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Perrot A, Rickert-Sperling S. Human Genetics of Ventricular Septal Defect. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1441:505-534. [PMID: 38884729 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-44087-8_27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are recognized as one of the commonest congenital heart diseases (CHD), accounting for up to 40% of all cardiac malformations, and occur as isolated CHDs as well as together with other cardiac and extracardiac congenital malformations in individual patients and families. The genetic etiology of VSD is complex and extraordinarily heterogeneous. Chromosomal abnormalities such as aneuploidy and structural variations as well as rare point mutations in various genes have been reported to be associated with this cardiac defect. This includes both well-defined syndromes with known genetic cause (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome and Holt-Oram syndrome) and so far undefined syndromic forms characterized by unspecific symptoms. Mutations in genes encoding cardiac transcription factors (e.g., NKX2-5 and GATA4) and signaling molecules (e.g., CFC1) have been most frequently found in VSD cases. Moreover, new high-resolution methods such as comparative genomic hybridization enabled the discovery of a high number of different copy number variations, leading to gain or loss of chromosomal regions often containing multiple genes, in patients with VSD. In this chapter, we will describe the broad genetic heterogeneity observed in VSD patients considering recent advances in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Perrot
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a Cooperation Between the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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2
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Ganapathi M, Matsuoka LS, March M, Li D, Brokamp E, Benito-Sanz S, White SM, Lachlan K, Ahimaz P, Sewda A, Bastarache L, Thomas-Wilson A, Stoler JM, Bramswig NC, Baptista J, Stals K, Demurger F, Cogne B, Isidor B, Bedeschi MF, Peron A, Amiel J, Zackai E, Schacht JP, Iglesias AD, Morton J, Schmetz A, Seidel V, Lucia S, Baskin SM, Thiffault I, Cogan JD, Gordon CT, Chung WK, Bowdin S, Bhoj E. Heterozygous rare variants in NR2F2 cause a recognizable multiple congenital anomaly syndrome with developmental delays. Eur J Hum Genet 2023; 31:1117-1124. [PMID: 37500725 PMCID: PMC10545729 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01434-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 2 (NR2F2 or COUP-TF2) encodes a transcription factor which is expressed at high levels during mammalian development. Rare heterozygous Mendelian variants in NR2F2 were initially identified in individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD), then subsequently in cohorts of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and 46,XX ovotesticular disorders/differences of sexual development (DSD); however, the phenotypic spectrum associated with pathogenic variants in NR2F2 remains poorly characterized. Currently, less than 40 individuals with heterozygous pathogenic variants in NR2F2 have been reported. Here, we review the clinical and molecular details of 17 previously unreported individuals with rare heterozygous NR2F2 variants, the majority of which were de novo. Clinical features were variable, including intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), CHD, CDH, genital anomalies, DSD, developmental delays, hypotonia, feeding difficulties, failure to thrive, congenital and acquired microcephaly, dysmorphic facial features, renal failure, hearing loss, strabismus, asplenia, and vascular malformations, thus expanding the phenotypic spectrum associated with NR2F2 variants. The variants seen were predicted loss of function, including a nonsense variant inherited from a mildly affected mosaic mother, missense and a large deletion including the NR2F2 gene. Our study presents evidence for rare, heterozygous NR2F2 variants causing a highly variable syndrome of congenital anomalies, commonly associated with heart defects, developmental delays/intellectual disability, dysmorphic features, feeding difficulties, hypotonia, and genital anomalies. Based on the new and previous cases, we provide clinical recommendations for evaluating individuals diagnosed with an NR2F2-associated disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mythily Ganapathi
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Michael March
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dong Li
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elly Brokamp
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sara Benito-Sanz
- CIBERER, ISCIII. Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics (INGEMM), Disorder of Sex Development Multidisciplinary Unit, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susan M White
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Service, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Katherine Lachlan
- Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
- Department of Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Southampton University, Southampton, UK
| | - Priyanka Ahimaz
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anshuman Sewda
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lisa Bastarache
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Amanda Thomas-Wilson
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joan M Stoler
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Nuria C Bramswig
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Baptista
- Exeter Genomics Laboratory, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK
- Peninsula Medical School, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA, Plymouth, UK
| | - Karen Stals
- Exeter Genomics Laboratory, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Benjamin Cogne
- Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000, Nantes, France
- Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, Service de Génétique médicale, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Bertrand Isidor
- Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000, Nantes, France
- Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, Service de Génétique médicale, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | | | - Angela Peron
- Medical Genetics, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jeanne Amiel
- INSERM UMR1163, Institut Imagine, Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
- Service de Médecine Génomique des Maladies Rares, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Elaine Zackai
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - John P Schacht
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alejandro D Iglesias
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jenny Morton
- West Midlands Regional Clinical Genetics Service and Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ariane Schmetz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Verónica Seidel
