Effect of verapamil and of extracellular Ca and Na on contraction frequency of cultured heart cells

Simultaneous recording of electrical and metabolic activity of cardiac cells in vitro using an organic charge modulated field effect transistor array

In vitro electrogenic cells monitoring is an important objective in several scientific and technological fields, such as electrophysiology, pharmacology and brain machine interfaces, and can represent an interesting opportunity in other translational medicine applications. One of the key aspects of cellular cultures is the complexity of their behavior, due to the different kinds of bio-related signals, both chemical and electrical, that characterize these systems. In order to fully understand and exploit this extraordinary complexity, specific devices and tools are needed. However, at the moment this important scientific field is characterized by the lack of easy-to-use, low-cost devices for the sensing of multiple cellular parameters. To the aim of providing a simple and integrated approach for the study of in vitro electrogenic cultures, we present here a new solution for the monitoring of both the electrical and the metabolic cellular activity. In particular, we show here how a particular device called Micro Organic Charge Modulated Array (MOA) can be conveniently engineered and then used to simultaneously record the complete cell activity using the same device architecture. The system has been tested using primary cardiac rat myocytes and allowed to detect the metabolic and electrical variations thar occur upon the administration of different drugs. This first example could lay the basis for the development of a new generation of multi-sensing tools that can help to efficiently probe the multifaceted in vitro environment.

Effect of dynorphin A(1?13) on cardiomyocytes in culture: modulation of the response to increased extracellular calcium, but no effect on intrinsic cardiac contractile frequency or the response to isoproterenol or increased extracellular potassium

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the endogenous opioid peptide dynorphin A(1-13) has a direct effect on the heart or acts to modulate the cardiac chronotropic response to calcium, potassium, or beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Spontaneously contracting myocardial cell aggregates were prepared from 7-day-old chick embryos and were maintained in culture for 72 h before study. Dynorphin A(1-13), 10(-8) to 10(-6)M, did not alter spontaneous contractile frequency. Increases in [Ca2+]o spontaneously suppressed cardiac contractile frequency, and dynorphin A(1-13) significantly (p less than 0.05) enhanced this response. Nifedipine, 10(-8) M, antagonized the effect of increased [Ca2+]o on cardiac contractile frequency, but did not block the action of dynorphin A(1-13) to accentuate the effect of increasing [Ca2+]o. Dynorphin A(1-13) did not alter the significant (p less than 0.05) increase in contractile frequency produced by beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation by isoproterenol, or the suppression in contractile frequency produced by increases in extracellular potassium ([K+]o). These data indicate that dynorphin A(1-13) does not act directly on the cardiac myocyte to alter cardiac contractile frequency or alter the response to increases in [K+]o or to isoproterenol, but that dynorphin A(1-13) does modulate the response to increases in extracellular calcium.

The effect of alteration of extracellular Na+ or Ca2+ and inhibition of Ca2+ entry, Na(+)-H+ exchange, and Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange by diltiazem, amiloride, and dichlorobenzamil on the response of cardiac cell aggregates to epidermal growth factor

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on cardiac function and to explore ionic mechanisms as potential explanations for EGF-induced changes in cardiac contractile frequency. Cardiac cell aggregates were prepared from 7-day-old chick embryo hearts and were maintained in culture. EGF over a concentration range of 5 to 20 ng/ml produced a dose-dependent increase in cardiac contractile frequency. Inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange by amiloride antagonized the action of EGF. Inhibition of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange by dichlorobenzamil prevented the effects of EGF. Inhibition of voltage-dependent calcium influx by diltiazem also antagonized the effect of EGF. The positive chronotropic action of EGF was significantly enhanced when the concentration of Na+ or Ca2+ was increased in the medium. These data indicate that EGF has a definite dose-dependent effect on the cardiac contractile frequency that is operative through ionic transport mechanisms that include increased calcium entry through voltage-dependent calcium channels and stimulation of Na(+)-H+ and Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange. The similarity in the effects of inhibition of these three ionic mechanisms suggests they are interrelated so that interference at any step in the process inhibits the action of EGF on cardiac myocytes.

