Shahrzad Abbasi

Use of Decellularized Porcine Liver for Engineering Humanized Liver Organ

BACKGROUND New bioartificial liver devices are needed to supplement the limited supply of organ donors available for patients with end-stage liver disease. Here, we report the results of a pilot study aimed at developing a humanized porcine liver by transplanting second trimester human fetal hepatocytes (Hfh) co-cultured with fetal stellate cells (Hfsc) into the decellularized matrix of a porcine liver. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ischemic livers were removed from 19 Yorkshire swine. Liver decellularization was achieved by an anionic detergent (SDS). The decellularized matrix of three separate porcine liver matrices was seeded with 3.5 × 10(8) and 1 × 10(9) of Hfsc and Hfh, respectively, and perfused for 3, 7, and 13 d. The metabolic and synthetic activities of the engrafted cells were assessed during and after perfusion. RESULTS Immunohistologic examination of the decellularized matrix showed removal of nuclear materials with intact architecture and preserved extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. During perfusion of the recellularized matrices, measurement of metabolic parameters (i.e., oxygen concentration, glucose consumption, and lactate and urea production) indicated active metabolism. The average human albumin concentration was 29.48 ± 7.4 μg/mL. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed cell differentiation into mature hepatocytes. Moreover, 40% of the engrafted cells were actively proliferating, and less than 30% of cells were apoptotic. CONCLUSION We showed that our decellularization protocol successfully removed the cellular components of porcine livers while preserving the native architecture and most ECM protein. We also demonstrated the ability of the decellularized matrix to support and induce phenotypic maturation of engrafted Hfh in a continuously perfused system.

Alpha-1-Syntrophin Mutation and the Long QT Syndrome: a disease of sodium channel disruption

Background— Long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited disorder associated with sudden cardiac death. The cytoskeletal protein syntrophin-α1 (SNTA1) is known to interact with the cardiac sodium channel (hNav1.5), and we hypothesized that SNTA1 mutations might cause phenotypic LQTS in patients with genotypically normal hNav1.5 by secondarily disturbing sodium channel function. Methods and Results— Mutational analysis of SNTA1 was performed on 39 LQTS patients (QTc≥480 ms) with previously negative genetic screening for the known LQTS-causing genes. We identified a novel A257G- SNTA1 missense mutation, which affects a highly conserved residue, in 3 unrelated LQTS probands but not in 400 ethnic-matched control alleles. Only 1 of these probands had a preexisting family history of LQTS and sudden death with an additional intronic variant in KCNQ1. Electrophysiological analysis was performed using HEK-293 cells stably expressing hNav1.5 and transiently transfected with either wild-type or mutant SNTA1 and, in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, transiently transfected with either wild-type or mutant SNTA1. In both HEK-293 cells and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, increased peak sodium currents were noted along with a 10-mV negative shift of the onset and peak of currents of the current-voltage relationships. In addition, A257G-SNTA1 shifted the steady-state activation ( V h) leftward by 9.4 mV, whereas the voltage-dependent inactivation kinetics and the late sodium currents were similar to wild-type SNTA1. Conclusion— SNTA1 is a new susceptibility gene for LQTS. A257G- SNTA1 can cause gain-of-function of Nav1.5 similar to the LQT3. Received January 28, 2008; accepted May 12, 2008.Background— Long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited disorder associated with sudden cardiac death. The cytoskeletal protein syntrophin-α1 (SNTA1) is known to interact with the cardiac sodium channel (hNav1.5), and we hypothesized that SNTA1 mutations might cause phenotypic LQTS in patients with genotypically normal hNav1.5 by secondarily disturbing sodium channel function. Methods and Results— Mutational analysis of SNTA1 was performed on 39 LQTS patients (QTc≥480 ms) with previously negative genetic screening for the known LQTS-causing genes. We identified a novel A257G-SNTA1 missense mutation, which affects a highly conserved residue, in 3 unrelated LQTS probands but not in 400 ethnic-matched control alleles. Only 1 of these probands had a preexisting family history of LQTS and sudden death with an additional intronic variant in KCNQ1. Electrophysiological analysis was performed using HEK-293 cells stably expressing hNav1.5 and transiently transfected with either wild-type or mutant SNTA1 and, in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, transiently transfected with either wild-type or mutant SNTA1. In both HEK-293 cells and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, increased peak sodium currents were noted along with a 10-mV negative shift of the onset and peak of currents of the current-voltage relationships. In addition, A257G-SNTA1 shifted the steady-state activation (Vh) leftward by 9.4 mV, whereas the voltage-dependent inactivation kinetics and the late sodium currents were similar to wild-type SNTA1. Conclusion— SNTA1 is a new susceptibility gene for LQTS. A257G-SNTA1 can cause gain-of-function of Nav1.5 similar to the LQT3.

