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He Y, Sun Z, He X, Mi Y. AFM is used to study the biophysics of hypertension-induced tachyarrhythmia. Microsc Res Tech 2023; 86:1099-1107. [PMID: 37422907 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Patients with long-lasting hypertension often suffer from atrial or ventricular arrhythmias. Evidence suggests that mechanical stimulation can change the refractory period and dispersion of the ventricular myocyte action potential through stretch-activated ion channels (SACs) and influence cellular calcium transients, thus increasing susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias. However, the specific pathogenesis of hypertension-induced arrhythmias is unknown. In this study, through clinical data, we found that a short-term increase in blood pressure leads to a rise in tachyarrhythmias in patients with clinical hypertension. We investigated the mechanism of this phenomenon using a combined imaging system(AC) of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and laser scanning confocal microscopy. After mechanical distraction to stimulate ventricular myocytes isolated from Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), we synchronously monitored cardiomyocyte stiffness and intracellular calcium changes. This method can reasonably simulate cardiomyocytes' mechanics and ion changes when blood pressure rises rapidly. Our results indicated that the stiffness value of cardiomyocytes in SHR was significantly more extensive than that of normal controls, and cardiomyocytes were more sensitive to mechanical stress; In addition, intracellular calcium increased rapidly and briefly in rats with spontaneous hypertension. After intervention with streptomycin, a SAC blocker, ventricular myocytes are significantly less sensitive to mechanical stimuli. Thus, SAC is involved in developing and maintaining ventricular arrhythmias induced by hypertension. The increased stiffness of ventricular myocytes caused by hypertension leads to hypersensitivity of cellular calcium flow to mechanical stimuli is one of the mechanisms that cause arrhythmias. The AC system is a new research method to study the mechanical properties of cardiomyocytes. This study provides new techniques and ideas for developing new anti-arrhythmic drugs. HIGHLIGHT: The mechanism of hypertension-induced tachyarrhythmia is not precise. Through this study, it is found that the biophysical properties of myocardial abnormalities, the myocardium is excessively sensitive to mechanical stimulation, and the calcium flow appears to transient explosive changes, leading to tachyarrhythmia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin He
- Emergency Department, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhifu Sun
- Otolaryngology head and neck surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaonan He
- Emergency Department, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhong Mi
- Emergency Department, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Pickny L, Hindermann M, Ditting T, Hilgers KF, Linz P, Ott C, Schmieder RE, Schiffer M, Amann K, Veelken R, Rodionova K. Myocardial infarction with a preserved ejection fraction-the impaired function of the cardio-renal baroreflex. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1144620. [PMID: 37082237 PMCID: PMC10110856 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1144620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: In experimental myocardial infarction with reduced ejection fraction causing overt congestive heart failure, the control of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) by the cardio-renal baroreflex was impaired. The afferent vagal nerve activity under these experimental conditions had a lower frequency at saturation than that in controls. Hence, by investigating respective first neurons in the nodose ganglion (NG), we wanted to test the hypothesis that after myocardial infarction with still-preserved ejection fraction, the cardiac afferent nerve pathway is also already impaired. Material and methods: A myocardial infarction was induced by coronary artery ligature. After 21 days, nodose ganglion neurons with cardiac afferents from rats with myocardial infarction were cultured. A current clamp was used to characterize neurons as "tonic," i.e., sustained action potential (AP) firing, or "phasic," i.e., <5 APs upon current injection. Cardiac ejection fraction was measured using echocardiography; RSNA was recorded to evaluate the sensitivity of the cardiopulmonary baroreflex. Renal and cardiac histology was studied for inflammation and fibrosis markers. Results: A total of 192 neurons were investigated. In rats, after myocardial infarction, the number of neurons with a tonic response pattern increased compared to that in the controls (infarction vs. control: 78.6% vs. 48.5%; z-test, *p < 0.05), with augmented production of APs (23.7 ± 2.86 vs. 15.5 ± 1.86 APs/600 ms; mean ± SEM, t-test, *p < 0.05). The baseline activity of RSNA was subtly increased, and its control by the cardiopulmonary baroreflex was impaired following myocardial infarction: the fibrosis marker collagen I augmented in the renal interstitium. Discussion: After myocardial infarction with still-preserved ejection fraction, a complex impairment of the afferent limb of the cardio-renal baroreflex caused dysregulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity with signs of renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Pickny
- Department of Internal Medicine 4—Nephrology and Hypertension, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Hindermann
