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Marchal GA, Rivaud MR, Wolswinkel R, Basso C, van Veen TAB, Bezzina CR, Remme CA. Genetic background determines the severity of age-dependent cardiac structural abnormalities and arrhythmia susceptibility in Scn5a-1798insD mice. Europace 2024; 26:euae153. [PMID: 38875491 PMCID: PMC11203918 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Patients with mutations in SCN5A encoding NaV1.5 often display variable severity of electrical and structural alterations, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. We here investigate the combined modulatory effect of genetic background and age on disease severity in the Scn5a1798insD/+ mouse model. METHODS AND RESULTS In vivo electrocardiogram and echocardiograms, ex vivo electrical and optical mapping, and histological analyses were performed in adult (2-7 months) and aged (8-28 months) wild-type (WT) and Scn5a1798insD/+ (mutant, MUT) mice from the FVB/N and 129P2 inbred strains. Atrio-ventricular (AV) conduction, ventricular conduction, and ventricular repolarization are modulated by strain, genotype, and age. An aging effect was present in MUT mice, with aged MUT mice of both strains showing prolonged QRS interval and right ventricular (RV) conduction slowing. 129P2-MUT mice were severely affected, with adult and aged 129P2-MUT mice displaying AV and ventricular conduction slowing, prolonged repolarization, and spontaneous arrhythmias. In addition, the 129P2 strain appeared particularly susceptible to age-dependent electrical, functional, and structural alterations including RV conduction slowing, reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, RV dilatation, and myocardial fibrosis as compared to FVB/N mice. Overall, aged 129P2-MUT mice displayed the most severe conduction defects, RV dilatation, and myocardial fibrosis, in addition to the highest frequency of spontaneous arrhythmia and inducible arrhythmias. CONCLUSION Genetic background and age both modulate disease severity in Scn5a1798insD/+ mice and hence may explain, at least in part, the variable disease expressivity observed in patients with SCN5A mutations. Age- and genetic background-dependent development of cardiac structural alterations furthermore impacts arrhythmia risk. Our findings therefore emphasize the importance of continued assessment of cardiac structure and function in patients carrying SCN5A mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard A Marchal
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Heart Failure & Arrhythmias, Meibergdreef 15, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- OptoCARD Lab, Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC-CNR), Florence, Italy
| | - Mathilde R Rivaud
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Heart Failure & Arrhythmias, Meibergdreef 15, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rianne Wolswinkel
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Heart Failure & Arrhythmias, Meibergdreef 15, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina Basso
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Toon A B van Veen
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Connie R Bezzina
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Heart Failure & Arrhythmias, Meibergdreef 15, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Heart Failure & Arrhythmias, Meibergdreef 15, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Tolstik E, Lehnart SE, Soeller C, Lorenz K, Sacconi L. Cardiac multiscale bioimaging: from nano- through micro- to mesoscales. Trends Biotechnol 2024; 42:212-227. [PMID: 37806897 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac multiscale bioimaging is an emerging field that aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the heart and its functions at various levels, from the molecular to the entire organ. It combines both physiologically and clinically relevant dimensions: from nano- and micrometer resolution imaging based on vibrational spectroscopy and high-resolution microscopy to assess molecular processes in cardiac cells and myocardial tissue, to mesoscale structural investigations to improve the understanding of cardiac (patho)physiology. Tailored super-resolution deep microscopy with advanced proteomic methods and hands-on experience are thus strategically combined to improve the quality of cardiovascular research and support future medical decision-making by gaining additional biomolecular information for translational and diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elen Tolstik
- Department of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Translational Research, Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS - e.V. Bunsen-Kirchhoff-Strasse 11, 44139 Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Stephan E Lehnart
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, Cellular Biophysics and Translational Cardiology Section, Heart Research Center Göttingen, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 42a, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells (MBExC2067), University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; Collaborative Research Center SFB1190 Compartmental Gates and Contact Sites in Cells, University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Soeller
- Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bühlplatz 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kristina Lorenz
- Department of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Translational Research, Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS - e.V. Bunsen-Kirchhoff-Strasse 11, 44139 Dortmund, Germany; Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Strasse 9, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Leonardo Sacconi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy; Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Freiburg, Elsässer Strasse 2q, 79110 Freiburg, Germany.
