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Dossi E, Zonca L, Pivonkova H, Milior G, Moulard J, Vargova L, Chever O, Holcman D, Rouach N. Astroglial gap junctions strengthen hippocampal network activity by sustaining afterhyperpolarization via KCNQ channels. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114158. [PMID: 38722742 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Throughout the brain, astrocytes form networks mediated by gap junction channels that promote the activity of neuronal ensembles. Although their inputs on neuronal information processing are well established, how molecular gap junction channels shape neuronal network patterns remains unclear. Here, using astroglial connexin-deficient mice, in which astrocytes are disconnected and neuronal bursting patterns are abnormal, we show that astrocyte networks strengthen bursting activity via dynamic regulation of extracellular potassium levels, independently of glutamate homeostasis or metabolic support. Using a facilitation-depression model, we identify neuronal afterhyperpolarization as the key parameter underlying bursting pattern regulation by extracellular potassium in mice with disconnected astrocytes. We confirm this prediction experimentally and reveal that astroglial network control of extracellular potassium sustains neuronal afterhyperpolarization via KCNQ voltage-gated K+ channels. Altogether, these data delineate how astroglial gap junctions mechanistically strengthen neuronal population bursts and point to approaches for controlling aberrant activity in neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dossi
- Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiology and Pathologies, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Labex Memolife, Université PSL, Paris, France
| | - Lou Zonca
- Group of Data Modeling and Computational Biology, Institute of Biology, Ecole Normale Superieure, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, Paris, France; ED386, Ecole Doctorale de Sciences Mathématiques Paris Centre, Paris, France
| | - Helena Pivonkova
- Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiology and Pathologies, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Labex Memolife, Université PSL, Paris, France; Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic; 2(nd) Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Giampaolo Milior
- Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiology and Pathologies, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Labex Memolife, Université PSL, Paris, France
| | - Julien Moulard
- Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiology and Pathologies, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Labex Memolife, Université PSL, Paris, France
| | - Lydia Vargova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic; 2(nd) Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Oana Chever
- Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiology and Pathologies, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Labex Memolife, Université PSL, Paris, France
| | - David Holcman
- Group of Data Modeling and Computational Biology, Institute of Biology, Ecole Normale Superieure, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, Paris, France.
| | - Nathalie Rouach
- Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiology and Pathologies, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Labex Memolife, Université PSL, Paris, France.
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Kim S, Kubelka NK, LaPorte HM, Krishnamoorthy VR, Singh M. Estradiol and 3β-diol protect female cortical astrocytes by regulating connexin 43 Gap Junctions. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 578:112045. [PMID: 37595662 PMCID: PMC10592012 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
While estrogens have been described to protect or preserve neuronal function in the face of insults such as oxidative stress, the prevailing mechanistic model would suggest that these steroids exert direct effects on the neurons. However, there is growing evidence that glial cells, such as astrocytes, are key cellular mediators of protection. Noting that connexin 43 (Cx43), a protein highly expressed in astrocytes, plays a key role in mediating inter-cellular communication, we hypothesized that Cx43 is a target of estradiol (E2), and the estrogenic metabolite of DHT, 3β-diol. Additionally, we sought to determine if either or both of these hormones attenuate oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity by eliciting a reduction in Cx43 expression or inhibition of Cx43 channel permeability. Using primary cortical astrocytes, we found that E2 and 3β-diol were each protective against the mixed metabolic/oxidative insult, iodoacetic acid (IAA). Moreover, these effects were blocked by estrogen receptor antagonists. However, E2 and 3β-diol did not alter Cx43 mRNA levels in astrocytes but did inhibit IAA-induced Cx43 gap junction opening/permeability. Taken together, these data implicate astrocyte Cx43 gap junction as an understudied mediator of the cytoprotective effects of estrogens in the brain. Given the wide breadth of disease states associated with Cx43 function/dysfunction, further understanding the relationship between gonadal steroids and Cx43 channels may contribute to a better understanding of the biological basis for sex differences in various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongcheol Kim
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, United States
| | - Nicholas Knesek Kubelka
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, United States
| | - Heather M LaPorte
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, United States
| | - Vignesh R Krishnamoorthy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, United States
| | - Meharvan Singh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, United States.
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Nielsen MS, van Opbergen CJM, van Veen TAB, Delmar M. The intercalated disc: a unique organelle for electromechanical synchrony in cardiomyocytes. Physiol Rev 2023; 103:2271-2319. [PMID: 36731030 PMCID: PMC10191137 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00021.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The intercalated disc (ID) is a highly specialized structure that connects cardiomyocytes via mechanical and electrical junctions. Although described in some detail by light microscopy in the 19th century, it was in 1966 that electron microscopy images showed that the ID represented apposing cell borders and provided detailed insight into the complex ID nanostructure. Since then, much has been learned about the ID and its molecular composition, and it has become evident that a large number of proteins, not all of them involved in direct cell-to-cell coupling via mechanical or gap junctions, reside at the ID. Furthermore, an increasing number of functional interactions between ID components are emerging, leading to the concept that the ID is not the sum of isolated molecular silos but an interacting molecular complex, an "organelle" where components work in concert to bring about electrical and mechanical synchrony. The aim of the present review is to give a short historical account of the ID's discovery and an updated overview of its composition and organization, followed by a discussion of the physiological implications of the ID architecture and the local intermolecular interactions. The latter will focus on both the importance of normal conduction of cardiac action potentials as well as the impact on the pathophysiology of arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten S Nielsen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Chantal J M van Opbergen
- The Leon Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University Grossmann School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States
| | - Toon A B van Veen
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mario Delmar
- The Leon Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University Grossmann School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States
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Constantin AM, Mihu CM, Boşca AB, Melincovici CS, Mărginean MV, Jianu EM, Onofrei MM, Micu CM, Alexandru BC, Sufleţel RT, Moldovan IM, Coneac A, Crintea A, Ştefan RA, Ştefan PA, Djouini A, Şovrea AS. Short histological kaleidoscope - recent findings in histology. Part III. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY = REVUE ROUMAINE DE MORPHOLOGIE ET EMBRYOLOGIE 2023; 64:115-133. [PMID: 37518868 PMCID: PMC10520383 DOI: 10.47162/rjme.64.2.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The paper provides an overview of the current understanding of different cells' biology (e.g., keratinocytes, Paneth cells, myoepithelial cells, myofibroblasts, chondroclasts, monocytes, atrial cardiomyocytes), including their origin, structure, function, and role in disease pathogenesis, and of the latest findings in the medical literature concerning the brown adipose tissue and the juxtaoral organ of Chievitz.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Marie Constantin
- Discipline of Histology, Department of Morphological Sciences, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
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Pun R, Kim MH, North BJ. Role of Connexin 43 phosphorylation on Serine-368 by PKC in cardiac function and disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 9:1080131. [PMID: 36712244 PMCID: PMC9877470 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1080131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Intercellular communication mediated by gap junction channels and hemichannels composed of Connexin 43 (Cx43) is vital for the propagation of electrical impulses through cardiomyocytes. The carboxyl terminal tail of Cx43 undergoes various post-translational modifications including phosphorylation of its Serine-368 (S368) residue. Protein Kinase C isozymes directly phosphorylate S368 to alter Cx43 function and stability through inducing conformational changes affecting channel permeability or promoting internalization and degradation to reduce intercellular communication between cardiomyocytes. Recent studies have implicated this PKC/Cx43-pS368 circuit in several cardiac-associated diseases. In this review, we describe the molecular and cellular basis of PKC-mediated Cx43 phosphorylation and discuss the implications of Cx43 S368 phosphorylation in the context of various cardiac diseases, such as cardiomyopathy, as well as the therapeutic potential of targeting this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renju Pun
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Michael H. Kim
- CHI Health Heart Institute, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Brian J. North
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States,*Correspondence: Brian J. North,
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Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS): molecular pathogenesis and emerging drug targets for cardiac repair and regeneration. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:621-632. [PMID: 34488532 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1978069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a severe developmental defect characterized by the underdevelopment of the left ventricle along with aortic and valvular defects. Multiple palliative surgeries are required for survival. Emerging studies have identified potential mechanisms for the disease onset, including genetic and hemodynamic causes. Genetic variants associated with HLHS include transcription factors, chromatin remodelers, structural proteins, and signaling proteins necessary for normal heart development. Nonetheless, current therapies are being tested clinically and have shown promising results at improving cardiac function in patients who have undergone palliative surgeries. AREAS COVERED We searched PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov to review most of the mechanistic research and clinical trials involving HLHS. This review discusses the anatomy and pathology of HLHS hearts. We highlight some of the identified genetic variants that underly the molecular pathogenesis of HLHS. Additionally, we discuss some of the emerging therapies and their limitations for HLHS. EXPERT OPINION While HLHS etiology is largely obscure, palliative therapies remain the most viable option for the patients. It is necessary to generate animal and stem cell models to understand the underlying genetic causes directly leading to HLHS and facilitate the use of gene-based therapies to improve cardiac development and regeneration.
