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Theisen B, Holtz A, Rajagopalan V. Noncoding RNAs and Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes in Cardiac Arrhythmic Brugada Syndrome. Cells 2023; 12:2398. [PMID: 37830612 PMCID: PMC10571919 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192398] [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: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hundreds of thousands of people die each year as a result of sudden cardiac death, and many are due to heart rhythm disorders. One of the major causes of these arrhythmic events is Brugada syndrome, a cardiac channelopathy that results in abnormal cardiac conduction, severe life-threatening arrhythmias, and, on many occasions, death. This disorder has been associated with mutations and dysfunction of about two dozen genes; however, the majority of the patients do not have a definite cause for the diagnosis of Brugada Syndrome. The protein-coding genes represent only a very small fraction of the mammalian genome, and the majority of the noncoding regions of the genome are actively transcribed. Studies have shown that most of the loci associated with electrophysiological traits are located in noncoding regulatory regions and are expected to affect gene expression dosage and cardiac ion channel function. Noncoding RNAs serve an expanding number of regulatory and other functional roles within the cells, including but not limited to transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic regulation. The major noncoding RNAs found in Brugada Syndrome include microRNAs; however, others such as long noncoding RNAs are also identified. They contribute to pathogenesis by interacting with ion channels and/or are detectable as clinical biomarkers. Stem cells have received significant attention in the recent past, and can be differentiated into many different cell types including those in the heart. In addition to contractile and relaxational properties, BrS-relevant electrophysiological phenotypes are also demonstrated in cardiomyocytes differentiated from stem cells induced from adult human cells. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of noncoding regions of the genome and their RNA biology in Brugada Syndrome. We also delve into the role of stem cells, especially human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac differentiated cells, in the investigation of Brugada syndrome in preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Theisen
- Department of Biomedical and Anatomical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
| | - Austin Holtz
- Department of Biomedical and Anatomical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
| | - Viswanathan Rajagopalan
- Department of Biomedical and Anatomical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
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Liantonio A, Bertini M, Mele A, Balla C, Dinoi G, Selvatici R, Mele M, De Luca A, Gualandi F, Imbrici P. Brugada Syndrome: More than a Monogenic Channelopathy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2297. [PMID: 37626795 PMCID: PMC10452102 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited cardiac channelopathy first diagnosed in 1992 but still considered a challenging disease in terms of diagnosis, arrhythmia risk prediction, pathophysiology and management. Despite about 20% of individuals carrying pathogenic variants in the SCN5A gene, the identification of a polygenic origin for BrS and the potential role of common genetic variants provide the basis for applying polygenic risk scores for individual risk prediction. The pathophysiological mechanisms are still unclear, and the initial thinking of this syndrome as a primary electrical disease is evolving towards a partly structural disease. This review focuses on the main scientific advancements in the identification of biomarkers for diagnosis, risk stratification, pathophysiology and therapy of BrS. A comprehensive model that integrates clinical and genetic factors, comorbidities, age and gender, and perhaps environmental influences may provide the opportunity to enhance patients' quality of life and improve the therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Liantonio
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.L.); (A.M.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Matteo Bertini
- Cardiological Center, Sant’Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.B.); (C.B.)
| | - Antonietta Mele
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.L.); (A.M.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Cristina Balla
- Cardiological Center, Sant’Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.B.); (C.B.)
| | - Giorgia Dinoi
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.L.); (A.M.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Rita Selvatici
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Mother and Child, Sant’Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Marco Mele
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.L.); (A.M.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (A.D.L.)
- Cardiothoracic Department, Policlinico Riuniti Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Annamaria De Luca
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.L.); (A.M.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Francesca Gualandi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Mother and Child, Sant’Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Paola Imbrici
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.L.); (A.M.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (A.D.L.)
