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Verma SK, Nandi A, Sinha A, Patel P, Mohanty S, Jha E, Jena S, Kumari P, Ghosh A, Jerman I, Chouhan RS, Dutt A, Samal SK, Mishra YK, Varma RS, Panda PK, Kaushik NK, Singh D, Suar M. The posterity of Zebrafish in paradigm of in vivo molecular toxicological profiling. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116160. [PMID: 38237351 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116160] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The aggrandised advancement in utility of advanced day-to-day materials and nanomaterials has raised serious concern on their biocompatibility with human and other biotic members. In last few decades, understanding of toxicity of these materials has been given the centre stage of research using many in vitro and in vivo models. Zebrafish (Danio rerio), a freshwater fish and a member of the minnow family has garnered much attention due to its distinct features, which make it an important and frequently used animal model in various fields of embryology and toxicological studies. Given that fertilization and development of zebrafish eggs take place externally, they serve as an excellent model organism for studying early developmental stages. Moreover, zebrafish possess a comparable genetic composition to humans and share almost 70% of their genes with mammals. This particular model organism has become increasingly popular, especially for developmental research. Moreover, it serves as a link between in vitro studies and in vivo analysis in mammals. It is an appealing choice for vertebrate research, when employing high-throughput methods, due to their small size, swift development, and relatively affordable laboratory setup. This small vertebrate has enhanced comprehension of pathobiology and drug toxicity. This review emphasizes on the recent developments in toxicity screening and assays, and the new insights gained about the toxicity of drugs through these assays. Specifically, the cardio, neural, and, hepatic toxicology studies inferred by applications of nanoparticles have been highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh K Verma
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India.
| | - Aditya Nandi
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Adrija Sinha
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Paritosh Patel
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India; Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Ealisha Jha
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Snehasmita Jena
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Puja Kumari
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno 61137, Czech Republic
| | - Aishee Ghosh
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Ivan Jerman
- National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Raghuraj Singh Chouhan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ateet Dutt
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, UNAM, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Shailesh Kumar Samal
- Unit of Immunology and Chronic Disease, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yogendra Kumar Mishra
- Mads Clausen Institute, NanoSYD, University of Southern Denmark, Alsion 2, Sønderborg DK-6400, Denmark
| | - Rajender S Varma
- Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation (CxI), Technical University of Liberec (TUL), Studentská 1402/2, Liberec 1 461 17, Czech Republic
| | - Pritam Kumar Panda
- Condensed Matter Theory Group, Materials Theory Division, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nagendra Kumar Kaushik
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Deobrat Singh
- Condensed Matter Theory Group, Materials Theory Division, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Mrutyunjay Suar
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India.
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Marcoux E, Sosnowski D, Ninni S, Mackasey M, Cadrin-Tourigny J, Roberts JD, Olesen MS, Fatkin D, Nattel S. Genetic Atrial Cardiomyopathies: Common Features, Specific Differences, and Broader Relevance to Understanding Atrial Cardiomyopathy. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2023; 16:675-698. [PMID: 38018478 DOI: 10.1161/circep.123.003750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Atrial cardiomyopathy is a condition that causes electrical and contractile dysfunction of the atria, often along with structural and functional changes. Atrial cardiomyopathy most commonly occurs in conjunction with ventricular dysfunction, in which case it is difficult to discern the atrial features that are secondary to ventricular dysfunction from those that arise as a result of primary atrial abnormalities. Isolated atrial cardiomyopathy (atrial-selective cardiomyopathy [ASCM], with minimal or no ventricular function disturbance) is relatively uncommon and has most frequently been reported in association with deleterious rare genetic variants. The genes involved can affect proteins responsible for various biological functions, not necessarily limited to the heart but also involving extracardiac tissues. Atrial enlargement and atrial fibrillation are common complications of ASCM and are often the predominant clinical features. Despite progress in identifying disease-causing rare variants, an overarching understanding and approach to the molecular pathogenesis, phenotypic spectrum, and treatment of genetic ASCM is still lacking. In this review, we aim to analyze the literature relevant to genetic ASCM to understand the key features of this rather rare condition, as well as to identify distinct characteristics of ASCM and its arrhythmic complications that are related to specific genotypes. We outline the insights that have been gained using basic research models of genetic ASCM in vitro and in vivo and correlate these with patient outcomes. Finally, we provide suggestions for the future investigation of patients with genetic ASCM and improvements to basic scientific models and systems. Overall, a better understanding of the genetic underpinnings of ASCM will not only provide a better understanding of this condition but also promises to clarify our appreciation of the more commonly occurring forms of atrial cardiomyopathy associated with ventricular dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edouard Marcoux
- Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal. (E.M., D.S., S. Ninni, M.M., S. Nattel)
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal. (E.M.)
| | - Deanna Sosnowski
- Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal. (E.M., D.S., S. Ninni, M.M., S. Nattel)
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada (D.S., M.M., S. Nattel)
| | - Sandro Ninni
- Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal. (E.M., D.S., S. Ninni, M.M., S. Nattel)
- Université de Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, France (S. Ninni)
| | - Martin Mackasey
- Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal. (E.M., D.S., S. Ninni, M.M., S. Nattel)
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada (D.S., M.M., S. Nattel)
| | - Julia Cadrin-Tourigny
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal. (J.C.-T.)
| | - Jason D Roberts
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, Canada (J.D.R.)
| | - Morten Salling Olesen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (M.S.O.)
| | - Diane Fatkin
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst (D.F.)
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington (D.F.)
- Department of Cardiology, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia (D.F.)
| | - Stanley Nattel
- Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal. (E.M., D.S., S. Ninni, M.M., S. Nattel)
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal. (S. Nattel.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada (D.S., M.M., S. Nattel)
- Institute of Pharmacology. West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany (S. Nattel)
- IHU LYRIC & Fondation Bordeaux Université de Bordeaux, France (S. Nattel)
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3
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Wan X, Wang H, Qian Q, Yan J. MiR-133b as a crucial regulator of TCS-induced cardiotoxicity via activating β-adrenergic receptor signaling pathway in zebrafish embryos. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 334:122199. [PMID: 37467918 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
As a commonly used antibacterial agent in daily consumer products, triclosan (TCS) has attracted significant attention due to its potential environmental risks. In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of TCS exposure (1.4 μM) on heart development in zebrafish embryos. Our findings revealed that TCS exposure caused significant cardiac dysfunction, characterized by pericardial edema, malformations in the heart structure, and a slow heart rate. Additionally, TCS exposure induced oxidative damage and abnormal apoptosis in heart cells through the up-regulation of β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling pathway genes (adrb1, adrb2a, arrb2b), similar to the effects induced by β-AR agonists. Notably, the adverse effects of TCS exposure were alleviated by β-AR antagonists. Using high-throughput transcriptome miRNA sequencing and targeted miRNA screening, we focused on miR-133b, which targets adrb1 and was down-regulated by TCS exposure, as a potential contributor to TCS-induced cardiotoxicity. Inhibition of miR-133b produced similar toxic effects as TCS exposure, while overexpression of miR-133b down-regulated the β-AR signaling pathway and rescued heart defects caused by TCS. In summary, our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the cardiotoxic effects of TCS. We suggest that targeting the β-AR pathway and miR-133b may be effective strategies for pharmacotherapy in cardiotoxicity induced by environmental pollutants such as TCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiancheng Wan
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
| | - Huili Wang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
| | - Qiuhui Qian
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
| | - Jin Yan
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China.
