Genome-wide association analyses identify new Brugada syndrome risk loci and highlight a new mechanism of sodium channel regulation in disease susceptibility

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a cardiac arrhythmia disorder associated with sudden death in young adults. With the exception of SCN5A, encoding the cardiac sodium channel Na_V1.5, susceptibility genes remain largely unknown. Here we performed a genome-wide association meta-analysis comprising 2,820 unrelated cases with BrS and 10,001 controls, and identified 21 association signals at 12 loci (10 new). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-heritability estimates indicate a strong polygenic influence. Polygenic risk score analyses based on the 21 susceptibility variants demonstrate varying cumulative contribution of common risk alleles among different patient subgroups, as well as genetic associations with cardiac electrical traits and disorders in the general population. The predominance of cardiac transcription factor loci indicates that transcriptional regulation is a key feature of BrS pathogenesis. Furthermore, functional studies conducted on MAPRE2, encoding the microtubule plus-end binding protein EB2, point to microtubule-related trafficking effects on Na_V1.5 expression as a new underlying molecular mechanism. Taken together, these findings broaden our understanding of the genetic architecture of BrS and provide new insights into its molecular underpinnings.

SCN5A Mutation Type and a Genetic Risk Score Associate Variably With Brugada Syndrome Phenotype in SCN5A Families

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is characterized by the type 1 Brugada ECG pattern. Pathogenic rare variants in SCN5A (mutations) are identified in 20% of BrS families in whom incomplete penetrance and genotype-negative phenotype-positive individuals are observed. E1784K-SCN5A is the most common SCN5A mutation identified. We determined the association of a BrS genetic risk score (BrS-GRS) and SCN5A mutation type on BrS phenotype in BrS families with SCN5A mutations.

Transethnic Genome-Wide Association Study Provides Insights in the Genetic Architecture and Heritability of Long QT Syndrome

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a rare genetic disorder and a major preventable cause of sudden cardiac death in the young. A causal rare genetic variant with large effect size is identified in up to 80% of probands (genotype positive) and cascade family screening shows incomplete penetrance of genetic variants. Furthermore, a proportion of cases meeting diagnostic criteria for LQTS remain genetically elusive despite genetic testing of established genes (genotype negative). These observations raise the possibility that common genetic variants with small effect size contribute to the clinical picture of LQTS. This study aimed to characterize and quantify the contribution of common genetic variation to LQTS disease susceptibility.

An International Multicenter Evaluation of Type 5 Long QT Syndrome: A Low Penetrant Primary Arrhythmic Condition

BACKGROUND

Insight into type 5 long QT syndrome (LQT5) has been limited to case reports and small family series. Improved understanding of the clinical phenotype and genetic features associated with rare KCNE1 variants implicated in LQT5 was sought through an international multicenter collaboration.

METHODS

Patients with either presumed autosomal dominant LQT5 (N = 229) or the recessive Type 2 Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (N = 19) were enrolled from 22 genetic arrhythmia clinics and 4 registries from 9 countries. KCNE1 variants were evaluated for ECG penetrance (defined as QTc >460 ms on presenting ECG) and genotype-phenotype segregation. Multivariable Cox regression was used to compare the associations between clinical and genetic variables with a composite primary outcome of definite arrhythmic events, including appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks, aborted cardiac arrest, and sudden cardiac death.

RESULTS

A total of 32 distinct KCNE1 rare variants were identified in 89 probands and 140 genotype positive family members with presumed LQT5 and an additional 19 Type 2 Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome patients. Among presumed LQT5 patients, the mean QTc on presenting ECG was significantly longer in probands (476.9±38.6 ms) compared with genotype positive family members (441.8±30.9 ms, P<0.001). ECG penetrance for heterozygous genotype positive family members was 20.7% (29/140). A definite arrhythmic event was experienced in 16.9% (15/89) of heterozygous probands in comparison with 1.4% (2/140) of family members (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 11.6 [95% CI, 2.6-52.2]; P=0.001). Event incidence did not differ significantly for Type 2 Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome patients relative to the overall heterozygous cohort (10.5% [2/19]; HR 1.7 [95% CI, 0.3-10.8], P=0.590). The cumulative prevalence of the 32 KCNE1 variants in the Genome Aggregation Database, which is a human database of exome and genome sequencing data from now over 140 000 individuals, was 238-fold greater than the anticipated prevalence of all LQT5 combined (0.238% vs 0.001%).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that putative/confirmed loss-of-function KCNE1 variants predispose to QT prolongation, however, the low ECG penetrance observed suggests they do not manifest clinically in the majority of individuals, aligning with the mild phenotype observed for Type 2 Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome patients.