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Luczak-Wozniak K, Obsznajczyk K, Niszczota C, Werner B. Electrocardiographic Parameters Associated with Adverse Outcomes in Children with Cardiomyopathies. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11236930. [PMID: 36498505 PMCID: PMC9738383 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11236930] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyopathies have a low prevalence in children and thus may lead to malignant ventricular arrhythmias or the progression of heart failure, resulting in death. In adults, the QRS-T angle derived from ECG has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies. We aimed to assess the electrocardiographic parameters, including QRS-T angle, associated with adverse cardiac events in children with cardiomyopathies. Forty-two children with cardiomyopathies were included in this study: 19 with dilated cardiomyopathy, 17 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and 6 with left ventricular non-compaction. Additionally, 19 control subjects were recruited. In terms of ECG parameters, the QRS-T angle was significantly greater among patients with adverse outcomes compared to patients without the end points of the study (133° vs. 65°, p < 0.001). On Kaplan−Meier survival curves, QRS-T angle > 120°, increased serum concentrations of NT-proBNP and troponin I levels as well as greater NYHA or Ross scale were associated with the greatest risk of unfavorable outcome. The QRS-T angle appears to be a valuable component of 12-lead ECG interpretation, and might be helpful in outlining patients with the greatest cardiovascular risk. Additionally, serum biomarkers such as NT-proBNP (p = 0.003) and troponin (p < 0.001) are useful in outlining patients with the worst survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Luczak-Wozniak
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology and General Pediatrics, Doctoral School, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Klaudia Obsznajczyk
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology and General Pediatrics, Jozef Polikarp Brudzinski Public Pediatric Hospital, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Cezary Niszczota
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology and General Pediatrics, Jozef Polikarp Brudzinski Public Pediatric Hospital, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bożena Werner
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology and General Pediatrics, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-317-9588
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Chung CT, Lee S, Zhou J, Chou OHI, Lee TTL, Leung KSK, Jeevaratnam K, Wong WT, Liu T, Tse G. Clinical Characteristics, Genetic Basis and Healthcare Resource Utilisation and Costs in Patients with Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Rev Cardiovasc Med 2022; 23:276. [PMID: 39076628 PMCID: PMC11266943 DOI: 10.31083/j.rcm2308276] [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: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study examined the clinical characteristics, genetic basis, healthcare utilisation and costs of catecholaminergic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) patients from a Chinese city. Methods This was a territory-wide retrospective cohort study of consecutive CPVT patients at public hospitals or clinics in Hong Kong. Healthcare resource utilisation for accident and emergency (A&E), inpatient and outpatient attendances were analysed over 19 years (2001-2019) followed by calculations of annualised costs (in USD). Results Sixteen patients with a median presentation age (interquartile range (IQR) of 11 (9-14) years old) were included. Fifteen patients (93.8%) were initially symptomatic. Ten patients had both premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF). One patient had PVCs without VT/VF. Genetic tests were performed on 14 patients (87.5%). Eight (57.1%) tested positive for the ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) gene. Seven variants have been described elsewhere (c.14848G > A, c.12475C > A, c.7420A > G, c.11836G > A, c.14159T > C, c.10046C > T and c.7202G > A). c.14861C > G is a novel RyR2 variant not been reported outside this cohort. Patients were treated with beta-blockers (n = 16), amiodarone (n = 3) and verapamil (n = 2). Sympathectomy (n = 8) and implantable-cardioverter defibrillator implantation (n = 3) were performed. Over a median follow-up of 13.3 years (IQR: 8.4-18.1) years, six patients exhibited incident VT/VF. At the patient level, the median (IQR) annualised costs for A&E, inpatient and outpatient attendances were $ 66 (40-95), $ 10521 (5240-66887) and $ 791 (546-1105), respectively. Conclusions All patients presented before the age of 19. The yield of genetic testing was 57%. The most expensive attendance type was inpatient stays, followed by outpatients and A&E attendances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheuk To Chung
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, 999077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Sharen Lee
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, 999077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiandong Zhou
- School of Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, 999077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Oscar Hou In Chou
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, 999077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Teddy Tai Loy Lee
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, 999077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Keith Sai Kit Leung
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, 999077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Kamalan Jeevaratnam
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, GU2 7XH Guildford, UK
| | - Wing Tak Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology (CUHK), School of Life Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ionic-Molecular Function of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, 300211 Tianjin, China
| | - Gary Tse
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, 999077 Hong Kong, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ionic-Molecular Function of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, 300211 Tianjin, China
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Leung J, Lee S, Zhou J, Jeevaratnam K, Lakhani I, Radford D, Coakley-Youngs E, Pay L, Çinier G, Altinsoy M, Behnoush AH, Mahmoudi E, Matusik PT, Bazoukis G, Garcia-Zamora S, Zeng S, Chen Z, Xia Y, Liu T, Tse G. Clinical Characteristics, Genetic Findings and Arrhythmic Outcomes of Patients with Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia from China: A Systematic Review. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:1104. [PMID: 35892906 PMCID: PMC9330865 DOI: 10.3390/life12081104] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare inherited cardiac ion channelopathy. The present study aims to examine the clinical characteristics, genetic basis, and arrhythmic outcomes of CPVT patients from China to elucidate the difference between CPVT patients in Asia and Western countries. METHODS PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for case reports or series reporting on CPVT patients from China until 19 February 2022 using the keyword: "Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia" or "CPVT", with the location limited to: "China" or "Hong Kong" or "Macau" in Embase, with no language or publication-type restriction. Articles that did not state a definite diagnosis of CPVT and articles with duplicate cases found in larger cohorts were excluded. All the included publications in this review were critically appraised based on the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Clinical characteristics, genetic findings, and the primary outcome of spontaneous ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 58 unique cases from 15 studies (median presentation age: 8 (5.0-11.8) years old) were included. All patients, except one, presented at or before 19 years of age. There were 56 patients (96.6%) who were initially symptomatic. Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) were present in 44 out of 51 patients (86.3%) and VT in 52 out of 58 patients (89.7%). Genetic tests were performed on 54 patients (93.1%) with a yield of 87%. RyR2, CASQ2, TERCL, and SCN10A mutations were found in 35 (71.4%), 12 (24.5%), 1 (0.02%) patient, and 1 patient (0.02%), respectively. There were 54 patients who were treated with beta-blockers, 8 received flecainide, 5 received amiodarone, 2 received verapamil and 2 received propafenone. Sympathectomy (n = 10), implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation (n = 8) and ablation (n = 1) were performed. On follow-up, 13 patients developed VT/VF. CONCLUSION This was the first systematic review of CPVT patients from China. Most patients had symptoms on initial presentation, with syncope as the presenting complaint. RyR2 mutation accounts for more than half of the CPVT cases, followed by CASQ2, TERCL and SCN10A mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Leung
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, China-UK Collaboration, Hong Kong, China; (J.L.); (S.L.); (I.L.)
| | - Sharen Lee
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, China-UK Collaboration, Hong Kong, China; (J.L.); (S.L.); (I.L.)
| | - Jiandong Zhou
- School of Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Kamalan Jeevaratnam
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK;
| | - Ishan Lakhani
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, China-UK Collaboration, Hong Kong, China; (J.L.); (S.L.); (I.L.)
| | - Danny Radford
- Kent and Medway Medical School, Canterbury CT2 7FS, UK; (D.R.); (E.C.-Y.)
| | | | - Levent Pay
- Department of Cardiology, Dr Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul 34147, Turkey; (L.P.); (G.Ç.)
| | - Göksel Çinier
- Department of Cardiology, Dr Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul 34147, Turkey; (L.P.); (G.Ç.)
| | - Meltem Altinsoy
- Department of Cardiology, University of Health Sciences, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara 06145, Turkey;
| | - Amir Hossein Behnoush
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416643931, Iran; (A.H.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Elham Mahmoudi
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416643931, Iran; (A.H.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Paweł T. Matusik
- Department of Electrocardiology, Institute of Cardiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, John Paul II Hospital, 31-202 Kraków, Poland;
| | - George Bazoukis
- Department of Cardiology, Larnaca General Hospital, Larnaca 6301, Cyprus;
- Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2408, Cyprus
| | - Sebastian Garcia-Zamora
- Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Department of Cardiology, Delta Clinic, Rosario S2000, Argentina;
| | - Shaoying Zeng
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of South China Structural Heart Disease, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China;
| | - Ziliang Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ionic-Molecular Function of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China;
| | - Yunlong Xia
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116014, China;
| | - Tong Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ionic-Molecular Function of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China;
| | - Gary Tse
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, China-UK Collaboration, Hong Kong, China; (J.L.); (S.L.); (I.L.)