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Sree Kumar H, Wisner AS, Refsnider JM, Martyniuk CJ, Zubcevic J. Small fish, big discoveries: zebrafish shed light on microbial biomarkers for neuro-immune-cardiovascular health. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1186645. [PMID: 37324381 PMCID: PMC10267477 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1186645] [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: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as a powerful model to study the gut microbiome in the context of human conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and immune dysfunction. Here, we highlight zebrafish as a tool to bridge the gap in knowledge in linking the gut microbiome and physiological homeostasis of cardiovascular, neural, and immune systems, both independently and as an integrated axis. Drawing on zebrafish studies to date, we discuss challenges in microbiota transplant techniques and gnotobiotic husbandry practices. We present advantages and current limitations in zebrafish microbiome research and discuss the use of zebrafish in identification of microbial enterotypes in health and disease. We also highlight the versatility of zebrafish studies to further explore the function of human conditions relevant to gut dysbiosis and reveal novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemaa Sree Kumar
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurological Disorders, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Alexander S. Wisner
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
- Center for Drug Design and Development, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Jeanine M. Refsnider
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Christopher J. Martyniuk
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, OH, United States
| | - Jasenka Zubcevic
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
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5
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Yang X, Wang C, Zheng Q, Liu Q, Wawryk NJP, Li XF. Emerging Disinfection Byproduct 2,6-Dichlorobenzoquinone-Induced Cardiovascular Developmental Toxicity of Embryonic Zebrafish and Larvae: Imaging and Transcriptome Analysis. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:45642-45653. [PMID: 36530307 PMCID: PMC9753109 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have observed the potential association of water disinfection byproduct (DBP) exposure with cardiac defects. Aromatic DBPs represent a significant portion of total DBPs, but their effects on cardiovascular development are unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of an aromatic DBP, 2,6-dichlorobenzoquinone (DCBQ), on the cardiovascular development of zebrafish embryos. After exposure to 2, 4, and 8 μM DCBQ, morphological images of growing zebrafish embryos clearly showed cardiovascular malformation. Fluorescent images of transgenic zebrafish strains with fluorescently labeled heart and blood vessels show that DCBQ exposure resulted in deformed atrium-ventricle looping, degenerated abdomen and trunk vessels, pericardial edema, and decreased blood flow. Furthermore, the expression of the marker gene myl7 (essential for the differentiation and motility of cardiomyocytes) was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by DCBQ exposure. Finally, transcriptome analysis found that in the 4 μM DCBQ exposure group, the numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were 113 (50 upregulated and 63 downregulated) at 24 hpf, 2123 (762 upregulated and 1361 downregulated) at 48 hpf, and 61 (11 upregulated and 50 downregulated) at 120 hpf; in the 8 μM DCBQ exposure group, the number of DEGs was 1407 (647 upregulated and 760 downregulated) at 120 hpf. The FoxO signaling pathway was significantly altered. The in vivo results demonstrate the effects of 2,6-DCBQ (0-8 μM) on cardiovascular development, contributing to the understanding of the developmental toxicity of aromatic DBP halobenzoquinones (HBQs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yang
- Hubei
Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic
Substances, School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Chang Wang
- Hubei
Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic
Substances, School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
- Division
of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory
Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Qi Zheng
- Hubei
Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic
Substances, School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Qiongyu Liu
- Hubei
Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic
Substances, School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Nicholas J. P. Wawryk
- Division
of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory
Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Xing-Fang Li
- Division
of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory
Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada
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6
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Machikhin A, Guryleva A, Selyukov A, Burlakov A, Bukova V, Khokhlov D, Efremova E, Rudenko E. Spatio-temporal segmentation of image sequences for non-invasive analysis of cardiovascular structure and function in Whitefish embryos. Micron 2022; 163:103360. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2022.103360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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7
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Da’as SI, Hasan W, Salem R, Younes N, Abdelrahman D, Mohamed IA, Aldaalis A, Temanni R, Mathew LS, Lorenz S, Yacoub M, Nomikos M, Nasrallah GK, Fakhro KA. Transcriptome Profile Identifies Actin as an Essential Regulator of Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein C3 Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in a Zebrafish Model. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168840. [PMID: 36012114 PMCID: PMC9408294 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Variants in cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C) are the leading cause of inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), demonstrating the key role that cMyBP-C plays in the heart’s contractile machinery. To investigate the c-MYBPC3 HCM-related cardiac impairment, we generated a zebrafish mypbc3-knockout model. These knockout zebrafish displayed significant morphological heart alterations related to a significant decrease in ventricular and atrial diameters at systolic and diastolic states at the larval stages. Immunofluorescence staining revealed significant hyperplasia in the mutant’s total cardiac and ventricular cardiomyocytes. Although cardiac contractility was similar to the wild-type control, the ejection fraction was significantly increased in the mypbc3 mutants. At later stages of larval development, the mutants demonstrated an early cardiac phenotype of myocardium remodeling, concurrent cardiomyocyte hyperplasia, and increased ejection fraction as critical processes in HCM initiation to counteract the increased ventricular myocardial wall stress. The examination of zebrafish adults showed a thickened ventricular cardiac wall with reduced heart rate, swimming speed, and endurance ability in both the mypbc3 heterozygous and homozygous groups. Furthermore, heart transcriptome profiling showed a significant downregulation of the actin-filament-based process, indicating an impaired actin cytoskeleton organization as the main dysregulating factor associated with the early ventricular cardiac hypertrophy in the zebrafish mypbc3 HCM model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Isa Da’as
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
- Correspondence:
| | - Waseem Hasan
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar
| | - Rola Salem
- Health Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Nadine Younes
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Doua Abdelrahman
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar
| | - Iman A. Mohamed
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne 3168, Australia
| | - Arwa Aldaalis
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Ramzi Temanni
- Integrated Genomics Services, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar
| | - Lisa Sara Mathew
- Integrated Genomics Services, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar
| | - Stephan Lorenz
- Integrated Genomics Services, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar
| | | | - Michail Nomikos
- College of Medicine, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Gheyath K. Nasrallah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Khalid A. Fakhro
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha P.O. Box 24811, Qatar
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8
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Cardiotoxicity of Zebrafish Induced by 6-Benzylaminopurine Exposure and Its Mechanism. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158438. [PMID: 35955574 PMCID: PMC9369308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
6-BA is a common plant growth regulator, but its safety has not been conclusive. The heart is one of the most important organs of living organisms, and the cardiogenesis process of zebrafish is similar to that of humans. Therefore, based on wild-type and transgenic zebrafish, we explored the development of zebrafish heart under 6-BA exposure and its mechanism. We found that 6-BA affected larval cardiogenesis, inducing defective expression of key genes for cardiac development (myl7, vmhc, and myh6) and AVC differentiation (bmp4, tbx2b, and notch1b), ultimately leading to weakened cardiac function (heart rate, diastolic speed, systolic speed). Acridine orange staining showed that the degree of apoptosis in zebrafish hearts was significantly increased under 6-BA, and the expression of cell-cycle-related genes was also changed. In addition, HPA axis assays revealed abnormally expressed mRNA levels of genes and significantly increased cortisol contents, which was also consistent with the observed anxiety behavior in zebrafish at 3 dpf. Transcriptional abnormalities of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors in immune signaling pathways were also detected in qPCR experiments. Collectively, we found that 6-BA induced cardiotoxicity in zebrafish, which may be related to altered HPA axis activity and the onset of inflammatory responses under 6-BA treatment.
