Stimulatory action of protein kinase C(epsilon) isoform on the slow component of delayed rectifier K+ current in guinea-pig atrial myocytes.
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ABSTRACT: Protein kinase C (PKC) comprises at least twelve isoforms and has an isoform-specific action on cardiac electrical activity. The slow component of delayed rectifier K(+) current (I (Ks)) is one of the major repolarizing currents in the hearts of many species and is also potentiated by PKC activation. Little is known, however, about PKC isoform(s) functionally involved in the potentiation of I (Ks) in native cardiac myocytes.I (Ks) was recorded from guinea-pig atrial myocytes, using the whole-cell configuration of patch-clamp method.Bath application of phenylephrine enhanced I (Ks) concentration-dependently with EC(50) of 5.4 microM and the maximal response (97.1+/-11.9% increase, n=16) was obtained at 30 microM. Prazosin (1 microM) almost totally abolished the potentiation of I (Ks) by phenylephrine, supporting the involvement of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors. The stimulatory action of phenylephrine was significantly, if not entirely, inhibited by the general PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I but was little affected by Gö-6976, Gö-6983 and rottlerin. Furthermore, this stimulatory effect was significantly reduced by dialyzing atrial myocytes with PKCepsilon-selective inhibitory peptide epsilonV1-2 but was not significantly affected by conventional PKC isoform-selective inhibitory peptide betaC2-4. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) at 100 nM substantially increased I (Ks) by 64.2+/-1.3% (n=6), which was also significantly attenuated by an internal dialysis with epsilonV1-2 but not with betaC2-4.The present study provides experimental evidence to suggest that, in native guinea-pig cardiac myocytes, activation of PKC contributes to alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-mediated potentiation of I (Ks) and that epsilon is the isoform predominantly involved in this PKC action.
Project description:BackgroundIn the heart, slow delayed rectifier channels provide outward currents (IKs) for action potential (AP) repolarization in a region- and context-dependent manner. In diseased hearts, chronic elevation of angiotensin II (Ang II) may remodel IKs in a region-dependent manner, contributing to atrial and ventricular arrhythmias of different mechanisms.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to study whether/how chronic in vivo Ang II administration remodels IKs in atrial and ventricular myocytes.MethodsWe used the guinea pig (GP) model whose myocytes express robust IKs. GPs were implanted with minipumps containing Ang II or vehicle. Treatment continued for 4-6 weeks. We used patch clamp, immunofluorescence/confocal microscopy, and immunoblots to evaluate changes in IKs function and to explore the underlying mechanisms.ResultsWe confirmed the pathologic state of the heart after chronic Ang II treatment. IKs density was increased in atrial myocytes but decreased in ventricular myocytes in Ang II- vs vehicle-treated animals. The former was correlated with an increase in KCNQ1/KCNE1 colocalization in myocyte periphery, whereas the latter was correlated with a decrease in KCNQ1 protein level. Interestingly, these changes in IKs were not translated into expected alterations in AP duration or plateau voltage, indicating that other currents were involved. In atrial myocytes from Ang II-treated animals, the L-type Ca channel current was increased, contributing to AP plateau elevation and AP duration prolongation.ConclusionIKs is differentially modulated by chronic in vivo Ang II administration between atrial and ventricular myocytes. Other currents remodeled by Ang II treatment also contribute to changes in action potentials.
Project description:BackgroundThe slow and rapid delayed rectifier K+ currents (IKs and IKr, respectively) are responsible for repolarizing the ventricular action potential (AP) and preventing abnormally long APs that may lead to arrhythmias. Although differences in biophysical properties of the 2 currents have been carefully documented, the respective physiological roles of IKr and IKs are less established. In this study, we sought to understand the individual roles of these currents and quantify how effectively each stabilizes the AP and protects cells against arrhythmias across multiple species.MethodsWe compared 10 mathematical models describing ventricular myocytes from human, rabbit, dog, and guinea pig. We examined variability within heterogeneous cell populations, tested the susceptibility of cells to proarrhythmic behavior, and studied how IKs and IKr responded to changes in the AP.ResultsWe found that (1) models with higher baseline IKs exhibited less cell-to-cell variability in AP duration; (2) models with higher baseline IKs were less susceptible to early afterdepolarizations induced by depolarizing perturbations; (3) as AP duration is lengthened, IKs increases more profoundly than IKr, thereby providing negative feedback that resists excessive AP prolongation; and (4) the increase in IKs that occurs during β-adrenergic stimulation is critical for protecting cardiac myocytes from early afterdepolarizations under these conditions.ConclusionsSlow delayed rectifier current is uniformly protective across a variety of cell types. These results suggest that IKs enhancement could potentially be an effective antiarrhythmic strategy.