- Department of Internal Medicine 4—Nephrology and Hypertension, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tilmann Ditting
- Department of Internal Medicine 4—Nephrology and Hypertension, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 4—Nephrology and Hypertension, Paracelsus Private Medical School Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Karl F. Hilgers
- Department of Internal Medicine 4—Nephrology and Hypertension, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Linz
- Department of Radiology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Ott
- Department of Internal Medicine 4—Nephrology and Hypertension, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 4—Nephrology and Hypertension, Paracelsus Private Medical School Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Roland E. Schmieder
- Department of Internal Medicine 4—Nephrology and Hypertension, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mario Schiffer
- Department of Internal Medicine 4—Nephrology and Hypertension, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Amann
- Department of Nephropathology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Roland Veelken
- Department of Internal Medicine 4—Nephrology and Hypertension, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 4—Nephrology and Hypertension, Paracelsus Private Medical School Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Roland Veelken,
| | - Kristina Rodionova
- Department of Internal Medicine 4—Nephrology and Hypertension, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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Peyronnet R, Solovyova O, Iribe G, Katsnelson LB. Editorial: Mechano-Calcium, Mechano-Electric, and Mechano-Metabolic Feedback Loops: Contribution to the Myocardial Contraction in Health and Diseases. Front Physiol 2021; 12:676826. [PMID: 33868032 PMCID: PMC8047467 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.676826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rémi Peyronnet
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg Bad Krozingen, Freiburg, Germany.,Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Olga Solovyova
- Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Gentaro Iribe
- Department of Physiology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Leonid B Katsnelson
- Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russia
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Sutherland GR. Sudden cardiac death: the pro-arrhythmic interaction of an acute loading with an underlying substrate. Eur Heart J 2017; 38:2986-2994. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehw449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Living cardiac tissue slices: an organotypic pseudo two-dimensional model for cardiac biophysics research. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 115:314-27. [PMID: 25124067 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2014.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Living cardiac tissue slices, a pseudo two-dimensional (2D) preparation, have received less attention than isolated single cells, cell cultures, or Langendorff-perfused hearts in cardiac biophysics research. This is, in part, due to difficulties associated with sectioning cardiac tissue to obtain live slices. With moderate complexity, native cell-types, and well-preserved cell-cell electrical and mechanical interconnections, cardiac tissue slices have several advantages for studying cardiac electrophysiology. The trans-membrane potential (Vm) has, thus far, mainly been explored using multi-electrode arrays. Here, we combine tissue slices with optical mapping to monitor Vm and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i). This combination opens up the possibility of studying the effects of experimental interventions upon action potential (AP) and calcium transient (CaT) dynamics in 2D, and with relatively high spatio-temporal resolution. As an intervention, we conducted proof-of-principle application of stretch. Mechanical stimulation of cardiac preparations is well-established for membrane patches, single cells and whole heart preparations. For cardiac tissue slices, it is possible to apply stretch perpendicular or parallel to the dominant orientation of cells, while keeping the preparation in a constant focal plane for fluorescent imaging of in-slice functional dynamics. Slice-to-slice comparison furthermore allows one to assess transmural differences in ventricular tissue responses to mechanical challenges. We developed and tested application of axial stretch to cardiac tissue slices, using a manually-controlled stretching device, and recorded Vm and [Ca(2+)]i by optical mapping before, during, and after application of stretch. Living cardiac tissue slices, exposed to axial stretch, show an initial shortening in both AP and CaT duration upon stretch application, followed in most cases by a gradual prolongation of AP and CaT duration during stretch maintained for up to 50 min. After release of sustained stretch, AP duration (APD) and CaT duration reverted to shorter values. Living cardiac tissue slices are a promising experimental model for the study of cardiac mechano-electric interactions. The methodology described here can be refined to achieve more accurate control over stretch amplitude and timing (e.g. using a computer-controlled motorised stage, or by synchronising electrical and mechanical events) and through monitoring of regional tissue deformation (e.g. by adding motion tracking).
