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Vanaja IP, Scalco A, Ronfini M, Bona AD, Olianti C, Rizzo S, Chelko SP, Corrado D, Sacconi L, Basso C, Mongillo M, Zaglia T. Cardiac sympathetic neurons are additional cells affected in genetically determined arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. J Physiol 2024. [PMID: 39141822 DOI: 10.1113/jp286845] [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: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is a familial cardiac disease, mainly caused by mutations in desmosomal genes, which accounts for most cases of stress-related arrhythmic sudden death, in young and athletes. AC hearts display fibro-fatty lesions that generate the arrhythmic substrate and cause contractile dysfunction. A correlation between physical/emotional stresses and arrhythmias supports the involvement of sympathetic neurons (SNs) in the disease, but this has not been confirmed previously. Here, we combined molecular, in vitro and ex vivo analyses to determine the role of AC-linked DSG2 downregulation on SN biology and assess cardiac sympathetic innervation in desmoglein-2 mutant (Dsg2mut/mut) mice. Molecular assays showed that SNs express DSG2, implying that DSG2-mutation carriers would harbour the mutant protein in SNs. Confocal immunofluorescence of heart sections and 3-D reconstruction of SN network in clarified heart blocks revealed significant changes in the physiologialc SN topology, with massive hyperinnervation of the intact subepicardial layers and heterogeneous distribution of neurons in fibrotic areas. Cardiac SNs isolated from Dsg2mut/mut neonatal mice, prior to the establishment of cardiac innervation, show alterations in axonal sprouting, process development and distribution of varicosities. Consistently, virus-assisted DSG2 downregulation replicated, in PC12-derived SNs, the phenotypic alterations displayed by Dsg2mut/mut primary neurons, corroborating that AC-linked Dsg2 variants may affect SNs. Our results reveal that altered sympathetic innervation is an unrecognized feature of AC hearts, which may result from the combination of cell-autonomous and context-dependent factors implicated in myocardial remodelling. Our results favour the concept that AC is a disease of multiple cell types also hitting cardiac SNs. KEY POINTS: Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is a genetically determined cardiac disease, which accounts for most cases of stress-related arrhythmic sudden death. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy linked to mutations in desmoglein-2 (DSG2) is frequent and leads to a left-dominant form of the disease. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy has been approached thus far as a disease of cardiomyocytes, but we here unveil that DSG2 is expressed, in addition to cardiomyocytes, by cardiac and extracardiac sympathetic neurons, although not organized into desmosomes. AC-linked DSG2 downregulation primarily affect sympathetic neurons, resulting in the significant increase in cardiac innervation density, accompanied by alterations in sympathetic neuron distribution. Our data supports the notion that AC develops with the contribution of several 'desmosomal protein-carrying' cell types and systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Induja Perumal Vanaja
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Arianna Scalco
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Ronfini
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Anna Di Bona
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Camilla Olianti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council, Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefania Rizzo
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stephen P Chelko
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Leonardo Sacconi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council, Florence, Florence, Italy
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center and Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Cristina Basso
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Mongillo
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Tania Zaglia
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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2
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Risato G, Brañas Casas R, Cason M, Bueno Marinas M, Pinci S, De Gaspari M, Visentin S, Rizzo S, Thiene G, Basso C, Pilichou K, Tiso N, Celeghin R. In Vivo Approaches to Understand Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Perspectives on Animal Models. Cells 2024; 13:1264. [PMID: 39120296 PMCID: PMC11311808 DOI: 10.3390/cells13151264] [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: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is a hereditary cardiac disorder characterized by the gradual replacement of cardiomyocytes with fibrous and adipose tissue, leading to ventricular wall thinning, chamber dilation, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Despite advances in treatment, disease management remains challenging. Animal models, particularly mice and zebrafish, have become invaluable tools for understanding AC's pathophysiology and testing potential therapies. Mice models, although useful for scientific research, cannot fully replicate the complexity of the human AC. However, they have provided valuable insights into gene involvement, signalling pathways, and disease progression. Zebrafish offer a promising alternative to mammalian models, despite the phylogenetic distance, due to their economic and genetic advantages. By combining animal models with in vitro studies, researchers can comprehensively understand AC, paving the way for more effective treatments and interventions for patients and improving their quality of life and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Risato
- Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, I-35128 Padua, Italy; (G.R.); (M.C.); (M.B.M.); (S.P.); (M.D.G.); (S.R.); (G.T.); (C.B.); (K.P.); (R.C.)
