1
|
Adams WP, Raisch TB, Zhao Y, Davalos R, Barrett S, King DR, Bain CB, Colucci-Chang K, Blair GA, Hanlon A, Lozano A, Veeraraghavan R, Wan X, Deschenes I, Smyth JW, Hoeker GS, Gourdie RG, Poelzing S. Extracellular Perinexal Separation Is a Principal Determinant of Cardiac Conduction. Circ Res 2023; 133:658-673. [PMID: 37681314 PMCID: PMC10561697 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.322567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac conduction is understood to occur through gap junctions. Recent evidence supports ephaptic coupling as another mechanism of electrical communication in the heart. Conduction via gap junctions predicts a direct relationship between conduction velocity (CV) and bulk extracellular resistance. By contrast, ephaptic theory is premised on the existence of a biphasic relationship between CV and the volume of specialized extracellular clefts within intercalated discs such as the perinexus. Our objective was to determine the relationship between ventricular CV and structural changes to micro- and nanoscale extracellular spaces. METHODS Conduction and Cx43 (connexin43) protein expression were quantified from optically mapped guinea pig whole-heart preparations perfused with the osmotic agents albumin, mannitol, dextran 70 kDa, or dextran 2 MDa. Peak sodium current was quantified in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Extracellular resistance was quantified by impedance spectroscopy. Intercellular communication was assessed in a heterologous expression system with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. Perinexal width was quantified from transmission electron micrographs. RESULTS CV primarily in the transverse direction of propagation was significantly reduced by mannitol and increased by albumin and both dextrans. The combination of albumin and dextran 70 kDa decreased CV relative to albumin alone. Extracellular resistance was reduced by mannitol, unchanged by albumin, and increased by both dextrans. Cx43 expression and conductance and peak sodium currents were not significantly altered by the osmotic agents. In response to osmotic agents, perinexal width, in order of narrowest to widest, was albumin with dextran 70 kDa; albumin or dextran 2 MDa; dextran 70 kDa or no osmotic agent, and mannitol. When compared in the same order, CV was biphasically related to perinexal width. CONCLUSIONS Cardiac conduction does not correlate with extracellular resistance but is biphasically related to perinexal separation, providing evidence that the relationship between CV and extracellular volume is determined by ephaptic mechanisms under conditions of normal gap junctional coupling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William P. Adams
- Center for Vascular and Heart Research at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health Program at Virginia Tech
| | - Tristan B. Raisch
- Center for Vascular and Heart Research at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health Program at Virginia Tech
| | - Yajun Zhao
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech
| | - Rafael Davalos
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech
| | | | - D. Ryan King
- Center for Vascular and Heart Research at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health Program at Virginia Tech
| | - Chandra B. Bain
- Center for Vascular and Heart Research at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
| | - Katrina Colucci-Chang
- Center for Vascular and Heart Research at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech
| | - Grace A. Blair
- Center for Vascular and Heart Research at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health Program at Virginia Tech
| | - Alexandra Hanlon
- Virginia Tech Center for Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Alicia Lozano
- Virginia Tech Center for Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Rengasayee Veeraraghavan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University
- The Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
| | - Xiaoping Wan
- The Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
| | - Isabelle Deschenes
- The Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
| | - James W. Smyth
- Center for Vascular and Heart Research at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Virginia Tech
- Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Gregory S. Hoeker
- Center for Vascular and Heart Research at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
| | - Robert G. Gourdie
- Center for Vascular and Heart Research at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech
- Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Center for Vascular and Heart Research at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health Program at Virginia Tech
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech
- Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Teng ACT, Gu L, Di Paola M, Lakin R, Williams ZJ, Au A, Chen W, Callaghan NI, Zadeh FH, Zhou YQ, Fatah M, Chatterjee D, Jourdan LJ, Liu J, Simmons CA, Kislinger T, Yip CM, Backx PH, Gourdie RG, Hamilton RM, Gramolini AO. Tmem65 is critical for the structure and function of the intercalated discs in mouse hearts. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6166. [PMID: 36257954 PMCID: PMC9579145 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33303-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The intercalated disc (ICD) is a unique membrane structure that is indispensable to normal heart function, yet its structural organization is not completely understood. Previously, we showed that the ICD-bound transmembrane protein 65 (Tmem65) was required for connexin43 (Cx43) localization and function in cultured mouse neonatal cardiomyocytes. Here, we investigate the functional and cellular effects of Tmem65 reductions on the myocardium in a mouse model by injecting CD1 mouse pups (3-7 days after birth) with recombinant adeno-associated virus 9 (rAAV9) harboring Tmem65 shRNA, which reduces Tmem65 expression by 90% in mouse ventricles compared to scrambled shRNA injection. Tmem65 knockdown (KD) results in increased mortality which is accompanied by eccentric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy within 3 weeks of injection and progression to dilated cardiomyopathy with severe cardiac fibrosis by 7 weeks post-injection. Tmem65 KD hearts display depressed hemodynamics as measured echocardiographically as well as slowed conduction in optical recording accompanied by prolonged PR intervals and QRS duration in electrocardiograms. Immunoprecipitation and super-resolution microscopy demonstrate a physical interaction between Tmem65 and sodium channel β subunit (β1) in mouse hearts and this interaction appears to be required for both the establishment of perinexal nanodomain structure and the localization of both voltage-gated sodium channel 1.5 (NaV1.5) and Cx43 to ICDs. Despite the loss of NaV1.5 at ICDs, whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology did not reveal reductions in Na+ currents but did show reduced Ca2+ and K+ currents in Tmem65 KD cardiomyocytes in comparison to control cells. We conclude that disrupting Tmem65 function results in impaired ICD structure, abnormal cardiac electrophysiology, and ultimately cardiomyopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allen C T Teng
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada.
