Deborah M. Garrity

ndrg4 is required for normal myocyte proliferation during early cardiac development in zebrafish

NDRG4 is a novel member of the NDRG family (N-myc downstream-regulated gene). The roles of NDRG4 in development have not previously been evaluated. We show that, during zebrafish embryonic development, ndrg4 is expressed exclusively in the embryonic heart, the central nervous system (CNS) and the sensory system. Ndrg4 knockdown in zebrafish embryos causes a marked reduction in proliferative myocytes and results in hypoplastic hearts. This growth defect is associated with cardiac phenotypes in morphogenesis and function, including abnormal heart looping, inefficient circulation and weak contractility. We reveal that ndrg4 is required for restricting the expression of versican and bmp4 to the developing atrioventricular canal. This constellation of ndrg4 cardiac defects phenocopies those seen in mutant hearts of heartstrings (hst), the tbx5 loss-of-function mutants in zebrafish. We further show that ndrg4 expression is significantly decreased in hearts with reduced tbx5 activities. Conversely, increased expression of tbx5 that is due to tbx20 knockdown leads to an increase in ndrg4 expression. Together, our studies reveal an essential role of ndrg4 in regulating proliferation and growth of cardiomyocytes, suggesting that ndrg4 may function downstream of tbx5 during heart development and growth.

Ca2+ channel-independent requirement for MAGUK family CACNB4 genes in initiation of zebrafish epiboly

CACNB genes encode membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) proteins once thought to function exclusively as auxiliary β subunits in assembly and gating of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Here, we report that zygotic deficiency of zebrafish β4 protein blocks initiation of epiboly, the first morphogenetic movement of teleost embryos. Reduced β4 function in the yolk syncytial layer (YSL) leads to abnormal division and dispersal of yolk syncytial nuclei, blastoderm retraction, and death, effects highly similar to microtubule disruption by nocodazole. Epiboly is restored by coinjection of human β4 cRNA or, surprisingly, by mutant cRNA encoding β4 subunits incapable of binding to Ca2+ channel α1 subunits. This study defines a YSL-driven zygotic mechanism essential for epiboly initiation and reveals a Ca2+ channel-independent β4 protein function potentially involving the cytoskeleton.

Tbx5-mediated expression of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II is necessary for zebrafish cardiac and pectoral fin morphogenesis

Mutations in the T-box transcription factor, TBX5, result in Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS), a human condition in which cardiac development is defective and forelimbs are stunted. Similarly, zebrafish tbx5 morphants and mutants (heartstrings; hst) lack pectoral fins and exhibit a persistently elongated heart that does not undergo chamber looping. Tbx5 is expressed in the developing atrium, ventricle and in pectoral fin fields, but its genetic targets are still being uncovered. In this study, evidence is provided that Tbx5 induces the expression of a specific member of the CaMK-II (the type II multifunctional Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase) family; this CaMK-II is necessary for proper heart and fin development. Morphants of beta2 CaMK-II (camk2b2), but not the beta1 CaMK-II (camk2b1) paralog, exhibit bradycardia, elongated hearts and diminished pectoral fin development. Normal cardiac phenotypes can be restored by ectopic cytosolic CaMK-II expression in tbx5 morphants. Like tbx5, camk2b2 is expressed in the pectoral fin and looping heart, but this expression is diminished in both tbx5 morphant and hst embryos. Conversely, the introduction of excess Tbx5 into zebrafish embryos and mouse fibroblasts doubles CaMK-II expression. We conclude that beta CaMK-II expression and activity are necessary for proper cardiac and limb morphogenesis. These findings not only identify a morphogenic target for Ca(2+) during heart development, but support implied roles for CaMK-II in adult heart remodeling.

FLNC Gene Splice Mutations Cause Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Summary A genetic etiology has been identified in 30% to 40% of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients, yet only 50% of these cases are associated with a known causative gene variant. Thus, in order to understand the pathophysiology of DCM, it is necessary to identify and characterize additional genes. In this study, whole exome sequencing in combination with segregation analysis was used to identify mutations in a novel gene, filamin C (FLNC), resulting in a cardiac-restricted DCM pathology. Here we provide functional data via zebrafish studies and protein analysis to support a model implicating FLNC haploinsufficiency as a mechanism of DCM.