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9
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Zebrafish as a Model to Study Vascular Elastic Fibers and Associated Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042102. [PMID: 35216218 PMCID: PMC8875079 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Many extensible tissues such as skin, lungs, and blood vessels require elasticity to function properly. The recoil of elastic energy stored during a stretching phase is provided by elastic fibers, which are mostly composed of elastin and fibrillin-rich microfibrils. In arteries, the lack of elastic fibers leads to a weakening of the vessel wall with an increased risk to develop cardiovascular defects such as stenosis, aneurysms, and dissections. The development of new therapeutic molecules involves preliminary tests in animal models that recapitulate the disease and whose response to drugs should be as close as possible to that of humans. Due to its superior in vivo imaging possibilities and the broad tool kit for forward and reverse genetics, the zebrafish has become an important model organism to study human pathologies. Moreover, it is particularly adapted to large scale studies, making it an attractive model in particular for the first steps of investigations. In this review, we discuss the relevance of the zebrafish model for the study of elastic fiber-related vascular pathologies. We evidence zebrafish as a compelling alternative to conventional mouse models.
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10
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Kamel SM, van Opbergen CJM, Koopman CD, Verkerk AO, Boukens BJD, de Jonge B, Onderwater YL, van Alebeek E, Chocron S, Polidoro Pontalti C, Weuring WJ, Vos MA, de Boer TP, van Veen TAB, Bakkers J. Istaroxime treatment ameliorates calcium dysregulation in a zebrafish model of phospholamban R14del cardiomyopathy. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7151. [PMID: 34887420 PMCID: PMC8660846 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27461-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterozygous Phospholamban p.Arg14del mutation is found in patients with dilated or arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. This mutation triggers cardiac contractile dysfunction and arrhythmogenesis by affecting intracellular Ca2+ dynamics. Little is known about the physiological processes preceding induced cardiomyopathy, which is characterized by sub-epicardial accumulation of fibrofatty tissue, and a specific drug treatment is currently lacking. Here, we address these issues using a knock-in Phospholamban p.Arg14del zebrafish model. Hearts from adult zebrafish with this mutation display age-related remodeling with sub-epicardial inflammation and fibrosis. Echocardiography reveals contractile variations before overt structural changes occur, which correlates at the cellular level with action potential duration alternans. These functional alterations are preceded by diminished Ca2+ transient amplitudes in embryonic hearts as well as an increase in diastolic Ca2+ level, slower Ca2+ transient decay and longer Ca2+ transients in cells of adult hearts. We find that istaroxime treatment ameliorates the in vivo Ca2+ dysregulation, rescues the cellular action potential duration alternans, while it improves cardiac relaxation. Thus, we present insight into the pathophysiology of Phospholamban p.Arg14del cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Kamel
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - C J M van Opbergen
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Yalelaan 50, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - C D Koopman
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Yalelaan 50, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A O Verkerk
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B J D Boukens
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B de Jonge
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Y L Onderwater
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - E van Alebeek
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - S Chocron
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - C Polidoro Pontalti
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Yalelaan 50, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - W J Weuring
- Department of Genetics, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M A Vos
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Yalelaan 50, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - T P de Boer
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Yalelaan 50, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - T A B van Veen
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Yalelaan 50, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - J Bakkers
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Yalelaan 50, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Division of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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11
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Abu Nahia K, Migdał M, Quinn TA, Poon KL, Łapiński M, Sulej A, Liu J, Mondal SS, Pawlak M, Bugajski Ł, Piwocka K, Brand T, Kohl P, Korzh V, Winata C. Genomic and physiological analyses of the zebrafish atrioventricular canal reveal molecular building blocks of the secondary pacemaker region. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6669-6687. [PMID: 34557935 PMCID: PMC8558220 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03939-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The atrioventricular canal (AVC) is the site where key structures responsible for functional division between heart regions are established, most importantly, the atrioventricular (AV) conduction system and cardiac valves. To elucidate the mechanism underlying AVC development and function, we utilized transgenic zebrafish line sqet31Et expressing EGFP in the AVC to isolate this cell population and profile its transcriptome at 48 and 72 hpf. The zebrafish AVC transcriptome exhibits hallmarks of mammalian AV node, including the expression of genes implicated in its development and those encoding connexins forming low conductance gap junctions. Transcriptome analysis uncovered protein-coding and noncoding transcripts enriched in AVC, which have not been previously associated with this structure, as well as dynamic expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers and components of TGF-β, Notch, and Wnt signaling pathways likely reflecting ongoing AVC and valve development. Using transgenic line Tg(myl7:mermaid) encoding voltage-sensitive fluorescent protein, we show that abolishing the pacemaker-containing sinoatrial ring (SAR) through Isl1 loss of function resulted in spontaneous activation in the AVC region, suggesting that it possesses inherent automaticity although insufficient to replace the SAR. The SAR and AVC transcriptomes express partially overlapping species of ion channels and gap junction proteins, reflecting their distinct roles. Besides identifying conserved aspects between zebrafish and mammalian conduction systems, our results established molecular hallmarks of the developing AVC which underlies its role in structural and electrophysiological separation between heart chambers. This data constitutes a valuable resource for studying AVC development and function, and identification of novel candidate genes implicated in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Abu Nahia
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Migdał
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - T Alexander Quinn
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Kar-Lai Poon
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 61 Biopolis Dr, Singapore , Singapore.,Developmental Dynamics, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Maciej Łapiński
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Sulej
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jiandong Liu
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Shamba S Mondal
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Pawlak
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Thomas Brand
- Developmental Dynamics, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Peter Kohl
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Centre, Faculty of Medicine, and Faculty of Engineering, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Vladimir Korzh
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Cecilia Winata
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
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12
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Saputra F, Lai YH, Fernandez RAT, Macabeo APG, Lai HT, Huang JC, Hsiao CD. Acute and Sub-Chronic Exposure to Artificial Sweeteners at the Highest Environmentally Relevant Concentration Induce Less Cardiovascular Physiology Alterations in Zebrafish Larvae. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:548. [PMID: 34207293 PMCID: PMC8233861 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Artificial sweeteners are widely used food ingredients in beverages and drinks to lower calorie intake which in turn helps prevent lifestyle diseases such as obesity. However, as their popularity has increased, the release of artificial sweetener to the aquatic environment has also increased at a tremendous rate. Thus, our study aims to systematically explore the potential cardiovascular physiology alterations caused by eight commercial artificial sweeteners, including acesulfame-K, alitame, aspartame, sodium cyclamate, dulcin, neotame, saccharine and sucralose, at the highest environmentally relevant concentration on cardiovascular performance using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model system. Embryonic zebrafish were exposed to the eight artificial sweeteners at 100 ppb and their cardiovascular performance (heart rate, ejection fraction, fractional shortening, stroke volume, cardiac output, heartbeat variability, and blood flow velocity) was measured and compared. Overall, our finding supports the safety of artificial sweetener exposure. However, several finding like a significant increase in the heart rate and heart rate variability after incubation in several artificial sweeteners are noteworthy. Biomarker testing also revealed that saccharine significantly increase the dopamine level in zebrafish larvae, which is might be the reason for the cardiac physiology changes observed after saccharine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferry Saputra
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Heng Lai
- Department of Chemistry, Chinese Culture University, Taipei 11114, Taiwan;
| | - Rey Arturo T. Fernandez
- Laboratory for Organic Reactivity, Discovery and Synthesis (LORDS), Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Espana St., Manila 1015, Philippines; (R.A.T.F.); (A.P.G.M.)
