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Bai Y, Li R, Hao JF, Chen LW, Liu ST, Zhang XL, Lip GYH, Yang JK, Zou YX, Wang H. Accumulated β-catenin is associated with human atrial fibrosis and atrial fibrillation. J Transl Med 2024; 22:734. [PMID: 39103891 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05558-0] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risk of stroke and mortality. It has been reported that the process of atrial fibrosis was regulated by β-catenin in rats with AF. However, pathophysiological mechanisms of this process in human with AF remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the possible mechanisms of β-catenin in participating in the atrial fibrosis using human right atrial appendage (hRAA) tissues . METHODS We compared the difference of β-catenin expression in hRAA tissues between the patients with AF and sinus rhythm (SR). The possible function of β-catenin in the development of AF was also explored in mice and primary cells. RESULTS Firstly, the space between the membrane of the gap junctions of cardiomyocytes was wider in the AF group. Secondly, the expression of the gap junction function related proteins, Connexin40 and Connexin43, was decreased, while the expression of β-catenin and its binding partner E-cadherin was increased in hRAA and cardiomyocytes of the AF group. Thirdly, β-catenin colocalized with E-cadherin on the plasma membrane of cardiomyocytes in the SR group, while they were dissociated and accumulated intracellularly in the AF group. Furthermore, the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) and Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC), which participated in the degradation of β-catenin, was decreased in hRAA tissues and cardiomyocytes of the AF group. Finally, the development of atrial fibrosis and AF were proved to be prevented after inhibiting β-catenin expression in the AF model mice. CONCLUSIONS Based on human atrial pathological and molecular analyses, our findings provided evidence that β-catenin was associated with atrial fibrosis and AF progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Bai
- Cardiovascular Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun-Feng Hao
- Core Facility for Protein Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Lian-Wan Chen
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Si-Tong Liu
- Cardiovascular Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xi-Lin Zhang
- Cardiovascular Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jin-Kui Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Diabetes Research and Care, Beijing Diabetes Institute, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yi-Xi Zou
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Hao Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diabetes Research and Care, Beijing Diabetes Institute, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Wang H, Li Q, Yuan YC, Han XC, Cao YT, Yang JK. KCNH6 channel promotes insulin exocytosis via interaction with Munc18-1 independent of electrophysiological processes. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:86. [PMID: 38349432 PMCID: PMC10864572 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05134-1] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in pancreatic islet β-cells primarily relies on electrophysiological processes. Previous research highlighted the regulatory role of KCNH6, a member of the Kv channel family, in governing GSIS through its influence on β-cell electrophysiology. In this study, we unveil a novel facet of KCNH6's function concerning insulin granule exocytosis, independent of its conventional electrical role. Young mice with β-cell-specific KCNH6 knockout (βKO) exhibited impaired glucose tolerance and reduced insulin secretion, a phenomenon not explained by electrophysiological processes alone. Consistently, islets from KCNH6-βKO mice exhibited reduced insulin secretion, conversely, the overexpression of KCNH6 in murine pancreatic islets significantly enhanced insulin release. Moreover, insulin granules lacking KCNH6 demonstrated compromised docking capabilities and a reduced fusion response upon glucose stimulation. Crucially, our investigation unveiled a significant interaction between KCNH6 and the SNARE protein regulator, Munc18-1, a key mediator of insulin granule exocytosis. These findings underscore the critical role of KCNH6 in the regulation of insulin secretion through its interaction with Munc18-1, providing a promising and novel avenue for enhancing our understanding of the Kv channel in diabetes mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diabetes Research and Care, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Beijing Diabetes Institute, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China.
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Qi Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diabetes Research and Care, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Beijing Diabetes Institute, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Ying-Chao Yuan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diabetes Research and Care, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Beijing Diabetes Institute, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xue-Chun Han
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diabetes Research and Care, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Beijing Diabetes Institute, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yong-Ting Cao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diabetes Research and Care, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Beijing Diabetes Institute, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Mentougou District Hospital, Beijing, 102399, China
| | - Jin-Kui Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diabetes Research and Care, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Beijing Diabetes Institute, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China.
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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