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Heitmann S, Vandenberg JI, Hill AP. Assessing drug safety by identifying the axis of arrhythmia in cardiomyocyte electrophysiology. eLife 2023; 12:RP90027. [PMID: 38079357 PMCID: PMC10712948 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Many classes of drugs can induce fatal cardiac arrhythmias by disrupting the electrophysiology of cardiomyocytes. Safety guidelines thus require all new drugs to be assessed for pro-arrhythmic risk prior to conducting human trials. The standard safety protocols primarily focus on drug blockade of the delayed-rectifier potassium current (IKr). Yet the risk is better assessed using four key ion currents (IKr, ICaL, INaL, IKs). We simulated 100,000 phenotypically diverse cardiomyocytes to identify the underlying relationship between the blockade of those currents and the emergence of ectopic beats in the action potential. We call that relationship the axis of arrhythmia. It serves as a yardstick for quantifying the arrhythmogenic risk of any drug from its profile of multi-channel block alone. We tested it on 109 drugs and found that it predicted the clinical risk labels with an accuracy of 88.1-90.8%. Pharmacologists can use our method to assess the safety of novel drugs without resorting to animal testing or unwieldy computer simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jamie I Vandenberg
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research InstituteDarlinghurstAustralia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Adam P Hill
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research InstituteDarlinghurstAustralia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Innovation CentreDarlinghurstAustralia
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2
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Yoon SH, Lee HL, Jeong DU, Lim KM, Park SJ, Kim KS. Assessment of the proarrhythmic effects of repurposed antimalarials for COVID-19 treatment using a comprehensive in vitro proarrhythmia assay (CiPA). Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1220796. [PMID: 37649890 PMCID: PMC10464612 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1220796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, drug repurposing and Emergency Use Authorization have been proposed to treat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the pandemic. While the efficiency of the drugs has been discussed, it was identified that certain compounds, such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, cause QT interval prolongation and potential cardiotoxic effects. Drug-induced cardiotoxicity and QT prolongation may lead to life-threatening arrhythmias such as torsades de pointes (TdP), a potentially fatal arrhythmic symptom. Here, we evaluated the risk of repurposed pyronaridine or artesunate-mediated cardiac arrhythmias alone and in combination for COVID-19 treatment through in vitro and in silico investigations using the Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CiPA) initiative. The potential effects of each drug or in combinations on cardiac action potential (AP) and ion channels were explored using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transiently expressing cardiac ion channels (Nav1.5, Cav1.2, and hERG). We also performed in silico computer simulation using the optimized O'Hara-Rudy human ventricular myocyte model (ORd model) to classify TdP risk. Artesunate and dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the active metabolite of artesunate, are classified as a low risk of inducing TdP based on the torsade metric score (TMS). Moreover, artesunate does not significantly affect the cardiac APs of hiPSC-CMs even at concentrations up to 100 times the maximum serum concentration (Cmax). DHA modestly prolonged at APD90 (10.16%) at 100 times the Cmax. When considering Cmax, pyronaridine, and the combination of both drugs (pyronaridine and artesunate) are classified as having an intermediate risk of inducing TdP. However, when considering the unbound concentration (the free fraction not bound to carrier proteins or other tissues inducing pharmacological activity), both drugs are classified as having a low risk of inducing TdP. In summary, pyronaridine, artesunate, and a combination of both drugs have been confirmed to pose a low proarrhythmogenic risk at therapeutic and supratherapeutic (up to 4 times) free Cmax. Additionally, the CiPA initiative may be suitable for regulatory use and provide novel insights for evaluating drug-induced cardiotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hyun Yoon
- R&D Center for Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Evaluation, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Lee Lee
- R&D Center for Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Evaluation, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Da Un Jeong
- Intelligent Human Twin Research Center, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Moo Lim
- Department of IT Convergence Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gumi, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Jun Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Suk Kim
- R&D Center for Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Evaluation, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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Xue H, Li Y, Zhao Z, Ren J, Yu W, Wang F, Li X, Li J, Xia Q, Zhang Y, Li B. Deacetylation mechanism and potential reversal strategy of long QT syndrome on hERG K + channel under hypoxia. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166487. [PMID: 35840042 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Clinically, hypoxia is a major risk factor for long QT syndrome (LQTS), which is associated with many diseases, such as myocardial ischemia. LQTS can be caused by the deficiency of hERG, a potassium ion channel that plays a key role in cardiac repolarization. Modifications such as acetylation of histones or non-histone proteins can affect the protein expression. In the present study, we explored the mechanism underlying hypoxia-induced LQTS and a potential reversal strategy. Experiments were performed under hypoxia to determine transcriptional and post-transcriptional expression changes. We used real-time PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, and western blotting to determine the histones acetylation in the hERG gene and the mechanism. Molecular docking, western blotting, IP, and patch -clamp assay were performed to determine the acetylation and ubiquitination levels of hERG protein and the mechanism. hERG mRNA and protein expression were found to decrease under hypoxia. The histone deacetylation level increased under hypoxia at both H3K27 and H4 of the hERG gene. HDAC1 and HDAC2 are the key enzymes for the mechanism. HDAC6 directly interacts with hERG. The acetylation level of hERG decreased and the ubiquitination level of hERG increased under hypoxia. The inhibitors of HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC6 could reverse the reduction of hERG mRNA and hERG protein expression under hypoxia. In conclusion, deacetylation of hERG gene-associated histones and hERG protein might be the mechanisms for LQTS in patients with hypoxia, and the inhibition of HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC6 might be a promising reversal strategy for reducing hERG expression under different pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xue
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuexin Li
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhengrong Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jiacheng Ren
