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Baron V, Sommer ST, Fiegle DJ, Pfeuffer AKM, Peyronnet R, Volk T, Seidel T. Effects of electro-mechanical uncouplers, hormonal stimulation and pacing rate on the stability and function of cultured rabbit myocardial slices. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1363538. [PMID: 38646013 PMCID: PMC11026719 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1363538] [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: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Recent advances have enabled organotypic culture of beating human myocardial slices that are stable for weeks. However, human myocardial samples are rare, exhibit high variability and frequently originate from diseased hearts. Thus, there is a need to adapt long-term slice culture for animal myocardium. When applied to animal cardiac slices, studies in healthy or genetically modified myocardium will be possible. We present the culture of slices from rabbit hearts, which resemble the human heart in microstructure, electrophysiology and excitation-contraction coupling. Methods: Left ventricular myocardium from New Zealand White rabbits was cut using a vibratome and cultured in biomimetic chambers for up to 7 days (d). Electro-mechanical uncoupling agents 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) and cytochalasin D (CytoD) were added during initiation of culture and effects on myocyte survival were quantified. We investigated pacing rates (0.5 Hz, 1 Hz, and 2 Hz) and hormonal supplements (cortisol, T3, catecholamines) at physiological plasma concentrations. T3 was buffered using BSA. Contractile force was recorded continuously. Glucose consumption and lactate production were measured. Whole-slice Ca2+ transients and action potentials were recorded. Effects of culture on microstructure were investigated with confocal microscopy and image analysis. Results: Protocols for human myocardial culture resulted in sustained contracture and myocyte death in rabbit slices within 24 h, which could be prevented by transient application of a combination of BDM and CytoD. Cortisol stabilized contraction amplitude and kinetics in culture. T3 and catecholaminergic stimulation did not further improve stability. T3 and higher pacing rates increased metabolic rate and lactate production. T3 stabilized the response to β-adrenergic stimulation over 7 d. Pacing rates above 1 Hz resulted in progredient decline in contraction force. Image analysis revealed no changes in volume fractions of cardiomyocytes or measures of fibrosis over 7 d. Ca2+ transient amplitudes and responsiveness to isoprenaline were comparable after 1 d and 7 d, while Ca2+ transient duration was prolonged after 7 d in culture. Conclusions: A workflow for rabbit myocardial culture has been established, preserving function for up to 7 d. This research underscores the importance of glucocorticoid signaling in maintaining tissue function and extending culture duration. Furthermore, BDM and CytoD appear to protect from tissue damage during the initiation phase of tissue culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Baron
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - S. T. Sommer
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - D. J. Fiegle
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - A.-K. M. Pfeuffer
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - R. Peyronnet
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg, Bad Krozingen, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - T. Volk
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - T. Seidel
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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2
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Angeli E, Jordan M, Otto M, Stojanović SD, Karsdal M, Bauersachs J, Thum T, Fiedler J, Genovese F. The role of fibrosis in cardiomyopathies: An opportunity to develop novel biomarkers of disease activity. Matrix Biol 2024; 128:65-78. [PMID: 38423395 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2024.02.008] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Cardiomyopathies encompass a spectrum of heart disorders with diverse causes and presentations. Fibrosis stands out as a shared hallmark among various cardiomyopathies, reflecting a common thread in their pathogenesis. This prevalent fibrotic response is intricately linked to the consequences of dysregulated extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, emphasizing its significance in the development and progression the disease. This review explores the ECM involvement in various cardiomyopathies and its impact on myocardial stiffness and fibrosis. Additionally, we discuss the potential of ECM fragments as early diagnosis, prognosis, and risk stratification. Biomarkers deriving from turnover of collagens and other ECM proteins hold promise in clinical applications. We outline current clinical management, future directions, and the potential for personalized ECM-targeted therapies with specific focus on microRNAs. In summary, this review examines the role of the fibrosis in cardiomyopathies, highlighting the potential of ECM-derived biomarkers in improving disease management with implications for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisavet Angeli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark.
| | - Maria Jordan
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany
| | - Mandy Otto
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany
| | - Stevan D Stojanović
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany; Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany
| | | | - Johann Bauersachs
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany
| | - Thomas Thum
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany; Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany
| | - Jan Fiedler
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany
| | - Federica Genovese
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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3
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Reily‐Bell M, Katare R. MyoLoop: Redefining cardiac research with advanced tissue simulation. Exp Physiol 2024; 109:320-321. [PMID: 38236056 PMCID: PMC10988732 DOI: 10.1113/ep091577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajesh Katare
- Department of PhysiologyHeartOtagoUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
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4
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Amesz JH, Langmuur SJJ, Zhang L, Manintveld OC, Schinkel AFL, de Jong PL, de Groot NMS, Taverne YJHJ. Biomechanical response of ultrathin slices of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy tissue to myosin modulator mavacamten. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:116036. [PMID: 38134635 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116036] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited myocardial disorder of the heart, but effective treatment options remain limited. Mavacamten, a direct myosin modulator, has been presented as novel pharmacological therapy for HCM. The aim of this study was to analyze the biomechanical response of HCM tissue to Mavacamten using living myocardial slices (LMS). LMS (n = 58) from patients with HCM (n = 10) were cultured under electromechanical stimulation, and Verapamil and Mavacamten were administered on consecutive days to evaluate their effects on cardiac biomechanics. Mavacamten and Verapamil reduced contractile force and dF/dt and increased time-to-relaxation in a similar manner. Yet, the time-to-peak of the cardiac contraction was prolonged after administration of Mavacamten (221.0 ms (208.8 - 236.3) vs. 237.7 (221.0 - 254.7), p = 0.004). In addition, Mavacamten prolonged the functional refractory period (FRP) (330 ms (304 - 351) vs. 355 ms (313 - 370), p = 0.023) and better preserved twitch force with increasing stimulation frequencies, compared to Verapamil. As such, Mavacamten reduced (hyper-)contractility and prolonged contraction duration of HCM LMS, suggesting a reduction in cardiac wall stress. Also, Mavacamten might protect against the development of ventricular tachyarrhythmias due to prolongation of the FRP, and improve toleration of tachycardia due to better preservation of twitch force at tachycardiac stimulation frequencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorik H Amesz
