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Bridges J, Ramirez-Guerrero JA, Rosa-Garrido M. Gender-specific genetic and epigenetic signatures in cardiovascular disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1355980. [PMID: 38529333 PMCID: PMC10962446 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1355980] [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: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiac sex differences represent a pertinent focus in pursuit of the long-awaited goal of personalized medicine. Despite evident disparities in the onset and progression of cardiac pathology between sexes, historical oversight has led to the neglect of gender-specific considerations in the treatment of patients. This oversight is attributed to a predominant focus on male samples and a lack of sex-based segregation in patient studies. Recognizing these sex differences is not only relevant to the treatment of cisgender individuals; it also holds paramount importance in addressing the healthcare needs of transgender patients, a demographic that is increasingly prominent in contemporary society. In response to these challenges, various agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, have actively directed their efforts toward advancing our comprehension of this phenomenon. Epigenetics has proven to play a crucial role in understanding sex differences in both healthy and disease states within the heart. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the physiological distinctions between males and females during the development of various cardiac pathologies, specifically focusing on unraveling the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms at play. Current findings related to distinct sex-chromosome compositions, the emergence of gender-biased genetic variations, and variations in hormonal profiles between sexes are highlighted. Additionally, the roles of DNA methylation, histone marks, and chromatin structure in mediating pathological sex differences are explored. To inspire further investigation into this crucial subject, we have conducted global analyses of various epigenetic features, leveraging data previously generated by the ENCODE project.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Manuel Rosa-Garrido
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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2
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Arabia G, Bellicini MG, Cersosimo A, Memo M, Mazzarotto F, Inciardi RM, Cerini M, Chen LY, Aboelhassan M, Benzoni P, Mitacchione G, Bontempi L, Curnis A. Ion channel dysfunction and fibrosis in atrial fibrillation: Two sides of the same coin. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2024; 47:417-428. [PMID: 38375940 DOI: 10.1111/pace.14944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm disorder that is associated with an increased risk of stroke and heart failure (HF). Initially, an association between AF and ion channel dysfunction was identified, classifying the pathology as a predominantly electrical disease. More recently it has been recognized that fibrosis and structural atrial remodeling play a driving role in the development of this arrhythmia also in these cases. PURPOSE Understanding the role of fibrosis in genetic determined AF could be important to better comprise the pathophysiology of this arrhythmia and to refine its management also in nongenetic forms. In this review we analyze genetic and epigenetic mechanisms responsible for AF and their link with atrial fibrosis, then we will consider analogies with the pathophysiological mechanism in nongenetic AF, and discuss consequent therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Arabia
- Cardiology Department, Spedali Civili Hospital, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Angelica Cersosimo
- Cardiology Department, Spedali Civili Hospital, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Mazzarotto
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London (F.M., J. Ware), London, UK
| | | | - Manuel Cerini
- Cardiology Department, Spedali Civili Hospital, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lin Yee Chen
- University of Minnesota (L.Y.C.), Minneapolis, USA
| | | | - Patrizia Benzoni
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Luca Bontempi
- Unit of Cardiology, Cardiac Electrophysiology and, Electrostimulation Laboratory, "Bolognini" Hospital of Seriate - ASST Bergamo Est, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Antonio Curnis
- Cardiology Department, Spedali Civili Hospital, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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3
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Sommerfeld LC, Holmes AP, Yu TY, O'Shea C, Kavanagh DM, Pike JM, Wright T, Syeda F, Aljehani A, Kew T, Cardoso VR, Kabir SN, Hepburn C, Menon PR, Broadway-Stringer S, O'Reilly M, Witten A, Fortmueller L, Lutz S, Kulle A, Gkoutos GV, Pavlovic D, Arlt W, Lavery GG, Steeds R, Gehmlich K, Stoll M, Kirchhof P, Fabritz L. Reduced plakoglobin increases the risk of sodium current defects and atrial conduction abnormalities in response to androgenic anabolic steroid abuse. J Physiol 2024. [PMID: 38345865 DOI: 10.1113/jp284597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) are commonly abused by young men. Male sex and increased AAS levels are associated with earlier and more severe manifestation of common cardiac conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, and rare ones, such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Clinical observations suggest a potential atrial involvement in ARVC. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is caused by desmosomal gene defects, including reduced plakoglobin expression. Here, we analysed clinical records from 146 ARVC patients to identify that ARVC is more common in males than females. Patients with ARVC also had an increased incidence of atrial arrhythmias and P wave changes. To study desmosomal vulnerability and the effects of AAS on the atria, young adult male mice, heterozygously deficient for plakoglobin (Plako+/- ), and wild type (WT) littermates were chronically exposed to 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or placebo. The DHT increased atrial expression of pro-hypertrophic, fibrotic and inflammatory transcripts. In mice with reduced plakoglobin, DHT exaggerated P wave abnormalities, atrial conduction slowing, sodium current depletion, action potential amplitude reduction and the fall in action potential depolarization rate. Super-resolution microscopy revealed a decrease in NaV 1.5 membrane clustering in Plako+/- atrial cardiomyocytes after DHT exposure. In summary, AAS combined with plakoglobin deficiency cause pathological atrial electrical remodelling in young male hearts. Male sex is likely to increase the risk of atrial arrhythmia, particularly in those with desmosomal gene variants. This risk is likely to be exaggerated further by AAS use. KEY POINTS: Androgenic male sex hormones, such as testosterone, might increase the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which is often caused by desmosomal gene defects (e.g. reduced plakoglobin expression). In this study, we observed a significantly higher proportion of males who had ARVC compared with females, and atrial arrhythmias and P wave changes represented a common observation in advanced ARVC stages. In mice with reduced plakoglobin expression, chronic administration of 5α-dihydrotestosterone led to P wave abnormalities, atrial conduction slowing, sodium current depletion and a decrease in membrane-localized NaV 1.5 clusters. 5α-Dihydrotestosterone, therefore, represents a stimulus aggravating the pro-arrhythmic phenotype in carriers of desmosomal mutations and can affect atrial electrical function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Sommerfeld
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Standort Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - Andrew P Holmes
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ting Y Yu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Research and Training Centre in Physical Sciences for Health, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher O'Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Research and Training Centre in Physical Sciences for Health, Birmingham, UK
| | - Deirdre M Kavanagh
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jeremy M Pike
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Thomas Wright
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Fahima Syeda
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Areej Aljehani
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tania Kew
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Victor R Cardoso
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - S Nashitha Kabir
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Claire Hepburn
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Priyanka R Menon
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Molly O'Reilly
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Anika Witten
- Genetic Epidemiology, Institute for Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Core Facility Genomics of the Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lisa Fortmueller
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Standort Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Genetic Epidemiology, Institute for Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Susanne Lutz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kulle
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Georgios V Gkoutos
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- MRC Health Data Research UK (HDR), Midlands Site, UK
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
- Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, London UK & Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Gareth G Lavery
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
| | - Richard Steeds
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Katja Gehmlich
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Monika Stoll
- Genetic Epidemiology, Institute for Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Core Facility Genomics of the Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Standort Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Standort Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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4
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Vinciguerra M, Dobrev D, Nattel S. Atrial fibrillation: pathophysiology, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. EUROPE 2024; 37:100785. [PMID: 38362554 PMCID: PMC10866930 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia affecting up to 1% of the general population. Its prevalence dramatically increases with age and could reach up to ∼10% in the elderly. The management of AF is a complex issue that is object of extensive ongoing basic and clinical research, it depends on its genetic and epigenetic causes, and it varies considerably geographically and also according to the ethnicity. Mechanistically, over the last decade, Genome Wide Association Studies have uncovered over 100 genetic loci associated with AF, and have shown that European ancestry is associated with elevated risk of AF. These AF-associated loci revolve around different types of disturbances, including inflammation, electrical abnormalities, and structural remodeling. Moreover, the discovery of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, involving non-coding RNAs, DNA methylation and histone modification, has allowed unravelling what modifications reshape the processes leading to arrhythmias. Our review provides a current state of the field regarding the identification and functional characterization of AF-related genetic and epigenetic regulatory networks, including ethnic differences. We discuss clear and emerging connections between genetic regulation and pathophysiological mechanisms of AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manlio Vinciguerra
- Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Dobromir Dobrev
- Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
- Department of Medicine and Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stanley Nattel
- Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
- Department of Medicine and Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- IHU LIRYC and Fondation Bordeaux Université, Bordeaux, France
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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5
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Baines O, Sha R, Kalla M, Holmes AP, Efimov IR, Pavlovic D, O’Shea C. Optical mapping and optogenetics in cardiac electrophysiology research and therapy: a state-of-the-art review. Europace 2024; 26:euae017. [PMID: 38227822 PMCID: PMC10847904 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae017] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
State-of-the-art innovations in optical cardiac electrophysiology are significantly enhancing cardiac research. A potential leap into patient care is now on the horizon. Optical mapping, using fluorescent probes and high-speed cameras, offers detailed insights into cardiac activity and arrhythmias by analysing electrical signals, calcium dynamics, and metabolism. Optogenetics utilizes light-sensitive ion channels and pumps to realize contactless, cell-selective cardiac actuation for modelling arrhythmia, restoring sinus rhythm, and probing complex cell-cell interactions. The merging of optogenetics and optical mapping techniques for 'all-optical' electrophysiology marks a significant step forward. This combination allows for the contactless actuation and sensing of cardiac electrophysiology, offering unprecedented spatial-temporal resolution and control. Recent studies have performed all-optical imaging ex vivo and achieved reliable optogenetic pacing in vivo, narrowing the gap for clinical use. Progress in optical electrophysiology continues at pace. Advances in motion tracking methods are removing the necessity of motion uncoupling, a key limitation of optical mapping. Innovations in optoelectronics, including miniaturized, biocompatible illumination and circuitry, are enabling the creation of implantable cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators with optoelectrical closed-loop systems. Computational modelling and machine learning are emerging as pivotal tools in enhancing optical techniques, offering new avenues for analysing complex data and optimizing therapeutic strategies. However, key challenges remain including opsin delivery, real-time data processing, longevity, and chronic effects of optoelectronic devices. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in optical mapping and optogenetics and outlines the promising future of optics in reshaping cardiac electrophysiology and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Baines
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbastion, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Rina Sha
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbastion, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Manish Kalla
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbastion, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Andrew P Holmes
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbastion, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Igor R Efimov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbastion, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Christopher O’Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbastion, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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6
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Song E. Effects of hydroxychloroquine on atrial electrophysiology in in silico wild-type and PITX2 +/- atrial cardiomyocytes. Herz 2023; 48:384-392. [PMID: 36732468 PMCID: PMC9894744 DOI: 10.1007/s00059-023-05162-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is commonly used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and increases the risk of QT interval prolongation. However, it is unclear how HCQ affects atrial electrophysiology and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS We quantitatively examined the potential atrial arrhythmogenic effects of HCQ on AF using a computational model of human atrial cardiomyocytes. We measured atrial electrophysiological markers after systematically varying HCQ concentrations. RESULTS The HCQ concentrations were positively correlated with the action potential duration (APD), resting membrane potential, refractory period, APD alternans threshold, and calcium transient alternans threshold (p < 0.05). By contrast, HCQ concentrations were inversely correlated with the maximum upstroke velocity and calcium transient amplitude (p < 0.05). When the therapeutic concentration (Cmax) of HCQ was applied, HCQ increased APD90 by 1.4% in normal sinus rhythm, 1.8% in wild-type AF, and 2.6% in paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2)+/- AF, but did not affect the alternans thresholds. The overall in silico results suggest no significant atrial arrhythmogenic effects of HCQ at Cmax, instead implying a potential antiarrhythmic role of low-dose HCQ in AF. However, at an HCQ concentration of fourfold Cmax, a rapid pacing rate of 4 Hz induced prominent APD alternans, particularly in the PITX2+/- AF model. CONCLUSION Our in silico analysis suggests a potential antiarrhythmic role of low-dose HCQ in AF. Concomitant PITX2 mutations and high-dose HCQ treatments may increase the risk of AF, and this potential genotype/dose-dependent arrhythmogenic effect of HCQ should be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euijun Song
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Sharma AK, Singh S, Bhat M, Gill K, Zaid M, Kumar S, Shakya A, Tantray J, Jose D, Gupta R, Yangzom T, Sharma RK, Sahu SK, Rathore G, Chandolia P, Singh M, Mishra A, Raj S, Gupta A, Agarwal M, Kifayat S, Gupta A, Gupta P, Vashist A, Vaibhav P, Kathuria N, Yadav V, Singh RP, Garg A. New drug discovery of cardiac anti-arrhythmic drugs: insights in animal models. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16420. [PMID: 37775650 PMCID: PMC10541452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41942-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac rhythm regulated by micro-macroscopic structures of heart. Pacemaker abnormalities or disruptions in electrical conduction, lead to arrhythmic disorders may be benign, typical, threatening, ultimately fatal, occurs in clinical practice, patients on digitalis, anaesthesia or acute myocardial infarction. Both traditional and genetic animal models are: In-vitro: Isolated ventricular Myocytes, Guinea pig papillary muscles, Patch-Clamp Experiments, Porcine Atrial Myocytes, Guinea pig ventricular myocytes, Guinea pig papillary muscle: action potential and refractory period, Langendorff technique, Arrhythmia by acetylcholine or potassium. Acquired arrhythmia disorders: Transverse Aortic Constriction, Myocardial Ischemia, Complete Heart Block and AV Node Ablation, Chronic Tachypacing, Inflammation, Metabolic and Drug-Induced Arrhythmia. In-Vivo: Chemically induced arrhythmia: Aconitine antagonism, Digoxin-induced arrhythmia, Strophanthin/ouabain-induced arrhythmia, Adrenaline-induced arrhythmia, and Calcium-induced arrhythmia. Electrically induced arrhythmia: Ventricular fibrillation electrical threshold, Arrhythmia through programmed electrical stimulation, sudden coronary death in dogs, Exercise ventricular fibrillation. Genetic Arrhythmia: Channelopathies, Calcium Release Deficiency Syndrome, Long QT Syndrome, Short QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome. Genetic with Structural Heart Disease: Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy/Dysplasia, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Atrial Fibrillation, Sick Sinus Syndrome, Atrioventricular Block, Preexcitation Syndrome. Arrhythmia in Pluripotent Stem Cell Cardiomyocytes. Conclusion: Both traditional and genetic, experimental models of cardiac arrhythmias' characteristics and significance help in development of new antiarrhythmic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kumar Sharma
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India.
