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Biomedical subjects

Stanley Nattel

Publications and source records attributed to Stanley Nattel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Horse model of spontaneous atrial fibrillation share proteomic changes with humans.

Horses and humans are among the few mammals susceptible to spontaneous atrial fibrillation (AF), both suffering from high recurrence rates after treatment. Treatment resistance is often attributed to progressive atrial remodeling, but current treatment options fail to effectively address this aspect. Here, we introduce a novel horse model of spontaneous AF to investigate the biological pathway changes in early stages of the disease. Through data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry on biopsies from the right and left atrium and left ventricular chamber of horses with early-stage persistent AF (n = 8) and controls (n = 8), we identify several differentially regulated proteins across all three chambers. Pathway enrichment analyses and histological stainings highlight a significant role of atrial extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in early AF. Other key proteomic changes relate to metabolism, contractility, and protein-folding, and overlap with findings from publicly available human datasets. Our results demonstrate that horses and humans share several AF-related proteomic changes, providing translational insights into the early atrial remodeling processes that are likely to contribute to treatment resistance. These protein-level changes could serve as biomarkers or pharmacological targets for preventing AF-associated atrial remodeling and improve treatment outcomes across species.

Atrial Fibrillation↗

Model-dependent effects of the gap junction conduction-enhancing antiarrhythmic peptide rotigaptide (ZP123) on experimental atrial fibrillation in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal intercellular communication caused by connexin dysfunction may be involved in atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study assessed the effect of the gap junctional conduction-enhancing peptide rotigaptide on AF maintenance in substrates that result from congestive heart failure induced by 2-week ventricular tachypacing (240 bpm), atrial tachypacing (ATP; 400 bpm for 3 to 6 weeks), and isolated atrial myocardial ischemia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Electrophysiological study and epicardial mapping were performed before and after rotigaptide administration in dogs with ATP and congestive heart failure, as well as in similarly instrumented sham dogs that were not tachypaced. For atrial myocardial ischemia, dogs administered rotigaptide before myocardial ischemia were compared with no-drug myocardial ischemia controls. ATP significantly shortened the atrial effective refractory period (P=0.003) and increased AF duration (P=0.008), with AF lasting >3 hours in all 6-week ATP animals. Rotigaptide increased conduction velocity in ATP dogs slightly but significantly (P=0.04) and did not affect the effective refractory period, AF duration, or atrial vulnerability. In dogs with congestive heart failure, rotigaptide also slightly increased conduction velocity (P=0.046) but failed to prevent AF promotion. Rotigaptide had no statistically significant effects in sham dogs. Myocardial ischemia alone increased AF duration and impaired conduction (based on conduction velocity across the ischemic border and indices of conduction heterogeneity). Rotigaptide prevented myocardial ischemia-induced conduction slowing and AF duration increases. CONCLUSIONS: Rotigaptide improves conduction in various AF models but suppresses AF only for the acute ischemia substrate. These results define the atrial antiarrhythmic profile of a mechanistically novel antiarrhythmic drug and suggest that gap junction dysfunction may be more important in ischemic AF than in ATP remodeling or congestive heart failure substrates.

Animals↗

Induction of heat shock response protects the heart against atrial fibrillation.

There is evidence suggesting that heat shock proteins (HSPs) may protect against clinical atrial fibrillation (AF). We evaluated the effect of HSP induction in an in vitro atrial cell line (HL-1) model of tachycardia remodeling and in tachypaced isolated canine atrial cardiomyocytes. We also evaluated the effect of HSP induction on in vivo AF promotion by atrial tachycardia-induced remodeling in dogs. Tachypacing (3 Hz) significantly and progressively reduced Ca(2+) transients and cell shortening of HL-1 myocytes over 4 hours. These reductions were prevented by HSP-inducing pretreatments: mild heat shock, geranylgeranylacetone (GGA), and transfection with human HSP27 or the phosphorylation-mimicking HSP27-DDD. However, treatment with HSP70 or the phosphorylation-deficient mutant HSP27-AAA failed to alter tachycardia-induced Ca(2+) transient and cell-shortening reductions, and downregulation (short interfering RNA) of HSP27 prevented GGA-mediated protection. Tachypacing (3 Hz) for 24 hours in vitro significantly reduced L-type Ca(2+) current and action potential duration in canine atrial cardiomyocytes; these effects were prevented when tachypacing was performed in cells exposed to GGA. In vivo treatment with GGA increased HSP expression and suppressed refractoriness abbreviation and AF promotion in dogs subjected to 1-week atrial tachycardia-induced remodeling. In conclusion, our findings indicate that (1) HSP induction protects against atrial tachycardia-induced remodeling, (2) the protective effect in HL-1 myocytes requires HSP27 induction and phosphorylation, and (3) the orally administered HSP inducer GGA protects against AF in a clinically relevant animal model. These findings advance our understanding of the biochemical determinants of AF and suggest the possibility that HSP induction may be an interesting novel approach to preventing clinical AF.

