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Lei M, Salvage SC, Jackson AP, Huang CLH. Cardiac arrhythmogenesis: roles of ion channels and their functional modification. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1342761. [PMID: 38505707 PMCID: PMC10949183 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1342761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias cause significant morbidity and mortality and pose a major public health problem. They arise from disruptions in the normally orderly propagation of cardiac electrophysiological activation and recovery through successive cardiomyocytes in the heart. They reflect abnormalities in automaticity, initiation, conduction, or recovery in cardiomyocyte excitation. The latter properties are dependent on surface membrane electrophysiological mechanisms underlying the cardiac action potential. Their disruption results from spatial or temporal instabilities and heterogeneities in the generation and propagation of cellular excitation. These arise from abnormal function in their underlying surface membrane, ion channels, and transporters, as well as the interactions between them. The latter, in turn, form common regulatory targets for the hierarchical network of diverse signaling mechanisms reviewed here. In addition to direct molecular-level pharmacological or physiological actions on these surface membrane biomolecules, accessory, adhesion, signal transduction, and cytoskeletal anchoring proteins modify both their properties and localization. At the cellular level of excitation-contraction coupling processes, Ca2+ homeostatic and phosphorylation processes affect channel activity and membrane excitability directly or through intermediate signaling. Systems-level autonomic cellular signaling exerts both acute channel and longer-term actions on channel expression. Further upstream intermediaries from metabolic changes modulate the channels both themselves and through modifying Ca2+ homeostasis. Finally, longer-term organ-level inflammatory and structural changes, such as fibrotic and hypertrophic remodeling, similarly can influence all these physiological processes with potential pro-arrhythmic consequences. These normal physiological processes may target either individual or groups of ionic channel species and alter with particular pathological conditions. They are also potentially alterable by direct pharmacological action, or effects on longer-term targets modifying protein or cofactor structure, expression, or localization. Their participating specific biomolecules, often clarified in experimental genetically modified models, thus constitute potential therapeutic targets. The insights clarified by the physiological and pharmacological framework outlined here provide a basis for a recent modernized drug classification. Together, they offer a translational framework for current drug understanding. This would facilitate future mechanistically directed therapeutic advances, for which a number of examples are considered here. The latter are potentially useful for treating cardiac, in particular arrhythmic, disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Lei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha C. Salvage
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Antony P. Jackson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher L.-H. Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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2
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Huse S, Acharya S, Agrawal S, J H, Sachdev A, Ghulaxe Y, Sarda P, Chavada J. Recent Advances in Inherited Cardiac Arrhythmias and Their Genetic Testing. Cureus 2023; 15:e47653. [PMID: 38021622 PMCID: PMC10668889 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited arrhythmias, encompassing conditions such as cardiomyopathies, cardiac ion channel disorders, and coronary heart disease, represent the common causes that elevate the threat of sudden cardiac death among adults. Researchers have pinpointed the genes responsible for these hereditary arrhythmias in the last 30 years. Concurrently, it has become clear that the genetic makeup underlying these conditions is more intricate than previously understood. Evolution in DNA sequencing techniques, particularly next-generation sequencing, has empowered us to learn these intricate hereditary characteristics. Genetic testing is crucial in diagnosing, assessing risk, and determining treatment for individuals with these conditions and their family members. The need for collaborative endeavors to comprehend and address these uncommon yet potentially life-threatening disorders is becoming more evident. This review aims to inform readers of the latest advances in understanding hereditary arrhythmias and provide the groundwork for collaborative genetic testing initiatives to characterize these disorders in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreyash Huse
- Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Sourya Acharya
- Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Shashank Agrawal
- Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Harshita J
- Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Ankita Sachdev
- Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Yash Ghulaxe
- Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Prayas Sarda
- Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Jay Chavada
- Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
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3
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Huang CLH, Lei M. Cardiomyocyte electrophysiology and its modulation: current views and future prospects. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220160. [PMID: 37122224 PMCID: PMC10150219 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0160] [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: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal and abnormal cardiac rhythms are of key physiological and clinical interest. This introductory article begins from Sylvio Weidmann's key historic 1950s microelectrode measurements of cardiac electrophysiological activity and Singh & Vaughan Williams's classification of cardiotropic targets. It then proceeds to introduce the insights into cardiomyocyte function and its regulation that subsequently emerged and their therapeutic implications. We recapitulate the resulting view that surface membrane electrophysiological events underlying cardiac excitation and its initiation, conduction and recovery constitute the final common path for the cellular mechanisms that impinge upon this normal or abnormal cardiac electrophysiological activity. We then consider progress in the more recently characterized successive regulatory hierarchies involving Ca2+ homeostasis, excitation-contraction coupling and autonomic G-protein signalling and their often reciprocal interactions with the surface membrane events, and their circadian rhythms. Then follow accounts of longer-term upstream modulation processes involving altered channel expression, cardiomyocyte energetics and hypertrophic and fibrotic cardiac remodelling. Consideration of these developments introduces each of the articles in this Phil. Trans. B theme issue. The findings contained in these articles translate naturally into recent classifications of cardiac electrophysiological targets and drug actions, thereby encouraging future iterations of experimental cardiac electrophysiological discovery, and testing directed towards clinical management. This article is part of the theme issue 'The heartbeat: its molecular basis and physiological mechanisms'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L.-H. Huang
- Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Ming Lei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
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4
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Aromolaran AS. Is there an emerging role for I Ks in aging-related ventricular arrhythmias? J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:4337-4338. [PMID: 34888864 PMCID: PMC11128251 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ademuyiwa S Aromolaran
- Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute and Molecular Medicine Program, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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5
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Integrated transcriptomics and epigenomics reveal chamber-specific and species-specific characteristics of human and mouse hearts. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001229. [PMID: 34003819 PMCID: PMC8130971 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility, and gene expression represent different levels information in biological process, but a comprehensive multiomics analysis of the mammalian heart is lacking. Here, we applied nucleosome occupancy and methylome sequencing, which detected DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility simultaneously, as well as RNA-seq, for multiomics analysis of the 4 chambers of adult and fetal human hearts, and adult mouse hearts. Our results showed conserved region-specific patterns in the mammalian heart at transcriptome and DNA methylation level. Adult and fetal human hearts showed distinct features in DNA methylome, chromatin accessibility, and transcriptome. Novel long noncoding RNAs were identified in the human heart, and the gene expression profiles of major cardiovascular diseases associated genes were displayed. Furthermore, cross-species comparisons revealed human-specific and mouse-specific differentially expressed genes between the atria and ventricles. We also reported the relationship among multiomics and found there was a bell-shaped relationship between gene-body methylation and expression in the human heart. In general, our study provided comprehensive spatiotemporal and evolutionary insights into the regulation of gene expression in the heart. Multi-omic analyses of the four chambers of the human and mouse heart, including transcriptome, DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility, reveals characteristic patterns of gene regulation at the level of heart regions.