| | - Shivam Singh
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Mehvish Bhat
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Kartik Gill
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Mohammad Zaid
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Sachin Kumar
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Anjali Shakya
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Junaid Tantray
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Divyamol Jose
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Rashmi Gupta
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Tsering Yangzom
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar Sharma
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | | | - Gulshan Rathore
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Priyanka Chandolia
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Mithilesh Singh
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Anurag Mishra
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Shobhit Raj
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Archita Gupta
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Mohit Agarwal
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Sumaiya Kifayat
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Anamika Gupta
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Prashant Gupta
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Ankit Vashist
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Parth Vaibhav
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Nancy Kathuria
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Vipin Yadav
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Ravindra Pal Singh
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303121, India
| | - Arun Garg
- MVN University, Palwal, Haryana, India
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8
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Burashnikov A, Antzelevitch C. Mild elevation of extracellular potassium greatly potentiates the effect of sodium channel block to cardiovert atrial fibrillation: The Lankenau approach. Heart Rhythm 2023; 20:1257-1264. [PMID: 37169158 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common clinical necessity, and there is a need for more effective and safe options for acute cardioversion of AF. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the efficacy and time course of AF cardioversion by sodium channel current (INa) block can be improved by mild elevation of extracellular potassium ([K+]0). METHODS Using a canine acetylcholine (ACh)-mediated AF model (isolated coronary-perfused right atrial preparations with a rim of right ventricle), we evaluated the ability of flecainide to suppress AF in the presence of [K+]0 ranging from 3 to 8 mM. RESULTS At [K+]0 of 4 mM (baseline), persistent AF (>1 hour) was induced in 5 of 5 atria in the presence of 0.5 μM ACh. Flecainide alone (1.5 μM) cardioverted 3 of 6 atria at 4 mM [K+]0, 1 of 6 atria at 3 mM [K+]0, 5 of 5 atria at 5 mM and 6 mM [K+]0, and 4 of 4 atria at 8 mM [K+]0. In the absence of flecainide, an increase in [K+]0 from 4 mM to 5, 6, and 8 mM terminated AF in 0 of 5, 2 of 6, and 4 of 4 atria, respectively. The time to conversion was also abbreviated by elevation of [K+]0. After AF termination with flecainide plus elevated [K+]0, AF was either not inducible or brief (<100 seconds). Combined flecainide and elevated [K+]0 (6 mM) caused an atrial preferential depression of excitability. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that a combination of INa block accompanied by mild elevation of serum potassium may be a novel approach to more effectively, rapidly, and safely cardiovert AF and prevent its recurrence in the short term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Burashnikov
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania; Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Charles Antzelevitch
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania; Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Lankenau Heart Institute, Main Line Health System, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
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9
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Kervadec A, Kezos J, Ni H, Yu M, Marchant J, Spiering S, Kannan S, Kwon C, Andersen P, Bodmer R, Grandi E, Ocorr K, Colas AR. Multiplatform modeling of atrial fibrillation identifies phospholamban as a central regulator of cardiac rhythm. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm049962. [PMID: 37293707 PMCID: PMC10387351 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049962] [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: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common and genetically inheritable form of cardiac arrhythmia; however, it is currently not known how these genetic predispositions contribute to the initiation and/or maintenance of AF-associated phenotypes. One major barrier to progress is the lack of experimental systems to investigate the effects of gene function on rhythm parameters in models with human atrial and whole-organ relevance. Here, we assembled a multi-model platform enabling high-throughput characterization of the effects of gene function on action potential duration and rhythm parameters using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial-like cardiomyocytes and a Drosophila heart model, and validation of the findings using computational models of human adult atrial myocytes and tissue. As proof of concept, we screened 20 AF-associated genes and identified phospholamban loss of function as a top conserved hit that shortens action potential duration and increases the incidence of arrhythmia phenotypes upon stress. Mechanistically, our study reveals that phospholamban regulates rhythm homeostasis by functionally interacting with L-type Ca2+ channels and NCX. In summary, our study illustrates how a multi-model system approach paves the way for the discovery and molecular delineation of gene regulatory networks controlling atrial rhythm with application to AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Kervadec
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - James Kezos
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Haibo Ni
- Department of Pharmacology, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Michael Yu
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - James Marchant
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sean Spiering
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Suraj Kannan
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chulan Kwon
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | - Rolf Bodmer
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | - Karen Ocorr
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Alexandre R. Colas
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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10
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Saleeb-Mousa J, Nathanael D, Coney AM, Kalla M, Brain KL, Holmes AP. Mechanisms of Atrial Fibrillation in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. Cells 2023; 12:1661. [PMID: 37371131 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a strong independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). Emerging clinical data cite adverse effects of OSA on AF induction, maintenance, disease severity, and responsiveness to treatment. Prevention using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is effective in some groups but is limited by its poor compliance. Thus, an improved understanding of the underlying arrhythmogenic mechanisms will facilitate the development of novel therapies and/or better selection of those currently available to complement CPAP in alleviating the burden of AF in OSA. Arrhythmogenesis in OSA is a multifactorial process characterised by a combination of acute atrial stimulation on a background of chronic electrical, structural, and autonomic remodelling. Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), a key feature of OSA, is associated with long-term adaptive changes in myocyte ion channel currents, sensitising the atria to episodic bursts of autonomic reflex activity. CIH is also a potent driver of inflammatory and hypoxic stress, leading to fibrosis, connexin downregulation, and conduction slowing. Atrial stretch is brought about by negative thoracic pressure (NTP) swings during apnoea, promoting further chronic structural remodelling, as well as acutely dysregulating calcium handling and electrical function. Here, we provide an up-to-date review of these topical mechanistic insights and their roles in arrhythmia.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Saleeb-Mousa
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Demitris Nathanael
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Andrew M Coney
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Manish Kalla
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2GW, UK
| | - Keith L Brain
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Andrew P Holmes
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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11
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Christensen MA, Bonde A, Sillesen M. Genetic risk factors for postoperative atrial fibrillation-a nationwide genome-wide association study (GWAS). Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1040757. [PMID: 37404734 PMCID: PMC10315824 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1040757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of morbidity with a high prevalence among the elderly and has an established genetic disposition. Surgery is a well-known risk factor for AF; however, it is currently not recognized how much common genetic variants influence the postoperative risk. The purpose of this study was to identify Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms associated with postoperative AF. Methods The UK Biobank was utilized to conduct a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) to identify variants associated with AF after surgery. An initial discovery GWAS was performed in patients that had undergone surgery with subsequent replication in a unique non-surgical cohort. In the surgical cohort, cases were defined as newly diagnosed AF within 30 days after surgery. The threshold for significance was set at 5 × 10-8. Results After quality control, 144,196 surgical patients with 254,068 SNPs were left for analysis. Two variants (rs17042171 (p = 4.86 × 10-15) and rs17042081 (p = 7.12 × 10-15)) near the PITX2-gene reached statistical significance. These variants were replicated in the non-surgical cohort (1.39 × 10-101 and 1.27 × 10-93, respectively). Several other loci were significantly associated with AF in the non-surgical cohort. Conclusion In this GWAS-analysis of a large national biobank, we identified 2 variants that were significantly associated with postoperative AF. These variants were subsequently replicated in a unique non-surgical cohort. These findings bring new insight in the genetics of postoperative AF and may help identify at-risk patients and guide management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias A. Christensen
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshosptialet, Denmark
- Center for Surgical Translational and Artificial Intelligence Research (CSTAR), Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Alexander Bonde
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshosptialet, Denmark
- Center for Surgical Translational and Artificial Intelligence Research (CSTAR), Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Martin Sillesen
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshosptialet, Denmark
- Center for Surgical Translational and Artificial Intelligence Research (CSTAR), Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen Medical School, Copenhagen, Denmark
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12
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Patel KK, Venkatesan C, Abdelhalim H, Zeeshan S, Arima Y, Linna-Kuosmanen S, Ahmed Z. Genomic approaches to identify and investigate genes associated with atrial fibrillation and heart failure susceptibility. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:47. [PMID: 37270590 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00498-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) contribute to about 45% of all cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in the USA and around the globe. Due to the complex nature, progression, inherent genetic makeup, and heterogeneity of CVDs, personalized treatments are believed to be critical. To improve the deciphering of CVD mechanisms, we need to deeply investigate well-known and identify novel genes that are responsible for CVD development. With the advancements in sequencing technologies, genomic data have been generated at an unprecedented pace to foster translational research. Correct application of bioinformatics using genomic data holds the potential to reveal the genetic underpinnings of various health conditions. It can help in the identification of causal variants for AF, HF, and other CVDs by moving beyond the one-gene one-disease model through the integration of common and rare variant association, the expressed genome, and characterization of comorbidities and phenotypic traits derived from the clinical information. In this study, we examined and discussed variable genomic approaches investigating genes associated with AF, HF, and other CVDs. We collected, reviewed, and compared high-quality scientific literature published between 2009 and 2022 and accessible through PubMed/NCBI. While selecting relevant literature, we mainly focused on identifying genomic approaches involving the integration of genomic data; analysis of common and rare genetic variants; metadata and phenotypic details; and multi-ethnic studies including individuals from ethnic minorities, and European, Asian, and American ancestries. We found 190 genes associated with AF and 26 genes linked to HF. Seven genes had implications in both AF and HF, which are SYNPO2L, TTN, MTSS1, SCN5A, PITX2, KLHL3, and AGAP5. We listed our conclusion, which include detailed information about genes and SNPs associated with AF and HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kush Ketan Patel
- Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, 112 Paterson St, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Cynthia Venkatesan
- Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, 112 Paterson St, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Habiba Abdelhalim
- Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, 112 Paterson St, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Saman Zeeshan
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, 195 Little Albany St, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Yuichiro Arima
- Developmental Cardiology Laboratory, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Suvi Linna-Kuosmanen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Zeeshan Ahmed
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, 400 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, 125 Paterson St, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
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13
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Tarifa C, Serra SA, Herraiz-Martínez A, Lozano-Velasco E, Benítez R, Aranega A, Franco D, Hove-Madsen L. Pitx2c deficiency confers cellular electrophysiological hallmarks of atrial fibrillation to isolated atrial myocytes. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114577. [PMID: 37001181 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with altered expression of the transcription factor Pitx2c and a high incidence of calcium release-induced afterdepolarizations. However, the relationship between Pitx2c expression and defective calcium homeostasis remains unclear and we here aimed to determine how Pitx2c expression affects calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and its impact on electrical activity in isolated atrial myocytes. METHODS To address this issue, we applied confocal calcium imaging and patch-clamp techniques to atrial myocytes isolated from a mouse model with conditional atrial-specific deletion of Pitx2c. RESULTS Our findings demonstrate that heterozygous deletion of Pitx2c doubles the calcium spark frequency, increases the frequency of sparks/site 1.5-fold, the calcium spark decay constant from 36 to 42 ms and the wave frequency from none to 3.2 min-1. Additionally, the cell capacitance increased by 30% and both the SR calcium load and the transient inward current (ITI) frequency were doubled. Furthermore, the fraction of cells with spontaneous action potentials increased from none to 44%. These effects of Pitx2c deficiency were comparable in right and left atrial myocytes, and homozygous deletion of Pitx2c did not induce any further effects on sparks, SR calcium load, ITI frequency or spontaneous action potentials. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that heterozygous Pitx2c deletion induces defects in calcium homeostasis and electrical activity that mimic derangements observed in right atrial myocytes from patients with AF and suggest that Pitx2c deficiency confers cellular electrophysiological hallmarks of AF to isolated atrial myocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Tarifa
- Biomedical Research Institute Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), Spain; IIB Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Selma A Serra
- Biomedical Research Institute Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), Spain; IIB Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adela Herraiz-Martínez
- Biomedical Research Institute Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), Spain; IIB Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Raul Benítez
- Department of Automatic Control, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amelia Aranega
- Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, Spain
| | - Diego Franco
- Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, Spain
| | - Leif Hove-Madsen
- Biomedical Research Institute Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), Spain; IIB Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERCV, Spain.
