Abstract 17335: Novel Functional Genomic Studies in Scn1bb Variant Associated With Brugada Syndrome and the Ameliorative Effect of Acacetin

Abstract

Background: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a channelopathy associated with the development of life-threatening ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT/VF). At present, pharmacological approaches to therapy are very limited. Objective: To evaluate the effect of an SCN1Bb variant and the effects of acacetin in experimental models of BrS. Methods: We evaluated the effect of acacetin in: 1) HEK293 cells expressing Kv4.3+ KChIP2 and Nav1.5+ SCN1B using patch clamp techniques (22 O C), 2) canine ventricular epicardial myocytes 3) coronary-perfused canine right (RV) preparations and 4) Langendorff-perfused canine whole-heart models of BrS in which the sodium channel blocker ajmaline or the calcium channel blocker verapamil, together with the transient outward current agonist NS5806 were used to provoke the arrhythmic phenotype. Results: Co-expression of SCN5A -WT+ KCND3-WT with KChIP2 + SCN1Bb -R214Q (variant associated with 3 cases of BrS and 1 case of sudden infant death (SIDS)), resulted in a 210% increase in total charge of the transient outward potassium current (I to ) as well as a 56.5% reduction in sodium channel current (I Na ) when compared to SCN1Bb-WT . In the absence of the mutation, acacetin inhibited I to with an IC 50 of 7.2±1.0 μM (n=3) in HEK cells, similar to the value obtained in native epicardial myocytes (6 μM). In the presence of the SCB1Bb mutant, IC 50 was dramatically reduced to 2.6±1 μM (n=5, p<0.05) Mean ±SEM. In the wedge and whole-heart models of BrS, acacetin dose-dependently reduced the epicardial action potential notch recorded from the RV or RVOT. Acacetin (5-10 μM) totally suppressed the electrocardiographic and arrhythmic manifestation of BrS, regardless of the pharmacologic model used to induce the arrhythmic phenotype. All repolarization defects were reversed, resulting in marked diminution of J waves leading to total suppression of VT/VF. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the ability of an SCN1Bb variant to dramatically shift the balance of current in the early phases of the RV epicardial action potential by reducing I Na as well as augmenting I to , thus predisposing to the development of the BrS phenotype. Our observations also hold promise for acacetin as a safe and effective pharmacologic treatment for BrS and some cases of SIDS.