Iptakalim, opener of K(ATP), reverses the enhanced expression of genes encoding K(ATP) subunits in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Cardiac dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive old rats is associated with a significant decrease of SUR2 expression

ATP-sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channels are participants of mechanisms of pathological myocardial remodeling containment. The aim of our work was to find the association of changes in the expression of Kir6.1, Kir6.2, SUR1, and SUR2 subunits of K_ATP channels with changes in heart function and structure during aging under conditions of the constant increase of vascular pressure. The experiments were carried out on young and old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar rats. The expression levels of K_ATP channels subunits were determined using reverse transcription and quantitative PCR. It is shown that the mRNA expression level of Kir6.1 in young SHR rats is significantly lower (6.3-fold, p = 0.035) than that of young Wistar rats that may be one of the causes of arterial hypertension in SHR. At the same time, mRNA expression of both Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 in old SHR rats was significantly higher (6.8-fold, p = 0.003, and 5.9-fold, p = 0.006, respectively) than in young hypertensive animals. In both groups of old animals, SUR2 expression was significantly reduced compared to young animals, in Wistar rats at 3.87-fold (p = 0.028) and in SHR rats at 48.2-fold (p = 0.033). Changes in SUR1 expression were not significant. Thus, significant changes in the cardiovascular system, including impaired function and structure of the heart in old SHR rats, were associated with a significant decrease in SUR2 expression that may be one of the mechanisms of heart failure decompensation. Therefore, it can be assumed that increased expression of SUR2 may be one of the protective mechanisms against pathological myocardial remodeling.

Role of ATP-sensitive potassium channels on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in endotoxemia

BACKGROUND

ATP-regulated potassium channels (KATP) regulate pulmonary vascular tone and are involved in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). In patients with inflammation like sepsis or ARDS, HPV is impaired, resulting in a ventilation-perfusion mismatch and hypoxia. Since increase of vascular KATP channel Kir6.1 has been reported in animal models of endotoxemia, we studied the expression and physiological effects of Kir6.1 in murine endotoxemic lungs. We hypothesized that inhibition of overexpressed Kir6.1 increases HPV in endotoxemia.

METHODS

Mice (C57BL/6; n = 55) with (n = 27) and without (n = 28) endotoxemia (35 mg/kg LPS i.p. for 18 h) were analyzed for Kir6.1 gene as well as protein expression and HPV was examined in isolated perfused mouse lungs with and without selective inhibition of Kir6.1 with PNU-37883A. Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and pressure-flow curves during normoxic (F_iO₂ 0.21) and hypoxic (F_iO₂ 0.01) ventilation were obtained. HPV was quantified as the increase in perfusion pressure in response to hypoxic ventilation in mmHg of baseline perfusion pressure (ΔPAP) in the presence and absence of PNU-37883A.

RESULTS

Endotoxemia increases pulmonary Kir6.1 gene (+ 2.8 ± 0.3-fold) and protein expression (+ 2.1 ± 0.3-fold). Hypoxia increases HPV in lungs of control animals, while endotoxemia decreases HPV (∆PAP control: 9.2 ± 0.9 mmHg vs. LPS: 3.0 ± 0.7 mmHg, p < 0.05, means ± SEM). Inhibition of Kir6.1 with 1 μM PNU-37883A increases HPV in endotoxemia, while not increasing HPV in controls (∆PAP PNU control: 9.3 ± 0.7 mmHg vs.

PNU LPS

8.3 ± 0.9 mmHg, p < 0.05, means ± SEM).

CONCLUSION

Endotoxemia increases pulmonary Kir6.1 gene and protein expression. Inhibition of Kir6.1 augments HPV in murine endotoxemic lungs.

ABCC9/SUR2 in the brain: Implications for hippocampal sclerosis of aging and a potential therapeutic target

The ABCC9 gene and its polypeptide product, SUR2, are increasingly implicated in human neurologic disease, including prevalent diseases of the aged brain. SUR2 proteins are a component of the ATP-sensitive potassium ("KATP") channel, a metabolic sensor for stress and/or hypoxia that has been shown to change in aging. The KATP channel also helps regulate the neurovascular unit. Most brain cell types express SUR2, including neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, vascular smooth muscle, pericytes, and endothelial cells. Thus it is not surprising that ABCC9 gene variants are associated with risk for human brain diseases. For example, Cantu syndrome is a result of ABCC9 mutations; we discuss neurologic manifestations of this genetic syndrome. More common brain disorders linked to ABCC9 gene variants include hippocampal sclerosis of aging (HS-Aging), sleep disorders, and depression. HS-Aging is a prevalent neurological disease with pathologic features of both neurodegenerative (aberrant TDP-43) and cerebrovascular (arteriolosclerosis) disease. As to potential therapeutic intervention, the human pharmacopeia features both SUR2 agonists and antagonists, so ABCC9/SUR2 may provide a "druggable target", relevant perhaps to both HS-Aging and Alzheimer's disease. We conclude that more work is required to better understand the roles of ABCC9/SUR2 in the human brain during health and disease conditions.

