Electrophysiological engineering of heart-derived cells with calcium-dependent potassium channels improves cell therapy efficacy for cardioprotection.

ABSTRACT: We have shown that calcium-activated potassium (KCa)-channels regulate fundamental progenitor-cell functions, including proliferation, but their contribution to cell-therapy effectiveness is unknown. Here, we test the participation of KCa-channels in human heart explant-derived cell (EDC) physiology and therapeutic potential. TRAM34-sensitive KCa3.1-channels, encoded by the KCNN4 gene, are exclusively expressed in therapeutically bioactive EDC subfractions and maintain a strongly polarized resting potential; whereas therapeutically inert EDCs lack KCa3.1 channels and exhibit depolarized resting potentials. Somatic gene transfer of KCNN4 results in membrane hyperpolarization and increases intracellular [Ca²⁺], which boosts cell-proliferation and the production of pro-healing cyto

SUBMITTER: Vigneault P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8368210 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature