Browsing by Author "Raucci, Frank J."

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    The BDNF rs6265 Polymorphism is a Modifier of Cardiomyocyte Contractility and Dilated Cardiomyopathy
    (MDPI, 2020-10-10) Raucci, Frank J.; Singh, Anand Prakash; Soslow, Jonathan; Markham, Larry W.; Zhong, Lin; Aljafar, Wejdan; Lessiohadi, Natasja; Awgulewitsch, Cassandra P.; Umbarkar, Prachi; Zhang, Qinkun; Cannon, Presley L.; Buchowski, Maciej; Roland, Joseph T.; Carrier, Erica J.; Burnette, William B.; Hatzopoulos, Antonis K.; Lal, Hind; Galindo, Cristi L.; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neuronal growth and survival factor that harbors cardioprotective qualities that may attenuate dilated cardiomyopathy. In ~30% of the population, BDNF has a common, nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphism rs6265 (Val66Met), which might be correlated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. We previously showed that BDNF correlates with better cardiac function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. However, the effect of the Val66Met polymorphism on cardiac function has not been determined. The goal of the current study was to determine the effects of rs6265 on BDNF biomarker suitability and DMD cardiac functions more generally. We assessed cardiovascular and skeletal muscle function in human DMD patients segregated by polymorphic allele. We also compared echocardiographic, electrophysiologic, and cardiomyocyte contractility in C57/BL-6 wild-type mice with rs6265 polymorphism and in mdx/mTR (mDMD) mouse model of DMD. In human DMD patients, plasma BDNF levels had a positive correlation with left ventricular function, opposite to that seen in rs6265 carriers. There was also a substantial decrease in skeletal muscle function in carriers compared to the Val homozygotes. Surprisingly, the opposite was true when cardiac function of DMD carriers and non-carriers were compared. On the other hand, Val66Met wild-type mice had only subtle functional differences at baseline but significantly decreased cardiomyocyte contractility. Our results indicate that the Val66Met polymorphism alters myocyte contractility, conferring worse skeletal muscle function but better cardiac function in DMD patients. Moreover, these results suggest a mechanism for the relative preservation of cardiac tissues compared to skeletal muscle in DMD patients and underscores the complexity of BDNF signaling in response to mechanical workload.
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    Current Practices in Treating Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD): Understanding Care Practices in Order to Optimize DMD Heart Failure Through ACTION
    (Springer Nature, 2022) Villa, Chet; Auerbach, Scott R.; Bansal, Neha; Birnbaum, Brian F.; Conway, Jennifer; Esteso, Paul; Gambetta, Katheryn; Hall, E. Kevin; Kaufman, Beth D.; Kirmani, Sonya; Lal, Ashwin K.; Martinez, Hugo R.; Nandi, Deipanjan; O’Connor, Matthew J.; Parent, John J.; Raucci, Frank J.; Shih, Renata; Shugh, Svetlana; Soslow, Jonathan H.; Tunuguntla, Hari; Wittlieb‑Weber, Carol A.; Kinnett, Kathi; Cripe, Linda; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Cardiac disease has emerged as a leading cause of mortality in Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the current era. This survey sought to identify the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to DMD among pediatric cardiologists in Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network. Pediatric cardiology providers within ACTION (a multi-center pediatric heart failure learning network) were surveyed regarding their approaches to cardiac care in DMD. Thirty-one providers from 23 centers responded. Cardiac MRI and Holter monitoring are routinely obtained, but the frequency of use and indications for ordering these tests varied widely. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and aldosterone antagonist are generally initiated prior to onset of systolic dysfunction, while the indications for initiating beta-blocker therapy vary more widely. Seventeen (55%) providers report their center has placed an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in at least 1 DMD patient, while 11 providers (35%) would not place an ICD for primary prevention in a DMD patient. Twenty-three providers (74%) would consider placement of a ventricular assist device (VAD) as destination therapy (n = 23, 74%) and three providers (10%) would consider a VAD only as bridge to transplant. Five providers (16%) would not consider VAD at their institution. Cardiac diagnostic and therapeutic approaches vary among ACTION centers, with notable variation present regarding the use of advanced therapies (ICD and VAD). The network is currently working to harmonize medical practices and optimize clinical care in an era of rapidly evolving outcomes and cardiac/skeletal muscle therapies.
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    Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patients: Troponin Leak in Asymptomatic and Implications for Drug Toxicity Studies
    (Springer Nature, 2022) Sheybani, Aryaz; Crum, Kim; Raucci, Frank J.; Burnette, William B.; Markham, Larry W.; Soslow, Jonathan H.; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Background: Cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but studies suggest heart failure biomarkers correlate poorly with cardiomyopathy severity. DMD clinical trials have used troponin I (cTnI) as a biomarker of toxicity, but it is unclear if asymptomatic DMD patients have elevated cTnI. We longitudinally evaluated cTnI, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) in a DMD cohort. Methods: DMD patients were prospectively enrolled and followed for 3 years. Serum was drawn at the time of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Normal biomarker values were derived from healthy subjects. Biomarkers were correlated with CMR markers. Results: All subjects were asymptomatic at the time of enrollment. Several DMD subjects had transiently elevated cTnI. Those with elevated cTnI were more likely to have late gadolinium enhancement on baseline CMR. NT-proBNP correlated with indexed left ventricular end diastolic and maximum left atrial volumes. Otherwise, standard cardiac biomarkers did not correlate with CMR markers of cardiomyopathy. Conclusions: CTnI, BNP, and NT-proBNP do not correlate with CMR assessment of cardiomyopathy progression. A subset of DMD patients have asymptomatic cTnI leak of uncertain clinical significance, though of critical importance if cTnI is used to assess for cardiac toxicity in future drug trials. Impact: Asymptomatic patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) exhibit transient troponin I leak. NT-proBNP correlated with indexed left ventricular end diastolic volume and indexed maximum left atrial volume. Other cardiac biomarkers did not correlate with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) markers of cardiomyopathy.