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Nakajima T, Tamura S, Kurabayashi M, Kaneko Y. Towards Mutation-Specific Precision Medicine in Atypical Clinical Phenotypes of Inherited Arrhythmia Syndromes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083930. [PMID: 33920294 PMCID: PMC8069124 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Most causal genes for inherited arrhythmia syndromes (IASs) encode cardiac ion channel-related proteins. Genotype-phenotype studies and functional analyses of mutant genes, using heterologous expression systems and animal models, have revealed the pathophysiology of IASs and enabled, in part, the establishment of causal gene-specific precision medicine. Additionally, the utilization of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology have provided further insights into the pathophysiology of IASs and novel promising therapeutic strategies, especially in long QT syndrome. It is now known that there are atypical clinical phenotypes of IASs associated with specific mutations that have unique electrophysiological properties, which raises a possibility of mutation-specific precision medicine. In particular, patients with Brugada syndrome harboring an SCN5A R1632C mutation exhibit exercise-induced cardiac events, which may be caused by a marked activity-dependent loss of R1632C-Nav1.5 availability due to a marked delay of recovery from inactivation. This suggests that the use of isoproterenol should be avoided. Conversely, the efficacy of β-blocker needs to be examined. Patients harboring a KCND3 V392I mutation exhibit both cardiac (early repolarization syndrome and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) and cerebral (epilepsy) phenotypes, which may be associated with a unique mixed electrophysiological property of V392I-Kv4.3. Since the epileptic phenotype appears to manifest prior to cardiac events in this mutation carrier, identifying KCND3 mutations in patients with epilepsy and providing optimal therapy will help prevent sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Further studies using the iPSC technology may provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of atypical clinical phenotypes of IASs and the development of mutation-specific precision medicine.
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Saadeh K, Fazmin IT. Mitochondrial Dysfunction Increases Arrhythmic Triggers and Substrates; Potential Anti-arrhythmic Pharmacological Targets. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:646932. [PMID: 33659284 PMCID: PMC7917191 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.646932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Incidence of cardiac arrhythmias increases significantly with age. In order to effectively stratify arrhythmic risk in the aging population it is crucial to elucidate the relevant underlying molecular mechanisms. The changes underlying age-related electrophysiological disruption appear to be closely associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, the present review examines the mechanisms by which age-related mitochondrial dysfunction promotes arrhythmic triggers and substrate. Namely, via alterations in plasmalemmal ionic currents (both sodium and potassium), gap junctions, cellular Ca2+ homeostasis, and cardiac fibrosis. Stratification of patients' mitochondrial function status permits application of appropriate anti-arrhythmic therapies. Here, we discuss novel potential anti-arrhythmic pharmacological interventions that specifically target upstream mitochondrial function and hence ameliorates the need for therapies targeting downstream changes which have constituted traditional antiarrhythmic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Saadeh
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Ibrahim Talal Fazmin
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom.,Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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8
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Huang CLH, Wu L, Jeevaratnam K, Lei M. Update on antiarrhythmic drug pharmacology. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2020; 31:579-592. [PMID: 31930579 DOI: 10.1111/jce.14347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias constitute a major public health problem. Pharmacological intervention remains mainstay to their clinical management. This, in turn, depends upon systematic drug classification schemes relating their molecular, cellular, and systems effects to clinical indications and therapeutic actions. This approach was first pioneered in the 1960s Vaughan-Williams classification. Subsequent progress in cardiac electrophysiological understanding led to a lag between the fundamental science and its clinical translation, partly addressed by The working group of the European Society of Cardiology (1991), which, however, did not emerge with formal classifications. We here utilize the recent Revised Oxford Classification Scheme to review antiarrhythmic drug pharmacology. We survey drugs and therapeutic targets offered by the more recently characterized ion channels, transporters, receptors, intracellular Ca2+ handling, and cell signaling molecules. These are organized into their strategic roles in cardiac electrophysiological function. Following analysis of the arrhythmic process itself, we consider (a) pharmacological agents directly targeting membrane function, particularly the Na+ and K+ ion channels underlying depolarizing and repolarizing events in the cardiac action potential. (b) We also consider agents that modify autonomic activity that, in turn, affects both the membrane and (c) the Ca2+ homeostatic and excitation-contraction coupling processes linking membrane excitation to contractile activation. Finally, we consider (d) drugs acting on more upstream energetic and structural remodeling processes currently the subject of clinical trials. Such systematic correlations of drug actions and arrhythmic mechanisms at different molecular to systems levels of cardiac function will facilitate current and future antiarrhythmic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L-H Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Lin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Ming Lei
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Martinez-Mateu L, Saiz J, Aromolaran AS. Differential Modulation of IK and ICa,L Channels in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Guinea Pig Atria. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1212. [PMID: 31607952 PMCID: PMC6773813 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity mechanisms that make atrial tissue vulnerable to arrhythmia are poorly understood. Voltage-dependent potassium (IK, IKur, and IK1) and L-type calcium currents (ICa,L) are electrically relevant and represent key substrates for modulation in obesity. We investigated whether electrical remodeling produced by high-fat diet (HFD) alone or in concert with acute atrial stimulation were different. Electrophysiology was used to assess atrial electrical function after short-term HFD-feeding in guinea pigs. HFD atria displayed spontaneous beats, increased IK (IKr + IKs) and decreased ICa,L densities. Only with pacing did a reduction in IKur and increased IK1 phenotype emerge, leading to a further shortening of action potential duration. Computer modeling studies further indicate that the measured changes in potassium and calcium current densities contribute prominently to shortened atrial action potential duration in human heart. Our data are the first to show that multiple mechanisms (shortened action potential duration, early afterdepolarizations and increased incidence of spontaneous beats) may underlie initiation of supraventricular arrhythmias in obese guinea pig hearts. These results offer different mechanistic insights with implications for obese patients harboring supraventricular arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martinez-Mateu
