Genome-wide linkage analysis of congenital heart defects using MOD score analysis identifies two novel loci

An Anterior Second Heart Field Enhancer Regulates the Gene Regulatory Network of the Cardiac Outflow Tract

BACKGROUND

Conotruncal defects due to developmental abnormalities of the outflow tract (OFT) are an important cause of cyanotic congenital heart disease. Dysregulation of transcriptional programs tuned by NKX2-5 (NK2 homeobox 5), GATA6 (GATA binding protein 6), and TBX1 (T-box transcription factor 1) have been implicated in abnormal OFT morphogenesis. However, there remains no consensus on how these transcriptional programs function in a unified gene regulatory network within the OFT.

METHODS

We generated mice harboring a 226-nucleotide deletion of a highly conserved cardiac enhancer containing 2 GATA-binding sites located ≈9.4 kb upstream of the transcription start site of Nkx2-5 (Nkx2-5∆enh) using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and assessed phenotypes. Cardiac defects in Nkx2-5∆enh/∆enh mice were structurally characterized using histology and scanning electron microscopy, and physiologically assessed using electrocardiography, echocardiography, and optical mapping. Transcriptome analyses were performed using RNA sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing data sets. Endogenous GATA6 interaction with and activity on the NKX2-5 enhancer was studied using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

RESULTS

Nkx2-5∆enh/∆enh mice recapitulated cyanotic conotruncal defects seen in patients with NKX2-5, GATA6, and TBX1 mutations. Nkx2-5∆enh/∆enh mice also exhibited defects in right Purkinje fiber network formation, resulting in right bundle-branch block. Enhancer deletion reduced embryonic Nkx2-5 expression selectively in the right ventricle and OFT of mutant hearts, indicating that enhancer activity is localized to the anterior second heart field. Transcriptional profiling of the mutant OFT revealed downregulation of important genes involved in OFT rotation and septation, such as Tbx1, Pitx2, and Sema3c. Endogenous GATA6 interacted with the highly conserved enhancer in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and in wild-type mouse hearts. We found critical dose dependency of cardiac enhancer accessibility on GATA6 gene dosage in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results using human and mouse models reveal an essential gene regulatory network of the OFT that requires an anterior second heart field enhancer to link GATA6 with NKX2-5-dependent rotation and septation gene programs.

15q26.3 deletions distal to IGF1R cause growth retardation, congenital heart defect and skeletal anomalies: Case report and review of literature

15q26 deletion is a rare genomic disorder characterized by intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, microcephaly, intellectual disability, and congenital malformations. Here, we report a 4-month-old female with intrauterine growth retardation, short stature, pulmonary hypertension, atrial septal defect and congenital bowing of long bones of the legs. Chromosomal microarray analysis showed a de novo deletion of approximately 2.1 Mb at 15q26.3 region that does not include IGF1R. Our analysis of patients documented in the literature and the DECIPHER database with 15q26 deletions distal to IGF1R, including 10 patients with de novo pure deletions, allowed us to define the smallest region of overlap to 686 kb. This region includes ALDH1A3, LRRK1, CHSY1, SELENOS, SNRPA1, and PCSK6. We propose haploinsufficiency of one or more genes, besides IGF1R, within this region may contribute to the clinical findings in patients with 15q26.3 deletion.

Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 6 in Cardiovascular Biology and Disease

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 6 (PCSK6) is a secreted serine protease expressed in most major organs, where it cleaves a wide range of growth factors, signaling molecules, peptide hormones, proteolytic enzymes, and adhesion proteins. Studies in Pcsk6-deficient mice have demonstrated the importance of Pcsk6 in embryonic development, body axis specification, ovarian function, and extracellular matrix remodeling in articular cartilage. In the cardiovascular system, PCSK6 acts as a key modulator in heart formation, lipoprotein metabolism, body fluid homeostasis, cardiac repair, and vascular remodeling. To date, dysregulated PCSK6 expression or function has been implicated in major cardiovascular diseases, including atrial septal defects, hypertension, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and cardiac aging. In this review, we describe biochemical characteristics and posttranslational modifications of PCSK6. Moreover, we discuss the role of PCSK6 and related molecular mechanisms in cardiovascular biology and disease.