The yield of postmortem genetic testing in sudden death cases with structural findings at autopsy

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is often associated with structural abnormalities of the heart during autopsy. This study sought to compare the diagnostic yield of postmortem genetic testing in (1) cases with structural findings of uncertain significance at autopsy to (2) cases with autopsy findings diagnostic of cardiomyopathy. We evaluated 57 SCD cases with structural findings at cardiac autopsy. Next-generation sequencing using a panel of 77 primary electrical disorder and cardiomyopathy genes was performed. Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were classified using American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) consensus guidelines. In 29 cases (51%) autopsy findings of uncertain significance were identified whereas in 28 cases (49%) a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy was established. We identified a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in 10 cases (18%); in 1 (3%) case with non-specific autopsy findings compared with 9 (32%) cases with autopsy findings diagnostic of cardiomyopathy (p = 0.0054). The yield of genetic testing in SCD cases with autopsy findings consistent with cardiomyopathy is comparable with the yield in cardiomyopathy patients that are alive. Genetic testing in cases with findings of uncertain significance offers lower clinical utility than in cardiomyopathy, with lower yields than detected previously. This highlights the need for stringent evaluation of variant pathogenicity.

Characterization and Management of Arrhythmic Events in Young Patients With Brugada Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Information on young patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) and arrhythmic events (AEs) is limited.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to describe their characteristics and management as well as risk factors for AE recurrence.

METHODS

A total of 57 patients (age ≤20 years), all with BrS and AEs, were divided into pediatric (age ≤12 years; n = 26) and adolescents (age 13 to 20 years; n = 31).

RESULTS

Patients' median age at time of first AE was 14 years, with a majority of males (74%), Caucasians (70%), and probands (79%) who presented as aborted cardiac arrest (84%). A significant proportion of patients (28%) exhibited fever-related AE. Family history of sudden cardiac death (SCD), prior syncope, spontaneous type 1 Brugada electrocardiogram (ECG), inducible ventricular fibrillation at electrophysiological study, and SCN5A mutations were present in 26%, 49%, 65%, 28%, and 58% of patients, respectively. The pediatric group differed from the adolescents, with a greater proportion of females, Caucasians, fever-related AEs, and spontaneous type-1 ECG. During follow-up, 68% of pediatric and 64% of adolescents had recurrent AE, with median time of 9.9 and 27.0 months, respectively. Approximately one-third of recurrent AEs occurred on quinidine therapy, and among the pediatric group, 60% of recurrent AEs were fever-related. Risk factors for recurrent AE included sinus node dysfunction, atrial arrhythmias, intraventricular conduction delay, or large S-wave on ECG lead I in the pediatric group and the presence of SCN5A mutation among adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Young BrS patients with AE represent a very arrhythmogenic group. Current management after first arrhythmia episode is associated with high recurrence rate. Alternative therapies, besides defibrillator implantation, should be considered.

Age of First Arrhythmic Event in Brugada Syndrome

Background

Data on the age at first arrhythmic event (AE) in Brugada syndrome are from limited patient cohorts. The aim of this study is 2-fold: (1) to define the age at first AE in a large cohort of patients with Brugada syndrome, and (2) to assess the influence of the mode of AE documentation, sex, and ethnicity on the age at first AE.

Methods and Results

A survey of 23 centers from 10 Western and 4 Asian countries gathered data from 678 patients with Brugada syndrome (91.3% men) with first AE documented at time of aborted cardiac arrest (group A, n=426) or after prophylactic implantable cardioverter–defibrillator implantation (group B, n=252). The vast majority (94.2%) of the patients were 16 to 70 years old at the time of AE, whereas pediatric (<16 years) and elderly patients (>70 years) comprised 4.3% and 1.5%, respectively. Peak AE rate occurred between 38 and 48 years (mean, 41.9±14.8; range, 0.27–84 years). Group A patients were younger than in Group B by a mean of 6.7 years (46.1±13.2 versus 39.4±15.0 years; P <0.001). In adult patients (≥16 years), women experienced AE 6.5 years later than men ( P =0.003). Whites and Asians exhibited their AE at the same median age (43 years).

Conclusions

SABRUS (Survey on Arrhythmic Events in Brugada Syndrome) presents the first analysis on the age distribution of AE in Brugada syndrome, suggesting 2 age cutoffs (16 and 70 years) that might be important for decision-making. It also allows gaining insights on the influence of mode of arrhythmia documentation, patient sex, and ethnic origin on the age at AE.

Detection of P2Y14 protein in platelets and investigation of the role of P2Y14 in platelet function in comparison with the EP3 receptor

mRNA encoding the recently discovered P2Y14 receptor has been reported in platelets, but the presence of P2Y14 receptor protein and its functionality have not been studied. If P2Y14 is expressed along with P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors it may have a role in haemostasis. It was the objective of this study to investigate the presence of the P2Y14 receptor in platelets and its role in platelet function. The effects of the agonist UDP-glucose were compared with those of sulprostone, a selective EP3 receptor agonist. Expression of P2Y14 receptor was investigated by immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. Platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and whole blood was measured using light absorbance and platelet counting. VASP phosphorylation was investigated using flow cytometry. Immunoblotting provided evidence for P2Y14 receptor protein and microscopy confirmed its presence on platelets. Despite this, UDP-glucose (up to 100 µM) did not induce platelet aggregation in either PRP or whole blood, and did not potentiate aggregation induced by other agonists. P2Y14 did not substitute for P2Y12 in experiments using the P2Y12 antagonist AR-C69931. No effect of UDP-glucose was seen on adenylate cyclase activity as measured by VASP phosphorylation. In contrast, sulprostone acting via the EP3 receptor promoted platelet aggregation with effects on adenylate cyclase activity. EP3 also partially substituted for P2Y12 receptor. We have demonstrated the presence of P2Y14 receptor protein in platelets, but no contribution of this receptor to several measures of platelet function has been observed. Further studies are necessary to determine whether the P2Y14 receptor in platelets has any functionality.