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Javier Saiz
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ademuyiwa S Aromolaran
- Cardiac Electrophysiology and Metabolism Research Group, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, NY, United States.,Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States.,Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
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10
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Hodgson P, Ireland J, Grunow B. Fish, the better model in human heart research? Zebrafish Heart aggregates as a 3D spontaneously cardiomyogenic in vitro model system. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 138:132-141. [PMID: 29729327 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2018.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish (ZF) has become an essential model for biomedical, pharmacological and eco-toxicological heart research. Despite the anatomical differences between fish and human hearts, similarities in cellular structure and conservation of genes as well as pathways across vertebrates have led to an increase in the popularity of ZF as a model for human cardiac research. ZF research benefits from an entirely sequenced genome, which allows us to establish and study cardiovascular mutants to better understand cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we will discuss the importance of in vitro model systems for cardiac research and summarise results of in vitro 3D heart-like cell aggregates, consisting of myocardial tissue formed spontaneously from enzymatically digested whole embryonic ZF larvae (Zebrafish Heart Aggregate - ZFHA). We will give an overview of the similarities and differences of ZF versus human hearts and highlight why ZF complement established mammalian models (i.e. murine and large animal models) for cardiac research. At this stage, the ZFHA model system is being refined into a high-throughput (more ZFHA generated than larvae prepared) and stable in vitro test system to accomplish the same longevity of previously successful salmonid models. ZFHA have potential for the use of high-throughput-screenings of different factors like small molecules, nucleic acids, proteins and lipids which is difficult to achieve in the zebrafish in vivo screening models with lethal mutations as well as to explore ion channel disorders and to find appropriate drugs for safety screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Hodgson
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK; Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Stott Lane, Salford M6 8HD, UK
| | - Jake Ireland
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK; School of Chemistry, Materials Science, and Engineering, Hilmer Building, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Bianka Grunow
- University Medicine Greifswald, Institute of Physiology, Greifswalder Str. 11C, 17495 Karlsburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK.
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11
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Jeevaratnam K, Chadda KR, Salvage SC, Valli H, Ahmad S, Grace AA, Huang CLH. Ion channels, long QT syndrome and arrhythmogenesis in ageing. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2017; 44 Suppl 1:38-45. [PMID: 28024120 PMCID: PMC5763326 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Ageing is associated with increased prevalences of both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, reflecting disruption of the normal sequence of ion channel activation and inactivation generating the propagated cardiac action potential. Experimental models with specific ion channel genetic modifications have helped clarify the interacting functional roles of ion channels and how their dysregulation contributes to arrhythmogenic processes at the cellular and systems level. They have also investigated interactions between these ion channel abnormalities and age-related processes in producing arrhythmic tendency. Previous reviews have explored the relationships between age and loss-of-function Nav 1.5 mutations in producing arrhythmogenicity. The present review now explores complementary relationships arising from gain-of-function Nav 1.5 mutations associated with long QT3 (LQTS3). LQTS3 patients show increased risks of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, particularly after 40 years of age, consistent with such interactions between the ion channel abnormailities and ageing. In turn clinical evidence suggests that ageing is accompanied by structural, particularly fibrotic, as well as electrophysiological change. These abnormalities may result from biochemical changes producing low-grade inflammation resulting from increased production of reactive oxygen species and superoxide. Experimental studies offer further insights into the underlying mechanisms underlying these phenotypes. Thus, studies in genetically modified murine models for LQTS implicated action potential recovery processes in arrhythmogenesis resulting from functional ion channel abnormalities. In addition, ageing wild type (WT) murine models demonstrated both ion channel alterations and fibrotic changes with ageing. Murine models then suggested evidence for interactions between ageing and ion channel mutations and provided insights into potential arrhythmic mechanisms inviting future exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamalan Jeevaratnam
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.,School of Medicine, Perdana University-Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Karan R Chadda
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.,Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Haseeb Valli
- Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Shiraz Ahmad
- Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew A Grace
- Division of Cardiovascular Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christopher L-H Huang
- Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Division of Cardiovascular Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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12
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Ahmad S, Valli H, Edling CE, Grace AA, Jeevaratnam K, Huang CLH. Effects of ageing on pro-arrhythmic ventricular phenotypes in incrementally paced murine Pgc-1β -/- hearts. Pflugers Arch 2017; 469:1579-1590. [PMID: 28821956 PMCID: PMC5691113 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-017-2054-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A range of chronic clinical conditions accompany cardiomyocyte energetic dysfunction and constitute independent risk factors for cardiac arrhythmia. We investigated pro-arrhythmic and arrhythmic phenotypes in energetically deficient C57BL mice with genetic ablation of the mitochondrial promoter peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1β (Pgc-1β), a known model of ventricular arrhythmia. Pro-arrhythmic and cellular action potential (AP) characteristics were compared in intact Langendorff-perfused hearts from young (12–16 week) and aged (> 52 week), wild-type (WT) and Pgc-1β−/− mice. Simultaneous electrocardiographic and intracellular microelectrode recordings were made through successive trains of 100 regular stimuli at progressively incremented heart rates. Aged Pgc-1β−/− hearts displayed an increased incidence of arrhythmia compared to other groups. Young and aged Pgc-1β−/− hearts showed higher incidences of alternans in both AP activation (maximum AP upshoot velocity (dV/dt)max and latency), recovery (action potential duration (APD90) and resting membrane potential (RMP) characteristics compared to WT hearts. This was particularly apparent at lower pacing frequencies. These findings accompanied reduced (dV/dt)max and increased AP latency values in the Pgc-1β−/− hearts. APs observed prior to termination of the protocol showed lower (dV/dt)max and longer AP latencies, but indistinguishable APD90 and RMPs in arrhythmic compared to those in non-arrhythmic hearts. APD restitution analysis showed that Pgc-1β−/− and WT hearts showed similar limiting gradients. However, Pgc-1β−/− hearts had shortened plateau AP wavelengths, particularly in aged Pgc-1β−/− hearts. Pgc-1β−/− hearts therefore show pro-arrhythmic instabilities attributable to altered AP conduction and activation rather than recovery characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiraz Ahmad
- Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - Haseeb Valli
- Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Charlotte E Edling
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7AL, UK
| | - Andrew A Grace
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Kamalan Jeevaratnam
- Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7AL, UK
- PU-RCSI School of Medicine, Perdana University, 43400, Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Christopher L-H Huang
- Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK.
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13
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Aromolaran AS, Boutjdir M. Cardiac Ion Channel Regulation in Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome: Relevance to Long QT Syndrome and Atrial Fibrillation. Front Physiol 2017; 8:431. [PMID: 28680407 PMCID: PMC5479057 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity and its associated metabolic dysregulation leading to metabolic syndrome is an epidemic that poses a significant public health problem. More than one-third of the world population is overweight or obese leading to enhanced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality. Obesity predisposes to atrial fibrillation, ventricular, and supraventricular arrhythmias; conditions that are underlain by dysfunction in electrical activity of the heart. To date, current therapeutic options for cardiomyopathy of obesity are limited, suggesting that there is considerable room for development of therapeutic interventions with novel mechanisms of action that will help normalize rhythm in obese patients. Emerging candidates for modulation by obesity are cardiac ion channels and Ca handling proteins. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of the impact of obesity on these channels/Ca handling proteins remain incompletely understood. Obesity is marked by accumulation of adipose tissue associated with a variety of adverse adaptations including dyslipidemia (or abnormal levels of serum free fatty acids), increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, fibrosis, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance, that will cause electrical remodeling and thus predispose to arrhythmias. Further, adipose tissue is also associated with the accumulation of subcutaneous and visceral fat, which are marked by distinct signaling mechanisms. Thus, there may also be functional differences in the outcome of regional distribution of fat deposits on ion channel/Ca handling proteins expression. Evaluating alterations in their functional expression in obesity will lead to progress in the knowledge about the mechanisms responsible for obesity-related arrhythmias. These advances are likely to reveal new targets for pharmacological modulation. The objective of this article is to review cardiac ion channel/Ca handling proteins remodeling that predispose to arrhythmias. Understanding how obesity and related mechanisms lead to cardiac electrical remodeling is likely to have a significant medical and economic impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ademuyiwa S Aromolaran
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare SystemBrooklyn, NY, United States.,Departments of Medicine, Cell Biology and Pharmacology, State University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklyn, NY, United States
| | - Mohamed Boutjdir
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare SystemBrooklyn, NY, United States.,Departments of Medicine, Cell Biology and Pharmacology, State University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklyn, NY, United States.,Department of Medicine, New York University School of MedicineNew York, NY, United States
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14
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Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias can follow disruption of the normal cellular electrophysiological processes underlying excitable activity and their tissue propagation as coherent wavefronts from the primary sinoatrial node pacemaker, through the atria, conducting structures and ventricular myocardium. These physiological events are driven by interacting, voltage-dependent, processes of activation, inactivation, and recovery in the ion channels present in cardiomyocyte membranes. Generation and conduction of these events are further modulated by intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, and metabolic and structural change. This review describes experimental studies on murine models for known clinical arrhythmic conditions in which these mechanisms were modified by genetic, physiological, or pharmacological manipulation. These exemplars yielded molecular, physiological, and structural phenotypes often directly translatable to their corresponding clinical conditions, which could be investigated at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and whole animal levels. Arrhythmogenesis could be explored during normal pacing activity, regular stimulation, following imposed extra-stimuli, or during progressively incremented steady pacing frequencies. Arrhythmic substrate was identified with temporal and spatial functional heterogeneities predisposing to reentrant excitation phenomena. These could arise from abnormalities in cardiac pacing function, tissue electrical connectivity, and cellular excitation and recovery. Triggering events during or following recovery from action potential excitation could thereby lead to sustained arrhythmia. These surface membrane processes were modified by alterations in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis and energetics, as well as cellular and tissue structural change. Study of murine systems thus offers major insights into both our understanding of normal cardiac activity and its propagation, and their relationship to mechanisms generating clinical arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L-H Huang