Project description:There is increasing evidence that angiotensin II (Ang II) is associated with the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias. However, little is known about the electrophysiological effects of Ang II on ventricular repolarization. The rapid component of the delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(Kr)) plays a critical role in cardiac repolarization. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of Ang II on I(Kr) in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes.The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record I(Kr) in native cardiocytes and in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, co-transfected with human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) encoding the alpha-subunit of I(Kr) and the human Ang II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor gene.Ang II decreased the amplitude of I(Kr) in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC(50) of 8.9 nM. Action potential durations at 50% (APD(50)) and 90% (APD(90)) repolarization were prolonged 20% and 16%, respectively by Ang II (100 nM). Ang II-induced inhibition of the I(Kr) was abolished by the AT(1) receptor blocker, losartan (1 muM). Ang II decreased hERG current in HEK293 cells and significantly delayed channel activation, deactivation and recovery from inactivation. Moreover, PKC inhibitors, stausporine and Bis-1, significantly attenuated Ang II-induced inhibition of I(Kr).Ang II produces an inhibitory effect on I(Kr)/hERG currents via AT(1) receptors linked to the PKC pathway in ventricular myocytes. This is a potential mechanism by which elevated levels of Ang II are involved in the occurrence of arrhythmias in cardiac hypertrophy and failure.
Project description:Although plasma electrolyte levels are quickly and precisely regulated in the mammalian cardiovascular system, even small transient changes in K+, Na+, Ca2+, and/or Mg2+ can significantly alter physiological responses in the heart, blood vessels, and intrinsic (intracardiac) autonomic nervous system. We have used mathematical models of the human atrial action potential (AP) to explore the electrophysiological mechanisms that underlie changes in resting potential (Vr) and the AP following decreases in plasma K+, [K+]o, that were selected to mimic clinical hypokalemia. Such changes may be associated with arrhythmias and are commonly encountered in patients (i) in therapy for hypertension and heart failure; (ii) undergoing renal dialysis; (iii) with any disease with acid-base imbalance; or (iv) post-operatively. Our study emphasizes clinically-relevant hypokalemic conditions, corresponding to [K+]o reductions of approximately 1.5 mM from the normal value of 4 to 4.5 mM. We show how the resulting electrophysiological responses in human atrial myocytes progress within two distinct time frames: (i) Immediately after [K+]o is reduced, the K+-sensing mechanism of the background inward rectifier current (IK1) responds. Specifically, its highly non-linear current-voltage relationship changes significantly as judged by the voltage dependence of its region of outward current. This rapidly alters, and sometimes even depolarizes, Vr and can also markedly prolong the final repolarization phase of the AP, thus modulating excitability and refractoriness. (ii) A second much slower electrophysiological response (developing 5-10 minutes after [K+]o is reduced) results from alterations in the intracellular electrolyte balance. A progressive shift in intracellular [Na+]i causes a change in the outward electrogenic current generated by the Na+/K+ pump, thereby modifying Vr and AP repolarization and changing the human atrial electrophysiological substrate. In this study, these two effects were investigated quantitatively, using seven published models of the human atrial AP. This highlighted the important role of IK1 rectification when analyzing both the mechanisms by which [K+]o regulates Vr and how the AP waveform may contribute to "trigger" mechanisms within the proarrhythmic substrate. Our simulations complement and extend previous studies aimed at understanding key factors by which decreases in [K+]o can produce effects that are known to promote atrial arrhythmias in human hearts.
