Impact of ionic current variability on human ventricular cellular electrophysiology

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (4) ◽  
pp. H1436-H1445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucía Romero ◽  
Esther Pueyo ◽  
Martin Fink ◽  
Blanca Rodríguez

Abnormalities in repolarization and its rate dependence are known to be related to increased proarrhythmic risk. A number of repolarization-related electrophysiological properties are commonly used as preclinical biomarkers of arrhythmic risk. However, the variability and complexity of repolarization mechanisms make the use of cellular biomarkers to predict arrhythmic risk preclinically challenging. Our goal is to investigate the role of ionic current properties and their variability in modulating cellular biomarkers of arrhythmic risk to improve risk stratification and identification in humans. A systematic investigation into the sensitivity of the main preclinical biomarkers of arrhythmic risk to changes in ionic current conductances and kinetics was performed using computer simulations. Four stimulation protocols were applied to the ten Tusscher and Panfilov human ventricular model to quantify the impact of ±15 and ±30% variations in key model parameters on action potential (AP) properties, Ca2+ and Na+ dynamics, and their rate dependence. Simulations show that, in humans, AP duration is moderately sensitive to changes in all repolarization current conductances and in L-type Ca2+ current ( ICaL) and slow component of the delayed rectifier current ( IKs) inactivation kinetics. AP triangulation, however, is strongly dependent only on inward rectifier K+ current ( IK1) and delayed rectifier current ( IKr) conductances. Furthermore, AP rate dependence (i.e., AP duration rate adaptation and restitution properties) and intracellular Ca2+ and Na+ levels are highly sensitive to both ICaL and Na+/K+ pump current ( INaK) properties. This study provides quantitative insights into the sensitivity of preclinical biomarkers of arrhythmic risk to variations in ionic current properties in humans. The results show the importance of sensitivity analysis as a powerful method for the in-depth validation of mathematical models in cardiac electrophysiology.

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Signore ◽  
Giulia Borghetti ◽  
Ramaswamy Kannappan ◽  
Andrea Sorrentino ◽  
Antonio Cannata ◽  
...  

Cardiac aging is associated with lengthening of the QT interval, a condition that enhances malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. The aim of this study was to establish whether ionic currents are altered in old myocytes contributing to the protracted electrical recovery of the senescent heart. Thus, mice at 3-30 months of age were studied by ECG and patch-clamp; these physiological determinations were complemented with molecular assays for the analysis of ion channel proteins. By surface ECG and telemetry system, PR, QRS and QT intervals were prolonged in mice at 25 months or older. These delays were maintained in ex-vivo Langendorff preparations. In comparison to young, epicardial monophasic action potential (AP) duration at 50% and 90% repolarization were 1.6- and 1.2-fold larger in old LV, respectively. Moreover, senescent hearts presented a 60% higher incidence of arrhythmias. In isolated myocytes, prolongation of the early (+47%), intermediate (+117%) and late (+75%) repolarization phases of the AP were identified in cells from old animals, whereas resting membrane potential, upstroke amplitude and +dV/dt were preserved. Voltage-clamp experiments were then performed to measure ionic current properties. The rapidly activating K+ current, which consists of the transient outward and ultrarapid delayed rectifier (Ito+Kur), is responsible for the early repolarization of the AP, and was significantly reduced in old myocytes. Molecular studies revealed low levels of transcripts and proteins for K+ channel subunits Kv1.4, Kv1.5 and KChiP2 in senescent cells. Also, the late Na+ current INaL, which presents slow inactivation kinetics and is operative during AP repolarization, was 1.5-fold larger in old cells. These changes were associated with alterations in gene and protein expression of Na+ channel subunits. Inhibition of INaL with mexiletine significantly shortened the intermediate and late repolarization phases of the AP in both myocytes and perfused myocardium from old mice. Importantly, INaL inhibition in vivo shortened the QT interval of senescent mice by 12%. Thus, defects in ionic current occur with aging resulting in prolongation of the AP and delays in electrical recovery which may lead to malignant ventricular arrhythmias.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Ting Chang ◽  
Ping-Yen Liu ◽  
Kaisen Lee ◽  
Yin-Hsun Feng ◽  
Sheng-Nan Wu

Lapatinib (LAP) and sorafenib (SOR) are multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with antineoplastic properties. In clinical observations, LAP and SOR may contribute to QTc prolongation, but the detailed mechanism for this has been largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated whether LAP and SOR affect the activities of membrane ion channels. Using a small animal model and primary cardiomyocytes, we studied the impact of LAP and SOR on Na+ and K+ currents. We found that LAP-induced QTc prolongation in mice was reversed by isoproterenol. LAP or SOR suppressed the amplitude of the slowly activating delayed-rectifier K+ current (IK(S)) in H9c2 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion. The LAP-mediated inhibition of IK(S) was reversed by adding isoproterenol or meclofenamic acid, but not by adding diazoxide. The steady-state activation curve of IK(S) during exposure to LAP or SOR was shifted toward a less negative potential, with no change in the gating charge required to activate the current. LAP shortened the recovery from IK(S) deactivation. As rapid repetitive stimuli, the IK(S) amplitude decreased; however; the LAP-induced inhibition of IK(S) remained effective. LAP or SOR alone also suppressed inwardly rectifying K+ and voltage-gated Na+ current in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. The inhibition of ionic currents during exposure to TKIs could be an important mechanism underlying changes in QTc intervals.