- Physiological Laboratory and the Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Tse G, Sun B, Wong ST, Tse V, Yeo JM. Anti-arrhythmic effects of hypercalcemia in hyperkalemic, Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. Biomed Rep 2016; 5:301-310. [PMID: 27588173 PMCID: PMC4998139 DOI: 10.3892/br.2016.735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study examined the ventricular arrhythmic and electrophysiological properties during hyperkalemia (6.3 mM [K+] vs. 4 mM in normokalemia) and anti-arrhythmic effects of hypercalcemia (2.2 mM [Ca2+]) in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. Monophasic action potential recordings were obtained from the left ventricle during right ventricular pacing. Hyperkalemia increased the proportion of hearts showing provoked ventricular tachycardia (VT) from 0 to 6 of 7 hearts during programmed electrical stimulation (Fisher's exact test, P<0.05). It shortened the epicardial action potential durations (APDx) at 90, 70, 50 and 30% repolarization and ventricular effective refractory periods (VERPs) (analysis of variance, P<0.05) without altering activation latencies. Endocardial APDx and VERPs were unaltered. Consequently, ∆APDx (endocardial APDx-epicardial APDx) was increased, VERP/latency ratio was decreased and critical intervals for reexcitation (APD90-VERP) were unchanged. Hypercalcemia treatment exerted anti-arrhythmic effects during hyperkalemia, reducing the proportion of hearts showing VT to 1 of 7 hearts. It increased epicardial VERPs without further altering the remaining parameters, returning VERP/latency ratio to normokalemic values and also decreased the critical intervals. In conclusion, hyperkalemia exerted pro-arrhythmic effects by shortening APDs and VERPs. Hypercalcemia exerted anti-arrhythmic effects by reversing VERP changes, which scaled the VERP/latency ratio and critical intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Tse
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, P.R. China
| | - Bing Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji University Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | | | - Vivian Tse
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Jie Ming Yeo
- School of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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Tse G, Tse V, Yeo JM, Sun B. Atrial Anti-Arrhythmic Effects of Heptanol in Langendorff-Perfused Mouse Hearts. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148858. [PMID: 26872148 PMCID: PMC4752503 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute effects of heptanol (0.1 to 2 mM) on atrial electrophysiology were explored in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. Left atrial bipolar electrogram or monophasic action potential recordings were obtained during right atrial stimulation. Regular pacing at 8 Hz elicited atrial activity in 11 out of 11 hearts without inducing atrial arrhythmias. Programmed electrical stimulation using a S1S2 protocol provoked atrial tachy-arrhythmias in 9 of 17 hearts. In the initially arrhythmic group, 2 mM heptanol exerted anti-arrhythmic effects (Fisher’s exact test, P < 0.05) and increased atrial effective refractory period (ERP) from 26.0 ± 1.9 to 57.1 ± 2.5 ms (ANOVA, P < 0.001) despite increasing activation latency from 18.7 ± 1.1 to 28.9 ± 2.1 ms (P < 0.001) and leaving action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90) unaltered (25.6 ± 1.2 vs. 27.2 ± 1.2 ms; P > 0.05), which led to increases in ERP/latency ratio from 1.4 ± 0.1 to 2.1 ± 0.2 and ERP/APD90 ratio from 1.0 ± 0.1 to 2.1 ± 0.2 (P < 0.001). In contrast, in the initially non-arrhythmic group, heptanol did not alter arrhythmogenicity, increased AERP from 47.3 ± 5.3 to 54.5 ± 3.1 ms (P < 0.05) and activation latency from 23.7 ± 2.2 to 31.3 ± 2.5 ms and did not alter APD90 (24.1 ± 1.2 vs. 25.0 ± 2.3 ms; P > 0.05), leaving both AERP/latency ratio (2.1 ± 0.3 vs. 1.9 ± 0.2; P > 0.05) and ERP/APD90 ratio (2.0 ± 0.2 vs. 2.1 ± 0.1; P > 0.05) unaltered. Lower heptanol concentrations (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mM) did not alter arrhythmogenicity or the above parameters. The present findings contrast with known ventricular pro-arrhythmic effects of heptanol associated with decreased ERP/latency ratio, despite increased ERP/APD ratio observed in both the atria and ventricles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Tse
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Vivian Tse
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jie Ming Yeo
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bing Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji University Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail:
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Zarzoso M, Mironov S, Guerrero-Serna G, Willis BC, Pandit SV. Ventricular remodelling in rabbits with sustained high-fat diet. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2014; 211:36-47. [PMID: 24304486 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
AIM Excess weight gain and obesity are one of the most serious health problems in the western societies. These conditions enhance risk of cardiac disease and have been linked with increased prevalence for cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. Our goal was to study the ventricular remodelling occurring in rabbits fed with high-fat diet (HFD) and its potential arrhythmogenic mechanisms. METHODS We used 15 NZW rabbits that were randomly assigned to a control (n = 7) or HFD group (n = 8) for 18 weeks. In vivo studies included blood glucose, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic measurements. Optical mapping was performed in Langendorff-perfused isolated hearts. RESULTS Body weight (3.69 ± 0.31 vs. 2.94 ± 0.18 kg, P < 0.001) and blood glucose levels (230 ± 61 vs. 141 ± 14 mg dL(-1) , P < 0.05) were higher in the HFD group vs. controls. The rate-corrected QT interval and its dispersion were increased in HFD rabbits vs. controls (169 ± 10 vs. 146 ± 13 ms and 37 ± 11 vs. 9 ± 2 ms, respectively; P < 0.05). Echocardiographic analysis showed morphological and functional alterations in HFD rabbits indicative of left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy. Isolated heart studies revealed no changes in repolarization and propagation properties under conditions of normal extracellular K(+) , suggesting that extrinsic factors could underlie those electrocardiographic modifications. There were no differences in the dynamics of ventricular fibrillation (frequency, wave breaks) in the presence of isoproterenol. However, HFD rabbits showed a small reduction in action potential duration and an increased incidence of arrhythmias during hyperkalaemia. CONCLUSION High-fat feeding during 18 weeks in rabbits induced a type II diabetes phenotype, LV hypertrophy, abnormalities in repolarization and susceptibility to arrhythmias during hyperkalaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Zarzoso
- Center for Arrhythmia Research; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor MI USA
- Department of Physiotherapy; Universitat de València; Valencia Spain
| | - S. Mironov
- Center for Arrhythmia Research; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor MI USA
| | - G. Guerrero-Serna
- Center for Arrhythmia Research; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor MI USA
| | - B. Cicero Willis
- Center for Arrhythmia Research; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor MI USA
| | - S. V. Pandit
- Center for Arrhythmia Research; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor MI USA
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Nielsen MW, Holst AG, Olesen SP, Olesen MS. The genetic component of Brugada syndrome. Front Physiol 2013; 4:179. [PMID: 23874304 PMCID: PMC3710955 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2013.00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a clinical entity first described in 1992. BrS is characterized by ST-segment elevations in the right precordial leads and susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. It affects young subjects, predominantly males, with structurally normal hearts. The prevalence varies with ethnicity ranging from 1:2,000 to 1:100,000 in different parts of the world. Today, hundreds of variants in 17 genes have been associated with BrS of which mutations in SCN5A, coding for the cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel, accounts for the vast majority. Despite this, approximately 70% of BrS cases cannot be explained genetically with the current knowledge. Moreover, the monogenic role of some of the variants previously described as being associated with BrS has been questioned by their occurrence in about 4% (1:23) of the general population as found in NHLBI GO Exome Sequencing Project (ESP) currently including approximately 6500 individuals. If we add the variants described in the five newest identified genes associated with BrS, they appear at an even higher prevalence in the ESP (1:21). The current standard treatment of BrS is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The risk stratification and indications for ICD treatment are based on the ECG and on the clinical and family history. In this review we discuss the genetic basis of BrS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten W Nielsen