- Clinical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Gregorio Marañón General University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Stephanie Lucia
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Stephanie M Baskin
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Isabelle Thiffault
- Genomic Medicine Center, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Joy D Cogan
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Wendy K Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Bowdin
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS, Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Elizabeth Bhoj
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Gafranek JT, D'Aniello E, Ravisankar P, Thakkar K, Vagnozzi RJ, Lim HW, Salomonis N, Waxman JS. Sinus venosus adaptation models prolonged cardiovascular disease and reveals insights into evolutionary transitions of the vertebrate heart. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5509. [PMID: 37679366 PMCID: PMC10485058 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41184-y] [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: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
How two-chambered hearts in basal vertebrates have evolved from single-chamber hearts found in ancestral chordates remains unclear. Here, we show that the teleost sinus venosus (SV) is a chamber-like vessel comprised of an outer layer of smooth muscle cells. We find that in adult zebrafish nr2f1a mutants, which lack atria, the SV comes to physically resemble the thicker bulbus arteriosus (BA) at the arterial pole of the heart through an adaptive, hypertensive response involving smooth muscle proliferation due to aberrant hemodynamic flow. Single cell transcriptomics show that smooth muscle and endothelial cell populations within the adapting SV also take on arterial signatures. Bulk transcriptomics of the blood sinuses flanking the tunicate heart reinforce a model of greater equivalency in ancestral chordate BA and SV precursors. Our data simultaneously reveal that secondary complications from congenital heart defects can develop in adult zebrafish similar to those in humans and that the foundation of equivalency between flanking auxiliary vessels may remain latent within basal vertebrate hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T Gafranek
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Enrico D'Aniello
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Padmapriyadarshini Ravisankar
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Kairavee Thakkar
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Ronald J Vagnozzi
- Division of Cardiology, Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation (CFReT), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Hee-Woong Lim
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Nathan Salomonis
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Joshua S Waxman
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
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Wang H, Lin X, Wang X, Liu X, He S, Lyu G. Maternal body fluid lncRNAs serve as biomarkers to diagnose ventricular septal defect: from amniotic fluid to plasma. Front Genet 2023; 14:1254829. [PMID: 37745849 PMCID: PMC10516564 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1254829] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Maternal body fluids contain abundant cell-free fetal RNAs which have the potential to serve as indicators of fetal development and pathophysiological conditions. In this context, this study aimed to explore the potential diagnostic value of maternal circulating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in ventricular septal defect (VSD). Methods: The potential of lncRNAs as non-invasive prenatal biomarkers for VSD was evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The biological processes and regulatory network of these lncRNAs were elucidated through bioinformatics analysis. Results: Three lncRNAs (LINC00598, LINC01551, and GATA3-AS1) were found to be consistent in both maternal plasma and amniotic fluid. These lncRNAs exhibited strong diagnostic performance for VSD, with AUC values of 0.852, 0.957, and 0.864, respectively. The bioinformatics analysis revealed the involvement of these lncRNAs in heart morphogenesis, actin cytoskeleton organization, cell cycle regulation, and protein binding through a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network at the post-transcriptional level. Conclusion: The cell-free lncRNAs present in the amniotic fluid have the potential to be released into the maternal circulation, making them promising candidates for investigating epigenetic regulation in VSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaming Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xi Lin
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Fujian Cancer Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xinda Wang
- Department of Radiology, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xinxiu Liu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Shaozheng He
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Guorong Lyu
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
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Dougherty EJ, Chen LY, Awad KS, Ferreyra GA, Demirkale CY, Keshavarz A, Gairhe S, Johnston KA, Hicks ME, Sandler AB, Curran CS, Krack JM, Ding Y, Suffredini AF, Solomon MA, Elinoff JM, Danner RL. Inflammation and DKK1-induced AKT activation contribute to endothelial dysfunction following NR2F2 loss. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2023; 324:L783-L798. [PMID: 37039367 PMCID: PMC10202490 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00171.2022] [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: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
NR2F2 is expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) and Nr2f2 knockout produces lethal cardiovascular defects. In humans, reduced NR2F2 expression is associated with cardiovascular diseases including congenital heart disease and atherosclerosis. Here, NR2F2 silencing in human primary ECs led to inflammation, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), proliferation, hypermigration, apoptosis-resistance, and increased production of reactive oxygen species. These changes were associated with STAT and AKT activation along with increased production of DKK1. Co-silencing DKK1 and NR2F2 prevented NR2F2-loss-induced STAT and AKT activation and reversed EndMT. Serum DKK1 concentrations were elevated in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and DKK1 was secreted by ECs in response to in vitro loss of either BMPR2 or CAV1, which are genetic defects associated with the development of PAH. In human primary ECs, NR2F2 suppressed DKK1, whereas its loss conversely induced DKK1 and disrupted endothelial homeostasis, promoting phenotypic abnormalities associated with pathologic vascular remodeling. Activating NR2F2 or blocking DKK1 may be useful therapeutic targets for treating chronic vascular diseases associated with EC dysfunction.NEW & NOTEWORTHY NR2F2 loss in the endothelial lining of blood vessels is associated with cardiovascular disease. Here, NR2F2-silenced human endothelial cells were inflammatory, proliferative, hypermigratory, and apoptosis-resistant with increased oxidant stress and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. DKK1 was induced in NR2F2-silenced endothelial cells, while co-silencing NR2F2 and DKK1 prevented NR2F2-loss-associated abnormalities in endothelial signaling and phenotype. Activating NR2F2 or blocking DKK1 may be useful therapeutic targets for treating vascular diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Dougherty
