1
|
Lian Z, Ma Z, Zhang ZL, Liu PL, Zhang GY, Guo CX. Association between polymorphisms in connexin 40 gene (Cx40) and risk of atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis based on 3,452 subjects. Biomarkers 2023; 28:519-530. [PMID: 37382580 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2023.2227361] [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: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia that is associated with heart failure and stroke, leading sometimes to death. But the pathogenesis of AF remains unclear. Numerous studies have investigated whether the connexin 40 (Cx40) polymorphisms influences the risk of AF, but the results are controversial. METHODS We searched English and Chinese databases and calculated the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to examine the existence of genetic associations between the Cx40 polymorphisms and the risk of AF. All relevant studies were screened and meta-analyzed using Review Manager 5.0. RESULTS A total of 12 studies, including 10 studies for -44 polymorphism (rs35594137) and 4 studies for -26 polymorphism (rs10465885), were identified for the meta-analysis. For -44 polymorphism, the results showed a significantly increased risk of AF in the five genetic models in the overall analysis. Furthermore, in subgroup analysis, increased AF risks were also observed in Asian and non-Asian populations. For -26 polymorphism, the overall OR revealed an increased risk of AF in dominant model. In subgroup analysis, increased AF risk was only found in recessive genetic model of the Asian population. CONCLUSIONS The Cx40 polymorphisms were positively associated with AF in both populations, especially on -44 polymorphism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Lian
- Cardiovascular Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Ma
- Cardiovascular Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Li Zhang
- Cardiovascular Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Pei-Lin Liu
- Cardiovascular Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Guo-Yong Zhang
- Cardiovascular Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Cai-Xia Guo
- Cardiovascular Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Iop L, Iliceto S, Civieri G, Tona F. Inherited and Acquired Rhythm Disturbances in Sick Sinus Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, and Atrial Fibrillation: Lessons from Preclinical Modeling. Cells 2021; 10:3175. [PMID: 34831398 PMCID: PMC8623957 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhythm disturbances are life-threatening cardiovascular diseases, accounting for many deaths annually worldwide. Abnormal electrical activity might arise in a structurally normal heart in response to specific triggers or as a consequence of cardiac tissue alterations, in both cases with catastrophic consequences on heart global functioning. Preclinical modeling by recapitulating human pathophysiology of rhythm disturbances is fundamental to increase the comprehension of these diseases and propose effective strategies for their prevention, diagnosis, and clinical management. In silico, in vivo, and in vitro models found variable application to dissect many congenital and acquired rhythm disturbances. In the copious list of rhythm disturbances, diseases of the conduction system, as sick sinus syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and atrial fibrillation, have found extensive preclinical modeling. In addition, the electrical remodeling as a result of other cardiovascular diseases has also been investigated in models of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiac fibrosis, as well as arrhythmias induced by other non-cardiac pathologies, stress, and drug cardiotoxicity. This review aims to offer a critical overview on the effective ability of in silico bioinformatic tools, in vivo animal studies, in vitro models to provide insights on human heart rhythm pathophysiology in case of sick sinus syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and atrial fibrillation and advance their safe and successful translation into the cardiology arena.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Iop
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, I-35124 Padua, Italy; (S.I.); (G.C.)
