2018
Intra-tracheal gene delivery of aerosolized SERCA2a to the lung suppresses ventricular arrhythmias in a model of pulmonary arterial hypertension
Strauss B, Sassi Y, Bueno-Beti C, Ilkan Z, Raad N, Cacheux M, Bisserier M, Turnbull IC, Kohlbrenner E, Hajjar RJ, Hadri L, Akar FG. Intra-tracheal gene delivery of aerosolized SERCA2a to the lung suppresses ventricular arrhythmias in a model of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Journal Of Molecular And Cellular Cardiology 2018, 127: 20-30. PMID: 30502350, PMCID: PMC6561115, DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2018.11.017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAction PotentialsAerosolsAnimalsArrhythmias, CardiacConnexin 43Disease Models, AnimalGene Transfer TechniquesGenetic TherapyHeart Conduction SystemHumansMalePotassium ChannelsPulmonary Arterial HypertensionRats, Sprague-DawleyRNA, MessengerSarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPasesTracheaConceptsPulmonary arterial hypertensionSudden cardiac deathVentricular tachyarrhythmiasCTRL heartsExpression of Cx43Conduction velocityArterial hypertensionHeart rateAP durationAdvanced pulmonary arterial hypertensionIncidence of VTOptical action potential mappingPacing-induced ventricular tachyarrhythmiasRisk of VTAEP substrateElectro-mechanical dysfunctionImpaired chronotropic responseMinimal conduction velocitiesRight ventricular failureSustained ventricular tachyarrhythmiasAPD heterogeneityPulmonary vascular remodelingRapid heart rateAge-matched ratsIntra-tracheal delivery
2014
Gene therapies for arrhythmias in heart failure
Akar FG, Hajjar RJ. Gene therapies for arrhythmias in heart failure. Pflügers Archiv - European Journal Of Physiology 2014, 466: 1211-1217. PMID: 24566976, PMCID: PMC4070506, DOI: 10.1007/s00424-014-1485-3.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2010
Ultrastructure and Regulation of Lateralized Connexin43 in the Failing Heart
Hesketh GG, Shah MH, Halperin VL, Cooke CA, Akar FG, Yen TE, Kass DA, Machamer CE, Van Eyk JE, Tomaselli GF. Ultrastructure and Regulation of Lateralized Connexin43 in the Failing Heart. Circulation Research 2010, 106: 1153-1163. PMID: 20167932, PMCID: PMC2896878, DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.108.182147.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAutophagyConnexin 43Disease Models, AnimalDogsGap JunctionsHeart FailureHeart VentriclesHeLa CellsHumansMembrane MicrodomainsMicroscopy, ConfocalMicroscopy, Electron, TransmissionMicrotubule-Associated ProteinsMyocardiumPhosphorylationRatsRats, Sprague-DawleyRecombinant Fusion ProteinsTransfectionConceptsGFP-LC3Gap junctionsLateral membranesDistinct phosphorylated formsGap junction turnoverGap junction internalizationForm of LC3Internalized gap junctionsGap junction proteinJunction turnoverSubcellular locationBiochemical regulationCellular pathwaysMultilamellar membrane structuresEndogenous Cx43Phosphorylated formNeonatal rat ventricular myocytesHeLa cellsIntracellular Cx43Membrane structureJunction proteinsCx43ProteinPotential therapeutic implicationsConnexin43
2007
Dynamic changes in conduction velocity and gap junction properties during development of pacing-induced heart failure
Akar FG, Nass RD, Hahn S, Cingolani E, Shah M, Hesketh GG, DiSilvestre D, Tunin RS, Kass DA, Tomaselli GF. Dynamic changes in conduction velocity and gap junction properties during development of pacing-induced heart failure. AJP Heart And Circulatory Physiology 2007, 293: h1223-h1230. PMID: 17434978, DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00079.2007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAction PotentialsAnimalsCardiac Pacing, ArtificialConnexin 43Disease Models, AnimalDogsDown-RegulationGap JunctionsHeart Conduction SystemHeart FailureMalePhosphorylationProtein IsoformsTachycardia, VentricularTime FactorsVentricular Function, LeftVentricular PressureVentricular RemodelingConceptsEnd-stage heart failureHeart failureConduction velocityMechanical dysfunctionCV slowingPacing-induced heart failureDevelopment of HFOnset of HFMechanical functionCx43 isoformConduction abnormalitiesCx43 lateralizationAdvanced stageBaseline levelsMyocardial preparationsPhosphorylation of Cx43High-resolution optical mappingSustained downregulationMarked increaseDephosphorylated Cx43LVEDPGap junction propertiesConduction changesDysfunctionTime course
2005
Abnormal conduction and repolarization in late-activated myocardium of dyssynchronously contracting hearts
Spragg DD, Akar FG, Helm RH, Tunin RS, Tomaselli GF, Kass DA. Abnormal conduction and repolarization in late-activated myocardium of dyssynchronously contracting hearts. Cardiovascular Research 2005, 67: 77-86. PMID: 15885674, DOI: 10.1016/j.cardiores.2005.03.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAction potential durationConduction velocityRefractory periodElectrophysiological remodelingArrhythmia susceptibilityIntraventricular conduction delayLeft ventricular dyssynchronyGap junction protein expressionJunction protein expressionCalcium cycling proteinsTotal expressionDyssynchronous heartsLV dysfunctionMechanical dyssynchronyUntreated dogsVentricular dyssynchronyCardiac dyssynchronyControl dogsLateral LVRadiofrequency ablationAnterior wallConduction delayDyssynchronyMyocardial segmentsPotential duration
2004
Mechanisms Underlying Conduction Slowing and Arrhythmogenesis in Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Akar FG, Spragg DD, Tunin RS, Kass DA, Tomaselli GF. Mechanisms Underlying Conduction Slowing and Arrhythmogenesis in Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Circulation Research 2004, 95: 717-725. PMID: 15345654, DOI: 10.1161/01.res.0000144125.61927.1c.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAction PotentialsAnimalsArrhythmias, CardiacBlotting, WesternCadherinsCardiac Pacing, ArtificialCardiomyopathy, DilatedCell SizeConnexin 43DogsFibrosisGap JunctionsHeart Conduction SystemMicroscopy, ConfocalMicroscopy, FluorescenceMyocardiumMyocytes, CardiacNeural ConductionPatch-Clamp TechniquesPhosphorylationProtein Processing, Post-TranslationalSubcellular FractionsHeterogeneous connexin43 expression produces electrophysiological heterogeneities across ventricular wall
Poelzing S, Akar FG, Baron E, Rosenbaum DS. Heterogeneous connexin43 expression produces electrophysiological heterogeneities across ventricular wall. AJP Heart And Circulatory Physiology 2004, 286: h2001-h2009. PMID: 14704225, DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00987.2003.Peer-Reviewed Original Research