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Kléber AG, Jin Q. Coupling between cardiac cells-An important determinant of electrical impulse propagation and arrhythmogenesis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 2:031301. [PMID: 34296210 DOI: 10.1063/5.0050192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias are an important cause of sudden cardiac death-a devastating manifestation of many underlying causes, such as heart failure and ischemic heart disease leading to ventricular tachyarrhythmias and ventricular fibrillation, and atrial fibrillation causing cerebral embolism. Cardiac electrical propagation is a main factor in the initiation and maintenance of cardiac arrhythmias. In the heart, gap junctions are the basic unit at the cellular level that host intercellular low-resistance channels for the diffusion of ions and small regulatory molecules. The dual voltage clamp technique enabled the direct measurement of electrical conductance between cells and recording of single gap junction channel openings. The rapid turnover of gap junction channels at the intercalated disk implicates a highly dynamic process of trafficking and internalization of gap junction connexons. Recently, non-canonical roles of gap junction proteins have been discovered in mitochondria function, cytoskeletal organization, trafficking, and cardiac rescue. At the tissue level, we explain the concepts of linear propagation and safety factor based on the model of linear cellular structure. Working myocardium is adequately represented as a discontinuous cellular network characterized by cellular anisotropy and connective tissue heterogeneity. Electrical propagation in discontinuous cellular networks reflects an interplay of three main factors: cell-to-cell electrical coupling, flow of electrical charge through the ion channels, and the microscopic tissue structure. This review provides a state-of-the-art update of the cardiac gap junction channels and their role in cardiac electrical impulse propagation and highlights a combined approach of genetics, cell biology, and physics in modern cardiac electrophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- André G Kléber
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Qianru Jin
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02134, USA
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Blok M, Boukens BJ. Mechanisms of Arrhythmias in the Brugada Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197051. [PMID: 32992720 PMCID: PMC7582368 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmias in Brugada syndrome patients originate in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Over the past few decades, the characterization of the unique anatomy and electrophysiology of the RVOT has revealed the arrhythmogenic nature of this region. However, the mechanisms that drive arrhythmias in Brugada syndrome patients remain debated as well as the exact site of their occurrence in the RVOT. Identifying the site of origin and mechanism of Brugada syndrome would greatly benefit the development of mechanism-driven treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel Blok
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan J. Boukens
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-(0)20-566-4659
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9
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Valiunas V, Cohen IS, Brink PR, Clausen C. A study of the outward background current conductance g K1, the pacemaker current conductance g f, and the gap junction conductance g j as determinants of biological pacing in single cells and in a two-cell syncytium using the dynamic clamp. Pflugers Arch 2020; 472:561-570. [PMID: 32415460 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-020-02378-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that a two-cell syncytium, composed of a ventricular myocyte and an mHCN2 expressing cell, recapitulated most properties of in vivo biological pacing induced by mHCN2-transfected hMSCs in the canine ventricle. Here, we use the two-cell syncytium, employing dynamic clamp, to study the roles of gf (pacemaker conductance), gK1 (background K+ conductance), and gj (intercellular coupling conductance) in biological pacing. We studied gf and gK1 in single HEK293 cells expressing cardiac sodium current channel Nav1.5 (SCN5A). At fixed gf, increasing gK1 hyperpolarized the cell and initiated pacing. As gK1 increased, rate increased, then decreased, finally ceasing at membrane potentials near EK. At fixed gK1, increasing gf depolarized the cell and initiated pacing. With increasing gf, rate increased reaching a plateau, then decreased, ceasing at a depolarized membrane potential. We studied gj via virtual coupling with two non-adjacent cells, a driver (HEK293 cell) in which gK1 and gf were injected without SCN5A and a follower (HEK293 cell), expressing SCN5A. At the chosen values of gK1 and gf oscillations initiated in the driver, when gj was increased synchronized pacing began, which then decreased by about 35% as gj approached 20 nS. Virtual uncoupling yielded similar insights into gj. We also studied subthreshold oscillations in physically and virtually coupled cells. When coupling was insufficient to induce pacing, passive spread of the oscillations occurred in the follower. These results show a non-monotonic relationship between gK1, gf, gj, and pacing. Further, oscillations can be generated by gK1 and gf in the absence of SCN5A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginijus Valiunas
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics and the Institute for Molecular Cardiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8661, USA.
| | - Ira S Cohen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics and the Institute for Molecular Cardiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8661, USA
| | - Peter R Brink
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics and the Institute for Molecular Cardiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8661, USA
| | - Chris Clausen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics and the Institute for Molecular Cardiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8661, USA
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10
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D'Costa K, Kosic M, Lam A, Moradipour A, Zhao Y, Radisic M. Biomaterials and Culture Systems for Development of Organoid and Organ-on-a-Chip Models. Ann Biomed Eng 2020; 48:2002-2027. [PMID: 32285341 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-020-02498-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The development of novel 3D tissue culture systems has enabled the in vitro study of in vivo processes, thereby overcoming many of the limitations of previous 2D tissue culture systems. Advances in biomaterials, including the discovery of novel synthetic polymers has allowed for the generation of physiologically relevant in vitro 3D culture models. A large number of 3D culture systems, aided by novel organ-on-a-chip and bioreactor technologies have been developed to improve reproducibility and scalability of in vitro organ models. The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and the increasing number of protocols to generate iPSC-derived cell types has allowed for the generation of novel 3D models with minimal ethical limitations. The production of iPSC-derived 3D cultures has revolutionized the field of developmental biology and in particular, the study of fetal brain development. Furthermore, physiologically relevant 3D cultures generated from PSCs or adult stem cells (ASCs) have greatly advanced in vitro disease modelling and drug discovery. This review focuses on advances in 3D culture systems over the past years to model fetal development, disease pathology and support drug discovery in vitro, with a specific focus on the enabling role of biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katya D'Costa
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Milena Kosic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Angus Lam
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Azeen Moradipour
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yimu Zhao
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Milica Radisic
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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11
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Abstract
Activation of the electrical signal and its transmission as a depolarizing wave in the whole heart requires highly organized myocyte architecture and cell-cell contacts. In addition, complex trafficking and anchoring intracellular machineries regulate the proper surface expression of channels and their targeting to distinct membrane domains. An increasing list of proteins, lipids, and second messengers can contribute to the normal targeting of ion channels in cardiac myocytes. However, their precise roles in the electrophysiology of the heart are far from been extensively understood. Nowadays, much effort in the field focuses on understanding the mechanisms that regulate ion channel targeting to sarcolemma microdomains and their organization into macromolecular complexes. The purpose of the present section is to provide an overview of the characterized partners of the main cardiac sodium channel, NaV1.5, involved in regulating the functional expression of this channel both in terms of trafficking and targeting into microdomains.
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Yesil-Celiktas O, Hassan S, Miri AK, Maharjan S, Al-kharboosh R, Quiñones-Hinojosa A, Zhang YS. Mimicking Human Pathophysiology in Organ-on-Chip Devices. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201800109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Yesil-Celiktas
- Division of Engineering in Medicine; Department of Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Cambridge MA 02139 USA
- Department of Bioengineering; Faculty of Engineering; Ege University; Bornova-Izmir 35100 Turkey
| | - Shabir Hassan
- Division of Engineering in Medicine; Department of Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Cambridge MA 02139 USA
| | - Amir K. Miri
- Division of Engineering in Medicine; Department of Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Cambridge MA 02139 USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Rowan University; 401 North Campus Drive Glassboro NJ 08028 USA
| | - Sushila Maharjan
- Division of Engineering in Medicine; Department of Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Cambridge MA 02139 USA
- Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology; Nakkhu-4 Lalitpur 44600 Nepal
| | - Rawan Al-kharboosh
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine; Mayo Clinic Graduate School; Neuroscience, NBD Track Rochester MN 55905 USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oncology, Neuroscience; Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville FL 32224 USA
| | | | - Yu Shrike Zhang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine; Department of Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Cambridge MA 02139 USA
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13
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Sorgen PL, Trease AJ, Spagnol G, Delmar M, Nielsen MS. Protein⁻Protein Interactions with Connexin 43: Regulation and Function. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1428. [PMID: 29748463 PMCID: PMC5983787 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins are integral membrane building blocks that form gap junctions, enabling direct cytoplasmic exchange of ions and low-molecular-mass metabolites between adjacent cells. In the heart, gap junctions mediate the propagation of cardiac action potentials and the maintenance of a regular beating rhythm. A number of connexin interacting proteins have been described and are known gap junction regulators either through direct effects (e.g., kinases) or the formation of larger multifunctional complexes (e.g., cytoskeleton scaffold proteins). Most connexin partners can be categorized as either proteins promoting coupling by stimulating forward trafficking and channel opening or inhibiting coupling by inducing channel closure, internalization, and degradation. While some interactions have only been implied through co-localization using immunohistochemistry, others have been confirmed by biophysical methods that allow detection of a direct interaction. Our understanding of these interactions is, by far, most well developed for connexin 43 (Cx43) and the scope of this review is to summarize our current knowledge of their functional and regulatory roles. The significance of these interactions is further exemplified by demonstrating their importance at the intercalated disc, a major hub for Cx43 regulation and Cx43 mediated effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul L Sorgen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
| | - Andrew J Trease
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
| | - Gaelle Spagnol
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
| | - Mario Delmar
- Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Morten S Nielsen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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14
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Houston C, Tzortzis KN, Roney C, Saglietto A, Pitcher DS, Cantwell CD, Chowdhury RA, Ng FS, Peters NS, Dupont E. Characterisation of re-entrant circuit (or rotational activity) in vitro using the HL1-6 myocyte cell line. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2018; 119:155-164. [PMID: 29746849 PMCID: PMC6004038 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia observed in clinical practice. Understanding of the mechanisms underlying its initiation and maintenance remains incomplete. Functional re-entries are potential drivers of the arrhythmia. Two main concepts are still debated, the “leading circle” and the “spiral wave or rotor” theories. The homogeneous subclone of the HL1 atrial-derived cardiomyocyte cell line, HL1-6, spontaneously exhibits re-entry on a microscopic scale due to its slow conduction velocity and the presence of triggers, making it possible to examine re-entry at the cellular level. We therefore investigated the re-entry cores in cell monolayers through the use of fluorescence optical mapping at high spatiotemporal resolution in order to obtain insights into the mechanisms of re-entry. Re-entries in HL1-6 myocytes required at least two triggers and a minimum colony area to initiate (3.5 to 6.4 mm2). After electrical activity was completely stopped and re-started by varying the extracellular K+ concentration, re-entries never returned to the same location while 35% of triggers re-appeared at the same position. A conduction delay algorithm also allows visualisation of the core of the re-entries. This work has revealed that the core of re-entries is conduction blocks constituted by lines and/or groups of cells rather than the round area assumed by the other concepts of functional re-entry. This highlights the importance of experimentation at the microscopic level in the study of re-entry mechanisms. The cell line HL1-6 makes it possible to examine propagation at the single cell level. A new analysis toolkit permits visualisation of re-entry core in 2D cultures. The number of triggers and re-entries depends on colony size. Re-entry cores are groups of cells connected by thin lines of functional block. The mechanism of re-entry appears comparable with the leading circle concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Houston
- Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Konstantinos N Tzortzis
- Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Caroline Roney
- Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Andrea Saglietto
- Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - David S Pitcher
- Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Chris D Cantwell
- Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Rasheda A Chowdhury
- Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Fu Siong Ng
- Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Nicholas S Peters
- Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Emmanuel Dupont
- Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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15
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Ribeiro-Rodrigues TM, Martins-Marques T, Morel S, Kwak BR, Girão H. Role of connexin 43 in different forms of intercellular communication - gap junctions, extracellular vesicles and tunnelling nanotubes. J Cell Sci 2017; 130:3619-3630. [PMID: 29025971 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.200667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Communication is important to ensure the correct and efficient flow of information, which is required to sustain active social networks. A fine-tuned communication between cells is vital to maintain the homeostasis and function of multicellular or unicellular organisms in a community environment. Although there are different levels of complexity, intercellular communication, in prokaryotes to mammalians, can occur through secreted molecules (either soluble or encapsulated in vesicles), tubular structures connecting close cells or intercellular channels that link the cytoplasm of adjacent cells. In mammals, these different types of communication serve different purposes, may involve distinct factors and are mediated by extracellular vesicles, tunnelling nanotubes or gap junctions. Recent studies have shown that connexin 43 (Cx43, also known as GJA1), a transmembrane protein initially described as a gap junction protein, participates in all these forms of communication; this emphasizes the concept of adopting strategies to maximize the potential of available resources by reutilizing the same factor in different scenarios. In this Review, we provide an overview of the most recent advances regarding the role of Cx43 in intercellular communication mediated by extracellular vesicles, tunnelling nanotubes and gap junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa M Ribeiro-Rodrigues
- Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Tânia Martins-Marques
- Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sandrine Morel
- Dept. of Pathology and Immunology, and Dept. of Medical Specialties - Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Brenda R Kwak
- Dept. of Pathology and Immunology, and Dept. of Medical Specialties - Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Henrique Girão
- Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal .,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
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16
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Leybaert L, Lampe PD, Dhein S, Kwak BR, Ferdinandy P, Beyer EC, Laird DW, Naus CC, Green CR, Schulz R. Connexins in Cardiovascular and Neurovascular Health and Disease: Pharmacological Implications. Pharmacol Rev 2017; 69:396-478. [PMID: 28931622 PMCID: PMC5612248 DOI: 10.1124/pr.115.012062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins are ubiquitous channel forming proteins that assemble as plasma membrane hemichannels and as intercellular gap junction channels that directly connect cells. In the heart, gap junction channels electrically connect myocytes and specialized conductive tissues to coordinate the atrial and ventricular contraction/relaxation cycles and pump function. In blood vessels, these channels facilitate long-distance endothelial cell communication, synchronize smooth muscle cell contraction, and support endothelial-smooth muscle cell communication. In the central nervous system they form cellular syncytia and coordinate neural function. Gap junction channels are normally open and hemichannels are normally closed, but pathologic conditions may restrict gap junction communication and promote hemichannel opening, thereby disturbing a delicate cellular communication balance. Until recently, most connexin-targeting agents exhibited little specificity and several off-target effects. Recent work with peptide-based approaches has demonstrated improved specificity and opened avenues for a more rational approach toward independently modulating the function of gap junctions and hemichannels. We here review the role of connexins and their channels in cardiovascular and neurovascular health and disease, focusing on crucial regulatory aspects and identification of potential targets to modify their function. We conclude that peptide-based investigations have raised several new opportunities for interfering with connexins and their channels that may soon allow preservation of gap junction communication, inhibition of hemichannel opening, and mitigation of inflammatory signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Leybaert
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (L.L.); Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (P.D.L.); Institute for Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany (S.D.); Department of Pathology and Immunology, Department of Medical Specialization-Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (B.R.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (P.F.); Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary (P.F.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (E.C.B.); Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, Dental Science Building, London, Ontario, Canada (D.W.L.); Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (C.C.N.); Department of Ophthalmology and The New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (C.R.G.); and Physiologisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany (R.S.)