| | | | | | - Francesco Tona
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, I-35124 Padua, Italy; (S.I.); (G.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Olejnickova V, Kocka M, Kvasilova A, Kolesova H, Dziacky A, Gidor T, Gidor L, Sankova B, Gregorovicova M, Gourdie RG, Sedmera D. Gap Junctional Communication via Connexin43 between Purkinje Fibers and Working Myocytes Explains the Epicardial Activation Pattern in the Postnatal Mouse Left Ventricle. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2475. [PMID: 33804428 PMCID: PMC7957598 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian ventricular myocardium forms a functional syncytium due to flow of electrical current mediated in part by gap junctions localized within intercalated disks. The connexin (Cx) subunit of gap junctions have direct and indirect roles in conduction of electrical impulse from the cardiac pacemaker via the cardiac conduction system (CCS) to working myocytes. Cx43 is the dominant isoform in these channels. We have studied the distribution of Cx43 junctions between the CCS and working myocytes in a transgenic mouse model, which had the His-Purkinje portion of the CCS labeled with green fluorescence protein. The highest number of such connections was found in a region about one-third of ventricular length above the apex, and it correlated with the peak proportion of Purkinje fibers (PFs) to the ventricular myocardium. At this location, on the septal surface of the left ventricle, the insulated left bundle branch split into the uninsulated network of PFs that continued to the free wall anteriorly and posteriorly. The second peak of PF abundance was present in the ventricular apex. Epicardial activation maps correspondingly placed the site of the first activation in the apical region, while some hearts presented more highly located breakthrough sites. Taken together, these results increase our understanding of the physiological pattern of ventricular activation and its morphological underpinning through detailed CCS anatomy and distribution of its gap junctional coupling to the working myocardium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Olejnickova
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (H.K.); (A.D.); (T.G.); (L.G.); (B.S.); (M.G.)
- Institute of Physiology, CAS, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matej Kocka
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (H.K.); (A.D.); (T.G.); (L.G.); (B.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Alena Kvasilova
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (H.K.); (A.D.); (T.G.); (L.G.); (B.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Hana Kolesova
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (H.K.); (A.D.); (T.G.); (L.G.); (B.S.); (M.G.)
- Institute of Physiology, CAS, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Dziacky
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (H.K.); (A.D.); (T.G.); (L.G.); (B.S.); (M.G.)
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Motol University Hospital, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tom Gidor
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (H.K.); (A.D.); (T.G.); (L.G.); (B.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Lihi Gidor
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (H.K.); (A.D.); (T.G.); (L.G.); (B.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Barbora Sankova
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (H.K.); (A.D.); (T.G.); (L.G.); (B.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Martina Gregorovicova
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (H.K.); (A.D.); (T.G.); (L.G.); (B.S.); (M.G.)
- Institute of Physiology, CAS, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Robert G. Gourdie
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA;
| | - David Sedmera
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (H.K.); (A.D.); (T.G.); (L.G.); (B.S.); (M.G.)
- Institute of Physiology, CAS, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kolesová H, Bartoš M, Hsieh WC, Olejníčková V, Sedmera D. Novel approaches to study coronary vasculature development in mice. Dev Dyn 2018; 247:1018-1027. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hana Kolesová
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine; Charles University in Prague; Czech Republic
- Institute of Physiology; Czech Academy of Sciences; Prague Czech Republic
| | - Martin Bartoš
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine; Charles University in Prague; Czech Republic
- Institute of Dental Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine; Charles University in Prague; Czech Republic
| | - Wan Chin Hsieh
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine; Charles University in Prague; Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Olejníčková
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine; Charles University in Prague; Czech Republic
- Institute of Physiology; Czech Academy of Sciences; Prague Czech Republic
| | - David Sedmera
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine; Charles University in Prague; Czech Republic