| | - Allan Patrick G. Macabeo
- Laboratory for Organic Reactivity, Discovery and Synthesis (LORDS), Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Espana St., Manila 1015, Philippines; (R.A.T.F.); (A.P.G.M.)
| | - Hong-Thih Lai
- Department of Aquatic Biosciences, National Chiayi University, Chiayi 600355, Taiwan
| | - Jong-Chin Huang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Pingtung University, Pingtung 90003, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Der Hsiao
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan;
- Center for Nanotechnology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
- Research Center for Aquatic Toxicology and Pharmacology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
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13
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Da Silveira Cavalcante L, Tessier SN. Zebrafish as a New Tool in Heart Preservation Research. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:39. [PMID: 33917701 PMCID: PMC8068018 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8040039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart transplantation became a reality at the end of the 1960s as a life-saving option for patients with end-stage heart failure. Static cold storage (SCS) at 4-6 °C has remained the standard for heart preservation for decades. However, SCS only allows for short-term storage that precludes optimal matching programs, requires emergency surgeries, and results in the unnecessary discard of organs. Among the alternatives seeking to extend ex vivo lifespan and mitigate the shortage of organs are sub-zero or machine perfusion modalities. Sub-zero approaches aim to prolong cold ischemia tolerance by deepening metabolic stasis, while machine perfusion aims to support metabolism through the continuous delivery of oxygen and nutrients. Each of these approaches hold promise; however, complex barriers must be overcome before their potential can be fully realized. We suggest that one barrier facing all experimental efforts to extend ex vivo lifespan are limited research tools. Mammalian models are usually the first choice due to translational aspects, yet experimentation can be restricted by expertise, time, and resources. Instead, there are instances when smaller vertebrate models, like the zebrafish, could fill critical experimental gaps in the field. Taken together, this review provides a summary of the current gold standard for heart preservation as well as new technologies in ex vivo lifespan extension. Furthermore, we describe how existing tools in zebrafish research, including isolated organ, cell specific and functional assays, as well as molecular tools, could complement and elevate heart preservation research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Da Silveira Cavalcante
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 2114, USA;
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, MA 2114, USA
| | - Shannon N. Tessier
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 2114, USA;
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, MA 2114, USA
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14
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Rufaihah AJ, Chen CK, Yap CH, Mattar CNZ. Mending a broken heart: In vitro, in vivo and in silico models of congenital heart disease. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:14/3/dmm047522. [PMID: 33787508 PMCID: PMC8033415 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.047522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Birth defects contribute to ∼0.3% of global infant mortality in the first month of life, and congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect among newborns worldwide. Despite the significant impact on human health, most treatments available for this heterogenous group of disorders are palliative at best. For this reason, the complex process of cardiogenesis, governed by multiple interlinked and dose-dependent pathways, is well investigated. Tissue, animal and, more recently, computerized models of the developing heart have facilitated important discoveries that are helping us to understand the genetic, epigenetic and mechanobiological contributors to CHD aetiology. In this Review, we discuss the strengths and limitations of different models of normal and abnormal cardiogenesis, ranging from single-cell systems and 3D cardiac organoids, to small and large animals and organ-level computational models. These investigative tools have revealed a diversity of pathogenic mechanisms that contribute to CHD, including genetic pathways, epigenetic regulators and shear wall stresses, paving the way for new strategies for screening and non-surgical treatment of CHD. As we discuss in this Review, one of the most-valuable advances in recent years has been the creation of highly personalized platforms with which to study individual diseases in clinically relevant settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Jalil Rufaihah
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228
| | - Ching Kit Chen
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228.,Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228
| | - Choon Hwai Yap
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat -National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, Singapore 119228.,Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Citra N Z Mattar
- Experimental Fetal Medicine Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228 .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Health System, Singapore 119228
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15
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Martin KE, Waxman JS. Atrial and Sinoatrial Node Development in the Zebrafish Heart. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:jcdd8020015. [PMID: 33572147 PMCID: PMC7914448 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8020015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper development and function of the vertebrate heart is vital for embryonic and postnatal life. Many congenital heart defects in humans are associated with disruption of genes that direct the formation or maintenance of atrial and pacemaker cardiomyocytes at the venous pole of the heart. Zebrafish are an outstanding model for studying vertebrate cardiogenesis, due to the conservation of molecular mechanisms underlying early heart development, external development, and ease of genetic manipulation. Here, we discuss early developmental mechanisms that instruct appropriate formation of the venous pole in zebrafish embryos. We primarily focus on signals that determine atrial chamber size and the specialized pacemaker cells of the sinoatrial node through directing proper specification and differentiation, as well as contemporary insights into the plasticity and maintenance of cardiomyocyte identity in embryonic zebrafish hearts. Finally, we integrate how these insights into zebrafish cardiogenesis can serve as models for human atrial defects and arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendall E. Martin
- Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Joshua S. Waxman
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Correspondence:
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16
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Computational Modeling of Blood Flow Hemodynamics for Biomechanical Investigation of Cardiac Development and Disease. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:jcdd8020014. [PMID: 33572675 PMCID: PMC7912127 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The heart is the first functional organ in a developing embryo. Cardiac development continues throughout developmental stages while the heart goes through a serious of drastic morphological changes. Previous animal experiments as well as clinical observations showed that disturbed hemodynamics interfere with the development of the heart and leads to the formation of a variety of defects in heart valves, heart chambers, and blood vessels, suggesting that hemodynamics is a governing factor for cardiogenesis, and disturbed hemodynamics is an important source of congenital heart defects. Therefore, there is an interest to image and quantify the flowing blood through a developing heart. Flow measurement in embryonic fetal heart can be performed using advanced techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or echocardiography. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling is another approach especially useful when the other imaging modalities are not available and in-depth flow assessment is needed. The approach is based on numerically solving relevant physical equations to approximate the flow hemodynamics and tissue behavior. This approach is becoming widely adapted to simulate cardiac flows during the embryonic development. While there are few studies for human fetal cardiac flows, many groups used zebrafish and chicken embryos as useful models for elucidating normal and diseased cardiogenesis. In this paper, we explain the major steps to generate CFD models for simulating cardiac hemodynamics in vivo and summarize the latest findings on chicken and zebrafish embryos as well as human fetal hearts.