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Li-Yuan Chen
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Keytam S Awad
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Gabriela A Ferreyra
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Cumhur Y Demirkale
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Ali Keshavarz
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Salina Gairhe
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Kathryn A Johnston
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Madelyn E Hicks
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Alexis B Sandler
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Colleen S Curran
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Janell M Krack
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Yi Ding
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Anthony F Suffredini
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Michael A Solomon
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Jason M Elinoff
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Robert L Danner
- Clinical Center/Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
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Martin KE, Ravisankar P, Beerens M, MacRae CA, Waxman JS. Nr2f1a maintains atrial nkx2.5 expression to repress pacemaker identity within venous atrial cardiomyocytes of zebrafish. eLife 2023; 12:e77408. [PMID: 37184369 PMCID: PMC10185342 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77408] [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: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of cardiomyocyte identity is vital for normal heart development and function. However, our understanding of cardiomyocyte plasticity remains incomplete. Here, we show that sustained expression of the zebrafish transcription factor Nr2f1a prevents the progressive acquisition of ventricular cardiomyocyte (VC) and pacemaker cardiomyocyte (PC) identities within distinct regions of the atrium. Transcriptomic analysis of flow-sorted atrial cardiomyocytes (ACs) from nr2f1a mutant zebrafish embryos showed increased VC marker gene expression and altered expression of core PC regulatory genes, including decreased expression of nkx2.5, a critical repressor of PC differentiation. At the arterial (outflow) pole of the atrium in nr2f1a mutants, cardiomyocytes resolve to VC identity within the expanded atrioventricular canal. However, at the venous (inflow) pole of the atrium, there is a progressive wave of AC transdifferentiation into PCs across the atrium toward the arterial pole. Restoring Nkx2.5 is sufficient to repress PC marker identity in nr2f1a mutant atria and analysis of chromatin accessibility identified an Nr2f1a-dependent nkx2.5 enhancer expressed in the atrial myocardium directly adjacent to PCs. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of the putative nkx2.5 enhancer leads to a loss of Nkx2.5-expressing ACs and expansion of a PC reporter, supporting that Nr2f1a limits PC differentiation within venous ACs via maintaining nkx2.5 expression. The Nr2f-dependent maintenance of AC identity within discrete atrial compartments may provide insights into the molecular etiology of concurrent structural congenital heart defects and associated arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendall E Martin
- Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiUnited States
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Padmapriyadarshini Ravisankar
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Manu Beerens
- Divisions of Cardiovascular Medicine, Genetics and Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Calum A MacRae
- Divisions of Cardiovascular Medicine, Genetics and Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Joshua S Waxman
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiUnited States
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COUP-TFII in Kidneys, from Embryos to Sick Adults. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12051181. [PMID: 35626336 PMCID: PMC9139597 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) is an orphan nuclear hormone receptor of unknown ligands. This molecule has two interesting features: (1) it is a developmental gene, and (2) it is a potential hormone receptor. Here, we describe the possible roles of COUP-TFII in the organogenesis of the kidneys and protection from adult renal diseases, primarily in mouse models. COUP-TFII is highly expressed in embryos, including primordial kidneys, and is essential for the formation of metanephric mesenchyme and the survival of renal precursor cells. Although the expression levels of COUP-TFII are low and its functions are unknown in healthy adults, it serves as a reno-protectant molecule against acute kidney injury. These are good examples of how developmental genes exhibit novel functions in the etiology of adult diseases. We also discuss the ongoing research on the roles of COUP-TFII in podocyte development and diabetic kidney disease. In addition, the identification of potential ligands suggests that COUP-TFII might be a novel therapeutic target for renal diseases in the future.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Given a general lack of emphasis on the molecular underpinnings of single ventricle (SV) congenital heart diseases (CHD), our review highlights and summarizes recent advances in uncovering the genetic and molecular mechanisms in SV CHD etiology. RECENT FINDINGS While common SV-associated genetic mutations were found in key cardiac transcription factors, other mutations were sporadic. With advances in genetic sequencing technologies and animal models, more disease-associated factors have been identified to act in critical cardiac signaling pathways such as NOTCH, Wnt, and TGF signaling. Recent studies have also revealed that different cardiac lineages play different roles in disease pathogenesis. SV defects are attributed to complex combinations of genetic mutations, indicating that sophisticated spatiotemporal regulation of gene transcription networks and functional cellular pathways govern disease progression. Future studies will warrant in-depth investigations into better understanding how different genetic factors converge to influence common downstream cellular pathways, resulting in SV abnormalities.
