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Background: The human heart requires a complex ensemble of specialized cell types to perform its essential function. A greater knowledge of the intricate cellular milieu of the heart is critical to increase our understanding of cardiac homeostasis and pathology. As recent advances in low-input RNA sequencing have allowed definitions of cellular transcriptomes at single-cell resolution at scale, we have applied these approaches to assess the cellular and transcriptional diversity of the nonfailing human heart.Methods: Microfluidic encapsulation and barcoding was used to perform single nuclear RNA sequencing with samples from 7 human donors, selected for their absence of overt cardiac disease. Individual nuclear transcriptomes were then clustered based on transcriptional profiles of highly variable genes. These clusters were used as the basis for between-chamber and between-sex differential gene expression analyses and intersection with genetic and pharmacologic data.Results: We sequenced the transcriptomes of 287 269 single cardiac nuclei, revealing 9 major cell types and 20 subclusters of cell types within the human heart. Cellular subclasses include 2 distinct groups of resident macrophages, 4 endothelial subtypes, and 2 fibroblast subsets. Comparisons of cellular transcriptomes by cardiac chamber or sex reveal diversity not only in cardiomyocyte transcriptional programs but also in subtypes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and vascularization. Using genetic association data, we identified strong enrichment for the role of cell subtypes in cardiac traits and diseases. Intersection of our data set with genes on cardiac clinical testing panels and the druggable genome reveals striking patterns of cellular specificity.Conclusions: Using large-scale single nuclei RNA sequencing, we defined the transcriptional and cellular diversity in the normal human heart. Our identification of discrete cell subtypes and differentially expressed genes within the heart will ultimately facilitate the development of new therapeutics for cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Inhibition of PKC-α (protein kinase C-α) enhances contractility and cardioprotection in animal models, but effects in humans are unknown. Genotypes at rs9912468 strongly associate with PRKCA expression in the left ventricle, enabling genetic approaches to measure effects of reduced PKC-α in human populations. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed the cis expression quantitative trait locus for PRKCA marked by rs9912468 using 313 left ventricular specimens from European Ancestry patients. The forward strand minor allele (G) at rs9912468 is associated with reduced PKC-α transcript abundance (1.7-fold reduction in minor allele homozygotes, P=1x10-41). This association was cardiac specific in expression quantitative trait locus data sets that span 16 human tissues. Cardiac epigenomic data revealed a predicted enhancer in complete (R²=1.0) linkage disequilibrium with rs9912468 within intron 2 of PRKCA. We cloned this region and used reporter constructs to verify cardiac-specific enhancer activity in vitro in cardiac and noncardiac cells and in vivo in zebrafish. The PRKCA enhancer contains 2 common genetic variants and 4 haplotypes; the haplotype correlated with the rs9912468 PKC-α-lowering allele (G) showed lowest activity. In contrast to previous reports in animal models, the PKC-α-lowering allele is associated with adverse left ventricular remodeling (higher mass, larger diastolic dimension), reduced fractional shortening, and higher risk of dilated cardiomyopathy in human populations. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support PKC-α as a regulator of the human heart but suggest that PKC-α inhibition may adversely affect the left ventricle depending on timing and duration. Pharmacological studies in human subjects are required to discern potential benefits and harms of PKC-α inhibitors as an approach to treat heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background--Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare cardiomyopathy characterized by impaired diastolic ventricular function resulting in a poor clinical prognosis. Rarely, heritable forms of RCM have been reported, and mutations underlying RCM have been identified in genes that govern the contractile function of the cardiomyocytes. Methods and Results--We evaluated 8 family members across 4 generations by history, physical examination, electrocardiography, and echocardiography. Affected individuals presented with a pleitropic syndrome of progressive RCM, atrioventricular septal defects, and a high prevalence of atrial fibrillation. Exome sequencing of 5 affected members identified a single novel missense variant in a highly conserved residue of FLNC (filamin C; p.V2297M). FLNC encodes filamin C--a protein that acts as both a scaffold for the assembly and organization of the central contractile unit of striated muscle and also as a mechanosensitive signaling molecule during cell migration and shear stress. Immunohistochemical analysis of FLNC localization in cardiac tissue from an affected family member revealed a diminished localization at the z disk, whereas traditional localization at the intercalated disk was preserved. Stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes mutated to carry the effect allele had diminished contractile activity when compared with controls. Conclusion--We have identified a novel variant in FLNC as pathogenic variant for familial RCM--a finding that further expands on the genetic basis of this rare and morbid cardiomyopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background--Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects over 33 million individuals worldwide. Genome-wide association studies have identified at least 30 AF loci, but the mechanisms through which individual variants lead to altered disease risk have remained unclear for the majority of these loci. At the 1q24 locus, we hypothesized that the transcription factor PRRX1 could be a strong candidate gene as it is expressed in the pulmonary veins, a source of AF in many individuals. We sought to identify the molecular mechanism, whereby variation at 1q24 may lead to AF susceptibility. Methods and Results--We sequenced a ≈158 kb region encompassing PRRX1 in 962 individuals with and without AF. We identified a broad region of association with AF at the 1q24 locus. Using in silico prediction and functional validation, we identified an enhancer that interacts with the promoter of PRRX1 in cells of cardiac lineage. Within this enhancer, we identified a single-nucleotide polymorphism, rs577676, which alters enhancer activity in a mouse atrial cell line and in embryonic zebrafish and differentially regulates PRRX1 expression in human left atria. We found that suppression of PRRX1 in human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and embryonic zebrafish resulted in shortening of the atrial action potential duration, a hallmark of AF. Conclusions--We have identified a functional genetic variant that alters PRRX1 expression, ultimately resulting in electrophysiological alterations in atrial myocytes that may promote AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background--Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects >30 million individuals worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and death. AF is highly heritable, yet the genetic basis for the arrhythmia remains incompletely understood. Methods and Results--To identify new AF-related genes, we used a multifaceted approach, combining large-scale genotyping in 2 ethnically distinct populations, cis-eQTL (expression quantitative trait loci) mapping, and functional validation. Four novel loci were identified in individuals of European descent near the genes NEURL (rs12415501; relative risk [RR]=1.18; 95% confidence interval [Cl], 1.13-1.23; P=6.5xl0-16), GJA1 (rsl3216675; RR=1.10; 95% CI, 1.06-1.14; P=2.2x10-8), TBX5 (rs10507248; RR=1.12; 95% CI, 1.08-1.16; P=5.7xl0-11), and CAND2 (rs4642101; RR=1.10; 95% Cl, 1.06-1.14; P=9.8x10-9). In Japanese, novel loci were identified near NEURL (rs6584555; RR=1.32; 95% CI, 1.26-1.39; P=2.0x10-25) and CUX2 (rs6490029; RR=1.12; 95% CI, 1.08-1.16; P=3.9x10-9). The top single-nucleotide polymorphisms or their proxies were identified as cis-eQTLs for the genes CAND2 (P=2.6x10-19), GJA1 (P=2.66x10-6), and TBX5 (P=1.36x10-5). Knockdown of the zebrafish orthologs of NEURL and CAND2 resulted in prolongation of the atrial action potential duration (17% and 45%, respectively). Conclusions--We have identified 5 novel loci for AF. Our results expand the diversity of genetic pathways implicated in AF and provide novel molecular targets for future biological and pharmacological investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on identification of a functional genetic variant that alters PRRX1 gene expression in atrial myocytes and provides a link with atrial fibrillation (AF). It mentions the molecular mechanism of transcription factor PRRX1 which is expressed in the pulmonary veins. It also states the role of electrophysiological alterations in atrial myocytes in promoting AF.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) often arises from structural abnormalities in the left atria (LA). Annotation of the noncoding genome in human LA is limited, as are effects on gene expression and chromatin architecture. Many AF-associated genetic variants reside in noncoding regions; this knowledge gap impairs efforts to understand the molecular mechanisms of AF and cardiac conduction phenotypes., Methods: We generated a model of the LA noncoding genome by profiling 7 histone post-translational modifications (active: H3K4me3, H3K4me2, H3K4me1, H3K27ac, H3K36me3; repressive: H3K27me3, H3K9me3), CTCF binding, and gene expression in samples from 5 individuals without structural heart disease or AF. We used MACS2 to identify peak regions ( P <0.01), applied a Markov model to classify regulatory elements, and annotated this model with matched gene expression data. We intersected chromatin states with expression quantitative trait locus, DNA methylation, and HiC chromatin interaction data from LA and left ventricle. Finally, we integrated genome-wide association data for AF and electrocardiographic traits to link disease-related variants to genes., Results: Our model identified 21 epigenetic states, encompassing regulatory motifs, such as promoters, enhancers, and repressed regions. Genes were regulated by proximal chromatin states; repressive states were associated with a significant reduction in gene expression ( P <2×10 -16 ). Chromatin states were differentially methylated, promoters were less methylated than repressed regions ( P <2×10 -16 ). We identified over 15 000 LA-specific enhancers, defined by homeobox family motifs, and annotated several cardiovascular disease susceptibility loci. Intersecting AF and PR genome-wide association studies loci with long-range chromatin conformation data identified a gene interaction network dominated by NKX2-5 , TBX3 , ZFHX3 , and SYNPO2L ., Conclusions: Profiling the noncoding genome provides new insights into the gene expression and chromatin regulation in human LA tissue. These findings enabled identification of a gene network underlying AF; our experimental and analytic approach can be extended to identify molecular mechanisms for other cardiac diseases and traits.