Utility of Post-Mortem Genetic Testing in Cases of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) describes a sudden death with negative autopsy and toxicological analysis. Cardiac genetic disease is a likely etiology.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the clinical utility and combined yield of post-mortem genetic testing (molecular autopsy) in cases of SADS and comprehensive clinical evaluation of surviving relatives.

METHODS

We evaluated 302 expertly validated SADS cases with suitable DNA (median age: 24 years; 65% males) who underwent next-generation sequencing using an extended panel of 77 primary electrical disorder and cardiomyopathy genes. Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were classified using American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) consensus guidelines. The yield of combined molecular autopsy and clinical evaluation in 82 surviving families was evaluated. A gene-level rare variant association analysis was conducted in SADS cases versus controls.

RESULTS

A clinically actionable pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant was identified in 40 of 302 cases (13%). The main etiologies established were catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and long QT syndrome (17 [6%] and 11 [4%], respectively). Gene-based rare variants association analysis showed enrichment of rare predicted deleterious variants in RYR2 (p = 5 × 10^-5). Combining molecular autopsy with clinical evaluation in surviving families increased diagnostic yield from 26% to 39%.

CONCLUSIONS

Molecular autopsy for electrical disorder and cardiomyopathy genes, using ACMG guidelines for variant classification, identified a modest but realistic yield in SADS. Our data highlighted the predominant role of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and long QT syndrome, especially the RYR2 gene, as well as the minimal yield from other genes. Furthermore, we showed the enhanced utility of combined clinical and genetic evaluation.

A platelet P-selectin test predicts adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndromes treated with aspirin and clopidogrel

There is wide variation in response to antiplatelet therapy and high on-treatment platelet reactivity is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. The objective here was to determine whether the results of a novel strategy for assessing platelet reactivity (based on P-selectin measurement) are associated with clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This was a prospective cohort study of 100 ACS patients taking aspirin and clopidogrel. P-selectin tests designed to assess response to P2Y12 antagonists or aspirin were performed alongside light transmission aggregometry. For the P2Y12 P-selectin test, an optimal cutoff for high platelet reactivity was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on this value: patients with (n = 42) or without (n = 58) high platelet reactivity. The primary endpoint was defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis. After 12 months, the primary endpoint occurred in 12 patients. ROC curve analysis determined that the P2Y12 P-selectin test results were predictive of the primary endpoint (area under curve = 0.69, p = 0.046). The primary endpoint occurred more frequently in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity compared to those without (21.4% vs. 5.2%; hazard ratio (HR) 4.14; p = 0.026). The P2Y12 P-selectin test results correlated with light transmission aggregometry (Spearman p < 0.0001). Using the Aspirin P-selectin test, only two patients demonstrated high on-treatment platelet reactivity. This study suggests that a P2Y12 P-selectin test is capable of detecting high on-treatment platelet reactivity, which is associated with subsequent cardiovascular events.

Detection of P2Y(14) protein in platelets and investigation of the role of P2Y(14) in platelet function in comparison with the EP(3) receptor

mRNA encoding the recently discovered P2Y(14) receptor has been reported in platelets, but the presence of P2Y(14) receptor protein and its functionality have not been studied. If P2Y(14) is expressed along with P2Y(1) and P2Y(12) receptors it may have a role in haemostasis. It was the objective of this study to investigate the presence of the P2Y(14) receptor in platelets and its role in platelet function. The effects of the agonist UDP-glucose were compared with those of sulprostone, a selective EP(3) receptor agonist. Expression of P2Y(14) receptor was investigated by immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. Platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and whole blood was measured using light absorbance and platelet counting. VASP phosphorylation was investigated using flow cytometry. Immunoblotting provided evidence for P2Y(14) receptor protein and microscopy confirmed its presence on platelets. Despite this, UDP-glucose (up to 100 muM) did not induce platelet aggregation in either PRP or whole blood, and did not potentiate aggregation induced by other agonists. P2Y(14) did not substitute for P2Y(12) in experiments using the P2Y(12) antagonist AR-C69931. No effect of UDP-glucose was seen on adenylate cyclase activity as measured by VASP phosphorylation. In contrast, sulprostone acting via the EP(3) receptor promoted platelet aggregation with effects on adenylate cyclase activity. EP(3) also partially substituted for P2Y(12) receptor. We have demonstrated the presence of P2Y(14) receptor protein in platelets, but no contribution of this receptor to several measures of platelet function has been observed. Further studies are necessary to determine whether the P2Y(14) receptor in platelets has any functionality.