scholarly journals Dual Dysfunction of Kir2.1 Underlies Conduction and Excitation-Contraction Coupling Defects Promoting Arrhythmias in a Mouse Model of Andersen-Tawil Syndrome Type 1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Macias ◽  
Andres Gonzalez-Guerra ◽  
Ana I. Moreno-Manuel ◽  
Francisco M Cruz ◽  
Nieves Garcia-Quintans ◽  
...  

Andersen-Tawil Syndrome (ATS) is associated with life threatening arrhythmias of unknown mechanism. We report on a mouse model carrying the trafficking-deficient mutant Kir2.1Δ314-315. The mouse recapitulates the electrophysiological phenotype of type 1 (ATS1), with slower conduction velocities in response to flecainide, QT prolongation exacerbated by isoproterenol, and increased vulnerability to calcium-mediated arrhythmias resembling catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). Kir2.1Δ314-315 expression significantly reduced inward rectifier K+ and Na+ inward currents, depolarized resting membrane potential and prolonged action potential duration. Immunolocalization in wildtype cardiomyocytes and skeletal muscle cells revealed a novel sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) microdomain of functional Kir2.1 channels contributing to intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Kir2.1Δ314-315 cardiomyocytes showed defects in SR Kir2.1 localization and function, which contributed to abnormal spontaneous Ca2+ release events. This is the first in-vivo demonstration of a dual arrhythmogenic mechanism of ATS1 defects in Kir2.1 channel function at the sarcolemma and the SR, with overlap between ATS1 and CPVT.

2021 ◽  
Vol 129 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Macias ◽  
Andrés González-Guerra ◽  
Ana I. Moreno-Manuel ◽  
Francisco M. Cruz ◽  
Nieves García-Quintáns ◽  
...  

Background: Andersen-Tawil syndrome type 1 (ATS1), caused by trafficking deficient mutations in the gene KCNJ2 coding the inward rectifier K + channel Kir2.1, is associated with life-threatening arrhythmias, which in some patients resemble catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), but the mechanisms are poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that dysfunction of two different populations of mutant Kir2.1 channels, one at the sarcolemma, and the other at the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane, directly alters conduction and intracellular calcium dynamics, respectively, to promote the ATS1 phenotype and arrhythmias that resemble CPVT. Methods: We generated a new mouse model of ATS1 by a single i.v. injection of cardiac specific adeno-associated viral (AAV) transduction with Kir2.1 Δ314-315 . In-vivo and cellular, structural and functional analyses of the model were carried out by electrocardiogram (ECG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), intracardiac stimulation, patch-clamping, membrane fractionation, western blot, immunolocalization and live calcium imaging. Results: Our mouse model carrying mutant Kir2.1 Δ314-315 recapitulated the ATS1 phenotype without modifying ventricular function. On ECG, Kir2.1 Δ314-315 mice had prolonged PR, QRS and QT intervals and occasional U waves. They showed significantly slower conduction velocities than wildtype mice in response to flecaidine-induced Na + -channel blockade, additional QT prolongation in response to isoproterenol, and increased vulnerability to cardiac fibrillation. Cardiomyocytes from Kir2.1 Δ314-315 mice had significantly reduced inward rectifier K + and Na + inward currents, depolarized resting membrane potential and prolonged action potential duration. Immunolocalization in wildtype cardiomyocytes and skeletal muscle cells revealed a novel SR microdomain of functional Kir2.1 channels contributing to intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis. Kir2.1 Δ314-315 cardiomyocytes showed defects in SR Kir2.1 localization and function, which contributed to abnormal spontaneous Ca 2+ release events. Conclusions: Cardiac-specific AAV transduction with Kir2.1 Δ314-315 in mice recapitulates the ATS1 phenotype by disrupting localization and function of Kir2.1 channels at the SR, and the Kir2.1-Na V 1.5 channelosome at the sarcolemma. These results reveal a novel dual mechanism of arrhythmogenesis in ATS1 involving defects in Kir2.1 channel trafficking and function at two different microdomains. They also provide the first demonstration at the molecular level of the mechanism underlying the overlap between ATS1 and CPVT associated with defects in intracellular calcium homeostasis.


