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Fabritz L, Lemoine MD. Atrial fibrillation in the young: consider heritable conditions like short QT syndrome. Cardiovasc Res 2024; 120:437-439. [PMID: 38387431 PMCID: PMC11060477 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Fabritz
- University Center for Cardiovascular Science & Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany & DZHK Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Marc D Lemoine
- University Center for Cardiovascular Science & Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany & DZHK Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
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2
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Schulze-Bahr E. [Cardiogenetics in Germany- a view and review]. Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol 2024; 35:127-137. [PMID: 38418599 PMCID: PMC10924006 DOI: 10.1007/s00399-024-01008-y] [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] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
The development of the cardiogenetics field in Germany has been increasing since the mid-1990s with many national contributions, some of them were really important and groundbreaking. The starting point was and still is the patient and his family, e.g. with a familial form of arrhythmia or cardiomyopathy, the clarification of the genetic cause and the personalized treatment of those being affected. The scientific, always translationally oriented interest in identifying a causative gene and uncovering the underlying pathomechanisms has led to notable contributions for Brugada syndrome, short QT syndrome and cardiac conduction disorders or sinus node dysfunction, but also in DCM or ARVC. What is important, however, is always the way back (bench > bed side): implementation of national and international recommendations for cardiogenetic diagnostics in daily cardiological routine and the personalized care and therapy of those being affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Schulze-Bahr
- Institut für Genetik von Herzerkrankungen (IfGH), Spezialambulanz für Patienten mit genetischen Herzerkrankungen, Universitätsklinikum Münster (UKM), Domagkstr. 3, 48145, Münster, Deutschland.
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3
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Schulze-Bahr E, Dittmann S. Human Genetics of Cardiac Arrhythmias. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1441:1033-1055. [PMID: 38884768 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-44087-8_66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Inherited forms of cardiac arrhythmias mostly are rare diseases (prevalence <1:2000) and considered to be either "primary electrical heart disorders" due to the absence of structural heart abnormalities or "cardiac ion channel disorders" due to the myocellular structures involved. Precise knowledge of the electrocardiographic features of these diseases and their genetic classification will enable early disease recognition and prevention of cardiac events including sudden cardiac death.The genetic background of these diseases is complex and heterogeneous. In addition to the predominant "private character" of a mutation in each family, locus heterogeneity involving many ion channel genes for the same familial arrhythmia syndrome is typical. Founder pathogenic variants or mutational hot spots are uncommon. Moreover, phenotypes may vary and overlap even within the same family and mutation carriers. For the majority of arrhythmias, the clinical phenotype of an ion channel mutation is restricted to cardiac tissue, and therefore, the disease is nonsyndromic.Recent and innovative methods of parallel DNA analysis (so-called next-generation sequencing, NGS) will enhance further mutation and other variant detection as well as arrhythmia gene identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Schulze-Bahr
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Sven Dittmann
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
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4
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Shiti A, Arbil G, Shaheen N, Huber I, Setter N, Gepstein L. Utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cells to study atrial arrhythmias in the short QT syndrome. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2023; 183:42-53. [PMID: 37579942 PMCID: PMC10589759 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.08.003] [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] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among the monogenic inherited causes of atrial fibrillation is the short QT syndrome (SQTS), a rare channelopathy causing atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. One of the limitations in studying the mechanisms and optimizing treatment of SQTS-related atrial arrhythmias has been the lack of relevant human atrial tissues models. OBJECTIVE To generate a unique model to study SQTS-related atrial arrhythmias by combining the use of patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), atrial-specific differentiation schemes, two-dimensional tissue modeling, optical mapping, and drug testing. METHODS AND RESULTS SQTS (N588K KCNH2 mutation), isogenic-control, and healthy-control hiPSCs were coaxed to differentiate into atrial cardiomyocytes using a retinoic-acid based differentiation protocol. The atrial identity of the cells was confirmed by a distinctive pattern of MLC2v downregulation, connexin 40 upregulation, shorter and triangular-shaped action potentials (APs), and expression of the atrial-specific acetylcholine-sensitive potassium current. In comparison to the healthy- and isogenic control cells, the SQTS-hiPSC atrial cardiomyocytes displayed abbreviated APs and refractory periods along with an augmented rapidly activating delayed-rectifier potassium current (IKr). Optical mapping of a hiPSC-based atrial tissue model of the SQTS displayed shortened APD and altered biophysical properties of spiral waves induced in this model, manifested by accelerated spiral-wave frequency and increased rotor curvature. Both AP shortening and arrhythmia irregularities were reversed by quinidine and vernakalant treatment, but not by sotalol. CONCLUSIONS Patient-specific hiPSC-based atrial cellular and tissue models of the SQTS were established, which provide examples on how this type of modeling can shed light on the pathogenesis and pharmacological treatment of inherited atrial arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assad Shiti
- Sohnis Family Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative Medicine, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Gil Arbil
- Sohnis Family Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative Medicine, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Naim Shaheen
- Sohnis Family Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative Medicine, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Irit Huber
- Sohnis Family Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative Medicine, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Noga Setter
- Sohnis Family Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative Medicine, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Lior Gepstein
- Sohnis Family Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative Medicine, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel; Cardiolology Department, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
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5
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Selimi Z, Rougier JS, Abriel H, Kucera JP. A detailed analysis of single-channel Na v 1.5 recordings does not reveal any cooperative gating. J Physiol 2023; 601:3847-3868. [PMID: 37470338 DOI: 10.1113/jp284861] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac voltage-gated sodium (Na+ ) channels (Nav 1.5) are crucial for myocardial electrical excitation. Recent studies based on single-channel recordings have suggested that Na+ channels interact functionally and exhibit coupled gating. However, the analysis of such recordings frequently relies on manual interventions, which can lead to bias. Here, we developed an automated pipeline to de-trend and idealize single-channel currents, and assessed possible functional interactions in cell-attached patch clamp experiments in HEK293 cells expressing human Nav 1.5 channels as well as in adult mouse and rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes. Our pipeline involved de-trending individual sweeps by linear optimization using a library of predefined functions, followed by digital filtering and baseline offset. Subsequently, the processed sweeps were idealized based on the idea that the ensemble average of the idealized current identified by thresholds between current levels reconstructs at best the ensemble average current from the de-trended sweeps. This reconstruction was achieved by non-linear optimization. To ascertain functional interactions, we examined the distribution of the numbers of open channels at every time point during the activation protocol and compared it to the distribution expected for independent channels. We also examined whether the channels tended to synchronize