- Institute of Physiology; Czech Academy of Sciences; Prague Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Thomas K, Goudy J, Henley T, Bressan M. Optical Electrophysiology in the Developing Heart. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2018; 5:E28. [PMID: 29751595 PMCID: PMC6023508 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd5020028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The heart is the first organ system to form in the embryo. Over the course of development, cardiomyocytes with differing morphogenetic, molecular, and physiological characteristics are specified and differentiate and integrate with one another to assemble a coordinated electromechanical pumping system that can function independently of any external stimulus. As congenital malformation of the heart presents the leading class of birth defects seen in humans, the molecular genetics of heart development have garnered much attention over the last half century. However, understanding how genetic perturbations manifest at the level of the individual cell function remains challenging to investigate. Some of the barriers that have limited our capacity to construct high-resolution, comprehensive models of cardiac physiological maturation are rapidly being removed by advancements in the reagents and instrumentation available for high-speed live imaging. In this review, we briefly introduce the history of imaging approaches for assessing cardiac development, describe some of the reagents and tools required to perform live imaging in the developing heart, and discuss how the combination of modern imaging modalities and physiological probes can be used to scale from subcellular to whole-organ analysis. Through these types of imaging approaches, critical insights into the processes of cardiac physiological development can be directly examined in real-time. Moving forward, the synthesis of modern molecular biology and imaging approaches will open novel avenues to investigate the mechanisms of cardiomyocyte maturation, providing insight into the etiology of congenital heart defects, as well as serving to direct approaches for designing stem-cell or regenerative medicine protocols for clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kandace Thomas
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Julie Goudy
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Trevor Henley
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Michael Bressan
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vostarek F, Svatunkova J, Sedmera D. Acute temperature effects on function of the chick embryonic heart. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2016; 217:276-86. [PMID: 27083765 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIM We analysed the effects of acute temperature change on the beating rate, conduction properties and calcium transients in the chick embryonic heart in vitro and in ovo. METHODS The effects of temperature change (34, 37 and 40 °C) on calcium dynamics in isolated ED4 chick hearts in vitro were investigated by high-speed calcium optical imaging. For comparison and validation of in vitro measurements, experiments were also performed in ovo using videomicroscopy. Artificial stimulation experiments were performed in vitro and in ovo to uncover conduction limits of heart segments. RESULTS Decrease in temperature from 37 to 34 °C in vitro led to a 22% drop in heart rate and unchanged amplitude of Ca(2+) transients, compared to a 25% heart rate decrease in ovo. Increase in temperature from 37 to 40 °C in vitro and in ovo led to 20 and 23% increases in heart rate, respectively, and a significant decrease in amplitude of Ca(2+) transients (atrium -35%, ventricle -38%). We observed a wide spectrum of arrhythmias in vitro, of which the most common was atrioventricular (AV) block (57%). There was variability of AV block locations. Pacing experiments in vitro and in ovo suggested that the AV blocks were likely caused by relative tissue hypoxia and not by the tachycardia itself. CONCLUSION The pacemaker and AV canal are the most temperature-sensitive segments of the embryonic heart. We suggest that the critical point for conduction is the connection of the ventricular trabecular network to the AV canal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F. Vostarek
- Czech Academy of Sciences; Institute of Physiology; Prague Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science; Charles University; Prague Czech Republic
| | - J. Svatunkova
- Czech Academy of Sciences; Institute of Physiology; Prague Czech Republic
| | - D. Sedmera
- Czech Academy of Sciences; Institute of Physiology; Prague Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine; Institute of Anatomy; Charles University; Prague Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gu S, Wang YT, Ma P, Werdich AA, Rollins AM, Jenkins MW. Mapping conduction velocity of early embryonic hearts with a robust fitting algorithm. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2015; 6:2138-57. [PMID: 26114034 PMCID: PMC4473749 DOI: 10.1364/boe.6.002138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac conduction maturation is an important and integral component of heart development. Optical mapping with voltage-sensitive dyes allows sensitive measurements of electrophysiological signals over the entire heart. However, accurate measurements of conduction velocity during early cardiac development is typically hindered by low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements of action potentials. Here, we present a novel image processing approach based on least squares optimizations, which enables high-resolution, low-noise conduction velocity mapping of smaller tubular hearts. First, the action potential trace measured at each pixel is fit to a curve consisting of two cumulative normal distribution functions. Then, the activation time at each pixel is