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK;
- Kent and Medway Medical School, Canterbury CT2 7FS, UK; (D.R.); (E.C.-Y.)
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ionic-Molecular Function of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China;
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116014, China;
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Monasky MM, Micaglio E, D'Imperio S, Pappone C. The Mechanism of Ajmaline and Thus Brugada Syndrome: Not Only the Sodium Channel! Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:782596. [PMID: 35004896 PMCID: PMC8733296 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.782596] [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: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ajmaline is an anti-arrhythmic drug that is used to unmask the type-1 Brugada syndrome (BrS) electrocardiogram pattern to diagnose the syndrome. Thus, the disease is defined at its core as a particular response to this or other drugs. Ajmaline is usually described as a sodium-channel blocker, and most research into the mechanism of BrS has centered around this idea that the sodium channel is somehow impaired in BrS, and thus the genetics research has placed much emphasis on sodium channel gene mutations, especially the gene SCN5A, to the point that it has even been suggested that only the SCN5A gene should be screened in BrS patients. However, pathogenic rare variants in SCN5A are identified in only 20–30% of cases, and recent data indicates that SCN5A variants are actually, in many cases, prognostic rather than diagnostic, resulting in a more severe phenotype. Furthermore, the misconception by some that ajmaline only influences the sodium current is flawed, in that ajmaline actually acts additionally on potassium and calcium currents, as well as mitochondria and metabolic pathways. Clinical studies have implicated several candidate genes in BrS, encoding not only for sodium, potassium, and calcium channel proteins, but also for signaling-related, scaffolding-related, sarcomeric, and mitochondrial proteins. Thus, these proteins, as well as any proteins that act upon them, could prove absolutely relevant in the mechanism of BrS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Monasky
- Arrhythmology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Micaglio
- Arrhythmology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara D'Imperio
- Arrhythmology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Pappone
- Arrhythmology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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D'Imperio S, Monasky MM, Micaglio E, Ciconte G, Anastasia L, Pappone C. Brugada Syndrome: Warning of a Systemic Condition? Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:771349. [PMID: 34722688 PMCID: PMC8553994 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.771349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a hereditary disorder, characterized by a specific electrocardiogram pattern and highly related to an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. BrS has been associated with other cardiac and non-cardiac pathologies, probably because of protein expression shared by the heart and other tissue types. In fact, the most commonly found mutated gene in BrS, SCN5A, is expressed throughout nearly the entire body. Consistent with this, large meals and alcohol consumption can trigger arrhythmic events in patients with BrS, suggesting a role for organs involved in the digestive and metabolic pathways. Ajmaline, a drug used to diagnose BrS, can have side effects on non-cardiac tissues, such as the liver, further supporting the idea of a role for organs involved in the digestive and metabolic pathways in BrS. The BrS electrocardiogram (ECG) sign has been associated with neural, digestive, and metabolic pathways, and potential biomarkers for BrS have been found in the serum or plasma. Here, we review the known associations between BrS and various organ systems, and demonstrate support for the hypothesis that BrS is not only a cardiac disorder, but rather a systemic one that affects virtually the whole body. Any time that the BrS ECG sign is found, it should be considered not a single disease, but rather the final step in any number of pathways that ultimately threaten the patient's life. A multi-omics approach would be appropriate to study this syndrome, including genetics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and glycomics, resulting eventually in a biomarker for BrS and the ability to diagnose this syndrome using a minimally invasive blood test, avoiding the risk associated with ajmaline testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara D'Imperio
- Arrhythmology Department, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
| | - Michelle M Monasky
- Arrhythmology Department, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Micaglio
- Arrhythmology Department, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ciconte
- Arrhythmology Department, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Anastasia
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Pappone