- Translational Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Translational Electrophysiology Lab, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sanne J J Langmuur
- Translational Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lu Zhang
- Translational Electrophysiology Lab, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Olivier C Manintveld
- Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arend F L Schinkel
- Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Peter L de Jong
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Natasja M S de Groot
- Translational Electrophysiology Lab, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Yannick J H J Taverne
- Translational Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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5
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Robinson P, Sparrow AJ, Psaras Y, Steeples V, Simon JN, Broyles CN, Chang YF, Brook FA, Wang YJ, Blease A, Zhang X, Abassi YA, Geeves MA, Toepfer CN, Watkins H, Redwood C, Daniels MJ. Comparing the effects of chemical Ca 2+ dyes and R-GECO on contractility and Ca 2+ transients in adult and human iPSC cardiomyocytes. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2023; 180:44-57. [PMID: 37127261 PMCID: PMC10659987 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We compared commonly used BAPTA-derived chemical Ca2+ dyes (fura2, Fluo-4, and Rhod-2) with a newer genetically encoded indicator (R-GECO) in single cell models of the heart. We assessed their performance and effects on cardiomyocyte contractility, determining fluorescent signal-to-noise ratios and sarcomere shortening in primary ventricular myocytes from adult mouse and guinea pig, and in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. Chemical Ca2+ dyes displayed dose-dependent contractile impairment in all cell types, and we observed a negative correlation between contraction and fluorescence signal-to-noise ratio, particularly for fura2 and Fluo-4. R-GECO had no effect on sarcomere shortening. BAPTA-based dyes, but not R-GECO, inhibited in vitro acto-myosin ATPase activity. The presence of fura2 accentuated or diminished changes in contractility and Ca2+ handling caused by small molecule modulators of contractility and intracellular ionic homeostasis (mavacamten, levosimendan, and flecainide), but this was not observed when using R-GECO in adult guinea pig left ventricular cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ handling studies are necessary for cardiotoxicity assessments of small molecules intended for clinical use. Caution should be exercised when interpreting small molecule studies assessing contractile effects and Ca2+ transients derived from BAPTA-like chemical Ca2+ dyes in cellular assays, a common platform for cardiac toxicology testing and mechanistic investigation of cardiac disease physiology and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Robinson
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Alexander J Sparrow
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Yiangos Psaras
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Violetta Steeples
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jillian N Simon
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Connor N Broyles
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Yu-Fen Chang
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Frances A Brook
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ying-Jie Wang
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew Blease
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Agilent Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | | | | | - Christopher N Toepfer
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hugh Watkins
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Cardiology, Oxford University NHS Hospitals Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Charles Redwood
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Matthew J Daniels
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Cardiology, Oxford University NHS Hospitals Trust, Oxford, UK; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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6
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Wu Q, Ross AJ, Ipek T, Thompson GH, Johnson RD, Wu C, Camelliti P. Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin alter the contractility of living porcine heart slices. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1127388. [PMID: 37214466 PMCID: PMC10196358 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1127388] [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: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The cardiotoxicity risk of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin (AZM) has been the subject of intensive research triggered by safety concerns in COVID-19 patients. HCQ and AZM have been associated with QT interval prolongation and drug-induced arrhythmias, however other cardiotoxicity mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Our group has pioneered the living heart slice preparation, an ex-vivo platform that maintains native cardiac tissue architecture and physiological electrical and contractile properties. Here, we evaluated the cardiotoxic effect of HCQ and AZM applied alone or in combination on cardiac contractility by measuring contractile force and contraction kinetics in heart slices prepared from porcine hearts. Our results show that clinically relevant concentrations of HCQ monotherapy (1-10 µM) reduced contractile force and contraction kinetics in porcine slices in a dose-dependent manner. However, AZM monotherapy decreased contractile force and contraction kinetics only at higher concentrations (30 µM). Combination of HCQ and AZM induced a dose-dependent effect similar to HCQ alone. Furthermore, pre-treating porcine heart slices with the L-type calcium channel agonist Bay K8644 prevented the effect of both drugs, while administration of Bay K8644 after drugs interventions largely reversed the effects, suggesting a mechanism involving inhibition of L-type calcium channels. These findings indicate that HCQ and AZM alter cardiac function beyond QT prolongation with significant contractile dysfunction in intact cardiac tissue. Our porcine heart slices provide a powerful platform to investigate mechanisms of drug cardiotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Wu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, China
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Abigail J. Ross
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Tugce Ipek
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Georgina H. Thompson
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert D. Johnson
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Changhao Wu
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Patrizia Camelliti
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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7