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14
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Hennings E, Blum S, Aeschbacher S, Coslovsky M, Knecht S, Eken C, Lischer M, Paladini RE, Krisai P, Reichlin T, Rodondi N, Beer JH, Ammann P, Conte G, De Perna ML, Kobza R, Blum MR, Bossard M, Kastner P, Ziegler A, Müller C, Bonati LH, Pfister O, Zuern CS, Conen D, Kühne M, Osswald S. Bone Morphogenetic Protein 10-A Novel Biomarker to Predict Adverse Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e028255. [PMID: 36926939 PMCID: PMC10111531 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.028255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Background Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) face an increased risk of death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). We aimed to assess the predictive value of the novel atrial-specific biomarker BMP10 (bone morphogenetic protein 10) for death and MACE in patients with AF in comparison with NT-proBNP (N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide). Methods and Results BMP10 and NT-proBNP were measured in patients with AF enrolled in Swiss-AF (Swiss Atrial Fibrillation Study), a prospective multicenter cohort study. A total of 2219 patients were included (median follow-up 4.3 years [interquartile range 3.9, 5.1], mean age 73±9 years, 73% male). In multivariable Cox proportional hazard models, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) associated with 1 ng/mL increase of BMP10 was 1.60 (95% CI, 1.37-1.87) for all-cause death, and 1.54 (95% CI, 1.35-1.76) for MACE. For all-cause death, the concordance index was 0.783 (95% CI, 0.763-0.809) for BMP10, 0.784 (95% CI, 0.765-0.810) for NT-proBNP, and 0.789 (95% CI, 0.771-0.815) for both biomarkers combined. For MACE, the concordance index was 0.732 (95% CI, 0.715-0.754) for BMP10, 0.747 (95% CI, 0.731-0.768) for NT-proBNP, and 0.750 (95% CI, 0.734-0.771) for both biomarkers combined. When grouping patients according to NT-proBNP categories (<300, 300-900, >900 ng/L), higher aHRs were observed in patients with high BMP10 in the categories of low NT-proBNP (all-cause death aHR, 2.28 [95% CI, 1.15-4.52], MACE aHR, 1.88 [95% CI, 1.07-3.28]) and high NT-proBNP (all-cause death aHR, 1.61 [95% CI, 1.14-2.26], MACE aHR, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.07-1.80]). Conclusions BMP10 strongly predicted all-cause death and MACE in patients with AF. BMP10 provided additional prognostic information in low- and high-risk patients according to NT-proBNP stratification. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02105844.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Hennings
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- CardiologyUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Steffen Blum
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- CardiologyUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Stefanie Aeschbacher
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- CardiologyUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Michael Coslovsky
- Department of Clinical ResearchUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Sven Knecht
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- CardiologyUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Ceylan Eken
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- CardiologyUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Mirko Lischer
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- CardiologyUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Rebecca E. Paladini
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- CardiologyUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Philipp Krisai
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- CardiologyUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Tobias Reichlin
- Department of CardiologyInselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Nicolas Rodondi
- Department of General Internal MedicineInselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of BernBernSwitzerland
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Jürg H. Beer
- Department of Internal MedicineCantonal Hospital BadenBadenSwitzerland
| | - Peter Ammann
- Department of CardiologyKantonsspital St. GallenSt. GallenSwitzerland
| | - Giulio Conte
- Cardiocentro Ticino InstituteEnte Ospedaliero CantonaleLuganoSwitzerland
| | | | - Richard Kobza
- Cardiology DivisionHeart Center, Luzerner KantonsspitalLuzernSwitzerland
| | - Manuel R. Blum
- Department of General Internal MedicineInselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of BernBernSwitzerland
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Matthias Bossard
- Cardiology DivisionHeart Center, Luzerner KantonsspitalLuzernSwitzerland
| | | | - André Ziegler
- Roche Diagnostics International AGRotkreuzSwitzerland
| | - Christian Müller
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- CardiologyUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Leo H. Bonati
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Department of Neurology and Stroke CenterUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Otmar Pfister
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- CardiologyUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Christine S. Zuern
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- CardiologyUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - David Conen
- Population Health Research InstituteMcMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
| | - Michael Kühne
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- CardiologyUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Stefan Osswald
- Cardiovascular Research Institute BaselUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- CardiologyUniversity Hospital Basel, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
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15
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Schulz C, Lemoine MD, Mearini G, Koivumäki J, Sani J, Schwedhelm E, Kirchhof P, Ghalawinji A, Stoll M, Hansen A, Eschenhagen T, Christ T. PITX2 Knockout Induces Key Findings of Electrical Remodeling as Seen in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2023; 16:e011602. [PMID: 36763906 DOI: 10.1161/circep.122.011602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electrical remodeling in human persistent atrial fibrillation is believed to result from rapid electrical activation of the atria, but underlying genetic causes may contribute. Indeed, common gene variants in an enhancer region close to PITX2 (paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2) are strongly associated with atrial fibrillation, but the mechanism behind this association remains unknown. This study evaluated the consequences of PITX2 deletion (PITX2-/-) in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial cardiomyocytes. METHODS CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated 9) was used to delete PITX2 in a healthy human iPSC line that served as isogenic control. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial cardiomyocytes were differentiated with unfiltered retinoic acid and cultured in atrial engineered heart tissue. Force and action potential were measured in atrial engineered heart tissues. Single human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial cardiomyocytes were isolated from atrial engineered heart tissue for ion current measurements. RESULTS PITX2-/- atrial engineered heart tissue beats slightly slower than isogenic control without irregularity. Force was lower in PITX2-/- than in isogenic control (0.053±0.015 versus 0.131±0.017 mN, n=28/3 versus n=28/4, PITX2-/- versus isogenic control; P<0.0001), accompanied by lower expression of CACNA1C and lower L-type Ca2+ current density. Early repolarization was weaker (action potential duration at 20% repolarization; 45.5±13.2 versus 8.6±5.3 ms, n=18/3 versus n=12/4, PITX2-/- versus isogenic control; P<0.0001), and maximum diastolic potential was more negative (-78.3±3.1 versus -69.7±0.6 mV, n=18/3 versus n=12/4, PITX2-/- versus isogenic control; P=0.001), despite normal inward rectifier currents (both IK1 and IK,ACh) and carbachol-induced shortening of action potential duration. CONCLUSIONS Complete PITX2 deficiency in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial cardiomyocytes recapitulates some findings of electrical remodeling of atrial fibrillation in the absence of fast beating, indicating that these abnormalities could be primary consequences of lower PITX2 levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Schulz
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology (C.S., M.D.L., G.M., J.S., A.H., T.E., T.C.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck (C.S., M.D.L., G.M., J.S., E.S., P.K.)
| | - Marc D Lemoine
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology (C.S., M.D.L., G.M., J.S., A.H., T.E., T.C.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck (C.S., M.D.L., G.M., J.S., E.S., P.K.)
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, Hamburg, Germany (M.D.L., A.H., P.K., T.E., T.C.)
| | - Giulia Mearini
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology (C.S., M.D.L., G.M., J.S., A.H., T.E., T.C.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck (C.S., M.D.L., G.M., J.S., E.S., P.K.)
- DiNAQOR AG, Pfäffikon, Switzerland (G.M., P.K.)
| | - Jussi Koivumäki
- BioMediTech, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Finland (J.K.)
| | - Jascha Sani
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology (C.S., M.D.L., G.M., J.S., A.H., T.E., T.C.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck (C.S., M.D.L., G.M., J.S., E.S., P.K.)
| | - Edzard Schwedhelm
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (E.S.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck (C.S., M.D.L., G.M., J.S., E.S., P.K.)
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck (C.S., M.D.L., G.M., J.S., E.S., P.K.)
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, Hamburg, Germany (M.D.L., A.H., P.K., T.E., T.C.)
- DiNAQOR AG, Pfäffikon, Switzerland (G.M., P.K.)
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom (P.K.)
| | - Amer Ghalawinji
- Division of Genetic Epidemiology, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Germany (A.G., M.S.)
| | - Monika Stoll
- Division of Genetic Epidemiology, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Germany (A.G., M.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Sciences, Maastricht University, the Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Arne Hansen
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology (C.S., M.D.L., G.M., J.S., A.H., T.E., T.C.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, Hamburg, Germany (M.D.L., A.H., P.K., T.E., T.C.)
| | - Thomas Eschenhagen
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology (C.S., M.D.L., G.M., J.S., A.H., T.E., T.C.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, Hamburg, Germany (M.D.L., A.H., P.K., T.E., T.C.)
| | - Torsten Christ
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology (C.S., M.D.L., G.M., J.S., A.H., T.E., T.C.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, Hamburg, Germany (M.D.L., A.H., P.K., T.E., T.C.)