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Takahashi K, Naruse K. Stretch-activated BK channel and heart function. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2013; 110:239-44. [PMID: 23281538 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2012.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The heart is an organ that is exposed to extreme dynamic mechanical stimuli. From birth till death, the heart indefinitely repeats periodic contraction and dilation, i.e., shortening and elongation of cardiomyocytes. Mechanical stretch elicits a change in heart rate and may cause arrhythmia if it is excessive. Thus, mechanosensitivity is crucial to heart function. The molecule that is substantially involved in mechanosensitivity is a stretch-activated ion channel. Among several ion channels believed to be activated by stretch in the heart, the stretch-activated KCa (SAKCA) channel, a member of the group of large conductance (Big Potassium, BK) channels, shows a mechanosensitive (MS) response to membrane stretch. As BK channels respond to voltage and intracellular calcium concentration with large conductance, they are considered to be involved in repolarization after depolarization. Some BK channels are known to be activated by stretch and are expressed in a number of cells, including human osteoblasts and guinea pig intestinal neurons. The SAKCA channel was found to be sensitive to stretch in the chick heart. Given that the cardiomyocyte is unremittingly exposed to contraction and dilation and that it generates action potential and its contractility is modulated by intracellular calcium concentration, the SAKCA channel, which is dependent voltage and calcium, may be involved in action potential generation. It was recently reported that a BK channel is involved in the modulation of heart rate in the mouse. Further studies regarding the role of MS BK channels, including SAKCA, in the modulation of heart rate and contractility are expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Takahashi
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.
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The effects of κ-opioid receptor on stretch-induced electrophysiological changes in infarcted rat hearts. Am J Med Sci 2013; 345:129-35. [PMID: 22735633 DOI: 10.1097/maj.0b013e31824ceba7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Kappa-opioid receptors (κ-OR) and mechanoelectric feedback seem to have common pathways that influence electrophysiological changes resulting from acute myocardial infarction (MI). This study aims to determine the effects of the κ-OR on stretch-induced electrophysiological changes after acute MI. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham operated, MI, U-50488H (a selective κ-OR agonist) -treated MI (MI+U-50488H) and nor-BNI (a selective κ-OR antagonist) -treated MI (MI+nor-BNI). After Langendorff perfusion to maintain stabilization, a transient stretch (5 seconds) was delivered early in diastole. Electrophysiological changes were recorded for 1 minute before and after stretch. Similarly, the 20%, 50% and 90% monophasic action potential duration (MAPD20, MAPD50 and MAPD90, respectively) and stretch-induced arrhythmias were recorded. RESULTS MAPD90 significantly increased in all 4 groups. MAPD90 in the MI and MI+nor-BNI groups increased significantly before stretch (P < 0.05) and after stretch (P < 0.01) but was reversed in the MI+U-50488H group (P > 0.05). MAPD90 in the MI group was increased compared with that of the MI+U-50488H group but decreased compared with that of the MI+ nor-BNI group after stretch (P < 0.01). The arrhythmia score in the MI and MI+nor-BNI groups was higher than that of the sham-operated group (P < 0.01), and the arrhythmia score in the MI+nor-BNI group was higher than that in MI group after stretch (P < 0.01). The arrhythmia score of the MI+U-50488H group was lower than that of MI group after stretch (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The κ-OR could influence the stretch-induced electrophysiological changes and play an antiarrhythmic role in stretch-induced arrhythmias after acute MI.