Ionic Mechanisms Underlying the Effects of Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide on Canine Atrial Myocardium

Background— Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is released from intracardiac neurons during vagal stimulation, ischemia, and heart failure, which are associated with increased vulnerability to atrial fibrillation. VIP shortens atrial effective refractory periods in dogs. Endogenous VIP contributes to vagally mediated acceleration of atrial electric remodeling. VIP is also shown to prolong the duration of acetylcholine-induced atrial fibrillation. However, the ionic mechanisms underlying VIP effects are largely unknown. Methods and Results— The effects of VIP on transmembrane ion channels were studied in canine atrial cardiomyocytes using patch-clamp techniques. VIP increased delayed rectifier K+ current and L-type calcium current but decreased the transient outward K+ current and sodium current. Optical mapping technique was used to assess effects of VIP on action potential durations (APDs) in isolated canine left atria. VIP shortened APD and slowed conduction velocity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, VIP increased spatial heterogeneity of APD and conduction velocity, as assessed by the SDs of APD and conduction velocity, and atrial fibrillation inducibility. Conclusions— Through its diverse effects on ion channels, VIP shortens APD with increased APD spatial heterogeneity and decreases intra-atrial conduction velocity, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial arrhythmias in scenarios where VIP release is increased.

B-TYPE NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE MAY PROMOTE ARRHYTHMIA IN HEART FAILURE THROUGH INHIBITING TRANSIENT OUTWARD POTASSIUM CURRENT

Background: Elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were shown to independently predict both the occurrence of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmia in heart failure (HF) in additional to left ventricular ejection fraction and HF class. Previous studies reported that intravenous BNP (iv-BNP) could improve HF symptoms but was linked with increased risk of death in HF patients. Our study aimed to test whether iv-BNP directly contributes to proarrhythmic effect.