| | - Liyang Gu
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Michelle Di Paola
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Robert Lakin
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Zachary J Williams
- The Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech. Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Translational Biology Medicine and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Aaron Au
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Wenliang Chen
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Neal I Callaghan
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Farigol Hakem Zadeh
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Yu-Qing Zhou
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Meena Fatah
- The Labatt Family Heart Centre (Dept. of Pediatrics) and Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON., M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Diptendu Chatterjee
- The Labatt Family Heart Centre (Dept. of Pediatrics) and Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON., M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - L Jane Jourdan
- The Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech. Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Jack Liu
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Craig A Simmons
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Thomas Kislinger
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Christopher M Yip
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Peter H Backx
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Robert G Gourdie
- The Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech. Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Robert M Hamilton
- The Labatt Family Heart Centre (Dept. of Pediatrics) and Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON., M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Anthony O Gramolini
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Qian SS, Crandell I, Hanlon A, Joseph M, Poelzing S. Predictive Capability of Metabolic Panels for Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Surgery Patients. J Surg Res 2022; 278:271-281. [PMID: 35636203 PMCID: PMC9764088 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.04.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) occurs in up to 65% of cardiac surgery patients and is associated with an increased risk for stroke and mortality. Electrolyte disturbances in sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), total calcium (Ca2+), chloride (Cl-), and magnesium (Mg2+) are predisposing factors for POAF, but these imbalances are yet to be used to predict POAF. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the development of POAF can be predicted by blood plasma ionic composition. METHODS Metabolic panels of patients with no prior history of atrial fibrillation who did (n = 763) and did not develop POAF (n = 2144) after cardiac surgery were obtained from the Carilion Clinic electronic medical record system. We initially evaluated serum Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-, and Mg2+ in the two groups using descriptive statistics via scatter and spaghetti plots and then with predictive modeling via logistic regression and random forest models. RESULTS Neither scatter nor spaghetti plots of electrolyte data revealed a significant difference between those who did and did not develop POAF. Two logistic regression models and two random forest models with POAF status as the outcome were generated using the first observation for each electrolyte and the coefficient of the linear regression, which was obtained from a linear fit of the scatter plot. The random forest model using the first observation had a sensitivity of only 12.2%, but all four models had specificities more than 97%. CONCLUSIONS Neither of the two logistic regression nor two random forest models were able to effectively predict the development of POAF from plasma ionic concentrations, but the random forest models effectively classified patients who would not develop POAF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steve S Qian
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.
| | - Ian Crandell
- Virginia Tech Center for Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Alexandra Hanlon
- Virginia Tech Center for Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Mark Joseph
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia; Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Roanoke, Virginia
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
King DR, Hardin KM, Hoeker GS, Poelzing S. Re-evaluating methods reporting practices to improve reproducibility: an analysis of methodological rigor for the Langendorff whole-heart technique. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2022; 323:H363-H377. [PMID: 35749719 PMCID: PMC9359653 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00164.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In recent decades, the scientific community has seen an increased interest in rigor and reproducibility. In 2017, concerns of methodological thoroughness and reporting practices were implicated as significant barriers to reproducibility within the preclinical cardiovascular literature, particularly in studies employing animal research. The Langendorff, whole-heart technique has proven to be an invaluable research tool, being modified in a myriad of ways to probe questions across the spectrum of physio- and pathophysiologic function of the heart. As a result, significant variability in the application of the Langendorff technique exists. This literature review quantifies the different methods employed in the implementation of the Langendorff technique and provides brief examples of how individual parametric differences can impact the outcomes and interpretation of studies. From 2017-2020, significant variability of animal models, anesthesia, cannulation time, and perfusate composition, pH, and temperature demonstrate that the technique has diversified to meet new challenges and answer different scientific questions. The review also reveals which individual methods are most frequently reported, even if there is no explicit agreement upon which parameters should be reported. The analysis of methods related to the Langendorff technique suggests a framework for considering methodological approach when interpreting seemingly contradictory results, rather than concluding that results are irreproducible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Ryan King
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, Virginia.,Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lunch Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Columbus, Ohio
| | - Kathryn M Hardin
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Roanoke, Virginia.,Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research. Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion. Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Gregory S Hoeker