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Hermeling E, Delhaas T, Prinzen FW, Kuijpers NHL. Mechano-electrical feedback explains T-wave morphology and optimizes cardiac pump function: insight from a multi-scale model. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2012; 110:359-71. [PMID: 22835663 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2012.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the ECG, T- and R-wave are concordant during normal sinus rhythm (SR), but discordant after a period of ventricular pacing (VP). Experiments showed that the latter phenomenon, called T-wave memory, is mediated by a mechanical stimulus. By means of a mathematical model, we investigated the hypothesis that slow acting mechano-electrical feedback (MEF) explains T-wave memory. In our model, electromechanical behavior of the left ventricle (LV) was simulated using a series of mechanically and electrically coupled segments. Each segment comprised ionic membrane currents, calcium handling, and excitation-contraction coupling. MEF was incorporated by locally adjusting conductivity of L-type calcium current (g(CaL)) to local external work. In our set-up, g(CaL) could vary up to 25%, 50%, 100% or unlimited amount around its default value. Four consecutive simulations were performed: normal SR (with MEF), acute VP, sustained VP (with MEF), and acutely restored SR. MEF led to T-wave concordance in normal SR and to discordant T-waves acutely after restoring SR. Simulated ECGs with a maximum of 25-50% adaptation closely resembled those during T-wave memory experiments in vivo and also provided the best compromise between optimal systolic and diastolic function. In conclusion, these simulation results indicate that slow acting MEF in the LV can explain a) the relatively small differences in systolic shortening and mechanical work during SR, b) the small dispersion in repolarization time, c) the concordant T-wave during SR, and d) T-wave memory. The physiological distribution in electrophysiological properties, reflected by the concordant T-wave, may serve to optimize cardiac pump function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelien Hermeling
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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Katsnelson LB, Solovyova O, Balakin A, Lookin O, Konovalov P, Protsenko Y, Sulman T, Markhasin VS. Contribution of mechanical factors to arrhythmogenesis in calcium overloaded cardiomyocytes: model predictions and experiments. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 107:81-9. [PMID: 21699912 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2011.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 06/06/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
It is well-known that Ca²⁺ overload in cardiomyocytes may underlie arrhythmias. However, the possible contribution of mechanical factors to rhythm disturbances in Ca²⁺ overloaded myocytes has not been sufficiently investigated. We used a mathematical model of the electrical and mechanical activity of cardiomyocytes to reveal an essential role of the mechanisms of cardiac mechano-electric feedback in arrhythmogenesis in Ca²⁺ overloaded myocardium. In the model, the following mechanical factors increased Ca²⁺ overload in contracting cardiomyocytes and promoted rhythm disturbances: i) a decrease in the mechanical load for afterloaded contractions; and ii) a decrease in the initial length of sarcomeres for isometric twitches. In exact accordance with the model predictions, in experiments on papillary muscles from the right ventricle of guinea pigs with Ca²⁺ overloaded cardiomyocytes (using 0.5-1 μM of ouabain), we found that emergence of rhythm disturbances and extrasystoles depends on the mechanical conditions of muscle contraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid B Katsnelson
- Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 106 Pervomayskaya str, Ekaterinburg 620049, Russian Federation.