ZASP1-D117N ON Z-LINE DECREASES HNAV1.5 FUNCTION IN A DCM SUBJECT WITH CONDUCTION DISTURBANCES

Abstract Category: Electrophysiology--BasicPresentation Number: 1078-125Authors: Yutao Xi, Tomohiko AI, Zhaohui Li, Geru Wu, Enkhsaikhan Purevjav, Shahrzad Abbasi, Jie Cheng, Matteo Vatta, Electrophysiology Research Laboratory, Texas Heart Institute/St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Hoston, TX, Pediatric Cardiology, Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is often associated with conduction system diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We have previously identified the D117N mutation in the Z-band Alternatively Spliced PDZ motif (ZASP1), in a DCM patient with conduction disturbances, while the ZASP1-K136M was found in a DCM subject with no conduction defects. This study sought to elucidate the role of ZASP1-D117N in regulating the cardiac sodium channel (hNav1.5), which is critically involved in conduction system diseases. Methods: Patch-clamp techniques were used to measure INa in either HEK293 cells stably expressing hNav1.5 or neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCM), both transiently transfected with WT or mutant ZASP1. Pull-down assay and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis were employed to study the interaction and localization between hNav1.5, WT and mutant ZASP and other cytoskeletal proteins.Results: Macroscopic INa were significantly decreased in cells expressing D117N compared to WT and K136M (WT, -252.0 ± 24.5 pA/pF, n = 20; K136M, -259.7 ± 37.1 pA/pF, n = 17; D117N, -182.2 ± 18.5 pA/pF, p<0.05). ZASP1-D117N, not K136M, rightward shifted steady-state activation (Vh: WT, -44.3 ± 1.6 mV, n = 23; K136M, -44.0 ± 2.5 mV, n = 17; D117N, -36.9 ± 1.6 mV, n = 18, p<0.05) and steady-state inactivation (Vh: WT, -100.3 ± 1.4 mV, n = 16; K136M, -100.9 ± 2.6, n = 17; D117N, -92.9 ± 1.4 mV, n = 19, p<0.005). Same INa reduction occurred in NRCM expressing D117N, but not ZASP1-WT. Furthermore, pull-down and IHC experiments demonstrated that both WT and D117N ZASP1 co-localized with the complex including hNav1.5, Telethonin and ACTN2, although NRCM expressing ZASP1-D117N demonstrate less organized Z-line. Treatment using ML-7, a cytoskeleton disruption agent, normalized INa parameters, rescuing hNav1.5 function.Conclusions: ZASP1-D117N decreases hNav1.5 function via a hNav1.5/Teletholnin/ZASP1/ACTN2 complex, and might account for conduction disturbances associated with DCM. Our study suggests that disrupted cytoarchitectural proteins are the primary cause of cardiomyopathies, and may predispose to secondary ion channel dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmias.

α-1-Syntrophin Mutation and the Long-QT SyndromeCLINICAL PERSPECTIVE

Background— Long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited disorder associated with sudden cardiac death. The cytoskeletal protein syntrophin-α1 (SNTA1) is known to interact with the cardiac sodium channel (hNav1.5), and we hypothesized that SNTA1 mutations might cause phenotypic LQTS in patients with genotypically normal hNav1.5 by secondarily disturbing sodium channel function. Methods and Results— Mutational analysis of SNTA1 was performed on 39 LQTS patients (QTc≥480 ms) with previously negative genetic screening for the known LQTS-causing genes. We identified a novel A257G- SNTA1 missense mutation, which affects a highly conserved residue, in 3 unrelated LQTS probands but not in 400 ethnic-matched control alleles. Only 1 of these probands had a preexisting family history of LQTS and sudden death with an additional intronic variant in KCNQ1. Electrophysiological analysis was performed using HEK-293 cells stably expressing hNav1.5 and transiently transfected with either wild-type or mutant SNTA1 and, in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, transiently transfected with either wild-type or mutant SNTA1. In both HEK-293 cells and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, increased peak sodium currents were noted along with a 10-mV negative shift of the onset and peak of currents of the current-voltage relationships. In addition, A257G-SNTA1 shifted the steady-state activation ( V h) leftward by 9.4 mV, whereas the voltage-dependent inactivation kinetics and the late sodium currents were similar to wild-type SNTA1. Conclusion— SNTA1 is a new susceptibility gene for LQTS. A257G- SNTA1 can cause gain-of-function of Nav1.5 similar to the LQT3. Received January 28, 2008; accepted May 12, 2008.Background— Long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited disorder associated with sudden cardiac death. The cytoskeletal protein syntrophin-α1 (SNTA1) is known to interact with the cardiac sodium channel (hNav1.5), and we hypothesized that SNTA1 mutations might cause phenotypic LQTS in patients with genotypically normal hNav1.5 by secondarily disturbing sodium channel function. Methods and Results— Mutational analysis of SNTA1 was performed on 39 LQTS patients (QTc≥480 ms) with previously negative genetic screening for the known LQTS-causing genes. We identified a novel A257G-SNTA1 missense mutation, which affects a highly conserved residue, in 3 unrelated LQTS probands but not in 400 ethnic-matched control alleles. Only 1 of these probands had a preexisting family history of LQTS and sudden death with an additional intronic variant in KCNQ1. Electrophysiological analysis was performed using HEK-293 cells stably expressing hNav1.5 and transiently transfected with either wild-type or mutant SNTA1 and, in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, transiently transfected with either wild-type or mutant SNTA1. In both HEK-293 cells and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, increased peak sodium currents were noted along with a 10-mV negative shift of the onset and peak of currents of the current-voltage relationships. In addition, A257G-SNTA1 shifted the steady-state activation (Vh) leftward by 9.4 mV, whereas the voltage-dependent inactivation kinetics and the late sodium currents were similar to wild-type SNTA1. Conclusion— SNTA1 is a new susceptibility gene for LQTS. A257G-SNTA1 can cause gain-of-function of Nav1.5 similar to the LQT3.

