1
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Hespe S, Gray B, Puranik R, Peters S, Sweeting J, Ingles J. The role of genetic testing in management and prognosis of individuals with inherited cardiomyopathies. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2024:S1050-1738(24)00053-7. [PMID: 39004295 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2024.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Inherited cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group of heart muscle conditions where disease classification has traditionally been based on clinical characteristics. However, this does not always align with genotype. While there are well described challenges of genetic testing, understanding the role of genotype in patient management is increasingly required. We take a gene-by-gene approach, reviewing current evidence for the role of genetic testing in guiding prognosis and management of individuals with inherited cardiomyopathies. In particular, focusing on confident variants in genes definitively associated with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This review identifies genotype-specific disease sub-groups with strong evidence supporting the use of genetics in clinical management and highlights that at present, the spectrum of clinical utility is not reflected in current guidelines. Of 13 guideline or expert consensus statements for management of cardiomyopathies, there are seven gene-specific therapeutic recommendations that have been published from four documents. Understanding how genotype influences phenotype provides evidence for the role of genetic testing for prognostic and therapeutic purposes, moving us closer to precision-medicine based care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Hespe
- Genomics and Inherited Disease Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Belinda Gray
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rajesh Puranik
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stacey Peters
- Department of Cardiology and Genomic Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joanna Sweeting
- Genomics and Inherited Disease Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jodie Ingles
- Genomics and Inherited Disease Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
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2
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Uccello G, Bonacchi G, Rossi VA, Montrasio G, Beltrami M. Myocarditis and Chronic Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy, from Acute Inflammation to Chronic Inflammatory Damage: An Update on Pathophysiology and Diagnosis. J Clin Med 2023; 13:150. [PMID: 38202158 PMCID: PMC10780032 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010150] [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: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myocarditis covers a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, from uncomplicated myocarditis to severe forms complicated by hemodynamic instability and ventricular arrhythmias; however, all these forms are characterized by acute myocardial inflammation. The term "chronic inflammatory cardiomyopathy" describes a persistent/chronic inflammatory condition with a clinical phenotype of dilated and/or hypokinetic cardiomyopathy associated with symptoms of heart failure and increased risk for arrhythmias. A continuum can be identified between these two conditions. The importance of early diagnosis has grown markedly in the contemporary era with various diagnostic tools available. While cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is valid for diagnosis and follow-up, endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) should be considered as a first-line diagnostic modality in all unexplained acute cardiomyopathies complicated by hemodynamic instability and ventricular arrhythmias, considering the local expertise. Genetic counseling should be recommended in those cases where a genotype-phenotype association is suspected, as this has significant implications for patients' and their family members' prognoses. Recognition of the pathophysiological pathway and clinical "red flags" and an early diagnosis may help us understand mechanisms of progression, tailor long-term preventive and therapeutic strategies for this complex disease, and ultimately improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Uccello
- Division of Cardiology, Alessandro Manzoni Hospital—ASST Lecco, 23900 Lecco, Italy;
| | - Giacomo Bonacchi
- Division of Cardiology, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | | | - Giulia Montrasio
- Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases Unit, Barts Heart Centre, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London EC1A 7BS, UK;
| | - Matteo Beltrami
- Cardiomyopathy Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
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3
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Toro V, Jutras-Beaudoin N, Boucherat O, Bonnet S, Provencher S, Potus F. Right Ventricle and Epigenetics: A Systematic Review. Cells 2023; 12:2693. [PMID: 38067121 PMCID: PMC10705252 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232693] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing recognition of the crucial role of the right ventricle (RV) in determining the functional status and prognosis in multiple conditions. In the past decade, the epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs) of gene expression has been raised as a critical determinant of RV development, RV physiological function, and RV pathological dysfunction. We thus aimed to perform an up-to-date review of the literature, gathering knowledge on the epigenetic modifications associated with RV function/dysfunction. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of studies assessing the contribution of epigenetic modifications to RV development and/or the progression of RV dysfunction regardless of the causal pathology. English literature published on PubMed, between the inception of the study and 1 January 2023, was evaluated. Two authors independently evaluated whether studies met eligibility criteria before study results were extracted. Amongst the 817 studies screened, 109 studies were included in this review, including 69 that used human samples (e.g., RV myocardium, blood). While 37 proposed an epigenetic-based therapeutic intervention to improve RV function, none involved a clinical trial and 70 are descriptive. Surprisingly, we observed a substantial discrepancy between studies investigating the expression (up or down) and/or the contribution of the same epigenetic modifications on RV function or development. This exhaustive review of the literature summarizes the relevant epigenetic studies focusing on RV in human or preclinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - François Potus
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ), Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (V.T.); (N.J.-B.); (O.B.); (S.B.); (S.P.)