their openings and closings. However, we did not uncover any solid evidence of such interactions in our recordings. Rather, our results indicate that wild-type Nav 1.5 channels are independent entities or exhibit only very weak functional interactions that are probably irrelevant under physiological conditions. Nevertheless, our unbiased analysis will be important for further studies examining whether auxiliary proteins potentiate functional Na+ channel interactions. KEY POINTS: Nav 1.5 channels are critical for cardiac excitation. They are part of macromolecular interacting complexes, and it was previously suggested that two neighbouring channels may functionally interact and exhibit coupled gating. Manual interventions when processing single-channel recordings can lead to bias and inaccurate data interpretation. We developed an automated pipeline to de-trend and idealize single-channel currents and assessed possible functional interactions between Nav 1.5 channels in HEK293 cells and cardiomyocytes during activation protocols using the cell-attached patch clamp technique. In recordings consisting of up to 1000 sweeps from the same patch, our analysis did not reveal any evidence of functional interactions or coupled gating between wild-type Nav 1.5 channels. Our unbiased analysis may be useful in further studies examining how Na+ channel interactions are affected by mutations and auxiliary proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoja Selimi
- Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Hugues Abriel
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jan P Kucera
- Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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6
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Giannetti F, Barbieri M, Shiti A, Casini S, Sager PT, Das S, Pradhananga S, Srinivasan D, Nimani S, Alerni N, Louradour J, Mura M, Gnecchi M, Brink P, Zehender M, Koren G, Zaza A, Crotti L, Wilde AAM, Schwartz PJ, Remme CA, Gepstein L, Sala L, Odening KE. Gene- and variant-specific efficacy of serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 inhibition in long QT syndrome types 1 and 2. Europace 2023; 25:euad094. [PMID: 37099628 PMCID: PMC10228615 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Current long QT syndrome (LQTS) therapy, largely based on beta-blockade, does not prevent arrhythmias in all patients; therefore, novel therapies are warranted. Pharmacological inhibition of the serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1-Inh) has been shown to shorten action potential duration (APD) in LQTS type 3. We aimed to investigate whether SGK1-Inh could similarly shorten APD in LQTS types 1 and 2. METHODS AND RESULTS Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and hiPSC-cardiac cell sheets (CCS) were obtained from LQT1 and LQT2 patients; CMs were isolated from transgenic LQT1, LQT2, and wild-type (WT) rabbits. Serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 inhibition effects (300 nM-10 µM) on field potential durations (FPD) were investigated in hiPSC-CMs with multielectrode arrays; optical mapping was performed in LQT2 CCS. Whole-cell and perforated patch clamp recordings were performed in isolated LQT1, LQT2, and WT rabbit CMs to investigate SGK1-Inh (3 µM) effects on APD. In all LQT2 models across different species (hiPSC-CMs, hiPSC-CCS, and rabbit CMs) and independent of the disease-causing variant (KCNH2-p.A561V/p.A614V/p.G628S/IVS9-28A/G), SGK1-Inh dose-dependently shortened FPD/APD at 0.3-10 µM (by 20-32%/25-30%/44-45%). Importantly, in LQT2 rabbit CMs, 3 µM SGK1-Inh normalized APD to its WT value. A significant FPD shortening was observed in KCNQ1-p.R594Q hiPSC-CMs at 1/3/10 µM (by 19/26/35%) and in KCNQ1-p.A341V hiPSC-CMs at 10 µM (by 29%). No SGK1-Inh-induced FPD/APD shortening effect was observed in LQT1 KCNQ1-p.A341V hiPSC-CMs or KCNQ1-p.Y315S rabbit CMs at 0.3-3 µM. CONCLUSION A robust SGK1-Inh-induced APD shortening was observed across different LQT2 models, species, and genetic variants but less consistently in LQT1 models. This suggests a genotype- and variant-specific beneficial effect of this novel therapeutic approach in LQTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Giannetti
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias of Genetic Origin and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Genetics, Milan, Italy
| | - Miriam Barbieri
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology and Department of Physiology, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bühlplatz 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Assad Shiti
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Simona Casini
- Amsterdam UMC Location AMC Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Philip T Sager
- Thryv Therapeutics Inc., Montreal, Canada
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Saumya Das
- Thryv Therapeutics Inc., Montreal, Canada
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Saranda Nimani
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology and Department of Physiology, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bühlplatz 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicolò Alerni
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology and Department of Physiology, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bühlplatz 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Julien Louradour
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology and Department of Physiology, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bühlplatz 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Mura
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Sciences–Translational Cardiology Center, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Gnecchi
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Sciences–Translational Cardiology Center, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cardiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paul Brink
- Department of Medicine, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Manfred Zehender
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gideon Koren
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Antonio Zaza
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Lia Crotti
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias of Genetic Origin and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Genetics, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Arthur A M Wilde
- Amsterdam UMC Location AMC Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J Schwartz
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias of Genetic Origin and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Genetics, Milan, Italy
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- Amsterdam UMC Location AMC Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lior Gepstein
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
- Cardiology Department, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Luca Sala
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias of Genetic Origin and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Genetics, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Katja E Odening
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology and Department of Physiology, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bühlplatz 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Erlandsdotter LM, Giammarino L, Halili A, Nikesjö J, Gréen H, Odening KE, Liin SI. Long-QT mutations in KCNE1 modulate the 17β-estradiol response of Kv7.1/KCNE1. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade7109. [PMID: 36921038 PMCID: PMC10017040 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade7109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Estradiol (17[Formula: see text]-E2) is implicated in higher arrhythmia risk of women with congenital or acquired long-QT syndrome (LQTS) compared to men. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, and little is known about the impact of LQTS-associated mutations. We show that 17[Formula: see text]-E2 inhibits the human cardiac Kv7.1/KCNE1 channel expressed in Xenopus oocytes. We find that the 17[Formula: see text]-E2 effect depends on the Kv7.1 to KCNE1 stoichiometry, and we reveal a critical function of the KCNE1 carboxyl terminus for the effect. LQTS-associated mutations in the KCNE1 carboxyl terminus show a range of responses to 17[Formula: see text]-E2, from a wild-type like response to impaired or abolished response. Together, this study increases our understanding of the mechanistic basis for 17[Formula: see text]-E2 inhibition of Kv7.1/KCNE1 and demonstrates mutation-dependent responses to 17[Formula: see text]-E2. These findings suggest that the 17[Formula: see text]-E2 effect on Kv7.1/KCNE1 might contribute to the higher arrhythmia risk of women, particularly in carriers with specific LQTS-associated mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucilla Giammarino
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern and Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Azemine Halili
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Johan Nikesjö
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Henrik Gréen