Project description:BackgroundElectrophysiological remodeling and increased susceptibility for cardiac arrhythmias are hallmarks of heart failure (HF). Ventricular action potential duration (APD) is typically prolonged in HF, with reduced repolarization reserve. However, underlying K+ current changes are often measured in nonphysiological conditions (voltage clamp, low pacing rates, cytosolic Ca2+ buffers).Methods and resultsWe measured the major K+ currents (IKr, IKs, and IK1) and their Ca2+- and β-adrenergic dependence in rabbit ventricular myocytes in chronic pressure/volume overload-induced HF (versus age-matched controls). APD was significantly prolonged only at lower pacing rates (0.2-1 Hz) in HF under physiological ionic conditions and temperature. However, when cytosolic Ca2+ was buffered, APD prolongation in HF was also significant at higher pacing rates. Beat-to-beat variability of APD was also significantly increased in HF. Both IKr and IKs were significantly upregulated in HF under action potential clamp, but only when cytosolic Ca2+ was not buffered. CaMKII (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II) inhibition abolished IKs upregulation in HF, but it did not affect IKr. IKs response to β-adrenergic stimulation was also significantly diminished in HF. IK1 was also decreased in HF regardless of Ca2+ buffering, CaMKII inhibition, or β-adrenergic stimulation.ConclusionsAt baseline Ca2+-dependent upregulation of IKr and IKs in HF counterbalances the reduced IK1, maintaining repolarization reserve (especially at higher heart rates) in physiological conditions, unlike conditions of strong cytosolic Ca2+ buffering. However, under β-adrenergic stimulation, reduced IKs responsiveness severely limits integrated repolarizing K+ current and repolarization reserve in HF. This would increase arrhythmia propensity in HF, especially during adrenergic stress.
Project description:1. The effects of I(Ks) block by chromanol 293B and L-735,821 on rabbit QT-interval, action potential duration (APD), and membrane current were compared to those of E-4031, a recognized I(Kr) blocker. Measurements were made in rabbit Langendorff-perfused whole hearts, isolated papillary muscle, and single isolated ventricular myocytes. 2. Neither chromanol 293B (10 microM) nor L-735,821 (100 nM) had a significant effect on QTc interval in Langendorff-perfused hearts. E-4031 (100 nM), on the other hand, significantly increased QTc interval (35.6+/-3.9%, n=8, P<0.05). 3. Similarly both chromanol 293B (10 microM) and L-735,821 (100 nM) produced little increase in papillary muscle APD (less than 7%) while pacing at cycle lengths between 300 and 5000 ms. In contrast, E-4031 (100 nM) markedly increased (30 - 60%) APD in a reverse frequency-dependent manner. 4. In ventricular myocytes, the same concentrations of chromanol 293B (10 microM), L-735,821 (100 nM) and E-4031 (1 microM) markedly or totally blocked I(Ks) and I(Kr), respectively. 5. I(Ks) tail currents activated slowly (at +30 mV, tau=888.1+/-48.2 ms, n=21) and deactivated rapidly (at -40 mV, tau=157.1+/-4.7 ms, n=22), while I(Kr) tail currents activated rapidly (at +30 mV, tau=35.5+/-3.1 ms, n=26) and deactivated slowly (at -40 mV, tau(1)=641.5+/-29.0 ms, tau(2)=6531+/-343, n=35). I(Kr) was estimated to contribute substantially more to total current density during normal ventricular muscle action potentials (i.e., after a 150 ms square pulse to +30 mV) than does I(Ks). 6. These findings indicate that block of I(Ks) is not likely to provide antiarrhythmic benefit by lengthening normal ventricular muscle QTc, APD, and refractoriness over a wide range of frequencies.