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Tadros HJ, Miyake CY, Kearney DL, Kim JJ, Denfield SW. The Many Faces of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: An Overview. Appl Clin Genet 2023; 16:181-203. [PMID: 37933265 PMCID: PMC10625769 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s383446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is a disease that involves electromechanical uncoupling of cardiomyocytes. This leads to characteristic histologic changes that ultimately lead to the arrhythmogenic clinical features of the disease. Initially thought to affect the right ventricle predominantly, more recent data show that it can affect both the ventricles or the left ventricle alone. Throughout the recent era, diagnostic modalities and criteria for AC have continued to evolve and our understanding of its clinical features in different age groups as well as the genotype to the phenotype correlations have improved. In this review, we set out to detail the epidemiology, etiologies, presentations, evaluation, and management of AC across the age continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna J Tadros
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christina Y Miyake
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Debra L Kearney
- Department of Pathology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Susan W Denfield
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Chua CJ, Morrissette-McAlmon J, Tung L, Boheler KR. Understanding Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Advances through the Use of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Models. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1864. [PMID: 37895213 PMCID: PMC10606441 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyopathies (CMPs) represent a significant healthcare burden and are a major cause of heart failure leading to premature death. Several CMPs are now recognized to have a strong genetic basis, including arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), which predisposes patients to arrhythmic episodes. Variants in one of the five genes (PKP2, JUP, DSC2, DSG2, and DSP) encoding proteins of the desmosome are known to cause a subset of ACM, which we classify as desmosome-related ACM (dACM). Phenotypically, this disease may lead to sudden cardiac death in young athletes and, during late stages, is often accompanied by myocardial fibrofatty infiltrates. While the pathogenicity of the desmosome genes has been well established through animal studies and limited supplies of primary human cells, these systems have drawbacks that limit their utility and relevance to understanding human disease. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have emerged as a powerful tool for modeling ACM in vitro that can overcome these challenges, as they represent a reproducible and scalable source of cardiomyocytes (CMs) that recapitulate patient phenotypes. In this review, we provide an overview of dACM, summarize findings in other model systems linking desmosome proteins with this disease, and provide an up-to-date summary of the work that has been conducted in hiPSC-cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) models of dACM. In the context of the hiPSC-CM model system, we highlight novel findings that have contributed to our understanding of disease and enumerate the limitations, prospects, and directions for research to consider towards future progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christianne J. Chua
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (C.J.C.); (J.M.-M.); (L.T.)
| | - Justin Morrissette-McAlmon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (C.J.C.); (J.M.-M.); (L.T.)
| | - Leslie Tung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (C.J.C.); (J.M.-M.); (L.T.)
| | - Kenneth R. Boheler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (C.J.C.); (J.M.-M.); (L.T.)
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Couto JF, Martins E. Recommendations for the Management of Cardiomyopathy Mutation Carriers: Evidence, Doubts, and Intentions. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4706. [PMID: 37510821 PMCID: PMC10380898 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12144706] [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: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyopathies may be hereditary and associated with a familial predilection. Morbidity and mortality can be caused by heart failure, sudden death, or arrhythmias. Sometimes these events are the first manifestations of cardiovascular disease. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy are perhaps most thoroughly studied in that context. Dilated cardiomyopathy, although most frequently of secondary etiology, has a significant familial cluster. Noncompaction of the left ventricle can sometimes be seen in healthy individuals and, in other instances, is associated with severe LV dysfunction. Genetic testing is of utmost importance, since it might allow for the identification of individuals carrying mutations predisposing them to these diseases. In addition, certain variants may benefit from tailored therapeutic regimens, and thus searching for a causal mutation can impact clinical practice and is recommended for all patients with HCM or ACM. Patients with DCM and positive family history should be included as well. Regular follow-ups are advised, even in those with negative phenotypes, because these disorders are often age dependent. During pregnancy and in the case of athletes, special consideration should be made as well. We intend to summarize the most current evidence regarding their management.
