Introduction:
Nav1.5, the main voltage-gated Na+ channel in the heart, has been shown to be involved in many cardiac diseases such as long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and heart failure. Na+ channels are importantly regulated by Ca2+ calmodulin (CaM) mediated signaling: however, a fundamental understanding and physiological significance of CaM regulation of Na+ channel is incomplete. Here, we have created a transgenic mouse that harbors a mutated CaM binding motif (NaV1.5-IQ/AA), which is critical for Na+ channel regulation by Ca2+-CaM.
Methods:
Ventricle mass and function were analyzed with electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and detailed invasive pressure-volume analysis. Additionally, single ventricular myocytes were obtained. Whole cell patch clamp was used to record membrane ionic currents, including sodium current, Ca2+ current, K+ currents and NCX current.
Results:
Homozygous mice are embryonic lethal and IQ/AA+/- mice exhibit a dramatic phenotype consisting of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) at 4-6 months of age with prolongation of QT. The Na+ current in IQ mice exhibits an enhanced slowly inactivating late component (INa,L) with concomitant up regulation of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger currents. Consistent with other models of DCM and heart failure, DCM in IQ/AA+/- mice was associated with a down regulation of transient outward K+ currents (Ito) and an increase in T-type Ca2+ currents. Chronic treatment with ranolazine designed to block INa,L prevented electrical remodeling of the hearts including an increase in INa,L and a down regulation of Ito. Consistent with the changes in INa,L and Ito, in ranolazine-fed IQ/AA+/- mice, the QT interval was decreased compared to vehicle (p<0.05). Further, the contractile dysfunction, cardiac hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis were attenuated in all ranolazine- fed animals, while ventricular dysfunction persisted in animals not fed drug (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
The data suggest that loss of CaM-mediated regulation of Na+ channel induces dilated cardiomyopathy by enhancing late Na+ current. Taken together, our data demonstrate a dynamic interplay for Ca2+ and Na+ signaling via the CaM binding motif of Na+ channels and highlight the critical importance of late Na+ currents to myopathy and arrhythmia.