scholarly journals Identifying cellular mechanisms of zinc-induced relaxation in isolated cardiomyocytes

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (5) ◽  
pp. H706-H715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Yi ◽  
Jonathan S. Vick ◽  
Marc J. H. Vecchio ◽  
Kelly J. Begin ◽  
Stephen P. Bell ◽  
...  

We tested several molecular and cellular mechanisms of cardiomyocyte contraction-relaxation function that could account for the reduced systolic and enhanced diastolic function observed with exposure to extracellular Zn2+. Contraction-relaxation function was monitored in isolated rat and mouse cardiomyocytes maintained at 37°C, stimulated at 2 or 6 Hz, and exposed to 32 μM Zn2+ or vehicle. Intracellular Zn2+ detected using FluoZin-3 rose to a concentration of ∼13 nM in 3–5 min. Peak sarcomere shortening was significantly reduced and diastolic sarcomere length was elongated after Zn2+ exposure. Peak intracellular Ca2+ detected by Fura-2FF was reduced after Zn2+ exposure. However, the rate of cytosolic Ca2+ decline reflecting sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) activity and the rate of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger activity evaluated by rapid Na+-induced Ca2+ efflux were unchanged by Zn2+ exposure. SR Ca2+ load evaluated by rapid caffeine exposure was reduced by ∼50%, and L-type calcium channel inward current measured by whole cell patch clamp was reduced by ∼70% in cardiomyocytes exposed to Zn2+. Furthermore, ryanodine receptor (RyR) S2808 and phospholamban (PLB) S16/T17 were markedly dephosphorylated after perfusing hearts with 50 μM Zn2+. Maximum tension development and thin-filament Ca2+ sensitivity in chemically skinned cardiac muscle strips were not affected by Zn2+ exposure. These findings suggest that Zn2+ suppresses cardiomyocyte systolic function and enhances relaxation function by lowering systolic and diastolic intracellular Ca2+ concentrations due to a combination of competitive inhibition of Ca2+ influx through the L-type calcium channel, reduction of SR Ca2+ load resulting from phospholamban dephosphorylation, and lowered SR Ca2+ leak via RyR dephosphorylation. The use of the low-Ca2+-affinity Fura-2FF likely prevented the detection of changes in diastolic Ca2+ and SERCA2a function. Other strategies to detect diastolic Ca2+ in the presence of Zn2+ are essential for future work.

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hildebrando Candido Ferreira-Neto ◽  
Vagner R. Antunes ◽  
Javier E. Stern

