptions were associated with cardiovascular defects in patients; however, the mechanisms of action were not revealed. Here we show for the first time that Sema3d regulates collective EC migration in zebrafish through two separate mechanisms. Mesenchymal Sema3d guides outgrowth of the common cardinal vein via repulsion and signals through PlexinD1. Additionally, within the same ECs, we identified a novel function of autocrine Sema3d signaling in regulating Actin network organization and EC morphology. We show that this new function requires Sema3d signaling through Neuropilin1, which then regulates Actin network organization through RhoA upstream of Rock, stabilizing the EC sheet. Our findings are highly relevant for understanding EC migration and the mechanisms of collective migration in other contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mailin Julia Hamm
- Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Bettina Carmen Kirchmaier
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, University of Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Wiebke Herzog
- Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany .,Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, 48149 Muenster, Germany
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18
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Wang CJ, Wang G, Wang XY, Liu M, Chuai M, Lee KKH, He XS, Lu DX, Yang X. Imidacloprid Exposure Suppresses Neural Crest Cells Generation during Early Chick Embryo Development. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2016; 64:4705-15. [PMID: 27195532 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b01478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid pesticide that is widely used in the control pests found on crops and fleas on pets. However, it is still unclear whether imidacloprid exposure could affect early embryo development-despite some studies having been conducted on the gametes. In this study, we demonstrated that imidacloprid exposure could lead to abnormal craniofacial osteogenesis in the developing chick embryo. Cranial neural crest cells (NCCs) are the progenitor cells of the chick cranial skull. We found that the imidacloprid exposure retards the development of gastrulating chick embryos. HNK-1, PAX7, and Ap-2α immunohistological stainings indicated that cranial NCCs generation was inhibited after imidacloprid exposure. Double immunofluorescent staining (Ap-2α and PHIS3 or PAX7 and c-Caspase3) revealed that imidacloprid exposure inhibited both NCC proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, it inhibited NCCs production by repressing Msx1 and BMP4 expression in the developing neural tube and by altering expression of EMT-related adhesion molecules (Cad6B, E-Cadherin, and N-cadherin) in the developing neural crests. We also determined that imidacloprid exposure suppressed cranial NCCs migration and their ability to differentiate. In sum, we have provided experimental evidence that imidacloprid exposure during embryogenesis disrupts NCCs development, which in turn causes defective cranial bone development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Jie Wang
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University , Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Guang Wang
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University , Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Wang
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University , Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University , Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Manli Chuai
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Kenneth Ka Ho Lee
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Xiao-Song He
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences , Beijing 100012, China
| | - Da-Xiang Lu
- Division of Pathophysiology, Medical College, Jinan University , Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xuesong Yang
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University , Guangzhou 510632, China
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19
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Sun YM, Wang J, Qiu XB, Yuan F, Xu YJ, Li RG, Qu XK, Huang RT, Xue S, Yang YQ. PITX2 loss-of-function mutation contributes to tetralogy of Fallot. Gene 2016; 577:258-64. [PMID: 26657035 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent developmental abnormality in humans and is the most common non-infectious cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Increasing evidence demonstrates that genetic defects are involved in the pathogenesis of CHD. However, CHD is genetically heterogeneous, and the genetic determinants underpinning CHD in most patients remain unknown. In this study, the whole coding region of the PITX2 gene (isoform c) was sequenced in 185 unrelated patients with CHD. The available relatives of a mutation carrier and 300 unrelated healthy individuals used as controls were also genotyped for PITX2. The functional characteristics of the mutation were delineated by using a dual-luciferase reporter assay system. As a result, a novel heterozygous PITX2 mutation, p.Q102L, was identified in a patient with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Genetic analysis of the index patient's pedigree showed that the mutation co-segregated with TOF. The mutation was absent in 600 reference chromosomes. Biochemical analysis revealed that the Q102L-mutant PITX2 is associated with significantly reduced transcriptional activity compared with its wild-type counterpart. Furthermore, the mutation markedly decreased the synergistic activation between PITX2 and NKX2-5. This study firstly associates PITX2 loss-of-function mutation with increased susceptibility to TOF, providing novel insight into the molecular mechanism of CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Min Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Jing'an District Central Hospital, 259 Xikang Road, Shanghai 200040, PR China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Jing'an District Central Hospital, 259 Xikang Road, Shanghai 200040, PR China.
| | - Xing-Biao Qiu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, PR China
| | - Fang Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, PR China
| | - Ying-Jia Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, PR China
| | - Ruo-Gu Li
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, PR China
| | - Xin-Kai Qu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, PR China
| | - Ri-Tai Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1630 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, PR China
| | - Song Xue
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1630 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, PR China
| | - Yi-Qing Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, PR China; Department of Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, PR China; Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, PR China.
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