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Diagnosis of Chromosome 15q-Terminal Deletion Syndrome through Elevated Fasting Serum Growth Hormone Levels. ENDOCRINES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/endocrines3010008] [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
Chromosome 15q26-qter deletion syndrome is a rare disease that causes prenatal and postnatal growth retardation, microcephaly, developmental delay, and congenital heart diseases, mainly due to haploinsufficiency of IGF1R. In addition, patients with pathogenic variants of the IGF1R show similar symptoms. We report the case of a 5-month-old girl with prenatal and postnatal growth retardation, microcephaly, and congenital heart disease. At 5 months of age, her length was 54.7 cm (−4.3 SD), her weight was 4.4 kg (−3.1 SD), and her head circumference was 37.4 cm (−2.8 SD), thus presenting severe growth retardation. Repeated pre-feeding serum GH levels were abnormally high (26.1–85.5 ng/mL), and IGF-1 levels (+0.16 to +1.2 SD) were relatively high. The 15q sub-telomere fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed a heterozygous deletion in the 15q terminal region. Whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphism microarray analysis showed a terminal deletion of 6.4 Mb on 15q26.2q26.3. This is the first report showing that fasting GH levels are high in early infancy in patients with IGF1R abnormalities. In addition to relatively high IGF-1 levels, elevated fasting GH levels in early infancy may contribute to the diagnosis of IGF1R abnormalities.
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10
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Martin KE, Waxman JS. Atrial and Sinoatrial Node Development in the Zebrafish Heart. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:jcdd8020015. [PMID: 33572147 PMCID: PMC7914448 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8020015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper development and function of the vertebrate heart is vital for embryonic and postnatal life. Many congenital heart defects in humans are associated with disruption of genes that direct the formation or maintenance of atrial and pacemaker cardiomyocytes at the venous pole of the heart. Zebrafish are an outstanding model for studying vertebrate cardiogenesis, due to the conservation of molecular mechanisms underlying early heart development, external development, and ease of genetic manipulation. Here, we discuss early developmental mechanisms that instruct appropriate formation of the venous pole in zebrafish embryos. We primarily focus on signals that determine atrial chamber size and the specialized pacemaker cells of the sinoatrial node through directing proper specification and differentiation, as well as contemporary insights into the plasticity and maintenance of cardiomyocyte identity in embryonic zebrafish hearts. Finally, we integrate how these insights into zebrafish cardiogenesis can serve as models for human atrial defects and arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendall E. Martin
- Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Joshua S. Waxman
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Correspondence:
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11
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Yao Y, Marra AN, Yelon D. Pathways Regulating Establishment and Maintenance of Cardiac Chamber Identity in Zebrafish. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:13. [PMID: 33572830 PMCID: PMC7912383 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate heart is comprised of two types of chambers-ventricles and atria-that have unique morphological and physiological properties. Effective cardiac function depends upon the distinct characteristics of ventricular and atrial cardiomyocytes, raising interest in the genetic pathways that regulate chamber-specific traits. Chamber identity seems to be specified in the early embryo by signals that establish ventricular and atrial progenitor populations and trigger distinct differentiation pathways. Intriguingly, chamber-specific features appear to require active reinforcement, even after myocardial differentiation is underway, suggesting plasticity of chamber identity within the developing heart. Here, we review the utility of the zebrafish as a model organism for studying the mechanisms that establish and maintain cardiac chamber identity. By combining genetic and embryological approaches, work in zebrafish has revealed multiple players with potent influences on chamber fate specification and commitment. Going forward, analysis of cardiomyocyte identity at the single-cell level is likely to yield a high-resolution understanding of the pathways that link the relevant players together, and these insights will have the potential to inform future strategies in cardiac tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Deborah Yelon
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (Y.Y.); (A.N.M.)