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research. Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion. Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Roanoke, Virginia.,Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research. Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion. Roanoke, Virginia.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, Virginia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lin J, Abraham A, George SA, Greer-Short A, Blair GA, Moreno A, Alber BR, Kay MW, Poelzing S. Ephaptic Coupling Is a Mechanism of Conduction Reserve During Reduced Gap Junction Coupling. Front Physiol 2022; 13:848019. [PMID: 35600295 PMCID: PMC9117633 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.848019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many cardiac pathologies are associated with reduced gap junction (GJ) coupling, an important modulator of cardiac conduction velocity (CV). However, the relationship between phenotype and functional expression of the connexin GJ family of proteins is controversial. For example, a 50% reduction of GJ coupling has been shown to have little impact on myocardial CV due to a concept known as conduction reserve. This can be explained by the ephaptic coupling (EpC) theory whereby conduction is maintained by a combination of low GJ coupling and increased electrical fields generated in the sodium channel rich clefts between neighboring myocytes. At the same time, low GJ coupling may also increase intracellular charge accumulation within myocytes, resulting in a faster transmembrane potential rate of change during depolarization (dV/dt_max) that maintains macroscopic conduction. To provide insight into the prevalence of these two phenomena during pathological conditions, we investigated the relationship between EpC and charge accumulation within the setting of GJ remodeling using multicellular simulations and companion perfused mouse heart experiments. Conduction along a fiber of myocardial cells was simulated for a range of GJ conditions. The model incorporated intercellular variations, including GJ coupling conductance and distribution, cell-to-cell separation in the intercalated disc (perinexal width—WP), and variations in sodium channel distribution. Perfused heart studies having conditions analogous to those of the simulations were performed using wild type mice and mice heterozygous null for the connexin gene Gja1. With insight from simulations, the relative contributions of EpC and charge accumulation on action potential parameters and conduction velocities were analyzed. Both simulation and experimental results support a common conclusion that low GJ coupling decreases and narrowing WP increases the rate of the AP upstroke when sodium channels are densely expressed at the ends of myocytes, indicating that conduction reserve is more dependent on EpC than charge accumulation during GJ uncoupling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joyce Lin
- Department of Mathematics, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Joyce Lin, ; Steven Poelzing,
| | - Anand Abraham
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Sharon A. George
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Amara Greer-Short
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Grace A. Blair
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Angel Moreno
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Bridget R. Alber
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Matthew W. Kay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
- *Correspondence: Joyce Lin, ; Steven Poelzing,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nowak MB, Veeraraghavan R, Poelzing S, Weinberg SH. Cellular Size, Gap Junctions, and Sodium Channel Properties Govern Developmental Changes in Cardiac Conduction. Front Physiol 2021; 12:731025. [PMID: 34759834 PMCID: PMC8573326 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.731025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical conduction in cardiac ventricular tissue is regulated via sodium (Na+) channels and gap junctions (GJs). We and others have recently shown that Na+channels preferentially localize at the site of cell-cell junctions, the intercalated disc (ID), in adult cardiac tissue, facilitating coupling via the formation of intercellular Na+nanodomains, also termed ephaptic coupling (EpC). Several properties governing EpC vary with age, including Na+channel and GJ expression and distribution and cell size. Prior work has shown that neonatal cardiomyocytes have immature IDs with Na+channels and GJs diffusively distributed throughout the sarcolemma, while adult cells have mature IDs with preferentially localized Na+channels and GJs. In this study, we perform an in silico investigation of key age-dependent properties to determine developmental regulation of cardiac conduction. Simulations predict that conduction velocity (CV) biphasically depends on cell size, depending on the strength of GJ coupling. Total cell Na+channel conductance is predictive of CV in cardiac tissue with high GJ coupling, but not correlated with CV for low GJ coupling. We find that ephaptic effects are greatest for larger cells with low GJ coupling typically associated with intermediate developmental stages. Finally, simulations illustrate how variability in cellular properties during different developmental stages can result in a range of possible CV values, with a narrow range for both neonatal and adult myocardium but a much wider range for an intermediate developmental stage. Thus, we find that developmental changes predict associated changes in cardiac conduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madison B Nowak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Rengasayee Veeraraghavan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.,The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States.,Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Seth H Weinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.,The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Columbus, OH, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ai X, Yan J, Pogwizd SM. Serine-threonine protein phosphatase regulation of Cx43 dephosphorylation in arrhythmogenic disorders. Cell Signal 2021; 86:110070. [PMID: 34217833 PMCID: PMC8963383 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of cell-to-cell communication in the heart by the gap junction protein Connexin43 (Cx43) involves modulation of Cx43 phosphorylation state by protein kinases, and dephosphorylation by protein phosphatases. Dephosphorylation of Cx43 has been associated with impaired intercellular coupling and enhanced arrhythmogenesis in various pathologic states. While there has been extensive study of the protein kinases acting on Cx43, there has been limited studies of the protein phosphatases that may underlie Cx43 dephosphorylation. The focus of this review is to introduce serine-threonine protein phosphatase regulation of Cx43 phosphorylation state and cell-to-cell communication, and its impact on arrhythmogenesis in the setting of chronic heart failure and myocardial ischemia, as well as on atrial fibrillation. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of modulating protein phosphatases to treat arrhythmias in these clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xun Ai
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Rush University, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Jiajie Yan
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Rush University, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Steven M Pogwizd
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
King DR, Entz M, Blair GA, Crandell I, Hanlon AL, Lin J, Hoeker GS, Poelzing S. The conduction velocity-potassium relationship in the heart is modulated by sodium and calcium. Pflugers Arch 2021; 473:557-571. [PMID: 33660028 PMCID: PMC7940307 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-021-02537-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between cardiac conduction velocity (CV) and extracellular potassium (K+) is biphasic, with modest hyperkalemia increasing CV and severe hyperkalemia slowing CV. Recent studies from our group suggest that elevating extracellular sodium (Na+) and calcium (Ca2+) can enhance CV by an extracellular pathway parallel to gap junctional coupling (GJC) called ephaptic coupling that can occur in the gap junction adjacent perinexus. However, it remains unknown whether these same interventions modulate CV as a function of K+. We hypothesize that Na+, Ca2+, and GJC can attenuate conduction slowing consequent to severe hyperkalemia. Elevating Ca2+ from 1.25 to 2.00 mM significantly narrowed perinexal width measured by transmission electron microscopy. Optically mapped, Langendorff-perfused guinea pig hearts perfused with increasing K+ revealed the expected biphasic CV-K+ relationship during perfusion with different Na+ and Ca2+ concentrations. Neither elevating Na+ nor Ca2+ alone consistently modulated the positive slope of CV-K+ or conduction slowing at 10-mM K+; however, combined Na+ and Ca2+ elevation significantly mitigated conduction slowing at 10-mM K+. Pharmacologic GJC inhibition with 30-μM carbenoxolone slowed CV without changing the shape of CV-K+ curves. A computational model of CV predicted that elevating Na+ and narrowing clefts between myocytes, as occur with perinexal narrowing, reduces the positive and negative slopes of the CV-K+ relationship but do not support a primary role of GJC or sodium channel conductance. These data demonstrate that combinatorial effects of Na+ and Ca2+ differentially modulate conduction during hyperkalemia, and enhancing determinants of ephaptic coupling may attenuate conduction changes in a variety of physiologic conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Ryan King