Background Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common heart valve disease, the most frequent indication for valve repair or replacement. MVP is characterized by excess extracellular matrix secretion and cellular disorganization, which leads to bulky valves that are unable to coapt correctly during ventricular systole resulting in mitral regurgitation, and it is associated with sudden cardiac death. Here we aim to characterize globally the biological mechanisms underlying genetic susceptibility to MVP to better characterize its triggering mechanisms. Methods We applied i-GSEA4GWAS and DEPICT, two pathway enrichment tools to MVP genome-wide association studies. We followed-up the association with MVP in an independent dataset of cases and controls. This research was conducted using the UK Biobank Resource. Immunohistochemistry staining for Glis1 (GLIS family zinc finger 1) was conducted in developing heart of mice. Knockdown of Glis1 using morpholinos was performed in zebrafish animals 72 hours postfertilization. Results We show that genes at risk loci are involved in biological functions relevant to actin filament organization, cytoskeleton biology, and cardiac development. The enrichment for positive regulation of transcription, cell proliferation, and migration motivated the follow-up of GLIS1, a transcription factor from the Krüppel-like zinc finger family. In combination with previously available data, we now report a genome-wide significant association with MVP (odds ratio, 1.20; P=4.36×10 -10 ), indicating that Glis1 is expressed during embryonic development predominantly in nuclei of endothelial and interstitial cells of mitral valves in mouse. We also show that Glis1 knockdown causes atrioventricular regurgitation in developing hearts in zebrafish. Conclusions Our findings define globally molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying common genetic susceptibility to MVP and implicate established and unprecedented mechanisms. Through the GLIS1 association and function, we point at regulatory functions during cardiac development as common mechanisms to mitral valve degeneration.

Background: Electrical conduction from the cardiac sinoatrial node to the ventricles is critical for normal heart function. Genome-wide association studies have identified more than a dozen common genetic loci that are associated with PR interval. However, it is unclear whether rare and low-frequency variants also contribute to PR interval heritability., Methods: We performed large-scale meta-analyses of the PR interval that included 83 367 participants of European ancestry and 9436 of African ancestry. We examined both common and rare variants associated with the PR interval., Results: We identified 31 genetic loci that were significantly associated with PR interval after Bonferroni correction ( P <1.2×10 -6 ), including 11 novel loci that have not been reported previously. Many of these loci are involved in heart morphogenesis. In gene-based analysis, we found that multiple rare variants at MYH6 ( P =5.9×10 -11 ) and SCN5A ( P =1.1×10 -7 ) were associated with PR interval. SCN5A locus also was implicated in the common variant analysis, whereas MYH6 was a novel locus., Conclusions: We identified common variants at 11 novel loci and rare variants within 2 gene regions that were significantly associated with PR interval. Our findings provide novel insights to the current understanding of atrioventricular conduction, which is critical for cardiac activity and an important determinant of health., (© 2018 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Background: Inhibition of PKC-α (protein kinase C-α) enhances contractility and cardioprotection in animal models, but effects in humans are unknown. Genotypes at rs9912468 strongly associate with PRKCA expression in the left ventricle, enabling genetic approaches to measure effects of reduced PKC-α in human populations., Methods and Results: We analyzed the cis expression quantitative trait locus for PRKCA marked by rs9912468 using 313 left ventricular specimens from European Ancestry patients. The forward strand minor allele (G) at rs9912468 is associated with reduced PKC-α transcript abundance (1.7-fold reduction in minor allele homozygotes, P =1×10 -41 ). This association was cardiac specific in expression quantitative trait locus data sets that span 16 human tissues. Cardiac epigenomic data revealed a predicted enhancer in complete ( R 2 =1.0) linkage disequilibrium with rs9912468 within intron 2 of PRKCA. We cloned this region and used reporter constructs to verify cardiac-specific enhancer activity in vitro in cardiac and noncardiac cells and in vivo in zebrafish. The PRKCA enhancer contains 2 common genetic variants and 4 haplotypes; the haplotype correlated with the rs9912468 PKC-α-lowering allele (G) showed lowest activity. In contrast to previous reports in animal models, the PKC-α-lowering allele is associated with adverse left ventricular remodeling (higher mass, larger diastolic dimension), reduced fractional shortening, and higher risk of dilated cardiomyopathy in human populations., Conclusions: These findings support PKC-α as a regulator of the human heart but suggest that PKC-α inhibition may adversely affect the left ventricle depending on timing and duration. Pharmacological studies in human subjects are required to discern potential benefits and harms of PKC-α inhibitors as an approach to treat heart disease., (© 2018 American Heart Association, Inc.)