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McKinsey TA, Foo R, Anene-Nzelu CG, Travers JG, Vagnozzi RJ, Weber N, Thum T. Emerging epigenetic therapies of cardiac fibrosis and remodelling in heart failure: from basic mechanisms to early clinical development. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 118:3482-3498. [PMID: 36004821 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases and specifically heart failure (HF) impact global health and impose a significant economic burden on society. Despite current advances in standard of care, the risks for death and readmission of HF patients remain unacceptably high and new therapeutic strategies to limit HF progression are highly sought. In disease settings, persistent mechanical or neurohormonal stress to the myocardium triggers maladaptive cardiac remodelling, which alters cardiac function and structure at both the molecular and cellular levels. The progression and magnitude of maladaptive cardiac remodelling ultimately leads to the development of HF. Classical therapies for HF are largely protein-based and mostly are targeted to ameliorate the dysregulation of neuroendocrine pathways and halt adverse remodelling. More recently, investigation of novel molecular targets and the application of cellular therapies, epigenetic modifications, and regulatory RNAs has uncovered promising new avenues to address HF. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on novel cellular and epigenetic therapies and focus on two non-coding RNA-based strategies that reached the phase of early clinical development to counteract cardiac remodelling and HF. The current status of the development of translating those novel therapies to clinical practice, limitations, and future perspectives are additionally discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A McKinsey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Consortium for Fibrosis Research & Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E.19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045-2507, USA
| | - Roger Foo
- NUHS Cardiovascular Disease Translational Research Programme, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 14 Medical Drive, Level 8, 117599 Singapore, Singapore.,Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Heart Centre, 14 Medical Drive, Level 8, 117599 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chukwuemeka George Anene-Nzelu
- NUHS Cardiovascular Disease Translational Research Programme, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 14 Medical Drive, Level 8, 117599 Singapore, Singapore.,Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Heart Centre, 14 Medical Drive, Level 8, 117599 Singapore, Singapore.,Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Rue Belanger, H1T 1C8, Montreal, Canada
| | - Joshua G Travers
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Consortium for Fibrosis Research & Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E.19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045-2507, USA
| | - Ronald J Vagnozzi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Consortium for Fibrosis Research & Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E.19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045-2507, USA
| | - Natalie Weber
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Center for Translational Regenerative Therapies, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Nikolai-Fuchs-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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8
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Amesz JH, Zhang L, Everts BR, De Groot NMS, Taverne YJHJ. Living myocardial slices: Advancing arrhythmia research. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1076261. [PMID: 36711023 PMCID: PMC9880234 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1076261] [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: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Living myocardial slices (LMS) are ultrathin (150-400 µm) sections of intact myocardium that can be used as a comprehensive model for cardiac arrhythmia research. The recent introduction of biomimetic electromechanical cultivation chambers enables long-term cultivation and easy control of living myocardial slices culture conditions. The aim of this review is to present the potential of this biomimetic interface using living myocardial slices in electrophysiological studies outlining advantages, disadvantages and future perspectives of the model. Furthermore, different electrophysiological techniques and their application on living myocardial slices will be discussed. The developments of living myocardial slices in electrophysiology research will hopefully lead to future breakthroughs in the understanding of cardiac arrhythmia mechanisms and the development of novel therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorik H. Amesz
- Translational Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands,Translational Electrophysiology, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lu Zhang
- Translational Electrophysiology, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bian R. Everts
- Translational Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Natasja M. S. De Groot
- Translational Electrophysiology, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Yannick J. H. J. Taverne
- Translational Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Yannick J. H. J. Taverne,
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9
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van der Velden J, Asselbergs FW, Bakkers J, Batkai S, Bertrand L, Bezzina CR, Bot I, Brundel BJJM, Carrier L, Chamuleau S, Ciccarelli M, Dawson D, Davidson SM, Dendorfer A, Duncker DJ, Eschenhagen T, Fabritz L, Falcão-Pires I, Ferdinandy P, Giacca M, Girao H, Gollmann-Tepeköylü C, Gyongyosi M, Guzik TJ, Hamdani N, Heymans S, Hilfiker A, Hilfiker-Kleiner D, Hoekstra AG, Hulot JS, Kuster DWD, van Laake LW, Lecour S, Leiner T, Linke WA, Lumens J, Lutgens E, Madonna R, Maegdefessel L, Mayr M, van der Meer P, Passier R, Perbellini F, Perrino C, Pesce M, Priori S, Remme CA, Rosenhahn B, Schotten U, Schulz R, Sipido KR, Sluijter JPG, van Steenbeek F, Steffens S, Terracciano CM, Tocchetti CG, Vlasman P, Yeung KK, Zacchigna S, Zwaagman D, Thum T. Animal models and animal-free innovations for cardiovascular research: current status and routes to be explored. Consensus document of the ESC Working Group on Myocardial Function and the ESC Working Group on Cellular Biology of the Heart. Cardiovasc Res 2022; 118:3016-3051. [PMID: 34999816 PMCID: PMC9732557 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality, necessitating research to improve diagnostics, and to discover and test novel preventive and curative therapies, all of which warrant experimental models that recapitulate human disease. The translation of basic science results to clinical practice is a challenging task, in particular for complex conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, which often result from multiple risk factors and comorbidities. This difficulty might lead some individuals to question the value of animal research, citing the translational 'valley of death', which largely reflects the fact that studies in rodents are difficult to translate to humans. This is also influenced by the fact that new, human-derived in vitro models can recapitulate aspects of disease processes. However, it would be a mistake to think that animal models do not represent a vital step in the translational pathway as they do provide important pathophysiological insights into disease mechanisms particularly on an organ and systemic level. While stem cell-derived human models have the potential to become key in testing toxicity and effectiveness of new drugs, we need to be realistic, and carefully validate all new human-like disease models. In this position paper, we highlight recent advances in trying to reduce the number of animals for cardiovascular research ranging from stem cell-derived models to in situ modelling of heart properties, bioinformatic models based on large datasets, and state-of-the-art animal models, which show clinically relevant characteristics observed in patients with a cardiovascular disease. We aim to provide a guide to help researchers in their experimental design to translate bench findings to clinical routine taking the replacement, reduction, and refinement (3R) as a guiding concept.