We have previously shown that ATP within the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) induces an increase in sympathetic activity, an effect attenuated by the antagonism of P2 and/or glutamatergic receptors. Here, we evaluated precise cellular mechanisms underlying the ATP-glutamate interaction in the PVN and assessed whether this receptor coupling contributed to osmotically driven sympathetic PVN neuronal activity. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings obtained from PVN-rostral ventrolateral medulla neurons showed that ATP (100 μM, 1 min, bath applied) induced an increase in firing rate (89%), an effect blocked by kynurenic acid (1 mM) or 4-[[4-Formyl-5-hydroxy-6-methyl-3-[(phosphonooxy)methyl]-2-pyridinyl]azo]-1,3-benzenedisulfonic acid tetrasodium salt (PPADS) (10 μM). Whereas ATP did not affect glutamate synaptic function, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor-mediated currents evoked by focal application of AMPA (50 μM, n = 13) were increased in magnitude by ATP (AMPA amplitude: 33%, AMPA area: 52%). ATP potentiation of AMPA currents was blocked by PPADS ( n = 12) and by chelation of intracellular Ca2+ (BAPTA, n = 10). Finally, a hyperosmotic stimulus (mannitol 1%, +55 mosM, n = 8) potentiated evoked AMPA currents (53%), an effect blocked by PPADS ( n = 6). Taken together, our data support a functional stimulatory coupling between P2 and AMPA receptors (likely of extrasynaptic location) in PVN sympathetic neurons, which is engaged in response to an acute hyperosmotic stimulus, which might contribute in turn to osmotically driven sympathoexcitatory responses by the PVN.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles D. Cohen ◽  
Miles J. De Blasio ◽  
Man K. S. Lee ◽  
Gabriella E. Farrugia ◽  
Darnel Prakoso ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Diabetes is associated with a significantly elevated risk of cardiovascular disease and its specific pathophysiology remains unclear. Recent studies have changed our understanding of cardiac cellularity, with cellular changes accompanying diabetes yet to be examined in detail. This study aims to characterise the changes in the cardiac cellular landscape in murine diabetes to identify potential cellular protagonists in the diabetic heart. Methods Diabetes was induced in male FVB/N mice by low-dose streptozotocin and a high-fat diet for 26-weeks. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography at endpoint. Flow cytometry was performed on cardiac ventricles as well as blood, spleen, and bone-marrow at endpoint from non-diabetic and diabetic mice. To validate flow cytometry results, immunofluorescence staining was conducted on left-ventricles of age-matched mice. Results Mice with diabetes exhibited hyperglycaemia and impaired glucose tolerance at endpoint. Echocardiography revealed reduced E:A and e’:a’ ratios in diabetic mice indicating diastolic dysfunction. Systolic function was not different between the experimental groups. Detailed examination of cardiac cellularity found resident mesenchymal cells (RMCs) were elevated as a result of diabetes, due to a marked increase in cardiac fibroblasts, while smooth muscle cells were reduced in proportion. Moreover, we found increased levels of Ly6Chi monocytes in both the heart and in the blood. Consistent with this, the proportion of bone-marrow haematopoietic stem cells were increased in diabetic mice. Conclusions Murine diabetes results in distinct changes in cardiac cellularity. These changes—in particular increased levels of fibroblasts—offer a framework for understanding how cardiac cellularity changes in diabetes. The results also point to new cellular mechanisms in this context, which may further aid in development of pharmacotherapies to allay the progression of cardiomyopathy associated with diabetes.


2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (4) ◽  
pp. C966-C976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunwoo Lee ◽  
Joon-Chul Kim ◽  
Yuhua Li ◽  
Min-Jeong Son ◽  
Sun-Hee Woo

This study examines whether fluid pressure (FP) modulates the L-type Ca2+ channel in cardiomyocytes and investigates the underlying cellular mechanism(s) involved. A flow of pressurized (∼16 dyn/cm2) fluid, identical to that bathing the myocytes, was applied onto single rat ventricular myocytes using a microperfusion method. The Ca2+ current ( ICa) and cytosolic Ca2+ signals were measured using a whole cell patch-clamp and confocal imaging, respectively. It was found that the FP reversibly suppressed ICa (by 25%) without altering the current-voltage relationships, and it accelerated the inactivation of ICa. The level of ICa suppression by FP depended on the level and duration of pressure. The Ba2+ current through the Ca2+ channel was only slightly decreased by the FP (5%), suggesting an indirect inhibition of the Ca2+ channel during FP stimulation. The cytosolic Ca2+ transients and the basal Ca2+ in field-stimulated ventricular myocytes were significantly increased by the FP. The effects of the FP on the ICa and on the Ca2+ transient were resistant to the stretch-activated channel inhibitors, GsMTx-4 and streptomycin. Dialysis of myocytes with high concentrations of BAPTA, the Ca2+ buffer, eliminated the FP-induced acceleration of ICa inactivation and reduced the inhibitory effect of the FP on ICa by ≈80%. Ryanodine and thapsigargin, abolishing sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release, eliminated the accelerating effect of FP on the ICa inactivation, and they reduced the inhibitory effect of FP on the ICa. These results suggest that the fluid pressure indirectly suppresses the Ca2+ channel by enhancing the Ca2+-induced intracellular Ca2+ release in rat ventricular myocytes.


2002 ◽  
Vol 357 (1428) ◽  
pp. 1675-1693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Crunelli ◽  
Kate L. Blethyn ◽  
David W. Cope ◽  
Stuart W. Hughes ◽  
H. Rheinallt Parri ◽  
...  

