Suppression of electrical alternans by overexpression of HERG in canine ventricular myocytes

2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (6) ◽  
pp. H2342-H2351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Hua ◽  
David C. Johns ◽  
Robert F. Gilmour

Suppression of electrical alternans may be antiarrhythmic. Our previous computer simulations have suggested that increasing the rapid component of the delayed rectifier K+ current ( IKr) suppresses alternans. To test this hypothesis, IKr in isolated canine ventricular myocytes was increased by infection with an adenovirus containing the gene for the pore-forming domain of IKr [human ether-a-go-go gene (HERG)]. With the use of the perforated or whole cell patch-clamp technique, action potentials recorded at different pacing cycle lengths (CLs) were applied to the myocytes as the command waveforms. HERG infection markedly increased peak IKr during the action potential (from 0.54 ± 0.03 pA/pF in control to 3.60 ± 0.81 pA/pF). Rate-dependent alterations of peak IKr were similar for freshly isolated myocytes and HERG-infected myocytes. In both cell types, IKr increased when CL decreased from 1,000 to 500 ms and then decreased progressively as CL decreased further. During alternans at CL = 170 ms, peak IKr was larger for the short than for the long action potential for both groups, but the difference in peak IKr was larger for HERG-infected myocytes. The voltage at which peak IKr occurred was significantly less negative in HERG-infected myocytes, in association with shifts of the steady-state voltage-dependent activation and inactivation curves to less negative potentials. Pacing at short CL induced stable alternans in freshly isolated myocytes and in cultured myocytes without HERG infection, but not in HERG-infected myocytes. These data support the idea that increasing IKr may be a viable approach to suppressing electrical alternans.

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (8) ◽  
pp. 586-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Corici ◽  
Zsófia Kohajda ◽  
Attila Kristóf ◽  
András Horváth ◽  
László Virág ◽  
...  

Activators of the slow delayed rectifier K+ current (IKs) have been suggested as promising tools for suppressing ventricular arrhythmias due to prolongation of repolarization. Recently, L-364,373 (R-L3) was nominated to activate IKs in myocytes from several species; however, in some studies, it failed to activate IKs. One later study suggested opposite modulating effects from the R-L3 enantiomers as a possible explanation for this discrepancy. Therefore, we analyzed the effect of the RL-3 enantiomers on IKs in ventricular mammalian myocytes, by applying standard microelectrode and whole-cell patch-clamp techniques at 37 °C. We synthesized 2 substances, ZS_1270B (right) and ZS_1271B (left), the 2 enantiomers of R-L3. In rabbit myocytes, ZS_1270B enhanced the IKs tail current by approximately 30%, whereas ZS_1271B reduced IKs tails by 45%. In guinea pig right ventricular preparations, ZS_1270B shortened APD90 (action potential duration measured at 90% repolarization) by 12%, whereas ZS_1271B lengthened it by approximately 15%. We concluded that R-L3 enantiomers in the same concentration range indeed have opposite modulating effects on IKs, which may explain why the racemic drug R-L3 previously failed to activate IKs. ZS_1270B is a potent IKs activator, therefore, this substance is appropriate to test whether IKs activators are ideal tools to suppress ventricular arrhythmias originating from prolongation of action potentials.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yidong Wei ◽  
Xiaoyu Liu ◽  
Haidong Wei ◽  
Lei Hou ◽  
Wenliang Che ◽  
...  

Qiliqiangxin, a Chinese herb, represents the affection in Ca channel function of cardiac myocytes. It is unknown whether Qiliqiangxin has an effect on Na current and K current because the pharmacological actions of this herb’s compound are very complex. We investigated the rational usage of Qiliqiangxin on cardiac ventricular myocytes of rats. Ventricular myocytes were exposed acutely to 1, 10, and 50 mg/L Qiliqiangxin, and whole cell patch-clamp technique was used to study the acute effects of Qiliqiangxin on Sodium current (INa), outward currents delayed rectifier outward K+current (IK), slowly activating delayed rectifier outward K+current (IKs), transient outward K+current (Ito), and inward rectifier K+current (IK1). Qiliqiangxin can decreaseINaby28.53%±5.98%, and its IC50was 9.2 mg/L. 10 and 50 mg/L Qiliqiangxin decreased by37.2%±6.4%and55.9%±5.5%summit current density ofIto. 10 and 50 mg/L Qiliqiangxin decreasedIKsby15.51%±4.03%and21.6%±5.6%. Qiliqiangxin represented a multifaceted pharmacological profile. The effects of Qiliqiangxin on Na and K currents of ventricular myocytes were more profitable in antiarrhythmic therapy in the clinic. We concluded that the relative efficacy of Qiliqiangxin was another choice for the existing antiarrhythmic therapy.