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16
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Hijazi Z, Benz AP, Lindbäck J, Alexander JH, Connolly SJ, Eikelboom JW, Granger CB, Kastner P, Lopes RD, Ziegler A, Oldgren J, Siegbahn A, Wallentin L. Bone morphogenetic protein 10: a novel risk marker of ischaemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Eur Heart J 2023; 44:208-218. [PMID: 36380569 PMCID: PMC9839419 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Biomarkers specifically related to atrial tissue may increase the understanding of the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) and further improve risk prediction in this setting. Bone morphogenetic protein 10 (BMP10) is a protein expressed in the atrial myocardium. We evaluated the association between BMP10 and the risk of ischaemic stroke and other cardiovascular events in large cohorts of patients with AF, treated with and without oral anticoagulation (OAC). METHODS AND RESULTS BMP10 was measured in plasma samples collected at randomisation in patients with AF without OAC in the ACTIVE A and AVERROES trials (n = 2974), and with OAC in the ARISTOTLE trial (n = 13 079). BMP10 was analysed with a prototype Elecsys immunoassay. Associations with outcomes were evaluated by Cox-regression models adjusted for clinical characteristics, kidney function, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Median concentrations of BMP10 were 2.47 and 2.44 ng/mL, in the non-OAC and OAC cohort, respectively. Increasing BMP10 was associated with lower body mass index, older age, female sex, kidney dysfunction, and AF rhythm. BMP10 was consistently associated with ischaemic stroke. In the non-OAC cohort, BMP10 increased the concordance index of the multivariable model from 0.713 to 0.733 (P = 0.004) and in the OAC cohort from 0.673 to 0.694 (P < 0.001). Additionally, BMP10 maintained a significant prognostic value after additionally adjusting for NT-proBNP. BMP10 was not independently associated with bleeding or with death. CONCLUSION The novel atrial biomarker BMP10 was independently associated with ischaemic stroke in patients with AF irrespective of OAC treatment. BMP10 seems to be more specifically related to the risk of ischaemic stroke in AF. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY In this study, BMP10 may be a novel specific biomarker of ischaemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, irrespective of oral anticoagulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziad Hijazi
- Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 38, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiology, Uppsala University, Ingång 40, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alexander P Benz
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 2X2, Canada.,Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Johan Lindbäck
- Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 38, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - John H Alexander
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, 300 W. Morgan Street Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Stuart J Connolly
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 2X2, Canada
| | - John W Eikelboom
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 2X2, Canada
| | - Christopher B Granger
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, 300 W. Morgan Street Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Peter Kastner
- Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Nonnenwald 2, DE-82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Renato D Lopes
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, 300 W. Morgan Street Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - André Ziegler
- Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Nonnenwald 2, DE-82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Oldgren
- Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 38, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiology, Uppsala University, Ingång 40, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Agneta Siegbahn
- Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 38, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Ingång 40, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Wallentin
- Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 38, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiology, Uppsala University, Ingång 40, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
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17
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Mulla W, Murninkas M, Levi O, Etzion Y. Incorrectly corrected? QT interval analysis in rats and mice. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1002203. [PMID: 36304573 PMCID: PMC9595597 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1002203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
QT interval, a surrogate measure for ventricular action potential duration (APD) in the surface ECG, is widely used to identify cardiac abnormalities and drug safety. In humans, cardiac APD and QT interval are prominently affected by heart rate (HR), leading to widely accepted formulas to correct the QT interval for HR changes (QT corrected - QTc). While QTc is widely used in the clinic, the proper way to correct the QT interval in small mammals such as rats and mice is not clear. Over the years, empiric correction formulas were developed for rats and mice, which are widely used in the literature. Recent experimental findings obtained from pharmacological and direct pacing experiments in unanesthetized rodents show that the rate-adaptation properties are markedly different from those in humans and the use of existing QTc formulae can lead to major errors in data interpretation. In the present review, these experimental findings are summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesam Mulla
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- *Correspondence: Wesam Mulla, ; Yoram Etzion,
| | - Michael Murninkas
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Or Levi
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Yoram Etzion
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- *Correspondence: Wesam Mulla, ; Yoram Etzion,
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18
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Crespo-García T, Cámara-Checa A, Dago M, Rubio-Alarcón M, Rapún J, Tamargo J, Delpón E, Caballero R. Regulation of cardiac ion channels by transcription factors: Looking for new opportunities of druggable targets for the treatment of arrhythmias. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 204:115206. [PMID: 35963339 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac electrical activity is governed by different ion channels that generate action potentials. Acquired or inherited abnormalities in the expression and/or function of ion channels usually result in electrophysiological changes that can cause cardiac arrhythmias. Transcription factors (TFs) control gene transcription by binding to specific DNA sequences adjacent to target genes. Linkage analysis, candidate-gene screening within families, and genome-wide association studies have linked rare and common genetic variants in the genes encoding TFs with genetically-determined cardiac arrhythmias. Besides its critical role in cardiac development, recent data demonstrated that they control cardiac electrical activity through the direct regulation of the expression and function of cardiac ion channels in adult hearts. This narrative review summarizes some studies showing functional data on regulation of the main human atrial and ventricular Na+, Ca2+, and K+ channels by cardiac TFs such as Pitx2c, Tbx20, Tbx5, Zfhx3, among others. The results have improved our understanding of the mechanisms regulating cardiac electrical activity and may open new avenues for therapeutic interventions in cardiac acquired or inherited arrhythmias through the identification of TFs as potential drug targets. Even though TFs have for a long time been considered as 'undruggable' targets, advances in structural biology have led to the identification of unique pockets in TFs amenable to be targeted with small-molecule drugs or peptides that are emerging as novel therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Crespo-García
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - A Cámara-Checa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Dago
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Rubio-Alarcón
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J Rapún
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J Tamargo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - E Delpón
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - R Caballero
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | -
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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19
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Jin Z, Hwang I, Lim B, Kwon OS, Park JW, Yu HT, Kim TH, Joung B, Lee MH, Pak HN. Ablation and antiarrhythmic drug effects on PITX2+/− deficient atrial fibrillation: A computational modeling study. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:942998. [PMID: 35928934 PMCID: PMC9343754 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.942998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a heritable disease, and the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) gene is highly associated with AF. We explored the differences in the circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI), which is the cornerstone procedure for AF catheter ablation, additional high dominant frequency (DF) site ablation, and antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) effects according to the patient genotype (wild-type and PITX2+/− deficient) using computational modeling.MethodsWe included 25 patients with AF (68% men, 59.8 ± 9.8 years of age, 32% paroxysmal AF) who underwent AF catheter ablation to develop a realistic computational AF model. The ion currents for baseline AF and the amiodarone, dronedarone, and flecainide AADs according to the patient genotype (wild type and PITX2+/− deficient) were defined by relevant publications. We tested the virtual CPVI (V-CPVI) with and without DF ablation (±DFA) and three virtual AADs (V-AADs, amiodarone, dronedarone, and flecainide) and evaluated the AF defragmentation rates (AF termination or changes to regular atrial tachycardia (AT), DF, and maximal slope of the action potential duration restitution curves (Smax), which indicates the vulnerability of wave-breaks.ResultsAt the baseline AF, mean DF (p = 0.003), and Smax (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in PITX2+/− deficient patients than wild-type patients. In the overall AF episodes, V-CPVI (±DFA) resulted in a higher AF defragmentation relative to V-AADs (65 vs. 42%, p < 0.001) without changing the DF or Smax. Although a PITX2+/− deficiency did not affect the AF defragmentation rate after the V-CPVI (±DFA), V-AADs had a higher AF defragmentation rate (p = 0.014), lower DF (p < 0.001), and lower Smax (p = 0.001) in PITX2+/− deficient AF than in wild-type patients. In the clinical setting, the PITX2+/− genetic risk score did not affect the AF ablation rhythm outcome (Log-rank p = 0.273).ConclusionConsistent with previous clinical studies, the V-CPVI had effective anti-AF effects regardless of the PITX2 genotype, whereas V-AADs exhibited more significant defragmentation or wave-dynamic change in the PITX2+/− deficient patients.
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20
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Blackwell DJ, Schmeckpeper J, Knollmann BC. Animal Models to Study Cardiac Arrhythmias. Circ Res 2022; 130:1926-1964. [PMID: 35679367 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.320258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for 10% to 15% of all deaths. Although most arrhythmias are due to acquired heart disease, inherited channelopathies and cardiomyopathies disproportionately affect children and young adults. Arrhythmogenesis is complex, involving anatomic structure, ion channels and regulatory proteins, and the interplay between cells in the conduction system, cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, and the immune system. Animal models of arrhythmia are powerful tools for studying not only molecular and cellular mechanism of arrhythmogenesis but also more complex mechanisms at the whole heart level, and for testing therapeutic interventions. This review summarizes basic and clinical arrhythmia mechanisms followed by an in-depth review of published animal models of genetic and acquired arrhythmia disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Blackwell
- Vanderbilt Center for Arrhythmia Research and Therapeutics, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Jeffrey Schmeckpeper
- Vanderbilt Center for Arrhythmia Research and Therapeutics, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Bjorn C Knollmann
- Vanderbilt Center for Arrhythmia Research and Therapeutics, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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21
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O' Brien S, Holmes AP, Johnson DM, Kabir SN, O' Shea C, O' Reilly M, Avezzu A, Reyat JS, Hall AW, Apicella C, Ellinor PT, Niederer S, Tucker NR, Fabritz L, Kirchhof P, Pavlovic D. Increased atrial effectiveness of flecainide conferred by altered biophysical properties of sodium channels. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2022; 166:23-35. [PMID: 35114252 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2022.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects over 1% of the population and is a leading cause of stroke and heart failure in the elderly. A feared side effect of sodium channel blocker therapy, ventricular pro-arrhythmia, appears to be relatively rare in patients with AF. The biophysical reasons for this relative safety of sodium blockers are not known. Our data demonstrates intrinsic differences between atrial and ventricular cardiac voltage-gated sodium currents (INa), leading to reduced maximum upstroke velocity of action potential and slower conduction, in left atria compared to ventricle. Reduced atrial INa is only detected at physiological membrane potentials and is driven by alterations in sodium channel biophysical properties and not by NaV1.5 protein expression. Flecainide displayed greater inhibition of atrial INa, greater reduction of maximum upstroke velocity of action potential, and slowed conduction in atrial cells and tissue. Our work highlights differences in biophysical properties of sodium channels in left atria and ventricles and their response to flecainide. These differences can explain the relative safety of sodium channel blocker therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sian O' Brien
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Andrew P Holmes
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Daniel M Johnson
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - S Nashitha Kabir
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher O' Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Molly O' Reilly
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Adelisa Avezzu
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, Kings' College London, London, UK
| | - Jasmeet S Reyat
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Amelia W Hall
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA; Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Clara Apicella
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Patrick T Ellinor
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA; Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Steven Niederer
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, Kings' College London, London, UK
| | - Nathan R Tucker
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA; Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Masonic Medical Research Institute, Utica, NY, 13501, USA
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center UKE, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center UKE, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center UKE, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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22
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Ly OT, Chen H, Brown GE, Hong L, Wang X, Han YD, Pavel MA, Sridhar A, Maienschein-Cline M, Chalazan B, Ong SG, Abdelhady K, Massad M, Rizkallah LE, Rehman J, Khetani SR, Darbar D. Mutant ANP induces mitochondrial and ion channel remodeling in a human iPSC-derived atrial fibrillation model. JCI Insight 2022; 7:155640. [PMID: 35393944 PMCID: PMC9057627 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.155640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) can model heritable arrhythmias to personalize therapies for individual patients. Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, current platforms to generate iPSC-atrial (a) CMs are inadequate for modeling AF. We applied a combinatorial engineering approach, which integrated multiple physiological cues, including metabolic conditioning and electrical stimulation, to generate mature iPSC-aCMs. Using the patient’s own atrial tissue as a gold standard benchmark, we assessed the electrophysiological, structural, metabolic, and molecular maturation of iPSC-aCMs. Unbiased transcriptomic analysis and inference from gene regulatory networks identified key gene expression pathways and transcription factors mediating atrial development and maturation. Only mature iPSC-aCMs generated from patients with heritable AF carrying the non-ion channel gene (NPPA) mutation showed enhanced expression and function of a cardiac potassium channel and revealed mitochondrial electron transport chain dysfunction. Collectively, we propose that ion channel remodeling in conjunction with metabolic defects created an electrophysiological substrate for AF. Overall, our electro-metabolic approach generated mature human iPSC-aCMs that unmasked the underlying mechanism of the first non-ion channel gene, NPPA, that causes AF. Our maturation approach will allow for the investigation of the molecular underpinnings of heritable AF and the development of personalized therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia T Ly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine.,Department of Biomedical Engineering
| | - Hanna Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine
| | | | - Liang Hong
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine
| | - Xinge Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine.,Department of Biomedical Engineering
| | | | | | - Arvind Sridhar
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine.,Department of Physiology
| | | | | | - Sang-Ging Ong
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine.,Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine; and
| | - Khaled Abdelhady
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Malek Massad
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lona Ernst Rizkallah
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jalees Rehman
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine.,Department of Biomedical Engineering.,Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Dawood Darbar
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine.,Department of Biomedical Engineering.,Department of Physiology.,Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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23
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O'Shea C, Winter J, Kabir SN, O'Reilly M, Wells SP, Baines O, Sommerfeld LC, Correia J, Lei M, Kirchhof P, Holmes AP, Fabritz L, Rajpoot K, Pavlovic D. High resolution optical mapping of cardiac electrophysiology in pre-clinical models. Sci Data 2022; 9:135. [PMID: 35361792 PMCID: PMC8971487 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01253-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Optical mapping of animal models is a widely used technique in pre-clinical cardiac research. It has several advantages over other methods, including higher spatial resolution, contactless recording and direct visualisation of action potentials and calcium transients. Optical mapping enables simultaneous study of action potential and calcium transient morphology, conduction dynamics, regional heterogeneity, restitution and arrhythmogenesis. In this dataset, we have optically mapped Langendorff perfused isolated whole hearts (mouse and guinea pig) and superfused isolated atria (mouse). Raw datasets (consisting of over 400 files) can be combined with open-source software for processing and analysis. We have generated a comprehensive post-processed dataset characterising the baseline cardiac electrophysiology in these widely used pre-clinical models. This dataset also provides reference information detailing the effect of heart rate, clinically used anti-arrhythmic drugs, ischaemia-reperfusion and sympathetic nervous stimulation on cardiac electrophysiology. The effects of these interventions can be studied in a global or regional manner, enabling new insights into the prevention and initiation of arrhythmia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher O'Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| | - James Winter
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - S Nashitha Kabir
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Molly O'Reilly
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Simon P Wells
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Olivia Baines
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Laura C Sommerfeld
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, UKE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joao Correia
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ming Lei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Centre, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, UKE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrew P Holmes
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Centre, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, UKE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kashif Rajpoot
- School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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24
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Künzel SR, Hoffmann M, Weber S, Künzel K, Kämmerer S, Günscht M, Klapproth E, Rausch JS, Sadek MS, Kolanowski T, Meyer-Roxlau S, Piorkowski C, Tugtekin SM, Rose-John S, Yin X, Mayr M, Kuhlmann JD, Wimberger P, Grützmann K, Herzog N, Küpper JH, O’Reilly M, Kabir SN, Sommerfeld LC, Guan K, Wielockx B, Fabritz L, Nattel S, Ravens U, Dobrev D, Wagner M, El-Armouche A. Diminished PLK2 Induces Cardiac Fibrosis and Promotes Atrial Fibrillation. Circ Res 2021; 129:804-820. [PMID: 34433292 PMCID: PMC8487716 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.121.319425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan R. Künzel
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K.)
| | - Maximilian Hoffmann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
| | - Silvio Weber
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
| | - Karolina Künzel
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
| | - Susanne Kämmerer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
| | - Mario Günscht
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
| | - Erik Klapproth
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
| | - Johanna S.E. Rausch
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
| | - Mirna S. Sadek
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
| | - Tomasz Kolanowski
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
| | - Stefanie Meyer-Roxlau
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
| | - Christopher Piorkowski
- Department of Rhythmology (C.P., M.W.), Clinic for Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Heart Center Dresden GmbH, Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden
| | - Sems M. Tugtekin
- Department of Cardiac Surgery (S.M.T.), Clinic for Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Heart Center Dresden GmbH, Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden
| | - Stefan Rose-John
- Unit for Degradomics of the Protease Web, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Kiel (S.R.-J.)
| | - Xiaoke Yin
- The James Black Centre, King’s College, University of London (X.Y., M.M.)
| | - Manuel Mayr
- The James Black Centre, King’s College, University of London (X.Y., M.M.)
- Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (M.M.)
| | - Jan Dominik Kuhlmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (J.D.K., P.W.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg (J.D.K., P.W.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden (J.D.K., P.W., K.G.)
| | - Pauline Wimberger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (J.D.K., P.W.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg (J.D.K., P.W.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden (J.D.K., P.W., K.G.)
| | - Konrad Grützmann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden (J.D.K., P.W., K.G.)
| | - Natalie Herzog
- Brandenburg University of Technology, Senftenberg (N.H., J.-H.K.)
| | | | - Molly O’Reilly
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham (M.O., S.N.K., L.C.S.)
| | - S. Nashitha Kabir
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham (M.O., S.N.K., L.C.S.)
| | - Laura C. Sommerfeld
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham (M.O., S.N.K., L.C.S.)
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science and Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (L.F., L.C.S.)
| | - Kaomei Guan
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
- Department of Rhythmology (C.P., M.W.), Clinic for Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Heart Center Dresden GmbH, Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden
- Department of Cardiac Surgery (S.M.T.), Clinic for Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Heart Center Dresden GmbH, Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden
- Unit for Degradomics of the Protease Web, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Kiel (S.R.-J.)
- The James Black Centre, King’s College, University of London (X.Y., M.M.)
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (J.D.K., P.W.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg (J.D.K., P.W.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden (J.D.K., P.W., K.G.)
- Brandenburg University of Technology, Senftenberg (N.H., J.-H.K.)
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham (M.O., S.N.K., L.C.S.)
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden (B.W.)
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals Birmingham (L.F.)
- Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada (S.N., D.D.)
- Institut für Experimentelle Kardiovaskuläre Medizin, Universitäts Herzzentrum, Freiburg Bad Krotzingen, Freiburg im Breisgau (U.R.)
- Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Duisburg-Essen (S.N., D.D.)
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Fondation Bordeaux Université (S.N.)
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine (D.D.)
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K.)
- Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (M.M.)
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science and Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (L.F., L.C.S.)
| | - Ben Wielockx
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden (B.W.)
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals Birmingham (L.F.)
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science and Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (L.F., L.C.S.)
| | - Stanley Nattel
- Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada (S.N., D.D.)
- Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Duisburg-Essen (S.N., D.D.)
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Fondation Bordeaux Université (S.N.)
| | - Ursula Ravens
- Institut für Experimentelle Kardiovaskuläre Medizin, Universitäts Herzzentrum, Freiburg Bad Krotzingen, Freiburg im Breisgau (U.R.)
| | - Dobromir Dobrev
- Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada (S.N., D.D.)
- Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Duisburg-Essen (S.N., D.D.)
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine (D.D.)
| | - Michael Wagner
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
- Department of Rhythmology (C.P., M.W.), Clinic for Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Heart Center Dresden GmbH, Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden
| | - Ali El-Armouche
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden (S.R.K., M.H., S.W., K.K., S.K., M.G., E.K., J.S.E.R., M.S.S., T.K., S.M.-R., K.G., M.W., A.E.-A.)
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25
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Obergassel J, O'Reilly M, Sommerfeld LC, Kabir SN, O'Shea C, Syeda F, Eckardt L, Kirchhof P, Fabritz L. Effects of genetic background, sex, and age on murine atrial electrophysiology. Europace 2021; 23:958-969. [PMID: 33462602 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euaa369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Genetically altered mice are powerful models to investigate mechanisms of atrial arrhythmias, but normal ranges for murine atrial electrophysiology have not been robustly characterized. METHODS AND RESULTS We analyzed results from 221 electrophysiological (EP) studies in isolated, Langendorff-perfused hearts of wildtype mice (114 female, 107 male) from 2.5 to 17.7 months (mean 7 months) with different genetic backgrounds (C57BL/6, FVB/N, MF1, 129/Sv, Swiss agouti). Left atrial monophasic action potential duration (LA-APD), interatrial activation time (IA-AT), and atrial effective refractory period (ERP) were summarized at different pacing cycle lengths (PCLs). Factors influencing atrial electrophysiology including genetic background, sex, and age were determined. LA-APD70 was 18 ± 0.5 ms, atrial ERP was 27 ± 0.8 ms, and IA-AT was 17 ± 0.5 ms at 100 ms PCL. LA-APD was longer with longer PCL (+17% from 80 to 120 ms PCL for APD70), while IA-AT decreased (-7% from 80 to 120 ms PCL). Female sex was associated with longer ERP (+14% vs. males). Genetic background influenced atrial electrophysiology: LA-APD70 (-20% vs. average) and atrial ERP (-25% vs. average) were shorter in Swiss agouti background compared to others. LA-APD70 (+25% vs. average) and IA-AT (+44% vs. average) were longer in 129/Sv mice. Atrial ERP was longer in FVB/N (+34% vs. average) and in younger experimental groups below 6 months of age. CONCLUSION This work defines normal ranges for murine atrial EP parameters. Genetic background has a profound effect on these parameters, at least of the magnitude as those of sex and age. These results can inform the experimental design and interpretation of murine atrial electrophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Obergassel
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,University Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Molly O'Reilly
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Laura C Sommerfeld
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - S Nashitha Kabir
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher O'Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Fahima Syeda
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Lars Eckardt
- Department of Cardiology II - Electrophysiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,University Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, UHB NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK.,Department of Cardiology, SWBH NHS Trust, Birmingham City Hospital, Birmingham, UK.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,University Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, UHB NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
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26
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Bai J, Lu Y, Zhu Y, Wang H, Yin D, Zhang H, Franco D, Zhao J. Understanding PITX2-Dependent Atrial Fibrillation Mechanisms through Computational Models. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7681. [PMID: 34299303 PMCID: PMC8307824 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia. Better prevention and treatment of AF are needed to reduce AF-associated morbidity and mortality. Several major mechanisms cause AF in patients, including genetic predispositions to AF development. Genome-wide association studies have identified a number of genetic variants in association with AF populations, with the strongest hits clustering on chromosome 4q25, close to the gene for the homeobox transcription PITX2. Because of the inherent complexity of the human heart, experimental and basic research is insufficient for understanding the functional impacts of PITX2 variants on AF. Linking PITX2 properties to ion channels, cells, tissues, atriums and the whole heart, computational models provide a supplementary tool for achieving a quantitative understanding of the functional role of PITX2 in remodelling atrial structure and function to predispose to AF. It is hoped that computational approaches incorporating all we know about PITX2-related structural and electrical remodelling would provide better understanding into its proarrhythmic effects leading to development of improved anti-AF therapies. In the present review, we discuss advances in atrial modelling and focus on the mechanistic links between PITX2 and AF. Challenges in applying models for improving patient health are described, as well as a summary of future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieyun Bai
- College of Information Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.)
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Yaosheng Lu
- College of Information Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yijie Zhu
- College of Information Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Huijin Wang
- College of Information Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Dechun Yin
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China;
| | - Henggui Zhang
- Biological Physics Group, School of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
| | - Diego Franco
- Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain;
| | - Jichao Zhao
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
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27
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Dai W, Kesaraju S, Weber CR. Transcriptional factors in calcium mishandling and atrial fibrillation development. Pflugers Arch 2021; 473:1177-1197. [PMID: 34003377 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-021-02553-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Healthy cardiac conduction relies on the coordinated electrical activity of distinct populations of cardiomyocytes. Disruption of cell-cell conduction results in cardiac arrhythmias, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent genetic studies have highlighted a major heritable component and identified numerous loci associated with risk of atrial fibrillation, including transcription factor genes, particularly those important in cardiac development, microRNAs, and long noncoding RNAs. Identification of such genetic factors has prompted the search to understand the mechanisms that underlie the genetic component of AF. Recent studies have found several mechanisms by which genetic alterations can result in AF formation via disruption of calcium handling. Loss of developmental transcription factors in adult cardiomyocytes can result in disruption of SR calcium ATPase, sodium calcium exchanger, calcium channels, among other ion channels, which underlie action potential abnormalities and triggered activity that can contribute to AF. This review aims to summarize the complex network of transcription factors and their roles in calcium handling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Dai
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sneha Kesaraju
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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28
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Hwang I, Jin Z, Park JW, Kwon OS, Lim B, Hong M, Kim M, Yu HT, Kim TH, Uhm JS, Joung B, Lee MH, Pak HN. Computational Modeling for Antiarrhythmic Drugs for Atrial Fibrillation According to Genotype. Front Physiol 2021; 12:650449. [PMID: 34054570 PMCID: PMC8155488 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.650449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The efficacy of antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) can vary in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and the PITX2 gene affects the responsiveness of AADs. We explored the virtual AAD (V-AAD) responses between wild-type and PITX2 +/--deficient AF conditions by realistic in silico AF modeling. Methods: We tested the V-AADs in AF modeling integrated with patients' 3D-computed tomography and 3D-electroanatomical mapping, acquired in 25 patients (68% male, 59.8 ± 9.8 years old, 32.0% paroxysmal type). The ion currents for the PITX2 +/- deficiency and each AAD (amiodarone, sotalol, dronedarone, flecainide, and propafenone) were defined based on previous publications. Results: We compared the wild-type and PITX2 +/- deficiency in terms of the action potential duration (APD90), conduction velocity (CV), maximal slope of restitution (Smax), and wave-dynamic parameters, such as the dominant frequency (DF), phase singularities (PS), and AF termination rates according to the V-AADs. The PITX2 +/--deficient model exhibited a shorter APD90 (p < 0.001), a lower Smax (p < 0.001), mean DF (p = 0.012), PS number (p < 0.001), and a longer AF cycle length (AFCL, p = 0.011). Five V-AADs changed the electrophysiology in a dose-dependent manner. AAD-induced AFCL lengthening (p < 0.001) and reductions in the CV (p = 0.033), peak DF (p < 0.001), and PS number (p < 0.001) were more significant in PITX2 +/--deficient than wild-type AF. PITX2 +/--deficient AF was easier to terminate with class IC AADs than the wild-type AF (p = 0.018). Conclusions: The computational modeling-guided AAD test was feasible for evaluating the efficacy of multiple AADs in patients with AF. AF wave-dynamic and electrophysiological characteristics are different among the PITX2-deficient and the wild-type genotype models.