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, I-35131 Padua, Italy;
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padua, I-35128 Padua, Italy;
| | | | - Marco Cason
- Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, I-35128 Padua, Italy; (G.R.); (M.C.); (M.B.M.); (S.P.); (M.D.G.); (S.R.); (G.T.); (C.B.); (K.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Maria Bueno Marinas
- Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, I-35128 Padua, Italy; (G.R.); (M.C.); (M.B.M.); (S.P.); (M.D.G.); (S.R.); (G.T.); (C.B.); (K.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Serena Pinci
- Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, I-35128 Padua, Italy; (G.R.); (M.C.); (M.B.M.); (S.P.); (M.D.G.); (S.R.); (G.T.); (C.B.); (K.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Monica De Gaspari
- Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, I-35128 Padua, Italy; (G.R.); (M.C.); (M.B.M.); (S.P.); (M.D.G.); (S.R.); (G.T.); (C.B.); (K.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Silvia Visentin
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padua, I-35128 Padua, Italy;
| | - Stefania Rizzo
- Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, I-35128 Padua, Italy; (G.R.); (M.C.); (M.B.M.); (S.P.); (M.D.G.); (S.R.); (G.T.); (C.B.); (K.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Gaetano Thiene
- Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, I-35128 Padua, Italy; (G.R.); (M.C.); (M.B.M.); (S.P.); (M.D.G.); (S.R.); (G.T.); (C.B.); (K.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Cristina Basso
- Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, I-35128 Padua, Italy; (G.R.); (M.C.); (M.B.M.); (S.P.); (M.D.G.); (S.R.); (G.T.); (C.B.); (K.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Kalliopi Pilichou
- Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, I-35128 Padua, Italy; (G.R.); (M.C.); (M.B.M.); (S.P.); (M.D.G.); (S.R.); (G.T.); (C.B.); (K.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Natascia Tiso
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, I-35131 Padua, Italy;
| | - Rudy Celeghin
- Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, I-35128 Padua, Italy; (G.R.); (M.C.); (M.B.M.); (S.P.); (M.D.G.); (S.R.); (G.T.); (C.B.); (K.P.); (R.C.)
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3
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Vencato S, Romanato C, Rampazzo A, Calore M. Animal Models and Molecular Pathogenesis of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Associated with Pathogenic Variants in Intercalated Disc Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6208. [PMID: 38892395 PMCID: PMC11172742 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a rare genetic cardiac disease characterized by the progressive substitution of myocardium with fibro-fatty tissue. Clinically, ACM shows wide variability among patients; symptoms can include syncope and ventricular tachycardia but also sudden death, with the latter often being its sole manifestation. Approximately half of ACM patients have been found with variations in one or more genes encoding cardiac intercalated discs proteins; the most involved genes are plakophilin 2 (PKP2), desmoglein 2 (DSG2), and desmoplakin (DSP). Cardiac intercalated discs provide mechanical and electro-metabolic coupling among cardiomyocytes. Mechanical communication is guaranteed by the interaction of proteins of desmosomes and adheren junctions in the so-called area composita, whereas electro-metabolic coupling between adjacent cardiac cells depends on gap junctions. Although ACM has been first described almost thirty years ago, the pathogenic mechanism(s) leading to its development are still only partially known. Several studies with different animal models point to the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in combination with the Hippo pathway. Here, we present an overview about the existing murine models of ACM harboring variants in intercalated disc components with a particular focus on the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Prospectively, mechanistic insights into the disease pathogenesis will lead to the development of effective targeted therapies for ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Vencato
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padova, Italy; (S.V.); (C.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Chiara Romanato
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padova, Italy; (S.V.); (C.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Alessandra Rampazzo
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padova, Italy; (S.V.); (C.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Martina Calore
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padova, Italy; (S.V.); (C.R.); (A.R.)