1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (1) ◽  
pp. H98-H106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gui-Rong Li ◽  
Baofeng Yang ◽  
Jianlin Feng ◽  
Ralph F. Bosch ◽  
Michel Carrier ◽  
...  

The mechanism of action potential abbreviation caused by increasing rate in human ventricular myocytes is unknown. The present study was designed to determine the potential role of Ca2+ current ( I Ca) in the rate-dependent changes in action potential duration (APD) in human ventricular cells. Myocytes isolated from the right ventricle of explanted human hearts were studied at 36°C with whole cell voltage and current-clamp techniques. APD at 90% repolarization decreased by 36 ± 4% when frequency increased from 0.5 to 2 Hz. Equimolar substitution of Mg2+ for Ca2+ significantly decreased rate-dependent changes in APD (to 6 ± 3%, P < 0.01). Peak I Ca was decreased by 34 ± 3% from 0.5 to 2 Hz ( P < 0.01), and I Ca had recovery time constants of 65 ± 12 and 683 ± 39 ms at −80 mV. Action potential clamp demonstrated a decreasing contribution of I Ca during the action potential as rate increased. The rate-dependent slow component of the delayed rectifier K+current ( I Ks) was not observed in four cells with an increase in frequency from 0.5 to 3.3 Hz, perhaps because the I Ks is so small that the increase at a high rate could not be seen. These results suggest that reduction of Ca2+influx during the action potential accounts for most of the rate-dependent abbreviation of human ventricular APD.


1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (3) ◽  
pp. H1292-H1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Williams ◽  
G. N. Beatch

The sensitivity of the delayed rectifier K+ current (I(K)) to intracellular Mg2+ was investigated in guinea pig ventricular myocytes using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. An increase in free intracellular Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i) led to a dose-dependent decrease in I(K) with a half-maximal effect of approximately 20 nM. Activation of I(K) was shifted toward more positive voltages on increasing [Mg2+]i, but little effect was observed on activation and deactivation kinetics. Isoproterenol increased I(K) and was partially reversible in both control and 100 nM [Mg2+]i. The antiarrhythmic drug dofetilide was used to separate I(K) into its two components, rapidly activating (I(Kr)) and slowly activating (I(Ks)). The magnitude of both components decreased to a similar extent with an increase in [Mg2+]i. As [Mg2+]i was reduced, however, the number of experiments in which the dofetilide-sensitive current I(Kr) displayed inward rectification was reduced. In contrast to results previously reported for frog myocytes, it is unlikely that Mg2+ effects on guinea pig I(K) are mediated by a protein phosphatase.


2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (1) ◽  
pp. H412-H422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimiaki Komukai ◽  
Fabien Brette ◽  
Caroline Pascarel ◽  
Clive H. Orchard

The effects of acidosis on the action potential, resting potential, L-type Ca2+( I Ca), inward rectifier potassium ( I K1), delayed rectifier potassium ( I K), steady-state ( I SS), and inwardly rectifying chloride ( I Cl,ir) currents of rat subepicardial (Epi) and subendocardial (Endo) ventricular myocytes were investigated using the patch-clamp technique. Action potential duration was shorter in Epi than in Endo cells. Acidosis (extracellular pH decreased from 7.4 to 6.5) depolarized the resting membrane potential and prolonged the time for 50% repolarization of the action potential in Epi and Endo cells, although the prolongation was larger in Endo cells. At control pH, I Ca, I K1, and I SS were not significantly different in Epi and Endo cells, but I K was larger in Epi cells. Acidosis did not alter I Ca, I K1, or I K but decreased I SS; this decrease was larger in Endo cells. It is suggested that the acidosis-induced decrease in I SS underlies the prolongation of the action potential. I Cl,ir at control pH was Cd2+ sensitive but 4,4′-disothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid resistant. Acidosis increased I Cl,ir; it is suggested that the acidosis-induced increase in I Cl,ir underlies the depolarization of the resting membrane potential.