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Katja E. Odening
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern and Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sara I. Liin
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Fan W, Sun X, Yang C, Wan J, Luo H, Liao B. Pacemaker activity and ion channels in the sinoatrial node cells: MicroRNAs and arrhythmia. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 177:151-167. [PMID: 36450332 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The primary pacemaking activity of the heart is determined by a spontaneous action potential (AP) within sinoatrial node (SAN) cells. This unique AP generation relies on two mechanisms: membrane clocks and calcium clocks. Nonhomologous arrhythmias are caused by several functional and structural changes in the myocardium. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are essential regulators of gene expression in cardiomyocytes. These miRNAs play a vital role in regulating the stability of cardiac conduction and in the remodeling process that leads to arrhythmias. Although it remains unclear how miRNAs regulate the expression and function of ion channels in the heart, these regulatory mechanisms may support the development of emerging therapies. This study discusses the spread and generation of AP in the SAN as well as the regulation of miRNAs and individual ion channels. Arrhythmogenicity studies on ion channels will provide a research basis for miRNA modulation as a new therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Fan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, 25 Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China
| | - Xuemei Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, 25 Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, 25 Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China
| | - Juyi Wan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, 25 Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China.
| | - Hongli Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, 25 Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China.
| | - Bin Liao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, 25 Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China.
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Zhang S, Lu W, Yang F, Li Z, Wang S, Jiang M, Wang X, Wei Z. Computational analysis of arrhythmogenesis in KCNH2 T618I mutation-associated short QT syndrome and the pharmacological effects of quinidine and sotalol. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2022; 8:43. [PMID: 36333337 PMCID: PMC9636227 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-022-00254-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Short QT syndrome (SQTS) is a rare but dangerous genetic disease. In this research, we conducted a comprehensive in silico investigation into the arrhythmogenesis in KCNH2 T618I-associated SQTS using a multi-scale human ventricle model. A Markov chain model of IKr was developed firstly to reproduce the experimental observations. It was then incorporated into cell, tissue, and organ models to explore how the mutation provided substrates for ventricular arrhythmias. Using this T618I Markov model, we explicitly revealed the subcellular level functional alterations by T618I mutation, particularly the changes of ion channel states that are difficult to demonstrate in wet experiments. The following tissue and organ models also successfully reproduced the changed dynamics of reentrant spiral waves and impaired rate adaptions in hearts of T618I mutation. In terms of pharmacotherapy, we replicated the different effects of a drug under various conditions using identical mathematical descriptions for drugs. This study not only simulated the actions of an effective drug (quinidine) at various physiological levels, but also elucidated why the IKr inhibitor sotalol failed in SQT1 patients through profoundly analyzing its mutation-dependent actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shugang Zhang
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Weigang Lu
- Department of Educational Technology, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
- Biological Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Fei Yang
- School of Mechanical, Electrical, and Information Engineering, Shandong University, Weihai, 264200, China
| | - Zhen Li
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- College of Computer Science and Technology, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, 266580, China
| | - Mingjian Jiang
- School of Information and Control Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266033, China
| | | | - Zhiqiang Wei
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
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10
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Mareddy C, ScM MT, McDaniel G, Monfredi O. Exercise in the Genetic Arrhythmia Syndromes - A Review. Clin Sports Med 2022; 41:485-510. [PMID: 35710274 DOI: 10.1016/j.csm.2022.02.008] [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] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Provide a brief summary of your article (100-150 words; no references or figures/tables). The synopsis appears only in the table of contents and is often used by indexing services such as PubMed. Genetic arrhythmia syndromes are rare, yet harbor the potential for highly consequential, often unpredictable arrhythmias or sudden death events. There has been historical uncertainty regarding the correct advice to offer to affected patients who are reasonably wanting to participate in sporting and athletic endeavors. In some cases, this had led to abundantly cautious disqualifications, depriving individuals from participation unnecessarily. Societal guidance and expert opinion has evolved significantly over the last decade or 2, along with our understanding of the genetics and natural history of these conditions, and the emphasis has switched toward shared decision making with respect to the decision to participate or not, with patients and families becoming better informed, and willing participants in the decision making process. This review aims to give a brief update of the salient issues for the busy physician concerning these syndromes and to provide a framework for approaching their management in the otherwise aspirational or keen sports participant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmaya Mareddy
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1215 Lee St, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Matthew Thomas ScM
- Department of Pediatrics, P.O. Box 800386, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - George McDaniel
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Battle Building 6th Floor, 1204 W. Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Oliver Monfredi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1215 Lee St, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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11
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Blackwell DJ, Schmeckpeper J, Knollmann BC. Animal Models to Study Cardiac Arrhythmias. Circ Res 2022; 130:1926-1964. [PMID: 35679367 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.320258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for 10% to 15% of all deaths. Although most arrhythmias are due to acquired heart disease, inherited channelopathies and cardiomyopathies disproportionately affect children and young adults. Arrhythmogenesis is complex, involving anatomic structure, ion channels and regulatory proteins, and the interplay between cells in the conduction system, cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, and the immune system. Animal models of arrhythmia are powerful tools for studying not only molecular and cellular mechanism of arrhythmogenesis but also more complex mechanisms at the whole heart level, and for testing therapeutic interventions. This review summarizes basic and clinical arrhythmia mechanisms followed by an in-depth review of published animal models of genetic and acquired arrhythmia disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Blackwell
- Vanderbilt Center for Arrhythmia Research and Therapeutics, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Jeffrey Schmeckpeper
- Vanderbilt Center for Arrhythmia Research and Therapeutics, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Bjorn C Knollmann
- Vanderbilt Center for Arrhythmia Research and Therapeutics, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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12
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Krahn AD, Tfelt-Hansen J, Tadros R, Steinberg C, Semsarian C, Han HC. Latent Causes of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2022; 8:806-821. [PMID: 35738861 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2021.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Inherited arrhythmia syndromes are a common cause of apparently unexplained cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death. These include long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome, with a well-recognized phenotype in most patients with sufficiently severe disease to lead to cardiac arrest. Less common and typically less apparent conditions that may not be readily evident include catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, short QT syndrome and early repolarization syndrome. In cardiac arrest patients whose extensive testing does not reveal an underlying etiology, a diagnosis of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation or short-coupled ventricular fibrillation is assigned. This review summarizes our current understanding of the less common inherited arrhythmia syndromes and provides clinicians with a practical approach to diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Krahn