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Grants
- R01 HL150359 NHLBI NIH HHS
- RG/16/14/32397 British Heart Foundation
- FS/18/37/33642 British Heart Foundation
- PG/17/64/33205 British Heart Foundation
- PG/15/88/31780 British Heart Foundation
- FS/RTF/20/30009, NH/19/1/34595, PG/18/35/33786, CS/17/4/32960, PG/15/88/31780, and PG/17/64/33205 British Heart Foundation
- NC/T001488/1 National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research
- PG/18/44/33790 British Heart Foundation
- CH/16/3/32406 British Heart Foundation
- FS/RTF/20/30009 British Heart Foundation
- NWO-ZonMW
- ZonMW and Heart Foundation for the translational research program
- Dutch Cardiovascular Alliance (DCVA)
- Leducq Foundation
- Dutch Research Council
- Association of Collaborating Health Foundations (SGF)
- UCL Hospitals NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, and the DCVA
- Netherlands CardioVascular Research Initiative CVON
- Stichting Hartekind and the Dutch Research Counsel (NWO) (OCENW.GROOT.2019.029)
- National Fund for Scientific Research, Belgium and Action de Recherche Concertée de la Communauté Wallonie-Bruxelles, Belgium
- Netherlands CardioVascular Research Initiative CVON (PREDICT2 and CONCOR-genes projects), the Leducq Foundation
- ERA PerMed (PROCEED study)
- Netherlands Cardiovascular Research Initiative
- Dutch Heart Foundation
- German Centre of Cardiovascular Research (DZHH)
- Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland
- Tenovus Scotland
- Friends of Anchor and Grampian NHS-Endowments
- National Institute for Health Research University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research
- European Research Council (ERC-AG IndivuHeart), the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- European Union Horizon 2020 (REANIMA and TRAINHEART)
- German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
- Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK)
- European Union Horizon 2020
- DFG
- National Research, Development and Innovation Office of Hungary
- Research Excellence Program—TKP; National Heart Program
- Austrian Science Fund
- European Union Commission’s Seventh Framework programme
- CVON2016-Early HFPEF
- CVON She-PREDICTS
- CVON Arena-PRIME
- European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- Volkswagenstiftung
- French National Research Agency
- ERA-Net-CVD
- Fédération Française de Cardiologie, the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale
- French PIA Project
- University Research Federation against heart failure
- Netherlands Heart Foundation
- Dekker Senior Clinical Scientist
- Health Holland TKI-LSH
- TUe/UMCU/UU Alliance Fund
- south African National Foundation
- Cancer Association of South Africa and Winetech
- Netherlands Heart Foundation/Applied & Engineering Sciences
- Dutch Technology Foundation
- Pie Medical Imaging
- Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research
- Dr. Dekker Program
- Netherlands CardioVascular Research Initiative: the Dutch Heart Foundation
- Dutch Federation of University Medical Centres
- Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development and the Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences for the GENIUS-II project
- Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) (VICI grant); the European Research Council
- Incyte s.r.l. and from Ministero dell’Istruzione, Università e Ricerca Scientifica
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (Junior Research Group & Translational Research Project), the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant NORVAS),
- Swedish Heart-Lung-Foundation
- Swedish Research Council
- National Institutes of Health
- Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care through the research project DigiMed Bayern
- ERC
- ERA-CVD
- Dutch Heart Foundation, ZonMw
- the NWO Gravitation project
- Ministero dell'Istruzione, Università e Ricerca Scientifica
- Regione Lombardia
- Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
- ITN Network Personalize AF: Personalized Therapies for Atrial Fibrillation: a translational network
- MAESTRIA: Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence Early Detection Stroke Atrial Fibrillation
- REPAIR: Restoring cardiac mechanical function by polymeric artificial muscular tissue
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)
- European Union H2020 program to the project TECHNOBEAT
- EVICARE
- BRAV3
- ZonMw
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK)
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiac Regeneration
- British Heart Foundation studentship
- NC3Rs
- Interreg ITA-AUS project InCARDIO
- Italian Association for Cancer Research
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolanda van der Velden
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Folkert W Asselbergs
- Division Heart & Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Population Health Sciences, Institute of Cardiovascular Science and Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jeroen Bakkers
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sandor Batkai
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover, Germany
| | - Luc Bertrand
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover, Germany
| | - Connie R Bezzina
- Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Pole of Cardiovascular Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ilze Bot
- Heart Center, Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bianca J J M Brundel
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lucie Carrier
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Steven Chamuleau
- Amsterdam UMC, Heart Center, Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michele Ciccarelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Odontology, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Dana Dawson
- Department of Cardiology, Aberdeen Cardiovascular and Diabetes Centre, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Sean M Davidson
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, 67 Chenies Mews, London WC1E 6HX, UK
| | - Andreas Dendorfer
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk J Duncker
- Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Eschenhagen
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
- University Center of Cardiovascular Sciences and Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Hamburg, Germany and Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Ines Falcão-Pires
- UnIC - Cardiovascular Research and Development Centre, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Péter Ferdinandy
- Cardiometabolic Research Group and MTA-SE System Pharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mauro Giacca
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences and Cardiovascular Department, Centre for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
- King’s British Heart Foundation Centre, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Henrique Girao
- Univ Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Mariann Gyongyosi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tomasz J Guzik
- Instutute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Jagiellonian University, Collegium Medicum, Kraków, Poland
| | - Nazha Hamdani
- Division Cardiology, Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stephane Heymans
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Andres Hilfiker
- Department for Cardiothoracic, Transplant, and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner
- Department for Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Cardiovascular Complications in Pregnancy and in Oncologic Therapies, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany
| | - Alfons G Hoekstra
- Computational Science Lab, Informatics Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jean-Sébastien Hulot
- Université de Paris, INSERM, PARCC, F-75015 Paris, France
- CIC1418 and DMU CARTE, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Diederik W D Kuster
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Linda W van Laake
- Division Heart & Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sandrine Lecour
- Department of Medicine, Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa and Cape Heart Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tim Leiner
- Department of Radiology, Utrecht University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wolfgang A Linke
- Institute of Physiology II, University of Muenster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27B, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Joost Lumens
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Esther Lutgens
- Experimental Vascular Biology Division, Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
- DZHK, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Rosalinda Madonna
- Department of Pathology, Cardiology Division, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology Division, University of Texas Medical School in Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- DZHK, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Manuel Mayr
- King’s British Heart Foundation Centre, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Peter van der Meer
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Passier
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Filippo Perbellini
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover, Germany
| | - Cinzia Perrino
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pesce
- Unità di Ingegneria Tissutale Cardiovascolare, Centro cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Priori
- Molecular Cardiology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Pavia, Italy
- University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Pole of Cardiovascular Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bodo Rosenhahn
- Institute for information Processing, Leibniz University of Hanover, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schotten
- Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Rainer Schulz
- Institute of Physiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Karin R Sipido
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joost P G Sluijter
- Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, Circulatory Health Laboratory, Utrecht University, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank van Steenbeek
- Division Heart & Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine Steffens
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
- DZHK, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Carlo Gabriele Tocchetti
- Cardio-Oncology Unit, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), Interdepartmental Center for Clinical and Translational Research (CIRCET), Interdepartmental Hypertension Research Center (CIRIAPA), Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Patricia Vlasman
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kak Khee Yeung
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Surgery, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences and Cardiovascular Department, Centre for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Dayenne Zwaagman
- Amsterdam UMC, Heart Center, Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Thum
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hannover, Germany
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10
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Crea F. The frontiers of vascular biology: single-cell technologies, small non-coding RNA therapeutics, and new pharmacological targets. Eur Heart J 2022; 43:4521-4524. [PMID: 36372191 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Crea
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A . Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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11
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Cardiac fibroblasts and mechanosensation in heart development, health and disease. Nat Rev Cardiol 2022; 20:309-324. [PMID: 36376437 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-022-00799-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The term 'mechanosensation' describes the capacity of cells to translate mechanical stimuli into the coordinated regulation of intracellular signals, cellular function, gene expression and epigenetic programming. This capacity is related not only to the sensitivity of the cells to tissue motion, but also to the decryption of tissue geometric arrangement and mechanical properties. The cardiac stroma, composed of fibroblasts, has been historically considered a mechanically passive component of the heart. However, the latest research suggests that the mechanical functions of these cells are an active and necessary component of the developmental biology programme of the heart that is involved in myocardial growth and homeostasis, and a crucial determinant of cardiac repair and disease. In this Review, we discuss the general concept of cell mechanosensation and force generation as potent regulators in heart development and pathology, and describe the integration of mechanical and biohumoral pathways predisposing the heart to fibrosis and failure. Next, we address the use of 3D culture systems to integrate tissue mechanics to mimic cardiac remodelling. Finally, we highlight the potential of mechanotherapeutic strategies, including pharmacological treatment and device-mediated left ventricular unloading, to reverse remodelling in the failing heart.