Alteration of ATP-sensitive K+ channels in rabbit aortic smooth muscle during left ventricular hypertrophy

We investigated the impairment of ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels in aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) from isoproterenol-induced hypertrophied rabbits. The amplitude of K(ATP) channels induced by the K(ATP) channel opener pinacidil (10 μM) was greater in ASMCs from control than from hypertrophied animals. In phenylephrine-preconstricted aortic rings, pinacidil induced relaxation in a dose-dependent manner. The dose-dependent curve was shifted to the right in the hypertrophied (EC(50): 17.80 ± 3.28 μM) compared with the control model (EC(50): 6.69 ± 2.40 μM). Although the level of Kir6.2 subtype expression did not differ between ASMCs from the control and hypertrophied models, those of the Kir6.1 and SUR2B subtypes were decreased in the hypertrophied model. Application of the calcitonin-gene related peptide (100 nM) and adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin (10 μM), which activates protein kinase A (PKA) and consequently K(ATP) channels, induced a K(ATP) current in both control and hypertrophied animals; however, the K(ATP) current amplitude did not differ between the two groups. Furthermore, PKA expression was not altered between the control and hypertrophied animals. These results suggests that the decreased K(ATP) current amplitude and K(ATP) channel-induced vasorelaxation in the hypertrophied animals were attributable to the reduction in K(ATP) channel expression but not to changes in the intracellular signaling mechanism that activates the K(ATP) current.

Decreased expression of aortic KIR6.1 and SUR2B in hypertension does not correlate with changes in the functional role of K(ATP) channels

ATP-dependent potassium (K(ATP)) channels are the target of multiple vasoactive factors and drugs. Changes in the functional role of ATP-dependent (K(ATP)) potassium channels in hypertension are controversial. The aim of the present study was to analyze the possible changes of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP)) expression and function during hypertension. For this purpose, we used endothelium-denuded aorta segments from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) to analyze the 1) expression of K(ATP) subunits Kir6.1, Kir6.2 and SUR2B by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, 2) the K(ATP) currents recorded in the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique and 3) the vasodilator response to the K(ATP) channel openers, pinacidil and cromakalim. Kir6.1 and SUR2B were expressed in the medial layer of the aorta from WKY rats and SHR rats, while Kir6.2 was not detected in aorta from either strain. Kir6.1 and SUR2B expression were decreased in hypertension. However, the vasodilator responses of pinacidil and cromakalim were similar in WKY rats and SHR rats. Moreover, pinacidil induced increase in K+ currents was also similar in WKY rats and SHR rats and also similarly inhibited by glybenclamide. Our data demonstrate for the first time direct evidence of decreased aortic Kir6.1/SUR2B subunit expression in hypertension, but preserved functional responses to K(ATP) channel openers.

Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) and iptakalim, a novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener targeting smaller arteries in hypertension

Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) is a serious and potentially devastating chronic disorder of the pulmonary circulation. Attempts to use drugs in the therapy of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension indicated the importance of prevention or reduction of vasoconstriction as well as of the reversal of remodeling within the cardiovascular system. Iptakalim (2,3-dimethyl-N-(1-methylethyl)-2-butylamine), a novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, has the desired effects on hypoxic pulmonary arteries. Iptakalim decreases the elevated mean pressure in pulmonary arteries, and attenuates remodeling in the right ventricle, pulmonary arteries and airways. Moreover, iptakalim has selective antihypertensive effects: it significantly lowers arterial pressure in hypertensive animals, but has little if any effect in normotensive animals. In HPH iptakalim has selective effects on smaller arteries. Long-term iptakalim therapy decreases expression of sulfonylurea receptor 2 and of mRNA of inwardly rectifying potassium channel in smaller arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Iptakalim inhibits the effects of endothelin-1, reduces the intracellular calcium concentration and inhibits the cell cycle in smooth muscle cells of pulmonary arteries. There is no evidence for the development of tolerance to the long-lasting antihypertensive action of iptakalim. At therapeutic doses iptakalim has no effects on the central nervous, respiratory, digestive, or endocrine systems. It has a broad therapeutic range, so that it can be safely used in the therapy of HPH.