Electrophysiological abnormalities in VLCAD deficient hiPSC-cardiomyocytes can be improved by lowering accumulation of fatty acid oxidation intermediates

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Suzan J.G. Knottnerus - , University of Amsterdam, Utrecht University (Author)
  • Isabella Mengarelli - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Rob C.I. Wüst - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Antonius Baartscheer - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Jeannette C. Bleeker - , University of Amsterdam, Utrecht University (Author)
  • Ruben Coronel - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Sacha Ferdinandusse - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Kaomei Guan - , Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Lodewijk Ijlst - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Wener Li - , Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Xiaojing Luo - , Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Vincent M. Portero - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Ying Ulbricht - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Gepke Visser - , University of Amsterdam, Utrecht University (Author)
  • Ronald J.A. Wanders - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Frits A. Wijburg - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Arie O. Verkerk - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Riekelt H. Houtkooper - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Connie R. Bezzina - , University of Amsterdam (Author)

Abstract

Patients with very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (VLCADD) can present with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The pathophysiological mechanism is unknown. We reprogrammed fibroblasts from one mildly and one severely affected VLCADD patient, into human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and differentiated these into cardiomyocytes (VLCADD-CMs). VLCADD-CMs displayed shorter action potentials (APs), more delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) and higher systolic and diastolic intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) than control CMs. The mitochondrial booster resveratrol mitigated the biochemical, electrophysiological and [Ca2+]i changes in the mild but not in the severe VLCADD-CMs. Accumulation of potentially toxic intermediates of fatty acid oxidation was blocked by substrate reduction with etomoxir. Incubation with etomoxir led to marked prolongation of AP duration and reduced DADs and [Ca2+]i in both VLCADD-CMs. These results provide compelling evidence that reduced accumulation of fatty acid oxidation intermediates, either by enhanced fatty acid oxidation flux through increased mitochondria biogenesis (resveratrol) or by inhibition of fatty acid transport into the mitochondria (etomoxir), rescues pro-arrhythmia defects in VLCADD-CMs and open doors for new treatments.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2589
JournalInternational journal of molecular sciences
Volume21
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2020
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 32276429