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Lu A, Gu R, Chu C, Xia Y, Wang J, Davis DR, Liang W. Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling upregulates Na v 1.5 channels in Brugada syndrome iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. Physiol Rep 2023; 11:e15696. [PMID: 37226398 PMCID: PMC10209518 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The voltage-gated Nav 1.5 channels mediate the fast Na+ current (INa ) in cardiomyocytes initiating action potentials and cardiac contraction. Downregulation of INa , as occurs in Brugada syndrome (BrS), causes ventricular arrhythmias. The present study investigated whether the Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates Nav 1.5 in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs). In healthy male and female iPSC-CMs, activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by CHIR-99021 reduced (p < 0.01) both Nav 1.5 protein and SCN5A mRNA. In iPSC-CMs from a BrS patient, both Nav 1.5 protein and peak INa were reduced compared to those in healthy iPSC-CMs. Treatment of BrS iPSC-CMs with Wnt-C59, a small-molecule Wnt inhibitor, led to a 2.1-fold increase in Nav 1.5 protein (p = 0.0005) but surprisingly did not affect SCN5A mRNA (p = 0.146). Similarly, inhibition of Wnt signaling using shRNA-mediated β-catenin knockdown in BrS iPSC-CMs led to a 4.0-fold increase in Nav 1.5, which was associated with a 4.9-fold increase in peak INa but only a 2.1-fold increase in SCN5A mRNA. The upregulation of Nav 1.5 by β-catenin knockdown was verified in iPSC-CMs from a second BrS patient. This study demonstrated that Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibits Nav 1.5 expression in both male and female human iPSC-CMs, and inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling upregulates Nav 1.5 in BrS iPSC-CMs through both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aizhu Lu
- University of Ottawa Heart InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Ruonan Gu
- University of Ottawa Heart InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhujiang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Cencen Chu
- University of Ottawa Heart InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Ying Xia
- University of Ottawa Heart InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Jerry Wang
- University of Ottawa Heart InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Darryl R. Davis
- University of Ottawa Heart InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Wenbin Liang
- University of Ottawa Heart InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
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BEaTS-α an open access 3D printed device for in vitro electromechanical stimulation of human induced pluripotent stem cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11274. [PMID: 32647145 PMCID: PMC7347879 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67169-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
3D printing was used to develop an open access device capable of simultaneous electrical and mechanical stimulation of human induced pluripotent stem cells in 6-well plates. The device was designed using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printed with autoclavable, FDA-approved materials. The compact design of the device and materials selection allows for its use inside cell incubators working at high humidity without the risk of overheating or corrosion. Mechanical stimulation of cells was carried out through the cyclic deflection of flexible, translucent silicone membranes by means of a vacuum-controlled, open-access device. A rhythmic stimulation cycle was programmed to create a more physiologically relevant in vitro model. This mechanical stimulation was coupled and synchronized with in situ electrical stimuli. We assessed the capabilities of our device to support cardiac myocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells, confirming that cells cultured under electromechanical stimulation presented a defined/mature cardiomyocyte phenotype. This 3D printed device provides a unique high-throughput in vitro system that combines both mechanical and electrical stimulation, and as such, we foresee it finding applications in the study of any electrically responsive tissue such as muscles and nerves.
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Liang W, Al Qarawi W, Davis DR. Disease Modelling and Precision Medicine Using Canadian Cardiomyocytes. Can J Cardiol 2020; 36:467-469. [PMID: 32146064 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2019.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Liang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wael Al Qarawi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Darryl R Davis
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Liang W, Han P, Kim EH, Mak J, Zhang R, Torrente AG, Goldhaber JI, Marbán E, Cho HC. Canonical Wnt signaling promotes pacemaker cell specification of cardiac mesodermal cells derived from mouse and human embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells 2019; 38:352-368. [PMID: 31648393 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can give rise to de novo chamber cardiomyocytes and nodal pacemaker cells. Compared with our understanding of direct differentiation toward atrial and ventricular myocytes, the mechanisms for nodal pacemaker cell commitment are not well understood. Taking a cue from the prominence of canonical Wnt signaling during cardiac pacemaker tissue development in chick embryos, we asked if modulations of Wnt signaling influence cardiac progenitors to bifurcate to either chamber cardiomyocytes or pacemaker cells. Omitting an exogenous Wnt inhibitor, which is routinely added to maximize cardiac myocyte yield during differentiation of mouse and human ESCs, led to increased yield of spontaneously beating cardiomyocytes with action potential properties similar to those of native sinoatrial node pacemaker cells. The pacemaker phenotype was accompanied by enhanced expression of genes and gene products that mark nodal pacemaker cells such as Hcn4, Tbx18, Tbx3, and Shox2. Addition of exogenous Wnt3a ligand, which activates canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling, increased the yield of pacemaker-like myocytes while reducing cTNT-positive pan-cardiac differentiation. Conversely, addition of inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling led to increased chamber myocyte lineage development at the expense of pacemaker cell specification. The positive impact of canonical Wnt signaling on nodal pacemaker cell differentiation was evidenced in direct differentiation of two human ESC lines and human induced pluripotent stem cells. Our data identify the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as a critical determinant of cardiac myocyte subtype commitment during ESC differentiation: endogenous Wnt signaling favors the pacemaker lineage, whereas its suppression promotes the chamber cardiomyocyte lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Liang