In this review, we summarize three sets of findings that have recently been observed in thalamic astrocytes and neurons, and discuss their significance for thalamocortical loop dynamics. (i) A physiologically relevant ‘window’ component of the low–voltage–activated, T–type Ca 2+ current ( I Twindow ) plays an essential part in the slow (less than 1 Hz) sleep oscillation in adult thalamocortical (TC) neurons, indicating that the expression of this fundamental sleep rhythm in these neurons is not a simple reflection of cortical network activity. It is also likely that I Twindow underlies one of the cellular mechanisms enabling TC neurons to produce burst firing in response to novel sensory stimuli. (ii) Both electrophysiological and dye–injection experiments support the existence of gap junction–mediated coupling among young and adult TC neurons. This finding indicates that electrical coupling–mediated synchronization might be implicated in the high and low frequency oscillatory activities expressed by this type of thalamic neuron. (iii) Spontaneous intracellular Ca 2+ ([Ca 2+ ] i ) waves propagating among thalamic astrocytes are able to elicit large and long–lasting N –methyl–D–aspartate–mediated currents in TC neurons. The peculiar developmental profile within the first two postnatal weeks of these astrocytic [Ca 2+ ] i transients and the selective activation of these glutamate receptors point to a role for this astrocyte–to–neuron signalling mechanism in the topographic wiring of the thalamocortical loop. As some of these novel cellular and intracellular properties are not restricted to thalamic astrocytes and neurons, their significance may well apply to (patho)physiological functions of glial and neuronal elements in other brain areas.


2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (1) ◽  
pp. H110-H117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Lindqvist ◽  
Karl Dreja ◽  
Karl Swärd ◽  
Per Hellstrand

Chronic hypoxia is a clinically important condition known to cause vascular abnormalities. To investigate the cellular mechanisms involved, we kept rings of a rat tail artery for 4 days in hypoxic culture (HC) or normoxic culture (NC) (Po 2 = 14 vs. 110 mmHg) and then measured contractility, oxygen consumption ( J o2 ), and lactate production ( J lac) in oxygenated medium. Compared with fresh rings, basal ATP turnover ( J ATP) was decreased in HC, but not in NC, with a shift from oxidative toward glycolytic metabolism. J o2 during mitochondrial uncoupling was reduced by HC but not by NC. Glycogen stores were increased 40-fold by HC and fourfold by NC. Maximum tension in response to norepinephrine and the Jo2 versus tension relationship ( J o2 vs. high K+ elicited force) were unaffected by either HC or NC. Force transients in response to caffeine were increased in HC, whereas intracellular Ca2+ wave activity during adrenergic stimulation was decreased. Protein synthesis rate was reduced by HC. The results show that long-term hypoxia depresses basal energy turnover, impairs mitochondrial capacity, and alters Ca2+homeostasis, but does not affect contractile energetics. These alterations may form a basis for vascular damage by chronic hypoxia.


1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (3) ◽  
pp. C863-C868 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Rosen

The effect of temperature on calcium channel function was studied in GH3 cells, using the whole cell patch-clamp methodology. Specific parameters examined were peak current amplitude, activation time, and inactivation time. Over the temperature range studied (22-37 degree C), the peak current amplitude was found to be a non-linear function of temperature, with low-threshold currents more temperature dependent than high-threshold currents. Both activation time and inactivation time were faster at higher temperatures, but, whereas inactivation was a continuous function of temperature, activation was not, with a distinct discontinuity between 27 and 32 degrees C. These findings suggest that caution must be exercised in extrapolating data on channel function obtained at room temperature to physiological temperatures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Ilona Domracheva ◽  
Iveta Kanepe-Lapsa ◽  
Reinis Vilskersts ◽  
Imanta Bruvere ◽  
Egils Bisenieks ◽  
...  