Animals↗

Characterization of the cardiac KCNE1 gene promoter.

BACKGROUND: KCNE1 encodes an essential cardiac slow delayed-rectifier potassium current (I(Ks)) beta-subunit (minK). Varying minK expression is important in disease-related remodeling and species-dependent expression. This study addressed 5'-regulatory elements that potentially control KCNE1 transcription. METHODS AND RESULTS: The transcriptional start site of human KCNE1 (HKCNE1) was determined with 5'RACE. Of four isoforms, the putative promoter driving the isoforms constituting >80% expression in human hearts was further analyzed. A 1625-bp region 5' to the transcriptional start site was subcloned into luciferase-reporter plasmid (PGL3-Basic). The full promoter sequence increased luciferase expression 31-fold in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRMs). A much smaller 327-bp core promoter maintained activity 21-29 fold. The core promoter conferred cardiomyocyte-preferential expression, with an activity in NRMs 4.9-fold greater than in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells (CHOs), compared to approximately 2.0 for the full-length promoter. Site-directed mutagenesis of all three GATA elements in the core promoter reduced its activity by >50% and attenuated cardiomyocyte-preferential expression. Mutagenesis of the second GATA element alone decreased promoter activity by approximately 50%. GATA4 knockdown with siRNA inhibited approximately 40% of core promoter activity in NRMs. Angiotensin-II increased HKCNE1 promoter activity, but only in the presence of intact GATA elements. The typically low-level I(Ks) expression in mouse and rabbit is related to low minK expression. Cloning of the mouse KCNE1 (MKCNE1) 5'-regulatory region showed approximately 50% sequence identity to human. MKCNE1 had only 1 GATA element in the region corresponding to the human core promoter and had less promoter activity (11.7 vs 29.0-fold PGL3-Basic for human). CONCLUSION: Promoter elements in the HKCNE1 5'-end, particularly GATA binding sites, may be important in tissue, disease and species-related transcriptional regulation of I(Ks).

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Targeted ablation of ILK from the murine heart results in dilated cardiomyopathy and spontaneous heart failure.

A requirement for integrin-mediated adhesion in cardiac physiology is revealed through targeted deletion of integrin-associated genes in the murine heart. Here we show that targeted ablation of the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) expression results in spontaneous cardiomyopathy and heart failure by 6 wk of age. Deletion of ILK results in disaggregation of cardiomyocytes, associated with disruption of adhesion signaling through the beta1-integrin/FAK (focal adhesion kinase) complex. Importantly, the loss of ILK is accompanied by a reduction in cardiac Akt phosphorylation, which normally provides a protective response against stress. Together, these results suggest that ILK plays a central role in protecting the mammalian heart against cardiomyopathy and failure.

Animals↗

Properties of a time-dependent potassium current in pig atrium: evidence for a role of kv1.5 in repolarization.

