2022
Gene editing reverses arrhythmia susceptibility in humanized PLN-R14del mice: modelling a European cardiomyopathy with global impact
Dave J, Raad N, Mittal N, Zhang L, Fargnoli A, Oh JG, Savoia ME, Hansen J, Fava M, Yin X, Theofilatos K, Ceholski D, Kohlbrenner E, Jeong D, Wills L, Nonnenmacher M, Haghighi K, Costa KD, Turnbull IC, Mayr M, Cai CL, Kranias EG, Akar FG, Hajjar RJ, Stillitano F. Gene editing reverses arrhythmia susceptibility in humanized PLN-R14del mice: modelling a European cardiomyopathy with global impact. Cardiovascular Research 2022, 118: 3140-3150. PMID: 35191471, PMCID: PMC9732517, DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdeno-associated virus 9Ventricular tachycardiaCardiac functionStroke volumeHigh arrhythmia burdenSustained ventricular tachycardiaSudden cardiac deathCardiac magnetic resonancePre-symptomatic carriersYoung adult miceWeeks of ageDroplet digital polymerase chain reactionArrhythmia burdenVulnerable myocardiumCardiac deathEjection fractionPreclinical evidenceMalignant arrhythmiasVentricular dilationHumanized miceWT miceCardiac outputPolymerase chain reactionPLN-R14DelAdult mice
2021
Arrhythmia Mechanism and Dynamics in a Humanized Mouse Model of Inherited Cardiomyopathy Caused by Phospholamban R14del Mutation
Raad N, Bittihn P, Cacheux M, Jeong D, Ilkan Z, Ceholski D, Kohlbrenner E, Zhang L, Cai CL, Kranias EG, Hajjar RJ, Stillitano F, Akar FG. Arrhythmia Mechanism and Dynamics in a Humanized Mouse Model of Inherited Cardiomyopathy Caused by Phospholamban R14del Mutation. Circulation 2021, 144: 441-454. PMID: 34024116, PMCID: PMC8456417, DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.119.043502.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman PLNRapid pacingInterventricular activation delayHumanized mouse modelAction potential prolongationLocal conduction blockSteep repolarization gradientsArrhythmogenic featuresMacroreentrant circuitHemodynamic changesElectric remodelingElectrophysiological remodelingRight ventricleVentricular tachycardiaPotential prolongationSudden deathConduction blockMouse modelAdult knockArrhythmia susceptibilityAdrenergic stimulationStructural remodelingArrhythmogenic phenotypeArrhythmia mechanismsRegulatory protein phospholamban
2018
Primary Effect of SERCA2a Gene Transfer on Conduction Reserve in Chronic Myocardial Infarction
Motloch LJ, Cacheux M, Ishikawa K, Xie C, Hu J, Aguero J, Fish KM, Hajjar RJ, Akar FG. Primary Effect of SERCA2a Gene Transfer on Conduction Reserve in Chronic Myocardial Infarction. Journal Of The American Heart Association 2018, 7: e009598. PMID: 30371209, PMCID: PMC6222964, DOI: 10.1161/jaha.118.009598.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMyocardial infarctionVentricular tachycardiaSERCA 2aVirus serotype 1Heart failureOptical action potential mappingPacing-induced ventricular tachycardiaIschemic heart failureNonischemic heart failureSerotype 1SERCA2a gene transferChronic myocardial infarctionExpression of Cx43Contractile reserveVelocity reserveHemodynamic functionDobutamine stressAnterior MIElectrophysiological effectsQRS durationConduction reserveConduction velocityNaive pigsAnimal modelsElectrophysiological substrate
2013
Glutathione oxidation unmasks proarrhythmic vulnerability of chronically hyperglycemic guinea pigs
Xie C, Biary N, Tocchetti CG, Aon MA, Paolocci N, Kauffman J, Akar FG. Glutathione oxidation unmasks proarrhythmic vulnerability of chronically hyperglycemic guinea pigs. AJP Heart And Circulatory Physiology 2013, 304: h916-h926. PMID: 23376824, PMCID: PMC3625895, DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00026.2012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSham-operated heartsChronic hyperglycemiaOxidative stressAPD heterogeneityGuinea pigsOptical action potential mappingType 1 diabetes mellitusVT/VFGuinea pig modelAction potential durationDaily insulinDiabetes mellitusArrhythmia suppressionProarrhythmic propertiesGlycemic levelsVentricular tachycardiaSaline injectionVentricular fibrillationSudden deathGlucose levelsStreptozotocinArrhythmic triggersNormal heartsTreatment groupsPotential duration