- The Danish National Research Foundation Centre for Cardiac Arrhythmia Copenhagen, Denmark ; Department of Cardiology, Laboratory for Molecular Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark
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Shi C, Wang X, Dong F, Wang Y, Hui J, Lin Z, Yang J, Xu Y. Temporal alterations and cellular mechanisms of transmural repolarization during progression of mouse cardiac hypertrophy and failure. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2013; 208:95-110. [PMID: 23356774 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2012] [Revised: 10/29/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
AIM The remodelling of transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) in human heart failure (HF) and in different animal models of cardiac hypertrophy or HF remains a controversial topic. We hypothesize that TDR may exhibit temporal alterations, depending on the stage of the disease. METHODS We systematically investigated the temporal alterations of TDR during the development of cardiac hypertrophy and HF in the mouse pressure-overload model using electrophysiological and molecular biology techniques. RESULTS A progressive prolongation of QT interval and changes in the amplitude of the J wave at 2, 5, 9 and 13 weeks were found in anesthetized aorta-banded mice. Action potential duration (APD) at 90% repolarization (APD90) in subendocardial myocytes of the left ventricular free wall remained unchanged at the hypertrophic stage (2 and 5 weeks), but was significantly prolonged in HF mice at 9 and 13 weeks. However, APD90 in subepicardial myocytes exhibited a significant prolongation at 2 weeks and did not progressively extend from 2 weeks to 13 weeks in banded mice. Thus, non-parallel prolongation of APD in subendocardial and subepicardial myocytes led to a reduction in TDR at hypertrophic stage and an amplification of TDR at HF stage. Further experiments revealed that asynchronous down-regulation of voltage-dependent potassium currents (I(to,f), I(K,slow) and I(ss)) and L-type calcium currents (I(Ca-L)) in subendocardial and subepicardial myocytes may contribute to the dynamic remodelling of transmural APD. CONCLUSION The two distinct TDR modes were revealed during the progression of mouse cardiac hypertrophy and failure, indicating that the remodelling of TDR depends on the stage of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - X. Wang
- The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University; Shijiazhuang; China
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Tse G, Hothi SS, Grace AA, Huang CLH. Ventricular arrhythmogenesis following slowed conduction in heptanol-treated, Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. J Physiol Sci 2012; 62:79-92. [PMID: 22219003 PMCID: PMC10717265 DOI: 10.1007/s12576-011-0187-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2011] [Accepted: 11/28/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic effects of slowed action potential conduction produced by the gap junction and sodium-channel inhibitor heptanol (0.1-2 mM) were explored in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. Monophasic action potential recordings showed that 2 mM heptanol induced ventricular tachycardia in the absence of triggered activity arising from early or after-depolarizations during regular 8 Hz pacing and programmed electrical stimulation (PES). It also increased activation latencies and ventricular effective refractory periods (VERPs), but did not alter action potential duration (APD), thereby reducing local critical intervals for re-excitation given by APD(90) - VERP. Bipolar electrogram recordings showed that 2 mM heptanol increased electrogram duration (EGD) and ratios of EGDs obtained at the longest to those obtained at the shortest S1S2 intervals studied during PES, suggesting increased dispersion of conduction velocities. These findings show, for the first time in the mouse heart, that slowed conduction induces reversible arrhythmogenic effects despite repolarization abnormalities expected to reduce arrhythmogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Tse
- Section of Cardiovascular Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW UK
| | - Sandeep S. Hothi
- The Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG UK
- Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ UK
| | - Andrew A. Grace
- Section of Cardiovascular Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW UK
| | - Christopher L. -H. Huang
- Section of Cardiovascular Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW UK
- The Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG UK
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21
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Matthews GDK, Martin CA, Grace AA, Zhang Y, Huang CLH. Regional variations in action potential alternans in isolated murine Scn5a (+/-) hearts during dynamic pacing. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2010; 200:129-46. [PMID: 20384594 DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.2010.02138.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AIM clinical observations suggest that alternans in action potential (AP) characteristics presages breakdown of normal ordered cardiac electrical activity culminating in ventricular arrhythmogenesis. We compared such temporal nonuniformities in monophasic action potential (MAP) waveforms in left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) epicardia and endocardia of Langendorff-perfused murine wild-type (WT), and Scn5a(+/-) hearts modelling Brugada syndrome (BrS) for the first time. METHODS a dynamic pacing protocol imposed successively incremented steady pacing rates between 5.5 and 33 Hz. A signal analysis algorithm detected sequences of >10 beats showing alternans. Results were compared before and following the introduction of flecainide (10 microm) and quinidine (5 microm) known to exert pro- and anti-arrhythmic effects in BrS. RESULTS sustained and transient amplitude and duration alternans were both frequently followed by ventricular ectopic beats and ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Diastolic intervals (DIs) that coincided with onsets of transient (tr) or sustained (ss) alternans in MAP duration (DI*) and amplitude (DI') were determined. Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by Bonferroni-corrected Mann-Whitney U-tests were applied to these DI results sorted by recording site, pharmacological conditions or experimental populations. WT hearts showed no significant heterogeneities in any DI. Untreated Scn5a (+/-) hearts showed earlier onsets of transient but not sustained duration alternans in LV endocardium compared with RV endocardium or LV epicardium. Flecainide administration caused earlier onsets of both transient and sustained duration alternans selectively in the RV epicardium in the Scn5a (+/-) hearts. CONCLUSION these findings in a genetic model thus implicate RV epicardial changes in the arrhythmogenicity produced by flecainide challenge in previously asymptomatic clinical BrS.