determined based on the fit, and the spatial gradient of activation time is determined with a two-dimensional (2D) linear fit over a square-shaped window. The size of the window is adaptively enlarged until the gradients can be determined within a preset precision. Finally, the conduction velocity is calculated based on the activation time gradient, and further corrected for three-dimensional (3D) geometry that can be obtained by optical coherence tomography (OCT). We validated the approach using published activation potential traces based on computer simulations. We further validated the method by adding artificially generated noise to the signal to simulate various SNR conditions using a curved simulated image (digital phantom) that resembles a tubular heart. This method proved to be robust, even at very low SNR conditions (SNR = 2-5). We also established an empirical equation to estimate the maximum conduction velocity that can be accurately measured under different conditions (e.g. sampling rate, SNR, and pixel size). Finally, we demonstrated high-resolution conduction velocity maps of the quail embryonic heart at a looping stage of development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shi Gu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Yves T Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA
| | - Pei Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Andreas A Werdich
- Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrew M Rollins
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Michael W Jenkins
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sedmera D, Kockova R, Vostarek F, Raddatz E. Arrhythmias in the developing heart. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2015; 213:303-20. [PMID: 25363044 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias increases gradually with age; however, specific rhythm disturbances can appear even prior to birth and markedly affect foetal development. Relatively little is known about these disorders, chiefly because of their relative rarity and difficulty in diagnosis. In this review, we cover the most common forms found in human pathology, specifically congenital heart block, pre-excitation, extrasystoles and long QT syndrome. In addition, we cover pertinent literature data from prenatal animal models, providing a glimpse into pathogenesis of arrhythmias and possible strategies for treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D. Sedmera
- Institute of Anatomy; First Faculty of Medicine; Charles University; Prague Czech Republic
- Institute of Physiology; Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; Prague Czech Republic
| | - R. Kockova
- Institute of Physiology; Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; Prague Czech Republic
- Department of Cardiology; Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Prague Czech Republic
| | - F. Vostarek
- Institute of Physiology; Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; Prague Czech Republic
| | - E. Raddatz
- Department of Physiology; Faculty of Biology and Medicine; University of Lausanne; Lausanne Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Connexins in migration during development and cancer. Dev Biol 2014; 401:143-51. [PMID: 25553982 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Revised: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Connexins, the gap junction proteins, through their multitude of actions are implicated in a variety of cell processes during animal development and cancer. They allow direct or paracrine/autocrine cell communication through their channel and hemi-channel functions. They enable adhesion and interact with a plethora of signalling molecules. Here, we review the common themes in developmental and pathological processes and we focus in their involvement in cell migration in four different systems: neurons, astrocytes, neural crest and cancer.
Collapse
|
10
|
Hemodynamic forces regulate developmental patterning of atrial conduction. PLoS One 2014; 9:e115207. [PMID: 25503944 PMCID: PMC4264946 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Anomalous action potential conduction through the atrial chambers of the heart can lead to severe cardiac arrhythmia. To date, however, little is known regarding the mechanisms that pattern proper atrial conduction during development. Here we demonstrate that atrial muscle functionally diversifies into at least two heterogeneous subtypes, thin-walled myocardium and rapidly conducting muscle bundles, during a developmental window just following cardiac looping. During this process, atrial muscle bundles become enriched for the fast conduction markers Cx40 and Nav1.5, similar to the precursors of the fast conduction Purkinje fiber network located within the trabeculae of the ventricles. In contrast to the ventricular trabeculae, however, atrial muscle bundles display an increased proliferation rate when compared to the surrounding myocardium. Interestingly, mechanical loading of the embryonic atrial muscle resulted in an induction of Cx40, Nav1.5 and the cell cycle marker Cyclin D1, while decreasing atrial pressure via in vivo ligation of the vitelline blood vessels results in decreased atrial conduction velocity. Taken together, these data establish a novel model for atrial conduction patterning, whereby hemodynamic stretch coordinately induces proliferation and fast conduction marker expression, which in turn promotes the formation of large diameter muscle bundles to serve as preferential routes of conduction.