Zebrafish tbx5 paralogs demonstrate independent essential requirements in cardiac and pectoral fin development

Background: T‐box genes constitute a large family of transcriptional regulators involved in developmental patterning. Homozygous mutation of tbx5 leads to embryonic lethal cardiac phenotypes and forelimb malformations in vertebrate models. Haploinsufficiency of tbx5 results in Holt‐Oram syndrome, a human congenital disease characterized by cardiac and forelimb defects. Homozygous mutation of zebrafish tbx5a leads to lethal defects in cardiac looping morphogenesis, blocks pectoral fin initiation, and impairs outgrowth. Recently, a second zebrafish tbx5 gene was described, termed tbx5b. Results: Our phylogenetic analyses confirm tbx5b as a paralog that likely arose in the teleost‐specific whole genome duplication ∼270 MYA. Using morpholino depletion studies, we find that tbx5b is required in the heart for embryonic survival, and influences the timing and morphogenesis of pectoral fin development. Because tbx5a hypomorphic mutations are embryonic lethal, tbx5a and tbx5b functions in the heart must not be completely redundant. Consistent with this hypothesis, simultaneous depletion of both tbx5 paralogs did not lead to more severe phenotypes, and injection of wild‐type mRNA from one tbx5 paralog was not sufficient to cross‐rescue phenotypes of the paralogous gene. Conclusions: Collectively, these data indicate that, despite similar spatio‐temporal expression patterns, tbx5a and tbx5b have independent functions in heart and fin development. Developmental Dynamics 242:475–492, 2013.

Voltage‐gated calcium channel CACNB2 (β2.1) protein is required in the heart for control of cell proliferation and heart tube integrity

Background: L‐type calcium channels (LTCC) regulate calcium entry into cardiomyocytes. CACNB2 (β2) LTCC auxiliary subunits traffic the pore‐forming CACNA subunit to the membrane and modulate channel kinetics. β2 is a membrane associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) protein. A major role of MAGUK proteins is to scaffold cellular junctions and multiprotein complexes. Results: To investigate developmental functions for β2.1, we depleted it in zebrafish using morpholinos. β2.1‐depleted embryos developed compromised cardiac function by 48 hr postfertilization, which was ultimately lethal. β2.1 contractility defects were mimicked by pharmacological depression of LTCC, and rescued by LTCC stimulation, suggesting β2.1 phenotypes are at least in part LTCC‐dependent. Morphological studies indicated that β2.1 contributes to heart size by regulating the rate of ventricle cell proliferation, and by modulating the transition of outer curvature cells to an elongated cell shape during chamber ballooning. In addition, β2.1‐depleted cardiomyocytes failed to accumulate N‐cadherin at the membrane, and dissociated easily from neighboring myocytes under stress. Conclusions: Hence, we propose that β2.1 may also function in the heart as a MAGUK scaffolding unit to maintain N‐cadherin‐based adherens junctions and heart tube integrity. Developmental Dynamics 241:648–662, 2012.

Quantifying function in the early embryonic heart.

Congenital heart defects arise during the early stages of development, and studies have linked abnormal blood flow and irregular cardiac function to improper cardiac morphogenesis. The embryonic zebrafish offers superb optical access for live imaging of heart development. Here, we build upon previously used techniques to develop a methodology for quantifying cardiac function in the embryonic zebrafish model. Imaging was performed using bright field microscopy at 1500 frames/s at 0.76 μm/pixel. Heart function was manipulated in a wild-type zebrafish at ∼55 h post fertilization (hpf). Blood velocity and luminal diameter were measured at the atrial inlet and atrioventricular junction (AVJ) by analyzing spatiotemporal plots. Control volume analysis was used to estimate the flow rate waveform, retrograde fractions, stroke volume, and cardiac output. The diameter and flow waveforms at the inlet and AVJ are highly repeatable between heart beats. We have developed a methodology for quantifying overall heart function, which can be applied to early stages of zebrafish development.

