Efrat Kurtzwald-Josefson1, Dor Yadin1, Shiraz Harun-Khun2, Maayan Waldman3, Dan Aravot3, Asher Shainberg4, Michael Eldar2, Edith Hochhauser3, Michael Arad5. 1. Leviev Heart Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Cardiac Research Lab, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 2. Leviev Heart Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 3. Cardiac Research Lab, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 4. Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel. 5. Leviev Heart Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: michael.arad@sheba.health.gov.il.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The recessive form of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia 2 (CPVT2) is caused by mutations in cardiac calsequestrin (CASQ2), leading to protein deficiency. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to develop a viral-delivered gene therapy for CPVT2 and to determine the relationship between CASQ2 expression and antiarrhythmic efficacy in a murine model. METHODS: We used a murine model of CPVT2 caused by the D307H human mutation (CASQ2D307H) or CASQ2 knockout (CASQ2Δ/Δ). Adeno-associated virus (AAV) particles containing the CASQ2 gene (AAVCASQ2) were injected into the heart or intraperitoneally to 12-week-old mice. A telemetry device was implanted, and mice underwent provocation testing 7-8 weeks after gene therapy. RESULTS: CASQ2Δ/Δ mice injected intracardiacally with AAVCASQ2 expressed 40% ± 25% of the normal CASQ2 protein level, which was increased compared to untreated CASQ2Δ/Δ mice (n = 10; P < .05). Intraperitoneal therapy led to a significantly elevated expression of the CASQ2 protein, which was comparable in CASQ2D307H (n = 12) and CASQ2Δ/Δ (n = 4) mice. All control mice with CPVT2 had nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) and 8 of 13 had sustained VT on provocation. Expressing ≥33% of the normal CASQ2 level was needed to protect from nonsustained VT as well as stress-induced premature ventricular contractions. Lower levels of expression prevented sustained VT in AAVCASQ2-treated mice (0 of 26; P < .001 vs controls). CONCLUSION: AAVCASQ2 displays a long-lasting capacity to attenuate and potentially cure CPVT2. Systemic delivery is feasible and convenient, reproducibly providing adequate levels of transgene expression. Antiarrhythmic efficacy depends on the CASQ2 level: ≥33% of the normal CASQ2 level is needed to prevent arrhythmia. However, even lower levels of protein protect from sustained VT, thereby potentially reducing the risk of sudden death.
BACKGROUND: The recessive form of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia 2 (CPVT2) is caused by mutations in cardiac calsequestrin (CASQ2), leading to protein deficiency. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to develop a viral-delivered gene therapy for CPVT2 and to determine the relationship between CASQ2 expression and antiarrhythmic efficacy in a murine model. METHODS: We used a murine model of CPVT2 caused by the D307Hhuman mutation (CASQ2D307H) or CASQ2 knockout (CASQ2Δ/Δ). Adeno-associated virus (AAV) particles containing the CASQ2 gene (AAVCASQ2) were injected into the heart or intraperitoneally to 12-week-old mice. A telemetry device was implanted, and mice underwent provocation testing 7-8 weeks after gene therapy. RESULTS:CASQ2Δ/Δ mice injected intracardiacally with AAVCASQ2 expressed 40% ± 25% of the normal CASQ2 protein level, which was increased compared to untreated CASQ2Δ/Δ mice (n = 10; P < .05). Intraperitoneal therapy led to a significantly elevated expression of the CASQ2 protein, which was comparable in CASQ2D307H (n = 12) and CASQ2Δ/Δ (n = 4) mice. All control mice with CPVT2 had nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) and 8 of 13 had sustained VT on provocation. Expressing ≥33% of the normal CASQ2 level was needed to protect from nonsustained VT as well as stress-induced premature ventricular contractions. Lower levels of expression prevented sustained VT in AAVCASQ2-treated mice (0 of 26; P < .001 vs controls). CONCLUSION:AAVCASQ2 displays a long-lasting capacity to attenuate and potentially cure CPVT2. Systemic delivery is feasible and convenient, reproducibly providing adequate levels of transgene expression. Antiarrhythmic efficacy depends on the CASQ2 level: ≥33% of the normal CASQ2 level is needed to prevent arrhythmia. However, even lower levels of protein protect from sustained VT, thereby potentially reducing the risk of sudden death.
Authors: Daniel J Flores; ThuyVy Duong; Luke O Brandenberger; Apratim Mitra; Aditya Shirali; John C Johnson; Danielle Springer; Audrey Noguchi; Zu-Xi Yu; Steven N Ebert; Andreas Ludwig; Bjorn C Knollmann; Mark D Levin; Karl Pfeifer Journal: Hum Mol Genet Date: 2018-05-01 Impact factor: 6.150
Authors: Hanna Bueno-Levy; David Weisbrod; Dor Yadin; Shiraz Haron-Khun; Asher Peretz; Edith Hochhauser; Michael Arad; Bernard Attali Journal: Front Pharmacol Date: 2020-01-17 Impact factor: 5.810
Authors: Vera Paar; Peter Jirak; Robert Larbig; Naufal Shamilevich Zagidullin; Mathias C Brandt; Michael Lichtenauer; Uta C Hoppe; Lukas J Motloch Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2019-10-24 Impact factor: 5.923