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Affiliation(s)
- José F Couto
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Martins
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, Member of the European Reference Network for Rare, Low-Prevalence, or Complex Diseases of the Heart (ERN GUARD-Heart), 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS@RISE), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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Papadopoulou E, Bouzarelou D, Tsaousis G, Papathanasiou A, Vogiatzi G, Vlachopoulos C, Miliou A, Papachristou P, Prappa E, Servos G, Ritsatos K, Seretis A, Frogoudaki A, Nasioulas G. Application of next generation sequencing in cardiology: current and future precision medicine implications. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1202381. [PMID: 37424920 PMCID: PMC10327645 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1202381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited cardiovascular diseases are highly heterogeneous conditions with multiple genetic loci involved. The application of advanced molecular tools, such as Next Generation Sequencing, has facilitated the genetic analysis of these disorders. Accurate analysis and variant identification are required to maximize the quality of the sequencing data. Therefore, the application of NGS for clinical purposes should be limited to laboratories with a high level of technological expertise and resources. In addition, appropriate gene selection and variant interpretation can result in the highest possible diagnostic yield. Implementation of genetics in cardiology is imperative for the accurate diagnosis, prognosis and management of several inherited disorders and could eventually lead to the realization of precision medicine in this field. However, genetic testing should also be accompanied by an appropriate genetic counseling procedure that clarifies the significance of the genetic analysis results for the proband and his family. In this regard, a multidisciplinary collaboration among physicians, geneticists, and bioinformaticians is imperative. In the present review, we address the current state of knowledge regarding genetic analysis strategies employed in the field of cardiogenetics. Variant interpretation and reporting guidelines are explored. Additionally, gene selection procedures are accessed, with a particular emphasis on information concerning gene-disease associations collected from international alliances such as the Gene Curation Coalition (GenCC). In this context, a novel approach to gene categorization is proposed. Moreover, a sub-analysis is conducted on the 1,502,769 variation records with submitted interpretations in the Clinical Variation (ClinVar) database, focusing on cardiology-related genes. Finally, the most recent information on genetic analysis's clinical utility is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Georgia Vogiatzi
- Third Department of Cardiology, Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Charalambos Vlachopoulos
- Unit of Inherited Cardiac Conditions and Sports Cardiology, First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antigoni Miliou
- Unit of Inherited Cardiac Conditions and Sports Cardiology, First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Efstathia Prappa
- Second Department of Cardiology, Arrhythmia Unit, Evangelismos General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Servos
- Pediatric Cardiology Unit, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Ritsatos
- Unit of Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Aristeidis Seretis
- Unit of Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandra Frogoudaki
- Second Department of Cardiology, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Liu X, Zhang Y, Li W, Zhang Q, Zhou L, Hua Y, Duan H, Li Y. Misdiagnosed myocarditis in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy induced by a homozygous variant of DSG2: a case report. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1150657. [PMID: 37288269 PMCID: PMC10242036 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1150657] [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: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiomyopathy that is rarely diagnosed in infants or young children. However, some significant homozygous or compound heterozygous variants contribute to more severe clinical manifestations. In addition, inflammation of the myocardium and ventricular arrhythmia might lead to misdiagnosis with myocarditis. Here, we describe an 8-year-old patient who had been misdiagnosed with myocarditis. Timely genetic sequencing helped to identify this case as ACM induced by a homozygous variant of DSG2. Case presentation The proband of this case was an 8-year-old boy who initially presented with chest pain with an increased level of cardiac Troponin I. In addition, the electrocardiogram revealed multiple premature ventricular beats. Cardiac magnetic resonance revealed myocardial edema in the lateral ventricular wall and apex, indicating localized injuries of the myocardium. The patient was primarily suspected to have acute coronary syndrome or viral myocarditis. Whole-exome sequencing confirmed that the proband had a homozygous variation, c.1592T > G, of the DSG2 gene. This mutation site was regulated by DNA modification, which induced amino acid sequence changes, protein structure effects, and splice site changes. According to MutationTaster and PolyPhen-2 analyses, the variant was considered a disease-causing mutation. Next, we used SWISS-MODEL to illustrate the mutation site of p.F531C. The ensemble variance of p.F531C indicated the free energy changes after the amino acid change. Conclusion In summary, we reported a rare pediatric case initially presenting as myocarditis that transitioned into ACM during follow-up. A homozygous genetic variant of DSG2 was inherited in the proband. This study expanded the clinical feature spectrum of DSG2-associated ACM at an early age. Additionally, the presentation of this case emphasized the difference between homozygous and heterozygous variants of desmosomal genes in disease progression. Genetic sequencing screening could be helpful in distinguishing unexplained myocarditis in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenjuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Letao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yimin Hua