Collapse
|
11
|
Tenin G, Clowes C, Wolton K, Krejci E, Wright JA, Lovell SC, Sedmera D, Hentges KE. Erbb2 is required for cardiac atrial electrical activity during development. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107041. [PMID: 25269082 PMCID: PMC4182046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The heart is the first organ required to function during embryonic development and is absolutely necessary for embryo survival. Cardiac activity is dependent on both the sinoatrial node (SAN), which is the pacemaker of heart's electrical activity, and the cardiac conduction system which transduces the electrical signal though the heart tissue, leading to heart muscle contractions. Defects in the development of cardiac electrical function may lead to severe heart disorders. The Erbb2 (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2) gene encodes a member of the EGF receptor family of receptor tyrosine kinases. The Erbb2 receptor lacks ligand-binding activity but forms heterodimers with other EGF receptors, stabilising their ligand binding and enhancing kinase-mediated activation of downstream signalling pathways. Erbb2 is absolutely necessary in normal embryonic development and homozygous mouse knock-out Erbb2 embryos die at embryonic day (E)10.5 due to severe cardiac defects. We have isolated a mouse line, l11Jus8, from a random chemical mutagenesis screen, which carries a hypomorphic missense mutation in the Erbb2 gene. Homozygous mutant embryos exhibit embryonic lethality by E12.5-13. The l11Jus8 mutants display cardiac haemorrhage and a failure of atrial function due to defects in atrial electrical signal propagation, leading to an atrial-specific conduction block, which does not affect ventricular conduction. The l11Jus8 mutant phenotype is distinct from those reported for Erbb2 knockout mouse mutants. Thus, the l11Jus8 mouse reveals a novel function of Erbb2 during atrial conduction system development, which when disrupted causes death at mid-gestation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gennadiy Tenin
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Clowes
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn Wolton
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Eliska Krejci
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, and Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Simon C. Lovell
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David Sedmera
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, and Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kathryn E. Hentges
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yu TY, Syeda F, Holmes AP, Osborne B, Dehghani H, Brain KL, Kirchhof P, Fabritz L. An automated system using spatial oversampling for optical mapping in murine atria. Development and validation with monophasic and transmembrane action potentials. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 115:340-8. [PMID: 25130572 PMCID: PMC4210664 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2014.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We developed and validated a new optical mapping system for quantification of electrical activation and repolarisation in murine atria. The system makes use of a novel 2nd generation complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) camera with deliberate oversampling to allow both assessment of electrical activation with high spatial and temporal resolution (128 × 2048 pixels) and reliable assessment of atrial murine repolarisation using post-processing of signals. Optical recordings were taken from isolated, superfused and electrically stimulated murine left atria. The system reliably describes activation sequences, identifies areas of functional block, and allows quantification of conduction velocities and vectors. Furthermore, the system records murine atrial action potentials with comparable duration to both monophasic and transmembrane action potentials in murine atria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yue Yu
- Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK; Doctoral Training Centre for Physical Sciences of Imaging in the Biomedical Sciences (PSIBS), University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Fahima Syeda
- Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Andrew P Holmes
- Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Benjamin Osborne
- Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Hamid Dehghani
- Doctoral Training Centre for Physical Sciences of Imaging in the Biomedical Sciences (PSIBS), University of Birmingham, UK; School of Computer Science, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Keith L Brain
- School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Vostarek F, Sankova B, Sedmera D. Studying dynamic events in the developing myocardium. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 115:261-9. [PMID: 24954141 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2014.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Differentiation and conduction properties of the cardiomyocytes are critically dependent on physical conditioning both in vitro and in vivo. Historically, various techniques were introduced to study dynamic events such as electrical currents and changes in ionic concentrations in live cells, multicellular preparations, or entire hearts. Here we review this technological progress demonstrating how each improvement in spatial or temporal resolution provided answers to old and provoked new questions. We further demonstrate how high-speed optical mapping of voltage and calcium can uncover pacemaking potential within the outflow tract myocardium, providing a developmental explanation of ectopic beats originating from this region in the clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frantisek Vostarek
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Sankova
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Czech Republic; Institute of Anatomy, First Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David Sedmera
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Czech Republic; Institute of Anatomy, First Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|