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17
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Sieliwonczyk E, Matchkov VV, Vandendriessche B, Alaerts M, Bakkers J, Loeys B, Schepers D. Inherited Ventricular Arrhythmia in Zebrafish: Genetic Models and Phenotyping Tools. Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 184:33-68. [PMID: 34533615 DOI: 10.1007/112_2021_65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In the last years, the field of inheritable ventricular arrhythmia disease modelling has changed significantly with a push towards the use of novel cellular cardiomyocyte based models. However, there is a growing need for new in vivo models to study the disease pathology at the tissue and organ level. Zebrafish provide an excellent opportunity for in vivo modelling of inheritable ventricular arrhythmia syndromes due to the remarkable similarity between their cardiac electrophysiology and that of humans. Additionally, many state-of-the-art methods in gene editing and electrophysiological phenotyping are available for zebrafish research. In this review, we give a comprehensive overview of the published zebrafish genetic models for primary electrical disorders and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. We summarise and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the different technical approaches for the generation of genetically modified zebrafish disease models, as well as the electrophysiological approaches in zebrafish phenotyping. By providing this detailed overview, we aim to draw attention to the potential of the zebrafish model for studying arrhythmia syndromes at the organ level and as a platform for personalised medicine and drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Sieliwonczyk
- Center of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Vladimir V Matchkov
- Department of Biomedicine, Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bert Vandendriessche
- Center of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maaike Alaerts
- Center of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Bakkers
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Loeys
- Center of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dorien Schepers
- Center of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular, Cellular and Network Excitability, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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18
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Fedele L, Brand T. The Intrinsic Cardiac Nervous System and Its Role in Cardiac Pacemaking and Conduction. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2020; 7:jcdd7040054. [PMID: 33255284 PMCID: PMC7712215 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd7040054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The cardiac autonomic nervous system (CANS) plays a key role for the regulation of cardiac activity with its dysregulation being involved in various heart diseases, such as cardiac arrhythmias. The CANS comprises the extrinsic and intrinsic innervation of the heart. The intrinsic cardiac nervous system (ICNS) includes the network of the intracardiac ganglia and interconnecting neurons. The cardiac ganglia contribute to the tight modulation of cardiac electrophysiology, working as a local hub integrating the inputs of the extrinsic innervation and the ICNS. A better understanding of the role of the ICNS for the modulation of the cardiac conduction system will be crucial for targeted therapies of various arrhythmias. We describe the embryonic development, anatomy, and physiology of the ICNS. By correlating the topography of the intracardiac neurons with what is known regarding their biophysical and neurochemical properties, we outline their physiological role in the control of pacemaker activity of the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes. We conclude by highlighting cardiac disorders with a putative involvement of the ICNS and outline open questions that need to be addressed in order to better understand the physiology and pathophysiology of the ICNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fedele
- Correspondence: (L.F.); (T.B.); Tel.: +44-(0)-207-594-6531 (L.F.); +44-(0)-207-594-8744 (T.B.)
| | - Thomas Brand
- Correspondence: (L.F.); (T.B.); Tel.: +44-(0)-207-594-6531 (L.F.); +44-(0)-207-594-8744 (T.B.)
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19
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Translating GWAS-identified loci for cardiac rhythm and rate using an in vivo image- and CRISPR/Cas9-based approach. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11831. [PMID: 32678143 PMCID: PMC7367351 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68567-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified eight loci that are associated with heart rate variability (HRV), but candidate genes in these loci remain uncharacterized. We developed an image- and CRISPR/Cas9-based pipeline to systematically characterize candidate genes for HRV in live zebrafish embryos. Nine zebrafish orthologues of six human candidate genes were targeted simultaneously in eggs from fish that transgenically express GFP on smooth muscle cells (Tg[acta2:GFP]), to visualize the beating heart. An automated analysis of repeated 30 s recordings of beating atria in 381 live, intact zebrafish embryos at 2 and 5 days post-fertilization highlighted genes that influence HRV (hcn4 and si:dkey-65j6.2 [KIAA1755]); heart rate (rgs6 and hcn4); and the risk of sinoatrial pauses and arrests (hcn4). Exposure to 10 or 25 µM ivabradine—an open channel blocker of HCNs—for 24 h resulted in a dose-dependent higher HRV and lower heart rate at 5 days post-fertilization. Hence, our screen confirmed the role of established genes for heart rate and rhythm (RGS6 and HCN4); showed that ivabradine reduces heart rate and increases HRV in zebrafish embryos, as it does in humans; and highlighted a novel gene that plays a role in HRV (KIAA1755).
