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Treatment of atrioventricular block by introduction of sodium channel or gap junction protein

Summary

Lead Inventors: Michael Rosen, M.D.Problem or Unmet Need:In a normally functioning heart, the regular pumping of the atria and ventricles is directed by the heart's electrical system composed of components such as the sinus node and the atrioventricular (AV) node. The sinus node generates the electrical impulse while the AV node conducts it to both ventricles causing them to contract. Blocks in the AV node can affect the hearts ability to generate sufficient output and lead to myocardial infarction (MI), a disease that afflicts millions of people and is a significant cause of mortality. In many of the patients who survive MI cardiac function is reduced and portions of the heart atrophy or weaken leading to the need for a pacemaker. Methods of improving conduction along the AV node can potentially be used to prevent the progression of an AV block into an MI and obviate the need for pacemaker after an MI has occurred. This technology is a method of introducing into the cells of the AV node or His bundle a nucleic acid that encodes one or more sodium channel or gap junction. Examples of such proteins are, SkM-1, Skm-1-G1306E, Cx43, and Cx32. All of these proteins can serve to increase the velocity of conduction through the AV node. Methods of delivering the nucleic acid to the cells of the AV node are: Directly injecting one or more of the proteins into a site on or near the AV node or His bundle Introducing the coding sequence into the cells of the AV node using a viral vector Inducing stem cells, such as human mesenchymal stem cells, to express one or more of the nucleic acids and injecting those cells into a site near or in the AV nodeDepending on the method of introduction the sodium channel or gap junction proteins effect on conduction velocity can be temporary or longer lasting. This can serve as a preventative measure, to improve heart function and prevent onset of myocardial infarction, or afterward, to improve conduction in a damaged heart.

Technology Benefits

Can return the hear to a normal state of conduction, with no permanent damage done to the myocardium Can be used focally and applied only to diseased tissue Can possibly prevent both progression of AV block to MI and improve post MI heart function Can be incorporated into multiple delivery systems for both short and long term relief of symptoms due to AV block

Technology Application

Treatment of AV block Treatment of post MI decreases in heart function

Detailed Technology Description

This technology is a method of introducing into the cells of the AV node or His bundle a nucleic acid that encodes one or more sodium channel or gap junction. Examples of such proteins are, None

*Inquiry

Jerry Kokoshka Columbia Technology Ventures Tel: (212) 854-8444 Email: TechTransfer@columbia.edu

*IR

2320

*Principal Investigator

*Publications

Protas L, Dun W, Jia Z, Lu J, Bucchi A, Kumari S, Chen M, Cohen IS, Rosen MR, Entcheva E, Robinson RB. Expression of skeletal but not cardiac Na+ channel isoform preserves normal conduction in a depolarized cardiac syncytium. Cardiovasc Res. 2009 Feb 15;81(3):528-35. Epub 2008 Oct 31.

Country/Region

USA