Pathophysiological and Pedigree Analysis of Left Ventricular Noncompaction in Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata)

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Genetics
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is an unclassified cardiomyopathy with non-standardized diagnostic criteria.
• Lack of precise animal models hinders LVNC research.
• Genetic mutations are implicated in LVNC development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the pathophysiology and familial tendency of LVNC in Japanese macaques.
• To evaluate Japanese macaques as a potential animal model for human LVNC.

Main Methods:

• Examination of two Japanese macaques with LVNC and their relatives.
• Diagnostic tools included chest radiography, echocardiography, cardiac biomarkers, cardiac MRI, and histopathology.
• Assessment of myocardial structure and cardiac biomarker levels.

Main Results:

• Echocardiography revealed LVNC features in all examined macaques, including deep intertrabecular recesses.
• Elevated cardiac biomarkers (troponin I/T, ANP, BNP) were observed in affected macaques and parents.
• Histopathology confirmed myocardial disarray, fibrosis, and necrosis in an LVNC macaque.

Conclusions:

• Japanese macaques display key pathological and clinical features of LVNC.
• The observed familial tendency suggests a genetic component.
• Japanese macaques represent a promising animal model for studying human LVNC.