Contraction modulates the capacity for protein synthesis during growth of neonatal heart cells in culture

Neonatal ventricular myocytes that were incubated in a well-defined serum-free medium containing 50 mM KCl did not contract and maintained stable cell size, as assessed by the protein/DNA ratio. The present study utilized KCl-arrested cells to examine the effect of constant rates of synchronous contraction in normal [K+]o (4 mM) as a physiological stimulus for myocyte growth. Cell growth increased following the onset of contraction when measured over 3 days. The rate of protein synthesis was accelerated in parallel by contraction, but the rate of protein degradation remained similar to rates in noncontracting cells. The capacity for protein synthesis was estimated by total RNA content and was increased in contracting as compared with KCl-arrested cells. This increase was accompanied by faster rates of RNA synthesis as determined from the incorporation of [3H]uridine into RNA and the specific activity of the cellular UTP pool. The rate of RNA degradation was accelerated during contraction but the difference between the rates of RNA synthesis and degradation resulted in net RNA accumulation of 49% after 3 days. These data demonstrated that 1) contractile activity stimulated myocyte growth through an increased capacity for protein synthesis and 2) the increased capacity for protein synthesis involved acceleration of the rate of RNA synthesis. Since enhancement of protein synthetic capacity is a common feature of myocyte hypertrophy in vivo and in vitro, this model can be used to examine the regulation of ribosome synthesis during hypertrophic growth.

The effect of amiloride and its analog dichlorobenzamil on the cardiac chronotropic responses of myocardial cell aggregates in culture to alterations of extracellular potassium or calcium

1. Cardiac ventricular myocytes aggregates from 7-day-old chick embryos show a decrease in beating rate with increasing [K+]0, from 1 to 10 mM, and stop beating at 10 mM. 2. Amiloride, at 10(-7) and 10(-6) M, produced a significant (P less than 0.05) accentuation of the effects of increasing [K]0 that were dose dependent and produced an earlier cessation of spontaneous beating. 3. The amiloride analogue 3',4'-dichlorobenzamil (DCB), that preferentially inhibits Na+/Ca2+ exchange, produced a significant (P less than 0.05) accentuation of the effects of [K+]0 that were greater than that produced by amiloride. 4. When [Ca]0 was increased from 2.2 to 5.0 mM, cardiac beating rate increased, became irregular and then stopped at [Ca2+]0 of 5 mM. 5. DCB, but not amiloride, significantly (P less than 0.05) accentuated the changes with increasing [Ca2+]0. Thus inhibition of Na+-Ca2+ exchange accentuates the effect of increased [Ca]0 on the heart.

The effect of epidermal growth factor on chronotropic response in cardiac cells in culture

Cardiac chronotropic response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) was assessed in chick embryonic ventricular cell aggregates. EGF at a concentration of 10 ug/mL but not at 5 ug/mL produced a significant (p less than 0.05) increase in cardiac beating rate. This was evident within 10 min, reached a peak at about 15 min and remained at that level for 1.5 hr or the rest of the observation period. The effect of EGF on cardiac automaticity was reduced but not abolished at a lower temperature (22oC) that is known to decrease the affinity of the EGF receptor and reduce the internalization of EGF. Hypothermia did not change the maximum increase in heart rate response from isoproterenol although it altered the pattern of the response. Beta adrenoreceptor blockade with metoprolol only slightly altered the response to EGF. These data indicate that EGF produces functional effects on the heart that may be mediated through EGF receptor linked mechanisms.

The effects of histamine on contraction frequency, sodium influx, and cyclic AMP in cultured rat heart cells

Histamine has been shown to have both positive inotropic and chronotropic effects. To evaluate the chronotropic effects, spontaneously contracting monolayers of cultured rat myocardial cells were treated with histamine, 10(-7) M-10(-4) M. This resulted in a dose-dependent increase in contraction frequency reaching a maximum in 10(-5) M histamine. Contraction frequency (mean +/- SEM) increased from a control of 121 +/- 5 contractions per minute to 153 +/- 4.5, 181 +/- 9, 212 +/- 4, and 216 +/- 1 in 10(-7) M, 10(-6) M, 10(-5) M, and 10(-4) M histamine, respectively (for each n = 10, p less than 0.001). The effect was time-dependent, taking 30 minutes to develop fully. Changes in contraction frequency were accompanied by parallel dose- and time-dependent increases in the verapamil-sensitive sodium influx. Verapamil-sensitive sodium influx (pmol/cm2/sec) increased from a control of 10.45 +/- 1.44 (mean +/- SEM) to 24.34 +/- 2.41 and 32.57 +/- 2.35 at 10- and 30-minute treatment with 10(-6) M histamine (n = 5, p less than 0.001). These data fit the previously described relation between verapamil-sensitive sodium influx and contraction frequency in these cells. Cimetidine (10(-4) M) but not diphenhydramine (10(-4) M) abolished both the contraction frequency and sodium influx response to histamine. Subsequent studies showed a dose- and time-dependent elevation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) with histamine treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of change in growth environment on cultured myocardial cells investigated in a standardized medium