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongyu Duan
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yifei Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Pohl GM, Göz M, Gaertner A, Brodehl A, Cimen T, Saguner AM, Schulze-Bahr E, Walhorn V, Anselmetti D, Milting H. Cardiomyopathy related desmocollin-2 prodomain variants affect the intracellular cadherin transport and processing. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1127261. [PMID: 37273868 PMCID: PMC10235514 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1127261] [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: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy can be caused by genetic variants in desmosomal cadherins. Since cardiac desmosomal cadherins are crucial for cell-cell-adhesion, their correct localization at the plasma membrane is essential. Methods Nine desmocollin-2 variants at five positions from various public genetic databases (p.D30N, p.V52A/I, p.G77V/D/S, p.V79G, p.I96V/T) and three additional conserved positions (p.C32, p.C57, p.F71) within the prodomain were investigated in vitro using confocal microscopy. Model variants (p.C32A/S, p.V52G/L, p.C57A/S, p.F71Y/A/S, p.V79A/I/L, p.I96l/A) were generated to investigate the impact of specific amino acids. Results We revealed that all analyzed positions in the prodomain are critical for the intracellular transport. However, the variants p.D30N, p.V52A/I and p.I96V listed in genetic databases do not disturb the intracellular transport revealing that the loss of these canonical sequences may be compensated. Conclusion As disease-related homozygous truncating desmocollin-2 variants lacking the transmembrane domain are not localized at the plasma membrane, we predict that some of the investigated prodomain variants may be relevant in the context of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy due to disturbed intracellular transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Marie Pohl
- Erich & Hanna Klessmann-Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Development & Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart- and Diabetes Center NRW, D-32545 Bad Oeynhausen, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Manuel Göz
- Experimental Biophysics and Applied Nanoscience, Faculty of Physics, University of Bielefeld, NRW, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Anna Gaertner
- Erich & Hanna Klessmann-Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Development & Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart- and Diabetes Center NRW, D-32545 Bad Oeynhausen, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Andreas Brodehl
- Erich & Hanna Klessmann-Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Development & Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart- and Diabetes Center NRW, D-32545 Bad Oeynhausen, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Tolga Cimen
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ardan M. Saguner
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eric Schulze-Bahr
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Volker Walhorn
- Experimental Biophysics and Applied Nanoscience, Faculty of Physics, University of Bielefeld, NRW, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Dario Anselmetti
- Experimental Biophysics and Applied Nanoscience, Faculty of Physics, University of Bielefeld, NRW, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Hendrik Milting
- Erich & Hanna Klessmann-Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Development & Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart- and Diabetes Center NRW, D-32545 Bad Oeynhausen, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
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10
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Pantou MP, Gourzi P, Vlagkouli V, Papatheodorou E, Tsoutsinos A, Nyktari E, Degiannis D, Anastasakis A. A truncating variant altering the extreme C-terminal region of desmoplakin (DSP) suggests the crucial functional role of the region: a case report study. BMC Med Genomics 2023; 16:95. [PMID: 37143080 PMCID: PMC10158133 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01527-6] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Homozygous truncating mutations located in the C-terminal region of the desmoplakin gene (DSP) are known to mainly cause Carvajal syndrome, an autosomal recessive syndromic form of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy with an extra-cardiac cutaneous phenotype. CASE PRESENTATION Here we describe a female proband with a documented arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy and a syncopal episode at the age of 13, who was found homozygous for the novel DSP variant: NM_004415.4:c.8586delC, p.(Ser2863Hisfs*20) at the extreme C-terminal region of the protein, just 8 amino acids upstream the stop codon. She did not have any of the typical dermatological symptoms that characterize Carvajal syndrome. Her brother had died suddenly at the age of 18 during exercise and was found homozygous for the same variant at the post-mortem, while their parents were heterozygous. The region of origin of both parents was the same geographic area of Greece, but they were not aware of any common ancestor. Detailed clinical examination revealed that the mother displayed a mild arrhythmic phenotype, while the father was asymptomatic. CONCLUSION These observations pinpoint to a significant functional role of the extreme C-terminal tail of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malena P Pantou
- Molecular Immunopathology, Histocompatibility and Genetics Laboratory, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Kallithea, Greece.