2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 4530-4535 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hellemans ◽  
A. Decostere ◽  
F. Haesebrouck ◽  
R. Ducatelle

ABSTRACT “Helicobacter heilmannii” (proposed name) type 1 colonizes the human stomach. It has been shown to be identical to“ Candidatus Helicobacter suis,” a Helicobacter species colonizing the stomachs of >60% of slaughter pigs. This bacterium has not been isolated in vitro until now. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of “Candidatus Helicobacter suis” has not been carried out so far. For the present study, a mouse model was adopted to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility of this organism. Mice infected with“ Candidatus Helicobacter suis” were treated with amoxicillin and omeprazole, a therapy which is used to treat H. heilmannii infections in humans. Two different isolates of“ Candidatus Helicobacter suis” were tested. The excretion of bacterial DNA was assessed during treatment, using PCR on fecal samples. At the end of the experiment, 8 days after the cessation of treatment, the presence of infection was evaluated using a urease test and a PCR test on stomach samples. A marked decrease in the excretion of bacterial DNA was observed a few days after the onset of treatment, and the level remained low until the end of the experiment. A difference in susceptibility between the two“ Candidatus Helicobacter suis” isolates was pointed out. The in vivo mouse model infected with“ Candidatus Helicobacter suis” will be useful for further screening of potential therapeutic regimens.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroko Wakimoto ◽  
Ronny Alcalai ◽  
Lei Song ◽  
Michael Arad ◽  
Christine E Seidman ◽  
...  

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a familial arrhythmia syndrome caused by mutations in the ryanodine receptor (RyR2) or calsequestrin-2 (CASQ2) genes and characterized by exercise or emotional stress-induced sudden death. Beta-adrenergic blockers are only partially effective and other agents have not been widely tested. Recent studies have shown that CPVT is mediated by increased Ca 2+ leak through the RyR2 channel. Our aim was to determine whether agents that inhibit intracellular Ca 2+ leak can effectively prevent CPVT. Methods: The efficacy of intraperitoneal (IP) propranolol (1mcg/g), Mg 2+ (0.002mEq/g), verapamil (8 mcg/g) and diltiazem (8 mcg/g) were tested both in vivo and in vitro using CASQ2 mutant mouse CPVT model. In vivo studies included ambulatory ECG recordings at rest and following epinephrine stress (0.4 mcg/g IP) at baseline and after study drug administration. Experiments for each drug were performed on separate days to avoid confounding effects. In vitro studies included intracellular Ca 2+ transient analysis on isolated cardiomyocytes from mutant mice with and without epinephrine (5.5 μM). Results: All 4 drugs restored sinus rhythm and reduced the frequency of VT episodes induced by epinephrine in CASQ2 mutant mice. Only verapamil completely prevented epinephrine-induced VT in 87% of the mice (p<0.01). Cardiomyocyte studies in basal conditions revealed that Mg 2+ and verapamil inhibited sarcomere contraction and normalized the prolonged Ca 2+ reuptake period in CASQ2 mutants, but did not decrease baseline Ca 2+ peak height. Epinephrine-stressed mutant myocytes had increased diastolic Ca 2+ levels, lower Ca 2+ peak height and spontaneous SR Ca 2+ release events that were partially prevented by verapamil and Mg 2+ . Verapamil was more effective than Mg 2+ in reducing the frequency of spontaneous Ca 2+ releases induced by epinephrine. Conclusions: All 4 agents can inhibit ventricular arrhythmia in CPVT mouse model; however verapamil appears most effective in preventing arrhythmia in vivo and in modifying intracellular abnormal calcium handling. Calcium antagonists might have therapeutic value in CPVT and other RyR2-mediated arrhythmias and should be considered for human clinical studies.