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12
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Zhang D, Lü J, Ren Z, Zhang X, Wu H, Sa R, Wang X, Wang Y, Lin Z, Zhang B. Potential cardiotoxicity induced by Euodiae Fructus: In vivo and in vitro experiments and untargeted metabolomics research. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1028046. [PMID: 36353487 PMCID: PMC9637925 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1028046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Euodiae Fructus, a well-known herbal medicine, is widely used in Asia and has also gained in popularity in Western countries over the last decades. It has known side effects, which have been observed in clinical settings, but few studies have reported on its cardiotoxicity. Methods: In the present study, experiments using techniques of untargeted metabolomics clarify the hazardous effects of Euodiae Fructus on cardiac function and metabolism in rats in situations of overdosage and unsuitable syndrome differentiation. In vitro assays are conducted to observe the toxic effects of evodiamine and rutaecarpine, two main chemical constituents of Euodiae Fructus, in H9c2 and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs), with their signaling mechanisms analyzed accordingly. Results: The cardiac cytotoxicity of evodiamine and rutaecarpine in in vivo experiments is associated with remarkable alterations in lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and mitochondrial membrane potential; also with increased intensity of calcium fluorescence, decreased protein expression of the cGMP-PKG pathway in H9c2 cells, and frequency of spontaneous beat in NRCMs. Additionally, the results in rats with Yin deficiency receiving a high-dosage of Euodiae Fructus suggest obvious cardiac physiological dysfunction, abnormal electrocardiogram, pathological injuries, and decreased expression of PKG protein. At the level of endogenous metabolites, the cardiac side effects of overdose and irrational usage of Euodiae Fructus relate to 34 differential metabolites and 10 metabolic pathways involving among others, the purine metabolism, the glycerophospholipid metabolism, the glycerolipid metabolism, and the sphingolipid metabolism. Conclusion: These findings shed new light on the cardiotoxicity induced by Euodiae Fructus, which might be associated with overdose and unsuitable syndrome differentiation, that comes from modulating the cGMP-PKG pathway and disturbing the metabolic pathways of purine, lipid, and amino acid. Continuing research is needed to ensure pharmacovigilance for the safe administration of Chinese herbs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jintao Lü
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhixin Ren
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaomeng Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Centre for Pharmacovigilance and Rational Use of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Huanzhang Wu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Rina Sa
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaofang Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Centre for Pharmacovigilance and Rational Use of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhijian Lin
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Centre for Pharmacovigilance and Rational Use of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Centre for Pharmacovigilance and Rational Use of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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13
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Li Y, Gao Y, Li G. Preclinical multi-target strategies for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:967115. [PMID: 36072870 PMCID: PMC9444048 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.967115] [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: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite promising breakthroughs in diagnosing and treating acute coronary syndromes, cardiovascular disease’s high global mortality rate remains indisputable. Nearly half of these patients died of ischemic heart disease. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting can rapidly restore interrupted blood flow and become the most effective method for salvaging viable myocardium. However, restoring blood flow could increase the risk of other complications and myocardial cell death attributed to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). How to reduce the damage of blood reperfusion to ischemic myocardium has become an urgent problem to be solved. In preclinical experiments, many treatments have substantial cardioprotective effects against myocardial IRI. However, the transition from these cardioprotective therapies to clinically beneficial therapies for patients with acute myocardial infarction remains elusive. The reasons for the failure of the clinical translation may be multi-faceted, and three points are summarized here: (1) Our understanding of the complex pathophysiological mechanisms of myocardial IRI is far from enough, and the classification of specific therapeutic targets is not rigorous, and not clear enough; (2) Most of the clinical patients have comorbidities, and single cardioprotective strategies including ischemia regulation strategies cannot exert their due cardioprotective effects under conditions of hyperglycemia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and aging; (3) Most preclinical experimental results are based on adult, healthy animal models. However, most clinical patients had comorbidities and received multiple drug treatments before reperfusion therapy. In 2019, COST Action proposed a multi-target drug combination initiative for prospective myocardial IRI; the optimal cardioprotective strategy may be a combination of additive or synergistic multi-target therapy, which we support. By establishing more reasonable preclinical models, screening multi-target drug combinations more in line with clinical practice will benefit the translation of clinical treatment strategies.