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Mechanoelectric Feedback as a Trigger Mechanism for Cardiac Electrical Remodeling: A Model Study. Ann Biomed Eng 2008; 36:1816-35. [DOI: 10.1007/s10439-008-9559-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2007] [Accepted: 08/27/2008] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Gurney A, Manoury B. Two-pore potassium channels in the cardiovascular system. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2008; 38:305-18. [DOI: 10.1007/s00249-008-0326-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2008] [Revised: 03/31/2008] [Accepted: 04/02/2008] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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12
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Kohl P, Noble D. Life and mechanosensitivity. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 97:159-62. [PMID: 18406452 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2008.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Niederer SA, Smith NP. An improved numerical method for strong coupling of excitation and contraction models in the heart. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2007; 96:90-111. [PMID: 17881038 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2007.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Quantifying the interactions between excitation and contraction is fundamental to furthering our understanding of cardiac physiology. To date simulating these effects in strongly coupled excitation and contraction tissue models has proved computationally challenging. This is in part due to the numerical methods implemented to maintain numerical stability in previous simulations, which produced computationally intensive problems. In this study, we analytically identify and quantify the velocity and length dependent sources of instability in the current established coupling method and propose a new method which addresses these issues. Specifically, we account for the length and velocity dependence of active tension within the finite deformation equations, such that the active tension is updated at each intermediate Newton iteration, within the mechanics solution step. We then demonstrate that the model is stable and converges in a three-dimensional rod under isometric contraction. Subsequently, we show that the coupling method can produce stable solutions in a cube with many of the attributes present in the heart, including asymmetrical activation, an inhomogeneous fibre field and a nonlinear constitutive law. The results show no instabilities and quantify the error introduced by discrete length updates. This validates our proposed coupling framework, demonstrating significant improvement in the stability of excitation and contraction simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Niederer
- Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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14
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Abstract
This review covers aspects of the cardiac mechanotransduction field at different levels, and advocates the possibility that mechanoelectro-chemical transduction forms part of a network of mechanically linked integration in heart-mechanically mediated integration (MMI). It assembles evidence and observations in the literature to promote this hypothesis. Mechanical components can provide the bond between interactions at molecular, cellular, and macro levels to enable the integration. Stretch-activated channels (SACs) exist in the heart, but stresses and strains can affect other membrane channels or receptors. A cellular mechanical change can thus promote several ionic or downstream changes. Cell signal cascades have been implicated and can affect membrane electrophysiology. MMI could shape intracellular and downstream signals using the cytoskeleton and intracellular Ca(2+). MMI also spans other regulatory systems and processes such as the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and operates throughout the whole heart as an integrative system. Finally, supporting the hypothesis, if elements of the normal integration become deranged it contributes to cardiovascular disease and, potentially, lethal arrhythmia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max J Lab
- Imperial College, National Heart and Lung Institute, Charing Cross Campus, London W6 8RF, United Kingdom.
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Kelly D, Mackenzie L, Hunter P, Smaill B, Saint DA. GENE EXPRESSION OF STRETCH-ACTIVATED CHANNELS AND MECHANOELECTRIC FEEDBACK IN THE HEART. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2006; 33:642-8. [PMID: 16789934 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2006.04392.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
1. Mechanoelectric feedback (MEF) in the heart is the process by which mechanical forces on the myocardium can change its electrical properties. Mechanoelectric feedback has been demonstrated in many animal models, ranging from isolated cells, through isolated hearts to whole animals. In humans, MEF has been demonstrated directly in both the atria and the ventricles. It seems likely that MEF provides either the trigger or the substrate for some types of clinically important arrhythmias. 2. Mechanoelectric feedback may arise because of the presence of stretch-sensitive (or mechano-sensitive) ion channels in the cell membrane of the cardiac myocytes. Two types have been demonstrated: (i) a non-specific cation channel (stretch-activated channel (SAC); conductance of approximately 25 pS); and (ii) a potassium channel with a conductance of approximately 100 pS. The gene coding for the SAC has not yet been identified. The gene for the potassium channel is likely to be TREK, a member of the tandem pore potassium channel gene family. We have recorded stretch-sensitive potassium channels in rat isolated myocytes that have the properties of TREK channels expressed in heterologous systems. 