1
|
Fabritz L, Fortmueller L, Gehmlich K, Kant S, Kemper M, Kucerova D, Syeda F, Faber C, Leube RE, Kirchhof P, Krusche CA. Endurance Training Provokes Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy Phenotype in Heterozygous Desmoglein-2 Mutants: Alleviation by Preload Reduction. Biomedicines 2024; 12:985. [PMID: 38790949 PMCID: PMC11117820 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12050985] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Desmoglein-2 mutations are detected in 5-10% of patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Endurance training accelerates the development of the ARVC phenotype, leading to earlier arrhythmic events. Homozygous Dsg2 mutant mice develop a severe ARVC-like phenotype. The phenotype of heterozygous mutant (Dsg2mt/wt) or haploinsufficient (Dsg20/wt) mice is still not well understood. To assess the effects of age and endurance swim training, we studied cardiac morphology and function in sedentary one-year-old Dsg2mt/wt and Dsg20/wt mice and in young Dsg2mt/wt mice exposed to endurance swim training. Cardiac structure was only occasionally affected in aged Dsg20/wt and Dsg2mt/wt mice manifesting as small fibrotic foci and displacement of Connexin 43. Endurance swim training increased the right ventricular (RV) diameter and decreased RV function in Dsg2mt/wt mice but not in wild types. Dsg2mt/wt hearts showed increased ventricular activation times and pacing-induced ventricular arrhythmia without obvious fibrosis or inflammation. Preload-reducing therapy during training prevented RV enlargement and alleviated the electrophysiological phenotype. Taken together, endurance swim training induced features of ARVC in young adult Dsg2mt/wt mice. Prolonged ventricular activation times in the hearts of trained Dsg2mt/wt mice are therefore a potential mechanism for increased arrhythmia risk. Preload-reducing therapy prevented training-induced ARVC phenotype pointing to beneficial treatment options in human patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Fabritz
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science and Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (L.F.); (P.K.)
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.G.); (M.K.); (F.S.)
- Department of Cardiology, Section of Rhythmology, University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - Lisa Fortmueller
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science and Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (L.F.); (P.K.)
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, Section of Rhythmology, University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - Katja Gehmlich
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.G.); (M.K.); (F.S.)
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2JD, UK
| | - Sebastian Kant
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Anatomy (MOCA), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.K.); (R.E.L.)
| | - Marcel Kemper
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.G.); (M.K.); (F.S.)
- Department of Cardiology, Section of Rhythmology, University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - Dana Kucerova
- Department of Cardiology, Section of Rhythmology, University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - Fahima Syeda
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.G.); (M.K.); (F.S.)
| | - Cornelius Faber
- Clinic of Radiology, Translational Research Imaging Center (TRIC), University of Muenster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - Rudolf E. Leube
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Anatomy (MOCA), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.K.); (R.E.L.)
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science and Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (L.F.); (P.K.)
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.G.); (M.K.); (F.S.)
| | - Claudia A. Krusche
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Anatomy (MOCA), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.K.); (R.E.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Orgil BO, Purevjav E. Molecular Pathways and Animal Models of Cardiomyopathies. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1441:991-1019. [PMID: 38884766 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-44087-8_64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group of disorders of the heart muscle that ultimately result in congestive heart failure. Rapid progress in genetics, molecular and cellular biology with breakthrough innovative genetic-engineering techniques, such as next-generation sequencing and multiomics platforms, stem cell reprogramming, as well as novel groundbreaking gene-editing systems over the past 25 years has greatly improved the understanding of pathogenic signaling pathways in inherited cardiomyopathies. This chapter will focus on intracellular and intercellular molecular signaling pathways that are activated by a genetic insult in cardiomyocytes to maintain tissue and organ level regulation and resultant cardiac remodeling in certain forms of cardiomyopathies. In addition, animal models of different clinical forms of human cardiomyopathies with their summaries of triggered key molecules and signaling pathways will be described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Buyan-Ochir Orgil
- Department of Pediatrics, The Heart Institute, Division of Cardiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Enkhsaikhan Purevjav
- Department of Pediatrics, The Heart Institute, Division of Cardiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fan X, Yang G, Duru F, Grilli M, Akin I, Zhou X, Saguner AM, Ei-Battrawy I. Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: from Preclinical Models to Genotype-phenotype Correlation and Pathophysiology. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:2683-2708. [PMID: 37731079 PMCID: PMC10661732 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10615-0] [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] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a hereditary myocardial disease characterized by the replacement of the ventricular myocardium with fibrous fatty deposits. ACM is usually inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern with variable penetrance and expressivity, which is mainly related to ventricular tachyarrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Importantly, significant progress has been made in determining the genetic background of ACM due to the development of new techniques for genetic analysis. The exact molecular pathomechanism of ACM, however, is not completely clear and the genotype-phenotype correlations have not been fully elucidated, which are useful to predict the prognosis and treatment of ACM patients. Different gene-targeted and transgenic animal models, human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) models, and heterologous expression systems have been developed. Here, this review aims to summarize preclinical ACM models and platforms promoting our understanding of the pathogenesis of ACM and assess their value in elucidating the ACM genotype-phenotype relationship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuehui Fan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Cardiology, Angiology, Haemostaseology, and Medical Intensive Care, Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- European Center for AngioScience (ECAS), German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Heidelberg/ Mannheim, and Centre for Cardiovascular Acute Medicine Mannheim (ZKAM), Medical Centre Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Partner Site, Heidelberg-Mannheim, Germany
| | - Guoqiang Yang
- Cardiology, Angiology, Haemostaseology, and Medical Intensive Care, Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Research Unit of Molecular Imaging Probes, Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Firat Duru
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Centre, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Grilli
- Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Centre Mannheim (UMM), University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ibrahim Akin
- Cardiology, Angiology, Haemostaseology, and Medical Intensive Care, Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- European Center for AngioScience (ECAS), German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Heidelberg/ Mannheim, and Centre for Cardiovascular Acute Medicine Mannheim (ZKAM), Medical Centre Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Partner Site, Heidelberg-Mannheim, Germany
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
- Cardiology, Angiology, Haemostaseology, and Medical Intensive Care, Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
- European Center for AngioScience (ECAS), German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Heidelberg/ Mannheim, and Centre for Cardiovascular Acute Medicine Mannheim (ZKAM), Medical Centre Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Partner Site, Heidelberg-Mannheim, Germany.