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29
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Kany S, Reissmann B, Metzner A, Kirchhof P, Darbar D, Schnabel RB. Genetics of atrial fibrillation-practical applications for clinical management: if not now, when and how? Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:1718-1731. [PMID: 33982075 PMCID: PMC8208749 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence and economic burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) are predicted to more than double over the next few decades. In addition to anticoagulation and treatment of concomitant cardiovascular conditions, early and standardized rhythm control therapy reduces cardiovascular outcomes as compared with a rate control approach, favouring the restoration, and maintenance of sinus rhythm safely. Current therapies for rhythm control of AF include antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) and catheter ablation (CA). However, response in an individual patient is highly variable with some remaining free of AF for long periods on antiarrhythmic therapy, while others require repeat AF ablation within weeks. The limited success of rhythm control therapy for AF is in part related to incomplete understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and our inability to predict responses in individual patients. Thus, a major knowledge gap is predicting which patients with AF are likely to respond to rhythm control approach. Over the last decade, tremendous progress has been made in defining the genetic architecture of AF with the identification of rare mutations in cardiac ion channels, signalling molecules, and myocardial structural proteins associated with familial (early-onset) AF. Conversely, genome-wide association studies have identified common variants at over 100 genetic loci and the development of polygenic risk scores has identified high-risk individuals. Although retrospective studies suggest that response to AADs and CA is modulated in part by common genetic variation, the development of a comprehensive clinical and genetic risk score may enable the translation of genetic data to the bedside care of AF patients. Given the economic impact of the AF epidemic, even small changes in therapeutic efficacy may lead to substantial improvements for patients and health care systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinwan Kany
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bruno Reissmann
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Metzner
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Dawood Darbar
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago and Jesse Brown Veterans Administration, 840 South Wood Street, Suite 928 M/C 715, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Renate B Schnabel
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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30
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Novel PITX2 Homeodomain-Contained Mutations from ATRIAL Fibrillation Patients Deteriorate Calcium Homeostasis. HEARTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/hearts2020020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the human population, with an estimated incidence of 1–2% in young adults but increasing to more than 10% in 80+ years patients. Pituitary Homeobox 2, Paired Like Homeodomain 2 (PITX2c) loss-of-function in mice revealed that this homeodomain (HD)-containing transcription factor plays a pivotal role in atrial electrophysiology and calcium homeostasis and point to PITX2 as a candidate gene for AF. To address this issue, we recruited 31 AF patients for genetic analyses of both the known risk alleles and PITX2c open reading frame (ORF) re-sequencing. We found two-point mutations in the homedomain of PITX2 and three other variants in the 5’untranslated region. A 65 years old male patient without 4q25 risk variants but with recurrent AF displayed two distinct HD-mutations, NM_000325.5:c.309G>C (Gln103His) and NM_000325.5:c.370G>A (Glu124Lys), which both resulted in a change within a highly conserved amino acid position. To address the functional impact of the PITX2 HD mutations, we generated plasmid constructs with mutated version of each nucleotide variant (MD4 and MD5, respectively) as well as a dominant negative control construct in which the PITX2 HD was lacking (DN). Functional analyses demonstrated PITX2c MD4 and PITX2c MD5 decreased Nppa-luciferase transactivation by 50% and 40%, respectively, similar to the PITX2c DN (50%), while Shox2 promoter repression was also impaired. Co-transactivation with other cardiac-enriched co-factors, such as Gata4 and Nkx2.5, was similarly impaired, further supporting the pivotal role of these mutations for correct PITX2c function. Furthermore, when expressed in HL1 cardiomyocyte cultures, the PITX2 mutants impaired endogenous expression of calcium regulatory proteins and induced alterations in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium accumulation. This favored alternating and irregular calcium transient amplitudes, causing deterioration of the beat-to-beat stability upon elevation of the stimulation frequency. Overall this data demonstrate that these novel PITX2c HD-mutations might be causative of atrial fibrillation in the carrier.
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Burashnikov A. Depolarization of the atrial resting membrane potential as an approach to enhance the anti-atrial fibrillation efficacy of sodium channel blockers. Heart Rhythm 2021; 18:1221-1222. [PMID: 33785461 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2021.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Burashnikov
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, and Sidney Kimmel College of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Disease Modeling and Disease Gene Discovery in Cardiomyopathies: A Molecular Study of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Generated Cardiomyocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073311. [PMID: 33805011 PMCID: PMC8037452 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The in vitro modeling of cardiac development and cardiomyopathies in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) provides opportunities to aid the discovery of genetic, molecular, and developmental changes that are causal to, or influence, cardiomyopathies and related diseases. To better understand the functional and disease modeling potential of iPSC-differentiated CMs and to provide a proof of principle for large, epidemiological-scale disease gene discovery approaches into cardiomyopathies, well-characterized CMs, generated from validated iPSCs of 12 individuals who belong to four sibships, and one of whom reported a major adverse cardiac event (MACE), were analyzed by genome-wide mRNA sequencing. The generated CMs expressed CM-specific genes and were highly concordant in their total expressed transcriptome across the 12 samples (correlation coefficient at 95% CI =0.92 ± 0.02). The functional annotation and enrichment analysis of the 2116 genes that were significantly upregulated in CMs suggest that generated CMs have a transcriptomic and functional profile of immature atrial-like CMs; however, the CMs-upregulated transcriptome also showed high overlap and significant enrichment in primary cardiomyocyte (p-value = 4.36 × 10−9), primary heart tissue (p-value = 1.37 × 10−41) and cardiomyopathy (p-value = 1.13 × 10−21) associated gene sets. Modeling the effect of MACE in the generated CMs-upregulated transcriptome identified gene expression phenotypes consistent with the predisposition of the MACE-affected sibship to arrhythmia, prothrombotic, and atherosclerosis risk.
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Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, largely associated to morbidity and mortality. Over the past decades, research in appearance and progression of this arrhythmia have turned into significant advances in its management. However, the incidence of AF continues to increase with the aging of the population and many important fundamental and translational underlaying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we review recent advances in molecular and cellular basis for AF initiation, maintenance and progression. We first provide an overview of the basic molecular and electrophysiological mechanisms that lead and characterize AF. Next, we discuss the upstream regulatory factors conducting the underlying mechanisms which drive electrical and structural AF-associated remodeling, including genetic factors (risk variants associated to AF as transcriptional regulators and genetic changes associated to AF), neurohormonal regulation (i.e., cAMP) and oxidative stress imbalance (cGMP and mitochondrial dysfunction). Finally, we discuss the potential therapeutic implications of those findings, the knowledge gaps and consider future approaches to improve clinical management.
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Atrial resting membrane potential confers sodium current sensitivity to propafenone, flecainide and dronedarone. Heart Rhythm 2021; 18:1212-1220. [PMID: 33737232 PMCID: PMC8259123 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2021.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although atrial fibrillation ablation is increasingly used for rhythm control therapy, antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) are commonly used, either alone or in combination with ablation. The effectiveness of AADs is highly variable. Previous work from our group suggests that alterations in atrial resting membrane potential (RMP) induced by low Pitx2 expression could explain the variable effect of flecainide. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess whether alterations in atrial/cardiac RMP modify the effectiveness of multiple clinically used AADs. METHODS The sodium channel blocking effects of propafenone (300 nM, 1 μM), flecainide (1 μM), and dronedarone (5 μM, 10 μM) were measured in human stem cell-derived cardiac myocytes, HEK293 expressing human NaV1.5, primary murine atrial cardiac myocytes, and murine hearts with reduced Pitx2c. RESULTS A more positive atrial RMP delayed INa recovery, slowed channel inactivation, and decreased peak action potential (AP) upstroke velocity. All 3 AADs displayed enhanced sodium channel block at more positive atrial RMPs. Dronedarone was the most sensitive to changes in atrial RMP. Dronedarone caused greater reductions in AP amplitude and peak AP upstroke velocity at more positive RMPs. Dronedarone evoked greater prolongation of the atrial effective refractory period and postrepolarization refractoriness in murine Langendorff-perfused Pitx2c+/- hearts, which have a more positive RMP compared to wild type. CONCLUSION Atrial RMP modifies the effectiveness of several clinically used AADs. Dronedarone is more sensitive to changes in atrial RMP than flecainide or propafenone. Identifying and modifying atrial RMP may offer a novel approach to enhancing the effectiveness of AADs or personalizing AAD selection.
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Bai J, Zhu Y, Lo A, Gao M, Lu Y, Zhao J, Zhang H. In Silico Assessment of Class I Antiarrhythmic Drug Effects on Pitx2-Induced Atrial Fibrillation: Insights from Populations of Electrophysiological Models of Human Atrial Cells and Tissues. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1265. [PMID: 33514068 PMCID: PMC7866025 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrical remodelling as a result of homeodomain transcription factor 2 (Pitx2)-dependent gene regulation was linked to atrial fibrillation (AF) and AF patients with single nucleotide polymorphisms at chromosome 4q25 responded favorably to class I antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). The possible reasons behind this remain elusive. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of the AADs disopyramide, quinidine, and propafenone on human atrial arrhythmias mediated by Pitx2-induced remodelling, from a single cell to the tissue level, using drug binding models with multi-channel pharmacology. Experimentally calibrated populations of human atrial action po-tential (AP) models in both sinus rhythm (SR) and Pitx2-induced AF conditions were constructed by using two distinct models to represent morphological subtypes of AP. Multi-channel pharmaco-logical effects of disopyramide, quinidine, and propafenone on ionic currents were considered. Simulated results showed that Pitx2-induced remodelling increased maximum upstroke velocity (dVdtmax), and decreased AP duration (APD), conduction velocity (CV), and wavelength (WL). At the concentrations tested in this study, these AADs decreased dVdtmax and CV and prolonged APD in the setting of Pitx2-induced AF. Our findings of alterations in WL indicated that disopyramide may be more effective against Pitx2-induced AF than propafenone and quinidine by prolonging WL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieyun Bai
- Department of Electronic Engineering, College of Information Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China;
| | - Yijie Zhu
- Department of Electronic Engineering, College of Information Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China;
| | - Andy Lo
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (A.L.); (J.Z.)
| | - Meng Gao
- Department of Computer Science and Technology, College of Electrical Engineering and Information, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yaosheng Lu
- Department of Electronic Engineering, College of Information Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China;
| | - Jichao Zhao
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (A.L.); (J.Z.)
| | - Henggui Zhang
- Biological Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
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Zhu Y, Bai J, Lo A, Lu Y, Zhao J. Mechanisms underlying pro-arrhythmic abnormalities arising from Pitx2-induced electrical remodelling: an in silico intersubject variability study. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:106. [PMID: 33569408 PMCID: PMC7867875 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-5660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Background Electrical remodelling as a result of the homeodomain transcription factor 2 (Pitx2)-dependent gene regulation induces atrial fibrillation (AF) with different mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to identify Pitx2-induced changes in ionic currents that cause action potential (AP) shortening and lead to triggered activity. Methods Populations of computational atrial AP models were developed based on AP recordings from sinus rhythm (SR) and AF patients. Models in the AF population were divided into triggered and untriggered AP groups to evaluate the relationship between each ion current regulated by Pitx2 and triggered APs. Untriggered AP models were then divided into shortened and unshortened AP groups to determine which Pitx2-dependent ion currents contribute to AP shortening. Results According to the physiological range of AP biomarkers measured experimentally, populations of 2,885 SR and 4,781 AF models out of the initial pool of 30,000 models were selected. Models in the AF population predicted AP shortening and triggered activity observed in experiments in Pitx2-induced remodelling conditions. The AF models included 925 triggered AP models, 1,412 shortened AP models and 2,444 unshortened AP models. Intersubject variability in IKs and ICaL primarily modulated variability in AP duration (APD) in all shortened and unshortened AP models, whereas intersubject variability in IK1 and SERCA mainly contributed to the variability in AP morphology in all triggered and untriggered AP models. The incidence of shortened AP was positively correlated with IKs and IK1 and was negatively correlated with INa , ICaL and SERCA, whereas the incidence of triggered AP was negatively correlated with IKs and IK1 and was positively correlated with INa , ICaL and SERCA. Conclusions Electrical remodelling due to Pitx2 upregulation may increase the incidence of shortened AP, whereas electrical remodelling arising from Pitx2 downregulation may favor to the genesis of triggered AP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Zhu
- Department of Electronic Engineering, College of Information Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieyun Bai
- Department of Electronic Engineering, College of Information Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Andy Lo
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yaosheng Lu
- Department of Electronic Engineering, College of Information Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jichao Zhao
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Lipovsky CE, Jimenez J, Guo Q, Li G, Yin T, Hicks SC, Bhatnagar S, Takahashi K, Zhang DM, Brumback BD, Goldsztejn U, Nadadur RD, Perez-Cervantez C, Moskowitz IP, Liu S, Zhang B, Rentschler SL. Chamber-specific transcriptional responses in atrial fibrillation. JCI Insight 2020; 5:135319. [PMID: 32841220 PMCID: PMC7526559 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.135319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, yet the molecular signature of the vulnerable atrial substrate is not well understood. Here, we delineated a distinct transcriptional signature in right versus left atrial cardiomyocytes (CMs) at baseline and identified chamber-specific gene expression changes in patients with a history of AF in the setting of end-stage heart failure (AF+HF) that are not present in heart failure alone (HF). We observed that human left atrial (LA) CMs exhibited Notch pathway activation and increased ploidy in AF+HF but not in HF alone. Transient activation of Notch signaling within adult CMs in a murine genetic model is sufficient to increase ploidy in both atrial chambers. Notch activation within LA CMs generated a transcriptomic fingerprint resembling AF, with dysregulation of transcription factor and ion channel genes, including Pitx2, Tbx5, Kcnh2, Kcnq1, and Kcnip2. Notch activation also produced distinct cellular electrophysiologic responses in LA versus right atrial CMs, prolonging the action potential duration (APD) without altering the upstroke velocity in the left atrium and reducing the maximal upstroke velocity without altering the APD in the right atrium. Our results support a shared human/murine model of increased Notch pathway activity predisposing to AF. Distinct transcriptional changes occur in human left versus right atrial cardiomyocytes in atrial fibrillation, including Notch pathway activation, which alters electric properties and ploidy in murine models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Lipovsky
