Novel Approaches to Pharmacologic Management of Life-Threatening Arrhythmias Associated with the J Wave Syndromes - Project Summary Abstract
Brugada syndrome (BrS) and early repolarization syndrome (ERS) are inherited cardiac arrhythmia syndromes that
contribute to sudden cardiac death of young adults as they reach the prime of their lives. In some cases these syndromes
have been shown to be responsible for sudden infant death syndrome. They share similar ECG features, clinical outcomes,
risk factors, as well as the development of prominent J waves. The cellular mechanisms underlying the development of
ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT/VF) associated with these two channelopathies, and the mechanisms of action
of drug therapies, remain a matter of debate. A principal aim of our proposal is to advance the understanding of the
cellular and ionic basis for BrS and ERS, and determine the effectiveness and cellular basis for the ameliorative effect of
the natural flavone acacetin and its congeners in coronary-perfused human and canine right and left ventricular wedge and
Langendorff-perfused whole-heart models of BrS and ERS generated by pharmacologically mimicking the genetic defects
underlying these syndromes. Validation of the pharmacologic models as surrogates for the genetic syndromes will be
performed by examining the characteristics of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes derived from
peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with BrS and ERS, and their response to acacetin. A second principal aim
of the proposed study is to evaluate the potential synergy of the combination of acacetin and quinidine. We will test the
hypothesis that relatively low concentrations of the two agents are effective in suppressing the ECG and arrhythmic
manifestation of BrS and ERS. The QT-prolonging effects of quinidine are expected to counter the QT abbreviating effect
of acacetin, and vice versa, leading to safer use of both agents. The use of lower concentrations of quinidine is also
expected to lower the dose of quinidine to levels at which the gastrointestinal-side-effects are avoided, making the drug
better tolerated by patients. A third principal aim is to elucidate the selectivity for inhibition of Ito by congeners of acacetin
with 80% to 96% similarity of molecular structure in a search for more Ito-selective blockers. Successful completion of
these specific aims will importantly advance our ability to pharmacologically suppress arrhythmogenesis associated with
the J-wave syndromes and provide further understanding of the cellular and ionic mechanisms involved in the
pathogenesis of these syndromes, and provide a unique platform for the development of novel therapies that could
potentially find their way to the bedside. Successful management of these syndromes—for which treatment alternatives
are currently very limited–will close a very significant gap in our therapeutic armamentarium for individuals potentially at
risk for sudden cardiac death, and for whom an ICD is not indicated by current guidelines. An early repolarization pattern
is observed in 2% to 5% of the US population and until approximately a decade ago was thought to be totally benign.
While it is clear that the vast majority of individuals exhibiting an early repolarization pattern are not at risk for sudden
cardiac death (SCD), our challenge moving forward is to identify those individuals who truly are at risk and to design safe
and effective treatments. The proposed study is a critical step in the ultimate achievement of these goals.