α-1-Syntrophin Mutation and the Long-QT SyndromeCLINICAL PERSPECTIVE: A Disease of Sodium Channel Disruption

Background— Long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited disorder associated with sudden cardiac death. The cytoskeletal protein syntrophin-α1 (SNTA1) is known to interact with the cardiac sodium channel (hNav1.5), and we hypothesized that SNTA1 mutations might cause phenotypic LQTS in patients with genotypically normal hNav1.5 by secondarily disturbing sodium channel function. Methods and Results— Mutational analysis of SNTA1 was performed on 39 LQTS patients (QTc≥480 ms) with previously negative genetic screening for the known LQTS-causing genes. We identified a novel A257G- SNTA1 missense mutation, which affects a highly conserved residue, in 3 unrelated LQTS probands but not in 400 ethnic-matched control alleles. Only 1 of these probands had a preexisting family history of LQTS and sudden death with an additional intronic variant in KCNQ1. Electrophysiological analysis was performed using HEK-293 cells stably expressing hNav1.5 and transiently transfected with either wild-type or mutant SNTA1 and, in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, transiently transfected with either wild-type or mutant SNTA1. In both HEK-293 cells and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, increased peak sodium currents were noted along with a 10-mV negative shift of the onset and peak of currents of the current-voltage relationships. In addition, A257G-SNTA1 shifted the steady-state activation ( V h) leftward by 9.4 mV, whereas the voltage-dependent inactivation kinetics and the late sodium currents were similar to wild-type SNTA1. Conclusion— SNTA1 is a new susceptibility gene for LQTS. A257G- SNTA1 can cause gain-of-function of Nav1.5 similar to the LQT3. Received January 28, 2008; accepted May 12, 2008.Background— Long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited disorder associated with sudden cardiac death. The cytoskeletal protein syntrophin-α1 (SNTA1) is known to interact with the cardiac sodium channel (hNav1.5), and we hypothesized that SNTA1 mutations might cause phenotypic LQTS in patients with genotypically normal hNav1.5 by secondarily disturbing sodium channel function. Methods and Results— Mutational analysis of SNTA1 was performed on 39 LQTS patients (QTc≥480 ms) with previously negative genetic screening for the known LQTS-causing genes. We identified a novel A257G-SNTA1 missense mutation, which affects a highly conserved residue, in 3 unrelated LQTS probands but not in 400 ethnic-matched control alleles. Only 1 of these probands had a preexisting family history of LQTS and sudden death with an additional intronic variant in KCNQ1. Electrophysiological analysis was performed using HEK-293 cells stably expressing hNav1.5 and transiently transfected with either wild-type or mutant SNTA1 and, in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, transiently transfected with either wild-type or mutant SNTA1. In both HEK-293 cells and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, increased peak sodium currents were noted along with a 10-mV negative shift of the onset and peak of currents of the current-voltage relationships. In addition, A257G-SNTA1 shifted the steady-state activation (Vh) leftward by 9.4 mV, whereas the voltage-dependent inactivation kinetics and the late sodium currents were similar to wild-type SNTA1. Conclusion— SNTA1 is a new susceptibility gene for LQTS. A257G-SNTA1 can cause gain-of-function of Nav1.5 similar to the LQT3.