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20
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Abstract
The valves of the heart are crucial for ensuring that blood flows in one direction from the heart, through the lungs and back to the rest of the body. Heart valve development is regulated by complex interactions between different cardiac cell types and is subject to blood flow-driven forces. Recent work has begun to elucidate the important roles of developmental pathways, valve cell heterogeneity and hemodynamics in determining the structure and function of developing valves. Furthermore, this work has revealed that many key genetic pathways involved in cardiac valve development are also implicated in diseased valves. Here, we review recent discoveries that have furthered our understanding of the molecular, cellular and mechanosensitive mechanisms of valve development, and highlight new insights into congenital and acquired valve disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna O'Donnell
- The Heart Institute, Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Katherine E Yutzey
- The Heart Institute, Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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21
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Shi YP, Pang Z, Venkateshappa R, Gunawan M, Kemp J, Truong E, Chang C, Lin E, Shafaattalab S, Faizi S, Rayani K, Tibbits GF, Claydon VE, Claydon TW. The hERG channel activator, RPR260243, enhances protective IKr current early in the refractory period reducing arrhythmogenicity in zebrafish hearts. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020; 319:H251-H261. [PMID: 32559136 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00038.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Human ether-à-go-go related gene (hERG) K+ channels are important in cardiac repolarization, and their dysfunction causes prolongation of the ventricular action potential, long QT syndrome, and arrhythmia. As such, approaches to augment hERG channel function, such as activator compounds, have been of significant interest due to their marked therapeutic potential. Activator compounds that hinder channel inactivation abbreviate action potential duration (APD) but carry risk of overcorrection leading to short QT syndrome. Enhanced risk by overcorrection of the APD may be tempered by activator-induced increased refractoriness; however, investigation of the cumulative effect of hERG activator compounds on the balance of these effects in whole organ systems is lacking. Here, we have investigated the antiarrhythmic capability of a hERG activator, RPR260243, which primarily augments channel function by slowing deactivation kinetics in ex vivo zebrafish whole hearts. We show that RPR260243 abbreviates the ventricular APD, reduces triangulation, and steepens the slope of the electrical restitution curve. In addition, RPR260243 increases the post-repolarization refractory period. We provide evidence that this latter effect arises from RPR260243-induced enhancement of hERG channel-protective currents flowing early in the refractory period. Finally, the cumulative effect of RPR260243 on arrhythmogenicity in whole organ zebrafish hearts is demonstrated by the restoration of normal rhythm in hearts presenting dofetilide-induced arrhythmia. These findings in a whole organ model demonstrate the antiarrhythmic benefit of hERG activator compounds that modify both APD and refractoriness. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that targeted slowing of hERG channel deactivation and enhancement of protective currents may provide an effective antiarrhythmic approach.NEW & NOTEWORTHY hERG channel dysfunction causes long QT syndrome and arrhythmia. Activator compounds have been of significant interest due to their therapeutic potential. We used the whole organ zebrafish heart model to demonstrate the antiarrhythmic benefit of the hERG activator, RPR260243. The activator abbreviated APD and increased refractoriness, the combined effect of which rescued induced ventricular arrhythmia. Our findings show that the targeted slowing of hERG channel deactivation and enhancement of protective currents caused by the RPR260243 activator may provide an effective antiarrhythmic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Patrick Shi
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - ZhaoKai Pang
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ravichandra Venkateshappa
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marvin Gunawan
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jacob Kemp
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Elson Truong
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Cherlene Chang
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eric Lin
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sanam Shafaattalab
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Shoaib Faizi
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kaveh Rayani
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Glen F Tibbits
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Victoria E Claydon
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Thomas W Claydon
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
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22
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Advanced blood flow assessment in Zebrafish via experimental digital particle image velocimetry and computational fluid dynamics modeling. Micron 2020; 130:102801. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2019.102801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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23
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Da'as SI, Yalcin HC, Nasrallah GK, Mohamed IA, Nomikos M, Yacoub MH, Fakhro KA. Functional characterization of human myosin-binding protein C3 variants associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy reveals exon-specific cardiac phenotypes in zebrafish model. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:7870-7888. [PMID: 31943169 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Myosin-binding protein C 3 (MYBPC3) variants are the most common cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM is a complex cardiac disorder due to its significant genetic and clinical heterogeneity. MYBPC3 variants genotype-phenotype associations remain poorly understood. We investigated the impact of two novel human MYBPC3 splice-site variants: V1: c.654+2_654+4dupTGG targeting exon 5 using morpholino MOe5i5; and V2: c.772+1G>A targeting exon 6 using MOe6i6; located within C1 domain of cMyBP-C protein, known to be critical in regulating sarcomere structure and contractility. Zebrafish MOe5i5 and MOe6i6 morphants recapitulated typical characteristics of human HCM with cardiac phenotypes of varying severity, including reduced cardiomyocyte count, thickened ventricular myocardial wall, a drastic reduction in heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output. Analysis of all cardiac morphological and functional parameters demonstrated that V2 cardiac phenotype was more severe than V1. Coinjection with synthetic human MYBPC3 messenger RNA (mRNA) partially rescued disparate cardiac phenotypes in each zebrafish morphant. While human MYBPC3 mRNA partially restored the decreased heart rate in V1 morphants and displayed increased percentages of ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and area change, it failed to revert the V1 ventricular myocardial thickness. These results suggest a possible V1 impact on cardiac contractility. In contrast, attempts to rescue V2 morphants only restored the ventricular myocardial wall hypertrophy phenotype but had no significant effect on impaired heart rate, suggesting a potential V2 impact on the cardiac structure. Our study provides evidence of an association between MYBPC3 exon-specific cardiac phenotypes in the zebrafish model providing important insights into how these genetic variants contribute to HCM disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar I Da'as
- Department of Human Genetics, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.,Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Gheyath K Nasrallah
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Iman A Mohamed
- Center of Excellence for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Egypt
| | - Michail Nomikos
- College of Medicine, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Magdi H Yacoub
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, National Heart & Lung Institute, UK
| | - Khalid A Fakhro
- Department of Human Genetics, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.,Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar
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24