Diabetologia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
pp. 2333-2343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengju Liu ◽  
Jian Peng ◽  
Ningwen Tai ◽  
James A. Pearson ◽  
Changyun Hu ◽  
...  

2000 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 2746-2757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Zhou ◽  
Harold K. Kimelberg

Whether astrocytes predominantly express ohmic K+ channels in vivo, and how expression of different K+ channels affects [K+]ohomeostasis in the CNS have been long-standing questions for how astrocytes function. In the present study, we have addressed some of these questions in glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP(+)], freshly isolated astrocytes (FIAs) from CA1 and CA3 regions of P7–15 rat hippocampus. As isolated, these astrocytes were uncoupled allowing a higher resolution of electrophysiological study. FIAs showed two distinct ion current profiles, with neither showing a purely linear I-V relationship. One population of astrocytes had a combined expression of outward potassium currents ( I Ka, I Kd) and inward sodium currents ( I Na). We term these outwardly rectifying astrocytes (ORA). Another population of astrocytes is characterized by a relatively symmetric potassium current pattern, comprising outward I Kdr, I Ka, and abundant inward potassium currents ( I Kin), and a larger membrane capacitance ( C m ) and more negative resting membrane potential (RMP) than ORAs. We term these variably rectifying astrocytes (VRA). The I Kin in 70% of the VRAs was essentially insensitive to Cs+, while I Kin in the remaining 30% of VRAs was sensitive. The I Ka of VRAs was most sensitive to 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), while I Kdr of ORAs was more sensitive to tetraethylammonium (TEA). ORAs and VRAs occurred approximately equally in FIAs isolated from the CA1 region (52% ORAs versus 48% VRAs), but ORAs were enriched in FIAs isolated from the CA3 region (71% ORAs versus 29% VRAs), suggesting an anatomical segregation of these two types of astrocytes within the hippocampus. VRAs, but not ORAs, showed robust inward currents in response to an increase in extracellular K+ from 5 to 10 mM. As VRAs showed a similar current pattern and other passive membrane properties (e.g., RMP, R in) to “passive astrocytes”in situ (i.e., these showing linear I-V curves), such passive astrocytes possibly represent VRAs influenced by extensive gap-junction coupling in situ. Thus, our data suggest that, at least in CA1 and CA3 regions from P7–15 rats, there are two classes of GFAP(+) astrocytes which possess different K+ currents. Only VRAs seem suited to uptake of extracellular K+ via I Kin channels at physiological membrane potentials and increases of [K+]o. ORAs show abundant outward potassium currents with more depolarized RMP. Thus VRAs and ORAs may cooperate in vivo for uptake and release of K+, respectively.


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 579-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Li ◽  
Yaojun Lu ◽  
Ruijuan Han ◽  
Qiang Yue ◽  
Xiurong Song ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: The transplantation of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) improves neovascularization and left ventricular function after myocardial infarction (MI). The bone morphogenetic protein antagonist Gremlin 2 (Grem2) is required for early cardiac development and cardiomyocyte differentiation. The present study examined the role of Grem2 in CPC differentiation and cardiac repair. Methods: To determine the role of Grem 2 during CPC differentiation, c-Kit+ CPCs were cultured in differentiation medium for different times, and Grem2, Notch1 and Jagged1 expression was determined by RT-PCR and western blotting. Short hairpin RNA was used to silence Grem2 expression, and the expression of cardiomyocyte surface markers was assessed by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining. In vivo experiments were performed in a mouse model of left anterior descending coronary artery ligation-induced MI. Results: CPC differentiation upregulated Grem2 expression and activated the Notch1 pathway. Grem2 knockdown inhibited cardiomyocyte differentiation, and this effect was similar to that of Notch1 pathway inhibition in vitro. Jagged1 overexpression rescued the effects of Grem2 silencing. In vivo, Grem2 silencing abolished the protective effects of CPC injection on cardiac fibrosis and function. Conclusions: Grem2 regulates CPC cardiac differentiation by modulating Notch1 signaling. Grem2 enhances the protective effect of CPCs on heart function in a mouse model of MI, suggesting its potential as the rapeutic protein for cardiac repair.