| | - Paul D Lampe
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (L.L.); Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (P.D.L.); Institute for Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany (S.D.); Department of Pathology and Immunology, Department of Medical Specialization-Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (B.R.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (P.F.); Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary (P.F.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (E.C.B.); Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, Dental Science Building, London, Ontario, Canada (D.W.L.); Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (C.C.N.); Department of Ophthalmology and The New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (C.R.G.); and Physiologisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany (R.S.)
| | - Stefan Dhein
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (L.L.); Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (P.D.L.); Institute for Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany (S.D.); Department of Pathology and Immunology, Department of Medical Specialization-Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (B.R.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (P.F.); Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary (P.F.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (E.C.B.); Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, Dental Science Building, London, Ontario, Canada (D.W.L.); Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (C.C.N.); Department of Ophthalmology and The New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (C.R.G.); and Physiologisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany (R.S.)
| | - Brenda R Kwak
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (L.L.); Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (P.D.L.); Institute for Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany (S.D.); Department of Pathology and Immunology, Department of Medical Specialization-Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (B.R.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (P.F.); Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary (P.F.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (E.C.B.); Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, Dental Science Building, London, Ontario, Canada (D.W.L.); Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (C.C.N.); Department of Ophthalmology and The New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (C.R.G.); and Physiologisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany (R.S.)
| | - Peter Ferdinandy
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (L.L.); Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (P.D.L.); Institute for Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany (S.D.); Department of Pathology and Immunology, Department of Medical Specialization-Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (B.R.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (P.F.); Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary (P.F.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (E.C.B.); Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, Dental Science Building, London, Ontario, Canada (D.W.L.); Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (C.C.N.); Department of Ophthalmology and The New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (C.R.G.); and Physiologisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany (R.S.)
| | - Eric C Beyer
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (L.L.); Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (P.D.L.); Institute for Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany (S.D.); Department of Pathology and Immunology, Department of Medical Specialization-Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (B.R.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (P.F.); Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary (P.F.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (E.C.B.); Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, Dental Science Building, London, Ontario, Canada (D.W.L.); Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (C.C.N.); Department of Ophthalmology and The New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (C.R.G.); and Physiologisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany (R.S.)
| | - Dale W Laird
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (L.L.); Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (P.D.L.); Institute for Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany (S.D.); Department of Pathology and Immunology, Department of Medical Specialization-Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (B.R.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (P.F.); Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary (P.F.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (E.C.B.); Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, Dental Science Building, London, Ontario, Canada (D.W.L.); Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (C.C.N.); Department of Ophthalmology and The New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (C.R.G.); and Physiologisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany (R.S.)
| | - Christian C Naus
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (L.L.); Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (P.D.L.); Institute for Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany (S.D.); Department of Pathology and Immunology, Department of Medical Specialization-Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (B.R.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (P.F.); Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary (P.F.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (E.C.B.); Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, Dental Science Building, London, Ontario, Canada (D.W.L.); Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (C.C.N.); Department of Ophthalmology and The New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (C.R.G.); and Physiologisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany (R.S.)
| | - Colin R Green
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (L.L.); Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (P.D.L.); Institute for Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany (S.D.); Department of Pathology and Immunology, Department of Medical Specialization-Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (B.R.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (P.F.); Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary (P.F.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (E.C.B.); Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, Dental Science Building, London, Ontario, Canada (D.W.L.); Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (C.C.N.); Department of Ophthalmology and The New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (C.R.G.); and Physiologisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany (R.S.)
| | - Rainer Schulz
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (L.L.); Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (P.D.L.); Institute for Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany (S.D.); Department of Pathology and Immunology, Department of Medical Specialization-Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (B.R.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (P.F.); Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary (P.F.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (E.C.B.); Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, Dental Science Building, London, Ontario, Canada (D.W.L.); Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (C.C.N.); Department of Ophthalmology and The New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (C.R.G.); and Physiologisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany (R.S.)
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17
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Ye WG, Yue B, Aoyama H, Kim NK, Cameron JA, Chen H, Bai D. Junctional delay, frequency, and direction-dependent uncoupling of human heterotypic Cx45/Cx43 gap junction channels. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2017; 111:17-26. [PMID: 28760564 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2017.07.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Gap junction (GJ) channels form low resistance passages between cardiomyocytes and play a role in the rapid propagation of action potentials in the heart. A GJ channel is formed by two properly docked hemichannels and each hemichannel is a hexamer of connexins. Connexin40 (Cx40) and Cx43 are the dominant connexins in atrial myocytes, while Cx45 is mostly expressed in the sinoatrial (SA) and atrioventricular (AV) nodes which directly connect nodal cells with atrial myocytes, possibly via heterotypic Cx40/Cx45 and/or Cx43/Cx45 GJs. However, the functional status and channel properties of human heterotypic Cx40/Cx45 or Cx43/Cx45 GJs have not been studied. Here we investigated human Cx40/Cx45 and Cx43/Cx45 heterotypic GJs by recombinant expression in GJ deficient cells. Unlike the finding on rodent connexins, cell pairs expressing human Cx40 in one and Cx45 in the other failed to form morphological and functional GJs. Modifications in human Cx40 with designed variants (D55N or P193Q, but not P193K) are sufficient to establish morphological and functional heterotypic GJs with Cx45. In contrast, heterotypic human Cx43/Cx45 GJs are functional similar to that described for rodent Cx43/Cx45 GJs. Detailed kinetic characterizations of human heterotypic Cx43/Cx45 GJs revealed a rapid asymmetric Vj-gating and a much slower recovery, which could reduce the GJ conductance in a junctional delay, action potential frequency, and direction dependent manner. Dynamic uncoupling in Cx45-containing GJs might contribute to a slower action potential propagation in the AV node.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willy G Ye
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Benny Yue
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hiroshi Aoyama
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Nicholas K Kim
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - John A Cameron
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Honghong Chen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Donglin Bai
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
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18
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Kucera JP, Rohr S, Kleber AG. Microstructure, Cell-to-Cell Coupling, and Ion Currents as Determinants of Electrical Propagation and Arrhythmogenesis. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2017; 10:CIRCEP.117.004665. [DOI: 10.1161/circep.117.004665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan P. Kucera
- From the Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Switzerland (J.P.K., S.R.); and the Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (A.G.K.)
| | - Stephan Rohr
- From the Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Switzerland (J.P.K., S.R.); and the Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (A.G.K.)
| | - Andre G. Kleber
- From the Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Switzerland (J.P.K., S.R.); and the Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (A.G.K.)
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19
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Chen X, Chen L, Chen Z, Chen X, Song J. Remodelling of myocardial intercalated disc protein connexin 43 causes increased susceptibility to malignant arrhythmias in ARVC/D patients. Forensic Sci Int 2017; 275:14-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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20
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Desplantez T. Cardiac Cx43, Cx40 and Cx45 co-assembling: involvement of connexins epitopes in formation of hemichannels and Gap junction channels. BMC Cell Biol 2017; 18:3. [PMID: 28124623 PMCID: PMC5267329 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-016-0118-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This review comes after the International Gap Junction Conference (IGJC 2015) and describes the current knowledge on the function of the specific motifs of connexins in the regulation of the formation of gap junction channels. Moreover the review is complemented by a summarized description of the distinct contribution of gap junction channels in the electrical coupling. Results Complementary biochemical and functional characterization on cell models and primary cells have improved our understanding on the oligomerization of connexins and the formation and the electrical properties of gap junction channels. Studies mostly focused cardiac connexins Cx43 and Cx40 expressed in myocytes, while Cx45 and Cx30.2 have been less investigated, for which main findings are reviewed to highlight their critical contribution in the formation of gap junction channels for ensuring the orchestrated electrical impulse propagation and coordination of atrial and ventricular contraction and heart function, whereas connexin dysfunction and remodeling are pro-arrhythmic factors. Common and specific motifs of residues identified in different domain of each type of connexin determine the connexin homo- and hetero-oligomerization and the channels formation, which leads to specific electrical properties. Conclusions These motifs and the resulting formation of gap junction channels are keys to ensure the tissue homeostasis and function in each connexin expression pattern in various tissues of multicellular organisms. Altogether, the findings to date have significantly improved our understanding on the function of the different connexin expression patterns in healthy and diseased tissues, and promise further investigations on the contribution in the different types of connexin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Desplantez
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Fondation Bordeaux Université, Campus X. Arnozan, Avenue Haut Leveque, 33600, Pessac- Bordeaux, France. .,Univ. Bordeaux, Centre de recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux, U1045, F-33000, Bordeaux, France. .,INSERM, Centre de recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux, U1045, F-33000, Bordeaux, France.