- First Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Ardan Muammer Saguner
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Centre, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ibrahim Ei-Battrawy
- European Center for AngioScience (ECAS), German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Heidelberg/ Mannheim, and Centre for Cardiovascular Acute Medicine Mannheim (ZKAM), Medical Centre Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Partner Site, Heidelberg-Mannheim, Germany.
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany; Institute of Physiology, Department of Cellular and Translational Physiology and Institut für Forschung und Lehre (IFL), Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Ruhr- University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang L, Zhou J. Zebrafish: A smart tool for heart disease research. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 37824489 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of heart disease poses a significant threat to human survival and safety. However, the current treatments available for heart disease are quite limited. Therefore, it is of great importance to utilize suitable animal models that can accurately simulate the physiological characteristics of heart disease. This would help improve our understanding of this disease and aid in the development of new treatment methods and drugs. Zebrafish hearts not only exhibit similarities to mammalian hearts, but they also share ~70% of homologous genes with humans. Utilizing zebrafish as an alternative to costly and time-consuming mammalian models offers numerous advantages. Zebrafish models can be easily established and maintained, and compound screening and genetic methods allow for the creation of various economical and easily controlled zebrafish and zebrafish embryonic heart disease models in a short period of time. Consequently, zebrafish have become a powerful tool for exploring the pathological mechanisms of heart disease and identifying new effective genes. In this review, we summarize recent studies on different zebrafish models of heart disease. We also describe the techniques and protocols used to develop zebrafish models of myocardial infarction, heart failure, and congenital heart disease, including surgical procedures, forward and reverse genetics, as well as drug and combination screening. This review aims to promote the utilization of zebrafish models in investigating diverse pathological mechanisms of heart disease, enhancing our knowledge and comprehension of heart disease, and offering novel insights and objectives for exploring the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lantian Zhang
- Education Branch, Chongqing Publishing Group, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinrun Zhou
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chua CJ, Morrissette-McAlmon J, Tung L, Boheler KR. Understanding Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Advances through the Use of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Models. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1864. [PMID: 37895213 PMCID: PMC10606441 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101864] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyopathies (CMPs) represent a significant healthcare burden and are a major cause of heart failure leading to premature death. Several CMPs are now recognized to have a strong genetic basis, including arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), which predisposes patients to arrhythmic episodes. Variants in one of the five genes (PKP2, JUP, DSC2, DSG2, and DSP) encoding proteins of the desmosome are known to cause a subset of ACM, which we classify as desmosome-related ACM (dACM). Phenotypically, this disease may lead to sudden cardiac death in young athletes and, during late stages, is often accompanied by myocardial fibrofatty infiltrates. While the pathogenicity of the desmosome genes has been well established through animal studies and limited supplies of primary human cells, these systems have drawbacks that limit their utility and relevance to understanding human disease. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have emerged as a powerful tool for modeling ACM in vitro that can overcome these challenges, as they represent a reproducible and scalable source of cardiomyocytes (CMs) that recapitulate patient phenotypes. In this review, we provide an overview of dACM, summarize findings in other model systems linking desmosome proteins with this disease, and provide an up-to-date summary of the work that has been conducted in hiPSC-cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) models of dACM. In the context of the hiPSC-CM model system, we highlight novel findings that have contributed to our understanding of disease and enumerate the limitations, prospects, and directions for research to consider towards future progress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christianne J. Chua
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (C.J.C.); (J.M.-M.); (L.T.)
| | - Justin Morrissette-McAlmon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (C.J.C.); (J.M.-M.); (L.T.)
| | - Leslie Tung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (C.J.C.); (J.M.-M.); (L.T.)
| | - Kenneth R. Boheler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (C.J.C.); (J.M.-M.); (L.T.)
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Moazzen H, Bolaji MD, Leube RE. Desmosomes in Cell Fate Determination: From Cardiogenesis to Cardiomyopathy. Cells 2023; 12:2122. [PMID: 37681854 PMCID: PMC10487268 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172122] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Desmosomes play a vital role in providing structural integrity to tissues that experience significant mechanical tension, including the heart. Deficiencies in desmosomal proteins lead to the development of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC). The limited availability of preventative measures in clinical settings underscores the pressing need to gain a comprehensive understanding of desmosomal proteins not only in cardiomyocytes but also in non-myocyte residents of the heart, as they actively contribute to the progression of cardiomyopathy. This review focuses specifically on the impact of desmosome deficiency on epi- and endocardial cells. We highlight the intricate cross-talk between desmosomal proteins mutations and signaling pathways involved in the regulation of epicardial cell fate transition. We further emphasize that the consequences of desmosome deficiency differ between the embryonic and adult heart leading to enhanced erythropoiesis during heart development and enhanced fibrogenesis in the mature heart. We suggest that triggering epi-/endocardial cells and fibroblasts that are in different "states" involve the same pathways but lead to different pathological outcomes. Understanding the details of the different responses must be considered when developing interventions and therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Moazzen
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachen University, Wendlingweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (M.D.B.); (R.E.L.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rabino M, Sommariva E, Zacchigna S, Pompilio G. From bedside to the bench: patient-specific hiPSC-EC models uncover endothelial dysfunction in genetic cardiomyopathies. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1237101. [PMID: 37538375 PMCID: PMC10394630 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1237101] [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: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic cardiomyopathies are a group of inherited disorders in which myocardial structure and function are damaged. Many of these pathologies are rare and present with heterogenous phenotypes, thus personalized models are required to completely uncover their pathological mechanisms and develop valuable therapeutic strategies. Both cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts, differentiated from patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells, represent the most studied human cardiac cell models in the context of genetic cardiomyopathies. While endothelial dysfunction has been recognized as a possible pathogenetic mechanism, human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells are less studied, despite they constitute a suitable model to specifically dissect the role of the dysfunctional endothelium in the development and progression of these pathologies. In this review, we summarize the main studies in which human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells are used to investigate endothelial dysfunction in genetic-based cardiomyopathies to highlight new potential targets exploitable for therapeutic intervention, and we discuss novel perspectives that encourage research in this direction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Rabino
- Unit of Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Centro Cardiologico Monzino—IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Sommariva