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12
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Jiang WF, Xu YJ, Zhao CM, Wang XH, Qiu XB, Liu X, Wu SH, Yang YQ. A novel TBX5 mutation predisposes to familial cardiac septal defects and atrial fibrillation as well as bicuspid aortic valve. Genet Mol Biol 2020; 43:e20200142. [PMID: 33306779 PMCID: PMC7783509 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2020-0142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
TBX5 has been linked to Holt-Oram syndrome, with congenital heart defect (CHD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) being two major cardiac phenotypes. However, the prevalence of a TBX5 variation in patients with CHD and AF remains obscure. In this research, by sequencing analysis of TBX5 in 178 index patients with both CHD and AF, a novel heterozygous variation, NM_000192.3: c.577G>T; p.(Gly193*), was identified in one index patient with CHD and AF as well as bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), with an allele frequency of approximately 0.28%. Genetic analysis of the proband's pedigree showed that the variation co-segregated with the diseases. The pathogenic variation was not detected in 292 unrelated healthy subjects. Functional analysis by using a dual-luciferase reporter assay system showed that the Gly193*-mutant TBX5 protein failed to transcriptionally activate its target genes MYH6 and NPPA. Moreover, the mutation nullified the synergistic transactivation between TBX5 and GATA4 as well as NKX2-5. Additionally, whole-exome sequencing analysis showed no other genes contributing to the diseases. This investigation firstly links a pathogenic variant in the TBX5 gene to familial CHD and AF as well as BAV, suggesting that CHD and AF as well as BAV share a common developmental basis in a subset of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Feng Jiang
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying-Jia Xu
- Fudan University, Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Cui-Mei Zhao
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Hua Wang
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xing-Biao Qiu
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Shao-Hui Wu
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Qing Yang
- Fudan University, Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.,Fudan University, Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.,Fudan University, Central Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
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13
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Nees SN, Chung WK. Genetic Basis of Human Congenital Heart Disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2020; 12:cshperspect.a036749. [PMID: 31818857 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common major congenital anomaly with an incidence of ∼1% of live births and is a significant cause of birth defect-related mortality. The genetic mechanisms underlying the development of CHD are complex and remain incompletely understood. Known genetic causes include all classes of genetic variation including chromosomal aneuploidies, copy number variants, and rare and common single-nucleotide variants, which can be either de novo or inherited. Among patients with CHD, ∼8%-12% have a chromosomal abnormality or aneuploidy, between 3% and 25% have a copy number variation, and 3%-5% have a single-gene defect in an established CHD gene with higher likelihood of identifying a genetic cause in patients with nonisolated CHD. These genetic variants disrupt or alter genes that play an important role in normal cardiac development and in some cases have pleiotropic effects on other organs. This work reviews some of the most common genetic causes of CHD as well as what is currently known about the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Department of Pediatrics.,Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
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14
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Wu SH, Wang XH, Xu YJ, Gu JN, Yang CX, Qiao Q, Guo XJ, Guo YH, Qiu XB, Jiang WF, Yang YQ. ISL1 loss-of-function variation causes familial atrial fibrillation. Eur J Med Genet 2020; 63:104029. [PMID: 32771629 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2020.104029] [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: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most frequent form of sustained cardiac rhythm disturbance, affecting approximately 1% of the general population worldwide, and confers a substantially enhanced risk of cerebral stroke, heart failure, and death. Increasing epidemiological studies have clearly demonstrated a strong genetic basis for AF, and variants in a wide range of genes, including those coding for ion channels, gap junction channels, cardiac structural proteins and transcription factors, have been identified to underlie AF. Nevertheless, the genetic pathogenesis of AF is complex and still far from completely understood. Here, whole-exome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses of a three-generation family with AF were performed, and after filtering variants by multiple metrics, we identified a heterozygous variant in the ISL1 gene (encoding a transcription factor critical for embryonic cardiogenesis and postnatal cardiac remodeling), NM_002202.2: c.481G > T; p.(Glu161*), which was validated by Sanger sequencing and segregated with autosome-dominant AF in the family with complete penetrance. The nonsense variant was absent from 284 unrelated healthy individuals used as controls. Functional assays with a dual-luciferase reporter assay system revealed that the truncating ISL1 protein lost transcriptional activation on the verified target genes MEF2C and NKX2-5. Additionally, the variant nullified the synergistic transactivation between ISL1 and TBX5 as well as GATA4, two other transcription factors that have been implicated in AF. The findings suggest ISL1 as a novel gene contributing to AF, which adds new insight to the genetic mechanisms underpinning AF, implying potential implications for genetic testing and risk stratification of the AF family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Hui Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Hua Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying-Jia Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Ning Gu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen-Xi Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Qiao
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Han Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xing-Biao Qiu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Feng Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yi-Qing Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Central Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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15
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Zhang Y, Sun YM, Xu YJ, Zhao CM, Yuan F, Guo XJ, Guo YH, Yang CX, Gu JN, Qiao Q, Wang J, Yang YQ. A New TBX5 Loss-of-Function Mutation Contributes to Congenital Heart Defect and Atrioventricular Block. Int Heart J 2020; 61:761-768. [DOI: 10.1536/ihj.19-650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Jing'an District Central Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Yu-Min Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Jing'an District Central Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Ying-Jia Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Center for Complex Cardiac Arrhythmias of Minhang District, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Cui-Mei Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine
| | - Fang Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
| | - Xiao-Juan Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Center for Complex Cardiac Arrhythmias of Minhang District, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Yu-Han Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Center for Complex Cardiac Arrhythmias of Minhang District, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Chen-Xi Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Center for Complex Cardiac Arrhythmias of Minhang District, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Jia-Ning Gu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Center for Complex Cardiac Arrhythmias of Minhang District, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Qi Qiao
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Center for Complex Cardiac Arrhythmias of Minhang District, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Jing'an District Central Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Yi-Qing Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Center for Complex Cardiac Arrhythmias of Minhang District, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
- Central Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University
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16
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Di RM, Yang CX, Zhao CM, Yuan F, Qiao Q, Gu JN, Li XM, Xu YJ, Yang YQ. Identification and functional characterization of KLF5 as a novel disease gene responsible for familial dilated cardiomyopathy. Eur J Med Genet 2020; 63:103827. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2019.103827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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17
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Congenital heart diseases: genetics, non-inherited risk factors, and signaling pathways. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43042-020-0050-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are the most common congenital anomalies with an estimated prevalence of 8 in 1000 live births. CHDs occur as a result of abnormal embryogenesis of the heart. Congenital heart diseases are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The damage of the heart is irreversible due to a lack of regeneration potential, and usually, the patients may require surgical intervention. Studying the developmental biology of the heart is essential not only in understanding the mechanisms and pathogenesis of congenital heart diseases but also in providing us with insight towards developing new preventive and treatment methods.