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands
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4
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Selgrade DF, Fullenkamp DE, Chychula IA, Li B, Dellefave-Castillo L, Dubash AD, Ohiri J, Monroe TO, Blancard M, Tomar G, Holgren C, Burridge PW, George AL, Demonbreun AR, Puckelwartz MJ, George SA, Efimov IR, Green KJ, McNally EM. Susceptibility to innate immune activation in genetically mediated myocarditis. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e180254. [PMID: 38768074 PMCID: PMC11213508 DOI: 10.1172/jci180254] [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: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Myocarditis is clinically characterized by chest pain, arrhythmias, and heart failure, and treatment is often supportive. Mutations in DSP, a gene encoding the desmosomal protein desmoplakin, have been increasingly implicated in myocarditis. To model DSP-associated myocarditis and assess the role of innate immunity, we generated engineered heart tissues (EHTs) using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) from patients with heterozygous DSP truncating variants (DSPtvs) and a gene-edited homozygous deletion cell line (DSP-/-). At baseline, DSP-/- EHTs displayed a transcriptomic signature of innate immune activation, which was mirrored by cytokine release. Importantly, DSP-/- EHTs were hypersensitive to Toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation, demonstrating more contractile dysfunction compared with isogenic controls. Relative to DSP-/- EHTs, heterozygous DSPtv EHTs had less functional impairment. DSPtv EHTs displayed heightened sensitivity to TLR stimulation, and when subjected to strain, DSPtv EHTs developed functional deficits, indicating reduced contractile reserve compared with healthy controls. Colchicine or NF-κB inhibitors improved strain-induced force deficits in DSPtv EHTs. Genomic correction of DSP p.R1951X using adenine base editing reduced inflammatory biomarker release from EHTs. Thus, EHTs replicate electrical and contractile phenotypes seen in human myocarditis, implicating cytokine release as a key part of the myogenic susceptibility to inflammation. The heightened innate immune activation and sensitivity are targets for clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dominic E. Fullenkamp
- Center for Genetic Medicine and
- Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Binjie Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lisa Dellefave-Castillo
- Center for Genetic Medicine and
- Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Adi D. Dubash
- Department of Biology, Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Pathology
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sharon A. George
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Igor R. Efimov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kathleen J. Green
- Department of Pathology
- Department of Dermatology, and
- R.H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. McNally
- Center for Genetic Medicine and
- Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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5
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Engel M, Shiel EA, Chelko SP. Basic and translational mechanisms in inflammatory arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Int J Cardiol 2024; 397:131602. [PMID: 37979796 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a familial, nonischemic heart disease typically inherited via an autosomal dominant pattern (Nava et al., [1]; Wlodarska et al., [2]). Often affecting the young and athletes, early diagnosis of ACM can be complicated as incomplete penetrance with variable expressivity are common characteristics (Wlodarska et al., [2]; Corrado et al., [3]). That said, of the five desmosomal genes implicated in ACM, pathogenic variants in desmocollin-2 (DSC2) and desmoglein-2 (DSG2) have been discovered in both an autosomal-recessive and autosomal-dominant pattern (Wong et al., [4]; Qadri et al., [5]; Chen et al., [6]). Originally known as arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD), due to its RV prevalence and manifesting in the young, the disease was first described in 1736 by Giovanni Maria Lancisi in his book "De Motu Cordis et Aneurysmatibus" (Lancisi [7]). However, the first comprehensive clinical description and recognition of this dreadful disease was by Guy Fontaine and Frank Marcus in 1982 (Marcus et al., [8]). These two esteemed pathologists evaluated twenty-two (n = 22/24) young adult patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) and RV dysplasia (Marcus et al., [8]). Initially, ARVD was thought to be the result of partial or complete congenital absence of ventricular myocardium during embryonic development (Nava et al., [9]). However, further research into the clinical and pathological manifestations revealed acquired progressive fibrofatty replacement of the myocardium (McKenna et al., [10]); and, in 1995, ARVD was classified as a primary cardiomyopathy by the World Health Organization (Richardson et al., [11]). Thus, now classifying ACM as a cardiomyopathy (i.e., ARVC) rather than a dysplasia (i.e., ARVD). Even more recently, ARVC has shifted from its recognition as a primarily RV disease (i.e., ARVC) to include left-dominant (i.e., ALVC) and biventricular subtypes (i.e., ACM) as well (Saguner et al., [12]), prompting the use of the more general term arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). This review aims to discuss pathogenesis, clinical and pathological phenotypes, basic and translational research on the role of inflammation, and clinical trials aimed to prevent disease onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Engel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, United States of America; Department of Medicine, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL, United States of America
| | - Emily A Shiel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, United States of America
| | - Stephen P Chelko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, United States of America; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America.