3. It has been shown that TREK mRNA is expressed heterogeneously in the rat ventricular wall, with 17-fold more expression in endocardial compared with epicardial cells. This difference is reflected in the TREK currents recorded from endocardial and epicardial cells using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques, although the difference in current density was less pronounced (approximately threefold). Consistent with this, we show here that when the ventricle is stretched by inflation of an intraventricular balloon in a Langendorff perfused rat isolated heart, action potential shortening was more pronounced in the endocardium (30% shortening at 40 mmHg) compared with that in the epicardium (10% shortening at the same pressure). 4. Computer models of the mechanics of the (pig) heart show pronounced spatial variations in strain in the myocardium with large transmural differences (in the left ventricle in particular) and also large differences between the base and apex of the ventricle. 5. The importance of MEF and the non-homogeneous gene expression and strain distribution for arrhythmias is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Kelly
- School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Chen RL, Penny DJ, Greve G, Lab MJ. Stretch-induced regional mechanoelectric dispersion and arrhythmia in the right ventricle of anesthetized lambs. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2004; 286:H1008-14. [PMID: 14766676 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00724.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Regional mechanical and electrophysiological changes accompany most ventricular arrhythmias and, it has been suggested, by mechanoelectric feedback. We hypothesized that an intervention producing regional mechanical dispersion was associated with regional, proarrhythmic electrical dispersion and studied the regional mechanoelectric feedback in the right ventricle (RV) of anesthetized lambs. Ten lambs were deeply anesthetized, and their hearts were exposed. Three tripodal devices, each incorporating three monophasic action potential electrodes and an integrated strain-gauge system, were placed on the RV apex outflow and inflow regions. Measurements were made before, during, and after 10-s pulmonary arterial occlusion. Pulmonary arterial occlusion increased RV pressure and overall regional segment length. Length excursion became out of phase with RV pressure beats immediately after occlusion, and the strain patterns were different in the three regions at the peak of occlusion. The occlusion resulted in different alterations in regional monophasic action potential morphology, including reduction in monophasic action potential amplitude and duration by different amounts and early afterdepolarizations that were unevenly distributed in the monophasic action potential recordings. This was associated with dispersion of repolarization and recovery time. The combination of electromechanical events precipitated a variety of arrhythmias. Acute RV distension is proarrhythmic, possibly through a causal relationship among mechanically induced afterdepolarizations, dispersion (heterogeneity) of mechanical strain, and dispersion of electrical recovery. The relationship among the different wall motions, the dispersion of repolarization, and arrhythmia underscored mechanoelectric feedback as an important part of arrhythmogenesis in pulmonary embolism and commotio cordis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo L Chen
- Dept. of Physiology, Block 9, St. Thomas Campus, King's College, Univ. of London, Lambeth Palace Rd., London SE1 7BH, UK.
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Tan JHC, Liu W, Saint DA. Differential expression of the mechanosensitive potassium channel TREK-1 in epicardial and endocardial myocytes in rat ventricle. Exp Physiol 2004; 89:237-42. [PMID: 15123558 DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2003.027052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Mechanoelectric feedback (MEF) is the process by which mechanical forces on the myocardium induce electrical responses. It is thought that MEF is important in controlling the beat to beat force of contraction in the ventricle, in response to fluctuations in load, and it may also play a role in controlling the dispersion of repolarization. The transduction mechanism for MEF is via stretch sensitive ion channels in the surface membrane of myocytes. Two types of stretch sensitive channels have been described; a non-selective cation channel, and a potassium selective channel. TREK-1 is a member of the recently cloned tandem pore potassium channels that has been shown to be mechanosensitive and to be expressed in rat heart. Here we report that the gene expression level of TREK-1, quantified using real-time RT-PCR against glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as a comparator gene, was found to be 0.34 +/- 0.14 in endocardial cells compared to 0.02 +/- 0.02 in epicardial cells (P < 0.05). To confirm that this is reflected in a different current density, whole cell TREK-1 currents, activated by chloroform, were recorded with patch clamp techniques in epicardial and endocardial cells. TREK-1 current density in epicardial and endocardial cells was 0.21 +/- 0.06 pA/pF and 0.8 +/- 0.27 pA/pF, respectively (P</= 0.05). We discuss the implications of this differential expression of TREK-1 for controlling action potential repolarization when the myocardium is stretched. We hypothesize that the gene expression of TREK-1 is controlled by the different amounts of stretch experienced by muscle cells across the ventricular wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy H C Tan