Main body
The etiology of congenital heart diseases is still elusive. Both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated to play a role in the pathogenesis of the diseases. Recently, cardiac transcription factors, cardiac-specific genes, and signaling pathways, which are responsible for early cardiac morphogenesis have been extensively studied in both human and animal experiments but leave much to be desired. The discovery of novel genetic methods such as next generation sequencing and chromosomal microarrays have led to further study the genes, non-coding RNAs and subtle chromosomal changes, elucidating their implications to the etiology of congenital heart diseases. Studies have also implicated non-hereditary risk factors such as rubella infection, teratogens, maternal age, diabetes mellitus, and abnormal hemodynamics in causing CHDs.
These etiological factors raise questions on multifactorial etiology of CHDs. It is therefore important to endeavor in research based on finding the causes of CHDs. Finding causative factors will enable us to plan intervention strategies and mitigate the consequences associated with CHDs. This review, therefore, puts forward the genetic and non-genetic causes of congenital heart diseases. Besides, it discusses crucial signaling pathways which are involved in early cardiac morphogenesis. Consequently, we aim to consolidate our knowledge on multifactorial causes of CHDs so as to pave a way for further research regarding CHDs.
Conclusion
The multifactorial etiology of congenital heart diseases gives us a challenge to explicitly establishing specific causative factors and therefore plan intervention strategies. More well-designed studies and the use of novel genetic technologies could be the way through the discovery of etiological factors implicated in the pathogenesis of congenital heart diseases.
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18
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Polvani S, Pepe S, Milani S, Galli A. COUP-TFII in Health and Disease. Cells 2019; 9:E101. [PMID: 31906104 PMCID: PMC7016888 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear receptors (NRs) belong to a vast family of evolutionary conserved proteins acting as ligand-activated transcription factors. Functionally, NRs are essential in embryogenesis and organogenesis and in adulthood they are involved in almost every physiological and pathological process. Our knowledge of NRs action has greatly improved in recent years, demonstrating that both their expression and activity are tightly regulated by a network of signaling pathways, miRNA and reciprocal interactions. The Chicken Ovalbumin Upstream Promoter Transcription Factor II (COUP-TFII, NR2F2) is a NR classified as an orphan due to the lack of a known natural ligand. Although its expression peaks during development, and then decreases considerably, in adult tissues, COUP-TFII is an important regulator of differentiation and it is variably implicated in tissues homeostasis. As such, alterations of its expression or its transcriptional activity have been studied and linked to a spectrum of diseases in organs and tissues of different origins. Indeed, an altered COUP-TFII expression and activity may cause infertility, abnormality in the vascular system and metabolic diseases like diabetes. Moreover, COUP-TFII is actively investigated in cancer research but its role in tumor progression is yet to be fully understood. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of COUP-TFII in healthy and pathological conditions, proposing an updated and critical view of the many functions of this NR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Polvani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Florence, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy; (S.P.); (S.M.)
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, largo Brambilla 50, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Sara Pepe
- Istituto per la Ricerca, la Prevenzione e la rete Oncologica (ISPRO), viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy;
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, via M. Bracci 16, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Stefano Milani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Florence, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy; (S.P.); (S.M.)
| | - Andrea Galli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Florence, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy; (S.P.); (S.M.)