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Ohnemus S, Vierock J, Schneider-Warme F. Optogenetics meets physiology. Pflugers Arch 2023; 475:1369-1373. [PMID: 38047968 PMCID: PMC10730680 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-023-02887-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Ohnemus
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Franziska Schneider-Warme
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Marchal GA, Biasci V, Yan P, Palandri C, Campione M, Cerbai E, Loew LM, Sacconi L. Recent advances and current limitations of available technology to optically manipulate and observe cardiac electrophysiology. Pflugers Arch 2023; 475:1357-1366. [PMID: 37770585 PMCID: PMC10567935 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-023-02858-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics, utilising light-reactive proteins to manipulate tissue activity, are a relatively novel approach in the field of cardiac electrophysiology. We here provide an overview of light-activated transmembrane channels (optogenetic actuators) currently applied in strategies to modulate cardiac activity, as well as newly developed variants yet to be implemented in the heart. In addition, we touch upon genetically encoded indicators (optogenetic sensors) and fluorescent dyes to monitor tissue activity, including cardiac transmembrane potential and ion homeostasis. The combination of the two allows for all-optical approaches to monitor and manipulate the heart without any physical contact. However, spectral congestion poses a major obstacle, arising due to the overlap of excitation/activation and emission spectra of various optogenetic proteins and/or fluorescent dyes, resulting in optical crosstalk. Therefore, optogenetic proteins and fluorescent dyes should be carefully selected to avoid optical crosstalk and consequent disruptions in readouts and/or cellular activity. We here present a novel approach to simultaneously monitor transmembrane potential and cytosolic calcium, while also performing optogenetic manipulation. For this, we used the novel voltage-sensitive dye ElectroFluor 730p and the cytosolic calcium indicator X-Rhod-1 in mouse hearts expressing channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2). By exploiting the isosbestic point of ElectroFluor 730p and avoiding the ChR2 activation spectrum, we here introduce a novel optical imaging and manipulation approach with minimal crosstalk. Future developments in both optogenetic proteins and fluorescent dyes will allow for additional and more optimised strategies, promising a bright future for all-optical approaches in the field of cardiac electrophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valentina Biasci
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy-LENS, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ping Yan
- R. D. Berlin Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Chiara Palandri
- Department NeuroFarBa, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marina Campione
- Institute of Neuroscience (IN-CNR) and Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Cerbai
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy-LENS, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
- Department NeuroFarBa, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Leslie M Loew
- R. D. Berlin Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Leonardo Sacconi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC-CNR), Florence, Italy.
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center and Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Ochs AR, Boyle PM. Optogenetic Modulation of Arrhythmia Triggers: Proof-of-Concept from Computational Modeling. Cell Mol Bioeng 2023; 16:243-259. [PMID: 37810996 PMCID: PMC10550900 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-023-00781-z] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Early afterdepolarizations (EADs) are secondary voltage depolarizations associated with reduced repolarization reserve (RRR) that can trigger lethal arrhythmias. Relating EADs to triggered activity is difficult to study, so the ability to suppress or provoke EADs would be experimentally useful. Here, we use computational simulations to assess the feasibility of subthreshold optogenetic stimulation modulating the propensity for EADs (cell-scale) and EAD-associated ectopic beats (organ-scale). Methods We modified a ventricular ionic model by reducing rapid delayed rectifier potassium (0.25-0.1 × baseline) and increasing L-type calcium (1.0-3.5 × baseline) currents to create RRR conditions with varying severity. We ran simulations in models of single cardiomyocytes and left ventricles from post-myocardial infarction patient MRI scans. Optogenetic stimulation was simulated using either ChR2 (depolarizing) or GtACR1 (repolarizing) opsins. Results In cell-scale simulations without illumination, EADs were seen for 164 of 416 RRR conditions. Subthreshold stimulation of GtACR1 reduced EAD incidence by up to 84.8% (25/416 RRR conditions; 0.1 μW/mm2); in contrast, subthreshold ChR2 excitation increased EAD incidence by up to 136.6% (388/416 RRR conditions; 50 μW/mm2). At the organ scale, we assumed simultaneous, uniform illumination of the epicardial and endocardial surfaces. GtACR1-mediated suppression (10-50 μW/mm2) and ChR2-mediated unmasking (50-100 μW/mm2) of EAD-associated ectopic beats were feasible in three distinct ventricular models. Conclusions Our findings suggest that optogenetics could be used to silence or provoke both EADs and EAD-associated ectopic beats. Validation in animal models could lead to exciting new experimental regimes and potentially to novel anti-arrhythmia treatments. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-023-00781-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R. Ochs
- Department of Bioengineering, UW Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE N107, UW Mailbox 355061, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Patrick M. Boyle
- Department of Bioengineering, UW Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE N107, UW Mailbox 355061, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
- Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
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