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Benslimane FM, Alser M, Zakaria ZZ, Sharma A, Abdelrahman HA, Yalcin HC. Adaptation of a Mice Doppler Echocardiography Platform to Measure Cardiac Flow Velocities for Embryonic Chicken and Adult Zebrafish. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:96. [PMID: 31139625 PMCID: PMC6527763 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrasonography is the most widely used imaging technique in cardiovascular medicine. In this technique, a piezoelectric crystal produces, sends, and receives high frequency ultrasound waves to the body to create an image of internal organs. It enables practical real time visualization in a non-invasive manner, making the modality especially useful to image dynamic cardiac structures. In the last few decades, echocardiography has been applied to in vivo cardiac disease models, mainly to rodents. While clinical echocardiography platforms can be used for relatively large animals such as pigs and rats, specialized systems are needed for smaller species. Theoretically, as the size of the imaged sample decreases, the frequency of the ultrasound transducer needed to image the sample increases. There are multiple modes of echocardiography imaging. In Doppler mode, erythrocytes blood flow velocities are measured from the frequency shift of the sent ultrasound waves compared to received echoes. Recorded data are then used to calculate cardiac function parameters such as cardiac output, as well as the hemodynamic shear stress levels in the heart and blood vessels. The multi-mode (i.e., b-mode, m-mode, Pulsed Doppler, Tissue Doppler, etc.) small animal ultrasound systems in the market can be used for most in vivo cardiac disease models including mice, embryonic chick and zebrafish. These systems are also associated with significant costs. Alternatively, there are more economical single-mode echocardiography platforms. However, these are originally built for mice studies and they need to be tested and evaluated for smaller experimental models. We recently adapted a mice Doppler echocardiography system to measure cardiac flow velocities for adult zebrafish and embryonic chicken. We successfully assessed cardiac function and hemodynamic shear stress for normal as well as for diseased embryonic chicken and zebrafish. In this paper, we will present our detailed protocols for Doppler flow measurements and further cardiac function analysis on these models using the setup. The protocols will involve detailed steps for animal stabilization, probe orientation for specific measurements, data acquisition, and data analysis. We believe this information will help cardiac researchers to establish similar echocardiography platforms in their labs in a practical and economical manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maha Alser
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zain Z Zakaria
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Science, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Anju Sharma
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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25
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Schulz A, Brendler J, Blaschuk O, Landgraf K, Krueger M, Ricken AM. Non-pathological Chondrogenic Features of Valve Interstitial Cells in Normal Adult Zebrafish. J Histochem Cytochem 2019; 67:361-373. [PMID: 30620237 DOI: 10.1369/0022155418824083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In the heart, unidirectional blood flow depends on proper heart valve function. As, in mammals, regulatory mechanisms of early heart valve and bone development are shown to contribute to adult heart valve pathologies, we used the animal model zebrafish (ZF, Danio rerio) to investigate the microarchitecture and differentiation of cardiac valve interstitial cells in the transition from juvenile (35 days) to end of adult breeding (2.5 years) stages. Of note, light microscopy and immunohistochemistry revealed major differences in ZF heart valve microarchitecture when compared with adult mice. We demonstrate evidence for rather chondrogenic features of valvular interstitial cells by histological staining and immunodetection of SOX-9, aggrecan, and type 2a1 collagen. Collagen depositions are enriched in a thin layer at the atrial aspect of atrioventricular valves and the ventricular aspect of bulboventricular valves, respectively. At the ultrastructural level, the collagen fibrils are lacking obvious periodicity and orientation throughout the entire valve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Schulz
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine.,University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jana Brendler
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine.,University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Orest Blaschuk
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kathrin Landgraf
- Center for Pediatric Research Leipzig, University Hospital for Children & Adolescents and Integrated Research and Treatment Centre Adiposity Diseases.,University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Krueger
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine.,University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Albert M Ricken
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine.,University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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26
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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-linked variants of cardiac myosin-binding protein C3 display altered molecular properties and actin interaction. Biochem J 2018; 475:3933-3948. [PMID: 30446606 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The most common inherited cardiac disorder, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), is characterized by thickening of heart muscle, for which genetic mutations in cardiac myosin-binding protein C3 (c-MYBPC3) gene, is the leading cause. Notably, patients with HCM display a heterogeneous clinical presentation, onset and prognosis. Thus, delineating the molecular mechanisms that explain how disparate c-MYBPC3 variants lead to HCM is essential for correlating the impact of specific genotypes on clinical severity. Herein, five c-MYBPC3 missense variants clinically associated with HCM were investigated; namely V1 (R177H), V2 (A216T), V3 (E258K), V4 (E441K) and double mutation V5 (V3 + V4), all located within the C1 and C2 domains of MyBP-C, a region known to interact with sarcomeric protein, actin. Injection of the variant complementary RNAs in zebrafish embryos was observed to recapitulate phenotypic aspects of HCM in patients. Interestingly, V3- and V5-cRNA injection produced the most severe zebrafish cardiac phenotype, exhibiting increased diastolic/systolic myocardial thickness and significantly reduced heart rate compared with control zebrafish. Molecular analysis of recombinant C0-C2 protein fragments revealed that c-MYBPC3 variants alter the C0-C2 domain secondary structure, thermodynamic stability and importantly, result in a reduced binding affinity to cardiac actin. V5 (double mutant), displayed the greatest protein instability with concomitant loss of actin-binding function. Our study provides specific mechanistic insight into how c-MYBPC3 pathogenic variants alter both functional and structural characteristics of C0-C2 domains leading to impaired actin interaction and reduced contractility, which may provide a basis for elucidating the disease mechanism in HCM patients with c- MYBPC3 mutations.
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27
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Using Zebrafish for Investigating the Molecular Mechanisms of Drug-Induced Cardiotoxicity. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:1642684. [PMID: 30363733 PMCID: PMC6180974 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1642684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decade, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a model organism for cardiovascular research. Zebrafish have several advantages over mammalian models. For instance, the experimental cost of using zebrafish is comparatively low; the embryos are transparent, develop externally, and have high fecundity making them suitable for large-scale genetic screening. More recently, zebrafish embryos have been used for the screening of a variety of toxic agents, particularly for cardiotoxicity testing. Zebrafish has been shown to exhibit physiological responses that are similar to mammals after exposure to medicinal drugs including xenobiotics, hormones, cancer drugs, and also environmental pollutants, including pesticides and heavy metals. In this review, we provided a summary for recent studies that have used zebrafish to investigate the molecular mechanisms of drug-induced cardiotoxicity. More specifically, we focused on the techniques that were exploited by us and others for cardiovascular toxicity assessment and described several microscopic imaging and analysis protocols that are being used for the estimation of a variety of cardiac hemodynamic parameters.
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28
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Zebrafish VCAP1X2 regulates cardiac contractility and proliferation of cardiomyocytes and epicardial cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7856. [PMID: 29777134 PMCID: PMC5959901 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26110-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomeric signaling complexes are important to sustain proper sarcomere structure and function, however, the mechanisms underlying these processes are not fully elucidated. In a gene trap experiment, we found that vascular cell adhesion protein 1 isoform X2 (VCAP1X2) mutant embryos displayed a dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype, including reduced cardiac contractility, enlarged ventricular chamber and thinned ventricular compact layer. Cardiomyocyte and epicardial cell proliferation was decreased in the mutant heart ventricle, as was the expression of pAKT and pERK. Contractile dysfunction in the mutant was caused by sarcomeric disorganization, including sparse myofilament, blurred Z-disc, and decreased gene expression for sarcomere modulators (smyd1b, mypn and fhl2a), sarcomeric proteins (myh6, myh7, vmhcl and tnnt2a) and calcium regulators (ryr2b and slc8a1a). Treatment of PI3K activator restored Z-disc alignment while injection of smyd1b mRNA restored Z-disc alignment, contractile function and cardiomyocyte proliferation in ventricles of VCAP1X2 mutant embryos. Furthermore, injection of VCAP1X2 variant mRNA rescued all phenotypes, so long as two cytosolic tyrosines were left intact. Our results reveal two tyrosine residues located in the VCAP1X2 cytoplasmic domain are essential to regulate cardiac contractility and the proliferation of ventricular cardiomyocytes and epicardial cells through modulating pAKT and pERK expression levels.