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21
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Bian B, Yu XF, Wang GQ, Teng TM. Role of miRNA-1 in regulating connexin 43 in ischemia-reperfusion heart injury: a rat model. Cardiovasc Pathol 2017; 27:37-42. [PMID: 28081514 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
MiRNA-1 may participate in regulating ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) by affecting the expression and distribution of connexin 43 (Cx43). The aim of this study is to investigate miR-1 expression and its potential role in regulating Cx43 during ischemic postconditioning (IPOST) in a rat model. Fifty-five Wistar male rats were randomly divided into five groups: N, IR, IPOST, agomir-1, and antagomir-1 group. The hearts were perfused with the Langendorff system. The reperfusion arrhythmia (RA) and myocardial infarct size were observed and recorded. The miRNA-1 expression and the Cx43 expression and distribution were assessed by RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. First, the RA score in the IR group was higher than that in the control group, whereas there was no difference between the IPOST and antagomir-1 groups. Second, the myocardial infarct size was larger in the agomir-1 than in the IPOST group; there was no difference between the antagomir-1 and the IPOST group. Third, the miRNA-1 expression increased by 78% in the agomir-1 group but decreased by 32% in the antagomir-1 group compared with the IPOST group. Fourth, compared with the Control group, the Cx43 expression in the IR group decreased, the Cx43 expression decreased in the agomir-1 group compared with the IPOST group. Fifth, the distribution of Cx43 was irregular and disorganized in the IR and agomir-1 groups. In the IPOST and antagomir-1 groups, Cx43 was neatly distributed in the intercalated disk area. Our findings suggest that IPOST can inhibit the up-regulation of miRNA-1 induced by ischemia-reperfusion and that the down-regulation of miRNA-1 can prevent the decrease and redistribution of Cx43, which will protect the heart from IRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Bian
- Cardiology Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xue-Fang Yu
- Cardiology Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
| | - Guo-Qin Wang
- Cardiology Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Tian-Ming Teng
- Cardiology Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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22
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DeLaughter DM, Bick AG, Wakimoto H, McKean D, Gorham JM, Kathiriya IS, Hinson JT, Homsy J, Gray J, Pu W, Bruneau BG, Seidman JG, Seidman CE. Single-Cell Resolution of Temporal Gene Expression during Heart Development. Dev Cell 2016; 39:480-490. [PMID: 27840107 PMCID: PMC5198784 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 293] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2015] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Activation of complex molecular programs in specific cell lineages governs mammalian heart development, from a primordial linear tube to a four-chamber organ. To characterize lineage-specific, spatiotemporal developmental programs, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of >1,200 murine cells isolated at seven time points spanning embryonic day 9.5 (primordial heart tube) to postnatal day 21 (mature heart). Using unbiased transcriptional data, we classified cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblast-enriched cells, thus identifying markers for temporal and chamber-specific developmental programs. By harnessing these datasets, we defined developmental ages of human and mouse pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes and characterized lineage-specific maturation defects in hearts of mice with heterozygous mutations in Nkx2.5 that cause human heart malformations. This spatiotemporal transcriptome analysis of heart development reveals lineage-specific gene programs underlying normal cardiac development and congenital heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander G. Bick
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hiroko Wakimoto
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David McKean
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joshua M. Gorham
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Irfan S. Kathiriya
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco
| | - John T. Hinson
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jason Homsy
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jesse Gray
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - William Pu
- Department of Cardiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Benoit G. Bruneau
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco
| | - J. G. Seidman
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christine E. Seidman
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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23
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Abstract
Brugada syndrome is an inherited disease characterized by an increased risk of sudden cardiac death owing to ventricular arrhythmias in the absence of structural heart disease. Since the first description of the syndrome >20 years ago, considerable advances have been made in our understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved and the strategies to stratify at-risk patients. The development of repolarization-depolarization abnormalities in patients with Brugada syndrome can involve genetic alterations, abnormal neural crest cell migration, improper gap junctional communication, or connexome abnormalities. A common phenotype observed on the electrocardiogram of patients with Brugada syndrome might be the result of different pathophysiological mechanisms. Furthermore, risk stratification of this patient cohort is critical, and although some risk factors for Brugada syndrome have been frequently reported, several others remain unconfirmed. Current clinical guidelines offer recommendations for patients at high risk of developing sudden cardiac death, but the management of those at low risk has not yet been defined. In this Review, we discuss the proposed mechanisms that underlie the development of Brugada syndrome and the current risk stratification and therapeutic options available for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Sieira
- Heart Rhythm Management Centre, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.,Cardiology Department, University Hospital Erasme, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gregory Dendramis
- Heart Rhythm Management Centre, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.,Cardiovascular Division, University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone", Via Del Vespro 127. 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Pedro Brugada
- Heart Rhythm Management Centre, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
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24
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Jassim A, Aoyama H, Ye WG, Chen H, Bai D. Engineered Cx40 variants increased docking and function of heterotypic Cx40/Cx43 gap junction channels. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2016; 90:11-20. [PMID: 26625713 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2015.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gap junction (GJ) channels provide low resistance passages for rapid action potential propagation in the heart. Both connexin40 (Cx40) and Cx43 are abundantly expressed in and frequently co-localized between atrial myocytes, possibly forming heterotypic GJ channels. However, conflicting results have been obtained on the functional status of heterotypic Cx40/Cx43 GJs. Here we provide experimental evidence that the docking and formation of heterotypic Cx40/Cx43 GJs can be substantially increased by designed Cx40 variants on the extracellular domains (E1 and E2). Specifically, Cx40 D55N and P193Q, substantially increased the probability to form GJ plaque-like structures at the cell-cell interfaces with Cx43 in model cells. More importantly the coupling conductance (Gj) of D55N/Cx43 and P193Q/Cx43 GJ channels are significantly increased from the Gj of Cx40/Cx43 in N2A cells. Our homology models indicate the electrostatic interactions and surface structures at the docking interface are key factors preventing Cx40 from docking to Cx43. Improving heterotypic Gj of these atrial connexins might be potentially useful in improving the coupling and synchronization of atrial myocardium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjewan Jassim
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hiroshi Aoyama
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Willy G Ye
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Honghong Chen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Donglin Bai
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
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25
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Leo-Macias A, Agullo-Pascual E, Delmar M. The cardiac connexome: Non-canonical functions of connexin43 and their role in cardiac arrhythmias. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2015; 50:13-21. [PMID: 26673388 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Connexin43 is the major component of gap junctions, an anatomical structure present in the cardiac intercalated disc that provides a low-resistance pathway for direct cell-to-cell passage of electrical charge. Recent studies have shown that in addition to its well-established function as an integral membrane protein that oligomerizes to form gap junctions, Cx43 plays other roles that are independent of channel (or perhaps even hemi-channel) formation. This article discusses non-canonical functions of Cx43. In particular, we focus on the role of Cx43 as a part of a protein interacting network, a connexome, where molecules classically defined as belonging to the mechanical junctions, the gap junctions and the sodium channel complex, multitask and work together to bring about excitability, electrical and mechanical coupling between cardiac cells. Overall, viewing Cx43 as a multi-functional protein, beyond gap junctions, opens a window to better understand the function of the intercalated disc and the pathological consequences that may result from changes in the abundance or localization of Cx43 in the intercalated disc subdomain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Leo-Macias
- The Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Esperanza Agullo-Pascual
- The Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Mario Delmar
- The Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
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26
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Rudolph TK, Ravekes T, Klinke A, Friedrichs K, Mollenhauer M, Pekarova M, Ambrozova G, Martiskova H, Kaur JJ, Matthes B, Schwoerer A, Woodcock SR, Kubala L, Freeman BA, Baldus S, Rudolph V. Nitrated fatty acids suppress angiotensin II-mediated fibrotic remodelling and atrial fibrillation. Cardiovasc Res 2015; 109:174-84. [PMID: 26598510 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvv254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Atrial fibrosis, one of the most striking features in the pathology of atrial fibrillation (AF), is promoted by local and systemic inflammation. Electrophilic fatty acid nitroalkenes, endogenously generated by both metabolic and inflammatory reactions, are anti-inflammatory mediators that in synthetic form may be useful as drug candidates. Herein we investigate whether an exemplary nitro-fatty acid can limit atrial fibrosis and AF. METHODS AND RESULTS Wild-type C57BL6/J mice were treated for 2 weeks with angiotensin II (AngII) and vehicle or nitro-oleic acid (10-nitro-octadec-9-enoic acid, OA-NO2, 6 mg/kg body weight) via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps. OA-NO2 significantly inhibited atrial fibrosis and depressed vulnerability for AF during right atrial electrophysiological stimulation to levels observed for AngII-naive animals. Left atrial epicardial mapping studies demonstrated preservation of conduction homogeneity by OA-NO2. The protection from fibrotic remodelling was mediated by suppression of Smad2-dependent myofibroblast transdifferentiation and inhibition of Nox2-dependent atrial superoxide formation. CONCLUSION OA-NO2 potently inhibits atrial fibrosis and subsequent AF. Nitro-fatty acids and possibly other lipid electrophiles thus emerge as potential therapeutic agents for AF, either by increasing endogenous levels through dietary modulation or by administration as synthetic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja K Rudolph
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Thorben Ravekes
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Anna Klinke
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany International Clinical Research Center-Center of Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, St Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kai Friedrichs
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Martin Mollenhauer
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Michaela Pekarova
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. I, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Gabriela Ambrozova
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. I, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Martiskova
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. I, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jatinder-Jit Kaur
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Hamburg, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bianca Matthes
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Hamburg, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alex Schwoerer
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research)-Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Steven R Woodcock
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lukas Kubala
- International Clinical Research Center-Center of Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, St Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. I, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Bruce A Freeman
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Stephan Baldus
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Volker Rudolph
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
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27
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Relating specific connexin co-expression ratio to connexon composition and gap junction function. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2015; 89:195-202. [PMID: 26550940 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2015.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac connexin 43 (Cx43), Cx40 and Cx45 are co-expressed at distinct ratios in myocytes. This pattern is considered a key factor in regulating the gap junction channels composition, properties and function and remains poorly understood. This work aims to correlate gap junction function with the connexin composition of the channels at accurate ratios Cx43:Cx40 and Cx43:Cx45. Rat liver epithelial cells that endogenously express Cx43 were stably transfected to induce expression of accurate levels of Cx40 or Cx45 that may be present in various areas of the heart (e.g. atria and ventricular conduction system). Induction of Cx40 does not increase the amounts of junctional connexins (Cx43 and Cx40), whereas induction of Cx45 increases the amounts of junctional connexins (Cx43 and Cx45). Interestingly, the non-junctional fraction of Cx43 remains unaffected upon induction of Cx40 and Cx45. Co-immunoprecipitation studies show low level of Cx40/Cx43 heteromerisation and undetectable Cx45/Cx43 heteromerisation. Functional characterisation shows that induction of Cx40 and Cx45 decreases Lucifer Yellow transfer. Electrical coupling is decreased by Cx45 induction, whereas it is decreased at low induction of Cx40 and increased at high induction. These data indicate a fine regulation of the gap junction channel make-up in function of the type and the ratio of co-expressed Cxs that specifically regulates chemical and electrical coupling. This reflects specific gap junction function in regulating impulse propagation in the healthy heart, and a pro-arrhythmic potential of connexin remodelling in the diseased heart.