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Michael Entz
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Grace A Blair
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Ian Crandell
- Center for Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Alexandra L Hanlon
- Center for Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Joyce Lin
- Department of Mathematics, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
| | - Gregory S Hoeker
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
- School of Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
King DR, Padget RL, Perry J, Hoeker G, Smyth JW, Brown DA, Poelzing S. Elevated perfusate [Na +] increases contractile dysfunction during ischemia and reperfusion. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17289. [PMID: 33057157 PMCID: PMC7560862 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74069-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies revealed that relatively small changes in perfusate sodium ([Na+]o) composition significantly affect cardiac electrical conduction and stability in contraction arrested ex vivo Langendorff heart preparations before and during simulated ischemia. Additionally, [Na+]o modulates cardiomyocyte contractility via a sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) mediated pathway. It remains unknown, however, whether modest changes to [Na+]o that promote electrophysiologic stability similarly improve mechanical function during baseline and ischemia-reperfusion conditions. The purpose of this study was to quantify cardiac mechanical function during ischemia-reperfusion with perfusates containing 145 or 155 mM Na+ in Langendorff perfused isolated rat heart preparations. Relative to 145 mM Na+, perfusion with 155 mM [Na+]o decreased the amplitude of left-ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) at baseline and accelerated the onset of ischemic contracture. Inhibiting NCX with SEA0400 abolished LVDP depression caused by increasing [Na+]o at baseline and reduced the time to peak ischemic contracture. Ischemia-reperfusion decreased LVDP in all hearts with return of intrinsic activity, and reperfusion with 155 mM [Na+]o further depressed mechanical function. In summary, elevating [Na+]o by as little as 10 mM can significantly modulate mechanical function under baseline conditions, as well as during ischemia and reperfusion. Importantly, clinical use of Normal Saline, which contains 155 mM [Na+]o, with cardiac ischemia may require further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Ryan King
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Rachel L Padget
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Justin Perry
- Department of Human Nutrition, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Foods, and Exercise, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Gregory Hoeker
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - James W Smyth
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA.,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - David A Brown
- Department of Human Nutrition, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Foods, and Exercise, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA. .,Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA. .,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hoeker GS, James CC, Tegge AN, Gourdie RG, Smyth JW, Poelzing S. Attenuating loss of cardiac conduction during no-flow ischemia through changes in perfusate sodium and calcium. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020; 319:H396-H409. [PMID: 32678707 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00112.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Myocardial ischemia leads to conduction slowing, cell-to-cell uncoupling, and arrhythmias. We previously demonstrated that varying perfusate sodium (Na+) and calcium (Ca2+) attenuates conduction slowing and arrhythmias during simulated ischemia with continuous perfusion. Cardioprotection was selectively associated with widening of the perinexus, a gap junction adjacent nanodomain important to ephaptic coupling. It is unknown whether perfusate composition affects the perinexus or ischemic conduction during nonsimulated ischemia, when coronary flow is reduced or halted. We hypothesized that altering preischemic perfusate composition could facilitate perinexal expansion and attenuate conduction slowing during global ischemia. To test this hypothesis, ex vivo guinea pig hearts (n = 49) were Langendorff perfused with 145 or 153 mM Na+ and 1.25 or 2.0 mM Ca2+ and optically mapped during 30 min of no-flow ischemia. Altering Na+ and Ca2+ did not substantially affect baseline conduction. Increasing Na+ and decreasing Ca2+ both lowered pacing thresholds, whereas increasing Ca2+ narrowed perinexal width (Wp). A least squares mean estimate revealed that reduced perfusate Na+ and Ca2+ resulted in the most severe conduction slowing during ischemia. Increasing Na+ alone modestly attenuated conduction slowing, yet significantly delayed the median time to conduction block (10 to 16 min). Increasing both Na+ and Ca2+ selectively widened Wp during ischemia (22.7 vs. 15.7 nm) and attenuated conduction slowing to the greatest extent. Neither repolarization nor levels of total or phosphorylated connexin43 correlated with conduction slowing or block. Thus, perfusate-dependent widening of the perinexus preserved ischemic conduction and may be an adaptive response to ischemic stress.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Conduction slowing during acute ischemia creates an arrhythmogenic substrate. We have shown that extracellular ionic concentrations can alter conduction by modulating ephaptic coupling. Here, we demonstrate increased extracellular sodium and calcium significantly attenuate conduction slowing during no-flow ischemia. This effect was associated with selective widening of the perinexus, an intercalated disc nanodomain and putative cardiac ephapse. These findings suggest that acute changes in ephaptic coupling may serve as an adaptive response to ischemic stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory S Hoeker
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Carissa C James
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia.,Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Allison N Tegge
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia.,Department of Statistics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Robert G Gourdie
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia.,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - James W Smyth