- Unit of Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Centro Cardiologico Monzino—IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Unit of Cardio-Oncology, Centro Cardiologico Monzino—IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulio Pompilio
- Unit of Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Centro Cardiologico Monzino—IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Shoykhet M, Dervishi O, Menauer P, Hiermaier M, Moztarzadeh S, Osterloh C, Ludwig RJ, Williams T, Gerull B, Kääb S, Clauss S, Schüttler D, Waschke J, Yeruva S. EGFR inhibition leads to enhanced desmosome assembly and cardiomyocyte cohesion via ROCK activation. JCI Insight 2023; 8:163763. [PMID: 36795511 PMCID: PMC10070108 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.163763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is a familial heart disease partly caused by impaired desmosome turnover. Thus, stabilization of desmosome integrity may provide new treatment options. Desmosomes, apart from cellular cohesion, provide the structural framework of a signaling hub. Here, we investigated the role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in cardiomyocyte cohesion. We inhibited EGFR under physiological and pathophysiological conditions using the murine plakoglobin-KO AC model, in which EGFR was upregulated. EGFR inhibition enhanced cardiomyocyte cohesion. Immunoprecipitation showed an interaction of EGFR and desmoglein 2 (DSG2). Immunostaining and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed enhanced DSG2 localization and binding at cell borders upon EGFR inhibition. Enhanced area composita length and desmosome assembly were observed upon EGFR inhibition, confirmed by enhanced DSG2 and desmoplakin (DP) recruitment to cell borders. PamGene Kinase assay performed in HL-1 cardiomyocytes treated with erlotinib, an EGFR inhibitor, revealed upregulation of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK). Erlotinib-mediated desmosome assembly and cardiomyocyte cohesion were abolished upon ROCK inhibition. Thus, inhibiting EGFR and, thereby, stabilizing desmosome integrity via ROCK might provide treatment options for AC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Shoykhet
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Orsela Dervishi
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Menauer
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Hiermaier
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Sina Moztarzadeh
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Colin Osterloh
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ralf J Ludwig
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Tatjana Williams
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center and Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Brenda Gerull
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center and Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Kääb
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, LMU Hospital, LMU, Munich, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich, Munich Heart Alliance (MHA), Munich, Germany
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modeling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Clauss
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, LMU Hospital, LMU, Munich, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich, Munich Heart Alliance (MHA), Munich, Germany
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modeling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Surgical Research at the Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, LMU Hospital, LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Dominik Schüttler
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, LMU Hospital, LMU, Munich, Germany
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modeling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Surgical Research at the Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, LMU Hospital, LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Jens Waschke
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Sunil Yeruva
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang C, Ramahdita G, Genin G, Huebsch N, Ma Z. Dynamic mechanobiology of cardiac cells and tissues: Current status and future perspective. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:011314. [PMID: 37008887 PMCID: PMC10062054 DOI: 10.1063/5.0141269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical forces impact cardiac cells and tissues over their entire lifespan, from development to growth and eventually to pathophysiology. However, the mechanobiological pathways that drive cell and tissue responses to mechanical forces are only now beginning to be understood, due in part to the challenges in replicating the evolving dynamic microenvironments of cardiac cells and tissues in a laboratory setting. Although many in vitro cardiac models have been established to provide specific stiffness, topography, or viscoelasticity to cardiac cells and tissues via biomaterial scaffolds or external stimuli, technologies for presenting time-evolving mechanical microenvironments have only recently been developed. In this review, we summarize the range of in vitro platforms that have been used for cardiac mechanobiological studies. We provide a comprehensive review on phenotypic and molecular changes of cardiomyocytes in response to these environments, with a focus on how dynamic mechanical cues are transduced and deciphered. We conclude with our vision of how these findings will help to define the baseline of heart pathology and of how these in vitro systems will potentially serve to improve the development of therapies for heart diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ghiska Ramahdita
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | | | | | - Zhen Ma
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Using Zebrafish Animal Model to Study the Genetic Underpinning and Mechanism of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044106. [PMID: 36835518 PMCID: PMC9966228 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044106] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is largely an autosomal dominant genetic disorder manifesting fibrofatty infiltration and ventricular arrhythmia with predominantly right ventricular involvement. ACM is one of the major conditions associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, most notably in young individuals and athletes. ACM has strong genetic determinants, and genetic variants in more than 25 genes have been identified to be associated with ACM, accounting for approximately 60% of ACM cases. Genetic studies of ACM in vertebrate animal models such as zebrafish (Danio rerio), which are highly amenable to large-scale genetic and drug screenings, offer unique opportunities to identify and functionally assess new genetic variants associated with ACM and to dissect the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms at the whole-organism level. Here, we summarize key genes implicated in ACM. We discuss the use of zebrafish models, categorized according to gene manipulation approaches, such as gene knockdown, gene knock-out, transgenic overexpression, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in, to study the genetic underpinning and mechanism of ACM. Information gained from genetic and pharmacogenomic studies in such animal models can not only increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of disease progression, but also guide disease diagnosis, prognosis, and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
|
11
|
Ponzoni M, Coles JG, Maynes JT. Rodent Models of Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure for Translational Investigations and Therapeutic Discovery. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043162. [PMID: 36834573 PMCID: PMC9963155 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Even with modern therapy, patients with heart failure only have a 50% five-year survival rate. To improve the development of new therapeutic strategies, preclinical models of disease are needed to properly emulate the human condition. Determining the most appropriate model represents the first key step for reliable and translatable experimental research. Rodent models of heart failure provide a strategic compromise between human in vivo similarity and the ability to perform a larger number of experiments and explore many therapeutic candidates. We herein review the currently available rodent models of heart failure, summarizing their physiopathological basis, the timeline of the development of ventricular failure, and their specific clinical features. In order to facilitate the future planning of investigations in the field of heart failure, a detailed overview of the advantages and possible drawbacks of each model is provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Ponzoni
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Program in Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - John G. Coles
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Program in Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Correspondence: (J.G.C.); (J.T.M.)