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28
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Michela P, Velia V, Aldo P, Ada P. Role of connexin 43 in cardiovascular diseases. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 768:71-6. [PMID: 26499977 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Revised: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Gap junctions (GJs) channels provide the basis for intercellular communication in the cardiovascular system for maintenance of the normal cardiac rhythm, regulation of vascular tone and endothelial function as well as metabolic interchange between the cells. They allow the transfer of small molecules and may enable slow calcium wave spreading, transfer of "death" or of "survival" signals. In the cardiomyocytes the most abundant isoform is Connexin 43 (Cx43). Alterations in Cx43 expression and distribution were observed in myocardium disease; i.e. in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, heart failure and ischemia. Recent reports suggest the presence of Cx43 in the mitochondria as well, at least in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it plays a central role in ischemic preconditioning. In this review, the current knowledge on the relationship between the remodeling of cardiac gap junctions and cardiac diseases are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pinto Aldo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Italy
| | - Popolo Ada
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Italy.
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29
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Benam KH, Dauth S, Hassell B, Herland A, Jain A, Jang KJ, Karalis K, Kim HJ, MacQueen L, Mahmoodian R, Musah S, Torisawa YS, van der Meer AD, Villenave R, Yadid M, Parker KK, Ingber DE. Engineered in vitro disease models. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2015; 10:195-262. [PMID: 25621660 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-012414-040418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 355] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The ultimate goal of most biomedical research is to gain greater insight into mechanisms of human disease or to develop new and improved therapies or diagnostics. Although great advances have been made in terms of developing disease models in animals, such as transgenic mice, many of these models fail to faithfully recapitulate the human condition. In addition, it is difficult to identify critical cellular and molecular contributors to disease or to vary them independently in whole-animal models. This challenge has attracted the interest of engineers, who have begun to collaborate with biologists to leverage recent advances in tissue engineering and microfabrication to develop novel in vitro models of disease. As these models are synthetic systems, specific molecular factors and individual cell types, including parenchymal cells, vascular cells, and immune cells, can be varied independently while simultaneously measuring system-level responses in real time. In this article, we provide some examples of these efforts, including engineered models of diseases of the heart, lung, intestine, liver, kidney, cartilage, skin and vascular, endocrine, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems, as well as models of infectious diseases and cancer. We also describe how engineered in vitro models can be combined with human inducible pluripotent stem cells to enable new insights into a broad variety of disease mechanisms, as well as provide a test bed for screening new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kambez H Benam
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115;
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30
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Abstract
Cardiomyocytes are connected by mechanical and electrical junctions located at the intercalated discs (IDs). Although these structures have long been known, it is becoming increasingly clear that their components interact. This review describes the involvement of the ID in electrical disturbances of the heart and focuses on the role of the gap junctional protein connexin 43 (Cx43). Current evidence shows that Cx43 plays a crucial role in organizing microtubules at the intercalated disc and thereby regulating the trafficking of the cardiac sodium channel NaV1.5 to the membrane.
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31
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Balycheva M, Faggian G, Glukhov AV, Gorelik J. Microdomain-specific localization of functional ion channels in cardiomyocytes: an emerging concept of local regulation and remodelling. Biophys Rev 2015; 7:43-62. [PMID: 28509981 PMCID: PMC5425752 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-014-0159-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac excitation involves the generation of action potential by individual cells and the subsequent conduction of the action potential from cell to cell through intercellular gap junctions. Excitation of the cellular membrane results in opening of the voltage-gated L-type calcium ion (Ca2+) channels, thereby allowing a small amount of Ca2+ to enter the cell, which in turn triggers the release of a much greater amount of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, the intracellular Ca2+ store, and gives rise to the systolic Ca2+ transient and contraction. These processes are highly regulated by the autonomic nervous system, which ensures the acute and reliable contractile function of the heart and the short-term modulation of this function upon changes in heart rate or workload. It has recently become evident that discrete clusters of different ion channels and regulatory receptors are present in the sarcolemma, where they form an interacting network and work together as a part of a macro-molecular signalling complex which in turn allows the specificity, reliability and accuracy of the autonomic modulation of the excitation-contraction processes by a variety of neurohormonal pathways. Disruption in subcellular targeting of ion channels and associated signalling proteins may contribute to the pathophysiology of a variety of cardiac diseases, including heart failure and certain arrhythmias. Recent methodological advances have made it possible to routinely image the topography of live cardiomyocytes, allowing the study of clustering functional ion channels and receptors as well as their coupling within a specific microdomain. In this review we highlight the emerging understanding of the functionality of distinct subcellular microdomains in cardiac myocytes (e.g. T-tubules, lipid rafts/caveolae, costameres and intercalated discs) and their functional role in the accumulation and regulation of different subcellular populations of sodium, Ca2+ and potassium ion channels and their contributions to cellular signalling and cardiac pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Balycheva
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, 4th Floor National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Cardiosurgery Department, University of Verona School of Medicine, Verona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Faggian
- Cardiosurgery Department, University of Verona School of Medicine, Verona, Italy
| | - Alexey V Glukhov
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, 4th Floor National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
| | - Julia Gorelik
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, 4th Floor National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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32
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Kleber AG, Saffitz JE. Role of the intercalated disc in cardiac propagation and arrhythmogenesis. Front Physiol 2014; 5:404. [PMID: 25368581 PMCID: PMC4201087 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This review article discusses mechanisms underlying impulse propagation in cardiac muscle with specific emphasis on the role of the cardiac cell-to-cell junction, called the “intercalated disc.”The first part of this review deals with the role of gap junction channels, formed by connexin proteins, as a determinant of impulse propagation. It is shown that, depending on the underlying structure of the cellular network, decreasing the conductance of gap junction channels (so-called “electrical uncoupling”) may either only slow, or additionally stabilize propagation and reverse unidirectional propagation block to bidirectional propagation. This is because the safety factor for propagation increases with decreasing intercellular electrical conductance. The role of heterogeneous connexin expression, which may be present in disease states, is also discussed. The hypothesis that so-called ephaptic impulse transmission plays a role in heart and can substitute for electrical coupling has been revived recently. Whereas ephaptic transmission can be demonstrated in theoretical simulations, direct experimental evidence has not yet been presented. The second part of this review deals with the interaction of three protein complexes at the intercalated disc: (1) desmosomal and adherens junction proteins, (2) ion channel proteins, and (3) gap junction channels consisting of connexins. Recent work has revealed multiple interactions between these three protein complexes which occur, at least in part, at the level of protein trafficking. Such interactions are likely to play an important role in the pathogenesis of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, and may reveal new therapeutic concepts and targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre G Kleber
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Medical Center, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Saffitz
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Medical Center, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, USA
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Lin X, O'Malley H, Chen C, Auerbach D, Foster M, Shekhar A, Zhang M, Coetzee W, Jalife J, Fishman GI, Isom L, Delmar M. Scn1b deletion leads to increased tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium current, altered intracellular calcium homeostasis and arrhythmias in murine hearts. J Physiol 2014; 593:1389-407. [PMID: 25772295 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2014.277699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Na(+) current (INa) results from the integrated function of a molecular aggregate (the voltage-gated Na(+) channel complex) that includes the β subunit family. Mutations or rare variants in Scn1b (encoding the β1 and β1B subunits) have been associated with various inherited arrhythmogenic syndromes, including Brugada syndrome and sudden unexpected death in patients with epilepsy. We used Scn1b null mice to understand better the relation between Scn1b expression, and cardiac electrical function. Loss of Scn1b caused, among other effects, increased amplitude of tetrodotoxin-sensitive INa, delayed after-depolarizations, triggered beats, delayed Ca(2+) transients, frequent spontaneous calcium release events and increased susceptibility to polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias. Most alterations in Ca(2+) homeostasis were prevented by 100 nM tetrodotoxin. We propose that life-threatening arrhythmias in patients with mutations in Scn1b, a gene classically defined as ancillary to the Na(+) channel α subunit, can be partly consequent to disrupted intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis. ABSTRACT Na(+) current (INa) is determined not only by the properties of the pore-forming voltage-gated Na(+) channel (VGSC) α subunit, but also by the integrated function of a molecular aggregate (the VGSC complex) that includes the VGSC β subunit family. Mutations or rare variants in Scn1b (encoding the β1 and β1B subunits) have been associated with various inherited arrhythmogenic syndromes, including cases of Brugada syndrome and sudden unexpected death in patients with epilepsy. Here, we have used Scn1b null mouse models to understand better the relation between Scn1b expression, and cardiac electrical function. Using a combination of macropatch and scanning ion conductance microscopy we show that loss of Scn1b in juvenile null animals resulted in increased tetrodotoxin-sensitive INa but only in the cell midsection, even before full T-tubule formation; the latter occurred concurrent with increased message abundance for the neuronal Scn3a mRNA, suggesting increased abundance of tetrodotoxin-sensitive NaV 1.3 protein and yet its exclusion from the region of the intercalated disc. Ventricular myocytes from cardiac-specific adult Scn1b null animals showed increased Scn3a message, prolonged action potential repolarization, presence of delayed after-depolarizations and triggered beats, delayed Ca(2+) transients and frequent spontaneous Ca(2+) release events and at the whole heart level, increased susceptibility to polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias. Most alterations in Ca(2+) homeostasis were prevented by 100 nM tetrodotoxin. Our results suggest that life-threatening arrhythmias in patients with mutations in Scn1b, a gene classically defined as ancillary to the Na(+) channel α subunit, can be partly consequent to disrupted intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis in ventricular myocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianming Lin