Neonatal rat heart cells cultivated in either of two different media which varied only in their serum supplements were transferred to chemically defined medium (Ham's F10) for 24 h before measuring a variety of parameters. The 24-h period of exposure to chemically defined medium was not sufficient to reverse the effects imposed on the cells by the serum used in the first phase of growth. The cells differed in rate and duration of action potentials and contractions. The initial serum composition affected the response of the cells to calcium deficiency. Studies involving the effects of pharmaceutical reagents such as isoproterenol were also influenced by the serum. In attempting to determine the cause and possible mechanism, it was found that mitochondrial membrane permeability for nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) was unchanged. Although the serum supplements differed in fatty acid composition, the fatty acid profiles of the cell phospholipids were relatively constant. We conclude that the function of the cells is affected by the growth environment, particularly serum; that a short exposure to a uniform chemically defined medium is not sufficient to reverse these effects; and that the differences in effects are not the result of changes in the fatty acid composition of the whole cell phospholipids nor in mitochondrial membrane permeability as measured by NBT.

Effects of an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field on the cell division rate and plasma membrane of Paramecium tetraurelia

The eukaryotic protozoan, Paramecium, was examined as a model for effects of pulsated electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on cells. A 72-Hz PEMF similar to fields employed clinically increased cell division rates in Paramecium by 8.5%. Two calcium transport mutants of these organisms showed differential responses to the same field. Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, abolished any effect of PEMFs on cell division rates. A fluorescent probe that is thought to sense changes in membrane potential also manifested an altered response in the PEMF-exposed cells whereas a fluorescent lipid bilayer fluidity probe produced evidence of decreased membrane fluidity in the exposed cells. An effect of PEMFs on ion transport mediated by either a direct or indirect effect on the cell membrane is suggested by these studies.

Cystic fibrosis: a disorder of calcium-stimulated secretion and transepithelial sodium transport?

Both increased epithelial reabsorption of sodium and raised intracellular calcium have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis. An intracellular calcium-stimulated increase in sodium reabsorption through an amiloride-sensitive pathway and the consequent obligatory reabsorption of water could explain the thick tenacious sections that characterise the disease. In the pancreatic ducts and airways increased intracellular calcium could exacerbate the problem of hyperviscous blockage by inducing acinar hypersecretion. Hypersecretion by the salivary and sweat glands would lead to excessive release of a factor which blocks sodium reabsorption by the cells in the ducts of these glands; this would lead to raised ion concentrations in sweat and saliva.

Effect of inotropic agents on the calcium binding to isolated cardiac sarcolemma

Ca2+ binding to fragmented sarcolemma isolated from canine heart was measured by an ultracentrifugation technique. Two classes of binding site with dissociation constants of 2.0 . 10(-5) and 1.2 . 10(-3) M were identified. The capacities of the high- and low-affinity sites were 15 and 452 nmol/mg, respectively. These sites were not affected by treatment with neuraminidase. The effects of various cations and drugs on Ca2+ binding were studied. All cations tested inhibited Ca2+ binding with the following order of potency: trivalent greater than divalent greater than monovalent cations. The order of potency for the monovalent ions was: Na greater than K+ greater than Li+ greater than or equal to Cs+ and for the divalent and trivalent ions: La3+ greater than or equal to Mn2+ greater than Sr2+ greater than or equal to Ba2+ greater than Mg2+. 1 . 10(-3) M caffeine and 1 . 10(-8) M ouabain increased the capacity of the low-affinity sites to 1531 and 837 nmol/mg, respectively. 1 . 10(-7) M verapamil, acidosis (pH 6.4), 1 -10(-5) M Mn2+ and 1 . 10(-4) M ouabain depressed the capacity of the low-affinity sites to a range of 154--291 nmol/mg. The dissociation constants of the high- and low-affinity sites and the capacity of the high-affinity sites were not affected by these agents.

Electrical activity of rat myocardial cells in culture: La3+-induced alterations

Intracellular analysis of neonatal rat (1-2 day old) ventricular cells in culture shows that contracting myocardial cells exhibit an array of different patterns of spontaneous electrical activity. Resting membrane potentials varied between -40 mV and -98 mV. Our results indicate that some cultured cells show resting membrane potentials, overshoot, and total spike amplitude values comparable to those normally found in neonatal and adult rat heart. A low ratio of pacemaker (40%) to nonpacemaker cells (60%) and low incidence of hyperpolarizing after-potentials (35%) were found. La3+ application (0.1-4.0 mM) induced progressive cell depolarization, concomitant diminution in discharge frequency, and marked alteration of action potential configuration. A parallel decline in frequency and strength of rhythmic contractions was observed. Abolition of contractility occurred only in association with depolarization and complete disappearance of action potentials. Recovery of electrical and contractile activity followed medium replacement. Our results indicate that La3+ does not act as a specific excitation-contraction (E-C) uncoupler in the cultured cells but has multiple effects upon their normal electrical characteristics.