- Center for Cardiovascular Innovation, Heart Rhythm Services, Division of Cardiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Jacob Tfelt-Hansen
- The Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rafik Tadros
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Christian Steinberg
- Institut universitaire de cardiologie et pneumologie de Québec (IUCPQ-UL), Laval University, Inherited Arrhythmia Services, Départment of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Québec, Canada
| | - Christopher Semsarian
- Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology at Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hui-Chen Han
- Center for Cardiovascular Innovation, Heart Rhythm Services, Division of Cardiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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13
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Crea F. Novel mechanistic insights into ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Eur Heart J 2022; 43:1177-1180. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Crea
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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14
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Hou Y, Zhang X, Sun X, Qin Q, Chen D, Jia M, Chen Y. Genetically modified rabbit models for cardiovascular medicine. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 922:174890. [PMID: 35300995 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Genetically modified (GM) rabbits are outstanding animal models for studying human genetic and acquired diseases. As such, GM rabbits that express human genes have been extensively used as models of cardiovascular disease. Rabbits are genetically modified via prokaryotic microinjection. Through this process, genes are randomly integrated into the rabbit genome. Moreover, gene targeting in embryonic stem (ES) cells is a powerful tool for understanding gene function. However, rabbits lack stable ES cell lines. Therefore, ES-dependent gene targeting is not possible in rabbits. Nevertheless, the RNA interference technique is rapidly becoming a useful experimental tool that enables researchers to knock down specific gene expression, which leads to the genetic modification of rabbits. Recently, with the emergence of new genetic technology, such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9), major breakthroughs have been made in rabbit gene targeting. Using these novel genetic techniques, researchers have successfully modified knockout (KO) rabbit models. In this paper, we aimed to review the recent advances in GM technology in rabbits and highlight their application as models for cardiovascular medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Hou
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710021, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710021, China
| | - Xia Sun
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710021, China; School of Basic and Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710021, China
| | - Qiaohong Qin
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710021, China
| | - Di Chen
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710021, China; School of Basic and Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710021, China
| | - Min Jia
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710021, China
| | - Yulong Chen
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710021, China.
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15
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Odening KE, van der Linde HJ, Ackerman MJ, Volders PGA, ter Bekke RMA. OUP accepted manuscript. Eur Heart J 2022; 43:3018-3028. [PMID: 35445703 PMCID: PMC9443984 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An abundance of literature describes physiological and pathological determinants of cardiac performance, building on the principles of excitation–contraction coupling. However, the mutual influencing of excitation–contraction and mechano-electrical feedback in the beating heart, here designated ‘electromechanical reciprocity’, remains poorly recognized clinically, despite the awareness that external and cardiac-internal mechanical stimuli can trigger electrical responses and arrhythmia. This review focuses on electromechanical reciprocity in the long-QT syndrome (LQTS), historically considered a purely electrical disease, but now appreciated as paradigmatic for the understanding of mechano-electrical contributions to arrhythmogenesis in this and other cardiac conditions. Electromechanical dispersion in LQTS is characterized by heterogeneously prolonged ventricular repolarization, besides altered contraction duration and relaxation. Mechanical alterations may deviate from what would be expected from global and regional repolarization abnormalities. Pathological repolarization prolongation outlasts mechanical systole in patients with LQTS, yielding a negative electromechanical window (EMW), which is most pronounced in symptomatic patients. The electromechanical window is a superior and independent arrhythmia-risk predictor compared with the heart rate-corrected QT. A negative EMW implies that the ventricle is deformed—by volume loading during the rapid filling phase—when repolarization is still ongoing. This creates a ‘sensitized’ electromechanical substrate, in which inadvertent electrical or mechanical stimuli such as local after-depolarizations, after-contractions, or dyssynchrony can trigger abnormal impulses. Increased sympathetic-nerve activity and pause-dependent potentiation further exaggerate electromechanical heterogeneities, promoting arrhythmogenesis. Unraveling electromechanical reciprocity advances the understanding of arrhythmia formation in various conditions. Real-time image integration of cardiac electrophysiology and mechanics offers new opportunities to address challenges in arrhythmia management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henk J van der Linde
- Janssen Research & Development, Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., Beerse, Belgium
| | - Michael J Ackerman
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Heart Rhythm Services (Windland Smith Rice Genetic Heart Rhythm Clinic), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics (Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Paul G A Volders
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center+, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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16
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Fan X, Yang G, Kowitz J, Duru F, Saguner AM, Akin I, Zhou X, El-Battrawy I. Preclinical short QT syndrome models: studying the phenotype and drug-screening. Europace 2021; 24:481-493. [PMID: 34516623 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euab214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in developed and developing countries. Inherited cardiac channelopathies are linked to 5-10% of SCDs, mainly in the young. Short QT syndrome (SQTS) is a rare inherited channelopathy, which leads to both atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias, syncope, and even SCD. International European Society of Cardiology guidelines include as diagnostic criteria: (i) QTc ≤ 340 ms on electrocardiogram, (ii) QTc ≤ 360 ms plus one of the follwing, an affected short QT syndrome pathogenic gene mutation, or family history of SQTS, or aborted cardiac arrest, or family history of cardiac arrest in the young. However, further evaluation of the QTc ranges seems to be required, which might be possible by assembling large short QT cohorts and considering genetic screening of the newly described pathogenic mutations. Since the mechanisms underlying the arrhythmogenesis of SQTS is unclear, optimal therapy for SQTS is still lacking. The disease is rare, unclear genotype-phenotype correlations exist in a bevy of cases and the absence of an international short QT registry limit studies on the pathophysiological mechanisms of arrhythmogenesis and therapy of SQTS. This leads to the necessity of experimental models or platforms for studying SQTS. Here, we focus on reviewing preclinical SQTS models and platforms such as animal models, heterologous expression systems, human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte models and computer models as well as three-dimensional engineered heart tissues. We discuss their usefulness for SQTS studies to examine genotype-phenotype associations, uncover disease mechanisms and test drugs. These models might be helpful for providing novel insights into the exact pathophysiological mechanisms of this channelopathy and may offer opportunities to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with SQT syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehui Fan