| | - Jason T. Maynes
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Program in Molecular Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1E2, Canada
- Correspondence: (J.G.C.); (J.T.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Vallverdú-Prats M, Carreras D, Pérez GJ, Campuzano O, Brugada R, Alcalde M. Alterations in Calcium Handling Are a Common Feature in an Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Cell Model Triggered by Desmosome Genes Loss. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032109. [PMID: 36768439 PMCID: PMC9917020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiac disease characterized by fibrofatty replacement of the myocardium. Deleterious variants in desmosomal genes are the main cause of ACM and lead to common and gene-specific molecular alterations, which are not yet fully understood. This article presents the first systematic in vitro study describing gene and protein expression alterations in desmosomes, electrical conduction-related genes, and genes involved in fibrosis and adipogenesis. Moreover, molecular and functional alterations in calcium handling were also characterized. This study was performed d with HL1 cells with homozygous knockouts of three of the most frequently mutated desmosomal genes in ACM: PKP2, DSG2, and DSC2 (generated by CRISPR/Cas9). Moreover, knockout and N-truncated clones of DSP were also included. Our results showed functional alterations in calcium handling, a slower calcium re-uptake was observed in the absence of PKP2, DSG2, and DSC2, and the DSP knockout clone showed a more rapid re-uptake. We propose that the described functional alterations of the calcium handling genes may be explained by mRNA expression levels of ANK2, CASQ2, ATP2A2, RYR2, and PLN. In conclusion, the loss of desmosomal genes provokes alterations in calcium handling, potentially contributing to the development of arrhythmogenic events in ACM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Vallverdú-Prats
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Biomedical Research Institute of Girona, 17190 Salt, Spain
| | - David Carreras
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Biomedical Research Institute of Girona, 17190 Salt, Spain
| | - Guillermo J. Pérez
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Biomedical Research Institute of Girona, 17190 Salt, Spain
- Department of Medical Sciences, Universitat de Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 21005 Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Campuzano
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Biomedical Research Institute of Girona, 17190 Salt, Spain
- Department of Medical Sciences, Universitat de Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 21005 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramon Brugada
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Biomedical Research Institute of Girona, 17190 Salt, Spain
- Department of Medical Sciences, Universitat de Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 21005 Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Josep Trueta, 17007 Girona, Spain
| | - Mireia Alcalde
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Biomedical Research Institute of Girona, 17190 Salt, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +872-98-70-87
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Spindler V, Gerull B, Green KJ, Kowalczyk AP, Leube R, Marian AJ, Milting H, Müller EJ, Niessen C, Payne AS, Schlegel N, Schmidt E, Strnad P, Tikkanen R, Vielmuth F, Waschke J. Meeting report - Desmosome dysfunction and disease: Alpine desmosome disease meeting. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:286226. [PMID: 36594662 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Desmosome diseases are caused by dysfunction of desmosomes, which anchor intermediate filaments (IFs) at sites of cell-cell adhesion. For many decades, the focus of attention has been on the role of actin filament-associated adherens junctions in development and disease, especially cancer. However, interference with the function of desmosomes, their molecular constituents or their attachments to IFs has now emerged as a major contributor to a variety of diseases affecting different tissues and organs including skin, heart and the digestive tract. The first Alpine desmosome disease meeting (ADDM) held in Grainau, Germany, in October 2022 brought together international researchers from the basic sciences with clinical experts from diverse fields to share and discuss their ideas and concepts on desmosome function and dysfunction in the different cell types involved in desmosome diseases. Besides the prototypic desmosomal diseases pemphigus and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, the role of desmosome dysfunction in inflammatory bowel diseases and eosinophilic esophagitis was discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Volker Spindler
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Brenda Gerull
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kathleen J Green
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrew P Kowalczyk
- Department of Dermatology, Penn State College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.,Department of Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Penn State College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Rudolf Leube
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachen University, 52057 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ali J Marian
- Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hendrik Milting
- Erich und Hanna Klessmann-Institut für Kardiovaskuläre Forschung und Entwicklung, Klinik für Thorax- und Kardiovaskularchirurgie, Herz und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Universitätsklinikum der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstr. 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Eliane J Müller
- Dermfocus, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. Department for BioMedical Research, Molecular Dermatology and Stem Cell Research, University of Bern, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland. Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carien Niessen
- Department Cell Biology of the Skin, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Stress Responses in Aging-associated Diseases (CECAD), Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Aimee S Payne
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nicolas Schlegel
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplant, Vascular and Paediatric Surgery University Hospital Würzburg, Wuerzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Enno Schmidt
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, 23538 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Pavel Strnad
- Medical Clinic III, Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases and Intensive Care, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ritva Tikkanen
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Franziska Vielmuth
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Jens Waschke
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
De Bortoli M, Meraviglia V, Mackova K, Frommelt LS, König E, Rainer J, Volani C, Benzoni P, Schlittler M, Cattelan G, Motta BM, Volpato C, Rauhe W, Barbuti A, Zacchigna S, Pramstaller PP, Rossini A. Modeling incomplete penetrance in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy by human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:1759-1773. [PMID: 36915380 PMCID: PMC10006475 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.02.029] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) are commonly used to model arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), a heritable cardiac disease characterized by severe ventricular arrhythmias, fibrofatty myocardial replacement and progressive ventricular dysfunction. Although ACM is inherited as an autosomal dominant disease, incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity are extremely common, resulting in different clinical manifestations. Here, we propose hiPSC-CMs as a powerful in vitro model to study incomplete penetrance in ACM. Six hiPSC lines were generated from blood samples of three ACM patients carrying a heterozygous deletion of exon 4 in the PKP2 gene, two asymptomatic (ASY) carriers of the same mutation and one healthy control (CTR), all belonging to the same family. Whole exome sequencing was performed in all family members and hiPSC-CMs were examined by ddPCR, western blot, Wes™ immunoassay system, patch clamp, immunofluorescence and RNASeq. Our results show molecular and functional differences between ACM and ASY hiPSC-CMs, including a higher amount of mutated PKP2 mRNA, a lower expression of the connexin-43 protein, a lower overall density of sodium current, a higher intracellular lipid accumulation and sarcomere disorganization in ACM compared to ASY hiPSC-CMs. Differentially expressed genes were also found, supporting a predisposition for a fatty phenotype in ACM hiPSC-CMs. These data indicate that hiPSC-CMs are a suitable model to study incomplete penetrance in ACM.