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pengcheng Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Elizabeth H Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jordan Mak
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rui Zhang
- Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California
| | | | | | | | - Hee Cheol Cho
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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van der Ende MY, Said MA, van Veldhuisen DJ, Verweij N, van der Harst P. Genome-wide studies of heart failure and endophenotypes: lessons learned and future directions. Cardiovasc Res 2019; 114:1209-1225. [PMID: 29912321 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome resulting from structural or functional impairments of ventricular filling or ejection of blood. HF has a poor prognosis and the burden to society remains tremendous. The unfulfilled expectation is that expanding our knowledge of the genetic architecture of HF will help to quickly advance the quality of risk assessment, diagnoses, and treatment. To date, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of HF have led to disappointing results with only limited progress in our understanding and tempering the earlier expectations. However, the analyses of traits closely related to HF (also called 'endophenotypes') have led to promising and novel findings. For example, GWAS of NT-proBNP levels not only identified variants in the NNPA-NPPB locus but also substantiated data suggesting that natriuretic peptides in itself are associated with a lower risk of hypertension and HF. Many other genetic associates currently await experimental follow-up in which genes are prioritized based on bioinformatic analyses and various model organisms are employed to obtain functional insights. Promising genes with identified function could later be used in personalized medicine. Also, targeting specific pathogenic gene mutations is promising to protect future generations from HF, such as recently done in human embryos carrying the cardiomyopathy-associated MYBPC3 mutation. This review discusses the current status of GWAS of HF and its endophenotypes. In addition, future directions such as functional follow-up and application of GWAS results are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Yldau van der Ende
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mir Abdullah Said
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk Jan van Veldhuisen
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Niek Verweij
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pim van der Harst
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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van de Vegte YJ, Tegegne BS, Verweij N, Snieder H, van der Harst P. Genetics and the heart rate response to exercise. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:2391-2409. [PMID: 30919020 PMCID: PMC6529381 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03079-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The acute heart rate response to exercise, i.e., heart rate increase during and heart rate recovery after exercise, has often been associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The long-term response of heart rate to exercise results in favourable changes in chronotropic function, including decreased resting and submaximal heart rate as well as increased heart rate recovery. Both the acute and long-term heart rate response to exercise have been shown to be heritable. Advances in genetic analysis enable researchers to investigate this hereditary component to gain insights in possible molecular mechanisms underlying interindividual differences in the heart rate response to exercise. In this review, we comprehensively searched candidate gene, linkage, and genome-wide association studies that investigated the heart rate response to exercise. A total of ten genes were associated with the acute heart rate response to exercise in candidate gene studies. Only one gene (CHRM2), related to heart rate recovery, was replicated in recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Additional 17 candidate causal genes were identified for heart rate increase and 26 for heart rate recovery in these GWASs. Nine of these genes were associated with both acute increase and recovery of the heart rate during exercise. These genes can be broadly categorized into four categories: (1) development of the nervous system (CCDC141, PAX2, SOX5, and CAV2); (2) prolongation of neuronal life span (SYT10); (3) cardiac development (RNF220 and MCTP2); (4) cardiac rhythm (SCN10A and RGS6). Additional 10 genes were linked to long-term modification of the heart rate response to exercise, nine with heart rate increase and one with heart rate recovery. Follow-up will be essential to get functional insights in how candidate causal genes affect the heart rate response to exercise. Future work will be required to translate these findings to preventive and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yordi J van de Vegte
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Balewgizie S Tegegne
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Niek Verweij
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Harold Snieder
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pim van der Harst
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Durrer Center for Cardiogenetic Research, Netherlands Heart Institute, 3511 GC, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Liang W, Lu A, Davis DR. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Treatment of Acquired Heart Block: The Battle for Tomorrow Has Begun! Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2017; 10:e005331. [PMID: 28500180 DOI: 10.1161/circep.117.005331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Liang
- From the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (W.L., A.L., D.R.D.); and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China (A.L.)
| | - Aizhu Lu
- From the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (W.L., A.L., D.R.D.); and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China (A.L.)
| | - Darryl R Davis
- From the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (W.L., A.L., D.R.D.); and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China (A.L.).
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