- University of Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany.,Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Guoqiang Yang
- Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Hospital (T.CM.) Affiliated to Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.,Research Unit of Molecular Imaging Probes, Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | | | - Firat Duru
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Centre, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ardan M Saguner
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Centre, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ibrahim Akin
- University of Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site, Heidelberg-Mannheim, Germany
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- University of Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany.,Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site, Heidelberg-Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ibrahim El-Battrawy
- University of Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, University Heart Centre, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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17
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A comparative review on heart ion channels, action potentials and electrocardiogram in rodents and human: extrapolation of experimental insights to clinic. Lab Anim Res 2021; 37:25. [PMID: 34496976 PMCID: PMC8424989 DOI: 10.1186/s42826-021-00102-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a non-invasive valuable diagnostic tool that is used in clinics for investigation and monitoring of heart electrical rhythm/conduction, ischemia/injury of heart, electrolyte disturbances and agents/drugs induced cardiac toxicity. Nowadays using animal models to study heart diseases such as electrical and mechanical disturbance is common. In addition, given to ethical consideration and availability, the use of small rodents has been a top priority for cardiovascular researchers. However, extrapolation of experimental findings from the lab to the clinic needs sufficient basic knowledge of similarities and differences between heart action potential and ECG of rodents and humans in normal and disease conditions. This review compares types of human action potentials, the dominant ion currents during action potential phases, alteration in ion channels activities in channelopathies-induced arrhythmias and the ECG appearance of mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit and human. Also, it briefly discusses the responsiveness and alterations in ECG following some interventions such as cardiac injury and arrhythmia induction. Overall, it provides a roadmap for researchers in selecting the best animal model/species whose studies results can be translated into clinical practice. In addition, this study will also be useful to biologists, physiologists, pharmacologists, veterinarians and physicians working in the fields of comparative physiology, pharmacology, toxicology and diseases.
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18
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Crotti L, Odening KE, Sanguinetti MC. Heritable arrhythmias associated with abnormal function of cardiac potassium channels. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 116:1542-1556. [PMID: 32227190 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyocytes express a surprisingly large number of potassium channel types. The primary physiological functions of the currents conducted by these channels are to maintain the resting membrane potential and mediate action potential repolarization under basal conditions and in response to changes in the concentrations of intracellular sodium, calcium, and ATP/ADP. Here, we review the diversity and functional roles of cardiac potassium channels under normal conditions and how heritable mutations in the genes encoding these channels can lead to distinct arrhythmias. We briefly review atrial fibrillation and J-wave syndromes. For long and short QT syndromes, we describe their genetic basis, clinical manifestation, risk stratification, traditional and novel therapeutic approaches, as well as insights into disease mechanisms provided by animal and cellular models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia Crotti
- Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias of Genetic Origin, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Laboratory of Cardiovascular Genetics, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Cardiovascular, Neural and Metabolic Sciences, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, San Luca Hospital, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Katja E Odening
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center University of Freiburg, Medical Faculty, Freiburg, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart Center University of Freiburg, Medical Faculty, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, Translational Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and Institute of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael C Sanguinetti
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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19
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Jæger KH, Edwards AG, Giles WR, Tveito A. A computational method for identifying an optimal combination of existing drugs to repair the action potentials of SQT1 ventricular myocytes. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009233. [PMID: 34383746 PMCID: PMC8360568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations are known to cause perturbations in essential functional features of integral membrane proteins, including ion channels. Even restricted or point mutations can result in substantially changed properties of ion currents. The additive effect of these alterations for a specific ion channel can result in significantly changed properties of the action potential (AP). Both AP shortening and AP prolongation can result from known mutations, and the consequences can be life-threatening. Here, we present a computational method for identifying new drugs utilizing combinations of existing drugs. Based on the knowledge of theoretical effects of existing drugs on individual ion currents, our aim is to compute optimal combinations that can ‘repair’ the mutant AP waveforms so that the baseline AP-properties are restored. More specifically, we compute optimal, combined, drug concentrations such that the waveforms of the transmembrane potential and the cytosolic calcium concentration of the mutant cardiomyocytes (CMs) becomes as similar as possible to their wild type counterparts after the drug has been applied. In order to demonstrate the utility of this method, we address the question of computing an optimal drug for the short QT syndrome type 1 (SQT1). For the SQT1 mutation N588K, there are available data sets that describe the effect of various drugs on the mutated K+ channel. These published findings are the basis for our computational analysis which can identify optimal compounds in the sense that the AP of the mutant CMs resembles essential biomarkers of the wild type CMs. Using recently developed insights regarding electrophysiological properties among myocytes from different species, we compute optimal drug combinations for hiPSC-CMs, rabbit ventricular CMs and adult human ventricular CMs with the SQT1 mutation. Since the ‘composition’ of ion channels that form the AP is different for the three types of myocytes under consideration, so is the composition of the optimal drug. Poly-pharmacology (using multiple drugs to treat disease) has been proposed for improving cardiac anti-arrhythmic therapy for at least two decades. However, the specific arrhythmia contexts in which polytherapy is likely to be both safe and effective have remained elusive. Type 1 short QT syndrome (SQT1) is a rare form of cardiac arrhythmia that results from mutations to the human Ether-á-go-go Related Gene (hERG) potassium channel. Functionally, these mutations are remarkably consistent in that they permit the channel to open earlier during each heart beat. While hundreds of compounds are known to inhibit hERG channels, the specific effect of SQT1 mutations that allows for early channel opening also limits the ability of most of those compounds to correct SQT1 dysfunction. Here, we have applied a suite of ventricular cardiomyocyte computational models to ask whether polytherapy may offer a more effective therapeutic strategy in SQT1, and if so, what the likely characteristics of that strategy are. Our analyses suggest that simultaneous induction of late sodium current and partial hERG blockade offers a promising strategy. While no activators of late sodium current have been clinically approved, several experimental compounds are available and may provide a basis for interrogating this strategy. The method presented here can be used to compute optimal drug combinations provided that the effect of each drug on every relevant ion channel is known.