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14
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Mohr E, Thum T, Bär C. Accelerating Cardiovascular Research: Recent Advances in Translational 2D and 3D Heart Models. Eur J Heart Fail 2022; 24:1778-1791. [PMID: 35867781 DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.2631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro modelling the complex (patho-) physiological conditions of the heart is a major challenge in cardiovascular research. In recent years, methods based on three-dimensional (3D) cultivation approaches have steadily evolved to overcome the major limitations of conventional adherent monolayer cultivation (2D). These 3D approaches aim to study, reproduce or modify fundamental native features of the heart such as tissue organization and cardiovascular microenvironment. Therefore, these systems have great potential for (patient-specific) disease research, for the development of new drug screening platforms, and for the use in regenerative and replacement therapy applications. Consequently, continuous improvement and adaptation is required with respect to fundamental limitations such as cardiomyocyte maturation, scalability, heterogeneity, vascularization, and reproduction of native properties. In this review, 2D monolayer culturing and the 3D in vitro systems of cardiac spheroids, organoids, engineered cardiac microtissue and bioprinting as well as the ex vivo technique of myocardial slicing are introduced with their basic concepts, advantages, and limitations. Furthermore, recent advances of various new approaches aiming to extend as well as to optimize these in vitro and ex vivo systems are presented. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Mohr
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Bär
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Hannover, Germany
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15
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Non-Coding RNAs in the Therapeutic Landscape of Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111805. [PMID: 35681500 PMCID: PMC9180404 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are a major health problem, and long-term survival for people diagnosed with heart failure is, still, unrealistic. Pathological cardiac hypertrophy largely contributes to morbidity and mortality, as effective therapeutic approaches are lacking. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) arise as active regulators of the signaling pathways and mechanisms that govern this pathology, and their therapeutic potential has received great attention in the last decades. Preclinical studies in large animal models have been successful in ameliorating cardiac hypertrophy, and an antisense drug for the treatment of heart failure has, already, entered clinical trials. In this review, we provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac hypertrophy, the involvement of ncRNAs, and the current therapeutic landscape of oligonucleotides targeting these regulators. Strategies to improve the delivery of such therapeutics and overcome the actual challenges are, also, defined and discussed. With the fast advance in the improvement of oligonucleotide drug delivery, the inclusion of ncRNAs-targeting therapies for cardiac hypertrophy seems, increasingly, a closer reality.
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16
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Khan AA, Gupta V, Mahapatra NR. Key regulatory miRNAs in lipid homeostasis: implications for cardiometabolic diseases and development of novel therapeutics. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:2170-2180. [PMID: 35550438 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of lipid metabolism is associated with cardiovascular/metabolic diseases, including atherosclerosis, liver diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Several miRNAs have been reported as regulators of different stages of lipid homeostasis, including cholesterol/fatty acid biosynthesis, degradation, transport, storage, and low-density (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) formation. Indeed, various miRNAs are emerging as attractive therapeutic candidates for metabolic/cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, we summarize the roles of miR-19b, miR-20a, miR-21, miR-27, miR-29, miR-34a, miR-144, miR-148a, and miR-199a in post-transcriptional regulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism and their therapeutic potential. We also discuss experimental strategies for further development of these miRNAs as novel cardiometabolic therapeutics. Teaser: miRNAs have emerged as crucial regulators of lipid homeostasis. Here, we highlight key miRNAs that regulate lipid metabolism and their therapeutic potential in cardiometabolic disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abrar A Khan
- Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vinayak Gupta
- Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India; Department of Biotechnology, Bennett University, Plot No. 8-11, Techzone II, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Nitish R Mahapatra
- Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India.
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17
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Klumm MJ, Heim C, Fiegle DJ, Weyand M, Volk T, Seidel T. Long-Term Cultivation of Human Atrial Myocardium. Front Physiol 2022; 13:839139. [PMID: 35283779 PMCID: PMC8905341 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.839139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Organotypic culture of human ventricular myocardium is emerging in basic and translational cardiac research. However, few institutions have access to human ventricular tissue, whereas atrial tissue is more commonly available and important for studying atrial physiology. This study presents a method for long-term cultivation of beating human atrial myocardium. After written informed consent, tissues from the right-atrial appendage were obtained from patients with sinus rhythm undergoing open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Trabeculae (pectinate muscles) prepared from the samples were installed into cultivation chambers at 37°C with a diastolic preload of 500 μN. After 2 days with 0.5 Hz pacing, stimulation frequency was set to 1 Hz. Contractile force was monitored continuously. Beta-adrenergic response, refractory period (RP) and maximum captured frequency (fmax) were assessed periodically. After cultivation, viability and electromechanical function were investigated, as well as the expression of several genes important for intracellular Ca2+ cycling and electrophysiology. Tissue microstructure was analyzed by confocal microscopy. We cultivated 19 constantly beating trabeculae from 8 patient samples for 12 days and 4 trabeculae from 3 specimen for 21 days. Functional parameters were compared directly after installation (0 d) with those after 12 d in culture. Contraction force was 384 ± 69 μN at 0 d and 255 ± 90 μN at 12 d (p = 0.8, n = 22), RP 480 ± 97 ms and 408 ± 78 ms (p = 0.3, n = 9), fmax 3.0 ± 0.5 Hz and 3.8 ± 0.5 Hz (p = 0.18, n = 9), respectively. Application of 100 nM isoprenaline to 11 trabeculae at 7 d increased contraction force from 168 ± 35 μN to 361 ± 60 μN (p < 0.01), fmax from 6.4 ± 0.6 Hz to 8.5 ± 0.4 Hz (p < 0.01) and lowered RP from 319 ± 22 ms to 223 ± 15 ms. CACNA1c (L-type Ca2+ channel subunit) and GJA1 (connexin-43) mRNA expressions were not significantly altered at 12 d vs 0 d, while ATP2A (SERCA) and KCNJ4 (Kir2.3) were downregulated, and KCNJ2 (Kir2.1) was upregulated. Simultaneous Ca2+ imaging and force recording showed preserved excitation-contraction coupling in cultivated trabeculae. Confocal microscopy indicated preserved cardiomyocyte structure, unaltered amounts of extracellular matrix and gap junctions. MTT assays confirmed viability at 12 d. We established a workflow that allows for stable cultivation and functional analysis of beating human atrial myocardium for up to 3 weeks. This method may lead to novel insights into the physiology and pathophysiology of human atrial myocardium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian J Klumm
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Cardiac Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Heim
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dominik J Fiegle
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Weyand
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tilmann Volk
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Seidel
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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18