| | - Polyxeni Gourzi
- Molecular Immunopathology, Histocompatibility and Genetics Laboratory, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Kallithea, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Vlagkouli
- Unit of Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Kallithea, Greece
| | - Efstathios Papatheodorou
- Unit of Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Kallithea, Greece
| | - Alexandros Tsoutsinos
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Kallithea, Greece
| | - Eva Nyktari
- CMR Unit, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Kallithea, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Degiannis
- Molecular Immunopathology, Histocompatibility and Genetics Laboratory, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Kallithea, Greece
| | - Aris Anastasakis
- Unit of Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Kallithea, Greece
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11
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Wang Y, Dobreva G. Epigenetics in LMNA-Related Cardiomyopathy. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050783. [PMID: 36899919 PMCID: PMC10001118 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the gene for lamin A/C (LMNA) cause a diverse range of diseases known as laminopathies. LMNA-related cardiomyopathy is a common inherited heart disease and is highly penetrant with a poor prognosis. In the past years, numerous investigations using mouse models, stem cell technologies, and patient samples have characterized the phenotypic diversity caused by specific LMNA variants and contributed to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of heart disease. As a component of the nuclear envelope, LMNA regulates nuclear mechanostability and function, chromatin organization, and gene transcription. This review will focus on the different cardiomyopathies caused by LMNA mutations, address the role of LMNA in chromatin organization and gene regulation, and discuss how these processes go awry in heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinuo Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Genomics and Epigenomics, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (G.D.)
| | - Gergana Dobreva
- Department of Cardiovascular Genomics and Epigenomics, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (G.D.)
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Reisqs JB, Moreau A, Sleiman Y, Charrabi A, Delinière A, Bessière F, Gardey K, Richard S, Chevalier P. Spironolactone as a Potential New Treatment to Prevent Arrhythmias in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Cell Model. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13020335. [PMID: 36836569 PMCID: PMC9960914 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13020335] [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: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a rare genetic disease associated with ventricular arrhythmias in patients. The occurrence of these arrhythmias is due to direct electrophysiological remodeling of the cardiomyocytes, namely a reduction in the action potential duration (APD) and a disturbance of Ca2+ homeostasis. Interestingly, spironolactone (SP), a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, is known to block K+ channels and may reduce arrhythmias. Here, we assess the direct effect of SP and its metabolite canrenoic acid (CA) in cardiomyocytes derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs) of a patient bearing a missense mutation (c.394C>T) in the DSC2 gene coding for desmocollin 2 and for the amino acid replacement of arginine by cysteine at position 132 (R132C). SP and CA corrected the APD in the muted cells (vs. the control) in linking to a normalization of the hERG and KCNQ1 K+ channel currents. In addition, SP and CA had a direct cellular effect on Ca2+ homeostasis. They reduced the amplitude and aberrant Ca2+ events. In conclusion, we show the direct beneficial effects of SP on the AP and Ca2+ homeostasis of DSC2-specific hiPSC-CMs. These results provide a rationale for a new therapeutical approach to tackle mechanical and electrical burdens in patients suffering from ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Baptiste Reisqs
- Neuromyogene Institute, Claude Bernard University, Lyon 1, 69008 Villeurbanne, France
- PhyMedExp, INSERM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Adrien Moreau
- PhyMedExp, INSERM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Yvonne Sleiman
- PhyMedExp, INSERM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Azzouz Charrabi
- PhyMedExp, INSERM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | | | - Francis Bessière
- Service de Rythmologie, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69500 Lyon, France
| | - Kevin Gardey
- Service de Rythmologie, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69500 Lyon, France
| | - Sylvain Richard
- PhyMedExp, INSERM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Chevalier
- Neuromyogene Institute, Claude Bernard University, Lyon 1, 69008 Villeurbanne, France
- Service de Rythmologie, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69500 Lyon, France
- Correspondence:
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The N-Terminal Part of the 1A Domain of Desmin Is a Hot Spot Region for Putative Pathogenic DES Mutations Affecting Filament Assembly. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233906. [PMID: 36497166 PMCID: PMC9738904 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmin is the major intermediate filament protein of all three muscle cell types, and connects different cell organelles and multi-protein complexes such as the cardiac desmosomes. Several pathogenic mutations in the DES gene cause different skeletal and cardiac myopathies. However, the significance of the majority of DES missense variants is currently unknown, since functional data are lacking. To determine whether desmin missense mutations within the highly conserved 1A coil domain cause a filament assembly defect, we generated a set of variants with unknown significance and systematically analyzed the filament assembly using confocal microscopy in transfected SW-13, H9c2 cells and cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. We found that mutations in the N-terminal part of the 1A coil domain affect filament assembly, leading to cytoplasmic desmin aggregation. In contrast, mutant desmin in the C-terminal part of the 1A coil domain forms filamentous structures comparable to wild-type desmin. Our findings suggest that the N-terminal part of the 1A coil domain is a hot spot for pathogenic desmin mutations, which affect desmin filament assembly. This study may have relevance for the genetic counselling of patients carrying variants in the 1A coil domain of the DES gene.