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MESH Headings
- Action Potentials/drug effects
- Amino Acid Substitution
- Animals
- Anti-Arrhythmia Agents/administration & dosage
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac/drug therapy
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac/genetics
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac/physiopathology
- Computational Biology
- Drug Combinations
- Drug Design
- Drug Therapy, Combination/methods
- ERG1 Potassium Channel/drug effects
- ERG1 Potassium Channel/genetics
- ERG1 Potassium Channel/physiology
- Heart Conduction System/abnormalities
- Heart Conduction System/physiopathology
- Heart Defects, Congenital/drug therapy
- Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics
- Heart Defects, Congenital/physiopathology
- Humans
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/drug effects
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/physiology
- Models, Cardiovascular
- Mutation, Missense
- Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects
- Myocytes, Cardiac/physiology
- Rabbits
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew G. Edwards
- Simula Research Laboratory, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, California United States of America
| | - Wayne R. Giles
- Simula Research Laboratory, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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20
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Odening KE, Gomez AM, Dobrev D, Fabritz L, Heinzel FR, Mangoni ME, Molina CE, Sacconi L, Smith G, Stengl M, Thomas D, Zaza A, Remme CA, Heijman J. ESC working group on cardiac cellular electrophysiology position paper: relevance, opportunities, and limitations of experimental models for cardiac electrophysiology research. Europace 2021; 23:1795-1814. [PMID: 34313298 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euab142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias are a major cause of death and disability. A large number of experimental cell and animal models have been developed to study arrhythmogenic diseases. These models have provided important insights into the underlying arrhythmia mechanisms and translational options for their therapeutic management. This position paper from the ESC Working Group on Cardiac Cellular Electrophysiology provides an overview of (i) currently available in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo electrophysiological research methodologies, (ii) the most commonly used experimental (cellular and animal) models for cardiac arrhythmias including relevant species differences, (iii) the use of human cardiac tissue, induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived and in silico models to study cardiac arrhythmias, and (iv) the availability, relevance, limitations, and opportunities of these cellular and animal models to recapitulate specific acquired and inherited arrhythmogenic diseases, including atrial fibrillation, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, sinus node, and conduction disorders and channelopathies. By promoting a better understanding of these models and their limitations, this position paper aims to improve the quality of basic research in cardiac electrophysiology, with the ultimate goal to facilitate the clinical translation and application of basic electrophysiological research findings on arrhythmia mechanisms and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja E Odening
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ana-Maria Gomez
- Signaling and cardiovascular pathophysiology-UMR-S 1180, Inserm, Université Paris-Saclay, 92296 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Dobromir Dobrev
- Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Frank R Heinzel
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matteo E Mangoni
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Cristina E Molina
- Institute of Experimental Cardiovascular Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site, Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - Leonardo Sacconi
- National Institute of Optics and European Laboratory for Non Linear Spectroscopy, Italy.,Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Freiburg, Germany
| | - Godfrey Smith
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Milan Stengl
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Dierk Thomas
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders (HCR), University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site, Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - Antonio Zaza
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jordi Heijman
- Department of Cardiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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21
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Hornyik T, Rieder M, Castiglione A, Major P, Baczko I, Brunner M, Koren G, Odening KE. Transgenic rabbit models for cardiac disease research. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:938-957. [PMID: 33822374 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To study the pathophysiology of human cardiac diseases and to develop novel treatment strategies, complex interactions of cardiac cells on cellular, tissue and on level of the whole heart need to be considered. As in vitro cell-based models do not depict the complexity of the human heart, animal models are used to obtain insights that can be translated to human diseases. Mice are the most commonly used animals in cardiac research. However, differences in electrophysiological and mechanical cardiac function and a different composition of electrical and contractile proteins limit the transferability of the knowledge gained. Moreover, the small heart size and fast heart rate are major disadvantages. In contrast to rodents, electrophysiological, mechanical and structural cardiac characteristics of rabbits resemble the human heart more closely, making them particularly suitable as an animal model for cardiac disease research. In this review, various methodological approaches for the generation of transgenic rabbits for cardiac disease research, such as pronuclear microinjection, the sleeping beauty transposon system and novel genome-editing methods (ZFN and CRISPR/Cas9)will be discussed. In the second section, we will introduce the different currently available transgenic rabbit models for monogenic cardiac diseases (such as long QT syndrome, short-QT syndrome and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) in detail, especially in regard to their utility to increase the understanding of pathophysiological disease mechanisms and novel treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Hornyik
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and Institute of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marina Rieder
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and Institute of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Castiglione
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and Institute of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Peter Major
- Institute for Genetics and Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Istvan Baczko
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Michael Brunner
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Cardiology and Medical Intensive Care, St. Josefskrankenhaus, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gideon Koren
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Katja E Odening