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia.,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia.,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia.,Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia.,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nowak MB, Greer-Short A, Wan X, Wu X, Deschênes I, Weinberg SH, Poelzing S. Intercellular Sodium Regulates Repolarization in Cardiac Tissue with Sodium Channel Gain of Function. Biophys J 2020; 118:2829-2843. [PMID: 32402243 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In cardiac myocytes, action potentials are initiated by an influx of sodium (Na+) ions via voltage-gated Na+ channels. Na+ channel gain of function (GOF), arising in both inherited conditions associated with mutation in the gene encoding the Na+ channel and acquired conditions associated with heart failure, ischemia, and atrial fibrillation, enhance Na+ influx, generating a late Na+ current that prolongs action potential duration (APD) and triggering proarrhythmic early afterdepolarizations (EADs). Recent studies have shown that Na+ channels are highly clustered at the myocyte intercalated disk, facilitating formation of Na+ nanodomains in the intercellular cleft between cells. Simulations from our group have recently predicted that narrowing the width of the intercellular cleft can suppress APD prolongation and EADs in the presence of Na+ channel mutations because of increased intercellular cleft Na+ ion depletion. In this study, we investigate the effects of modulating multiple extracellular spaces, specifically the intercellular cleft and bulk interstitial space, in a novel computational model and experimentally via osmotic agents albumin, dextran 70, and mannitol. We perform optical mapping and transmission electron microscopy in a drug-induced (sea anemone toxin, ATXII) Na+ channel GOF isolated heart model and modulate extracellular spaces via osmotic agents. Single-cell patch-clamp experiments confirmed that the osmotic agents individually do not enhance late Na+ current. Both experiments and simulations are consistent with the conclusion that intercellular cleft narrowing or expansion regulates APD prolongation; in contrast, modulating the bulk interstitial space has negligible effects on repolarization. Thus, we predict that intercellular cleft Na+ nanodomain formation and collapse critically regulates cardiac repolarization in the setting of Na+ channel GOF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madison B Nowak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Amara Greer-Short
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Xiaoping Wan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Xiaobo Wu
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia; Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Isabelle Deschênes
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Seth H Weinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
O'Shea C, Pavlovic D, Rajpoot K, Winter J. Examination of the Effects of Conduction Slowing on the Upstroke of Optically Recorded Action Potentials. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1295. [PMID: 31681008 PMCID: PMC6798176 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The upstroke of optical action potentials (APs) recorded from intact hearts are generally recognized to be slower than those recorded with microelectrodes. This is thought to reflect spatial signal averaging within the volume of tissue that makes up the optical signal. However, to date, there has been no direct experimental study on the relationship between conduction velocity (CV) and optical AP upstroke morphology in the intact heart. Notably, it is known that sodium channel block and gap junction inhibition, which both slow CV, exert differential effects on the upstroke velocity of microelectrode-recorded APs. Whether such differences are evident in optical APs is not known. The present study sought to determine the relationship between tissue CV and optical AP upstroke velocity in intact mouse hearts. Materials and Methods Isolated, perfused mouse hearts were stained with the potentiometric dye Rh-237. Fluorescent signals were recorded from across the anterior surface of the left and right ventricles during constant pacing. Maximum rate of change in fluorescence (dF/dtmax) and tissue CV were assessed in control conditions, during an acute period of low-flow ischemia, and following perfusion of flecainide (1–3 μmol/L), a sodium channel blocker, or carbenoxolone (10–50 μmol/L), a gap junction inhibitor. Results During epicardial pacing, an anisotropic pattern was observed in both activation and dF/dtmax maps, with more rapid optical AP upstroke velocities orientated along the fastest conduction paths (and vice versa). Low-flow ischemia resulted in a time-dependent slowing of ventricular CV, which was accompanied by a concomitant reduction in optical AP upstroke velocity. All values returned to baseline on tissue reperfusion. Both flecainide and carbenoxolone were associated with a concentration-dependent reduction in CV and decrease in optical AP upstroke velocity, despite distinct mechanisms of action. Similar responses to carbenoxolone were observed for low- (156 μm pixel with) and high- (20 μm pixel width) magnification recordings. Comparison of data from all interventions revealed a linear relationship between CV and upstroke dF/dt. Conclusion In intact mouse hearts, slowing of optical AP upstroke velocity is directly proportional to the change in CV associated with low-flow ischemia, sodium channel block, and gap junction inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher O'Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Physical Sciences for Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kashif Rajpoot
- School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - James Winter
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bischof H, Burgstaller S, Vujic N, Madl T, Kratky D, Graier WF, Malli R. Purification and Application of Genetically Encoded Potassium Ion Indicators for Quantification of Potassium Ion Concentrations within Biological Samples. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY 2019; 11:e71. [PMID: 31483097 PMCID: PMC6927797 DOI: 10.1002/cpch.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Vital cells maintain a steep potassium ion (K+ ) gradient across the plasma membrane. Intracellular potassium ion concentrations ([K+ ]) and especially the [K+ ] within the extracellular matrix are strictly regulated, the latter within a narrow range of ∼3.5 to 5.0 mM. Alterations of the extracellular K+ homeostasis are associated with severe pathological alterations and systemic diseases including hypo- or hypertension, heart rate alterations, heart failure, neuronal damage or abnormal skeleton muscle function. In higher eukaryotic organisms, the maintenance of the extracellular [K+ ] is mainly achieved by the kidney, responsible for K+ excretion and reabsorption. Thus, renal dysfunctions are typically associated with alterations in serum- or plasma [K+ ]. Generally, [K+ ] quantifications within bodily fluids are performed using ion selective electrodes. However, tracking such alterations in experimental models such as mice features several difficulties, mainly due to the small blood volume of these animals, hampering the repetitive collection of sample volumes required for measurements using ion selective electrodes. We have recently developed highly sensitive, genetically encoded potassium ion indicators, the GEPIIs, applicable for in vitro determinations of [K+ ]. In addition to the determination of [K+ ] within bodily fluids, GEPIIs proved suitable for the real-time visualization of cell viability over time and the exact determination of the number of dead cells. © 2019 The Authors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Bischof
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - S Burgstaller
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - N Vujic
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - T Madl
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - D Kratky
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - W F Graier
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - R Malli