1990 ◽  
Vol 259 (5) ◽  
pp. H1448-H1454 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Hadley ◽  
J. R. Hume

Currents through time-dependent K+ channels (also referred to as IK or the delayed rectifier) were studied with the whole cell patch-clamp technique in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes. IK measurements were restricted to the examination of deactivation tail currents. Substitution of various monovalent cations for external K+ produced shifts of the reversal potential of IK. These shifts were used to calculate permeability ratios relative to K+. The permeability sequence for the IK channels was K+ = Rb+ greater than NH4+ = Cs+ greater than Na+. Time-dependent outward currents were also examined when the myocytes were dialyzed with Cs+ instead of K+. A sizeable time-dependent outward current, quite similar to that seen with K+ dialysis, was demonstrated. This current was primarily carried by intracellular Cs+, as the reversal potential of the current shifted 46 mV per 10-fold change of external Cs+ concentration. The significance of Cs+ permeation through IK channels is discussed with respect to the common use of Cs+ in isolating other currents.


1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (2) ◽  
pp. H826-H833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seiko Tanabe ◽  
Toshio Hata ◽  
Masayasu Hiraoka

To explore a possible ionic basis for the prolonged Q-T interval in women compared with that in men, we investigated the electrophysiological effects of estrogen in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Action potentials and membrane currents were recorded using the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. Application of 17β-estradiol (10–30 μM) significantly prolonged the action potential duration (APD) at 20% (APD20) and 90% repolarization (APD90) at stimulation rates of 0.1–2.0 Hz. In the presence of 30 μM 17β-estradiol, APD20 and APD90 at 0.1 Hz were prolonged by 46.2 ± 17.1 and 63.4 ± 11.7% of the control ( n = 5), respectively. In the presence of 30 μM 17β-estradiol the peak inward Ca2+ current ( I CaL) was decreased to 80.1 ± 2.5% of the control ( n = 4) without a shift in its voltage dependence. Application of 30 μM 17β-estradiol decreased the rapidly activating component of the delayed outward K+ current ( I Kr) to 63.4 ± 8% and the slowly activating component ( I Ks) to 65.8 ± 8.7% with respect to the control; the inward rectifier K+ current was barely affected. The results suggest that 17β-estradiol prolonged APD mainly by inhibiting the I Kcomponents I Krand I Ks.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (6) ◽  
pp. H2321-H2328 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Zhang ◽  
T. Sawanobori ◽  
H. Adaniya ◽  
Y. Hirano ◽  
M. Hiraoka

Effects of extracellular magnesium (Mg2+) on action potential duration (APD) and underlying membrane currents in guinea pig ventricular myocytes were studied by using the whole cell patch-clamp method. Increasing external Mg2+ concentration [Mg2+]o) from 0.5 to 3 mM produced a prolongation of APD at 90% repolarization (APD90), whereas 5 and 10 mM Mg2+ shortened it. [Mg2+]o, at 3 mM or higher, suppressed the delayed outward K+ current and the inward rectifier K+ current. Increases in [Mg2+]o depressed the peak amplitude and delayed the decay time course of the Ca2+ current (ICa), the latter effect is probably due to the decrease in Ca(2+)-induced inactivation. Thus 3 mM Mg2+ suppressed the peak ICa but increased the late ICa amplitude at the end of a 200-ms depolarization pulse, whereas 10 mM Mg2+ suppressed both components. Application of 10 mM Mg2+ shifted the voltage-dependent activation and inactivation by approximately 10 mV to more positive voltage due to screening the membrane surface charges. Application of manganese (1-5 mM) also caused dual effects on APD90, similar to those of Mg2+, and suppressed the peak ICa with slowed decay. These results suggest that the dual effects of Mg2+ on APD in guinea pig ventricular myocytes can be, at least in part, explained by its action on ICa with slowed decay time course in addition to suppressive effects on K+ currents.


