Neonatal gene transfer of Serca2a delays onset of hypertrophic remodeling and improves function in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder linked to numerous mutations in the sarcomeric proteins. The clinical presentation of FHC is highly variable, but it is a major cause of sudden cardiac death in young adults with no specific treatments. We tested the hypothesis that early intervention in Ca(2+) regulation may prevent pathological hypertrophy and improve cardiac function in a FHC displaying increased myofilament sensitivity to Ca(2+) and diastolic dysfunction. A transgenic (TG) mouse model of FHC with a mutation in tropomyosin at position 180 was employed. Adenoviral-Serca2a (Ad.Ser) was injected into the left ventricle of 1-day-old non-transgenic (NTG) and TG mice. Ad.LacZ was injected as a control. Serca2a protein expression was significantly increased in NTG and TG hearts injected with Ad.Ser for up to 6 weeks. Compared to TG-Ad.LacZ hearts, the TG-Ad.Ser hearts showed improved whole heart morphology. Moreover, there was a significant decline in ANF and β-MHC expression. Developed force in isolated papillary muscle from 2- to 3-week-old TG-Ad.Ser hearts was higher and the response to isoproterenol (ISO) improved compared to TG-Ad.LacZ muscles. In situ hemodynamic measurements showed that by 3 months the TG-Ad.Ser hearts also had a significantly improved response to ISO compared to TG-Ad.LacZ hearts. The present study strongly suggests that Serca2a expression should be considered as a potential target for gene therapy in FHC. Moreover, our data imply that development of FHC can be successfully delayed if therapies are started shortly after birth.
Peña
James R
JR
Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Szkudlarek
Ariani C
AC
Warren
Chad M
CM
Heinrich
Lynley S
LS
Gaffin
Robert D
RD
Jagatheesan
Ganapathy
G
del Monte
Federica
F
Hajjar
Roger J
RJ
Goldspink
Paul H
PH
Solaro
R John
RJ
Wieczorek
David F
DF
Wolska
Beata M
BM
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D024741:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Familial / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D053498:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000099211:Phospholamban
D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D007545:Isoproterenol; D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D053498:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D000099211:Phospholamban