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Agullo-Pascual E, Lin X, Leo-Macias A, Zhang M, Liang FX, Li Z, Pfenniger A, Lübkemeier I, Keegan S, Fenyö D, Willecke K, Rothenberg E, Delmar M. Super-resolution imaging reveals that loss of the C-terminus of connexin43 limits microtubule plus-end capture and NaV1.5 localization at the intercalated disc. Cardiovasc Res 2014; 104:371-81. [PMID: 25139742 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvu195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS It is well known that connexin43 (Cx43) forms gap junctions. We recently showed that Cx43 is also part of a protein-interacting network that regulates excitability. Cardiac-specific truncation of Cx43 C-terminus (mutant 'Cx43D378stop') led to lethal arrhythmias. Cx43D378stop localized to the intercalated disc (ID); cell-cell coupling was normal, but there was significant sodium current (INa) loss. We proposed that the microtubule plus-end is at the crux of the Cx43-INa relation. Yet, specific localization of relevant molecular players was prevented due to the resolution limit of fluorescence microscopy. Here, we use nanoscale imaging to establish: (i) the morphology of clusters formed by the microtubule plus-end tracking protein 'end-binding 1' (EB1), (ii) their position, and that of sodium channel alpha-subunit NaV1.5, relative to N-cadherin-rich sites, and (iii) the role of Cx43 C-terminus on the above-mentioned parameters and on the location-specific function of INa. METHODS AND RESULTS Super-resolution fluorescence localization microscopy in murine adult cardiomyocytes revealed EB1 and NaV1.5 as distinct clusters preferentially localized to N-cadherin-rich sites. Extent of co-localization decreased in Cx43D378stop cells. Macropatch and scanning patch clamp showed reduced INa exclusively at cell end, without changes in unitary conductance. Experiments in Cx43-modified HL1 cells confirmed the relation between Cx43, INa, and microtubules. CONCLUSIONS NaV1.5 and EB1 localization at the cell end is Cx43-dependent. Cx43 is part of a molecular complex that determines capture of the microtubule plus-end at the ID, facilitating cargo delivery. These observations link excitability and electrical coupling through a common molecular mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Agullo-Pascual
- Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine (NYU-SoM), 522 First Avenue, Smilow 805, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Xianming Lin
- Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine (NYU-SoM), 522 First Avenue, Smilow 805, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Alejandra Leo-Macias
- Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine (NYU-SoM), 522 First Avenue, Smilow 805, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Mingliang Zhang
- Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine (NYU-SoM), 522 First Avenue, Smilow 805, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Feng-Xia Liang
- Office of Collaborative Science Microscopy Core, NYU-SoM, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhen Li
- Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine (NYU-SoM), 522 First Avenue, Smilow 805, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Anna Pfenniger
- Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine (NYU-SoM), 522 First Avenue, Smilow 805, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Indra Lübkemeier
- Life and Medical Sciences Institute, Molecular Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sarah Keegan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU-SoM, New York, NY, USA Center for Health Informatics and Bioinformatics, NYU-SoM, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Fenyö
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU-SoM, New York, NY, USA Center for Health Informatics and Bioinformatics, NYU-SoM, New York, NY, USA
| | - Klaus Willecke
- Life and Medical Sciences Institute, Molecular Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eli Rothenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU-SoM, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mario Delmar
- Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine (NYU-SoM), 522 First Avenue, Smilow 805, New York, NY 10016, USA
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35
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Shy D, Gillet L, Ogrodnik J, Albesa M, Verkerk AO, Wolswinkel R, Rougier JS, Barc J, Essers MC, Syam N, Marsman RF, van Mil AM, Rotman S, Redon R, Bezzina CR, Remme CA, Abriel H. PDZ domain-binding motif regulates cardiomyocyte compartment-specific NaV1.5 channel expression and function. Circulation 2014; 130:147-60. [PMID: 24895455 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.113.007852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sodium channel NaV1.5 underlies cardiac excitability and conduction. The last 3 residues of NaV1.5 (Ser-Ile-Val) constitute a PDZ domain-binding motif that interacts with PDZ proteins such as syntrophins and SAP97 at different locations within the cardiomyocyte, thus defining distinct pools of NaV1.5 multiprotein complexes. Here, we explored the in vivo and clinical impact of this motif through characterization of mutant mice and genetic screening of patients. METHODS AND RESULTS To investigate in vivo the regulatory role of this motif, we generated knock-in mice lacking the SIV domain (ΔSIV). ΔSIV mice displayed reduced NaV1.5 expression and sodium current (INa), specifically at the lateral myocyte membrane, whereas NaV1.5 expression and INa at the intercalated disks were unaffected. Optical mapping of ΔSIV hearts revealed that ventricular conduction velocity was preferentially decreased in the transversal direction to myocardial fiber orientation, leading to increased anisotropy of ventricular conduction. Internalization of wild-type and ΔSIV channels was unchanged in HEK293 cells. However, the proteasome inhibitor MG132 rescued ΔSIV INa, suggesting that the SIV motif is important for regulation of NaV1.5 degradation. A missense mutation within the SIV motif (p.V2016M) was identified in a patient with Brugada syndrome. The mutation decreased NaV1.5 cell surface expression and INa when expressed in HEK293 cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the in vivo significance of the PDZ domain-binding motif in the correct expression of NaV1.5 at the lateral cardiomyocyte membrane and underline the functional role of lateral NaV1.5 in ventricular conduction. Furthermore, we reveal a clinical relevance of the SIV motif in cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Shy
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Ludovic Gillet
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Jakob Ogrodnik
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Maxime Albesa
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Arie O Verkerk
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Rianne Wolswinkel
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Jean-Sébastien Rougier
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Julien Barc
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Maria C Essers
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Ninda Syam
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Roos F Marsman
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Anneke M van Mil
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Samuel Rotman
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Richard Redon
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Connie R Bezzina
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.)
| | - Hugues Abriel
- From the Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (D.S., L.G., J.O., M.A., J.-S.R., M.C.E., N.S., H.A.); Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology (A.O.V.) and Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology (R.W., J.B., R.F.M., C.R.B., C.A.R.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ICIN-Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.B.); Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (A.M.v.M.); Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland (S.R.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche 1087, L'Institut du Thorax, Nantes, France (R.R.); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6291, Nantes, France (R.R.); Université de Nantes, Nantes, France (R.R.); and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, L'Institut du Thorax, Service de Cardiologie, Nantes, France (R.R.).
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McCain ML, Desplantez T, Kléber AG. Engineering Cardiac Cell JunctionsIn Vitroto Study the Intercalated Disc. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 21:181-91. [DOI: 10.3109/15419061.2014.905931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Patel DM, Green KJ. Desmosomes in the Heart: A Review of Clinical and Mechanistic Analyses. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 21:109-28. [DOI: 10.3109/15419061.2014.906533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Dhillon PS, Chowdhury RA, Patel PM, Jabr R, Momin AU, Vecht J, Gray R, Shipolini A, Fry CH, Peters NS. Relationship between connexin expression and gap-junction resistivity in human atrial myocardium. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2014; 7:321-9. [PMID: 24610741 DOI: 10.1161/circep.113.000606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relative roles of the gap-junctional proteins connexin40 (Cx40) and connexin43 (Cx43) in determining human atrial myocardial resistivity is unknown. In addressing the hypothesis that changing relative expression of Cx40 and Cx43 underlies an increase in human atrial myocardial resistivity with age, this relationship was investigated by direct ex vivo measurement of gap-junctional resistivity and quantitative connexin immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. METHODS AND RESULTS Oil-gap impedance measurements were performed to determine resistivity of the intracellular pathway (Ri), which correlated with total Cx40 quantification by Western blotting (rs=0.64, P<0.01, n=20). Specific gap-junctional resistivity (Rj) correlated not only with Western immunoquantification of Cx40 (rs=0.63, P=0.01, n=20), but also more specifically, with the Cx40 fraction localized to the intercalated disks on immunohistochemical quantification (rs=0.66, P=0.02, n=12). Although Cx43 expression showed no correlation with resistivity values, the proportional expression of the 2 connexins, (Cx40/[Cx40+Cx43]) correlated with Ri and Rj (rs=0.58, P<0.01 for Ri and rs=0.51, P=0.02 for Rj). Advancing age was associated with a rise in Ri (rs=0.77, P<0.0001), Rj (rs=0.65, P<0.001, n=23), Cx40 quantity (rs=0.54, P=0.01, n=20), and Cx40 gap-junction protein per unit area of en face disk (rs=0.61, P=0.02, n=12). CONCLUSIONS Cx40 is associated with human right atrial gap-junctional resistivity such that increased total, gap-junctional, and proportional Cx40 expression increases gap-junctional resistivity. Accordingly, advancing age is associated with an increase in Cx40 expression and a corresponding increase in gap-junctional resistivity. These findings are the first to demonstrate this relationship and a mechanistic explanation for changing atrial conduction and age-related arrhythmic tendency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paramdeep S Dhillon
- Myocardial Function Section, Imperial College London and Imperial College NHS Trust, London, UK
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39
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Danti S, Ciofani G, Pertici G, Moscato S, D'Alessandro D, Ciabatti E, Chiellini F, D'Acunto M, Mattoli V, Berrettini S. Boron nitride nanotube-functionalised myoblast/microfibre constructs: a nanotech-assisted tissue-engineered platform for muscle stimulation. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2014; 9:847-51. [DOI: 10.1002/term.1878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 12/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Serena Danti
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Emergency Medicine; University of Pisa; Italy
| | - Gianni Ciofani
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT); Centre for Micro-BioRobotics@SSSA; Pontedera PI Italy
| | - Gianni Pertici
- Department of Innovative Technologies; University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI); Manno Switzerland
| | - Stefania Moscato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Pisa; Italy
| | - Delfo D'Alessandro
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Emergency Medicine; University of Pisa; Italy
| | - Elena Ciabatti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Pisa; Italy
| | - Federica Chiellini
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry; University of Pisa; Italy
| | - Mario D'Acunto
- Institute of Matter Structure; Tor Vergata Research Area, CNR; Rome Italy
| | - Virgilio Mattoli
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT); Centre for Micro-BioRobotics@SSSA; Pontedera PI Italy
| | - Stefano Berrettini
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Emergency Medicine; University of Pisa; Italy
