Regulation of SCN5A by microRNAs: miR-219 modulates SCN5A transcript expression and the effects of flecainide intoxication in mice

• Published in: Heart rhythm Vol. 12; no. 6; pp. 1333 - 1342
• Main Authors: Daimi, Houria, PhD, Lozano-Velasco, Estefania, PhD, Haj Khelil, Amel, MD, PhD, Chibani, Jemni B.E., MD, PhD, Barana, Adriana, PhD, Amorós, Irene, PhD, González de la Fuente, Marta, PhD, Caballero, Ricardo, PhD, Aranega, Amelia, MD, PhD, Franco, Diego, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-06-2015
• Subjects: Animals; Cardiovascular; Cells, Cultured; Electrocardiography; Electrophysiology; Flecainide - poisoning; Immunohistochemistry; Mice; MicroRNAs; MicroRNAs - physiology; miR-200; miR-219; Myocytes, Cardiac; NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel - analysis; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Posttranscriptional regulation; RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional - physiology; SCN5A; Transfection; long QT syndrome; LQTS; ECG; quantitative polymerase chain reaction; Posttranscriptional regulation; I Na; action potential; green fluorescent protein; AP; miR-219; GFP; analysis of variance; ANOVA; MicroRNAs; miR-200; sodium current; qPCR; SCN5A; electrocardiogram/electrocardiographic; INa
• ISSN: 1547-5271; 1556-3871
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.02.018

Background The human cardiac action potential in atrial and ventricular cells is initiated by a fast-activating, fast-inactivating sodium current generated by the SCN5A/ Nav 1.5 channel in association with its β1/ SCN1B subunit. The role of Nav 1.5 in the etiology of many cardiac diseases strongly suggests that proper regulation of cell biology and function of the channel is critical for normal cardiac function. Hence, numerous recent studies have focused on the regulatory mechanisms of Nav 1.5 biosynthetic and degradation processes as well as its subcellular localization. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of microRNAs in the Scn5a /Nav 1.5 posttranscriptional regulation. Methods Quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical and electrophysiological measurements of distinct microRNA gain-of-function experiments in cardiomyocytes for the assessment of Scn5a expression. Results Functional studies of HL-1 cardiomyocytes and luciferase assays in fibroblasts demonstrate that Scn5a is directly (miR-98, miR-106, miR-200, and miR-219) and indirectly (miR-125 and miR-153) regulated by multiple microRNAs displaying distinct time-dependent profiles. Cotransfection experiments demonstrated that miR-219 and miR-200 have independent opposite effects on Scn5a expression modulation. Of all the microRNAs studied, only miR-219 increases Scn5a expression levels, leading to altered contraction rhythm of HL-1 cardiomyocytes. Electrophysiological analyses in HL-1 cells revealed that miR-219 increases the sodium current. In vivo administration of miR-219 does not alter normal cardiac rhythm, but abolishes some of the effects of flecainide intoxication in mice, particularly QRS prolongation. Conclusion This study demonstrates the involvement of multiple microRNAs in the regulation of Scn5a . Particularly, miR-219 increases Scn5a /Nav 1.5 transcript and protein expression. Our data suggest that microRNAs, such as miR-219, constitute a promising therapeutical tool to treat sodium cardiac arrhythmias.