Collapse
Key Words
- ABC, active ß-catenin
- ACM, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
- ASY, asymptomatic
- Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
- BBB, bundle-branch block
- CMs, cardiomyocytes
- CTR, control
- Cx43, connexin-43
- DEGs, differentially expressed genes
- GATK, Genome Analysis Toolkit
- Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes
- ICD, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
- ID, intercalated disk
- Incomplete penetrance
- LBB, left bundle-branch block
- MRI, magnetic resonance imagingmut, mutated
- NSVT, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia
- RV, right ventricle
- hiPSC, human induced pluripotent stem cell
- wt, wild type
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marzia De Bortoli
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Viviana Meraviglia
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2316 Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Katarina Mackova
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Laura S Frommelt
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Eva König
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Johannes Rainer
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Chiara Volani
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,Universita` degli Studi di Milano, The Cell Physiology MiLab, Department of Biosciences, Milano, Italy
| | - Patrizia Benzoni
- Universita` degli Studi di Milano, The Cell Physiology MiLab, Department of Biosciences, Milano, Italy
| | - Maja Schlittler
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Giada Cattelan
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Benedetta M Motta
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Claudia Volpato
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Werner Rauhe
- San Maurizio Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Andrea Barbuti
- Universita` degli Studi di Milano, The Cell Physiology MiLab, Department of Biosciences, Milano, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, Trieste, Italy
| | - Peter P Pramstaller
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rossini
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Schinner C, Xu L, Franz H, Zimmermann A, Wanuske MT, Rathod M, Hanns P, Geier F, Pelczar P, Liang Y, Lorenz V, Stüdle C, Maly PI, Kauferstein S, Beckmann BM, Sheikh F, Kuster GM, Spindler V. Defective Desmosomal Adhesion Causes Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy by Involving an Integrin-αVβ6/TGF-β Signaling Cascade. Circulation 2022; 146:1610-1626. [PMID: 36268721 PMCID: PMC9674449 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.057329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is characterized by progressive loss of cardiomyocytes with fibrofatty tissue replacement, systolic dysfunction, and life-threatening arrhythmias. A substantial proportion of ACM is caused by mutations in genes of the desmosomal cell-cell adhesion complex, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In the current study, we investigated the relevance of defective desmosomal adhesion for ACM development and progression. METHODS We mutated the binding site of DSG2 (desmoglein-2), a crucial desmosomal adhesion molecule in cardiomyocytes. This DSG2-W2A mutation abrogates the tryptophan swap, a central interaction mechanism of DSG2 on the basis of structural data. Impaired adhesive function of DSG2-W2A was confirmed by cell-cell dissociation assays and force spectroscopy measurements by atomic force microscopy. The DSG2-W2A knock-in mouse model was analyzed by echocardiography, ECG, and histologic and biomolecular techniques including RNA sequencing and transmission electron and superresolution microscopy. The results were compared with ACM patient samples, and their relevance was confirmed in vivo and in cardiac slice cultures by inhibitor studies applying the small molecule EMD527040 or an inhibitory integrin-αVβ6 antibody. RESULTS The DSG2-W2A mutation impaired binding on molecular level and compromised intercellular adhesive function. Mice bearing this mutation develop a severe cardiac phenotype recalling the characteristics of ACM, including cardiac fibrosis, impaired systolic function, and arrhythmia. A comparison of the transcriptome of mutant mice with ACM patient data suggested deregulated integrin-αVβ6 and subsequent transforming growth factor-β signaling as driver of cardiac fibrosis. Blocking integrin-αVβ6 led to reduced expression of profibrotic markers and reduced fibrosis formation in mutant animals in vivo. CONCLUSIONS We show that disruption of desmosomal adhesion is sufficient to induce a phenotype that fulfils the clinical criteria to establish the diagnosis of ACM, confirming the dysfunctional adhesion hypothesis. Deregulation of integrin-αVβ6 and transforming growth factor-β signaling was identified as a central step toward fibrosis. A pilot in vivo drug test revealed this pathway as a promising target to ameliorate fibrosis. This highlights the value of this model to discern mechanisms of cardiac fibrosis and to identify and test novel treatment options for ACM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Schinner
- Department of Biomedicine, Section Anatomy (C. Schinner, H.F., A.Z., M.-T.W., M.R., P.H., C. Stüdle, P.I.M., V.S.), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lifen Xu
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Switzerland (L.X., V.L., G.M.K.)
| | - Henriette Franz
- Department of Biomedicine, Section Anatomy (C. Schinner, H.F., A.Z., M.-T.W., M.R., P.H., C. Stüdle, P.I.M., V.S.), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aude Zimmermann
- Department of Biomedicine, Section Anatomy (C. Schinner, H.F., A.Z., M.-T.W., M.R., P.H., C. Stüdle, P.I.M., V.S.), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Therès Wanuske
- Department of Biomedicine, Section Anatomy (C. Schinner, H.F., A.Z., M.-T.W., M.R., P.H., C. Stüdle, P.I.M., V.S.), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maitreyi Rathod
- Department of Biomedicine, Section Anatomy (C. Schinner, H.F., A.Z., M.-T.W., M.R., P.H., C. Stüdle, P.I.M., V.S.), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pauline Hanns
- Department of Biomedicine, Section Anatomy (C. Schinner, H.F., A.Z., M.-T.W., M.R., P.H., C. Stüdle, P.I.M., V.S.), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Geier
- Department of Biomedicine, Bioinformatics Core Facility (F.G.), University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland (F.G.)
| | - Pawel Pelczar
- Center for Transgenic Models (P.P.), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yan Liang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (Y.L., F.S.)
| | - Vera Lorenz
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Switzerland (L.X., V.L., G.M.K.)
| | - Chiara Stüdle
- Department of Biomedicine, Section Anatomy (C. Schinner, H.F., A.Z., M.-T.W., M.R., P.H., C. Stüdle, P.I.M., V.S.), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Piotr I. Maly
- Department of Biomedicine, Section Anatomy (C. Schinner, H.F., A.Z., M.-T.W., M.R., P.H., C. Stüdle, P.I.M., V.S.), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Silke Kauferstein
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S.K., B.M.B.)
| | - Britt M. Beckmann
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S.K., B.M.B.)