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and Institute of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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22
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Asatryan B, Yee L, Ben-Haim Y, Dobner S, Servatius H, Roten L, Tanner H, Crotti L, Skinner JR, Remme CA, Chevalier P, Medeiros-Domingo A, Behr ER, Reichlin T, Odening KE, Krahn AD. Sex-Related Differences in Cardiac Channelopathies: Implications for Clinical Practice. Circulation 2021; 143:739-752. [PMID: 33587657 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.120.048250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Sex-related differences in prevalence, clinical presentation, and outcome of cardiac channelopathies are increasingly recognized, despite their autosomal transmission and hence equal genetic predisposition among sexes. In congenital long-QT syndrome, adult women carry a greater risk for Torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death than do men. In contrast, Brugada syndrome is observed predominantly in adult men, with a considerably higher risk of arrhythmic sudden cardiac death in adult men than in women. In both conditions, the risk for arrhythmias varies with age. Sex-associated differences appear less evident in other cardiac channelopathies, likely a reflection of their rare(r) occurrence and our limited knowledge. In several cardiac channelopathies, sex-specific predictors of outcome have been identified. Together with genetic and environmental factors, sex hormones contribute to the sex-related disparities in cardiac channelopathies through modulation of the expression and function of cardiac ion channels. Despite these insights, essential knowledge gaps exist in the mechanistic understanding of these differences, warranting further investigation. Precise application of the available knowledge may improve the individualized care of patients with cardiac channelopathies. Promoting the reporting of sex-related phenotype and outcome parameters in clinical and experimental studies and advancing research on cardiac channelopathy animal models should translate into improved patient outcomes. This review provides a critical digest of the current evidence for sex-related differences in cardiac channelopathies and emphasizes their clinical implications and remaining gaps requiring further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babken Asatryan
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Lauren Yee
- Heart Rhythm Services, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (L.Y., A.D.K.)
| | - Yael Ben-Haim
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St George's University of London, United Kingdom (Y.B.-H., E.R.B.).,European Reference Network for Rare and Low Prevalence Complex Diseases of the Heart: ERN GUARD-Heart (Y.B.-H., L.C., P.C., E.R.B.)
| | - Stephan Dobner
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Helge Servatius
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Laurent Roten
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Hildegard Tanner
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Lia Crotti
- European Reference Network for Rare and Low Prevalence Complex Diseases of the Heart: ERN GUARD-Heart (Y.B.-H., L.C., P.C., E.R.B.).,Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias of Genetic Origin and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Genetics, Milan, Italy (L.C.).,Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy (L.C.).,Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular, Neural and Metabolic Sciences, San Luca Hospital, Milan, Italy (L.C.)
| | - Jonathan R Skinner
- The Cardiac Inherited Disease Group, Auckland, New Zealand (J.R.S.).,Greenlane Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand (J.R.S.).,Department of Paediatrics, Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, New Zealand (J.R.S.)
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands (C.A.R.)
| | - Philippe Chevalier
- Department of Rhythmology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Louis Pradel Cardiovascular Hospital, France (P.C.).,Lyon Reference Center for Inherited Arrhythmias, Louis Pradel Cardiovascular Hospital, Bron, France (P.C.).,Université de Lyon, France (P.C.)
| | | | - Elijah R Behr
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St George's University of London, United Kingdom (Y.B.-H., E.R.B.).,European Reference Network for Rare and Low Prevalence Complex Diseases of the Heart: ERN GUARD-Heart (Y.B.-H., L.C., P.C., E.R.B.).,Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom (E.R.B.)
| | - Tobias Reichlin
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Katja E Odening
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland (B.A., S.D., H.S., L.R., H.T., T.R., K.E.O.)
| | - Andrew D Krahn
- Heart Rhythm Services, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (L.Y., A.D.K.)
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23
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Functional evaluation of gene mutations in Long QT Syndrome: strength of evidence from in vitro assays for deciphering variants of uncertain significance. JOURNAL OF CONGENITAL CARDIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s40949-020-00037-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Genetic screening is now commonplace for patients suspected of having inherited cardiac conditions. Variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in disease-associated genes pose problems for the diagnostician and reliable methods for evaluating VUS function are required. Although function is difficult to interrogate for some genes, heritable channelopathies have established mechanisms that should be amenable to well-validated evaluation techniques.
The cellular electrophysiology techniques of ‘voltage-’ and ‘patch-’ clamp have a long history of successful use and have been central to identifying both the roles of genes involved in different forms of congenital Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) and the mechanisms by which mutations lead to aberrant ion channel function underlying clinical phenotypes. This is particularly evident for KCNQ1, KCNH2 and SCN5A, mutations in which underlie > 90% of genotyped LQTS cases (the LQT1-LQT3 subtypes). Recent studies utilizing high throughput (HT) planar patch-clamp recording have shown it to discriminate effectively between rare benign and pathological variants, studied through heterologous expression of recombinant channels. In combination with biochemical methods for evaluating channel trafficking and supported by biophysical modelling, patch clamp also provides detailed mechanistic insight into the functional consequences of identified mutations. Whilst potentially powerful, patient-specific stem-cell derived cardiomyocytes and genetically modified animal models are currently not well-suited to high throughput VUS study.
Conclusion
The widely adopted 2015 American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) and Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) guidelines for the interpretation of sequence variants include the PS3 criterion for consideration of evidence from well-established in vitro or in vivo assays. The wealth of information on underlying mechanisms of LQT1-LQT3 and recent HT patch clamp data support consideration of patch clamp data together (for LQT1 and LQT2) with information from biochemical trafficking assays as meeting the PS3 criterion of well established assays, able to provide ‘strong’ evidence for functional pathogenicity of identified VUS.