2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (22) ◽  
pp. 6260-6269 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Thanassi ◽  
Christos Stathopoulos ◽  
Karen Dodson ◽  
Dominik Geiger ◽  
Scott J. Hultgren

ABSTRACT Biogenesis of a superfamily of surface structures by gram-negative bacteria requires the chaperone/usher pathway, a terminal branch of the general secretory pathway. In this pathway a periplasmic chaperone works together with an outer membrane usher to direct substrate folding, assembly, and secretion to the cell surface. We analyzed the structure and function of the PapC usher required for P pilus biogenesis by uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Structural analysis indicated PapC folds as a β-barrel with short extracellular loops and extensive periplasmic domains. Several periplasmic regions were localized, including two domains containing conserved cysteine pairs. Functional analysis of deletion mutants revealed that the PapC C terminus was not required for insertion of the usher into the outer membrane or for proper folding. The usher C terminus was not necessary for interaction with chaperone-subunit complexes in vitro but was required for pilus biogenesis in vivo. Interestingly, coexpression of PapC C-terminal truncation mutants with the chromosomal fim gene cluster coding for type 1 pili allowed P pilus biogenesis in vivo. These studies suggest that chaperone-subunit complexes target an N-terminal domain of the usher and that subunit assembly into pili depends on a subsequent function provided by the usher C terminus.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio De Pittà ◽  
Nicolas Brunel

Glutamatergic gliotransmission, that is, the release of glutamate from perisynaptic astrocyte processes in an activity-dependent manner, has emerged as a potentially crucial signaling pathway for regulation of synaptic plasticity, yet its modes of expression and function in vivo remain unclear. Here, we focus on two experimentally well-identified gliotransmitter pathways, (i) modulations of synaptic release and (ii) postsynaptic slow inward currents mediated by glutamate released from astrocytes, and investigate their possible functional relevance on synaptic plasticity in a biophysical model of an astrocyte-regulated synapse. Our model predicts that both pathways could profoundly affect both short- and long-term plasticity. In particular, activity-dependent glutamate release from astrocytes could dramatically change spike-timing-dependent plasticity, turning potentiation into depression (and vice versa) for the same induction protocol.


2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (1) ◽  
pp. F37-F41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Kulick ◽  
Carolina Panico ◽  
Pritmohinder Gill ◽  
William J. Welch

Adenosine mediates Na+ reabsorption in the proximal tubule (PT) and other segments by activating adenosine type 1 receptors (A1-AR). We tested the hypothesis that A1-AR in the PT is regulated by salt intake and participates in the kidney adaptation to changes in salt intake. Absolute fluid reabsorption ( Jv) was measured by direct in vivo microperfusion and recollection in rats maintained on low (LS; 0.03% Na, wt/wt)-, normal (NS; 0.3% Na)-, and high-salt (HS; 3.0% Na) diets for 1 wk. The effect of microperfusion of BG9719 a highly selective inhibitor of A1-ARs or adenosine deaminase (AD), which metabolizes adenosine, was measured in each group. Jv was higher in PT from LS rats (LA: 2.8 ± 0.2 vs. NS: 2.1 ± 0.2 nl·min−1·mm−1, P < 0.001). Jv in HS rats was not different from NS. BG9719 reduced Jv in LS rats by 66 ± 6% (LS: 2.8 ± 0.2 vs LS+CVT: 1.3 ± 0.3 nl·min−1·mm−1, P < 0.001), which was greater than its effect in NS (45 ± 4%) or HS (41 ± 4%) rats. AD reduced Jv similarly, suggesting that A1-ARs are activated by local production of adenosine. Expression of A1-AR mRNA and protein was higher ( P < 0.01) in microdissected PTs in LS rats compared with NS and HS. We conclude that A1-ARs in the PT are increased by low salt intake and that A1-AR participates in the increased PT reabsorption of solute and fluid in response to low salt intake.


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