Kirsi Penttinen

Dr. Kirsi Penttinen


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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7 May 2020 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DSDisheet Shah
Disheet Shah
CPChandra Prajapati
Chandra Prajapati
KPKirsi Penttinen
Kirsi Penttinen
RCReeja Maria Cherian
Reeja Maria Cherian
Jussi Tapani KoivumäkiJussi Tapani Koivumäki
Jussi Tapani Koivumäki
KAKatriina Aalto-Setala
Katriina Aalto-Setala
Mutations in the HERG gene encoding the potassium ion channel HERG, represent one of the most frequent causes of long QT syndrome type-2 (LQT2). The same genetic mutation frequently presents different clinical phenotypes in the family. Our study aimed to model LQT2 and study functional differences between the mutation carriers of variable clinical phenotypes. We derived human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) from asymptomatic and symptomatic HERG mutation carriers from the same family. When comparing asymptomatic and symptomatic single LQT2 hiPSC-CMs, results from allelic imbalance, potassium current density, and arrhythmicity on adrenaline exposure were similar, but a difference in Ca2+ transients was observed. The major differences were, however, observed at aggregate level with increased susceptibility to arrhythmias on exposure to adrenaline or potassium channel blockers on CM aggregates derived from the symptomatic individual. The effect of this mutation was modeled in-silico which indicated the reactivation of an inward calcium current as one of the main causes of arrhythmia. Our in-vitro hiPSC-CM model recapitulated major phenotype characteristics observed in LQT2 mutation carriers and strong phenotype differences between LQT2 asymptomatic vs. symptomatic were revealed at CM-aggregate level.