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division.,Department of Developmental Biology, and
| | | | - Qiusha Guo
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Tiankai Yin
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division
| | | | - Somya Bhatnagar
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division.,Department of Developmental Biology, and
| | | | | | - Brittany D Brumback
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Uri Goldsztejn
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Rangarajan D Nadadur
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Human Genetics, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Carlos Perez-Cervantez
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Human Genetics, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ivan P Moskowitz
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Human Genetics, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Developmental Biology, and
| | - Stacey L Rentschler
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division.,Department of Developmental Biology, and.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Wong GR, Nalliah CJ, Lee G, Voskoboinik A, Prabhu S, Parameswaran R, Sugumar H, Anderson RD, Ling LH, McLellan A, Johnson R, Sanders P, Kistler PM, Fatkin D, Kalman JM. Genetic Susceptibility to Atrial Fibrillation Is Associated With Atrial Electrical Remodeling and Adverse Post-Ablation Outcome. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2020; 6:1509-1521. [PMID: 33213811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2020.05.031] [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: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study sought to assess the atrial electrophysiological properties and post-ablation outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with and without the rs2200733 single nucleotide variant. BACKGROUND The phenotype associated with chromosome 4q25 of the AF-susceptibility locus remains unknown. METHODS In this study, 102 consecutive patients (ages 61 ± 9 years, 64% male) with paroxysmal or persistent AF were prospectively recruited prior to ablation. Patients were genotyped for rs2200733 and high-density left atrial (LA) electroanatomic maps were created using a multipolar catheter during distal coronary sinus (CS) pacing at 600 ms. Voltage, conduction velocity (CV), CV heterogeneity, and fractionated signals of 6 LA segments were determined. Arrhythmia recurrence was assessed by continuous device (51%) and Holter monitoring. RESULTS Overall, 41 patients (40%) were single nucleotide variant carriers (38 heterozygous, 3 homozygous). A mean of 2,239 ± 852 points per patient were collected. Carriers had relatively increased CV heterogeneity (45.7 ± 7.5% vs. 35.9 ± 2.3%; p < 0.001), complex signals (9.4 ± 2.9% vs 6.0 ± 1.2%; p = 0.008), regional LA slowing, or conduction block (31.7 ± 8.2% vs. 17.9 ± 1.9%; p = 0.013) particularly in the posterior and lateral walls. There were no differences in CV, voltage, atrial refractoriness, or sinus node function. At follow-up (median: 27 months; range 19 to 31 months), carriers had lower arrhythmia-free survival (51% vs. 80%; p = 0.003). On multivariable analysis, carrier status was independently associated with CV heterogeneity (p = 0.001), complex signals (p = 0.002), and arrhythmia recurrence (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS These data provide the first evidence that the rs2200733-tagged haplotype alters LA electrical remodeling and is a determinant of long-term outcome following AF ablation. The molecular mechanisms underpinning these changes warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey R Wong
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chrishan J Nalliah
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Geoffrey Lee
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aleksandr Voskoboinik
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Heart Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sandeep Prabhu
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Heart Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ramanathan Parameswaran
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hariharan Sugumar
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Heart Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert D Anderson
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liang-Han Ling
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Heart Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alex McLellan
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Renee Johnson
- Molecular Cardiology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Prashanthan Sanders
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peter M Kistler
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Heart Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Diane Fatkin
- Molecular Cardiology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia; Cardiology Department, St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Jonathan M Kalman
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Reyat JS, Chua W, Cardoso VR, Witten A, Kastner PM, Kabir SN, Sinner MF, Wesselink R, Holmes AP, Pavlovic D, Stoll M, Kääb S, Gkoutos GV, de Groot JR, Kirchhof P, Fabritz L. Reduced left atrial cardiomyocyte PITX2 and elevated circulating BMP10 predict atrial fibrillation after ablation. JCI Insight 2020; 5:139179. [PMID: 32814717 PMCID: PMC7455124 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.139179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDGenomic and experimental studies suggest a role for PITX2 in atrial fibrillation (AF). To assess if this association is relevant for recurrent AF in patients, we tested whether left atrial PITX2 affects recurrent AF after AF ablation.METHODSmRNA concentrations of PITX2 and its cardiac isoform, PITX2c, were quantified in left atrial appendages (LAAs) from patients undergoing thoracoscopic AF ablation, either in whole LAA tissue (n = 83) or in LAA cardiomyocytes (n = 52), and combined with clinical parameters to predict AF recurrence. Literature suggests that BMP10 is a PITX2-repressed, atrial-specific, secreted protein. BMP10 plasma concentrations were combined with 11 cardiovascular biomarkers and clinical parameters to predict recurrent AF after catheter ablation in 359 patients.RESULTSReduced concentrations of cardiomyocyte PITX2, but not whole LAA tissue PITX2, were associated with AF recurrence after thoracoscopic AF ablation (16% decreased recurrence per 2-(ΔΔCt) increase in PITX2). RNA sequencing, quantitative PCR, and Western blotting confirmed that BMP10 is one of the most PITX2-repressed atrial genes. Left atrial size (HR per mm increase [95% CI], 1.055 [1.028, 1.082]); nonparoxysmal AF (HR 1.672 [1.206, 2.318]), and elevated BMP10 (HR 1.339 [CI 1.159, 1.546] per quartile increase) were predictive of recurrent AF. BMP10 outperformed 11 other cardiovascular biomarkers in predicting recurrent AF.CONCLUSIONSReduced left atrial cardiomyocyte PITX2 and elevated plasma concentrations of the PITX2-repressed, secreted atrial protein BMP10 identify patients at risk of recurrent AF after ablation.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov NCT01091389, NL50069.018.14, Dutch National Registry of Clinical Research Projects EK494-16.FUNDINGBritish Heart Foundation, European Union (H2020), Leducq Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Victor R. Cardoso
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anika Witten
- Institute of Human Genetics, Genetic Epidemiology, WWU Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | | | - Moritz F. Sinner
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Robin Wesselink
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam, Heart Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Monika Stoll
- Institute of Human Genetics, Genetic Epidemiology, WWU Münster, Münster, Germany
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Genetic Epidemiology and Statistical Genetics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Stefan Kääb
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
- Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET), Münster, Germany
| | - Georgios V. Gkoutos
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Health Data Research Midlands, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Joris R. de Groot
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam, Heart Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and
- Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET), Münster, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) and Sandwell and West Birmingham (SWBH) NHS Trusts, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- University Heart and Vascular Center, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and
- Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET), Münster, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) and Sandwell and West Birmingham (SWBH) NHS Trusts, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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40
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Zhang H, Zhang S, Wang W, Wang K, Shen W. A Mathematical Model of the Mouse Atrial Myocyte With Inter-Atrial Electrophysiological Heterogeneity. Front Physiol 2020; 11:972. [PMID: 32848887 PMCID: PMC7425199 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00972] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Biophysically detailed mathematical models of cardiac electrophysiology provide an alternative to experimental approaches for investigating possible ionic mechanisms underlying the genesis of electrical action potentials and their propagation through the heart. The aim of this study was to develop a biophysically detailed mathematical model of the action potentials of mouse atrial myocytes, a popular experimental model for elucidating molecular and cellular mechanisms of arrhythmogenesis. Based on experimental data from isolated mouse atrial cardiomyocytes, a set of mathematical equations for describing the biophysical properties of membrane ion channel currents, intracellular Ca2+ handling, and Ca2+-calmodulin activated protein kinase II and β-adrenergic signaling pathways were developed. Wherever possible, membrane ion channel currents were modeled using Markov chain formalisms, allowing detailed representation of channel kinetics. The model also considered heterogeneous electrophysiological properties between the left and the right atrial cardiomyocytes. The developed model was validated by its ability to reproduce the characteristics of action potentials and Ca2+ transients, matching quantitatively to experimental data. Using the model, the functional roles of four K+ channel currents in atrial action potential were evaluated by channel block simulations, results of which were quantitatively in agreement with existent experimental data. To conclude, this newly developed model of mouse atrial cardiomyocytes provides a powerful tool for investigating possible ion channel mechanisms of atrial electrical activity at the cellular level and can be further used to investigate mechanisms underlying atrial arrhythmogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henggui Zhang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Biological Physics Group, School of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shanzhuo Zhang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Biological Physics Group, School of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Biological Physics Group, School of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Visual Object Detection and Recognition, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kuanquan Wang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Weijian Shen
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Biological Physics Group, School of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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41
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Jones TK, Meyer NJ. When the Usual Suspects Turn Up in the ICU: Searching for Genetic Clues to Atrial Fibrillation. Crit Care Med 2020; 48:128-129. [PMID: 31833984 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000004058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tiffanie K Jones
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Lung Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
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van Ouwerkerk AF, Hall AW, Kadow ZA, Lazarevic S, Reyat JS, Tucker NR, Nadadur RD, Bosada FM, Bianchi V, Ellinor PT, Fabritz L, Martin J, de Laat W, Kirchhof P, Moskowitz I, Christoffels VM. Epigenetic and Transcriptional Networks Underlying Atrial Fibrillation. Circ Res 2020; 127:34-50. [PMID: 32717170 PMCID: PMC8315291 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.120.316574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have uncovered over a 100 genetic loci associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia. Many of the top AF-associated loci harbor key cardiac transcription factors, including PITX2, TBX5, PRRX1, and ZFHX3. Moreover, the vast majority of the AF-associated variants lie within noncoding regions of the genome where causal variants affect gene expression by altering the activity of transcription factors and the epigenetic state of chromatin. In this review, we discuss a transcriptional regulatory network model for AF defined by effector genes in Genome-wide association studies loci. We describe the current state of the field regarding the identification and function of AF-relevant gene regulatory networks, including variant regulatory elements, dose-sensitive transcription factor functionality, target genes, and epigenetic states. We illustrate how altered transcriptional networks may impact cardiomyocyte function and ionic currents that impact AF risk. Last, we identify the need for improved tools to identify and functionally test transcriptional components to define the links between genetic variation, epigenetic gene regulation, and atrial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoinette F. van Ouwerkerk
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amelia W. Hall
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zachary A. Kadow
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sonja Lazarevic
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jasmeet S. Reyat
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Nathan R. Tucker
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Masonic Medical Research Institute, Utica, NY, USA
| | - Rangarajan D. Nadadur
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Fernanda M. Bosada
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Valerio Bianchi
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Patrick T. Ellinor
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- SWBH and UHB NHS Trusts, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jim Martin
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas, 77030
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Wouter de Laat
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- SWBH and UHB NHS Trusts, Birmingham, UK
- University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ivan Moskowitz
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Vincent M. Christoffels
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Scholman KT, Meijborg VMF, Gálvez-Montón C, Lodder EM, Boukens BJ. From Genome-Wide Association Studies to Cardiac Electrophysiology: Through the Maze of Biological Complexity. Front Physiol 2020; 11:557. [PMID: 32536879 PMCID: PMC7267057 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have provided an enormous amount of data on genomic loci associated with cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias. Clinical relevance, however, remains unclear since GWAS do not provide a mechanistic explanation for this association. Determining the electrophysiological relevance of variants for arrhythmias would aid development of risk stratification models for patients with arrhythmias. In this review, we give an overview of genetic variants related to ECG intervals and arrhythmogenic pathologies and discuss how these variants may influence cardiac electrophysiology and the occurrence of arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen T Scholman
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Veronique M F Meijborg
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Carolina Gálvez-Montón
- ICREC Research Program, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Science Research Institute, Badalona, Spain.,CIBERCV, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisabeth M Lodder
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan J Boukens