Cardiac electrical activity is modulated by potassium currents. Pigs have been used for antiarrhythmic drug testing, but only sparse data exist regarding porcine atrial ionic electrophysiology. Here, we used electrophysiological, molecular, and pharmacological tools to characterize a prominent porcine outward K(+) current (I(K,PO)) in atrial cardiomyocytes isolated from adult pigs. I(K,PO) activated rapidly (time to peak at +60 mV; 2.1 +/- 0.2 ms), inactivated slowly (tau(f) = 45 +/- 10; tau(s) = 215 +/- 28 ms), and showed very slow recovery (tau(f) = 1.54 +/- 0.73 s; tau(s) = 7.91 +/- 1.78 s; n = 9; 36 degrees C). Activation and inactivation were voltage-dependent, and current properties were consistent with predominant K(+) conductance. Neurotoxins (heteropodatoxin, hongatoxin, and blood depressing substance) that block K(v)4.x, K(v)1.1, -1.2, -1.3, and -3.4 in a highly selective manner as well as H(2)O(2) and tetraethylammonium, did not affect the current. Drugs with K(v)1.5-blocking properties (flecainide, perhexiline, and the novel atrial-selective antiarrhythmic 2'-{2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-acetylamino-methyl}-biphenyl-2-carboxylic acid (2-pyridin-3-yl-ethyl)-amide; AVE0118) inhibited I(K,PO) (IC(50) of 132 +/- 47, 17 +/- 10, and 1.25 +/- 0.62 microM, respectively). 4-Aminopyridine suppressed the current and accelerated its decay, reducing charge carriage with an IC(50) of 39 +/- 15 microM. Porcine-specific K(v) channel subunit sequences were cloned to permit real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction on RNA extracted from isolated cardiomyocytes, which showed much greater abundance of K(v)1.5 mRNA compared with K(v)1.4, K(v)4.2, and K(v)4.3. Action potential recordings showed that I(K,PO) inhibition with 0.1 mM 4-AP delayed repolarization (e.g., action potential duration at -50 mV increased from 45 +/- 9 to 69 +/- 5 ms at 3 Hz; P < 0.05). In conclusion, porcine atrium displays a current that is involved in repolarization, inactivates more slowly than classic transient outward current, is associated with strong K(v)1.5 expression, and shows a pharmacological profile typical of K(v)1.5-dependent currents.

4-Aminopyridine↗

C-terminal domain of Kv4.2 and associated KChIP2 interactions regulate functional expression and gating of Kv4.2.

The Kv4.2 transient voltage-dependent potassium current contributes to the morphology of the cardiac action potential as well as to neuronal excitability and firing frequency. Here we report profound effects of the Kv4.2 C terminus on the surface expression and activation gating properties of Kv4.2 that are modulated by the direct interaction between KChIP2, an auxiliary regulatory subunit, and the C terminus of Kv4.2. We show that increasingly large truncations of the C terminus of rat Kv4.2 (wild type) cause a progressive decrease of Kv4.2 current along with a shift in voltage-dependent activation that is closely correlated with negative charge deletion. Co-expression of more limited Kv4.2 C-terminal truncation mutants (T588 and T528) with KChIP2 results in a doubling of Kv4.2 protein expression and up to an 8-fold increase in Kv4.2 current amplitude. Pulsechase experiments show that co-expression with KChIP2 slows Kv4.2 wild type degradation 8-fold. Co-expression of KChIP2 with an intermediate-length C-terminal truncation mutant (T474) shifts Kv4.2 activation voltage dependence and enhances expression of Kv4.2 current. The largest truncation mutants (T417 and DeltaC) show an intracellular localization with no measurable currents and no response to KChIP2 co-expression. Co-immunoprecipitation and competitive glutathione S-transferase-binding assays indicate a direct interaction between KChIP2 and the Kv4.2 C terminus with a relative binding affinity comparable with that of the N terminus. Overall, these results suggest that the C-terminal domain of Kv4.2 plays a critical role in voltage-dependent activation and functional expression that is mediated by direct interaction between the Kv4.2 C terminus and KChIP2.

Animals↗

Comparison of Ca2+-handling properties of canine pulmonary vein and left atrial cardiomyocytes.

