François Bélanger

Ten renin-angiotensin system-related gene polymorphisms in maximally treated Canadian Caucasian patients with heart failure

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT The progression and pharmacological response of heart failure-affected patients are subject to interindividual variability. It is also acknowledged that the genotype frequency of certain gene polymorphisms varies across different ethnic groups and that a difference in gene polymorphism frequencies between healthy and heart failure patients seems to exist. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS This study investigated associations between 10 gene polymorphisms of RAAS-related genes with an individuals susceptibility to heart failure. Our data suggest that the angiotensinogen (AGT) 235 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) may be associated with heart failure in our population and that the AGT(M174)-AGT(T235) haplotype, as well as the AGT/angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene combination, may play an important role in disease predisposition. AIMS Racial differences in survival outcomes point towards a genetic role in the pathophysiology of heart failure. Furthermore, contemporary evidence links genetics to heart failure (HF) predisposition. We tested for a difference in prevalence of 10 renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)-related gene polymorphisms between a homogenous population of HF patients and healthy controls. METHODS One hundred and eleven healthy volunteers and 58 HF patients were included in this study. The healthy control group consisted of males aged between 18 and 35 years old. The HF group consisted of patients (89.7% male) who were 63.8 +/- 7.9 years old, were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III and had a documented left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <or= 40% within the previous 6 months. Despite being treated maximally for their condition with angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors and beta-adrenoceptor blockers, they continued to be symptomatic and, as such, were a highly specialized and homogeneous patient population. Both groups were composed of Canadian Caucasians. The analyzed polymorphisms were: ACE (I/D), angiotensin-II-receptor-type-1 (AGTR1)(A1166C), angiotensinogen (AGT)(M235T and T174M), endothelial-nitric-oxide-synthase (eNOS)(T-786C and Glu298Asp), adrenergic-receptor-â2 (ADRB2)(Gln27Glu), bradykinin-receptor-beta2 (BDKRB2)(+9/-9), aldosterone-synthase (CYP11B2)(T-344C) and adducin-1 (ADD1)(Gly460Trp). RESULTS The AGT (T235) allele (P = 0.0025, OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.24, 3.30) was found to be more prevalent in our HF group. The AGT (174M)-AGT (235T) haplotype was also associated with the HF phenotype (P = 0.0069). Exploratory evaluation of gene-gene combinations revealed an indicative association of the AGT (T235)/ACE(D) combined polymorphisms in the HF group (P = 0.02, OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.11, 4.06). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that the SNPs of AGT may be associated with HF in our population and that the AGT/ACE gene combination may play an important role in disease predisposition.

Effects of AGTR1 A1166C Gene Polymorphism in Patients with Heart Failure Treated with Candesartan

Background: The benefits of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in patients with heart failure who are treated with standard pharmacotherapy, including an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, were demonstrated in 2 large randomized trials. It is currently impossible to determine which patient will benefit from the addition of an ARB. Objective: To explore the impact of selected candidate genes on the hemodynamic, neurohormonal, and antiinflammatory effects of candesartan in patients with heart failure who are already being treated with an ACE inhibitor. Methods: We investigated the impact of 10 candidate genetic polymorphisms on the effects of candesartan in patients with heart failure who are treated with an ACE inhibitor. We evaluated their impact on acute (2 wk) and long-term (24 wk) changes in blood pressure and N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) during treatment with candesartan. Results: Thirty-one patients were included. Homozygotes of the AGTR1 A1166 allele (n = 13) had a greater decrease in systolic (-9.1 ± 4.7 vs 1.1 ± 3.3 mmHg; p = 0.04 by analysis of variance [ANOVA], adjusting for dose) and diastolic blood pressure (-5.1 ± 1.5 vs 1.9 ± 1.9 mm Hg; p = 0.005 by ANOVA, adjusting for dose) compared with C1166 allele carriers (n = 18) following 2 weeks of treatment. After 6 months of treatment, C1166 carriers experienced a greater decrease in NT-proBNP (-151.4 (-207; -19.8] ng/L vs 147.3 (-61.3; 882.9] ng/L; P = 0.03) and hsCRP (-0.8 [-2.2; -0.03] mg/L) vs 0.2 [-1.8; 5.3] mg/L; p = 0.09) compared with patients carrying the AA1166 genotype. No other significant association was found. Conclusions: The results of this proof-of concept study provide the first evidence that the AGTR1 A1166C polymorphism could influence the response to candesartan in patients with heart failure who are receiving ACE inhibitors. Validation of these exploratory findings in larger populations is required before use of the AGTR1 A1166C genotype can be incorporated into clinical practice.

