Genome-wide analysis of adult Pitx2c heterozygous mice
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Analysis of the expression profile of adult mice heterozygous for Pitx2 isoform C. Total RNA obtained from isolated left and right atria from 5 Pitx2c heterozygous mice and 5 wild-type littermates.
Project description:Rationale: The most significantly associated atrial fibrillation (AF) risk loci in humans map to a noncoding gene desert upstream of the evolutionarily conserved left-right (LR) transcription factor Pitx2, a master regulator of LR asymmetric organ development. Pitx2 dosage is fundamentally linked to the development of sinus node dysfunction (SND) and AF, the most common cardiac arrhythmia affecting adults, but the mechanistic basis for this remains obscure. We identified a conserved long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), Playrr, which is exclusively transcribed on the embryo’s right side, opposite to Pitx2 on the left, that participates in mutually antagonistic transcriptional regulation with Pitx2. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate a role of Playrr in regulating Pitx2 transcription and protecting against the development of cardiac rhythm disturbances. Methods and Results: Playrr expression in the developing heart was analyzed with RNA in situ hybridization. Playrr was expressed asymmetrically (on the right) to Pitx2 (on the left) in developing mouse embryos, including in mouse embryonic sinoatrial node cells. We utilized CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in mice to target Playrr, generating mice lacking Playrr RNA transcript (PlayrrEx1sj allele). Using qRT-PCR we detected upregulation of the cardiac isoform, Pitx2c, during visceral organ morphogenesis in PlayrrEx1sj mutant embryos. Surface ECG (AliveCor®) and 24-hour telemetry ECG detected bradycardia and irregular interbeat (R-R) intervals suggestive of SND in PlayrrEx1sj mutant adults. Programmed stimulation of PlayrrEx1sj mutant adults resulted in pacing-induced AF. Within the right atrium of PlayrrEx1sj mutant hearts, Masson’s trichrome stain revealed increased collagen deposition indicative of fibrosis, and immunofluorescence demonstrated mis-localization of Connexin 43 in atrial cardiomyocytes. These findings suggested an altered atrial substrate in PlayrrEx1sj adult mice. Finally, transcriptomic analysis by chromatin run-on and sequencing (ChRO-seq) in atria of PlayrrEx1sj mutant mice compared to wild type controls revealed differential expression of genes involved in cell-cell adhesion and motility, fibrosis, and dysregulation of the key cardiac genes Tbx5 and Hcn1. Conclusions: Adult mice lacking functional Playrr lncRNA transcript have baseline bradyarrhythmia and increased susceptibility to AF. These cardiac phenotypes are similar to those observed in Pitx2 heterozygous mice. Interactions between Pitx2 and Playrr may provide a genetic mechanism for modulating Pitx2 dosage and susceptibility to SND and AF.
Project description:The right and left atria have different susceptibilities towards developing arrhythmias, with left atrial arrhythmias more commonly observed. To study potential underlying causes of this difference between the two upper chambers of the heart, four human left-right atrial pairs were subjected to whole-genome expression analyses via next generation sequencing of small RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), and polyA enriched mRNAs. Using a paired sample design, significant differences in gene expression were found between the left and right atria in both the poly-A and small RNA fractions. Hsa-miR-143 was the most highly expressed miRNA in the atria as quantified by RNA-seq. Gene expression differences established during development are retained into adulthood including that of PITX2 and BMP10. In addition ten novel non-coding RNAs were found to be differentially expressed between the left and right atrias .
Project description:Left and right heart atria of adult male mice were profiled to determine the differences in gene expression, control, coordination and signaling fabrics
Project description:Left and right heart atria of adult male mice were profiled to determine the differences in gene expression, control, coordination and signaling fabrics Two-sides (L= left, R = right) gene expression profiling experiment in adult mouse male (M) atria (A). 4 biological replicates: MAL1-4, MAR1-4. This experiment used our standard multiple yellow strategy in which Cy3 and Cy5 labeled biological replicates are cohybridized with a two-color array and each channel is processed independently.
Project description:To seek molecular mechanisms underlying the sick sinu syndrome phenotypes observed in Dnajb6 heterozygous knockout mice, we performed whole transcriptome RNA-sequencing experiments using right atrial tissues isolated from Dnajb6 heterozygous knockout mic and WT control mice at 1 year of age.
Project description:Atria and ventricles exhibit distinct molecular profiles that produce structural and functional differences between the two cardiac compartments. However, factors that determine these differences remain largely undefined. Cardiomyocyte-specific COUP- TFII ablation produces ventricularized atria that exhibit ventricle-like action potentials, increased cardiomyocyte size, and development of extensive T-tubules. We used microarrays to examine the molecular profile of cardiomyocyte-specific COUP-TFII knockout adult atria in comparison with that of normal atria. We extracted RNA from mutant right atria, control right atria and control ventricles from 2 months old adult mice, followed by gene expression profiling using Affymetrix microarrays.
Project description:We report the mRNA sequencing of right and left atria from an adult inducible, cardiomyocyte-specific Notch gain-of-function mouse model (iNICD). Using the tetracycline-on system, we activated Notch by feeding doxycycline chow for 3 weeks to mice that were at least 8 weeks old. We asked what transcriptional changes occur in right versus left atrial cardiomyocytes in response to the same stimulus (Notch signaling). mRNA sequencing on separated right and left atria revealed that there are more differentially dysregulated transcripts (1,011) than similarly regulated transcripts (447) in the right and left atria, which is a simiar paradigm as what occurs in human atrial cardiomyocytes of patients with atrial fibrillation.
Project description:The Ayu21-18 mouse line (B6;CBA-Bnc2Gt(pU21)18Imeg/Orl; Infrafrontier EM-05043) was used to generate mice with heterozygous inactivation of Bnc2,which were compared to their wild-type (WT) littermates. Mice were fed a pro-fibrogenic NASH diet for 7.5 weeks and livers were used used to prepare RNA.
Project description:Endurance training accelerated development of right ventricular dysfunction and arrhythmias in plakoglobin+/- mice. Histology and electron microscopy did not identify right ventricular abnormalities. To identify differences in the transcriptional response to training gene expression profiling was performed. Experiment Overall Design: Gene expressson analyses were performed in 5 pairs of plakoglobin (+/-) mice and their wildtype littermates. Four pairs of trained mice and one pair of old untrained mice were studied. Training induced expression of several hypertrophy associated genes such as ANP but no differences between the trained plakoglobin (+/-) mice and wt mice was seen.