Filamin C Truncation Mutations Are Associated With Arrhythmogenic Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Changes in the Cell–Cell Adhesion Structures

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the phenotype of Filamin C (FLNC) truncating variants in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and understand the mechanism leading to an arrhythmogenic phenotype. BACKGROUND Mutations in FLNC are known to lead to skeletal myopathies, which may have an associated cardiac component. Recently, the clinical spectrum of FLNC mutations has been recognized to include a cardiac-restricted presentation in the absence of skeletal muscle involvement. METHODS A population of 319 U.S. and European DCM cardiomyopathy families was evaluated using whole-exome and targeted next-generation sequencing. FLNC truncation probands were identified and evaluated by clinical examination, histology, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS A total of 13 individuals in 7 families (2.2%) were found to harbor 6 different FLNC truncation variants (2 stopgain, 1 frameshift, and 3 splicing). Of the 13 FLNC truncation carriers, 11 (85%) had either ventricular arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death, and 5 (38%) presented with evidence of right ventricular dilation. Pathology analysis of 2 explanted hearts from affected FLNC truncation carriers showed interstitial fibrosis in the right ventricle and epicardial fibrofatty infiltration in the left ventricle. Ultrastructural findings included occasional disarray of Z-discs within the sarcomere. Immunohistochemistry showed normal plakoglobin signal at cell–cell junctions, but decreased signals for desmoplakin and synapse-associated protein 97 in the myocardium and buccal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS We found FLNC truncating variants, present in 2.2% of DCM families, to be associated with a cardiac-restricted arrhythmogenic DCM phenotype characterized by a high risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and a pathological cellular phenotype partially overlapping with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

Valveless pumping mechanics of the embryonic heart during cardiac looping: Pressure and flow through micro-PIV

Cardiovascular development is influenced by the flow-induced stress environment originating from cardiac biomechanics. To characterize the stress environment, it is necessary to quantify flow and pressure. Here, we quantify the flow field in a developing zebrafish heart during the looping stage through micro-particle imaging velocimetry and by analyzing spatiotemporal plots. We further build upon previous methods to noninvasively quantify the pressure field at a low Reynolds number using flow field data for the first time, while also comparing the impact of viscosity models. Through this method, we show that the atrium builds up pressure to ~0.25mmHg relative to the ventricle during atrial systole and that atrial expansion creates a pressure difference of ~0.15mmHg across the atrium, resulting in efficient cardiac pumping. With these techniques, it is possible to noninvasively fully characterize hemodynamics during heart development.

Mechanisms influencing retrograde flow in the atrioventricular canal during early embryonic cardiogenesis.

Normal development of the heart is regulated, in part, by mechanical influences associated with blood flow during early stages of embryogenesis. Specifically, the potential for retrograde flow at the atrioventricular canal (AVC) is particularly important in valve development. However, the mechanisms causing this retrograde flow have received little attention. In this study, a numerical analysis was performed on images of the embryonic zebrafish heart between 48 and 55hpf. During these stages, normal retrograde flow is prevalent. To manipulate this flow, zebrafish were placed in a centrifuge and subjected to a hypergravity environment to alter the cardiac preload at various six-hour intervals between 24 and 48hpf. Parameters of the pumping mechanics were then analyzed through a spatiotemporal analysis of processed image sequences. We find that the loss of retrograde flow in experimentally manipulated embryos occurs in part because of a greater resistance in the form of atrial and AVC contractile closure. Additionally, during retrograde flow, these embryos exhibit significantly greater pressure difference across the AVC based on calculations of expansive and contractile rates of the atrium and ventricle. These results elucidated that the developing heart is highly sensitive to small changes in pumping mechanics as it strives to maintain normal hemodynamic conditions necessary for later cardiac development.