3071Peptidomimetic targeting of CavBeta2 improves contractility in models of senescence- or genetically (MYBPC3 KI)-induced heart failure
Authors: El-Mathari B , Briand P , Corbier A , Poirier B , Le-Claire S , Le Bail J C , Biton B , Cervello P , Letang V , Pruniaux M P , Janiak P , Barandalla-Sobrados M , Catalucci D , Guilbert F , Guillot E 
Published: October 2019

Background

L-type calcium channel (LTCC) trafficking controls LTCC density at T-tubule levels for optimal Excitation-Coupling (EC) and resultant adaptive heart work. In some forms of heart failure (HF), abnormalities in calcium-induced calcium-release have been proposed to arise from alteration of T-tubular dyad architecture (LTCC-RyRs) associated with impaired LTCC density. Recently, the R7W-MP peptide, working as a binder of the LTCC Cavβ2 chaperone, was shown to restore the altered density of LTCC current by both promoting forward and reducing reverse trafficking, which consequently improved cellular calcium homeostasis. Accordingly, R7W-MP improved the impaired cardiomyocyte calcium current density and the reduced Ejection Fraction (EF%) in a pharmacologically-induced diabetes model (STZ mice).

We aimed to investigate further the benefit to improve LTCC trafficking pathway with R7W-MP in a more physiological model of HF (senescent mice) and in a Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) model (HO MYBPC3 targeted KI mutant).

Methods

Senescent male C57Bl/6J mice (26 months) or HO MYBPC3 KI male mice (2 months) were treated with R7W-MP (3 mg/kg/d IP for 3 days). Echocardiographies (echo) were conducted before treatment and 4-hours after the last injection. When applied, Pressure-Volume (PV)-loop investigations were conducted one day post-echo 4 hours following an additional R7W-MP injection.

Results

In senescent mice population, HF was characterized by a midrange ejection fraction (EF%= 43±2 vs 55±1 for young adult mice) associated with enlarged ventricles and decreased cardiac contractility. In contrast to a scrambled peptide (scrP), R7W-MP markedly increased EF% monitored by echo (+38%, 63±3 vs 45±1 for scrP, p≤0.001, n=6–7) without modification of heart rate. EF% improvement was confirmed by PV-loop analysis (78±3 vs 51±4 for scrP (+54%), p≤0.001, n=5), associated with a marked, although not significant, 2.5-fold increase in myocardial contractility [end systolic pressure volume relationship (ESPVR) = 12.1±3.6 vs 4.9±1.3 for scrP, p=0.10, n=4]. Stroke volume, cardiac output and end diastolic volume tended to decrease suggesting an impaired LV filling at this dose regimen. In the DCM model, HF was more severe with a dramatically low EF% (26±1, n=8), impaired myocardial contractility and a pronounced left ventricle enlargement. R7W-MP significantly increased EF% (+17%, reaching 31±1, p≤0.01, n=8) without altering heart rate. Stroke volume was significantly increased by 36% (32±3 vs 24±3 mL at baseline, p≤0.01), without any impairment of diastolic function. All parameters returned to baseline after a 2 week-washout period.

Conclusions

R7W-MP displays potent positive inotrope properties in senescent or DCM mice models. Although further asses tsments of diastolic function are needed (different dosing and duration), these data underline the potential benefit brought by LTCC trafficking modulation to treat severe dilated cardiomyopathy.