Genetic resiliency associated with dominant lethal TPM1 mutation causing atrial septal defect with high heritability

Analysis of large-scale human genomic data has yielded unexplained mutations known to cause severe disease in healthy individuals. Here, we report the unexpected recovery of a rare dominant lethal mutation in TPM1, a sarcomeric actin-binding protein, in eight individuals with large atrial septal defect (ASD) in a five-generation pedigree. Mice with Tpm1 mutation exhibit early embryonic lethality with disrupted myofibril assembly and no heartbeat. However, patient-induced pluripotent-stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes show normal beating with mild myofilament defect, indicating disease suppression. A variant in TLN2, another myofilament actin-binding protein, is identified as a candidate suppressor. Mouse CRISPR knock-in (KI) of both the TLN2 and TPM1 variants rescues heart beating, with near-term fetuses exhibiting large ASD. Thus, the role of TPM1 in ASD pathogenesis unfolds with suppression of its embryonic lethality by protective TLN2 variant. These findings provide evidence that genetic resiliency can arise with genetic suppression of a deleterious mutation.

Mouse Models of Human Proprotein Convertase Insufficiency

The kexin-like proprotein convertases perform the initial proteolytic cleavages that ultimately generate a variety of different mature peptide and proteins, ranging from brain neuropeptides to endocrine peptide hormones, to structural proteins, among others. In this review, we present a general introduction to proprotein convertase structure and biochemistry, followed by a comprehensive discussion of each member of the kexin-like subfamily of proprotein convertases. We summarize current knowledge of human proprotein convertase insufficiency syndromes, including genome-wide analyses of convertase polymorphisms, and compare these to convertase null and mutant mouse models. These mouse models have illuminated our understanding of the roles specific convertases play in human disease and have led to the identification of convertase-specific substrates; for example, the identification of procorin as a specific PACE4 substrate in the heart. We also discuss the limitations of mouse null models in interpreting human disease, such as differential precursor cleavage due to species-specific sequence differences, and the challenges presented by functional redundancy among convertases in attempting to assign specific cleavages and/or physiological roles. However, in most cases, knockout mouse models have added substantively both to our knowledge of diseases caused by human proprotein convertase insufficiency and to our appreciation of their normal physiological roles, as clearly seen in the case of the furin, proprotein convertase 1/3, and proprotein convertase 5/6 mouse models. The creation of more sophisticated mouse models with tissue- or temporally-restricted expression of specific convertases will improve our understanding of human proprotein convertase insufficiency and potentially provide support for the emerging concept of therapeutic inhibition of convertases.

Lack of PCSK6 Increases Flow-Mediated Outward Arterial Remodeling in Mice

Proprotein convertases (PCSKs) process matrix metalloproteases and cytokines, but their function in the vasculature is largely unknown. Previously, we demonstrated upregulation of PCSK6 in atherosclerotic plaques from symptomatic patients, localization to smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the fibrous cap and positive correlations with inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling and cytokines. Here, we hypothesize that PCSK6 could be involved in flow-mediated vascular remodeling and aim to evaluate its role in the physiology of this process using knockout mice. Pcsk6^−/− and wild type mice were randomized into control and increased blood flow groups and induced in the right common carotid artery (CCA) by ligation of the left CCA. The animals underwent repeated ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) examinations followed by euthanization with subsequent evaluation using wire myography, transmission electron microscopy or histology. The Pcsk6^−/− mice displayed a flow-mediated increase in lumen circumference over time, assessed with UBM. Wire myography revealed differences in the flow-mediated remodeling response detected as an increase in lumen circumference at optimal stretch with concomitant reduction in active tension. Furthermore, a flow-mediated reduction in expression of SMC contractile markers SMA, MYH11 and LMOD1 was seen in the Pcsk6^−/− media. Absence of PCSK6 increases outward remodeling and reduces medial contractility in response to increased blood flow.

PCSK6 Is a Key Protease in the Control of Smooth Muscle Cell Function in Vascular Remodeling

RATIONALE

PCSKs (Proprotein convertase subtilisins/kexins) are a protease family with unknown functions in vasculature. Previously, we demonstrated PCSK6 upregulation in human atherosclerotic plaques associated with smooth muscle cells (SMCs), inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and mitogens.

OBJECTIVE

Here, we applied a systems biology approach to gain deeper insights into the PCSK6 role in normal and diseased vessel wall.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Genetic analyses revealed association of intronic PCSK6 variant rs1531817 with maximum internal carotid intima-media thickness progression in high-cardiovascular risk subjects. This variant was linked with PCSK6 mRNA expression in healthy aortas and plaques but also with overall plaque SMA+ cell content and pericyte fraction. Increased PCSK6 expression was found in several independent human cohorts comparing atherosclerotic lesions versus healthy arteries, using transcriptomic and proteomic datasets. By immunohistochemistry, PCSK6 was localized to fibrous cap SMA+ cells and neovessels in plaques. In human, rat, and mouse intimal hyperplasia, PCSK6 was expressed by proliferating SMA+ cells and upregulated after 5 days in rat carotid balloon injury model, with positive correlation to PDGFB (platelet-derived growth factor subunit B) and MMP (matrix metalloprotease) 2/MMP14. Here, PCSK6 was shown to colocalize and cointeract with MMP2/MMP14 by in situ proximity ligation assay. Microarrays of carotid arteries from Pcsk6^-/- versus control mice revealed suppression of contractile SMC markers, extracellular matrix remodeling enzymes, and cytokines/receptors. Pcsk6^-/- mice showed reduced intimal hyperplasia response upon carotid ligation in vivo, accompanied by decreased MMP14 activation and impaired SMC outgrowth from aortic rings ex vivo. PCSK6 silencing in human SMCs in vitro leads to downregulation of contractile markers and increase in MMP2 expression. Conversely, PCSK6 overexpression increased PDGFBB (platelet-derived growth factor BB)-induced cell proliferation and particularly migration.