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany (B.M.B.)
| | - Farah Sheikh
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (Y.L., F.S.)
| | - Gabriela M. Kuster
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Switzerland (L.X., V.L., G.M.K.)
- Division of Cardiology (G.M.K.), University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Volker Spindler
- Department of Biomedicine, Section Anatomy (C. Schinner, H.F., A.Z., M.-T.W., M.R., P.H., C. Stüdle, P.I.M., V.S.), University of Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Volani C, Pagliaro A, Rainer J, Paglia G, Porro B, Stadiotti I, Foco L, Cogliati E, Paolin A, Lagrasta C, Frati C, Corradini E, Falco A, Matzinger T, Picard A, Ermon B, Piazza S, De Bortoli M, Tondo C, Philippe R, Medici A, Lavdas AA, Blumer MJF, Pompilio G, Sommariva E, Pramstaller PP, Troppmair J, Meraviglia V, Rossini A. GCN5 contributes to intracellular lipid accumulation in human primary cardiac stromal cells from patients affected by Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:3687-3701. [PMID: 35712781 PMCID: PMC9258704 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetic disease associated with sudden cardiac death and cardiac fibro‐fatty replacement. Over the last years, several works have demonstrated that different epigenetic enzymes can affect not only gene expression changes in cardiac diseases but also cellular metabolism. Specifically, the histone acetyltransferase GCN5 is known to facilitate adipogenesis and modulate cardiac metabolism in heart failure. Our group previously demonstrated that human primary cardiac stromal cells (CStCs) contribute to adipogenesis in the ACM pathology. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the role of GCN5 in ACM intracellular lipid accumulation. To do so, CStCs were obtained from right ventricle biopsies of ACM patients and from samples of healthy cadaveric donors (CTR). GCN5 expression was increased both in ex vivo and in vitro ACM samples compared to CTR. When GCN5 expression was silenced or pharmacologically inhibited by the administration of MB‐3, we observed a reduction in lipid accumulation and a mitigation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in ACM CStCs. In agreement, transcriptome analysis revealed that the presence of MB‐3 modified the expression of pathways related to cellular redox balance. Altogether, our findings suggest that GCN5 inhibition reduces fat accumulation in ACM CStCs, partially by modulating intracellular redox balance pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Volani
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Bolzano, Italy.,The Cell Physiology MiLab, Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pagliaro
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Johannes Rainer
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Paglia
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Vedano al Lambro, MB, Italy
| | - Benedetta Porro
- Unit of Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilaria Stadiotti
- Unit of Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Luisa Foco
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Bolzano, Italy
| | | | - Adolfo Paolin
- Fondazione Banca dei Tessuti di Treviso, Treviso, Italy
| | - Costanza Lagrasta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Caterina Frati
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Emilia Corradini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Angela Falco
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Theresa Matzinger
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Anne Picard
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Benedetta Ermon
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Silvano Piazza
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, Università degli Studi di Trento, Povo, TN, Italy.,Computational Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marzia De Bortoli
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Claudio Tondo
- Heart Rhythm Center, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy.,Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.,Department of Clinical Electrophysiology&Cardiac Pacing, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Réginald Philippe
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Andrea Medici
- Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory, Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexandros A Lavdas
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Michael J F Blumer
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Institute of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Giulio Pompilio
- Unit of Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy.,Heart Rhythm Center, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Sommariva
- Unit of Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Peter P Pramstaller
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Jakob Troppmair
- Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory, Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Viviana Meraviglia
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rossini
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Bolzano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Vallverdú-Prats M, Brugada R, Alcalde M. Premature Termination Codon in 5' Region of Desmoplakin and Plakoglobin Genes May Escape Nonsense-Mediated Decay through the Reinitiation of Translation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020656. [PMID: 35054841 PMCID: PMC8775493 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is a heritable heart disease associated with desmosomal mutations, especially premature termination codon (PTC) variants. It is known that PTC triggers the nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) mechanism. It is also accepted that PTC in the last exon escapes NMD; however, the mechanisms involving NMD escaping in 5′-PTC, such as reinitiation of translation, are less known. The main objective of the present study is to evaluate the likelihood that desmosomal genes carrying 5′-PTC will trigger reinitiation. HL1 cell lines were edited by CRISPR/Cas9 to generate isogenic clones carrying 5′-PTC for each of the five desmosomal genes. The genomic context of the ATG in-frame in the 5′ region of desmosomal genes was evaluated by in silico predictions. The expression levels of the edited genes were assessed by Western blot and real-time PCR. Our results indicate that the 5′-PTC in PKP2, DSG2 and DSC2 acts as a null allele with no expression, whereas in the DSP and JUP gene, N-truncated protein is expressed. In concordance with this, the genomic context of the 5′-region of DSP and JUP presents an ATG in-frame with an optimal context for the reinitiation of translation. Thus, 5′-PTC triggers NMD in the PKP2, DSG2* and DSC2 genes, whereas it may escape NMD through the reinitiation of the translation in DSP and JUP genes, with no major effects on ACM-related gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ramon Brugada
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, IdIBGi, University of Girona, 17190 Girona, Spain;
- Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain
- Cardiology Service Hospital, University of Girona, 17007 Girona, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.B.); (M.A.)