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Zhang Z, Wu Y, Lin N, Yin S, Meng Z. Monitoring Clinical-Pathological Grading of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using MicroRNA-Guided Semiconducting Polymer Dots. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:7717-7730. [PMID: 35112844 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c24191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, noncoding RNAs involved in nearly all genetic central dogma processes and human biological behavior, which also play a significant role in the pathological activity of tumors, such as gene transcription, protein translation, and exosome secretion. Therefore, through the navigation of certain specific miRNAs, we can trace the specific physiological processes or image some specific tissues. Designing and accurately positioning microRNA (miRNA)-sensitive fluorescent nanoprobes with benign specificity and recognition in cells or tissues are a challenging research field. To solve the difficulties, we introduce four semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) as nanoprobes linked by specific miRNA antisense sequences for monitoring the pathological grading by the variation in miRNA expression. Based on the base pairing principle, these miRNA-sensitive Pdots could bind to specific miRNAs within the cancerous cells. As impacted by the background of different pathology gradings, the proportions of the four hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-specific miRNAs within the cancerous cell are different, and the pathological grading of the patient tissues can be determined by comparing the palette combinations. The short single-stranded RNA-functionalized Pdots, which have excellent microRNA sensitivity, are observed in an experimental cell model and a series of tissue specimens from HCC patients for the first time. Using the Förster (or fluorescence) resonance energy transfer (FRET) model of Pdots and Cy3dt tag to simulate in vivo miRNA detection, the superior sensitivity and specificity of these nanoprobes are verified. The interference of subjective factors in traditional single/bis-dye emission intensity detection is abandoned, and multiple label staining is used to enhance sensitivity further and reduce the false-positive rate. The feasibility exhibited by this novel staining method is verified in normal hepatocellular HCC cell lines and 16 frozen ultrathin tissue sections, which are employed to quantify pathological grading-related color presentation systems for clinical doctors and pathologists' use. The intelligently designed miRNA-guided Pdots will emerge as an ideal platform with promising biological imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, No. 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun, Jilin 130000, P. R. China
| | - Yuyang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronic, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, No. 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, P. R. China
| | - Nan Lin
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, No. 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, P. R. China
| | - Shengyan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronic, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, No. 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, P. R. China
| | - Zihui Meng
- Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, No. 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun, Jilin 130000, P. R. China
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19
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Ciccarelli M, Dawson D, Falcao-Pires I, Giacca M, Hamdani N, Heymans S, Hooghiemstra A, Leeuwis A, Hermkens D, Tocchetti CG, van der Velden J, Zacchigna S, Thum T. Reciprocal organ interactions during heart failure: a position paper from the ESC Working Group on Myocardial Function. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:2416-2433. [PMID: 33483724 PMCID: PMC8562335 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart failure-either with reduced or preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF/HFpEF)-is a clinical syndrome of multifactorial and gender-dependent aetiology, indicating the insufficiency of the heart to pump blood adequately to maintain blood flow to meet the body's needs. Typical symptoms commonly include shortness of breath, excessive fatigue with impaired exercise capacity, and peripheral oedema, thereby alluding to the fact that heart failure is a syndrome that affects multiple organ systems. Patients suffering from progressed heart failure have a very limited life expectancy, lower than that of numerous cancer types. In this position paper, we provide an overview regarding interactions between the heart and other organ systems, the clinical evidence, underlying mechanisms, potential available or yet-to-establish animal models to study such interactions and finally discuss potential new drug interventions to be developed in the future. Our working group suggests that more experimental research is required to understand the individual molecular mechanisms underlying heart failure and reinforces the urgency for tailored therapeutic interventions that target not only the heart but also other related affected organ systems to effectively treat heart failure as a clinical syndrome that affects and involves multiple organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Ciccarelli
- University of Salerno, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Via S. Allende 1, 84081, Baronissi(Salerno), Italy
| | - Dana Dawson
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2DZ, UK
| | - Inês Falcao-Pires
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mauro Giacca
- King’s College London, Molecular Medicine Laboratory, 125 Caldharbour Lane, London WC2R2LS, United Kingdom
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34129 Trieste, Italy
| | - Nazha Hamdani
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Molecular Cardiology, Institute of Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, D-44801 Bochum, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, D-44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Stéphane Heymans
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Bus 911, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
- ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Holland Heart House, Moreelsepark 1, 3511 EP Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Astrid Hooghiemstra
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081HZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annebet Leeuwis
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081HZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dorien Hermkens
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carlo Gabriele Tocchetti
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences and Interdepartmental Center of Clinical and Translational Research (CIRCET), Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Jolanda van der Velden
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34129 Trieste, Italy
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Nicolai-Fuchs-Str. 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
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20
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Borysova L, Ng YYH, Wragg ES, Wallis LE, Fay E, Ascione R, Dora KA. High spatial and temporal resolution Ca 2+ imaging of myocardial strips from human, pig and rat. Nat Protoc 2021; 16:4650-4675. [PMID: 34400840 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-021-00590-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ca2+ handling within cardiac myocytes underpins coordinated contractile function within the beating heart. This protocol enables high spatial and temporal Ca2+ imaging of ex vivo multicellular myocardial strips. The endocardial surface is retained, and strips of 150-300-µm thickness are dissected, loaded with Ca2+ indicators and mounted within 1.5 h. A list of the equipment and reagents used and the key methodological aspects allowing the use of this technique on strips from any chamber of the mammalian heart are described. We have successfully used this protocol on human, pig and rat biopsy samples. On use of this protocol with intact endocardial endothelium, we demonstrated that the myocytes develop asynchronous spontaneous Ca2+ events, which can be ablated by electrically evoked Ca2+ transients, and subsequently redevelop spontaneously after cessation of stimulation. This protocol thus offers a rapid and reliable method for studying the Ca2+ signaling underpinning cardiomyocyte contraction, in both healthy and diseased tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyudmyla Borysova
- Vascular Pharmacology Group, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Y Y Hanson Ng
- Vascular Pharmacology Group, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Edward S Wragg
- Vascular Pharmacology Group, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lillian E Wallis