2008 ◽  
pp. 55-62
Author(s):  
HY Xu ◽  
X Huang ◽  
M Yang ◽  
J-B Sun ◽  
L-H Piao ◽  
...  

C-type natriuretic peptides (CNP) play an inhibitory role in smooth muscle motility of the gastrointestinal tract, but the effect of CNP on delayed rectifier potassium currents is still unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effect of CNP on delayed rectifier potassium currents and its mechanism by using conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique in guinea-pig gastric myocytes isolated by collagenase. CNP significantly inhibited delayed rectifier potassium currents [I(K (V))] in dose-dependent manner, and CNP inhibited the peak current elicited by depolarized step pulse to 86.1+/-1.6 % (n=7, P<0.05), 78.4+/-2.6 % (n=10, P<0.01) and 67.7+/-2.3 % (n=14, P<0.01), at concentrations of 0.01 micromol/l, 0.1 micromol/l and 1 micromol/l, respectively, at +60 mV. When the cells were preincubated with 0.1 micromol/l LY83583, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, the 1 ?micromol/l CNP-induced inhibition of I(K (V)) was significantly impaired but when the cells were preincubated with 0.1 micromol/l zaprinast, a cGMP-sensitive phosphodiesterase inhibitor, the 0.01 micromol/l CNP-induced inhibition of I(K (V)) was significantly potentiated. 8-Br-cGMP, a membrane permeable cGMP analogue mimicked inhibitory effect of CNP on I(K (V)). CNP-induced inhibition of I(K (V)) was completely blocked by KT5823, an inhibitor of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). The results suggest that CNP inhibits the delayed rectifier potassium currents via cGMP-PKG signal pathway in the gastric antral circular myocytes of the guinea-pig.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yejia Song ◽  
Nesrine El-Bizri ◽  
Sridharan Rajamani ◽  
Luiz Belardinelli

Introduction: The β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (ISO) is known to induce the arrhythmogenic transient inward current (I Ti ) and delayed afterdepolarization (DAD) via a stimulation of L-type Ca 2+ current. Recent studies found that ISO-induced DADs in cardiac tissues are inhibited by GS967, a selective blocker of the late Na + current (I NaL ). Thus, we hypothesize that I NaL contributes to the actions of ISO, and selective inhibition of this current will reduce ISO-induced I Ti and DADs. Methods: Transmembrane currents and action potentials of rabbit and guinea pig (GP) ventricular myocytes were recorded using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. ISO (0.1 μM), GS967 (1 μM) and the Na + channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX, 3 μM) were used in the experiments. Results: In rabbit myocytes, application of ISO caused an increase in the amplitude of I NaL from -0.10±0.03 to -0.32±0.04 pA/pF (n = 17, p < 0.05). The ISO-stimulated I NaL was inhibited by GS967 and TTX. In one series of experiments, ISO increased the I NaL from -0.14±0.04 to -0.35±0.06 pA/pF, and GS967 applied in the presence of ISO reduced the current to -0.14±0.03 pA/pF (n = 9, p < 0.05). In another series of experiments, the amplitude of I NaL was increased by ISO from -0.17±0.08 to -0.41±0.09 pA/pF, and was decreased to -0.09±0.08 pA/pF when TTX was applied with ISO (n = 5, p < 0.05). Application of ISO also induced I Ti and DADs. GS967 applied in the presence of ISO inhibited the amplitude of I Ti by 52±6%, from -1.79±0.30 to -0.87±0.16 pA/pF (n = 8, p < 0.05). Consistent with the inhibition of I Ti , GS967 suppressed the amplitude of ISO-induced DADs by 56±12%, from 6.54±1.59 to 3.22±1.27 mV (n = 5, p < 0.05). Similarly, in GP myocytes ISO-induced I Ti and DADs were decreased by GS967 from -1.14±0.21 to -0.73±0.16 pA/pF (n = 7, p < 0.05) and from 7.16±0.59 to 4.67±0.24 mV (n = 5, p < 0.05), respectively. Conclusions: An increased I NaL is likely to contribute to the proarrhythmic effects of ISO in cardiac myocytes. GS967 significantly attenuated ISO-induced I NaL , I Ti and DADs, suggesting that inhibiting this current could be an effective strategy to antagonize the arrhythmogenic actions of β-adrenergic stimulation.


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