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24
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Varró A, Tomek J, Nagy N, Virág L, Passini E, Rodriguez B, Baczkó I. Cardiac transmembrane ion channels and action potentials: cellular physiology and arrhythmogenic behavior. Physiol Rev 2020; 101:1083-1176. [PMID: 33118864 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00024.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias are among the leading causes of mortality. They often arise from alterations in the electrophysiological properties of cardiac cells and their underlying ionic mechanisms. It is therefore critical to further unravel the pathophysiology of the ionic basis of human cardiac electrophysiology in health and disease. In the first part of this review, current knowledge on the differences in ion channel expression and properties of the ionic processes that determine the morphology and properties of cardiac action potentials and calcium dynamics from cardiomyocytes in different regions of the heart are described. Then the cellular mechanisms promoting arrhythmias in congenital or acquired conditions of ion channel function (electrical remodeling) are discussed. The focus is on human-relevant findings obtained with clinical, experimental, and computational studies, given that interspecies differences make the extrapolation from animal experiments to human clinical settings difficult. Deepening the understanding of the diverse pathophysiology of human cellular electrophysiology will help in developing novel and effective antiarrhythmic strategies for specific subpopulations and disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Varró
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,MTA-SZTE Cardiovascular Pharmacology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Jakub Tomek
- Department of Computer Science, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Norbert Nagy
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,MTA-SZTE Cardiovascular Pharmacology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Virág
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Elisa Passini
- Department of Computer Science, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Blanca Rodriguez
- Department of Computer Science, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - István Baczkó
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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25
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Abstract
The main inherited cardiac arrhythmias are long QT syndrome, short QT syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and Brugada syndrome. These rare diseases are often the underlying cause of sudden cardiac death in young individuals and result from mutations in several genes encoding ion channels or proteins involved in their regulation. The genetic defects lead to alterations in the ionic currents that determine the morphology and duration of the cardiac action potential, and individuals with these disorders often present with syncope or a life-threatening arrhythmic episode. The diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and history, the characteristics of the electrocardiographic recording at rest and during exercise and genetic analyses. Management relies on pharmacological therapy, mostly β-adrenergic receptor blockers (specifically, propranolol and nadolol) and sodium and transient outward current blockers (such as quinidine), or surgical interventions, including left cardiac sympathetic denervation and implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator. All these arrhythmias are potentially life-threatening and have substantial negative effects on the quality of life of patients. Future research should focus on the identification of genes associated with the diseases and other risk factors, improved risk stratification and, in particular for Brugada syndrome, effective therapies.
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26
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Baczkó I, Hornyik T, Brunner M, Koren G, Odening KE. Transgenic Rabbit Models in Proarrhythmia Research. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:853. [PMID: 32581808 PMCID: PMC7291951 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-induced proarrhythmia constitutes a potentially lethal side effect of various drugs. Most often, this proarrhythmia is mechanistically linked to the drug's potential to interact with repolarizing cardiac ion channels causing a prolongation of the QT interval in the ECG. Despite sophisticated screening approaches during drug development, reliable prediction of proarrhythmia remains very challenging. Although drug-induced long-QT-related proarrhythmia is often favored by conditions or diseases that impair the individual's repolarization reserve, most cellular, tissue, and whole animal model systems used for drug safety screening are based on normal, healthy models. In recent years, several transgenic rabbit models for different types of long QT syndromes (LQTS) with differences in the extent of impairment in repolarization reserve have been generated. These might be useful for screening/prediction of a drug's potential for long-QT-related proarrhythmia, particularly as different repolarizing cardiac ion channels are impaired in the different models. In this review, we summarize the electrophysiological characteristics of the available transgenic LQTS rabbit models, and the pharmacological proof-of-principle studies that have been performed with these models—highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of LQTS models for proarrhythmia research. In the end, we give an outlook on potential future directions and novel models.
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Affiliation(s)
- István Baczkó
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tibor Hornyik
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Brunner
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Cardiology and Medical Intensive Care, St. Josefskrankenhaus, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gideon Koren
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Katja E Odening
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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27
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Odening KE, Baczko I, Brunner M. Animals in cardiovascular research: important role of rabbit models in cardiac electrophysiology. Eur Heart J 2020; 41:2036. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katja E Odening
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Institute of Physiology, Buehlplatz 4, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Istvan Baczko
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Dóm tér 12, University of Szeged, 6721 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Michael Brunner
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Cardiology and Medical Intensive Care, St. Josefskrankenhaus, Sautierstrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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28
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Lüscher TF. Channelopathies and sudden cardiac death: genetics and pharmacological triggers. Eur Heart J 2019; 40:3067-3070. [PMID: 31573036 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Lüscher
- Professor of Cardiology, Imperial College and Director of Research, Education & Development, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals London, UK.,Professor and Chairman, Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.,Editor-in-Chief, EHJ Editorial Office, Zurich Heart House, Hottingerstreet 14, Zurich, Switzerland
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29
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Verheyen J, Kohl P, Peyronnet R. The Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine in Freiburg. Biophys Rev 2019; 11:675-677. [PMID: 31529359 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-019-00593-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Verheyen
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg · Bad Krozingen, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Kohl
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg · Bad Krozingen, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rémi Peyronnet
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg · Bad Krozingen, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. .,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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30
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Hancox JC, Whittaker DG, Zhang H, Stuart AG. Learning from studying very rare cardiac conditions: the example of short QT syndrome. JOURNAL OF CONGENITAL CARDIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1186/s40949-019-0024-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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31
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Lüscher TF. The year in arrythmias: real-world data on risk factors, ablation, and genetics. Eur Heart J 2019; 40:791-794. [PMID: 33215650 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Lüscher
- Professor of Cardiology, Imperial College and Director of Research, Education & Development, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals London, UK.,Professor and Chairman, Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland; and.,Editor-in-Chief, EHJ Editorial Office, Zurich Heart House, Hottingerstreet 14, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
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32
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Affiliation(s)
- Arie O Verkerk
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Heart Center, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Heart Center, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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