- School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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Calaghan SC, Belus A, White E. Do stretch-induced changes in intracellular calcium modify the electrical activity of cardiac muscle? PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2003; 82:81-95. [PMID: 12732270 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6107(03)00007-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Stretch of the myocardium influences the shape and amplitude of the intracellular Ca(2+)([Ca(2+)](i)) transient. Under isometric conditions stretch immediately increases myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity, increasing force production and abbreviating the time course of the [Ca(2+)](i) transient (the rapid response). Conversely, muscle shortening can prolong the Ca(2+) transient by decreasing myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity. During the cardiac cycle, increased ventricular dilation may increase myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity during diastolic filling and the isovolumic phase of systole, but enhance the decrease in myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity during the systolic shortening of the ejection phase. If stretch is maintained there is a gradual increase in the amplitude of the Ca(2+) transient and force production, which takes several minutes to develop fully (the slow response). The rapid and slow responses have been reported in whole hearts and single myocytes. Here we review stretch-induced changes in [Ca(2+)](i) and the underlying mechanisms. Myocardial stretch also modifies electrical activity and the opening of stretch-activated channels (SACs) is often used to explain this effect. However, the myocardium has many ionic currents that are regulated by [Ca(2+)](i) and in this review we discuss how stretch-induced changes in [Ca(2+)](i) can influence electrical activity via the modulation of these Ca(2+)-dependent currents. Our recent work in single ventricular myocytes has shown that axial stretch prolongs the action potential. This effect is sensitive to either SAC blockade by streptomycin or the buffering of [Ca(2+)](i) with BAPTA, suggesting that both SACs and [Ca(2+)](i) are important for the full effects of axial stretch on electrical activity to develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Calaghan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, West Yorkshire, UK
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Belus A, White E. Streptomycin and intracellular calcium modulate the response of single guinea-pig ventricular myocytes to axial stretch. J Physiol 2003; 546:501-9. [PMID: 12527736 PMCID: PMC2342506 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2002.027573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that both stretch-activated channels (SACs) and intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) are important in the electrical response of single guinea-pig ventricular myocytes to axial stretch. Myocytes were attached to carbon fibre transducers and stretched, sarcomere length increased by approximately 9 %, and there was a prolongation of the action potential duration. Streptomycin, a blocker of SACs, had no effect upon the shortening, [Ca(2+)](i) transients or action potentials of electrically stimulated, unstretched myocytes, at a concentration of 50 microM, but at 40 microM, prevented any stretch-induced increase in action potential duration. Under action potential clamp, stretch elicited a current with a linear current-voltage relationship that was inward at membrane potentials negative to its reversal potential of -30 mV, in 10 of 24 cells tested, and was consistent with the activation of non-specific, cationic SACs. This current was not seen in any stretched cells that were exposed to 40 microM streptomycin. However, exposure of cells to 5 microM BAPTA-AM, in order to reduce [Ca(2+)](i) transients, also abolished stretch-induced prolongation of the action potential. We conclude that both SACs and [Ca(2+)](i) are important in the electrical response of cardiac myocytes to stretch, and propose that stretch-induced changes in electrical activity and [Ca(2+)](i) may be linked by inter-dependent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Belus
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
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Lamberts RR, Van Rijen MHP, Sipkema P, Fransen P, Sys SU, Westerhof N. Coronary perfusion and muscle lengthening increase cardiac contraction: different stretch-triggered mechanisms. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2002; 283:H1515-22. [PMID: 12234804 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00113.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
An increase in coronary perfusion, transversal stretch of the myocardium, increases developed force (F(dev)) (Gregg effect) through activation of stretch-activated ion channels (SACs). Lengthening of the muscle, longitudinal stretch of the myocardium, causes an immediate increase in F(dev) followed by a slow F(dev) increase (Anrep effect). In isometrically contracting perfused papillary muscles of Wistar rats, we investigated whether both effects were based on similar stretch-induced mechanisms by measuring F(dev) and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) after a muscle length increase from 85% to 95% L(max) (length at which maximal isometric force develops) at low and high coronary perfusion before and after inhibition of SACs with gadolinium (10 micromol/l Gd(3+)). The increase of F(dev) and peak [Ca(2+)](i) by the Gregg effect was of similar magnitude as the Anrep effect (from 3.5 +/- 0.8 to 3.9 +/- 1.2 mN/mm(2) and from 3.0 +/- 0.7% to 3.8 +/- 0.9% normalized [Ca(2+)](i), means +/- SE). SAC blockade completely blunted the increase of F(dev) and peak [Ca(2+)](i) by the Gregg effect; however, it did not affect the Anrep effect. The slow force response, but not the calcium response, was augmented by an increase in coronary perfusion. Therefore, increased coronary perfusion, transversal stretch of the myocardium, and muscle lengthening, longitudinal stretch of the myocardium, increase myocardial contraction in the rat through different stretch-triggered mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regis R Lamberts
- Laboratory for Physiology, Institute for Cardiovascular Research, Vrije Universiteit University Medical Center, Amsterdam 1081 BT, The Netherlands.