Cardiac tissue in the pulmonary vein sleeves plays an important role in clinical atrial fibrillation. Mechanisms leading to pulmonary vein activity in atrial fibrillation remain unclear. Indirect experimental evidence points to pulmonary vein Ca(2+) handling as a potential culprit, but there are no direct studies of pulmonary vein cardiomyocyte Ca(2+) handling in the literature. We used the Ca(2+)-sensitive dye indo-1 AM to study Ca(2+) handling in isolated canine pulmonary vein and left atrial myocytes. Results were obtained at 35 degrees C and room temperature in cells from control dogs and in cardiomyocytes from dogs subjected to 7-day rapid atrial pacing. We found that basic Ca(2+)-transient properties (amplitude: 186 +/- 28 vs. 216 +/- 25 nM; stimulus to half-decay time: 192 +/- 9 vs. 192 +/- 9 ms; atria vs. pulmonary vein, respectively, at 1 Hz), beat-to-beat regularity, propensity to alternans, beta-adrenergic response (amplitude increase at 0.4 Hz: 96 +/- 52 vs. 129 +/- 61%), number of spontaneous Ca(2+)-transient events after Ca(2+) loading (in normal Tyrode: 0.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.2; with 1 microM isoproterenol: 7.6 +/- 0.3 vs. 5.1 +/- 1.8 events/min), and caffeine-induced Ca(2+)-transient amplitudes were not significantly different between atrial and pulmonary vein cardiomyocytes. In an arrhythmia-promoting model (dogs subjected to 7-day atrial tachypacing), Ca(2+)-transient amplitude and kinetics were the same in cells from both pulmonary veins and atrium. In conclusion, the similar Ca(2+)-handling properties of canine pulmonary vein and left atrial cardiomyocytes that we observed do not support the hypothesis that intrinsic Ca(2+)-handling differences account for the role of pulmonary veins in atrial fibrillation.

Action Potentials↗

Kir3-based inward rectifier potassium current: potential role in atrial tachycardia remodeling effects on atrial repolarization and arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND: We previously characterized a novel K+ current (IKH) with properties of constitutively active acetylcholine-related current in dog atrium. I(KH) is sensitive to tertiapin-Q (IC50 approximately 10 nmol/L), a highly selective Kir3 current blocker. This study assessed the role of IKH in atrial tachycardia (AT)-remodeled canine left atrium (LA) with the use of tertiapin-Q as a probe. METHODS AND RESULTS: Dogs were subjected to 7 to 13 days of AT (400 bpm). Coronary-perfused LA preparations were studied intact or subjected to cardiomyocyte isolation. IKH was recorded with patch-clamp methods. AT pacing increased time-dependent hyperpolarization-activated current (IKH) at -110 mV from -1.8+/-0.3 (control) to -3.4+/-0.5 pA/pF (AT) and the 100-nmol/L tertiapin-sensitive component from -1.5+/-0.4 (control) to -3.3+/-0.6 pA/pF (AT). Prolonged atrial tachyarrhythmias could be induced with single extrastimuli in AT-remodeled, but not control, preparations, reflecting the atrial fibrillation-promoting effects of AT remodeling. In AT-remodeled preparations, tachyarrhythmia duration averaged 11.0+/-5.2 seconds, with a cycle length of 108+/-6 ms. Tertiapin-Q decreased tachyarrhythmia duration (to 0.6+/-0.1 second; P<0.001) and increased tachyarrhythmia cycle length (to 175+/-10 ms; P<0.001). Atrial action potential duration (APD) was increased 65+/-6% by tertiapin in AT-remodeled hearts versus 19+/-2% (P<0.001) in control. In 2 AT-remodeled preparations, tachyarrhythmia lasted uninterrupted for >20 minutes; tertiapin-Q slowed and then terminated arrhythmia in both. Tertiapin had no effect on left ventricular cardiomyocyte currents or APD. CONCLUSIONS: AT remodeling increases IKH, and a highly selective Kir3 current antagonist, tertiapin-Q, increases APD and suppresses atrial tachyarrhythmias in AT-remodeled preparations without affecting ventricular electrophysiology. Constitutive acetylcholine-related K+ current contributes to AT-remodeling effects in dogs and is a potentially interesting antiarrhythmic target.

Animals↗

Sex-based transmural differences in cardiac repolarization and ionic-current properties in canine left ventricles.