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Affiliation(s)
- G D K Matthews
- Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge
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22
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Katz G, Khoury A, Kurtzwald E, Hochhauser E, Porat E, Shainberg A, Seidman JG, Seidman CE, Lorber A, Eldar M, Arad M. Optimizing catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia therapy in calsequestrin-mutant mice. Heart Rhythm 2010; 7:1676-82. [PMID: 20620233 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2010.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2010] [Accepted: 07/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a lethal arrhythmia provoked by physical or emotional stress and mediated by spontaneous Ca(2+) release and delayed after-depolarizations. Beta-adrenergic blockers are the therapy of choice but fail to control arrhythmia in up to 50% of patients. OBJECTIVE To optimize antiarrhythmic therapy in recessively inherited CPVT caused by calsequestrin (CASQ2) mutations. METHODS Murine heart rhythm telemetry was obtained at rest, during treadmill exercise, and after injection of epinephrine. The protocol was repeated after injection of different antiarrhythmic drugs. Results were then validated in human patients. RESULTS Adult CASQ2 mutant mice had complex ventricular arrhythmia at rest and developed bidirectional and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia on exertion. Class I antiarrhythmic agents (procainamide, lidocaine, flecainide) were ineffective in controlling arrhythmia. Propranolol and sotalol attenuated arrhythmia at rest but failed to prevent VT during sympathetic stimulation. The calcium channel blocker verapamil showed a dose-dependent protection against CPVT. Verapamil was more effective than the dihydropyridine L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker nifedipine, and its activity was markedly enhanced when combined with propranolol. Human patients homozygous for CASQ2(D307H) mutation, remaining symptomatic despite chronic β-blocker therapy, underwent exercise testing according to the Bruce protocol with continuous electrocardiogram recording. Verapamil was combined with propranolol at maximum tolerated doses. Adding verapamil attenuated ventricular arrhythmia and prolonged exercise duration in five of 11 patients. CONCLUSION Verapamil is highly effective against catecholamine-induced arrhythmia in mice with CASQ2 mutations and may potentiate the antiarrhythmic activity of β-blockers in humans with CPVT2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Katz
- Heart Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
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Leong IUS, Skinner JR, Shelling AN, Love DR. Zebrafish as a model for long QT syndrome: the evidence and the means of manipulating zebrafish gene expression. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2010; 199:257-76. [PMID: 20331541 DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.2010.02111.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Congenital long QT syndrome (LQT) is a group of cardiac disorders associated with the dysfunction of cardiac ion channels. It is characterized by prolongation of the QT-interval, episodes of syncope and even sudden death. Individuals may remain asymptomatic for most of their lives while others present with severe symptoms. This heterogeneity in phenotype makes diagnosis difficult with a greater emphasis on more targeted therapy. As a means of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying LQT syndrome, evaluating the effect of modifier genes on disease severity as well as to test new therapies, the development of model systems remains an important research tool. Mice have predominantly been the animal model of choice for cardiac arrhythmia research, but there have been varying degrees of success in recapitulating the human symptoms; the mouse cardiac action potential (AP) and surface electrocardiograms exhibit major differences from those of the human heart. Against this background, the zebrafish is an emerging vertebrate disease modelling species that offers advantages in analysing LQT syndrome, not least because its cardiac AP much more closely resembles that of the human. This article highlights the use and potential of this species in LQT syndrome modelling, and as a platform for the in vivo assessment of putative disease-causing mutations in LQT genes, and of therapeutic interventions.