| | - Mireia Alcalde
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, IdIBGi, University of Girona, 17190 Girona, Spain;
- Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.B.); (M.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kohela A, van Rooij E. Fibro-fatty remodelling in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Basic Res Cardiol 2022; 117:22. [PMID: 35441328 PMCID: PMC9018639 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-022-00929-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is an inherited disorder characterized by lethal arrhythmias and a risk to sudden cardiac death. A hallmark feature of AC is the progressive replacement of the ventricular myocardium with fibro-fatty tissue, which can act as an arrhythmogenic substrate further exacerbating cardiac dysfunction. Therefore, identifying the processes underlying this pathological remodelling would help understand AC pathogenesis and support the development of novel therapies. In this review, we summarize our knowledge on the different models designed to identify the cellular origin and molecular pathways underlying cardiac fibroblast and adipocyte cell differentiation in AC patients. We further outline future perspectives and how targeting the fibro-fatty remodelling process can contribute to novel AC therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arwa Kohela
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eva van Rooij
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Utrecht, The Netherlands ,Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Müller L, Hatzfeld M, Keil R. Desmosomes as Signaling Hubs in the Regulation of Cell Behavior. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:745670. [PMID: 34631720 PMCID: PMC8495202 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.745670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmosomes are intercellular junctions, which preserve tissue integrity during homeostatic and stress conditions. These functions rely on their unique structural properties, which enable them to respond to context-dependent signals and transmit them to change cell behavior. Desmosome composition and size vary depending on tissue specific expression and differentiation state. Their constituent proteins are highly regulated by posttranslational modifications that control their function in the desmosome itself and in addition regulate a multitude of desmosome-independent functions. This review will summarize our current knowledge how signaling pathways that control epithelial shape, polarity and function regulate desmosomes and how desmosomal proteins transduce these signals to modulate cell behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Müller
- Department for Pathobiochemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Mechthild Hatzfeld
- Department for Pathobiochemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - René Keil
- Department for Pathobiochemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kohela A, van Kampen SJ, Moens T, Wehrens M, Molenaar B, Boogerd CJ, Monshouwer-Kloots J, Perini I, Goumans MJ, Smits AM, van Tintelen JP, van Rooij E. Epicardial differentiation drives fibro-fatty remodeling in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabf2750. [PMID: 34550725 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf2750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited disorder often caused by pathogenic variants in desmosomal genes and characterized by progressive fibrotic and fat tissue accumulation in the heart. The cellular origin and responsible molecular mechanisms of fibro-fatty deposits have been a matter of debate, due to limitations in animal models recapitulating this phenotype. Here, we used human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)–derived cardiac cultures, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and explanted human ACM hearts to study the epicardial contribution to fibro-fatty remodeling in ACM. hiPSC-epicardial cells generated from patients with ACM showed spontaneous fibro-fatty cellular differentiation that was absent in isogenic controls. This was further corroborated upon siRNA-mediated targeting of desmosomal genes in hiPSC-epicardial cells generated from healthy donors. scRNA-seq analysis identified the transcription factor TFAP2A (activating enhancer-binding protein 2 alpha) as a key trigger promoting this process. Gain- and loss-of-function studies on hiPSC-epicardial cells and primary adult epicardial-derived cells demonstrated that TFAP2A mediated epicardial differentiation through enhancing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, examination of explanted hearts from patients with ACM revealed epicardial activation and expression of TFAP2A in the subepicardial mesenchyme. These data suggest that TFAP2A-mediated epicardial EMT underlies fibro-fatty remodeling in ACM, a process amenable to therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arwa Kohela
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 3584 CT Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan J van Kampen
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 3584 CT Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Tara Moens
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 3584 CT Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Martijn Wehrens
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 3584 CT Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Bas Molenaar
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 3584 CT Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J Boogerd
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 3584 CT Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jantine Monshouwer-Kloots
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 3584 CT Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ilaria Perini
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 3584 CT Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marie José Goumans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Anke M Smits
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - J Peter van Tintelen
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eva van Rooij
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 3584 CT Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Cardiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Gerull B, Brodehl A. Insights Into Genetics and Pathophysiology of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Curr Heart Fail Rep 2021; 18:378-390. [PMID: 34478111 PMCID: PMC8616880 DOI: 10.1007/s11897-021-00532-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetic disease characterized by life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in apparently healthy young adults. Mutations in genes encoding for cellular junctions can be found in about half of the patients. However, disease onset and severity, risk of arrhythmias, and outcome are highly variable and drug-targeted treatment is currently unavailable. Recent Findings This review focuses on advances in clinical risk stratification, genetic etiology, and pathophysiological concepts. The desmosome is the central part of the disease, but other intercalated disc and associated structural proteins not only broaden the genetic spectrum but also provide novel molecular and cellular insights into the pathogenesis of ACM. Signaling pathways and the role of inflammation will be discussed and targets for novel therapeutic approaches outlined. Summary Genetic discoveries and experimental-driven preclinical research contributed significantly to the understanding of ACM towards mutation- and pathway-specific personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Gerull
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), Department of Medicine I, University Clinic Würzburg, Am Schwarzenberg 15, 97078, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Andreas Brodehl
- Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Erich and Hanna Klessmann Institute, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Georgstrasse 11, 32545, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Narumanchi S, Wang H, Perttunen S, Tikkanen I, Lakkisto P, Paavola J. Zebrafish Heart Failure Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:662583. [PMID: 34095129 PMCID: PMC8173159 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.662583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart failure causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The understanding of heart failure pathomechanisms and options for treatment remain incomplete. Zebrafish has proven useful for modeling human heart diseases due to similarity of zebrafish and mammalian hearts, fast easily tractable development, and readily available genetic methods. Embryonic cardiac development is rapid and cardiac function is easy to observe and quantify. Reverse genetics, by using morpholinos and CRISPR-Cas9 to modulate gene function, make zebrafish a primary animal model for in vivo studies of candidate genes. Zebrafish are able to effectively regenerate their hearts following injury. However, less attention has been given to using zebrafish models to increase understanding of heart failure and cardiac remodeling, including cardiac hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Here we discuss using zebrafish to study heart failure and cardiac remodeling, and review zebrafish genetic, drug-induced and other heart failure models, discussing the advantages and weaknesses of using zebrafish to model human heart disease. Using zebrafish models will lead to insights on the pathomechanisms of heart failure, with the aim to ultimately provide novel therapies for the prevention and treatment of heart failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suneeta Narumanchi
- Unit of Cardiovascular Research, Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hong Wang
- Unit of Cardiovascular Research, Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sanni Perttunen
- Unit of Cardiovascular Research, Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilkka Tikkanen
- Unit of Cardiovascular Research, Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Abdominal Center Nephrology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Lakkisto
- Unit of Cardiovascular Research, Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jere Paavola
- Unit of Cardiovascular Research, Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hemi- and Homozygous Loss-of-Function Mutations in DSG2 (Desmoglein-2) Cause Recessive Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy with an Early Onset. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073786. [PMID: 33917638 PMCID: PMC8038858 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
About 50% of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) carry a pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutation in the desmosomal genes. However, there is a significant number of patients without positive familial anamnesis. Therefore, the molecular reasons for ACM in these patients are frequently unknown and a genetic contribution might be underestimated. Here, we used a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach and in addition single nucleotide polymor-phism (SNP) arrays for the genetic analysis of two independent index patients without familial medical history. Of note, this genetic strategy revealed a homozygous splice site mutation (DSG2–c.378+1G>T) in the first patient and a nonsense mutation (DSG2–p.L772X) in combination with a large deletion in DSG2 in the second one. In conclusion, a recessive inheritance pattern is likely for both cases, which might contribute to the hidden medical history in both families. This is the first report about these novel loss-of-function mutations in DSG2 that have not been previously identi-fied. Therefore, we suggest performing deep genetic analyses using NGS in combination with SNP arrays also for ACM index patients without obvious familial medical history. In the future, this finding might has relevance for the genetic counseling of similar cases.