CONCLUSIONS

PCSK6 is a novel protease that induces SMC migration in response to PDGFB, mechanistically via modulation of contractile markers and MMP14 activation. This study establishes PCSK6 as a key regulator of SMC function in vascular remodeling. Visual Overview: An online visual overview is available for this article.

Association of genetic polymorphisms of SelS with Type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population

Background: Selenoprotein S (SelS) gene expression is positively correlated to triglyceride (TG) concentrations and is associated with diabetes in animal model. However, the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of SelS and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains unclear. Methods: In the present study, we genotyped four single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs12910524, rs1384565, rs2101171, rs4965814) of SelS gene using TaqMan genotyping method in a case-control study (1947 T2DM patients and 1639 control subjects). Results: We found both rs1384565 CC genotype (12.1 compared with 6.6%, P<0.001) and C allele (35.2 compared with 24.4%, P<0.001) were more frequent in the T2DM patients than in the controls. Logistic regression analysis suggested after adjustment of other confounders, the difference remained significant between the two groups (CC compared with TT, P=0.002, OR = 1.884, 95% CI: 1.263-2.811; CT compared with TT, P<0.001, OR = 1.764, 95% CI: 1.412-2.204). Conclusion: The present study suggested that genetic polymorphisms of SelS were associated with T2DM in a Chinese population.

Genome-Wide Linkage Analysis of Large Multiple Multigenerational Families Identifies Novel Genetic Loci for Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death, and genetic factors contribute significantly to risk of CAD. This study aims to identify new CAD genetic loci through a large-scale linkage analysis of 24 large and multigenerational families with 433 family members (GeneQuest II). All family members were genotyped with markers spaced by every 10 cM and a model-free nonparametric linkage (NPL-all) analysis was carried out. Two highly significant CAD loci were identified on chromosome 17q21.2 (NPL score of 6.20) and 7p22.2 (NPL score of 5.19). We also identified four loci with significant NPL scores between 4.09 and 4.99 on 2q33.3, 3q29, 5q13.2 and 9q22.33. Similar analyses in individual families confirmed the six significant CAD loci and identified seven new highly significant linkages on 9p24.2, 9q34.2, 12q13.13, 15q26.1, 17q22, 20p12.3, and 22q12.1, and two significant loci on 2q11.2 and 11q14.1. Two loci on 3q29 and 9q22.33 were also successfully replicated in our previous linkage analysis of 428 nuclear families. Moreover, two published risk variants, SNP rs46522 in UBE2Z and SNP rs6725887 in WDR12 by GWAS, were found within the 17q21.2 and 2q33.3 loci. These studies lay a foundation for future identification of causative variants and genes for CAD.

Gene network and familial analyses uncover a gene network involving Tbx5/Osr1/Pcsk6 interaction in the second heart field for atrial septation

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) are a common human congenital heart disease (CHD) that can be induced by genetic abnormalities. Our previous studies have demonstrated a genetic interaction between Tbx5 and Osr1 in the second heart field (SHF) for atrial septation. We hypothesized that Osr1 and Tbx5 share a common signaling networking and downstream targets for atrial septation. To identify this molecular networks, we acquired the RNA-Seq transcriptome data from the posterior SHF of wild-type, Tbx5(+/) (-), Osr1(+/-), Osr1(-/-) and Tbx5(+/-)/Osr1(+/-) mutant embryos. Gene set analysis was used to identify the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways that were affected by the doses of Tbx5 and Osr1. A gene network module involving Tbx5 and Osr1 was identified using a non-parametric distance metric, distance correlation. A subset of 10 core genes and gene-gene interactions in the network module were validated by gene expression alterations in posterior second heart field (pSHF) of Tbx5 and Osr1 transgenic mouse embryos, a time-course gene expression change during P19CL6 cell differentiation. Pcsk6 was one of the network module genes that were linked to Tbx5. We validated the direct regulation of Tbx5 on Pcsk6 using immunohistochemical staining of pSHF, ChIP-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and luciferase reporter assay. Importantly, we identified Pcsk6 as a novel gene associated with ASD via a human genotyping study of an ASD family. In summary, our study implicated a gene network involving Tbx5, Osr1 and Pcsk6 interaction in SHF for atrial septation, providing a molecular framework for understanding the role of Tbx5 in CHD ontogeny.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Down Syndrome-Associated Atrioventricular Septal Defects