2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (3) ◽  
pp. H1031-H1041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gui-Rong Li ◽  
Chu-Pak Lau ◽  
Anique Ducharme ◽  
Jean-Claude Tardif ◽  
Stanley Nattel

Heart failure (HF) produces important alterations in currents underlying cardiac repolarization, but the transmural distribution of such changes is unknown. We therefore recorded action potentials and ionic currents in cells isolated from the endocardium, midmyocardium, and epicardium of the left ventricle from dogs with and without tachypacing-induced HF. HF greatly increased action potential duration (APD) but attenuated APD heterogeneity in the three regions. Early afterdepolarizations (EADs) were observed in all cell types of failing hearts but not in controls. Inward rectifier K+ current ( I K1) was homogeneously reduced by ∼41% (at −60 mV) in the three cell types. Transient outward K+ current ( I to1) was decreased by 43–45% at +30 mV, and the slow component of the delayed rectifier K+ current ( I Ks) was significantly downregulated by 57%, 49%, and 58%, respectively, in epicardial, midmyocardial, and endocardial cells, whereas the rapid component of the delayed rectifier K+ current was not altered. The results indicate that HF remodels electrophysiology in all layers of the left ventricle, and the downregulation of I K1, I to1, and I Ks increases APD and favors occurrence of EADs.


1991 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Perozo ◽  
C A Vandenberg ◽  
D S Jong ◽  
F Bezanilla

Phosphorylation of the delayed rectifier channel of squid potentiates the macroscopic K+ current and slows its activation kinetics. We have studied this phenomenon at the single channel level using the cut-open axon technique under steady-state conditions. In 10 mM external K+/310 mM internal K+ there are predominantly two types of channels present, a 20-pS and a 40-pS channel. In steady state at depolarized potentials, the 40-pS channel was most active, whereas the 20-pS channel tended to disappear due to a slow inactivation process. Two methods were developed to shift the population of channels toward a dephosphorylated state. One method consisted of predialyzing a whole axon with solutions containing no ATP, while recording the currents under axial-wire voltage clamp. A piece of axon was then removed and cut open, and single channel currents were recorded from the cut-open axon. A second method was based on the difference in diffusion coefficients for ATP and proteins such as the endogenous phosphatase. The axon was cut open in a solution that did not contain Ca2+ or Cl- in order to maintain the axoplasm structurally intact and permit endogenous phosphatase to act on the membrane while ATP diffused away, before removing the axoplasm and forming a membrane patch. When dephosphorylating conditions were used, the steady-state open probability of the 40-pS channel at 42 mV was very low (less than 0.0002), and the channel openings appeared as a series of infrequent, short-duration events. The channel activity was increased up to 150-fold by photoreleasing caged ATP inside the patch pipette in the presence of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A. The sharp increase in open probability could be accounted for by a decrease of the slow component of the closed time distribution from 23 s to 170 ms with little change in the distribution of open times (1-2 ms) and no change in the single channel current amplitude. In voltage-jump experiments the contribution of the 40-pS channel to the delayed rectifier current was often small due to the large values of the latency to the first opening.


Author(s):  
Qingchu Jin ◽  
Joseph L. Greenstein ◽  
Raimond L. Winslow

AbstractEarly after-depolarizations (EADs) are action potential (AP) repolarization abnormalities that can trigger lethal arrhythmias in, for example, Long QT Syndrome and heart failure. Simulations using biophysically-detailed cardiac myocyte models can reveal how model parameters influence the probability of these cellular arrhythmias, however such analyses often pose a huge computational burden. Here, we develop a simplified approach in which logistic regression models (LRMs) are used to define a mapping between the parameters of complex cell models and the probability of EADs. Specifically, we develop an LRM for predicting the probability of EADs (P(EAD)) as a function of slow-activating delayed rectifier current (IKs) parameters, and for identifying those parameters with greatest influence on P(EAD). This LRM, which requires negligible computational resources, is also used to demonstrate how uncertainties in experimentally measured values of IKs model parameters influence P(EAD). We refer to this as arrhythmia sensitivity analysis. In the investigation of five different IKs parameters associated with Long QT syndrome 1 (LQTS1) mutations, the predicted P(EAD) when rank ordered for 6 LQTS1 mutations matches the trend in risk from patients with the same mutations as measured by clinical cardiac event rates. We also demonstrate the degree to which parameter uncertainties map to uncertainty of P(EAD), with IKs conductance having the greatest impact. These results demonstrate the potential for arrhythmia risk prediction using model-based approaches for estimation of P(EAD).