Collapse
|
24
|
Yokota T, Wang Y. Damage control in broken heart-DNA damage response as a common path in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:2297-2298. [PMID: 33693630 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Yokota
- Department of Anesthesiology, Physiology and Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, at Los Angeles
| | - Yibin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Physiology and Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, at Los Angeles
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Iop L. Toward the Effective Bioengineering of a Pathological Tissue for Cardiovascular Disease Modeling: Old Strategies and New Frontiers for Prevention, Diagnosis, and Therapy. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 7:591583. [PMID: 33748193 PMCID: PMC7969521 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.591583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) still represent the primary cause of mortality worldwide. Preclinical modeling by recapitulating human pathophysiology is fundamental to advance the comprehension of these diseases and propose effective strategies for their prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In silico, in vivo, and in vitro models have been applied to dissect many cardiovascular pathologies. Computational and bioinformatic simulations allow developing algorithmic disease models considering all known variables and severity degrees of disease. In vivo studies based on small or large animals have a long tradition and largely contribute to the current treatment and management of CVDs. In vitro investigation with two-dimensional cell culture demonstrates its suitability to analyze the behavior of single, diseased cellular types. The introduction of induced pluripotent stem cell technology and the application of bioengineering principles raised the bar toward in vitro three-dimensional modeling by enabling the development of pathological tissue equivalents. This review article intends to describe the advantages and disadvantages of past and present modeling approaches applied to provide insights on some of the most relevant congenital and acquired CVDs, such as rhythm disturbances, bicuspid aortic valve, cardiac infections and autoimmunity, cardiovascular fibrosis, atherosclerosis, and calcific aortic valve stenosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Iop
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Beffagna G, Sommariva E, Bellin M. Mechanotransduction and Adrenergic Stimulation in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: An Overview of in vitro and in vivo Models. Front Physiol 2020; 11:568535. [PMID: 33281612 PMCID: PMC7689294 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.568535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (AC) is a rare inherited heart disease, manifesting with progressive myocardium degeneration and dysfunction, and life-threatening arrhythmic events that lead to sudden cardiac death. Despite genetic determinants, most of AC patients admitted to hospital are athletes or very physically active people, implying the existence of other disease-causing factors. It is recognized that AC phenotypes are enhanced and triggered by strenuous physical activity, while excessive mechanical stretch and load, and repetitive adrenergic stimulation are mechanisms influencing disease penetrance. Different approaches have been undertaken to recapitulate and study both mechanotransduction and adrenergic signaling in AC, including the use of in vitro cellular and tissue models, and the development of in vivo models (particularly rodents but more recently also zebrafish). However, it remains challenging to reproduce mechanical load stimuli and physical activity in laboratory experimental settings. Thus, more work to drive the innovation of advanced AC models is needed to recapitulate these subtle physiological influences. Here, we review the state-of-the-art in this field both in clinical and laboratory-based modeling scenarios. Specific attention will be focused on highlighting gaps in the knowledge and how they may be resolved by utilizing novel research methodology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Beffagna
- Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Sommariva
- Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine Unit, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Milena Bellin
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Modifications of Titin Contribute to the Progression of Cardiomyopathy and Represent a Therapeutic Target for Treatment of Heart Failure. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9092770. [PMID: 32859027 PMCID: PMC7564493 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Titin is the largest human protein and an essential component of the cardiac sarcomere. With multiple immunoglobulin(Ig)-like domains that serve as molecular springs, titin contributes significantly to the passive tension, systolic function, and diastolic function of the heart. Mutations leading to early termination of titin are the most common genetic cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. Modifications of titin, which change protein length, and relative stiffness affect resting tension of the ventricle and are associated with acquired forms of heart failure. Transcriptional and post-translational changes that increase titin’s length and extensibility, making the sarcomere longer and softer, are associated with systolic dysfunction and left ventricular dilation. Modifications of titin that decrease its length and extensibility, making the sarcomere shorter and stiffer, are associated with diastolic dysfunction in animal models. There has been significant progress in understanding the mechanisms by which titin is modified. As molecular pathways that modify titin’s mechanical properties are elucidated, they represent therapeutic targets for treatment of both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. In this article, we review titin’s contribution to normal cardiac physiology, the pathophysiology of titin truncation variations leading to dilated cardiomyopathy, and transcriptional and post-translational modifications of titin. Emphasis is on how modification of titin can be utilized as a therapeutic target for treatment of heart failure.
Collapse
|