Project description:AimsMethyltransferase like 3 (METTL3) plays a crucial role in cardiovascular diseases, but its involvement in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. The study aims to explore the relationship between METTL3 and AF in atrial myocytes.Methods and resultsThe protein level of METTL3 was evaluated in left atrial appendages (LAAs) from patients with persistent AF and in experimental AF models. cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM) transgenic mice and CaCl2-acetylcholine (ACh)-injected mice were used as AF mice models. Methyltransferase like 3 was globally and atrial conditionally deleted in vivo to assess its role in AF. Confocal fluorescence microscopy was employed to examine calcium handling in atrial myocytes. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing was performed to identify the downstream target genes of METTL3. Methyltransferase like 3 protein and RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification levels were significantly reduced in the LAAs of patients with AF and experimental AF models. Genetic inhibition of METTL3 promoted the development of AF in CREM transgenic mice and CaCl2-ACh-injected mice. Knockdown of METTL3 in atrial myocytes resulted in enhanced calcium handling. Reduced METTL3 levels increased SR Ca2+-ATPase Type 2a activity by up-regulating protocadherin gamma subfamily A, 10. Decreased METTL3 protein in atrial myocytes was attributed to down-regulation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein 1/ubiquitin-specific peptidase 9 X-linked axis.ConclusionOur study established the pathophysiological role of METTL3 involved in the development of AF and provided a potential mechanism-based target for its treatment.
Project description:Background Atrial fibrosis plays a critical role in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). Exosome is a promising cell-free therapeutic approach for the treatment of AF. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanisms underlying exosomes derived from atrial myocytes regulated atrial remodeling and ask whether their manipulation allows for therapeutic modulation of fibrosis potential abnormalities during AF. Methods We isolated exosomes from atrial myocytes and patients serum, microRNA (miRNA) sequencing analyzed the exosomal miRNAs in atrial myocytes-exosomes and patients serum-exosomes. mRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis corroborate the key gene as direct targets of miR-210-3p. Results The miRNAs sequencing analysis identified that miR-210-3p expression significantly increased in exosomes of tachypacing atrial myocytes and serum of AF patients. In vitro, the analysis showed that miR-210-3p inhibitor reversed tachypacing-induced proliferation and collagen synthesis in atrial fibroblasts. Accordingly, KO miR-210-3p could reduce the incidence of AF and ameliorate atrial fibrosis induced by Ang Ⅱ. The mRNA sequencing analysis and Dual-Luciferase reporter assay proved that glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1-like (GPD1L) is the potential target gene of miR-210-3p. The functional analysis suggests that GPD1L regulated atrial fibrosis via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Besides, silencing GPD1L in atrial fibroblasts induced cells proliferation and these effects could be reversed by PI3K inhibitor (LY294002). Conclusion We demonstrate that atrial myocytes-derived exosomal miR-210-3p promoted the proliferation and collagen synthesis via inhibiting GPD1L in atrial fibroblasts. Preventing pathological crosstalk between atrial myocytes and fibroblasts may be as a novel target to improve atrial fibrosis in AF.
Project description:The Kv2.1 K(+) channel is highly expressed throughout the brain, where it regulates excitability during periods of high-frequency stimulation. Kv2.1 is unique among Kv channels in that it targets to large surface clusters on the neuronal soma and proximal dendrites. These clusters also form in transfected HEK cells. Following excessive excitatory stimulation, Kv2.1 declusters with an accompanying 20- to 30-mV hyperpolarizing shift in the activation threshold. Although most Kv2.1 channels are clustered, there is a pool of Kv2.1 resident outside of these domains. Using the cell-attached patch clamp technique, we investigated the hypothesis that Kv2.1 activity varies as a function of cell surface location. We found that clustered Kv2.1 channels do not efficiently conduct K(+), whereas the nonclustered channels are responsible for the high threshold delayed rectifier K(+) current typical of Kv2.1. Comparison of gating and ionic currents indicates only 2% of the surface channels conduct, suggesting that the clustered channels still respond to membrane potential changes. Declustering induced via either actin depolymerization or alkaline phosphatase treatment did not increase whole-cell currents. Dephosphorylation resulted in a 25-mV hyperpolarizing shift, whereas actin depolymerization did not alter the activation midpoint. Taken together, these data demonstrate that clusters do not contain high threshold Kv2.1 channels whose voltage sensitivity shifts upon declustering; nor are they a reservoir of nonconducting channels that are activated upon release. On the basis of these findings, we propose unique roles for the clustered Kv2.1 that are independent of K(+) conductance.