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Murray B, James CA. Genotype-phenotype Correlates in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathies. Curr Cardiol Rep 2022; 24:1557-1565. [PMID: 36074218 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-022-01777-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW The definition of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) has expanded beyond desmosomal arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) to include other genetic cardiomyopathies with a significant arrhythmia burden. Emerging data on genotype-phenotype correlations has led recent consensus guidelines to urge genetic testing as a critical component of not only diagnosis but also management of ACM. RECENT FINDINGS Plakophilin-2 (PKP2) ARVC/ACM is most likely to meet ARVC Task Force Criteria with right sided involvement and ventricular arrhythmias, while desmoplakin (DSP) ACM may have a normal electrocardiogram (ECG) and has a subepicardial LV scar pattern. Extra-desmosomal ACM including ACM associated with transmembrane protein 43 and phospholamban variants may have characteristic ECG patterns and biventricular cardiomyopathy. Lamin A/C and SCN5A cardiomyopathy often have heart block on ECG with DCM, but are distinct from DCM in that they have significantly elevated arrhythmic risk. Newer genes, especially filamin-C (FLNC) also may have distinct imaging scar patterns, arrhythmia risk, and risk predictors. Recognition of these key differences have implications for clinical management and reinforce the importance of genetic testing in the diagnosis and the emerging opportunities for genotype-specific management of ACM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittney Murray
- School of Medicine/Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, 600 N. Wolfe St. Blalock 545, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
| | - Cynthia A James
- School of Medicine/Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, 600 N. Wolfe St. Blalock 545, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
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15
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Towards a Better Understanding of Genotype-Phenotype Correlations and Therapeutic Targets for Cardiocutaneous Genes: The Importance of Functional Studies above Prediction. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810765. [PMID: 36142674 PMCID: PMC9503274 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic variants in gene-encoding proteins involved in cell−cell connecting structures, such as desmosomes and gap junctions, may cause a skin and/or cardiac phenotype, of which the combination is called cardiocutaneous syndrome. The cardiac phenotype is characterized by cardiomyopathy and/or arrhythmias, while the skin particularly displays phenotypes such as keratoderma, hair abnormalities and skin fragility. The reported variants associated with cardiocutaneous syndrome, in genes DSP, JUP, DSC2, KLHL24, GJA1, are classified by interpretation guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. The genotype−phenotype correlation, however, remains poorly understood. By providing an overview of variants that are assessed for a functional protein pathology, we show that this number (n = 115) is low compared to the number of variants that are assessed by in silico algorithms (>5000). As expected, there is a mismatch between the prediction of variant pathogenicity and the prediction of the functional effect compared to the real functional evidence. Aiding to improve genotype−phenotype correlations, we separate variants into ‘protein reducing’ or ‘altered protein’ variants and provide general conclusions about the skin and heart phenotype involved. We conclude by stipulating that adequate prognoses can only be given, and targeted therapies can only be designed, upon full knowledge of the protein pathology through functional investigation.
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16
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Chen Y, Sun Q, Hao C, Guo R, Wang C, Yang W, Zhang Y, Wang F, Li W, Guo J. Identification of a novel variant in N-cadherin associated with dilated cardiomyopathy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:944950. [PMID: 36111109 PMCID: PMC9468813 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.944950] [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: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which is a major cause of heart failure, is a primary cardiac muscle disease with high morbidity and mortality rates. DCM is a genetically heritable disease and more than 10 gene ontologies have been implicated in DCM. CDH2 encodes N-cadherin and belongs to a superfamily of transmembrane proteins that mediate cell–cell adhesion in a calcium-dependent manner. Deficiency of CDH2 is associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (OMIM: 618920) and agenesis of the corpus callosum, cardiac, ocular, and genital syndrome (OMIM: 618929). However, there have been no reports of isolated DCM associated with CDH2 deficiency. Methods We performed whole exome sequencing in a 12-year-old girl with non-syndromic DCM and her unaffected parents. Variants in both known DCM-related genes and novel candidate genes were analyzed and pathogenicity confirmation experiments were performed. Results No pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant in known DCM-related genes was identified in the patient. We found a de novo variant in a candidate gene CDH2 in the patient, namely, c.474G>C/p.Lys158Asn (NM_001792.5). This variant has not been reported in the ClinVar or Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD). CDH2 p.Lys158Asn was found in the conserved domain of N-cadherin, which is associated with the hydrolysis of the precursor segment and interference with adhesiveness. Furthermore, we tested the expression and efficiency of cell–cell adhesion while overexpressing the CDH2 Lys158Asn mutant and two previously reported variants in CDH2 as positive controls. The adhesion efficiency was considerably reduced in the presence of the mutated CDH2 protein compared with wild-type CDH2 protein, which suggested that the mutated CDH2 protein's adhesion capacity was impaired. The variant was probably pathogenic after integrating clinical manifestations, genetic analysis, and functional tests. Conclusion We identified a CDH2 variant in DCM. We observed a new clinical symptom associated with N-cadherin deficiency and broadened the genetic spectra of DCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanying Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetics of Birth Defects, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Capital Medical University, Center of Rare Diseases, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Inherited and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Hospital of Beijing Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qiqing Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Hospital of Beijing Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chanjuan Hao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetics of Birth Defects, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Capital Medical University, Center of Rare Diseases, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Inherited and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Hospital of Beijing Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruolan Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetics of Birth Defects, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Capital Medical University, Center of Rare Diseases, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Inherited and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Hospital of Beijing Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chentong Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetics of Birth Defects, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Capital Medical University, Center of Rare Diseases, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Inherited and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Hospital of Beijing Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weili Yang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Inherited and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Hospital of Beijing Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaodong Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Inherited and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Hospital of Beijing Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fangjie Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Hospital of Beijing Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetics of Birth Defects, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Capital Medical University, Center of Rare Diseases, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Inherited and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Hospital of Beijing Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jun Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetics of Birth Defects, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Capital Medical University, Center of Rare Diseases, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Inherited and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Hospital of Beijing Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Guo
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Functional Genomic Screening in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Reveals New Roadblocks in Early Pancreatic Endoderm Formation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030582. [PMID: 35159392 PMCID: PMC8834018 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells, with their ability to proliferate indefinitely and to differentiate into virtually all cell types of the human body, provide a novel resource to study human development and to implement relevant disease models. Here, we employed a human pancreatic differentiation platform complemented with an shRNA screen in human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to identify potential drivers of early endoderm and pancreatic development. Deep sequencing followed by abundancy ranking pinpointed six top hit genes potentially associated with either improved or impaired endodermal differentiation, which were selected for functional validation in CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knockout (KO) lines. Upon endoderm differentiation (DE), particularly the loss of SLC22A1 and DSC2 led to impaired differentiation efficiency into CXCR4/KIT-positive DE cells. qPCR analysis also revealed changes in differentiation markers CXCR4, FOXA2, SOX17, and GATA6. Further differentiation of PSCs to the pancreatic progenitor (PP) stage resulted in a decreased proportion of PDX1/NKX6-1-positive cells in SLC22A1 KO lines, and in DSC2 KO lines when differentiated under specific culture conditions. Taken together, our study reveals novel genes with potential roles in early endodermal development.
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Gerull B, Brodehl A. Insights Into Genetics and Pathophysiology of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Curr Heart Fail Rep 2021; 18:378-390. [PMID: 34478111 PMCID: PMC8616880 DOI: 10.1007/s11897-021-00532-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetic disease characterized by life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in apparently healthy young adults. Mutations in genes encoding for cellular junctions can be found in about half of the patients. However, disease onset and severity, risk of arrhythmias, and outcome are highly variable and drug-targeted treatment is currently unavailable. Recent Findings This review focuses on advances in clinical risk stratification, genetic etiology, and pathophysiological concepts. The desmosome is the central part of the disease, but other intercalated disc and associated structural proteins not only broaden the genetic spectrum but also provide novel molecular and cellular insights into the pathogenesis of ACM. Signaling pathways and the role of inflammation will be discussed and targets for novel therapeutic approaches outlined. Summary Genetic discoveries and experimental-driven preclinical research contributed significantly to the understanding of ACM towards mutation- and pathway-specific personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Gerull
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), Department of Medicine I, University Clinic Würzburg, Am Schwarzenberg 15, 97078, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Andreas Brodehl
- Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Erich and Hanna Klessmann Institute, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Georgstrasse 11, 32545, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
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Hemi- and Homozygous Loss-of-Function Mutations in DSG2 (Desmoglein-2) Cause Recessive Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy with an Early Onset. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073786. [PMID: 33917638 PMCID: PMC8038858 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
About 50% of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) carry a pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutation in the desmosomal genes. However, there is a significant number of patients without positive familial anamnesis. Therefore, the molecular reasons for ACM in these patients are frequently unknown and a genetic contribution might be underestimated. Here, we used a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach and in addition single nucleotide polymor-phism (SNP) arrays for the genetic analysis of two independent index patients without familial medical history. Of note, this genetic strategy revealed a homozygous splice site mutation (DSG2–c.378+1G>T) in the first patient and a nonsense mutation (DSG2–p.L772X) in combination with a large deletion in DSG2 in the second one. In conclusion, a recessive inheritance pattern is likely for both cases, which might contribute to the hidden medical history in both families. This is the first report about these novel loss-of-function mutations in DSG2 that have not been previously identi-fied. Therefore, we suggest performing deep genetic analyses using NGS in combination with SNP arrays also for ACM index patients without obvious familial medical history. In the future, this finding might has relevance for the genetic counseling of similar cases.
