Project description:The left atrium consists of three major parts: the peri-pulmonary vein portion, the appendage, and the vestibule. Previous transcriptional profiling of the adult left atrium and identification of the Tbx5-dependent transcriptome has focused on the atrial appendage (Nadadur et al 2016, Science Translational Medicine). In that study, Tbx5 was shown to regulate a gene regulatory network of atrial identity in the appendage and in its absence results in atrial fibrillation. In order to investigate the regional differences in the transcriptome of the left atrium, the left atrial appendage and the peri-pulmonary vein portion from adult mice were compared by RNA-sequencing. Additionally, as Tbx5 is major regulator of atrial identity, the peri-pulmonary vein portion of the atria was likewise examined following removal of Tbx5 using an adult specific conditional knockout of Tbx5.
Project description:The transcription factor FOG2 (ZFPM2) is upregulated in human heart failure and increased FOG2 expression causes heart failure in mice. We found that FOG2 directly intersects a gene regulatory network driven by the atrial-enriched TF TBX5 and required for atrial cardiomyocyte rhythm control gene expression
Project description:Rationale: Pathogenic variants in the gene for T-box transcription factor (TF) 5 (TBX5) cause Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS), characterized by congenital heart defects and limb abnormalities. A particular missense variant in TBX5 (G125R) in a Dutch family causes atypical HOS as well as early onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Understanding the effects of such an altered key cardiac TF on the transcription regulatory network and cardiac physiology provides a unique opportunity to gain insight into the mechanisms underlying diseases such as AF. Objective: To determine the in vivo TBX5-G125R-induced changes in the transcriptional regulatory network and epigenetic state underlying the atypical HOS with early onset AF found in an extended pedigree. Methods and Results: We modeled the TBX5-G125R pathogenic variant in vivo in the mouse and found severe cardiac defects and fetal lethality in Tbx5G125R/G125R mice, whereas Tbx5G125R/+ mice were viable and morphologically unaffected. Electrophysiological analysis of adult Tbx5G125R/+ mice revealed variable RR interval, atrial extra systole and susceptibility to AF upon pacing. These characteristics were also observed in the patient family. Additionally, calcium homeostasis as well as conduction were changed in the mutant atrial cardiomyocytes. Single-nucleus transcriptional profiling of right atria revealed the most profound changes in expression in the cardiomyocytes of Tbx5G125R/+ mice. Transcriptional profiling of atrial tissue identified differential expression of over a thousand genes, whereas expression levels of several genes known to respond to Tbx5 insufficiency did not change. Epigenetic profiling revealed shifts in sites associated with acetylated H3K27 as well as in chrom atin accessibility in Tbx5G125R/+ atrial cardiomyocytes indicating Tbx5-G125R has altered DNA binding and TF interaction properties.
Project description:Rationale: Pathogenic variants in the gene for T-box transcription factor (TF) 5 (TBX5) cause Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS), characterized by congenital heart defects and limb abnormalities. A particular missense variant in TBX5 (G125R) in a Dutch family causes atypical HOS as well as early onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Understanding the effects of such an altered key cardiac TF on the transcription regulatory network and cardiac physiology provides a unique opportunity to gain insight into the mechanisms underlying diseases such as AF. Objective: To determine the in vivo TBX5-G125R-induced changes in the transcriptional regulatory network and epigenetic state underlying the atypical HOS with early onset AF found in an extended pedigree. Methods and Results: We modeled the TBX5-G125R pathogenic variant in vivo in the mouse and found severe cardiac defects and fetal lethality in Tbx5G125R/G125R mice, whereas Tbx5G125R/+ mice were viable and morphologically unaffected. Electrophysiological analysis of adult Tbx5G125R/+ mice revealed variable RR interval, atrial extra systole and susceptibility to AF upon pacing. These characteristics were also observed in the patient family. Additionally, calcium homeostasis as well as conduction were changed in the mutant atrial cardiomyocytes. Single-nucleus transcriptional profiling of right atria revealed the most profound changes in expression in the cardiomyocytes of Tbx5G125R/+ mice. Transcriptional profiling of atrial tissue identified differential expression of over a thousand genes, whereas expression levels of several genes known to respond to Tbx5 insufficiency did not change. Epigenetic profiling revealed shifts in sites associated with acetylated H3K27 as well as in chrom atin accessibility in Tbx5G125R/+ atrial cardiomyocytes indicating Tbx5-G125R has altered DNA binding and TF interaction properties.