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Zabrodska E, Kvasilova A, Sedmera D, Olejnickova V. Electrical remodeling of atrioventricular junction: a study on retrogradely perfused chick embryonic heart. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 327:H555-H564. [PMID: 39028286 PMCID: PMC11427115 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00115.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Atrioventricular (AV) accessory pathways (APs) provide additional electrical connections between the atria and ventricles, resulting in severe electrical disturbances. It is generally accepted that APs originate in the altered annulus fibrosus maturation in the late prenatal and perinatal period. However, current experimental methods cannot address their development in specific locations around the annulus fibrosus because of the inaccessibility of late fetal hearts for electrophysiological investigation under physiological conditions. In this study, we describe an approach for optical mapping of the retrogradely perfused chick heart in the last third of the incubation period. This system showed stability for electrophysiological measurement for several hours. This feature allowed analysis of the number and functionality of the APs separately in each clinically relevant position. Under physiological conditions, we also recorded the shortening of the AV delay with annulus fibrosus maturation and analyzed ventricular activation patterns after conduction through APs at specific locations. We observed a gradual regression of AP with an area-specific rate (left-sided APs disappeared first). The results also revealed a sudden drop in the number of active APs between embryonic days 16 and 18. Accessory myocardial AV connections were histologically documented in all positions around the annulus fibrosus even after hatching. The fact that no electrically active AP was present at this stage highlights the necessity of electrophysiological evaluation of accessory atrioventricular connections in studying AP formation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We present the use of retrograde perfusion and optical mapping to investigate, for the first time, the regression of accessory pathways during annulus fibrosus maturation, separately examining each clinically relevant location. The system enables measurements under physiological conditions and demonstrates long-lasting stability compared with other approaches. This study offers applications of the model to investigate electrical and/or functional development in late embryonic development without concern about heart viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Zabrodska
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Kvasilova
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David Sedmera
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Olejnickova
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Olejnickova V, Hamor PU, Janacek J, Bartos M, Zabrodska E, Sankova B, Kvasilova A, Kolesova H, Sedmera D. Development of ventricular trabeculae affects electrical conduction in the early endothermic heart. Dev Dyn 2024; 253:78-90. [PMID: 36400745 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ventricular trabeculae play a role, among others, in the impulse spreading in ectothermic hearts. Despite the morphological similarity with the early developing hearts of endotherms, this trabecular function in mammalian and avian embryos was poorly addressed. RESULTS We simulated impulse propagation inside the looping ventricle and revealed delayed apical activation in the heart with inhibited trabecular growth. This finding was corroborated by direct imaging of the endocardial surface showing early activation within the trabeculae implying preferential spreading of depolarization along with them. Targeting two crucial pathways of trabecular formation (Neuregulin/ErbB and Nkx2.5), we showed that trabecular development is also essential for proper conduction patterning. Persistence of the slow isotropic conduction likely contributed to the pumping failure in the trabeculae-deficient hearts. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed the essential role of trabeculae in intraventricular impulse spreading and conduction patterning in the early endothermic heart. Lack of trabeculae leads to the failure of conduction parameters differentiation resulting in primitive ventricular activation with consequent impact on the cardiac pumping function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Olejnickova
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Developmental Cardiology, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Uriel Hamor
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Janacek
- Laboratory of Biomathematics, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Bartos
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Stomatology, General University Hospital in Prague, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Zabrodska
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Sankova
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Kvasilova
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Kolesova
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Developmental Cardiology, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David Sedmera
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Developmental Cardiology, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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Olejnickova V, Kolesova H, Bartos M, Sedmera D, Gregorovicova M. The Tale-Tell Heart: Evolutionary tetrapod shift from aquatic to terrestrial life-style reflected in heart changes in axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). Dev Dyn 2021; 251:1004-1014. [PMID: 34423892 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During amphibian metamorphosis, the crucial moment lies in the rearrangement of the heart, reflecting the changes in circulatory demands. However, little is known about the exact shifts linked with this rearrangement. Here, we demonstrate such myocardial changes in axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) from the morphological and physiological point of view. RESULTS Micro-CT and histological analysis showed changes in ventricular trabeculae organization, completion of the atrial septum and its connection to the atrioventricular valve. Based on Myosin Heavy Chain and Smooth Muscle Actin expression we distinguished metamorphosis-induced changes in myocardial differentiation at the ventricular trabeculae and atrioventricular canal. Using optical mapping, faster speed of conduction through the atrioventricular canal was demonstrated in metamorphic animals. No differences between the groups were observed in the heart rates, ventricular activation times, and activation patterns. CONCLUSIONS Transition from aquatic to terrestrial life-style is reflected in the heart morphology and function. Rebuilding of the axolotl heart during metamorphosis was connected with reorganization of ventricular trabeculae, completion of the atrial septum and its connection to the atrioventricular valve, and acceleration of AV conduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Olejnickova
- First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Developmental Cardiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physiology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Kolesova
- First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Developmental Cardiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physiology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Bartos
- First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.,First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Dental Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David Sedmera
- First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Developmental Cardiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physiology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Gregorovicova
- First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Developmental Cardiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physiology, Prague, Czech Republic
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Kvasilova A, Olejnickova V, Jensen B, Christoffels VM, Kolesova H, Sedmera D, Gregorovicova M. The formation of the atrioventricular conduction axis is linked in development to ventricular septation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 223:223/19/jeb229278. [PMID: 33046580 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.229278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
During development, the ventricles of mammals and birds acquire a specialized pattern of electrical activation with the formation of the atrioventricular conduction system (AVCS), which coincides with the completion of ventricular septation. We investigated whether AVCS formation coincides with ventricular septation in developing Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis). Comparisons were made with Amazon toadhead turtle (Mesoclemmys heliostemma) with a partial septum only and no AVCS (negative control) and with chicken (Gallus gallus) (septum and AVCS, positive control). Optical mapping of the electrical impulse in the crocodile and chicken showed a similar developmental specialization that coincided with full ventricular septation, whereas in the turtle the ventricular activation remained primitive. Co-localization of neural marker human natural killer-1 (HNK-1) and cardiomyocyte marker anti-myosin heavy chain (MF20) identified the AVCS on top of the ventricular septum in the crocodile and chicken only. AVCS formation is correlated with ventricular septation in both evolution and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Kvasilova
- Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, U Nemocnice 3, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Olejnickova
- Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, U Nemocnice 3, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic.,Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physiology, Department of Developmental Cardiology, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Bjarke Jensen
- University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Meibergdreef 15, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent M Christoffels
- University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Meibergdreef 15, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hana Kolesova
- Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, U Nemocnice 3, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David Sedmera
- Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, U Nemocnice 3, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic .,Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physiology, Department of Developmental Cardiology, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Gregorovicova
- Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, U Nemocnice 3, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic .,Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physiology, Department of Developmental Cardiology, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
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