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Herraiz-Martínez A, Llach A, Tarifa C, Gandía J, Jiménez-Sabado V, Lozano-Velasco E, Serra SA, Vallmitjana A, Vázquez Ruiz de Castroviejo E, Benítez R, Aranega A, Muñoz-Guijosa C, Franco D, Cinca J, Hove-Madsen L. The 4q25 variant rs13143308T links risk of atrial fibrillation to defective calcium homoeostasis. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 115:578-589. [PMID: 30219899 PMCID: PMC6383060 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Single nucleotide polymorphisms on chromosome 4q25 have been associated with risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) but the exiguous knowledge of the mechanistic links between these risk variants and underlying electrophysiological alterations hampers their clinical utility. Here, we tested the hypothesis that 4q25 risk variants cause alterations in the intracellular calcium homoeostasis that predispose to spontaneous electrical activity. METHODS AND RESULTS Western blotting, confocal calcium imaging, and patch-clamp techniques were used to identify mechanisms linking the 4q25 risk variants rs2200733T and rs13143308T to defects in the calcium homoeostasis in human atrial myocytes. Our findings revealed that the rs13143308T variant was more frequent in patients with AF and that myocytes from carriers of this variant had a significantly higher density of calcium sparks (14.1 ± 4.5 vs. 3.1 ± 1.3 events/min, P = 0.02), frequency of transient inward currents (ITI) (1.33 ± 0.24 vs. 0.26 ± 0.09 events/min, P < 0.001) and incidence of spontaneous membrane depolarizations (1.22 ± 0.26 vs. 0.56 ± 0.17 events/min, P = 0.001) than myocytes from patients with the normal rs13143308G variant. These alterations were linked to higher sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium loading (10.2 ± 1.4 vs. 7.3 ± 0.5 amol/pF, P = 0.01), SERCA2 expression (1.37 ± 0.13 fold, P = 0.03), and RyR2 phosphorylation at ser2808 (0.67 ± 0.08 vs. 0.47 ± 0.03, P = 0.01) but not at ser2814 (0.28 ± 0.14 vs. 0.31 ± 0.14, P = 0.61) in patients carrying the rs13143308T risk variant. Furthermore, the presence of a risk variant or AF independently increased the ITI frequency and the increase in the ITI frequency observed in carriers of the risk variants was exacerbated in those with AF. By contrast, the presence of a risk variant did not affect the amplitude or properties of the L-type calcium current in patients with or without AF. CONCLUSIONS Here, we identify the 4q25 variant rs13143308T as a genetic risk marker for AF, specifically associated with excessive calcium release and spontaneous electrical activity linked to increased SERCA2 expression and RyR2 phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela Herraiz-Martínez
- Biomedical Research Institute Barcelona CSIC-IIBB Antiguo Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Pabellon 11, St Antoni Ma Claret 167, Barcelona, Spain.,IIB Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Llach
- IIB Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Cardiology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Tarifa
- Biomedical Research Institute Barcelona CSIC-IIBB Antiguo Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Pabellon 11, St Antoni Ma Claret 167, Barcelona, Spain.,IIB Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Gandía
- Biomedical Research Institute Barcelona CSIC-IIBB Antiguo Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Pabellon 11, St Antoni Ma Claret 167, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Selma A Serra
- Biomedical Research Institute Barcelona CSIC-IIBB Antiguo Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Pabellon 11, St Antoni Ma Claret 167, Barcelona, Spain.,IIB Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexander Vallmitjana
- Department of Automatic Control, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Raúl Benítez
- Department of Automatic Control, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amelia Aranega
- Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, Spain
| | | | - Diego Franco
- Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, Spain
| | - Juan Cinca
- IIB Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Cardiology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERCV, Spain
| | - Leif Hove-Madsen
- Biomedical Research Institute Barcelona CSIC-IIBB Antiguo Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Pabellon 11, St Antoni Ma Claret 167, Barcelona, Spain.,IIB Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERCV, Spain
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45
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Bai J, Lu Y, Lo A, Zhao J, Zhang H. PITX2 upregulation increases the risk of chronic atrial fibrillation in a dose-dependent manner by modulating IKs and ICaL -insights from human atrial modelling. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:191. [PMID: 32309338 PMCID: PMC7154416 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2020.01.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Functional analysis has shown that the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) overexpression associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) leads to the slow delayed rectifier K+ current (IKs) increase and the L-type Ca2+ current (ICaL) reduction observed in isolated right atrial myocytes from chronic AF (CAF) patients. Through multiscale computational models, this study aimed to investigate the functional impact of the PITX2 overexpression on atrial electrical activity. Methods The well-known Courtemanche-Ramirez-Nattel (CRN) model of human atrial action potentials (APs) was updated to incorporate experimental data on alterations in IKs and ICaL due to the PITX2 overexpression. These cell models for sinus rhythm (SR) and CAF were then incorporated into homogeneous multicellular one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) tissue models. The proarrhythmic effects of the PITX2 overexpression were quantified with ion current profiles, AP morphology, AP duration (APD) restitution, conduction velocity restitution (CVR), wavelength (WL), vulnerable window (VW) for unidirectional conduction block, and minimal substrate size required to induce re-entry. Dynamic behaviors of spiral waves were characterized by measuring lifespan (LS), tip patterns and dominant frequencies. Results The IKs increase and the ICaL decrease arising from the PITX2 overexpression abbreviated APD and flattened APD restitution (APDR) curves in single cells. It reduced WL and increased CV at high excitation rates at the 1D tissue level. Although it had no effects on VW for initiating spiral waves, it decreased the minimal substrate size necessary to sustain re-entry. It also stabilized and accelerated spiral waves in 2D and 3D tissue models. Conclusions Electrical remodeling (IKs and ICaL) due to the PITX2 overexpression increases susceptibility to AF due to increased tissue vulnerability, abbreviated APD, shortened WL and altered CV, which, in combination, facilitate initiation and maintenance of spiral waves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieyun Bai
- Department of Electronic Engineering, College of Information Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yaosheng Lu
- Department of Electronic Engineering, College of Information Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Andy Lo
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jichao Zhao
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Henggui Zhang
- Biological Physics Group, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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46
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Bai J, Lo A, Gladding PA, Stiles MK, Fedorov VV, Zhao J. In silico investigation of the mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation due to impaired Pitx2. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1007678. [PMID: 32097431 PMCID: PMC7059955 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and is a major cause of stroke and morbidity. Recent genome-wide association studies have shown that paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (Pitx2) to be strongly associated with AF. However, the mechanisms underlying Pitx2 modulated arrhythmogenesis and variable effectiveness of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) in patients in the presence or absence of impaired Pitx2 expression remain unclear. We have developed multi-scale computer models, ranging from a single cell to tissue level, to mimic control and Pitx2-knockout atria by incorporating recent experimental data on Pitx2-induced electrical and structural remodeling in humans, as well as the effects of AADs. The key findings of this study are twofold. We have demonstrated that shortened action potential duration, slow conduction and triggered activity occur due to electrical and structural remodelling under Pitx2 deficiency conditions. Notably, the elevated function of calcium transport ATPase increases sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ concentration, thereby enhancing susceptibility to triggered activity. Furthermore, heterogeneity is further elevated due to Pitx2 deficiency: 1) Electrical heterogeneity between left and right atria increases; and 2) Increased fibrosis and decreased cell-cell coupling due to structural remodelling slow electrical propagation and provide obstacles to attract re-entry, facilitating the initiation of re-entrant circuits. Secondly, our study suggests that flecainide has antiarrhythmic effects on AF due to impaired Pitx2 by preventing spontaneous calcium release and increasing wavelength. Furthermore, our study suggests that Na+ channel effects alone are insufficient to explain the efficacy of flecainide. Our study may provide the mechanisms underlying Pitx2-induced AF and possible explanation behind the AAD effects of flecainide in patients with Pitx2 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieyun Bai
- Department of Electronic Engineering, College of Information Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andy Lo
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Patrick A. Gladding
- Department of Cardiology, Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Martin K. Stiles
- Waikato Clinical School, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Vadim V. Fedorov
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jichao Zhao
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Schneider-Warme F, Ravens U. Ménage à trois: single-nucleotide polymorphisms, calcium and atrial fibrillation. Cardiovasc Res 2019; 115:479-481. [PMID: 30428015 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Schneider-Warme
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Elsässerstr. 2Q, Freiburg Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str 55, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ursula Ravens
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Elsässerstr. 2Q, Freiburg Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str 55, Freiburg, Germany
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48
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Aromolaran AS. Mechanisms of electrical remodeling in lipotoxic guinea pig heart. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 519:639-644. [PMID: 31540694 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.09.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To develop an adult guinea pig model of lipotoxicity and explore the underlying mechanisms associated with changes in the expression of the delayed rectifier potassium current (IK). BACKGROUND Lipotoxicity may represent a common link among metabolic disorders and a higher vulnerability to arrhythmias. METHODS Whole-cell patch clamp, and palmitic acid (PA, a potent inducer of lipotoxicity), were used to assess mechanisms of short-term (∼50 days) high-fat diet (HFD) feeding on atrial electrophysiology in guinea pig hearts and myocytes. RESULTS HFD fed guinea pigs were significantly heavier, displayed hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia; but no signs of hyperglycemia or inflammation compared to low-fat diet fed controls. Increasing cardiac PA levels, resulted in shortened atrial action potential duration, and increased IK density. Inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) prevented increases in IK due to PA. Acute (≥1hr) exposure of atrial myocytes to exogenous PA (1 mM) increased the density of the rapid delayed rectifier potassium current IKr, while it was decreased with the unsaturated oleic acid (OA, 1 mM). Serine-threonine protein phosphatase-2 (PP2A) inhibition with cantharidin reversed the effect of OA on IKr. CONCLUSION Our data provide evidence of a novel lipotoxic guinea pig model with signs of vulnerability to arrhythmias. Inhibition of PA/PI3K/IK and/or activation of the OA/PP2A/IKr pathways may be therapeutically beneficial for lipotoxic arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ademuyiwa S Aromolaran
- Cardiac Electrophysiology and Metabolism Research Group, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Research and Development Office, (151), 800 Poly Place, Brooklyn, NY, 11209, USA; Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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49
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Choi JI, Baek YS, Roh SY, Piccini JP, Kim YH. Chromosome 4q25 variants and biomarkers of myocardial fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2019; 30:1904-1913. [PMID: 31393025 DOI: 10.1111/jce.14104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Little is known about how genetic predisposition and fibrosis relate in atrial fibrillation (AF). Hence, we sought to determine whether the genetic variants and biomarkers for fibrosis enhance prediction of outcomes after catheter ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS Consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation of AF (paroxysmal, 158; nonparoxysmal, 137) or supraventricular tachycardia without AF (n = 70) were studied retrospectively. Plasma levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), and 4q25 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs10033464 and rs220073) were measured. Mean plasma levels of both TGF-β1 and TIMP-1 were higher in patients with AF than in the control (all P < .001). Plasma levels of TIMP-1 were higher in patients with recurrence compared with those without recurrence (P = .039). Patients with variant alleles of rs10033464 showed increased recurrence after catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal AF including after adjustment (P = .027). Patients with TIMP-1 < 107 ng/mL and no variant allele (GG) at rs10033464 had lower recurrence rates compared with other groups in those with paroxysmal AF (logrank; P = .007), whereas there was no significant difference among those patients with persistent forms of AF. Inclusion of biomarkers and genotype improved discrimination of AF recurrence in patients with paroxysmal AF (C-statistic .499 vs .600). CONCLUSIONS The combination of plasma TIMP-1 concentrations less than 107 ng/mL and the absence of a variant allele at rs10033464 was associated with lower recurrence rates in patients with paroxysmal AF. This study suggests that 4q25 SNPs and biomarkers for fibrosis may provide additive value in risk stratification for AF recurrence after catheter ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Il Choi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine and Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Soo Baek
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Young Roh
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine and Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jonathan P Piccini
- Duke Center for Atrial Fibrillation, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Young-Hoon Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine and Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Filos D, Tachmatzidis D, Maglaveras N, Vassilikos V, Chouvarda I. Understanding the Beat-to-Beat Variations of P-Waves Morphologies in AF Patients During Sinus Rhythm: A Scoping Review of the Atrial Simulation Studies. Front Physiol 2019; 10:742. [PMID: 31275161 PMCID: PMC6591370 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The remarkable advances in high-performance computing and the resulting increase of the computational power have the potential to leverage computational cardiology toward improving our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of arrhythmias, such as Atrial Fibrillation (AF). In AF, a complex interaction between various triggers and the atrial substrate is considered to be the leading cause of AF initiation and perpetuation. In electrocardiography (ECG), P-wave is supposed to reflect atrial depolarization. It has been found that even during sinus rhythm (SR), multiple P-wave morphologies are present in AF patients with a history of AF, suggesting a higher dispersion of the conduction route in this population. In this scoping review, we focused on the mechanisms which modify the electrical substrate of the atria in AF patients, while investigating the existence of computational models that simulate the propagation of the electrical signal through different routes. The adopted review methodology is based on a structured analytical framework which includes the extraction of the keywords based on an initial limited bibliographic search, the extensive literature search and finally the identification of relevant articles based on the reference list of the studies. The leading mechanisms identified were classified according to their scale, spanning from mechanisms in the cell, tissue or organ level, and the produced outputs. The computational modeling approaches for each of the factors that influence the initiation and the perpetuation of AF are presented here to provide a clear overview of the existing literature. Several levels of categorization were adopted while the studies which aim to translate their findings to ECG phenotyping are highlighted. The results denote the availability of multiple models, which are appropriate under specific conditions. However, the consideration of complex scenarios taking into account multiple spatiotemporal scales, personalization of electrophysiological and anatomical models and the reproducibility in terms of ECG phenotyping has only partially been tackled so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Filos
- Lab of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Nicos Maglaveras
- Lab of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Vassilios Vassilikos
- 3rd Cardiology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioanna Chouvarda
- Lab of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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