1
|
Hawey C, Bourque K, Alim K, Derish I, Rody E, Khan K, Gendron N, Cecere R, Giannetti N, Hébert TE. Measuring Single-Cell Calcium Dynamics Using a Myofilament-Localized Optical Biosensor in hiPSC-CMs Derived from DCM Patients. Cells 2023; 12:2526. [PMID: 37947605 PMCID: PMC10647603 DOI: 10.3390/cells12212526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Synchronized contractions of cardiomyocytes within the heart are tightly coupled to electrical stimulation known as excitation-contraction coupling. Calcium plays a key role in this process and dysregulated calcium handling can significantly impair cardiac function and lead to the development of cardiomyopathies and heart failure. Here, we describe a method and analytical technique to study myofilament-localized calcium signaling using the intensity-based fluorescent biosensor, RGECO-TnT. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disease that negatively impacts the heart's contractile function following dilatation of the left ventricle. We demonstrate how this biosensor can be used to characterize 2D hiPSC-CMs monolayers generated from a healthy control subject compared to two patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. Lastly, we provide a step-by-step guide for single-cell data analysis and describe a custom Transient Analysis application, specifically designed to quantify features of calcium transients. All in all, we explain how this analytical approach can be applied to phenotype hiPSC-CM behaviours and stratify patient responses to identify perturbations in calcium signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cara Hawey
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada; (C.H.); (K.B.); (K.A.)
| | - Kyla Bourque
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada; (C.H.); (K.B.); (K.A.)
| | - Karima Alim
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada; (C.H.); (K.B.); (K.A.)
| | - Ida Derish
- Research Institute, McGull University Hospital Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada; (I.D.); (E.R.); (K.K.); (N.G.); (R.C.); (N.G.)
| | - Elise Rody
- Research Institute, McGull University Hospital Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada; (I.D.); (E.R.); (K.K.); (N.G.); (R.C.); (N.G.)
| | - Kashif Khan
- Research Institute, McGull University Hospital Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada; (I.D.); (E.R.); (K.K.); (N.G.); (R.C.); (N.G.)
| | - Natalie Gendron
- Research Institute, McGull University Hospital Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada; (I.D.); (E.R.); (K.K.); (N.G.); (R.C.); (N.G.)
| | - Renzo Cecere
- Research Institute, McGull University Hospital Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada; (I.D.); (E.R.); (K.K.); (N.G.); (R.C.); (N.G.)
| | - Nadia Giannetti
- Research Institute, McGull University Hospital Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada; (I.D.); (E.R.); (K.K.); (N.G.); (R.C.); (N.G.)
| | - Terence E. Hébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada; (C.H.); (K.B.); (K.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhao Y, Chen X, Lyu S, Ding Z, Wu Y, Gao Y, Du J. Identification of novel P2X7R antagonists by using structure-based virtual screening and cell-based assays. Chem Biol Drug Des 2021; 98:192-205. [PMID: 33993620 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In the tumor microenvironment, inflammation and necrosis cause the accumulations of ATP extracellularly, and high concentrations of ATP can activate P2X7 receptors (P2X7R), which leads to the influx of Na+ , K+ , or Ca2+ into cells and trigger the downstream signaling pathways. P2X7R is a relatively unique ligand-gated ion channel, which is over-expressed in most tumor cells. The activated P2X7R facilitates the tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Inhibition of the P2X7R activation can be applied as a potential anti-tumor therapy strategy. There are currently no anti-tumor agents against P2X7R, though several P2X7R antagonists for indications such as anti-inflammatory and anti-depression were reported. In this study, we combined homology modeling (HM), virtual screening, and EB intake assay to characterize the structural features of P2X7R and identify several novel antagonists, which were chemically different from any other known P2X7R antagonists. The identified antagonists could effectively prevent the pore opening of P2X7R with IC50 values ranging from 29.14 to 35.34 μM. HM model showed the area between ATP-binding pocket, and allosteric sides were hydrophobic and suitable for small molecule interaction. Molecular docking indicated a universal binding mode, of which residues R294 and K311 were used as hydrogen bond donors to participate in antagonist interactions. The binding mode can potentially be utilized for inhibitor optimization for increased affinity, and the identified antagonists can be further tested for anti-cancer activity or may serve as chemical agents to study P2X7R related functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunshuo Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaotong Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sifan Lyu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhe Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yahong Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanfeng Gao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiangfeng Du
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Di Virgilio F, Jiang LH, Roger S, Falzoni S, Sarti AC, Vultaggio-Poma V, Chiozzi P, Adinolfi E. Structure, function and techniques of investigation of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) in mammalian cells. Methods Enzymol 2019; 629:115-150. [PMID: 31727237 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2019.07.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The P2X7 receptor [P2X7R or P2RX7 in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) gene nomenclature] is a member of the P2X receptor (P2XR) subfamily of P2 receptors (P2Rs). The P2X7R is an extracellular ATP-gated ion channel with peculiar permeability properties expressed by most cell types, mainly in the immune system, where it has a leading role in cytokine release, oxygen radical generation, T lymphocyte differentiation and proliferation. A role in cancer cell growth and tumor progression has also been demonstrated. These features make the P2X7R an appealing target for drug development in inflammation and cancer. The functional P2X7R, recently (partially) crystallized and 3-D solved, is formed by the assembly of three identical subunits (homotrimer). The P2X7R is preferentially permeable to small cations (Ca2+, Na+, K+), and in most (but not all) cell types also to large positively charged molecules of molecular mass up to 900Da. Permeability to negatively charged species of comparable molecular mass (e.g., Lucifer yellow) is debated. Several highly selective P2X7R pharmacological blockers have been developed over the years, thus providing powerful tools for P2X7R studies. Biophysical properties and coupling to several different physiological responses make the P2X7R amenable to investigation by electrophysiology and cell biology techniques, which allow its identification and characterization in many different cell types and tissues. A careful description of the physiological features of the P2X7R is a prerequisite for an effective therapeutic development. Here we describe the most common techniques to asses P2X7R functions, including patch-clamp, intracellular calcium measurements, and membrane permeabilization to large fluorescent dyes in a selection of different cell types. In addition, we also describe common toxicity assays used to verify the effects of P2X7R stimulation on cell viability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Di Virgilio
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Lin-Hua Jiang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Sébastien Roger
- EA4245 Transplantation, Immunology and Inflammation, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Simonetta Falzoni
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alba Clara Sarti
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valentina Vultaggio-Poma
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paola Chiozzi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elena Adinolfi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| |
Collapse
|