2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (02) ◽  
pp. 381-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
VLADIMIR E. BONDARENKO ◽  
RANDALL L. RASMUSSON

Genetic and drug-induced abnormalities of cardiac repolarization have been linked to fatal arrhythmias. These arrhythmias result from a complex interaction of the remaining currents during excitation and repolarization. In this review, we examine recent advancement in investigations of genetic heart diseases and mechanisms of arrhythmia generation. We also present our simulation of repolarization during rapid pacing for different levels of block of the rapid delayed rectifier current, I Kr , and pharmacological interventions using the Luo–Rudy model. Control simulations showed the development of alternans at a basic cycle length (BCL) of 131 ms. Two levels of I Kr block were simulated corresponding to type 2 of familial long QT syndrome, LQT2. At 100% I Kr block, the threshold BCL for the appearance of alternans increased to 145 ms and for shorter cycle lengths showed increasingly complex patterns of periodic and chaotic behavior. We examined the potential of other currents to correct this complex behavior. Improvement of the threshold for bifurcation as a function of BCL was achieved by: (1) 100% block of a nonspecific Ca 2+-activated current; (2) 15% block of L-type Ca 2+ current; (3) 20% increase of Na +/ K + pump current; (4) 50% increase of SERCA2 pump activity. Conversely, increased L-type Ca 2+ current, decreased Na +/ K + pump current, or decreased SERCA2 pump activity increased the threshold BCL. Modification of several other currents had little effect. Alternans and chaotic activity develop at fast pacing rates in model guinea pig ventricular myocytes through a sequence of bifurcations. We elucidated mechanisms that modify the development of alternans which may provide novel targets for treatment of patients with LQT2.


2017 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Bohnen ◽  
G. Peng ◽  
S. H. Robey ◽  
C. Terrenoire ◽  
V. Iyer ◽  
...  

Ion channels represent the molecular entities that give rise to the cardiac action potential, the fundamental cellular electrical event in the heart. The concerted function of these channels leads to normal cyclical excitation and resultant contraction of cardiac muscle. Research into cardiac ion channel regulation and mutations that underlie disease pathogenesis has greatly enhanced our knowledge of the causes and clinical management of cardiac arrhythmia. Here we review the molecular determinants, pathogenesis, and pharmacology of congenital Long QT Syndrome. We examine mechanisms of dysfunction associated with three critical cardiac currents that comprise the majority of congenital Long QT Syndrome cases: 1) IKs, the slow delayed rectifier current; 2) IKr, the rapid delayed rectifier current; and 3) INa, the voltage-dependent sodium current. Less common subtypes of congenital Long QT Syndrome affect other cardiac ionic currents that contribute to the dynamic nature of cardiac electrophysiology. Through the study of mutations that cause congenital Long QT Syndrome, the scientific community has advanced understanding of ion channel structure-function relationships, physiology, and pharmacological response to clinically employed and experimental pharmacological agents. Our understanding of congenital Long QT Syndrome continues to evolve rapidly and with great benefits: genotype-driven clinical management of the disease has improved patient care as precision medicine becomes even more a reality.


2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (5) ◽  
pp. H1023-H1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas O'Hara ◽  
Yoram Rudy

Explanations for arrhythmia mechanisms at the cellular level are usually based on experiments in nonhuman myocytes. However, subtle electrophysiological differences between species may lead to different rhythmic or arrhythmic cellular behaviors and drug response given the nonlinear and highly interactive cellular system. Using detailed and quantitatively accurate mathematical models for human, dog, and guinea pig ventricular action potentials (APs), we simulated and compared cell electrophysiology mechanisms and response to drugs. Under basal conditions (absence of β-adrenergic stimulation), Na+/K+-ATPase changes secondary to Na+ accumulation determined AP rate dependence for human and dog but not for guinea pig where slow delayed rectifier current ( IKs) was the major rate-dependent current. AP prolongation with reduction of rapid delayed rectifier current ( IKr) and IKs (due to mutations or drugs) showed strong species dependence in simulations, as in experiments. For humans, AP prolongation was 80% following IKr block. It was 30% for dog and 20% for guinea pig. Under basal conditions, IKs block was of no consequence for human and dog, but for guinea pig, AP prolongation after IKs block was severe. However, with β-adrenergic stimulation, IKs played an important role in all species, particularly in AP shortening at fast rate. Quantitative comparison of AP repolarization, rate-dependence mechanisms, and drug response in human, dog, and guinea pig revealed major species differences (e.g., susceptibility to arrhythmogenic early afterdepolarizations). Extrapolation from animal to human electrophysiology and drug response requires great caution.


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