Functional Studies of the 900 Tetraloop Capping Helix 27 of 16 S Ribosomal RNA

The 900 tetraloop (positions 898-901) of Escherichia coli 16S rRNA caps helix 27, which is involved in a conformational switch crucial for the decoding function of the ribosome. This tetraloop forms a GNRA motif involved in intramolecular RNA-RNA interactions with its receptor in helix 24 of 16S rRNA. It is involved also in an intersubunit bridge, via an interaction with helix 67 in domain IV of 23S rRNA. Using a specialized ribosome system and an instant-evolution procedure, the four nucleotides of this loop were randomized and 15 functional mutants were selected in vivo. Positions 899 and 900, responsible for most of the tetraloop/receptor interactions, were found to be the most critical for ribosome activity. Functional studies showed that mutations in the 900 tetraloop impair subunit association and decrease translational fidelity. Computer modeling of the mutations allows correlation of the effect of mutations with perturbations of the tetraloop/receptor interactions.

Association between renal function and CYP3A5 genotype in heart transplant recipients treated with calcineurin inhibitors

BACKGROUND The renal expression of the cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) isoenzyme and of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) efflux transporter P-glycoprotein is inversely associated with calcineurin-induced nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between polymorphisms of the genes encoding these proteins and the long-term renal function of heart transplant recipients treated with calcineurin inhibitors. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of 160 heart transplant recipients from two institutions who were discharged alive after transplant and who received a calcineurin inhibitor during follow-up. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of common variants of the genes encoding this isoenzyme (CYP3A5*1 and *3) and the transporter (ABCB1 G2677T/A and C3435T) on the renal function of these patients after heart transplantation. The primary end-point of the study was changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at hospital discharge; at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after heart transplant; and then every year for up to 9 years. RESULTS After adjusting for independent predictors of eGFR during follow-up, CYP3A5 was significantly associated with eGFR after transplantation (p = 0.0002), with carriers of the CYP3A5*1 allele exhibiting a higher eGFR. None of the ABCB1 variants or haplotypes were associated with eGFR after transplantation. CONCLUSION The CYP3A5*1 genetic polymorphism is a promising marker to identify heart transplant recipients least likely to develop renal dysfunction during long-term treatment with a calcineurin inhibitor.

Effects of a Series of Acidic Drugs on L-Lactic Acid Transport by the Monocarboxylate Transporters MCT1 and MCT4

BACKGROUND Drug-induced myopathy is a serious side effect that often requires removal of a medication from a drug regimen. For most drugs, the underlying mechanism of drug-induced myopathy remains unclear. Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) mediate L-lactic acid transport, and inhibition of MCTs may potentially lead to perturbation of L-lactic acid accumulation and muscular disorders. Therefore, we hypothesized that L-lactic acid transport may be involved in the development of drug-induced myopathy. The aim of this study was to assess the inhibitory potential of 24 acidic drugs on L-lactic acid transport using breast cancer cell lines Hs578T and MDA-MB-231, which selectively express MCT1 and MCT4, respectively. METHODS The influx transport of L-lactic acid was minimally inhibited by all drugs tested. The efflux transport was next examined: loratadine (IC50: 10 and 61 µM) and atorvastatin (IC50: 78 and 41 µM) demonstrated the greatest potency for inhibition of L-lactic acid efflux by MCT1 and MCT4, respectively. Acidic drugs including fluvastatin, cerivastatin, simvastatin acid, lovastatin acid, irbesartan and losartan exhibited weak inhibitory potency on L-lactic acid efflux. RESULTS Our results suggest that some acidic drugs, such as loratadine and atorvastatin, can inhibit the efflux transport of L-lactic acid. CONCLUSION This inhibition may cause an accumulation of intracellular L-lactic acid leading to acidification and muscular disorders.