The female sex is associated with longer electrocardiographic QT intervals and increased proarrhythmic risks of QT-prolonging drugs. This study examined the hypothesis that sex differences in repolarization may be associated with differential transmural ion-current distribution. Whole cell patch-clamp and current-clamp were used to study ionic currents and action potentials (APs) in isolated canine left ventricular cells from epicardium, midmyocardium, and endocardium. No sex differences in AP duration (APD) were found in cells from epicardium versus endocardium. In midmyocardium, APD was significantly longer in female dogs (e.g., at 1 Hz, female vs. male: 288 +/- 21 vs. 237 +/- 8 ms; P < 0.05), resulting in greater transmural APD heterogeneity in females. No sex differences in inward rectifier K+ current (I(K1)) were observed. Transient outward K+ current (I(to)) densities in epicardium and midmyocardium also showed no sex differences. In endocardium, female dogs had significantly smaller I(to) (e.g., at +30 mV, female vs. male: 2.5 +/- 0.2 vs. 3.5 +/- 0.3 pA/pF; P < 0.05). Rapid delayed-rectifier K+ current (I(Kr)) density and activation voltage-dependence showed no sex differences. Female dogs had significantly larger slow delayed-rectifier K+ current (I(Ks)) in epicardium and endocardium (e.g., at +40 mV; tail densities, female vs. male; epicardium: 1.3 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.1 pA/pF; P < 0.001; endocardium: 1.2 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.1 pA/pF; P < 0.05), but there were no sex differences in midmyocardial I(Ks). Female dogs had larger L-type Ca2+ current (I(Ca,L)) densities in all layers than male dogs (e.g., at -20 mV, female vs. male, epicardium: -4.2 +/- 0.4 vs. -3.2 +/- 0.2 pA/pF; midmyocardium: -4.5 +/- 0.5 vs. -3.3 +/- 0.3 pA/pF; endocarium: -4.5 +/- 0.4 vs. -3.2 +/- 0.3 pA/pF; P < 0.05 for each). We conclude that there are sex-based transmural differences in ionic currents that may underlie sex differences in transmural cardiac repolarization.

Animals↗

Potassium channel subunit remodeling in rabbits exposed to long-term bradycardia or tachycardia: discrete arrhythmogenic consequences related to differential delayed-rectifier changes.

BACKGROUND: Sustained heart rate abnormalities produce electrical remodeling and susceptibility to arrhythmia. Uncontrolled tachycardia produces heart failure and ventricular tachyarrhythmia susceptibility, whereas bradycardia promotes spontaneous torsade de pointes (TdP). This study compared arrhythmic phenotypes and molecular electrophysiological remodeling produced by tachycardia versus bradycardia in rabbits. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated mRNA and protein expression of subunits underlying rapid (IKr) and slow (IKs) delayed-rectifier and transient-outward K+ currents in ventricular tissues from sinus rhythm control rabbits and rabbits with AV block submitted to 3-week ventricular pacing either at 60 to 90 bpm (bradypaced) or at 350 to 370 bpm (tachypaced). QT intervals at matched ventricular pacing rates were longer in bradypaced than tachypaced rabbits (eg, by approximately 50% at 60 bpm; P<0.01). KvLQT1 and minK mRNA and protein levels were downregulated in both bradypaced and tachypaced rabbits, whereas ERG was significantly downregulated in bradypaced rabbits only. Kv4.3 and Kv1.4 were downregulated by tachypacing only. Patch-clamp experiments showed that IKs was reduced in both but IKr was decreased in bradypaced rabbits only. Continuous monitoring revealed spontaneous TdP in 75% of bradypaced but only isolated ventricular ectopy in tachypaced rabbits. Administration of dofetilide (0.02 mg/kg) to mimic IKr downregulation produced ultimately lethal TdP in all tachypaced rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: Sustained tachycardia and bradycardia downregulate IKs subunits, but bradycardia also suppresses ERG/IKr, causing prominent repolarization delays and spontaneous TdP. Susceptibility of tachycardia/heart failure rabbits to malignant tachyarrhythmias is induced by exposure to IKr blockers. These results point to a crucial role for delayed-rectifier subunit remodeling in TdP susceptibility associated with rate-related cardiac remodeling.