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19
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Nees SN, Chung WK. The genetics of isolated congenital heart disease. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2019; 184:97-106. [PMID: 31876989 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The genetic mechanisms underlying congenital heart disease (CHD) are complex and remain incompletely understood. The majority of patients with CHD have an isolated heart defect without other organ system involvement, but the genetic basis of isolated CHD has been even more difficult to elucidate compared to syndromic CHD. Our understanding of the genetics of isolated CHD is advancing in large part due to advances in next generation sequencing, and the list of genes associated with CHD is rapidly expanding. Variants in hundreds of genes have been identified that may cause or contribute to CHD, but a genetic cause can still only be identified in about 20-30% of patients. Identifying a genetic cause for CHD can have an impact on clinical outcomes and prognosis and thus it is important for clinicians to understand when and what to test in patients with isolated CHD. This chapter reviews some of the known genetic mechanisms that contribute to isolated inherited and sporadic CHD as well as recommendations for evaluation and genetic testing in patients with isolated CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon N Nees
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York.,Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
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20
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Genetics of Congenital Heart Disease. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9120879. [PMID: 31888141 PMCID: PMC6995556 DOI: 10.3390/biom9120879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common birth defects. Studies in animal models and humans have indicated a genetic etiology for CHD. About 400 genes have been implicated in CHD, encompassing transcription factors, cell signaling molecules, and structural proteins that are important for heart development. Recent studies have shown genes encoding chromatin modifiers, cilia related proteins, and cilia-transduced cell signaling pathways play important roles in CHD pathogenesis. Elucidating the genetic etiology of CHD will help improve diagnosis and the development of new therapies to improve patient outcomes.
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21
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Wang Z, Song HM, Wang F, Zhao CM, Huang RT, Xue S, Li RG, Qiu XB, Xu YJ, Liu XY, Yang YQ. A New ISL1 Loss-of-Function Mutation Predisposes to Congenital Double Outlet Right Ventricle. Int Heart J 2019; 60:1113-1122. [DOI: 10.1536/ihj.18-685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine
| | - Hao-Ming Song
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine
| | - Cui-Mei Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine
| | - Ri-Tai Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
| | - Song Xue
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
| | - Ruo-Gu Li
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
| | - Xing-Biao Qiu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
| | - Ying-Jia Xu
- Department of Cardiology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University
| | - Xing-Yuan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine
| | - Yi-Qing Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University
- Department of Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University
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22
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Wang E, Nie Y, Fan X, Zheng Z, Hu S. Intronic Polymorphisms in Gene of Second Heart Field as Risk Factors for Human Congenital Heart Disease in a Chinese Population. DNA Cell Biol 2019; 38:521-531. [PMID: 31013439 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2018.4254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional factors and signaling factors in the second heart field (SHF) contribute to cardiac development. However, the associations of intronic gene variants in the SHF with congenital heart disease (CHD) remain ununderstood. Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from our previous sequencing data were selected and then genotyped in 383 CHD patients and 384 healthy controls in a Chinese population. Genotype analyses revealed that minor alleles in TBX1: rs12165908 C > G [odds ratio (OR) = 2.64; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.87-3.73, p = 3.03 × 10-8] and GATA6: rs143085291 C > T (OR = 2.49; 95% CI = 1.18-5.29, p = 0.01) increased CHD risk significantly. Meanwhile, FGF10: rs78454549 T > C and GATA4: rs13275657 A>G polymorphisms were significantly associated with increased risk of simple CHDs. The minor allele C in GATA4: rs17153694 T > C increased the risk of tetralogy of Fallot, whereas minor alleles in TBX1: rs41298006 G>A, FGF10: rs75629618 C>T, FGF10: rs10461755 G>A, FGF10: rs75632187 A>G, and FGF10: rs12518964 G > A were associated with increased risk of single ventricle. The minor allele T in rs143085291 in GATA6 enhancer decreased the transcription level in luciferase assay. Our findings suggest that intronic SNPs in transcriptional factors and signaling factors in the SHF are significantly associated with increased risk of different CHD types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enshi Wang
- 1 Center for Cardiac Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Nie
- 2 State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xuesong Fan
- 3 Department of Clinical Laboratory Center, Beijing An Zhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Zheng
- 1 Center for Cardiac Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shengshou Hu
- 1 Center for Cardiac Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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23
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Wang J, Abhinav P, Xu YJ, Li RG, Zhang M, Qiu XB, Di RM, Qiao Q, Li XM, Huang RT, Xue S, Yang YQ. NR2F2 loss‑of‑function mutation is responsible for congenital bicuspid aortic valve. Int J Mol Med 2019; 43:1839-1846. [PMID: 30720060 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) represents the most common type of cardiac birth defect affecting 0.4‑2% of the general population, and accounts for a markedly increased incidence of life‑threatening complications, including valvulopathy and aortopathy. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the genetic basis of BAV. However, the genetic basis for BAV in the majority of cases remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the coding regions and splicing donors/acceptors of the nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 2 (NR2F2) gene, which encodes a transcription factor essential for proper cardiovascular development, were sequenced in 176 unrelated cases of congenital BAV. The available family members of the proband carrying an identified NR2F2 mutation and 280 unrelated, sex‑ and ethnicity‑matched healthy individuals as controls were additionally genotyped for NR2F2. The functional effect of the mutation was characterized using a dual‑luciferase reporter assay system. As a result, a novel heterozygous NR2F2 mutation, NM_021005.3: c.288C>A; p.(Cys96*), was identified in a family with BAV, which was transmitted in an autosomal dominant mode with complete penetrance. The nonsense mutation was absent from the 560 control chromosomes. Functional analysis identified that the mutant NR2F2 protein had no transcriptional activity. Furthermore, the mutation disrupted the synergistic transcriptional activation between NR2F2 and transcription factor GATA‑4, another transcription factor that is associated with BAV. These findings suggested NR2F2 as a novel susceptibility gene of human BAV, which reveals a novel molecular pathogenesis underpinning BAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