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gourdie RG. The Cardiac Gap Junction has Discrete Functions in Electrotonic and Ephaptic Coupling. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2018; 302:93-100. [PMID: 30565418 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Connexin43-formed gap junctions have long been thought to contribute to cardiac conduction in the mammalian ventricle by providing direct electrotonic connectivity between the cytoplasms of neighboring cardiomyocytes. However, accumulating data from studies of non-mammalian hearts, Connexin 43 (Cx43) knockout mice and human Cx43 mutations have raised questions as to whether gap junctions are the sole means by which electrical coupling between cardiomyocytes is accomplished. Computational and experimental work over the last decade have indicated that intercellular propagation of action potentials in the heart may involve both electrotonic and ephaptic contributions-in what has been dubbed "mixed-mode" conduction. Interestingly, the Cx43 gap junction may provide a common structural platform in mammals that facilitates the operation of these two mechanisms. In addition to gap junction channels functioning in an electrotonic role, the perinexus region at the edge of gap junctions may be provide a niche for voltage-gated sodium channels from neighboring cells to be in sufficiently close proximity to enable ephaptic transmission of action potential. A novel role has recently been identified in this potential ephaptic mechanism for inter-membrane adhesion mediated by the beta subunit (beta1/Scn1b) of the sodium channel. The new perspective of the operational redundancy that is built into cardiac electrical connectivity could provide new understanding of arrhythmia mechanisms and holds the promise for new approach to anti-arrhythmic therapy. Anat Rec, 302:93-100, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Gourdie
- Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia, 24016.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia, 24016.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
A recently-described extracellular nanodomain, termed the perinexus, has been implicated in ephaptic coupling, which is an alternative mechanism for electrical conduction between cardiomyocytes. The current method for quantifying this space by manual segmentation is slow and has low spatial resolution.We developed an algorithm that uses serial image dilations of a binary outline to count the number of pixels between two opposing 2 dimensional edges.This algorithm requires fewer man hours and has a higher spatial resolution than the manual method while preserving the reproducibility of the manual process.In fact, experienced and novice investigators were able to recapitulate the results of a previous study with this new algorithm.The algorithm is limited by the human input needed to manually outline the perinexus and computational power mainly encumbered by a pre-existing pathfinding algorithm.However, the algorithm's high-throughput capabilities, high spatial resolution and reproducibility make it a versatile and robust measurement tool for use across a variety of applications requiring the measurement of the distance between any 2-dimensional (2D) edges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Raisch
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech; Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech
| | - Momina Khan
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech; Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech;
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
The role of the gap junction perinexus in cardiac conduction: Potential as a novel anti-arrhythmic drug target. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 144:41-50. [PMID: 30241906 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease remains the single largest cause of natural death in the United States, with a significant cause of mortality associated with cardiac arrhythmias. Presently, options for treating and preventing myocardial electrical dysfunction, including sudden cardiac death, are limited. Recent studies have indicated that conduction of electrical activation in the heart may have an ephaptic component, wherein intercellular coupling occurs via electrochemical signaling across narrow extracellular clefts between cardiomyocytes. The perinexus is a 100-200 nm-wide stretch of closely apposed membrane directly adjacent to connexin 43 gap junctions. Electron and super-resolution microscopy studies, as well as biochemical analyses, have provided evidence that perinexal nanodomains may be candidate structures for facilitating ephaptic coupling. This work has included characterization of the perinexus as a region of close inter-membrane contact between cardiomyocytes (<30 nm) containing dense clusters of voltage-gated sodium channels. Here, we review what is known about perinexal structure and function and the potential that the perinexus may have novel and pivotal roles in disorders of cardiac conduction. Of particular interest is the prospect that cell adhesion mediated by the cardiac sodium channel β subunit (Scn1b) may be a novel anti-arrhythmic target.
Collapse
|
17
|
Raisch TB, Yanoff MS, Larsen TR, Farooqui MA, King DR, Veeraraghavan R, Gourdie RG, Baker JW, Arnold WS, AlMahameed ST, Poelzing S. Intercalated Disk Extracellular Nanodomain Expansion in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. Front Physiol 2018; 9:398. [PMID: 29780324 PMCID: PMC5945828 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia. Previous evidence in animal models suggests that the gap junction (GJ) adjacent nanodomain – perinexus – is a site capable of independent intercellular communication via ephaptic transmission. Perinexal expansion is associated with slowed conduction and increased ventricular arrhythmias in animal models, but has not been studied in human tissue. The purpose of this study was to characterize the perinexus in humans and determine if perinexal expansion associates with AF. Methods: Atrial appendages from 39 patients (pts) undergoing cardiac surgery were fixed for immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Intercalated disk distribution of the cardiac sodium channel Nav1.5, its β1 subunit, and connexin43 (C×43) was determined by confocal immunofluorescence. Perinexal width (Wp) from TEM was manually segmented by two blinded observers using ImageJ software. Results: Nav1.5, β1, and C×43 are co-adjacent within intercalated disks of human atria, consistent with perinexal protein distributions in ventricular tissue of other species. TEM revealed that the GJ adjacent intermembrane separation in an individual perinexus does not change at distances greater than 30 nm from the GJ edge. Importantly, Wp is significantly wider in patients with a history of AF than in patients with no history of AF by approximately 3 nm, and Wp correlates with age (R = 0.7, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Human atrial myocytes have voltage-gated sodium channels in a dynamic intercellular cleft adjacent to GJs that is consistent with previous descriptions of the perinexus. Further, perinexal width is greater in patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery than in those without.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tristan B Raisch
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.,Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Matthew S Yanoff
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Timothy R Larsen
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Center for Atrial Fibrillation, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Mohammed A Farooqui
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Center for Atrial Fibrillation, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - D Ryan King
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.,Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Rengasayee Veeraraghavan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.,The Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Robert G Gourdie
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Joseph W Baker
- Department of Surgery, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - William S Arnold
- Department of Surgery, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Soufian T AlMahameed