A set of six new 4-pyridinio-1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) compounds has been synthesized. The calcium channel modulating activity of these compounds was evaluated in an aorta vascular smooth muscle cell line (A7R5), in an isolated rat aortic ring model, and in human neuroblastoma cell lines (SH-SY5Y). The antagonistic effect of these 1,4-DHP was tested by modulating the impact of carbachol-dependent mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ in SH-SY5Y cells. The intracellular free Ca2+ concentration was measured in confluent monolayers of SH-SY5Y cells and A7R5 cells with the Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent indicator Fluo-4 NW. Only four compounds showed calcium channel blocking activity in SH-SY5Y and A7R5 cells as well as in the aortic ring model. Among them, compound 3 was the most active calcium channel antagonist, which had 3 times higher activity on carbachol-activated SH-SY5Y cells than amlodipine. Two of the compounds were inactive. Compound 4 had 9 times higher calcium agonist activity than the classic DHP calcium agonist Bay K8644. The intracellular mechanism for the action of compound 4 using inhibitor analysis was elucidated. Nicotinic as well as muscarinic receptors were not involved. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ (SERCA) stores were not affected. Ryanodine receptors (RyRs), another class of intracellular Ca2+ releasing channels, participated in the agonist response evoked by compound 4. The electrooxidation data suggest that the studied compounds could serve as antioxidants in OS.


1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
C M Chesney ◽  
D D Pifer

Gel filtered human platelets (GFP) collected in Tyrode's buffer containing 0.5 mM Ca+2, ImM Mg+2, and 0.35% albumin exhibit high affinity binding of 3H-PAF with a Kd of 0.109 α 0.029 nM (mean α SD; n=13) and 267 α 70 sites per platelet. When fibrinogen (1.67 mg/ml final concentration) is added to these GFP preparations biphasic aggregation is observed with PAF (4 nM). Normal aggregation is also observed with other platelet agonists including ADP, epinephrine, collagen, arachidonic acid, A23187 and thrombin. If GFP is prepared without added Ca+2 or Mg+2 in the presence of 3mM EDTA, platelets do not aggregate in response to PAF. However the number of specific binding sites remains unchanged (387 per platelet) with some decrease in affinity of binding (Kd = 0.2l4nM). In the presence of ImM Mg+2 there is no significant difference in binding kinetics over a range of Ca+2 concentrations (0-2mM). On the other hand the calcium channel blocker verapamil (5-10uM) exhibits competitive inhibition of 3H-PAF as analyzed by Lineweaver-Burk plots. Specific binding of 3H-PAF to GFP in the presence of ImM Mg+2 and ImM EGTA shows Kd of 0.l66nM but with increase in specific binding sites to 665. Despite increase in number of sites and no change in binding affinity, GFP under these conditions does not exhibit platelet aggregation with PAF in doses up to 80 nM.From these data it appears that external Ca+2 is not necessary for specific binding of 3H-PAF to its high affinity receptor. However, calcium does appear to be necessary for second wave aggregation with PAF. While Mg+2 appears to enhance 3H-PAF binding to platelets Mg+2 cannot substitute for Ca+2 in PAF induced platelet aggregation. Although verapamil appears to competitively inhibit binding of PAF to GFP it is not clear whether the inhibition is due to competition at or near the actual PAF receptor or at a site involving the calcium channel.


1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisela Sjøgaard

The site of exercise-induced muscle fatigue is suggested to be the muscle membrane, which includes the sarcolemma and T-tubule membrane; the excitability of the membrane is dependent on the membrane potential. Significant potassium flux from the intracellular space of contracting muscle may decrease the membrane potential to half its resting value. This is true for isolated muscle preparations as well as for the whole body exercise in humans. Specific K+ channels have been identified, that may account for the intracellular K+ loss. Calcium-sensitive K+ channels open when intracellular Ca2+ concentrations increase, as during excitation. ATP-sensitive K+ channels may be involved but may open only at ATP concentrations well below those attained at exhaustion. However, ATP may be compartmentalized and only the membrane-bound ATP concentration may be of significance. Ca2+ accumulation and ATP depletion cause cell destruction; these changes induce an increased K+ conductance, which may inactivate the membrane and consequently prevent tension development. It is hypothesized that such a safety mechanism is identical to the fatigue mechanism.Key words: muscle fatigue, electrolyte fluxes, Na+–K+ pump.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document