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29
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Weber M, Scherf N, Meyer AM, Panáková D, Kohl P, Huisken J. Cell-accurate optical mapping across the entire developing heart. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 29286002 PMCID: PMC5747520 DOI: 10.7554/elife.28307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Organogenesis depends on orchestrated interactions between individual cells and morphogenetically relevant cues at the tissue level. This is true for the heart, whose function critically relies on well-ordered communication between neighboring cells, which is established and fine-tuned during embryonic development. For an integrated understanding of the development of structure and function, we need to move from isolated snap-shot observations of either microscopic or macroscopic parameters to simultaneous and, ideally continuous, cell-to-organ scale imaging. We introduce cell-accurate three-dimensional Ca2+-mapping of all cells in the entire electro-mechanically uncoupled heart during the looping stage of live embryonic zebrafish, using high-speed light sheet microscopy and tailored image processing and analysis. We show how myocardial region-specific heterogeneity in cell function emerges during early development and how structural patterning goes hand-in-hand with functional maturation of the entire heart. Our method opens the way to systematic, scale-bridging, in vivo studies of vertebrate organogenesis by cell-accurate structure-function mapping across entire organs. The heart has a built-in pacemaker that sets the rhythm of the heartbeat. Pacemaker cells produce electrical signals that spread across the heart in a coordinated wave. As each cell receives its signal, ion channels open in its membrane. Calcium ions rush in from the spaces around the cells, triggering the release of more calcium ions from internal stores. The rise in calcium ion levels causes the heart muscle to contract. Standard techniques for studying how the activation process spreads across the heart typically involve removing the organ from the animal. One reason for this is that no microscopy technique had been able to provide the detail needed to observe the activity of individual cells across the whole heart during its activation cycle. Zebrafish embryos have a simple heart with two chambers that can be visually explored because the embryos are transparent. Their hearts are activated in a pattern that has been maintained throughout evolution with principal similarities in many different species. These properties make fish embryos well suited for the non-invasive examination of the heart. Weber, Scherf et al. have studied genetically engineered zebrafish embryos whose heart muscle cells contained a calcium-sensitive fluorophore, using a technique called light sheet microscopy. This method illuminates the heart with a thin sheet of laser light, which causes the fluorescent dye to glow in a way that indicates changes in the concentration of calcium ions in the cells. A fast and sensitive camera detects these signals and stacks of movies are recorded and synchronized, allowing cardiac activation to be mapped in three dimensions as it spreads across the heart. Applying this new technique revealed that different parts of the heart conduct activation signals at different speeds. These speeds finely match the anatomical features of the heart, yielding planar progression of the activation signal over the increasingly complex shape of the developing heart. Weber, Scherf et al. also showed that the heart only requires a handful of pacemaker cells to reliably set the heart’s rhythm. Future modifications to the technique of Weber, Scherf et al. could help us investigate how the heart works in even finer detail. For example, it might reveal how electrical activity, calcium handling, and contraction influence one another, and how they individually and collectively respond to drug treatments. This will help us understand how the normal heart rhythm develops, how it can be modified, and how the heart adapts to changes in its environment, including damage during cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Weber
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Nico Scherf
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alexander M Meyer
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniela Panáková
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Kohl
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Centre Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan Huisken
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.,Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, United States
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30
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Igor VFDS, Jonatas LD, Caio PF, Hady K, Jesus RRA, Josué AVM, Andrés N, José CTC. Use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in experimental models for biological assay with natural products. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.5897/ajpp2016.4662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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31
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Ernens I, Lumley AI, Devaux Y, Wagner DR. Use of Coronary Ultrasound Imaging to Evaluate Ventricular Function in Adult Zebrafish. Zebrafish 2016; 13:477-480. [PMID: 27326768 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2016.1274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
So far, imaging of the adult zebrafish heart and assessment of heart failure in adult zebrafish have been very limited. Here, we describe a new method for in vivo imaging of the hypertrabeculated heart of the adult zebrafish using miniaturized cardiac ultrasound catheters obtained from the cardiac catheterization laboratory. This method allows the observation of the ventricle of zebrafish and the assessment of ventricular diameters during diastole and systole, as well as heart rate and fractional shortening. Significant changes in these parameters were detected through the use of an adult zebrafish heart failure model induced by chronic anemia. This imaging technique opens the door to detailed in vivo analysis of the adult heart failure phenotype in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Ernens
- 1 Cardiovascular Research Unit, Luxembourg Institute of Health , Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Andrew I Lumley
- 1 Cardiovascular Research Unit, Luxembourg Institute of Health , Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Yvan Devaux
- 1 Cardiovascular Research Unit, Luxembourg Institute of Health , Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Daniel R Wagner
- 1 Cardiovascular Research Unit, Luxembourg Institute of Health , Strassen, Luxembourg .,2 Division of Cardiology, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg , Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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32
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Schindler RF, Scotton C, French V, Ferlini A, Brand T. The Popeye Domain Containing Genes and their Function in Striated Muscle. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2016; 3. [PMID: 27347491 PMCID: PMC4918794 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd3020022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Popeye domain containing (POPDC) genes encode a novel class of cAMP effector proteins, which are abundantly expressed in heart and skeletal muscle. Here, we will review their role in striated muscle as deduced from work in cell and animal models and the recent analysis of patients carrying a missense mutation in POPDC1. Evidence suggests that POPDC proteins control membrane trafficking of interacting proteins. Furthermore, we will discuss the current catalogue of established protein-protein interactions. In recent years, the number of POPDC-interacting proteins has been rising and currently includes ion channels (TREK-1), sarcolemma-associated proteins serving functions in mechanical stability (dystrophin), compartmentalization (caveolin 3), scaffolding (ZO-1), trafficking (NDRG4, VAMP2/3) and repair (dysferlin) or acting as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho-family GTPases (GEFT). Recent evidence suggests that POPDC proteins might also control the cellular level of the nuclear proto-oncoprotein c-Myc. These data suggest that this family of cAMP-binding proteins probably serves multiple roles in striated muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Fr Schindler
- Developmental Dynamics, Harefield Heart Science Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hill End Road, Harefield, UB9 6JH, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Scotton
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Vanessa French
- Developmental Dynamics, Harefield Heart Science Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hill End Road, Harefield, UB9 6JH, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandra Ferlini
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Thomas Brand
- Developmental Dynamics, Harefield Heart Science Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hill End Road, Harefield, UB9 6JH, United Kingdom
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33
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Kessler EL, van Veen TAB. A fishing trip to cure arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy? ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2015; 3:90. [PMID: 26015932 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.01.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
The paper entitled "Identification of a New Modulator of the Intercalated Disc in a Zebrafish Model of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy", as published in 2014 in Science Translational Medicine, examined the effects of the newly discovered drug SB216763 (SB21) on arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). In this paper, the authors focused on mechanisms underlying ACM and the accompanying molecular and cellular alterations. Most importantly they showed that SB21 was able to rescue and partly reverse the ACM phenotype in three different experimental models: (I) a zebrafish model of Naxos disease induced by the overexpression of the 2057del2 mutation in plakoglobin (PKG); (II) neonatal rat cardiomyocytes overexpressing the same mutation in PKG; (III) cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells expressing two different forms of mutations in plakophilin-2. This editorial will focus on the potency and possible restrictions concerning SB21 treatment as a potential intervention for ACM and the usefulness of the applied zebrafish models in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise L Kessler
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Toon A B van Veen
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht, The Netherlands
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