MHI Seminar Series presents James W. Smyth, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia

Summary of Seminar:  Viral myocarditis is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death where host-mediated inflammation of the myocardium can lead to chronic disease and heart failure progression. Deadly arrhythmias also occur during the acute phase of infection, however; but mechanisms of virally-induced remodeling and electrophysiological disturbance are poorly understood. Moreover, adenoviruses are a leading cause of myocarditis, but species specificity has limited development of physiologically faithful disease models. Through implementation of human IPSC-derived cardiomyocytes complemented by work with cardiotropic mouse adenovirus, we have found rapid and specific alterations to cardiac intercellular coupling during infection. Coupled with concomitant disruptions to ion channel function, such conduction defects precipitate a dangerous arrhythmogenic substrate prior to appreciable host antiviral immune responses in the heart. Through dissection of the molecular mechanisms by which virally encoded proteins alter cardiomyocyte electrophysiology, we hope to inform diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to limiting arrythmia in acute infections, and in prevention of chronic myocardial disease.

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Pagano Conference Room (LCCC 00-002)
450 West Dr.
Chapel HIll, North Carolina 27599
United States
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