1. Mechanistic insight into the functional role of human sinoatrial node conduction pathways and pacemaker compartments heterogeneity: A computer model analysis.
- Author
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Zhao, Jichao, Sharma, Roshan, Kalyanasundaram, Anuradha, Kennelly, James, Bai, Jieyun, Li, Ning, Panfilov, Alexander, and Fedorov, Vadim V.
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SINOATRIAL node , *CARDIAC pacemakers , *COMPUTER simulation , *RIGHT heart atrium , *ION channels , *PACEMAKER cells , *ELECTRIC insulators & insulation - Abstract
The sinoatrial node (SAN), the primary pacemaker of the heart, is responsible for the initiation and robust regulation of sinus rhythm. 3D mapping studies of the ex-vivo human heart suggested that the robust regulation of sinus rhythm relies on specialized fibrotically-insulated pacemaker compartments (head, center and tail) with heterogeneous expressions of key ion channels and receptors. They also revealed up to five sinoatrial conduction pathways (SACPs), which electrically connect the SAN with neighboring right atrium (RA). To elucidate the role of these structural-molecular factors in the functional robustness of human SAN, we developed comprehensive biophysical computer models of the SAN based on 3D structural, functional and molecular mapping of ex-vivo human hearts. Our key finding is that the electrical insulation of the SAN except SACPs, the heterogeneous expression of If, INa currents and adenosine A1 receptors (A1R) across SAN pacemaker-conduction compartments are required to experimentally reproduce observed SAN activation patterns and important phenomena such as shifts of the leading pacemaker and preferential SACP. In particular, we found that the insulating border between the SAN and RA, is required for robust SAN function and protection from SAN arrest during adenosine challenge. The heterogeneity in the expression of A1R within the human SAN compartments underlies the direction of pacemaker shift and preferential SACPs in the presence of adenosine. Alterations of INa current and fibrotic remodelling in SACPs can significantly modulate SAN conduction and shift the preferential SACP/exit from SAN. Finally, we show that disease-induced fibrotic remodeling, INa suppression or increased adenosine make the human SAN vulnerable to pacing-induced exit blocks and reentrant arrhythmia. In summary, our computer model recapitulates the structural and functional features of the human SAN and can be a valuable tool for investigating mechanisms of SAN automaticity and conduction as well as SAN arrhythmia mechanisms under different pathophysiological conditions. Author summary: The human heart is driven and modulated by the sinoatrial node (SAN), our body's natural pacemaker. Recent studies using explanted human hearts discovered that to regulate heart rhythm robustly, the SAN has three pacemaker compartments–SAN head, center and tail characterized by heterogeneous expression of key ion channels and receptors. In addition, the fibrotically-insulated SAN electrically connects with the right atrium (RA) through up to five sinoatrial conduction pathways (SACPs). Due to the complexities of the human 3D structure and limited functional data on SAN conduction, the specific role of the SAN insulation/border, distinct SACPs and intranodal pacemaker molecular heterogeneity in regulating sinus rhythm in health and diseased hearts remain debatable. The goals of this study were to define the key factors influencing human SAN pacemaking function and SAN dysfunction by developing and utilizing computer models of the human SAN. This study presents the first comprehensive biophysical computer model of the human SAN complex based on direct molecular, structural and functional studies in the ex-vivo human heart. Our data show that the computer models can closely replicate pacemaking, SAN activation patterns and exit sites/earliest atrial activation through preferential SACPs, as well as physiological changes including the shift of the leading pacemaker in the presence of adenosine reported in the human heart ex-vivo. More importantly, the novel computer modeling simulation results illustrate the crucial role of the structural and electrical heterogeneity of the human SAN in pacemaking and conduction. Our human-specific SAN computer model represents a valuable tool for investigating SAN automaticity, conduction and arrhythmia mechanisms under normal and various disease conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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