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Center for Atrial Fibrillation, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.,Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Entz M, King DR, Poelzing S. Design and validation of a tissue bath 3-D printed with PLA for optically mapping suspended whole heart preparations. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2017; 313:H1190-H1198. [PMID: 28939646 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00150.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
With the sudden increase in affordable manufacturing technologies, the relationship between experimentalists and the designing process for laboratory equipment is rapidly changing. While experimentalists are still dependent on engineers and manufacturers for precision electrical, mechanical, and optical equipment, it has become a realistic option for in house manufacturing of other laboratory equipment with less precise design requirements. This is possible due to decreasing costs and increasing functionality of desktop three-dimensional (3-D) printers and 3-D design software. With traditional manufacturing methods, iterative design processes are expensive and time consuming, and making more than one copy of a custom piece of equipment is prohibitive. Here, we provide an overview to design a tissue bath and stabilizer for a customizable, suspended, whole heart optical mapping apparatus that can be produced significantly faster and less expensive than conventional manufacturing techniques. This was accomplished through a series of design steps to prevent fluid leakage in the areas where the optical imaging glass was attached to the 3-D printed bath. A combination of an acetone dip along with adhesive was found to create a water tight bath. Optical mapping was used to quantify cardiac conduction velocity and action potential duration to compare 3-D printed baths to a bath that was designed and manufactured in a machine shop. Importantly, the manufacturing method did not significantly affect conduction, action potential duration, or contraction, suggesting that 3-D printed baths are equally effective for optical mapping experiments.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This article details three-dimensional printable equipment for use in suspended whole heart optical mapping experiments. This equipment is less expensive than conventional manufactured equipment as well as easily customizable to the experimentalist. The baths can be waterproofed using only a three-dimensional printer, acetone, a glass microscope slide, c-clamps, and adhesive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Entz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia.,Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute and Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia; and
| | - D Ryan King
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute and Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia; and.,Graduate program in Transnational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia; .,Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute and Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia; and.,Graduate program in Transnational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Weinberg SH. Ephaptic coupling rescues conduction failure in weakly coupled cardiac tissue with voltage-gated gap junctions. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2017; 27:093908. [PMID: 28964133 DOI: 10.1063/1.4999602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Electrical conduction in cardiac tissue is usually considered to be primarily facilitated by gap junctions, providing a pathway between the intracellular spaces of neighboring cells. However, recent studies have highlighted the role of coupling via extracellular electric fields, also known as ephaptic coupling, particularly in the setting of reduced gap junction expression. Further, in the setting of reduced gap junctional coupling, voltage-dependent gating of gap junctions, an oft-neglected biophysical property in computational studies, produces a positive feedback that promotes conduction failure. We hypothesized that ephaptic coupling can break the positive feedback loop and rescue conduction failure in weakly coupled cardiac tissue. In a computational tissue model incorporating voltage-gated gap junctions and ephaptic coupling, we demonstrate that ephaptic coupling can rescue conduction failure in weakly coupled tissue. Further, ephaptic coupling increased conduction velocity in weakly coupled tissue, and importantly, reduced the minimum gap junctional coupling necessary for conduction, most prominently at fast pacing rates. Finally, we find that, although neglecting gap junction voltage-gating results in negligible differences in well coupled tissue, more significant differences occur in weakly coupled tissue, greatly underestimating the minimal gap junctional coupling that can maintain conduction. Our study suggests that ephaptic coupling plays a conduction-preserving role, particularly at rapid heart rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S H Weinberg
- Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 West Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23284, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Greer-Short A, George SA, Poelzing S, Weinberg SH. Revealing the Concealed Nature of Long-QT Type 3 Syndrome. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2017; 10:e004400. [PMID: 28213505 DOI: 10.1161/circep.116.004400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gain-of-function mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav1.5) are associated with the long-QT-3 (LQT3) syndrome. Nav1.5 is densely expressed at the intercalated disk, and narrow intercellular separation can modulate cell-to-cell coupling via extracellular electric fields and depletion of local sodium ion nanodomains. Models predict that significantly decreasing intercellular cleft widths slows conduction because of reduced sodium current driving force, termed "self-attenuation." We tested the novel hypothesis that self-attenuation can "mask" the LQT3 phenotype by reducing the driving force and late sodium current that produces early afterdepolarizations (EADs). METHODS AND RESULTS Acute interstitial edema was used to increase intercellular cleft width in isolated guinea pig heart experiments. In a drug-induced LQT3 model, acute interstitial edema exacerbated action potential duration prolongation and produced EADs, in particular, at slow pacing rates. In a computational cardiac tissue model incorporating extracellular electric field coupling, intercellular cleft sodium nanodomains, and LQT3-associated mutant channels, myocytes produced EADs for wide intercellular clefts, whereas for narrow clefts, EADs were suppressed. For both wide and narrow clefts, mutant channels were incompletely inactivated. However, for narrow clefts, late sodium current was reduced via self-attenuation, a protective negative feedback mechanism, masking EADs. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated a novel mechanism leading to the concealing and revealing of EADs in LQT3 models. Simulations predict that this mechanism may operate independent of the specific mutation, suggesting that future therapies could target intercellular cleft separation as a compliment or alternative to sodium channels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amara Greer-Short
- From the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke (A.G.-S., S.A.G., S.P.); and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond (S.H.W.)
| | - Sharon A George
- From the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke (A.G.-S., S.A.G., S.P.); and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond (S.H.W.)
| | - Steven Poelzing
- From the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke (A.G.-S., S.A.G., S.P.); and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond (S.H.W.).
| | - Seth H Weinberg
- From the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke (A.G.-S., S.A.G., S.P.); and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond (S.H.W.).