- Vascular Pharmacology Group, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Emily Fay
- Vascular Pharmacology Group, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Raimondo Ascione
- Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Royal Infirmary, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kim A Dora
- Vascular Pharmacology Group, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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21
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Kreutzer FP, Meinecke A, Schmidt K, Fiedler J, Thum T. Alternative strategies in cardiac preclinical research and new clinical trial formats. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 118:746-762. [PMID: 33693475 PMCID: PMC7989574 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
An efficient and safe drug development process is crucial for the establishment of new drugs on the market aiming to increase quality of life and life-span of our patients. Despite technological advances in the past decade, successful launches of drug candidates per year remain low. We here give an overview about some of these advances and suggest improvements for implementation to boost preclinical and clinical drug development with a focus on the cardiovascular field. We highlight advantages and disadvantages of animal experimentation and thoroughly review alternatives in the field of three-dimensional cell culture as well as preclinical use of spheroids and organoids. Microfluidic devices and their potential as organ-on-a-chip systems, as well as the use of living animal and human cardiac tissues are additionally introduced. In the second part, we examine recent gold standard randomized clinical trials and present possible modifications to increase lead candidate throughput: adaptive designs, master protocols, and drug repurposing. In silico and N-of-1 trials have the potential to redefine clinical drug candidate evaluation. Finally, we briefly discuss clinical trial designs during pandemic times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Philipp Kreutzer
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna Meinecke
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kevin Schmidt
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Fiedler
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Hannover, Germany
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22
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Mikhailov AV, Kalyanasundaram A, Li N, Scott SS, Artiga EJ, Subr MM, Zhao J, Hansen BJ, Hummel JD, Fedorov VV. Comprehensive evaluation of electrophysiological and 3D structural features of human atrial myocardium with insights on atrial fibrillation maintenance mechanisms. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2020; 151:56-71. [PMID: 33130148 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2020.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurrence and maintenance is associated with progressive remodeling of electrophysiological (repolarization and conduction) and 3D structural (fibrosis, fiber orientations, and wall thickness) features of the human atria. Significant diversity in AF etiology leads to heterogeneous arrhythmogenic electrophysiological and structural substrates within the 3D structure of the human atria. Since current clinical methods have yet to fully resolve the patient-specific arrhythmogenic substrates, mechanism-based AF treatments remain underdeveloped. Here, we review current knowledge from in-vivo, ex-vivo, and in-vitro human heart studies, and discuss how these studies may provide new insights on the synergy of atrial electrophysiological and 3D structural features in AF maintenance. In-vitro studies on surgically acquired human atrial samples provide a great opportunity to study a wide spectrum of AF pathology, including functional changes in single-cell action potentials, ion channels, and gene/protein expression. However, limited size of the samples prevents evaluation of heterogeneous AF substrates and reentrant mechanisms. In contrast, coronary-perfused ex-vivo human hearts can be studied with state-of-the-art functional and structural technologies, such as high-resolution near-infrared optical mapping and contrast-enhanced MRI. These imaging modalities can resolve atrial arrhythmogenic substrates and their role in reentrant mechanisms maintaining AF and validate clinical approaches. Nonetheless, longitudinal studies are not feasible in explanted human hearts. As no approach is perfect, we suggest that combining the strengths of direct human atrial studies with high fidelity approaches available in the laboratory and in realistic patient-specific computer models would elucidate deeper knowledge of AF mechanisms. We propose that a comprehensive translational pipeline from ex-vivo human heart studies to longitudinal clinically relevant AF animal studies and finally to clinical trials is necessary to identify patient-specific arrhythmogenic substrates and develop novel AF treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei V Mikhailov
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Arrhythmology Research Department, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anuradha Kalyanasundaram
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Shane S Scott
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Esthela J Artiga
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Megan M Subr
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jichao Zhao
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Brian J Hansen
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - John D Hummel
- Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Vadim V Fedorov
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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23
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Lüscher TF. How to slice the pie: heart failure subgroups and their clinical meaning. Eur Heart J 2020; 41:2339-2343. [PMID: 33216920 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Lüscher
- Professor of Cardiology, Imperial College and Director of Research, Education & Development, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, London, UK.,Professor and Chairman, Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.,Editor-in-Chief, EHJ, Editorial Office, Zurich Heart House, Hottingerstreet 14, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
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24
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Abstract
RNA modulation has become a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of several types of disease. The emerging field of noncoding RNA-based therapies has now come to the attention of cardiovascular research, in which it could provide valuable advancements in comparison to current pharmacotherapy such as small molecule drugs or antibodies. In this review, we focus on noncoding RNA-based studies conducted mainly in large-animal models, including pigs, rabbits, dogs, and nonhuman primates. The obstacles and promises of targeting long noncoding RNAs and circRNAs as therapeutic modalities in humans are specifically discussed. We also describe novel ex vivo methods based on human cells and tissues, such as engineered heart tissues and living myocardial slices that could help bridging the gap between in vivo models and clinical applications in the future. Finally, we summarize antisense oligonucleotide drugs that have already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for targeting mRNAs and discuss the progress of noncoding RNA-based drugs in clinical trials. Additional factors, such as drug chemistry, drug formulations, different routes of administration, and the advantages of RNA-based drugs, are also included in the present review. Recently, first therapeutic miRNA-based inhibitory strategies have been tested in heart failure patients as well as healthy volunteers to study effects on wound healing (NCT04045405; NCT03603431). In summary, a combination of novel therapeutic RNA targets, large-animal models, ex vivo studies with human cells/tissues, and new delivery techniques will likely lead to significant progress in the development of noncoding RNA-based next-generation therapeutics for cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Kai Huang
- From the Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (C.-K.H., S.K.-K., T.T.), Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Sabine Kafert-Kasting
- From the Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (C.-K.H., S.K.-K., T.T.), Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Thomas Thum
- From the Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (C.-K.H., S.K.-K., T.T.), Hannover Medical School, Germany
- REBIRTH Center of Translational Regenerative Medicine (T.T.), Hannover Medical School, Germany
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