- Arrhythmology Department, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy.,Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Morales MA, Piacenti M, Nesti M, Solarino G, Pieragnoli P, Zucchelli G, Del Ry S, Cabiati M, Vozzi F. The BrAID study protocol: integration of machine learning and transcriptomics for brugada syndrome recognition. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2021; 21:494. [PMID: 34645390 PMCID: PMC8513180 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-021-02280-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 1 Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a hereditary arrhythmogenic disease showing peculiar electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns, characterized by ST-segment elevation in the right precordial leads, and risk of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). Furthermore, although various ECG patterns are described in the literature, different individual ECG may show high-grade variability, making the diagnosis problematic. The study aims to develop an innovative system for an accurate diagnosis of Type 1 BrS based on ECG pattern recognition by Machine Learning (ML) models and blood markers analysis trough transcriptomic techniques. METHODS The study is structured in 3 parts: (a) a retrospective study, with the first cohort of 300 anonymized ECG obtained in already diagnosed Type 1 BrS (75 spontaneous, 150 suspected) and 75 from control patients, which will be processed by ML analysis for pattern recognition; (b) a prospective study, with a cohort of 11 patients with spontaneous Type 1 BrS, 11 with drug-induced Type 1 BrS, 11 suspected BrS but negative to Na + channel blockers administration, and 11 controls, enrolled for ECG ML analysis and blood collection for transcriptomics and microvesicles analysis; (c) a validation study, with the third cohort of 100 patients (35 spontaneous and 35 drug-induced BrS, 30 controls) for ML algorithm and biomarkers testing. DISCUSSION The BrAID system will help clinicians improve the diagnosis of Type 1 BrS by using multiple information, reducing the time between ECG recording and final diagnosis, integrating clinical, biochemical and ECG information thus favoring a more effective use of available resources. Trial registration Clinical Trial.gov, NCT04641585. Registered 17 November 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04641585.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Morales
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Piacenti
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Nesti
- U.O.C. Cardiologia Ospedale San Donato, Via Pietro Nenni 20, Arezzo, Italy
| | - G Solarino
- Azienda Usl Toscana Nord Ovest U.O.C. Cardiologia Ospedale Versilia, SS1 Via Aurelia 335, Lido di Camaiore, Italy
| | - P Pieragnoli
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi SOD Aritmologia, Largo Brambilla, 3, Firenze, Italy
| | - G Zucchelli
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana Cardiologia 2 U.O.C. Cisanello, Via Paradisa, 2, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Del Ry
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Cabiati
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Vozzi
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
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Monasky MM, Rutigliani C, Micaglio E, Pappone C. Commentary: Peptide-Based Targeting of the L-Type Calcium Channel Corrects the Loss-of-Function Phenotype of Two Novel Mutations of the CACNA1 Gene Associated With Brugada Syndrome. Front Physiol 2021; 12:682567. [PMID: 34177625 PMCID: PMC8220137 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.682567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Monasky
- Arrhythmology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Micaglio
- Arrhythmology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Pappone
- Arrhythmology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Monasky MM, Micaglio E, Locati ET, Pappone C. Evaluating the Use of Genetics in Brugada Syndrome Risk Stratification. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:652027. [PMID: 33969014 PMCID: PMC8096997 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.652027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of the current dogma surrounding Brugada syndrome (BrS) has led to a significant debate about the real usefulness of genetic testing in this syndrome. Since BrS is defined by a particular electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern, after ruling out certain possible causes, this disease has come to be defined more for what it is not than for what it is. Extensive research is required to understand the effects of specific individual variants, including modifiers, rather than necessarily grouping together, for example, “all SCN5A variants” when trying to determine genotype-phenotype relationships, because not all variants within a particular gene act similarly. Genetic testing, including whole exome or whole genome testing, and family segregation analysis should always be performed when possible, as this is necessary to advance our understanding of the genetics of this condition. All considered, BrS should no longer be considered a pure autosomal dominant disorder, but an oligogenic condition. Less common patterns of inheritance, such as recessive, X–linked, or mitochondrial may exist. Genetic testing, in our opinion, should not be used for diagnostic purposes. However, variants in SCN5A can have a prognostic value. Patients should be diagnosed and treated per the current guidelines, after an arrhythmologic examination, based on the presence of the specific BrS ECG pattern. The genotype characterization should come in a second stage, particularly in order to guide the familial diagnostic work-up. In families in which an SCN5A pathogenic variant is found, genetic testing could possibly contribute to the prognostic risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emanuele Micaglio
- Arrhythmology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela T Locati
- Arrhythmology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Pappone
- Arrhythmology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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