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6
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Romov IM, Nowzari RA, Page CP, Benes MR, Borzok MA, Wright NT. Prevention of Protease-Induced Degradation of Desmoplakin via Small Molecule Binding. J Pers Med 2024; 14:163. [PMID: 38392596 PMCID: PMC10890502 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14020163] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Desmoplakin (DSP) is a large (~260 kDa) protein found in the desmosome, the subcellular structure that links the intermediate filament network of one cell to its neighbor. A mutation "hot-spot" within the NH2-terminal of the DSP protein (residues 299-515) is associated with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. In a subset of DSP variants, disease is linked to calpain hypersensitivity. Previous studies show that calpain hypersensitivity can be corrected in vitro through the addition of a bulky residue neighboring the cleavage site, suggesting that physically blocking calpain accessibility is a viable strategy to restore DSP levels. Here, we aim to find drug-like molecules that also block calpain-dependent degradation of DSP. To do this, we screened ~2500 small molecules to identify compounds that specifically rescue DSP protein levels in the presence of proteases. We find that several molecules, including sodium dodecyl sulfate, palmitoylethanolamide, GW0742, salirasib, eprosarten mesylate, and GSK1838705A prevent wildtype and disease-variant-carrying DSP protein degradation in the presence of both trypsin and calpain without altering protease function. Computational screenings did not predict which molecules would protect DSP, likely due to a lack of specific DSP-drug interactions. Molecular dynamic simulations of DSP-drug complexes suggest that some long hydrophobic molecules can bind in a shallow hydrophobic groove that runs alongside the protease cleavage site. Identification of these compounds lays the groundwork for pharmacological treatment for individuals harboring these hypersensitive DSP variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel M Romov
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA
| | - Roujon A Nowzari
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA
| | - Clay P Page
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA
| | - Madeleine R Benes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA
| | - Maegen A Borzok
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, Engineering and Physics, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Mansfield, PA 16933, USA
| | - Nathan T Wright
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA
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7
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Celeghin R, Risato G, Beffagna G, Cason M, Bueno Marinas M, Della Barbera M, Facchinello N, Giuliodori A, Brañas Casas R, Caichiolo M, Vettori A, Grisan E, Rizzo S, Dalla Valle L, Argenton F, Thiene G, Tiso N, Pilichou K, Basso C. A novel DSP zebrafish model reveals training- and drug-induced modulation of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy phenotypes. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:441. [PMID: 38057295 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01741-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is an inherited disorder characterized by progressive loss of the ventricular myocardium causing life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, syncope and sudden cardiac death in young and athletes. About 40% of AC cases carry one or more mutations in genes encoding for desmosomal proteins, including Desmoplakin (Dsp). We present here the first stable Dsp knock-out (KO) zebrafish line able to model cardiac alterations and cell signalling dysregulation, characteristic of the AC disease, on which environmental factors and candidate drugs can be tested. Our stable Dsp knock-out (KO) zebrafish line was characterized by cardiac alterations, oedema and bradycardia at larval stages. Histological analysis of mutated adult hearts showed reduced contractile structures and abnormal shape of the ventricle, with thinning of the myocardial layer, vessels dilation and presence of adipocytes within the myocardium. Moreover, TEM analysis revealed "pale", disorganized and delocalized desmosomes. Intensive physical training protocol caused a global worsening of the cardiac phenotype, accelerating the progression of the disease. Of note, we detected a decrease of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, recently associated with AC pathogenesis, as well as Hippo/YAP-TAZ and TGF-β pathway dysregulation. Pharmacological treatment of mutated larvae with SB216763, a Wnt/β-catenin agonist, rescued pathway expression and cardiac abnormalities, stabilizing the heart rhythm. Overall, our Dsp KO zebrafish line recapitulates many AC features observed in human patients, pointing at zebrafish as a suitable system for in vivo analysis of environmental modulators, such as the physical exercise, and the screening of pathway-targeted drugs, especially related to the Wnt/β-catenin signalling cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudy Celeghin
- Department of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, 35128, Italy
| | - Giovanni Risato
- Department of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, 35128, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Giorgia Beffagna
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, 35131, Italy.
| | - Marco Cason
- Department of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, 35128, Italy
| | - Maria Bueno Marinas
- Department of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, 35128, Italy
| | - Mila Della Barbera
- Department of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, 35128, Italy
| | - Nicola Facchinello
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Alice Giuliodori
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | | | - Micol Caichiolo
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Andrea Vettori
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, 37134, Italy
| | - Enrico Grisan
- School of Engineering, London South Bank University, London, SE1 0AA, UK
| | - Stefania Rizzo
- Department of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, 35128, Italy
| | | | | | - Gaetano Thiene
- Department of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, 35128, Italy
| | - Natascia Tiso
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, 35131, Italy.
| | - Kalliopi Pilichou
- Department of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, 35128, Italy
| | - Cristina Basso
- Department of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, 35128, Italy.