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Jiang Y, Habibollah S, Tilgner K, Collin J, Barta T, Al-Aama JY, Tesarov L, Hussain R, Trafford AW, Kirkwood G, Sernagor E, Eleftheriou CG, Przyborski S, Stojković M, Lako M, Keavney B, Armstrong L. An induced pluripotent stem cell model of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) reveals multiple expression and functional differences in HLHS-derived cardiac myocytes. Stem Cells Transl Med 2014; 3:416-23. [PMID: 24591732 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2013-0105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a serious congenital cardiovascular malformation resulting in hypoplasia or atresia of the left ventricle, ascending aorta, and aortic and mitral valves. Diminished flow through the left side of the heart is clearly a key contributor to the condition, but any myocardial susceptibility component is as yet undefined. Using recent advances in the field of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we have been able to generate an iPSC model of HLHS malformation and characterize the properties of cardiac myocytes (CMs) differentiated from these and control-iPSC lines. Differentiation of HLHS-iPSCs to cardiac lineages revealed changes in the expression of key cardiac markers and a lower ability to give rise to beating clusters when compared with control-iPSCs and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). HLHS-iPSC-derived CMs show a lower level of myofibrillar organization, persistence of a fetal gene expression pattern, and changes in commitment to ventricular versus atrial lineages, and they display different calcium transient patterns and electrophysiological responses to caffeine and β-adrenergic antagonists when compared with hESC- and control-iPSC-derived CMs, suggesting that alternative mechanisms to release calcium from intracellular stores such as the inositol trisphosphate receptor may exist in HLHS in addition to the ryanodine receptor thought to function in control-iPSC-derived CMs. Together our findings demonstrate that CMs derived from an HLHS patient demonstrate a number of marker expression and functional differences to hESC/control iPSC-derived CMs, thus providing some evidence that cardiomyocyte-specific factors may influence the risk of HLHS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jiang
- Institute of Genetic Medicine and Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Soochow University, Su Zhou, China; Princess Al Jawhara Center of Excellence in Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Centre for Biomedical Image Analysis, Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Cardiovascular Science, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, CoreTechnology Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom; School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Durham, Durham, United Kingdom; Department of Human Genetics, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
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41
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Dias P, Desplantez T, El-Harasis MA, Chowdhury RA, Ullrich ND, Cabestrero de Diego A, Peters NS, Severs NJ, MacLeod KT, Dupont E. Characterisation of connexin expression and electrophysiological properties in stable clones of the HL-1 myocyte cell line. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90266. [PMID: 24587307 PMCID: PMC3938655 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 01/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The HL-1 atrial line contains cells blocked at various developmental stages. To obtain homogeneous sub-clones and correlate changes in gene expression with functional alterations, individual clones were obtained and characterised for parameters involved in conduction and excitation-contraction coupling. Northern blots for mRNAs coding for connexins 40, 43 and 45 and calcium handling proteins (sodium/calcium exchanger, L- and T-type calcium channels, ryanodine receptor 2 and sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2) were performed. Connexin expression was further characterised by western blots and immunofluorescence. Inward currents were characterised by voltage clamp and conduction velocities measured using microelectrode arrays. The HL-1 clones had similar sodium and calcium inward currents with the exception of clone 2 which had a significantly smaller calcium current density. All the clones displayed homogenous propagation of electrical activity across the monolayer correlating with the levels of connexin expression. Conduction velocities were also more sensitive to inhibition of junctional coupling by carbenoxolone (∼ 80%) compared to inhibition of the sodium current by lidocaine (∼ 20%). Electrical coupling by gap junctions was the major determinant of conduction velocities in HL-1 cell lines. In summary we have isolated homogenous and stable HL-1 clones that display characteristics distinct from the heterogeneous properties of the original cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanthi Dias
- Myocardial Function Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Desplantez
- Myocardial Function Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Majd A. El-Harasis
- Myocardial Function Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rasheda A. Chowdhury
- Myocardial Function Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nina D. Ullrich
- Myocardial Function Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alberto Cabestrero de Diego
- Myocardial Function Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas S. Peters
- Myocardial Function Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J. Severs
- Myocardial Function Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kenneth T. MacLeod
- Myocardial Function Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanuel Dupont
- Myocardial Function Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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42
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Agullo-Pascual E, Cerrone M, Delmar M. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and Brugada syndrome: diseases of the connexome. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:1322-30. [PMID: 24548564 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Revised: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes data in support of the notion that the cardiac intercalated disc is the host of a protein interacting network, called "the connexome", where molecules classically defined as belonging to one particular structure (e.g., desmosomes, gap junctions, sodium channel complex) actually interact with others, and together, control excitability, electrical coupling and intercellular adhesion in the heart. The concept of the connexome is then translated into the understanding of the mechanisms leading to two inherited arrhythmia diseases: arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, and Brugada syndrome. The cross-over points in these two diseases are addressed to then suggest that, though separate identifiable clinical entities, they represent "bookends" of a spectrum of manifestations that vary depending on the effect that a particular mutation has on the connexome as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Agullo-Pascual
- Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, 522 First avenue, Smilow 805, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Marina Cerrone
- Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, 522 First avenue, Smilow 805, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Mario Delmar
- Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, 522 First avenue, Smilow 805, New York, NY 10016, United States.
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43
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Kim SK, Pak HN, Park Y. Synergistic restoring effects of isoproterenol and magnesium on KCNQ1-inhibited bradycardia cell models cultured in microelectrode array. Cardiology 2014; 128:15-24. [PMID: 24514589 DOI: 10.1159/000356955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Bradycardia is caused by loss-of-function mutations in potassium channels that regulate phase 3 repolarization of the cardiac action potential. The purpose of this study is to monitor the effects of potassium channel (KCNQ1) inhibition and to evaluate the effects of isoproterenol (ISO) and MgSO4 in restoring sinus rhythm in atrial cells. METHODS Microelectrode array was used to analyze conduction velocity, voltage amplitude and cycle length of atrial cells (HL-1). A combination of ISO and MgSO4 was used to restore sinus rhythm in these cells. RESULTS mRNA expression levels of KCNQ1 (42.2 vs. 100%, p < 0.0001), connexin 43 (29.6 vs. 100%, p = 0.0033), atrial natriuretic peptide (31.0 vs. 100%, p = 0.0030), cardiac actin (38.2 vs. 100%, p < 0.0001) and α-myosin heavy chain (31.2 vs. 100%, p = 0.00254) were significantly lower in the KCNQ1 gene-inhibited group compared to the control group. When treated with MgSO4 (1 mM) and ISO (10 μM), conduction velocity (0.0208 ± 0.0036 vs. 0.0086 ± 0.0014 m/s, p = 0.0004) and voltage amplitude (1,210.78 ± 65.81 vs. 124.1 ± 13.30 μV, p < 0.0001) were higher, and cycle length (431.55 ± 2.05 vs. 1,015.15 ± 4.31 ms, p < 0.0001) was shorter than in the gene-inhibited group. CONCLUSION Inhibition of sinus rhythm in the bradycardia cell model was recovered by treatment with ISO and MgSO4, demonstrating the potency of combination therapy in the treatment of bradycardia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sook Kyoung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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44
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De Bock M, Kerrebrouck M, Wang N, Leybaert L. Neurological manifestations of oculodentodigital dysplasia: a Cx43 channelopathy of the central nervous system? Front Pharmacol 2013; 4:120. [PMID: 24133447 PMCID: PMC3783840 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2013.00120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The coordination of tissue function is mediated by gap junctions (GJs) that enable direct cell–cell transfer of metabolic and electric signals. GJs are formed by connexins of which Cx43 is most widespread in the human body. In the brain, Cx43 GJs are mostly found in astroglia where they coordinate the propagation of Ca2+ waves, spatial K+ buffering, and distribution of glucose. Beyond its role in direct intercellular communication, Cx43 also forms unapposed, non-junctional hemichannels in the plasma membrane of glial cells. These allow the passage of several neuro- and gliotransmitters that may, combined with downstream paracrine signaling, complement direct GJ communication among glial cells and sustain glial-neuronal signaling. Mutations in the GJA1 gene encoding Cx43 have been identified in a rare, mostly autosomal dominant syndrome called oculodentodigital dysplasia (ODDD). ODDD patients display a pleiotropic phenotype reflected by eye, hand, teeth, and foot abnormalities, as well as craniofacial and bone malformations. Remarkably, neurological symptoms such as dysarthria, neurogenic bladder (manifested as urinary incontinence), spasticity or muscle weakness, ataxia, and epilepsy are other prominent features observed in ODDD patients. Over 10 mutations detected in patients diagnosed with neurological disorders are associated with altered functionality of Cx43 GJs/hemichannels, but the link between ODDD-related abnormal channel activities and neurologic phenotype is still elusive. Here, we present an overview on the nature of the mutants conveying structural and functional changes of Cx43 channels and discuss available evidence for aberrant Cx43 GJ and hemichannel function. In a final step, we examine the possibilities of how channel dysfunction may lead to some of the neurological manifestations of ODDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marijke De Bock
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University Ghent, Belgium
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45
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Himel HD, Garny A, Noble PJ, Wadgaonkar R, Savarese J, Liu N, Bub G, El-Sherif N. Electrotonic suppression of early afterdepolarizations in the neonatal rat ventricular myocyte monolayer. J Physiol 2013; 591:5357-64. [PMID: 24018945 PMCID: PMC3936372 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2013.262923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathologies that result in early afterdepolarizations (EADs) are a known trigger for tachyarrhythmias, but the conditions that cause surrounding tissue to conduct or suppress EADs are poorly understood. Here we introduce a cell culture model of EAD propagation consisting of monolayers of cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes treated with anthopleurin-A (AP-A). AP-A-treated monolayers display a cycle length dependent prolongation of action potential duration (245 ms untreated, vs. 610 ms at 1 Hz and 1200 ms at 0.5 Hz for AP-A-treated monolayers). In contrast, isolated single cells treated with AP-A develop prominent irregular oscillations with a frequency of 2.5 Hz, and a variable prolongation of the action potential duration of up to several seconds. To investigate whether electrotonic interactions between coupled cells modulates EAD formation, cell connectivity was reduced by RNA silencing gap junction Cx43. In contrast to well-connected monolayers, gap junction silenced monolayers display bradycardia-dependent plateau oscillations consistent with EADs. Further, simulations of a cell displaying EADs electrically connected to a cell with normal action potentials show a coupling strength-dependent suppression of EADs consistent with the experimental results. These results suggest that electrotonic effects may play a critical role in EAD-mediated arrhythmogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman D Himel
- G. Bub: Department of Physiology Anatomy and Genetics, Sherrington Building Room C-33, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK, OX1 3PT.