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
George SA, Calhoun PJ, Gourdie RG, Smyth JW, Poelzing S. TNFα Modulates Cardiac Conduction by Altering Electrical Coupling between Myocytes. Front Physiol 2017; 8:334. [PMID: 28588504 PMCID: PMC5440594 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα) upregulation during acute inflammatory response has been associated with numerous cardiac effects including modulating Connexin43 and vascular permeability. This may in turn alter cardiac gap junctional (GJ) coupling and extracellular volume (ephaptic coupling) respectively. We hypothesized that acute exposure to pathophysiological TNFα levels can modulate conduction velocity (CV) in the heart by altering electrical coupling: GJ and ephaptic. Methods and Results: Hearts were optically mapped to determine CV from control, TNFα and TNFα + high calcium (2.5 vs. 1.25 mM) treated guinea pig hearts over 90 mins. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to measure changes in intercellular separation in the gap junction-adjacent extracellular nanodomain—perinexus (WP). Cx43 expression and phosphorylation were determined by Western blotting and Cx43 distribution by confocal immunofluorescence. At 90 mins, longitudinal and transverse CV (CVL and CVT, respectively) increased with control Tyrode perfusion but TNFα slowed CVT alone relative to control and anisotropy of conduction increased, but not significantly. TNFα increased WP relative to control at 90 mins, without significantly changing GJ coupling. Increasing extracellular calcium after 30 mins of just TNFα exposure increased CVT within 15 mins. TNFα + high calcium also restored CVT at 90 mins and reduced WP to control values. Interestingly, TNFα + high calcium also improved GJ coupling at 90 mins, which along with reduced WP may have contributed to increasing CV. Conclusions: Elevating extracellular calcium during acute TNFα exposure reduces perinexal expansion, increases ephaptic, and GJ coupling, improves CV and may be a novel method for preventing inflammation induced CV slowing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharon A George
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Patrick J Calhoun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Robert G Gourdie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA, United States.,Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion Research InstituteRoanoke, VA, United States
| | - James W Smyth
- Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion Research InstituteRoanoke, VA, United States
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA, United States.,Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion Research InstituteRoanoke, VA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Belardinelli L, Maleckar MM, Giles WR. Ventricular Microanatomy, Arrhythmias, and the Electrochemical Driving Force for Na +: Is There a Need for Flipped Learning? Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2017; 10:e004955. [PMID: 28213509 DOI: 10.1161/circep.117.004955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Belardinelli
- From the InCarda Therapeutics, Inc, Clinical Research and Development, Brisbane, CA (L.B.); Allen Institute for Cell Science, Seattle, WA (M.M.M.); and Faculties of Kinesiology and Medicine (W.R.G.), The University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mary M Maleckar
- From the InCarda Therapeutics, Inc, Clinical Research and Development, Brisbane, CA (L.B.); Allen Institute for Cell Science, Seattle, WA (M.M.M.); and Faculties of Kinesiology and Medicine (W.R.G.), The University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Wayne R Giles
- From the InCarda Therapeutics, Inc, Clinical Research and Development, Brisbane, CA (L.B.); Allen Institute for Cell Science, Seattle, WA (M.M.M.); and Faculties of Kinesiology and Medicine (W.R.G.), The University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hoeker GS, Skarsfeldt MA, Jespersen T, Poelzing S. Electrophysiologic effects of the IK1 inhibitor PA-6 are modulated by extracellular potassium in isolated guinea pig hearts. Physiol Rep 2017; 5:e13120. [PMID: 28087819 PMCID: PMC5256165 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The pentamidine analog PA-6 was developed as a specific inward rectifier potassium current (IK1) antagonist, because established inhibitors either lack specificity or have side effects that prohibit their use in vivo. We previously demonstrated that BaCl2, an established IK1 inhibitor, could prolong action potential duration (APD) and increase cardiac conduction velocity (CV). However, few studies have addressed whether targeted IK1 inhibition similarly affects ventricular electrophysiology. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of PA-6 on cardiac repolarization and conduction in Langendorff-perfused guinea pig hearts. PA-6 (200 nm) or vehicle was perfused into ex-vivo guinea pig hearts for 60 min. Hearts were optically mapped with di-4-ANEPPS to quantify CV and APD at 90% repolarization (APD90). Ventricular APD90 was significantly prolonged in hearts treated with PA-6 (115 ± 2% of baseline; P < 0.05), but not vehicle (105 ± 2% of baseline). PA-6 slightly, but significantly, increased transverse CV by 7%. PA-6 significantly prolonged APD90 during hypokalemia (2 mmol/L [K+]o), although to a lesser degree than observed at 4.56 mmol/L [K+]o In contrast, the effect of PA-6 on CV was more pronounced during hypokalemia, where transverse CV with PA-6 (24 ± 2 cm/sec) was significantly faster than with vehicle (13 ± 3 cm/sec, P < 0.05). These results show that under normokalemic conditions, PA-6 significantly prolonged APD90, whereas its effect on CV was modest. During hypokalemia, PA-6 prolonged APD90 to a lesser degree, but profoundly increased CV Thus, in intact guinea pig hearts, the electrophysiologic effects of the IK1 inhibitor, PA-6, are [K+]o-dependent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory S Hoeker
- Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Mark A Skarsfeldt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Jespersen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine, Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, Virginia
| |
Collapse
|