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8
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Ng R, Gokhan I, Stankey P, Akar FG, Campbell SG. Chronic diastolic stretch unmasks conduction defects in an in vitro model of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 325:H1373-H1385. [PMID: 37830983 PMCID: PMC10977872 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00709.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
We seek to elucidate the precise nature of mechanical loading that precipitates conduction deficits in a concealed-phase model of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). ACM is a progressive disorder often resulting from mutations in desmosomal proteins. Exercise has been shown to worsen disease progression and unmask arrhythmia vulnerability, yet the underlying pathomechanisms may depend on the type and intensity of exercise. Because exercise causes myriad changes to multiple inter-dependent hemodynamic parameters, it is difficult to isolate its effects to specific changes in mechanical load. Here, we use engineered heart tissues (EHTs) with iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes expressing R451G desmoplakin, an ACM-linked mutation, which results in a functionally null model of desmoplakin (DSP). We also use a novel bioreactor to independently perturb tissue strain at different time points during the cardiac cycle. We culture EHTs under three strain regimes: normal physiological shortening; increased diastolic stretch, simulating high preload; and isometric culture, simulating high afterload. DSPR451G EHTs that have been cultured isometrically undergo adaptation, with no change in action potential parameters, conduction velocity, or contractile function, a phenotype confirmed by global proteomic analysis. However, when DSPR451G EHTs are subjected to increased diastolic stretch, they exhibit concomitant reductions in conduction velocity and the expression of connexin-43. These effects are rescued by inhibition of both lysosome activity and ERK signaling. Our results indicate that the response of DSPR451G EHTs to mechanical stimuli depends on the strain and the timing of the applied stimulus, with increased diastolic stretch unmasking conduction deficits in a concealed-phase model of ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Ng
- Yale University, New Haven, United States
| | | | | | - Fadi G Akar
- Cardiovascular Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Stuart G Campbell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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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: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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.
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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
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Reisqs JB, Moreau A, Sleiman Y, Boutjdir M, Richard S, Chevalier P. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy as a myogenic disease: highlights from cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1191965. [PMID: 37250123 PMCID: PMC10210147 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1191965] [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: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiomyopathy characterized by the replacement of myocardium by fibro-fatty infiltration and cardiomyocyte loss. ACM predisposes to a high risk for ventricular arrhythmias. ACM has initially been defined as a desmosomal disease because most of the known variants causing the disease concern genes encoding desmosomal proteins. Studying this pathology is complex, in particular because human samples are rare and, when available, reflect the most advanced stages of the disease. Usual cellular and animal models cannot reproduce all the hallmarks of human pathology. In the last decade, human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) have been proposed as an innovative human cellular model. The differentiation of hiPSCs into cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) is now well-controlled and widely used in many laboratories. This hiPSC-CM model recapitulates critical features of the pathology and enables a cardiomyocyte-centered comprehensive approach to the disease and the screening of anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD) prescribed sometimes empirically to the patient. In this regard, this model provides unique opportunities to explore and develop new therapeutic approaches. The use of hiPSC-CMs will undoubtedly help the development of precision medicine to better cure patients suffering from ACM. This review aims to summarize the recent advances allowing the use of hiPSCs in the ACM context.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. B. Reisqs
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | - A. Moreau
- Université de Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, PhyMedExp, Montpellier, France
| | - Y. Sleiman
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | - M. Boutjdir
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, Cell Biology and Pharmacology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, NY, United States
| | - S. Richard
- Université de Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, PhyMedExp, Montpellier, France
| | - P. Chevalier
- Neuromyogene Institute, Claude Bernard University, Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- Service de Rythmologie, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
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Kawaguchi N, Nakanishi T. Animal Disease Models and Patient-iPS-Cell-Derived In Vitro Disease Models for Cardiovascular Biology-How Close to Disease? BIOLOGY 2023; 12:468. [PMID: 36979160 PMCID: PMC10045735 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
Currently, zebrafish, rodents, canines, and pigs are the primary disease models used in cardiovascular research. In general, larger animals have more physiological similarities to humans, making better disease models. However, they can have restricted or limited use because they are difficult to handle and maintain. Moreover, animal welfare laws regulate the use of experimental animals. Different species have different mechanisms of disease onset. Organs in each animal species have different characteristics depending on their evolutionary history and living environment. For example, mice have higher heart rates than humans. Nonetheless, preclinical studies have used animals to evaluate the safety and efficacy of human drugs because no other complementary method exists. Hence, we need to evaluate the similarities and differences in disease mechanisms between humans and experimental animals. The translation of animal data to humans contributes to eliminating the gap between these two. In vitro disease models have been used as another alternative for human disease models since the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Human cardiomyocytes have been generated from patient-derived iPSCs, which are genetically identical to the derived patients. Researchers have attempted to develop in vivo mimicking 3D culture systems. In this review, we explore the possible uses of animal disease models, iPSC-derived in vitro disease models, humanized animals, and the recent challenges of machine learning. The combination of these methods will make disease models more similar to human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanako Kawaguchi
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Cardiology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan;
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