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46
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Agullo-Pascual E, Reid DA, Keegan S, Sidhu M, Fenyö D, Rothenberg E, Delmar M. Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy of the cardiac connexome reveals plakophilin-2 inside the connexin43 plaque. Cardiovasc Res 2013; 100:231-40. [PMID: 23929525 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvt191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Cell function requires formation of molecular clusters localized to discrete subdomains. The composition of these interactomes, and their spatial organization, cannot be discerned by conventional microscopy given the resolution constraints imposed by the diffraction limit of light (∼200-300 nm). Our aims were (i) Implement single-molecule imaging and analysis tools to resolve the nano-scale architecture of cardiac myocytes. (ii) Using these tools, to map two molecules classically defined as components 'of the desmosome' and 'of the gap junction', and defined their spatial organization. METHODS AND RESULTS We built a set-up on a conventional inverted microscope using commercially available optics. Laser illumination, reducing, and oxygen scavenging conditions were used to manipulate the blinking behaviour of individual fluorescent reporters. Movies of blinking fluorophores were reconstructed to generate subdiffraction images at ∼20 nm resolution. With this method, we characterized clusters of connexin43 (Cx43) and of 'the desmosomal protein' plakophilin-2 (PKP2). In about half of Cx43 clusters, we observed overlay of Cx43 and PKP2 at the Cx43 plaque edge. SiRNA-mediated loss of Ankyrin-G expression yielded larger Cx43 clusters, of less regular shape, and larger Cx43-PKP2 subdomains. The Cx43-PKP2 subdomain was validated by a proximity ligation assay (PLA) and by Monte-Carlo simulations indicating an attraction between PKP2 and Cx43. CONCLUSIONS (i) Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, complemented with Monte-Carlo simulations and PLAs, allows the study of the nanoscale organization of an interactome in cardiomyocytes. (ii) PKP2 and Cx43 share a common hub that permits direct physical interaction. Its relevance to excitability, electrical coupling, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Agullo-Pascual
- The Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, 522 First Avenue, Smilow 805, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Verheule S, Kaese S. Connexin diversity in the heart: insights from transgenic mouse models. Front Pharmacol 2013; 4:81. [PMID: 23818881 PMCID: PMC3694209 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2013.00081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac conduction is mediated by gap junction channels that are formed by connexin (Cx) protein subunits. The connexin family of proteins consists of more than 20 members varying in their biophysical properties and ability to combine with other connexins into heteromeric gap junction channels. The mammalian heart shows regional differences both in connexin expression profile and in degree of electrical coupling. The latter reflects functional requirements for conduction velocity which needs to be low in the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes and high in the ventricular conduction system. Over the past 20 years knowledge of the biology of gap junction channels and their role in the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias has increased enormously. This review focuses on the insights gained from transgenic mouse models. The mouse heart expresses Cx30, 30.2, 37, 40, 43, 45, and 46. For these connexins a variety of knock-outs, heart-specific knock-outs, conditional knock-outs, double knock-outs, knock-ins and overexpressors has been studied. We discuss the cardiac phenotype in these models and compare Cx expression between mice and men. Mouse models have enhanced our understanding of (patho)-physiological implications of Cx diversity in the heart. In principle connexin-specific modulation of electrical coupling in the heart represents an interesting treatment strategy for cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander Verheule
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Maastricht University Maastricht, Netherlands
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48
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Deletion of the last five C-terminal amino acid residues of connexin43 leads to lethal ventricular arrhythmias in mice without affecting coupling via gap junction channels. Basic Res Cardiol 2013; 108:348. [PMID: 23558439 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-013-0348-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Revised: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The cardiac intercalated disc harbors mechanical and electrical junctions as well as ion channel complexes mediating propagation of electrical impulses. Cardiac connexin43 (Cx43) co-localizes and interacts with several of the proteins located at intercalated discs in the ventricular myocardium. We have generated conditional Cx43D378stop mice lacking the last five C-terminal amino acid residues, representing a binding motif for zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1), and investigated the functional consequences of this mutation on cardiac physiology and morphology. Newborn and adult homozygous Cx43D378stop mice displayed markedly impaired and heterogeneous cardiac electrical activation properties and died from severe ventricular arrhythmias. Cx43 and ZO-1 were co-localized at intercalated discs in Cx43D378stop hearts, and the Cx43D378stop gap junction channels showed normal coupling properties. Patch clamp analyses of isolated adult Cx43D378stop cardiomyocytes revealed a significant decrease in sodium and potassium current densities. Furthermore, we also observed a significant loss of Nav1.5 protein from intercalated discs in Cx43D378stop hearts. The phenotypic lethality of the Cx43D378stop mutation was very similar to the one previously reported for adult Cx43 deficient (Cx43KO) mice. Yet, in contrast to Cx43KO mice, the Cx43 gap junction channel was still functional in the Cx43D378stop mutant. We conclude that the lethality of Cx43D378stop mice is independent of the loss of gap junctional intercellular communication, but most likely results from impaired cardiac sodium and potassium currents. The Cx43D378stop mice reveal for the first time that Cx43 dependent arrhythmias can develop by mechanisms other than impairment of gap junction channel function.
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49
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Noorman M, Hakim S, Kessler E, Groeneweg J, Cox MGPJ, Asimaki A, van Rijen HVM, van Stuijvenberg L, Chkourko H, van der Heyden MAG, Vos MA, de Jonge N, van der Smagt JJ, Dooijes D, Vink A, de Weger RA, Varro A, de Bakker JMT, Saffitz JE, Hund TJ, Mohler PJ, Delmar M, Hauer RNW, van Veen TAB. Remodeling of the cardiac sodium channel, connexin43, and plakoglobin at the intercalated disk in patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Heart Rhythm 2013; 10:412-9. [PMID: 23178689 PMCID: PMC3608196 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2012.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is closely associated with desmosomal mutations in a majority of patients. Arrhythmogenesis in patients with AC is likely related to remodeling of cardiac gap junctions and increased levels of fibrosis. Recently, using experimental models, we also identified sodium channel dysfunction secondary to desmosomal dysfunction. OBJECTIVE To assess the immunoreactive signal levels of the sodium channel protein NaV1.5, as well as connexin43 (Cx43) and plakoglobin (PKG), in myocardial specimens obtained from patients with AC. METHODS Left and right ventricular free wall postmortem material was obtained from 5 patients with AC and 5 controls matched for age and sex. Right ventricular septal biopsies were taken from another 15 patients with AC. All patients fulfilled the 2010 revised Task Force Criteria for the diagnosis of AC. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed using antibodies against Cx43, PKG, NaV1.5, plakophilin-2, and N-cadherin. RESULTS N-cadherin and desmoplakin immunoreactive signals and distribution were normal in patients with AC compared to controls. Plakophilin-2 signals were unaffected unless a plakophilin-2 mutation predicting haploinsufficiency was present. Distribution was unchanged compared to that in controls. Immunoreactive signal levels of PKG, Cx43, and NaV1.5 were disturbed in 74%, 70%, and 65% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS A reduced immunoreactive signal of PKG, Cx43, and NaV1.5 at the intercalated disks can be observed in a large majority of the patients. Decreased levels of Nav1.5 might contribute to arrhythmia vulnerability and, in the future, potentially could serve as a new clinically relevant tool for risk assessment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maartje Noorman
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands
| | - Sara Hakim
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elise Kessler
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Judith Groeneweg
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands
| | - Moniek GPJ Cox
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands
| | - Angeliki Asimaki
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Harold VM van Rijen
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Halina Chkourko
- The Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Marc A Vos
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolaas de Jonge
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dennis Dooijes
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aryan Vink
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roel A de Weger
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andras Varro
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Jeffrey E Saffitz
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Thomas J Hund
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University College of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Peter J Mohler
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine; Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Mario Delmar
- The Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard NW Hauer
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands
| | - Toon AB van Veen
- Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
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50
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Frank M, Wirth A, Andrié RP, Kreuzberg MM, Dobrowolski R, Seifert G, Offermanns S, Nickenig G, Willecke K, Schrickel JW. Connexin45 Provides Optimal Atrioventricular Nodal Conduction in the Adult Mouse Heart. Circ Res 2012; 111:1528-38. [DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.112.270561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Rationale:
The gap junctional protein connexin (Cx) 45 is strongly expressed in the early embryonic myocardium. In the adult hearts of mice and humans, the expression mainly is restricted to the cardiac conduction system. Cx45 plays an essential role for development and function of the embryonic heart because general and cardiomyocyte-directed deficiencies of Cx45 in mice lead to embryonic lethality attributable to morphological and functional cardiovascular defects. The function of Cx45 in the adult mouse has not yet been cleared.
Objective:
To clarify the function of Cx45 in the adult mouse heart.
Methods and Results:
To circumvent the embryonic lethality resulting from Cx45 deficiency, mice were generated in which deletion of Cx45 specifically was induced in cardiomyocytes of adult mice. These Cx45-deficient mice were viable but showed a decrease in atrioventricular nodal conductivity. In addition, the Cx30.2 protein that is coexpressed with Cx45 in the cardiac conduction system was posttranscriptionally reduced by 70% in mutant hearts. Furthermore, deletion of both Cx45 and Cx30.2 resulted in viable mice that, however, showed stronger impairment of atrioventricular nodal conduction than the single Cx45-deficient mice.
Conclusions:
Cx45 is required for optimal impulse propagation in the atrioventricular node and stabilizes the level of the coexpressed Cx30.2 protein in the adult mouse heart. In contrast to the embryo, Cx45 is not essential for the viability of adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Frank
- From the LIMES-Institute, Molecular Genetics (M.F., M.M.K., R.D., K.W.) and Institute of Cellular Neurosciences (G.S.), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Pharmacology, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (A.W., S.O.); and Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany (R.P.A., G.N., J.W.S.)
| | - Angela Wirth
- From the LIMES-Institute, Molecular Genetics (M.F., M.M.K., R.D., K.W.) and Institute of Cellular Neurosciences (G.S.), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Pharmacology, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (A.W., S.O.); and Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany (R.P.A., G.N., J.W.S.)
| | - René P. Andrié
- From the LIMES-Institute, Molecular Genetics (M.F., M.M.K., R.D., K.W.) and Institute of Cellular Neurosciences (G.S.), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Pharmacology, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (A.W., S.O.); and Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany (R.P.A., G.N., J.W.S.)
| | - Maria M. Kreuzberg
- From the LIMES-Institute, Molecular Genetics (M.F., M.M.K., R.D., K.W.) and Institute of Cellular Neurosciences (G.S.), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Pharmacology, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (A.W., S.O.); and Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany (R.P.A., G.N., J.W.S.)
| | - Radoslaw Dobrowolski
- From the LIMES-Institute, Molecular Genetics (M.F., M.M.K., R.D., K.W.) and Institute of Cellular Neurosciences (G.S.), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Pharmacology, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (A.W., S.O.); and Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany (R.P.A., G.N., J.W.S.)
| | - Gerald Seifert
- From the LIMES-Institute, Molecular Genetics (M.F., M.M.K., R.D., K.W.) and Institute of Cellular Neurosciences (G.S.), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Pharmacology, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (A.W., S.O.); and Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany (R.P.A., G.N., J.W.S.)
| | - Stefan Offermanns
- From the LIMES-Institute, Molecular Genetics (M.F., M.M.K., R.D., K.W.) and Institute of Cellular Neurosciences (G.S.), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Pharmacology, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (A.W., S.O.); and Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany (R.P.A., G.N., J.W.S.)
| | - Georg Nickenig
- From the LIMES-Institute, Molecular Genetics (M.F., M.M.K., R.D., K.W.) and Institute of Cellular Neurosciences (G.S.), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Pharmacology, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (A.W., S.O.); and Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany (R.P.A., G.N., J.W.S.)
| | - Klaus Willecke
- From the LIMES-Institute, Molecular Genetics (M.F., M.M.K., R.D., K.W.) and Institute of Cellular Neurosciences (G.S.), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Pharmacology, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (A.W., S.O.); and Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany (R.P.A., G.N., J.W.S.)
| | - Jan W. Schrickel
- From the LIMES-Institute, Molecular Genetics (M.F., M.M.K., R.D., K.W.) and Institute of Cellular Neurosciences (G.S.), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Pharmacology, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (A.W., S.O.); and Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany (R.P.A., G.N., J.W.S.)
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