The goal of this study was to identify the contribution of common genetic variants to Down syndrome−associated atrioventricular septal defect, a severe heart abnormality. Compared with the euploid population, infants with Down syndrome, or trisomy 21, have a 2000-fold increased risk of presenting with atrioventricular septal defects. The cause of this increased risk remains elusive. Here we present data from the largest heart study conducted to date on a trisomic background by using a carefully characterized collection of individuals from extreme ends of the phenotypic spectrum. We performed a genome-wide association study using logistic regression analysis on 452 individuals with Down syndrome, consisting of 210 cases with complete atrioventricular septal defects and 242 controls with structurally normal hearts. No individual variant achieved genome-wide significance. We identified four disomic regions (1p36.3, 5p15.31, 8q22.3, and 17q22) and two trisomic regions on chromosome 21 (around PDXK and KCNJ6 genes) that merit further investigation in large replication studies. Our data show that a few common genetic variants of large effect size (odds ratio >2.0) do not account for the elevated risk of Down syndrome−associated atrioventricular septal defects. Instead, multiple variants of low-to-moderate effect sizes may contribute to this elevated risk, highlighting the complex genetic architecture of atrioventricular septal defects even in the highly susceptible Down syndrome population.

Genome-wide association study of maternal and inherited loci for conotruncal heart defects

Conotruncal and related heart defects (CTDs) are a group of serious and relatively common birth defects. Although both maternal and inherited genotypes are thought to play a role in the etiology of CTDs, few specific genetic risk factors have been identified. To determine whether common variants acting through the genotype of the mother (e.g. via an in utero effect) or the case are associated with CTDs, we conducted a genome-wide association study of 750 CTD case-parent triads, with follow-up analyses in 358 independent triads. Log-linear analyses were used to assess the association of CTDs with the genotypes of both the mother and case. No association achieved genomewide significance in either the discovery or combined (discovery+follow-up) samples. However, three loci with p-values suggestive of association (p<10⁻⁵) in the discovery sample had p-values <0.05 in the follow-up sample and p-values in the combined data that were lower than in the discovery sample. These included suggestive association with an inherited intergenic variant at 20p12.3 (rs6140038, combined p = 1.0×10⁻⁵) and an inherited intronic variant in KCNJ4 at 22q13.1 (rs2267386, combined p = 9.8×10⁻⁶), as well as with a maternal variant in SLC22A24 at 11q12.3 (rs11231379, combined p = 4.2×10⁻⁶). These observations suggest novel candidate loci for CTDs, including loci that appear to be associated with the risk of CTDs via the maternal genotype, but further studies are needed to confirm these associations.

Ultra high-resolution gene centric genomic structural analysis of a non-syndromic congenital heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of the most common severe congenital heart malformations. Great progress has been made in identifying key genes that regulate heart development, yet approximately 70% of TOF cases are sporadic and nonsyndromic with no known genetic cause. We created an ultra high-resolution gene centric comparative genomic hybridization (gcCGH) microarray based on 591 genes with a validated association with cardiovascular development or function. We used our gcCGH array to analyze the genomic structure of 34 infants with sporadic TOF without a deletion on chromosome 22q11.2 (n _male = 20; n _female = 14; age range of 2 to 10 months). Using our custom-made gcCGH microarray platform, we identified a total of 613 copy number variations (CNVs) ranging in size from 78 base pairs to 19.5 Mb. We identified 16 subjects with 33 CNVs that contained 13 different genes which are known to be directly associated with heart development. Additionally, there were 79 genes from the broader list of genes that were partially or completely contained in a CNV. All 34 individuals examined had at least one CNV involving these 79 genes. Furthermore, we had available whole genome exon arrays from right ventricular tissue in 13 of our subjects. We analyzed these for correlations between copy number and gene expression level. Surprisingly, we could detect only one clear association between CNVs and expression (GSTT1) for any of the 591 focal genes on the gcCGH array. The expression levels of GSTT1 were correlated with copy number in all cases examined (r = 0.95, p = 0.001). We identified a large number of small CNVs in genes with varying associations with heart development. Our results illustrate the complexity of human genome structural variation and underscore the need for multifactorial assessment of potential genetic/genomic factors that contribute to congenital heart defects.