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Cardiac chloride channels: physiology, pharmacology and approaches for identifying novel modulators of activity. Drug Discov Today 2000; 5:492-505. [PMID: 11084386 DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6446(00)01561-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Drugs that block cardiac cation channels have been marketed as the therapeutic answer to cardiac arrhythmia. However, such molecules have been only moderately successful at improving the survival of cardiac patients, and so new targets have been needed for future antiarrhythmic agents. This article outlines the properties and roles of Cl(-) channels, which are one of these new targets, and describes an approach for identifying novel CI(2) channel modulators.
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Kohl P, Hunter P, Noble D. Stretch-induced changes in heart rate and rhythm: clinical observations, experiments and mathematical models. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 1999; 71:91-138. [PMID: 10070213 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6107(98)00038-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and research data indicate that active and passive changes in the mechanical environment of the heart are capable of influencing both the initiation and the spread of cardiac excitation via pathways that are intrinsic to the heart. This direction of the cross-talk between cardiac electrical and mechanical activity is referred to as mechano-electric feedback (MEF). MEF is thought to be involved in the adjustment of heart rate to changes in mechanical load and would help to explain the precise beat-to-beat regulation of cardiac performance as it occurs even in the recently transplanted (and, thus, denervated) heart. Furthermore, there is clinical evidence that MEF may be involved in mechanical initiation of arrhythmias and fibrillation, as well as in the re-setting of disturbed heart rhythm by 'mechanical' first aid procedures. This review will outline the clinical relevance of cardiac MEF, describe cellular correlates to the responses observed in situ, and discuss the role that quantitative mathematical models may play in identifying the involvement of cardiac MEF in the regulation of heart rate and rhythm.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Kohl
- University Laboratory of Physiology, Oxford, UK.
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23
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Calaghan SC, White E. The role of calcium in the response of cardiac muscle to stretch. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 1999; 71:59-90. [PMID: 10070212 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6107(98)00037-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
This review focuses on the complex interactions between two major regulators of cardiac function; Ca2+ and stretch. Initial consideration is given to the effect of stretch on myocardial contractility and details the rapid and slow increases in contractility. These are shown to be related to two diverse changes in Ca2+ handling (enhanced myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity and increased intracellular Ca2+ transient, respectively). Interaction between stretch and Ca2+ is also demonstrated with respect to the rhythm of cardiac contraction. Stretch has been shown to alter action potential configuration, generate stretch-activated arrhythmias, and increase the rate of beating of the sino-atrial node. A variety of Ca(2+)-dependent mechanisms including attenuation of Ca2+ extrusion via Na+/Ca2+ exchange, Ca2+ entry through stretch-activated channels (SACs) and mobilisation of intracellular Ca2+ stores have been proposed to account for the effect of stretch on rhythm. Finally, the interaction between stretch and Ca2+ in the secretion of natriuretic peptides and onset of hypertrophy is discussed. Evidence is presented that Ca2+ (entering through L-type Ca2+ channels or SACs, or released from sarcoplasmic reticular stores) influences secretion of both atrial and B-type natriuretic peptide; there is data to support both positive and negative modulation by Ca2+. Ca2+ also appears to be important in the pathway that leads to expression of precursors of hypertrophic protein synthesis. In conclusion, two of the major regulators of cardiac muscle function, Ca2+ and stretch, interact to produce effects on the heart; in general these effects appear to be additive.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Calaghan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, UK
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