| | - Pradhan Abhinav
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
| | - Ying-Jia Xu
- Department of Cardiology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, P.R. China
| | - Ruo-Gu Li
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, P.R. China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, P.R. China
| | - Xing-Biao Qiu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, P.R. China
| | - Ruo-Min Di
- Department of Cardiology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, P.R. China
| | - Qi Qiao
- Department of Cardiology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, P.R. China
| | - Xiu-Mei Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, P.R. China
| | - Ri-Tai Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
| | - Song Xue
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Qing Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, P.R. China
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24
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Ma L, Wang J, Li L, Qiao Q, Di RM, Li XM, Xu YJ, Zhang M, Li RG, Qiu XB, Li X, Yang YQ. ISL1 loss-of-function mutation contributes to congenital heart defects. Heart Vessels 2018; 34:658-668. [PMID: 30390123 DOI: 10.1007/s00380-018-1289-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Congenital heart defect (CHD) is the most common form of birth deformity and is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality in humans. Increasing evidence has convincingly demonstrated that genetic defects play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of CHD. However, CHD is a genetically heterogeneous disorder and the genetic basis underpinning CHD in the vast majority of cases remains elusive. This study was sought to identify the pathogenic mutation in the ISL1 gene contributing to CHD. A cohort of 210 unrelated patients with CHD and a total of 256 unrelated healthy individuals used as controls were registered. The coding exons and splicing boundaries of ISL1 were sequenced in all study subjects. The functional effect of an identified ISL1 mutation was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter assay system. A novel heterozygous ISL1 mutation, c.409G > T or p.E137X, was identified in an index patient with congenital patent ductus arteriosus and ventricular septal defect. Analysis of the proband's pedigree revealed that the mutation co-segregated with CHD, which was transmitted in the family in an autosomal dominant pattern with complete penetrance. The nonsense mutation was absent in 512 control chromosomes. Functional analysis unveiled that the mutant ISL1 protein failed to transactivate the promoter of MEF2C, alone or in synergy with TBX20. This study firstly implicates ISL1 loss-of-function mutation with CHD in humans, which provides novel insight into the molecular mechanism of CHD, implying potential implications for genetic counseling and individually tailored treatment of CHD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Ma
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Ultrasound, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Li Li
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Qi Qiao
- Department of Cardiology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Ruo-Min Di
- Department of Cardiology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xiu-Mei Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Ying-Jia Xu
- Department of Cardiology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Ruo-Gu Li
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Xing-Biao Qiu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Xun Li
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yi-Qing Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China. .,Department of Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China. .,Department of Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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Lu CX, Wang W, Wang Q, Liu XY, Yang YQ. A Novel MEF2C Loss-of-Function Mutation Associated with Congenital Double Outlet Right Ventricle. Pediatr Cardiol 2018; 39:794-804. [PMID: 29468350 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-018-1822-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Congenital heart defect (CHD) represents the most prevalent birth defect, and accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality in humans. Aggregating evidence demonstrates the genetic basis for CHD. However, CHD is a heterogeneous disease, and the genetic determinants underlying CHD in most patients remain unknown. In the present study, a cohort of 186 unrelated cases with CHD and 300 unrelated control individuals were recruited. The coding exons and flanking introns of the MEF2C gene, which encodes a transcription factor crucial for proper cardiovascular development, were sequenced in all study participants. The functional effect of an identified MEF2C mutation was characterized using a dual-luciferase reporter assay system. As a result, a novel heterozygous MEF2C mutation, p.R15C, was detected in an index patient with congenital double outlet right ventricle (DORV) as well as ventricular septal defect. Analysis of the proband's pedigree showed that the mutation co-segregated with CHD with complete penetrance. The missense mutation, which changed the evolutionarily conserved amino acid, was absent in 300 control individuals. Functional deciphers revealed that the mutant MEF2C protein had a significantly decreased transcriptional activity. Furthermore, the mutation significantly reduced the synergistic activation between MEF2C and GATA4, another transcription factor linked to CHD. This study firstly associates MEF2C loss-of-function mutation with DORV in humans, which provides novel insight into the molecular pathogenesis of CHD, suggesting potential implications for genetic counseling and personalized treatment of CHD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai-Xia Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Huashan Hospital North, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201907, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065, China
| | - Xing-Yuan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065, China.
| | - Yi-Qing Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China. .,Department of Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China. .,Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
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