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Shah AP, Siedlecka U, Gandhi A, Navaratnarajah M, Al-Saud SA, Yacoub MH, Terracciano CM. Genetic background affects function and intracellular calcium regulation of mouse hearts. Cardiovasc Res 2010; 87:683-93. [PMID: 20413651 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvq111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The genetic background is currently under close scrutiny when determining cardiovascular disease progression and response to therapy. However, this factor is rarely considered in physiological studies, where it could influence the normal behaviour and adaptive responses of the heart. We aim to test the hypothesis that genetic strain variability is associated with differences in excitation-contraction coupling mechanisms, in particular those involved in cytoplasmic Ca(2+) regulation, and that they are concomitant to differences in whole-heart function and cell morphology. METHODS AND RESULTS We studied 8- to 10-week-old male C57BL/6, BALB/C, FVB, and SV129 mice. Echocardiography and radiotelemetry were used to assess cardiac function in vivo. FVB mice had increased left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening with significantly faster heart rate (HR) and lack of diurnal variation of HR. Confocal microscopy, sarcomere length tracking, and epifluorescence were used to investigate cell volume, t-tubule density, contractility, and Ca(2+) handling in isolated ventricular myocytes. Sarcomere relaxation and time-to-peak of the Ca(2+) transient were prolonged in BALB/C myocytes, with more frequent Ca(2+) sparks and significantly higher sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) leak. There were no strain differences in the contribution of different Ca(2+) extrusion mechanisms. SV129 had reduced SR Ca(2+) leak with elevated SR Ca(2+) content and smaller cell volume and t-tubule density compared with myocytes from other strains. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that a different genetic background is associated with physiological differences in cardiac function in vivo and differences in morphology, contractility, and Ca(2+) handling at the cellular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adarsh P Shah
- Laboratory of Cell Electrophysiology, Heart Science Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Harefield Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex UB9 6JH, UK
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Rokutan H, Anker SD, Springer J. In vivomodels of cardiac diseases: application to drug development and screening. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2009; 5:65-78. [DOI: 10.1517/17460440903460299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Iacobas DA, Iacobas S, Thomas N, Spray DC. Sex-dependent gene regulatory networks of the heart rhythm. Funct Integr Genomics 2009; 10:73-86. [PMID: 19756788 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-009-0137-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2009] [Revised: 08/19/2009] [Accepted: 08/22/2009] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Expression level, control, and intercoordination of 66 selected heart rhythm determinant (HRD) genes were compared in atria and ventricles of four male and four female adult mice. We found that genes encoding various adrenergic receptors, ankyrins, ion channels and transporters, connexins, cadherins, plakophilins, and other components of the intercalated discs form a complex network that is chamber dependent and differs between the two sexes. In addition, most HRD genes in atria had higher expression in males than in females, while in ventricles, expression levels were mostly higher in females than in males. Moreover, significant chamber differences were observed between the sexes, with higher expression in atria than ventricles for males and higher expression in ventricles than atria for females. We have ranked the selected genes according to their prominence (new concept) within the HRD gene web defined as extent of expression coordination with the other web genes and stability of expression. Interestingly, the prominence hierarchy was substantially different between the two sexes. Taken together, these findings indicate that the organizational principles of the heart rhythm transcriptome are sex dependent, with the newly introduced prominence analysis allowing identification of genes that are pivotal for the sexual dichotomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Iacobas
- Dominick P Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Kennedy Center, New York, NY 10461, USA.
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Hothi SS, Thomas G, Killeen MJ, Grace AA, Huang CLH. Empirical correlation of triggered activity and spatial and temporal re-entrant substrates with arrhythmogenicity in a murine model for Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome. Pflugers Arch 2009; 458:819-35. [PMID: 19430811 PMCID: PMC2719739 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-009-0671-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2009] [Accepted: 04/07/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
KCNE1 encodes the β-subunit of the slow component of the delayed rectifier K+ current. The Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome is characterized by sensorineural deafness, prolonged QT intervals, and ventricular arrhythmogenicity. Loss-of-function mutations in KCNE1 are implicated in the JLN2 subtype. We recorded left ventricular epicardial and endocardial monophasic action potentials (MAPs) in intact, Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. KCNE1−/− but not wild-type (WT) hearts showed not only triggered activity and spontaneous ventricular tachycardia (VT), but also VT provoked by programmed electrical stimulation. The presence or absence of VT was related to the following set of criteria for re-entrant excitation for the first time in KCNE1−/− hearts: Quantification of APD90, the MAP duration at 90% repolarization, demonstrated alterations in (1) the difference, ∆APD90, between endocardial and epicardial APD90 and (2) critical intervals for local re-excitation, given by differences between APD90 and ventricular effective refractory period, reflecting spatial re-entrant substrate. Temporal re-entrant substrate was reflected in (3) increased APD90 alternans, through a range of pacing rates, and (4) steeper epicardial and endocardial APD90 restitution curves determined with a dynamic pacing protocol. (5) Nicorandil (20 µM) rescued spontaneous and provoked arrhythmogenic phenomena in KCNE1−/− hearts. WTs remained nonarrhythmogenic. Nicorandil correspondingly restored parameters representing re-entrant criteria in KCNE1−/− hearts toward values found in untreated WTs. It shifted such values in WT hearts in similar directions. Together, these findings directly implicate triggered electrical activity and spatial and temporal re-entrant mechanisms in the arrhythmogenesis observed in KCNE1−/− hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep S Hothi
- Physiological Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
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Gross DR. Other Transgenic Animal Models Used in Cardiovascular Studies. ANIMAL MODELS IN CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2009. [PMCID: PMC7121723 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-95962-7_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Previous chapters have described a large number of transgenic animal models used to study specific cardiovascular syndromes. This chapter will fill in some gaps. Many of these transgenic animals were developed to study normal and/or abnormal physiological responses in other organ systems, or to study basic biochemical and molecular reactions or pathways. These models were then discovered to also have effects on the cardiovascular system, some of them unanticipated. A word of caution, particularly when highly inbred mouse strains are used to develop transgenic models - not all strains of a particular species are created equal. When cardiovascular parameters of age- and sex-matched A/J and C57BL/6J inbred mice were compared the C57BL/6J mice demonstrated eccentric physiologic ventricular hypertrophy, increased ventricular function, lower heart rates, and increased exercise endurance.1
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Dispersions of repolarization and ventricular arrhythmogenesis: Lessons from animal models. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 98:219-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2008.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Hothi SS, Booth SW, Sabir IN, Killeen MJ, Simpson F, Zhang Y, Grace AA, Huang CLH. Arrhythmogenic substrate and its modification by nicorandil in a murine model of long QT type 3 syndrome. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 98:267-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2009.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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