2011
Biophysical properties and functional consequences of reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐induced ROS release in intact myocardium
Biary N, Xie C, Kauffman J, Akar FG. Biophysical properties and functional consequences of reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐induced ROS release in intact myocardium. The Journal Of Physiology 2011, 589: 5167-5179. PMID: 21825030, PMCID: PMC3225672, DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.214239.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntioxidantsArrhythmias, CardiacCyclosporineDiazepamEthidiumFluorescenceFluorescent DyesHydrogen PeroxideIn Vitro TechniquesIntracellular MembranesMitochondrial Membrane Transport ProteinsMitochondrial Permeability Transition PoreMyocardiumOrganometallic CompoundsOxidantsOxidative StressRatsSalicylatesSuperoxidesVoltage-Dependent Anion ChannelsConceptsIncidence of arrhythmiasIntact myocardiumOxidative stressMitochondrial permeability transition poreReactive oxygen speciesSustained ventricular tachycardiaROS releaseExposure of heartsGlobal oxidative stressPerfusion of heartsSuperoxide dismutase/catalase mimetic EUK-134Functional consequencesOS protocolArrhythmia scoreAcute modelDihydroethidium fluorescenceUntreated heartsVentricular tachycardiaVentricular fibrillationOxygen speciesArrhythmic consequencesElevated ROS levelsRat heartEUK-134Perfusion
2009
Mechanoelectrical remodeling and arrhythmias during progression of hypertrophy
Jin H, Chemaly ER, Lee A, Kho C, Hadri L, Hajjar RJ, Akar FG. Mechanoelectrical remodeling and arrhythmias during progression of hypertrophy. The FASEB Journal 2009, 24: 451-463. PMID: 19825979, PMCID: PMC2812033, DOI: 10.1096/fj.09-136622.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsConduction delayLeft ventricular mechanical dysfunctionEnd-stage heart failureTissue levelsVentricular mechanical dysfunctionIncidence of arrhythmiasSudden cardiac deathZO-1Pressure overload hypertrophyAction potential prolongationProgression of hypertrophyDisease developmentLV dysfunctionCardiac deathDephosphorylation of Cx43Heart failureAortic bandingElectrical remodelingVentricular tachycardiaMechanical dysfunctionOverload hypertrophyElectrophysiological changesRat modelPotential prolongationProtein ZO-1
2005
Molecular Basis of Arrhythmias
Shah M, Akar FG, Tomaselli GF. Molecular Basis of Arrhythmias. Circulation 2005, 112: 2517-2529. PMID: 16230503, DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.104.494476.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsIon channel subunit genesChannel subunit genesSubunit geneMolecular basisBasic biologySingle gene disordersNew molecular targetsCardiac arrhythmiasCellular basisGene disordersMolecular targetsMolecular pathogenesisPathophysiological conditionsCritical roleCatecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardiaPrimary electrical diseasePathological remodelingFundamental mechanismsPolymorphic ventricular tachycardiaImportant insightsLong QT syndromeElectrical diseaseVentricular tachycardiaBrugada syndromeGenes
2003
Transmural Electrophysiological Heterogeneities Underlying Arrhythmogenesis in Heart Failure
Akar FG, Rosenbaum DS. Transmural Electrophysiological Heterogeneities Underlying Arrhythmogenesis in Heart Failure. Circulation Research 2003, 93: 638-645. PMID: 12933704, DOI: 10.1161/01.res.0000092248.59479.ae.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPolymorphic ventricular tachycardiaHeart failureQT interval prolongationQT intervalM cellsConduction blockAPD prolongationTransmural wallAction potential duration prolongationRapid ventricular pacingTransmural heterogeneityFunctional conduction blockVentricular tachyarrhythmiasPremature impulsesSubepicardial zoneVentricular pacingVentricular tachycardiaHF phenotypesDuration prolongationCanine wedge preparationSelective prolongationDecremental conductionAction potentialsOptical action potentialsVentricular wall