Animals↗

Controversies in atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, and contributes greatly to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Many aspects of the management of atrial fibrillation remain controversial. We address nine specific controversies in atrial fibrillation management, briefly focusing on the relations between mechanisms and therapy, the roles of rhythm and rate control, the definition of optimum rate control, the need for early cardioversion to prevent remodelling, the comparison of electrical with pharmacological cardioversion, the selection of patients for long-term oral anticoagulation, the roles of novel long-term anticoagulation approaches and ablation therapy, and the potential usefulness of upstream therapy targeting substrate development. The background of every controversy is reviewed and our opinions expressed. Here, we hope to inform physicians about the most important controversies in this specialty and stimulate investigators to address unresolved issues.

Aged↗

Involvement of lipid rafts and caveolae in cardiac ion channel function.

A variety of lipid microdomains, including caveolae, have been shown to play an important role in both protein targetting and in controlling protein-protein interactions. There is increasing evidence for significant ion channel localization in lipid rafts. Cardiac channel subunits known to localize in lipid rafts include Kv1.4, Kv1.5, Kv2.1, Kv4, Kir2, Kir3, K(ATP), Nav and Cav subunits. This article reviews what is known about the occurrence and functional significance of cardiac ion channel/lipid raft interactions. Much remains to be learned about this area of potentially enormous importance to cardiac function in health and disease.

Animals↗

Prednisone prevents atrial fibrillation promotion by atrial tachycardia remodeling in dogs.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence suggesting involvement of oxidative stress, inflammation, and calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cell pathways in atrial fibrillation. This study evaluated the efficacy of anti-inflammatory and calcineurin-inhibitory drugs on promotion of atrial fibrillation by atrial tachycardia-induced remodeling in dogs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Dogs were subjected to atrial tachypacing at 400 bpm in the absence and presence of treatment with prednisone (15 or 50 mg/day) or ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory) or cyclosporine-A (calcineurin inhibitor). Serial closed-chest electrophysiological studies were performed in each dog at baseline and 2, 4, and 7 days after tachypacing onset. A final open-chest study was performed on day 8. Serum C-reactive protein was measured by ELISA and nitric oxide synthase by Western blotting. The mean duration of induced atrial fibrillation was markedly increased by tachypacing alone, from 26+/-8 to 962+/-317 s (p<0.01), and the atrial effective refractory period was decreased from 117+/-4 to 73+/-7 ms (p<0.001; cycle-length 300 ms). Tachypacing-induced effective refractory period shortening and atrial fibrillation promotion were unaffected by ibuprofen or cyclosporine-A; however, both doses of prednisone suppressed tachypacing-remodeling effects (atrial fibrillation duration to 96+/-60 s and 28+/-11 s at higher and lower doses, respectively; effective refractory period to 101+/-6 ms for higher-dose and 105+/-3 ms for lower-dose group). In addition, prednisone (but not ibuprofen or cyclosporine) significantly decreased C-reactive protein concentrations and attenuated the increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression caused by atrial tachypacing. CONCLUSIONS: Prednisone prevents the electrophysiological and atrial fibrillation-promoting effects of atrial tachycardia-remodeling, possibly by an anti-inflammatory action, whereas the less potent anti-inflammatory ibuprofen and the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine-A are without effect.

Animals↗

Innovative approaches to anti-arrhythmic drug therapy.

Normal cardiac function requires an appropriate and regular beating rate (cardiac rhythm). When the heart rhythm is too fast or too slow, cardiac function can be impaired, with derangements that vary from mild symptoms to life-threatening complications. Irregularities, particularly those involving excessively fast or slow rates, constitute cardiac 'arrhythmias'. In the past, drug treatment of cardiac arrhythmias has proven difficult, both because of inadequate effectiveness and a risk of serious complications. However, a variety of recent advances have opened up exciting possibilities for the development of novel and superior approaches to arrhythmia therapy. This article will review recent progress and future prospects for treating two particularly important cardiac arrhythmias: atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