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wenting Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xianghua Li
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qianqian Xia
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuxin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Baoxin Li
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
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4
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Translating the measurement of hERG kinetics and drug block for CiPA to a high throughput platform. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2022; 117:107192. [PMID: 35750310 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2022.107192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmic Assay (CiPA) has promoted use of in silico models of drug effects on cardiac repolarization to improve proarrhythmic risk prediction. These models contain a pharmacodynamic component describing drug binding to hERG channels that required in vitro data for kinetics of block, in addition to potency, to constrain them. To date, development and validation has been undertaken using data from manual patch-clamp. The application of this approach at scale requires the development of a high-throughput, automated patch-clamp (APC) implementation. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of the implementation of the Milnes, or CiPA dynamic protocol, on an APC platform, including quality control and data analysis. Kinetics and potency of block were assessed for bepridil, cisapride, terfenadine and verapamil with data retention/QC pass rate of 21.8% overall, or as high as 50.4% when only appropriate sweep lengths were considered for drugs with faster kinetics. The variability in IC50 and kinetics between manual and APC was comparable to that seen between sites/platforms in previous APC studies of potency. Whilst the experimental success is less than observed in screens of potency alone, it is still significantly greater than manual patch. With the modifications to protocol design, including sweep length, number of repetitions, and leak correction recommended in this study, this protocol can be applied on APC to acquire data comparable to manual patch clamp.
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De Gregori S, Falaschi F, Ballesio A, Fusco A, Cremonte E, Canta R, Sabatini U, Molinaro M, Soffiantini C, Nardone A, Vicentini A, De Silvestri A, Di Sabatino A. Hydroxychloroquine Blood Concentrations Can Be Clinically Relevant Also After Drug Discontinuation. Drugs R D 2022; 22:155-163. [PMID: 35553396 PMCID: PMC9103606 DOI: 10.1007/s40268-022-00387-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Hydroxychloroquine was widely used during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic as an antiviral drug. Most previous pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies on hydroxychloroquine were conducted on healthy volunteers or patients receiving long-term therapy. There are no studies on the elimination of hydroxychloroquine after short-term treatments. Hydroxychloroquine is known to have a pro-arrhythmic effect through QT interval prolongation, but data in this setting are not conclusive. Our aims were to estimate the time needed for hydroxychloroquine concentrations (CHCQ) to drop to a safe concentration (500 ng/mL) after a short-term therapeutic cycle and to correlate the corrected QT interval with CHCQ. METHODS We collected blood samples and electrocardiograms of patients who underwent short-term therapy with hydroxychloroquine during drug intake and after discontinuation. Hydroxychloroquine concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and analysed with a linear regression model to estimate the elimination time of the drug after its discontinuation. We conducted a multivariate analysis of the corrected QT interval correlation with CHCQ. RESULTS Our data suggest that short-term hydroxychloroquine courses can generate significant CHCQ persisting above 500 ng/mL up to 16 days after discontinuation of treatment. Corrected QT interval prolongation significantly correlates with CHCQ. CONCLUSIONS The study confirms the long half-life of hydroxychloroquine and its effect on the corrected QT interval even after short-term courses of the drug. This can inform the clinician using hydroxychloroquine treatments that it would be safer to start or re-initiate treatments with corrected QT interval-prolonging potential 16 days after hydroxychloroquine discontinuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona De Gregori
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacokinetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesco Falaschi
- Internal Medicine 2, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Alessia Ballesio
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fusco
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elisa Cremonte
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Roberta Canta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Umberto Sabatini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mariadelfina Molinaro
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacokinetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Carlo Soffiantini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alba Nardone
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vicentini
- Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology and Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Annalisa De Silvestri
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Sabatino
- Internal Medicine 2, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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TeBay C, Hill AP, Windley MJ. Metabolic and electrolyte abnormalities as risk factors in drug-induced long QT syndrome. Biophys Rev 2022; 14:353-367. [PMID: 35103080 PMCID: PMC8792523 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-022-00929-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug-induced long QT syndrome (diLQTS) is the phenomenon by which the administration of drugs causes prolongation of cardiac repolarisation and leads to an increased risk of the ventricular tachycardia known as torsades de pointes (TdP). In most cases of diLQTS, the primary molecular target is the human ether-à-go-go-related gene protein (hERG) potassium channel, which carries the rapid delayed rectifier current (IKr) in the heart. However, the proarrhythmic risk associated with drugs that block hERG can be modified in patients by a range of environmental- and disease-related factors, such as febrile temperatures, alterations in pH, dyselectrolytaemias such as hypokalaemia and hypomagnesemia and coadministration with other drugs. In this review, we will discuss the clinical occurrence of drug-induced LQTS in the context of these modifying factors as well as the mechanisms by which they contribute to altered hERG potency and proarrhythmic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clifford TeBay
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, 405, Liverpool street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2020 Australia
| | - Adam P. Hill
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, 405, Liverpool street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2020 Australia
- St. Vincent’s Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Monique J. Windley
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, 405, Liverpool street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2020 Australia
- St. Vincent’s Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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