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Rare Variants Associated with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Reclassification Five Years Later. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11030162. [PMID: 33652588 PMCID: PMC7996798 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11030162] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic interpretation of rare variants associated with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is essential due to their diagnostic implications. New data may relabel previous variant classifications, but how often reanalysis is necessary remains undefined. Five years ago, 39 rare ACM-related variants were identified in patients with features of cardiomyopathy. These variants were classified following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics’ guidelines. In the present study, we reevaluated these rare variants including novel available data. All cases carried one rare variant classified as being of ambiguous significance (82.05%) or likely pathogenic (17.95%) in 2016. In our comprehensive reanalysis, the classification of 30.77% of these variants changed, mainly due to updated global frequencies. As in 2016, nowadays most variants were classified as having an uncertain role (64.1%), but the proportion of variants with an uncertain role was significantly decreased (17.95%). The percentage of rare variants classified as potentially deleterious increased from 17.95% to 23.07%. Moreover, 83.33% of reclassified variants gained certainty. We propose that periodic genetic reanalysis of all rare variants associated with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy should be undertaken at least once every five years. Defining the roles of rare variants may help clinicians obtain a definite diagnosis.
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The Desmin ( DES) Mutation p.A337P Is Associated with Left-Ventricular Non-Compaction Cardiomyopathy. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12010121. [PMID: 33478057 PMCID: PMC7835827 DOI: 10.3390/genes12010121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we present a small Russian family, where the index patient received a diagnosis of left-ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) in combination with a skeletal myopathy. Clinical follow-up analysis revealed a LVNC phenotype also in her son. Therefore, we applied a broad next-generation sequencing gene panel approach for the identification of the underlying mutation. Interestingly, DES-p.A337P was identified in the genomes of both patients, whereas only the index patient carried DSP-p.L1348X. DES encodes the muscle-specific intermediate filament protein desmin and DSP encodes desmoplakin, which is a cytolinker protein connecting desmosomes with the intermediate filaments. Because the majority of DES mutations cause severe filament assembly defects and because this mutation was found in both affected patients, we analyzed this DES mutation in vitro by cell transfection experiments in combination with confocal microscopy. Of note, desmin-p.A337P forms cytoplasmic aggregates in transfected SW-13 cells and in cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells underlining its pathogenicity. In conclusion, we suggest including the DES gene in the genetic analysis for LVNC patients in the future, especially if clinical involvement of the skeletal muscle is present.
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22
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Gerull B, Brodehl A. Genetic Animal Models for Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Front Physiol 2020; 11:624. [PMID: 32670084 PMCID: PMC7327121 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy has been clinically defined since the 1980s and causes right or biventricular cardiomyopathy associated with ventricular arrhythmia. Although it is a rare cardiac disease, it is responsible for a significant proportion of sudden cardiac deaths, especially in athletes. The majority of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy carry one or more genetic variants in desmosomal genes. In the 1990s, several knockout mouse models of genes encoding for desmosomal proteins involved in cell-cell adhesion revealed for the first time embryonic lethality due to cardiac defects. Influenced by these initial discoveries in mice, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy received an increasing interest in human cardiovascular genetics, leading to the discovery of mutations initially in desmosomal genes and later on in more than 25 different genes. Of note, even in the clinic, routine genetic diagnostics are important for risk prediction of patients and their relatives with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Based on improvements in genetic animal engineering, different transgenic, knock-in, or cardiac-specific knockout animal models for desmosomal and nondesmosomal proteins have been generated, leading to important discoveries in this field. Here, we present an overview about the existing animal models of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy with a focus on the underlying pathomechanism and its importance for understanding of this disease. Prospectively, novel mechanistic insights gained from the whole animal, organ, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels will lead to the development of efficient personalized therapies for treatment of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Gerull
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center Wuerzburg, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Andreas Brodehl
- Erich and Hanna Klessmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Development, Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, University Hospitals of the Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
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