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Journal of Rare Cardiovascular Diseases
ISSN: 2299-3711 (Print)
e-ISSN: 2300-5505 (Online)
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Modeling Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy Using Patient-Specific PKP2-Mutant Cardiac Organoids: Identification of CD44 as a Therapeutic Target
Gantimarri Venkatesh Babu
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Abstract
Background: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare inherited heart disease caused primarily by mutations in PKP2, encoding plakophilin-2. No approved therapies target its genetic etiology. This study aimed to develop a human three-dimensional (3D) cardiac organoid model of PKP2-associated ARVC and identify novel therapeutic targets. Methods: Patient-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) harboring a heterozygous PKP2 truncating mutation (c.983dupG) were reprogrammed into human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and differentiated into 3D cardiac organoids. Isogenic CRISPR-corrected controls were generated. Phenotypic characterization included immunofluorescence, multi-electrode array (MEA) electrophysiology, and integrated multi-omics (transcriptomics + proteomics). CD44 was identified as a hub gene via protein-protein interaction network analysis and validated through pharmacological inhibition and AAV-mediated PKP2 gene therapy. Results: PKP2-mutant organoids exhibited progressive structural abnormalities from Day 5, including irregular morphology and intercellular disintegration. Immunofluorescence revealed significantly reduced expression of desmosomal proteins (PKP2, DSG2, DSC2, JUP) and elevated α-SMA (fibrosis biomarker). MEA electrophysiology demonstrated wider QRS complexes (28.6 ± 3.4 ms vs. 12.3 ± 1.8 ms, p<0.001) and lower beat rate (42.3 ± 6.1 bpm vs. 78.4 ± 8.2 bpm, p<0.001). Multi-omics analysis identified alterations in MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and PPARγ pathways. Protein-protein interaction network analysis revealed CD44 as the central hub gene (betweenness centrality = 0.342). Pharmacological CD44 inhibition with compound 6 restored electrophysiological function and attenuated fibrosis. AAV-DJ-mediated PKP2 restoration rescued PKP2 expression and normalized CD44 overexpression. Conclusion: This patient-derived 3D cardiac organoid model recapitulates ARVC pathology and identifies CD44 as a previously unreported pathogenic mediator and therapeutic target in PKP2-associated ARVC. These findings support CD44-targeted therapy and PKP2 gene correction as precision treatment strategies
Keywords
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy; PKP2; Cardiac organoids; hiPSC; CD44; Gene therapy
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Keywords
Classification of Rare Cardiovascular Diseases anticoagulation atrial fibrillation atrial septal defect cardiomyopathy computed tomography congenital heart disease echocardiography electrocardiogram electrocardiography heart failure implantable cardioverter‑defibrillator magnetic resonance imaging pregnancy pulmonary arterial hypertension pulmonary hypertension rare cardiovascular disease rare disease right heart catheterization right ventricular failure
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