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Kowalewska PM, Milkovich SL, Goldman D, Sandow SL, Ellis CG, Welsh DG. Capillary oxygen regulates demand-supply coupling by triggering connexin40-mediated conduction: Rethinking the metabolic hypothesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2303119121. [PMID: 38349880 PMCID: PMC10895355 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303119121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Coupling red blood cell (RBC) supply to O2 demand is an intricate process requiring O2 sensing, generation of a stimulus, and signal transduction that alters upstream arteriolar tone. Although actively debated, this process has been theorized to be induced by hypoxia and to involve activation of endothelial inwardly rectifying K+ channels (KIR) 2.1 by elevated extracellular K+ to trigger conducted hyperpolarization via connexin40 (Cx40) gap junctions to upstream resistors. This concept was tested in resting healthy skeletal muscle of Cx40-/- and endothelial KIR2.1-/- mice using state-of-the-art live animal imaging where the local tissue O2 environment was manipulated using a custom gas chamber. Second-by-second capillary RBC flow responses were recorded as O2 was altered. A stepwise drop in PO2 at the muscle surface increased RBC supply in capillaries of control animals while elevated O2 elicited the opposite response; capillaries were confirmed to express Cx40. The RBC flow responses were rapid and tightly coupled to O2; computer simulations did not support hypoxia as a driving factor. In contrast, RBC flow responses were significantly diminished in Cx40-/- mice. Endothelial KIR2.1-/- mice, on the other hand, reacted normally to O2 changes, even when the O2 challenge was targeted to a smaller area of tissue with fewer capillaries. Conclusively, microvascular O2 responses depend on coordinated electrical signaling via Cx40 gap junctions, and endothelial KIR2.1 channels do not initiate the event. These findings reconceptualize the paradigm of blood flow regulation in skeletal muscle and how O2 triggers this process in capillaries independent of extracellular K+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina M. Kowalewska
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ONN6A 5B7, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ONN6A 5B7, Canada
| | | | - Daniel Goldman
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, ONN6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Shaun L. Sandow
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD4556, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Christopher G. Ellis
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ONN6A 5B7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, ONN6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Donald G. Welsh
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ONN6A 5B7, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ONN6A 5B7, Canada
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Coccarelli A, Nelson MD. Modeling Reactive Hyperemia to Better Understand and Assess Microvascular Function: A Review of Techniques. Ann Biomed Eng 2023; 51:479-492. [PMID: 36709231 PMCID: PMC9928923 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-022-03134-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Reactive hyperemia is a well-established technique for the non-invasive evaluation of the peripheral microcirculatory function, measured as the magnitude of limb re-perfusion after a brief period of ischemia. Despite widespread adoption by researchers and clinicians alike, many uncertainties remain surrounding interpretation, compounded by patient-specific confounding factors (such as blood pressure or the metabolic rate of the ischemic limb). Mathematical modeling can accelerate our understanding of the physiology underlying the reactive hyperemia response and guide in the estimation of quantities which are difficult to measure experimentally. In this work, we aim to provide a comprehensive guide for mathematical modeling techniques that can be used for describing the key phenomena involved in the reactive hyperemia response, alongside their limitations and advantages. The reported methodologies can be used for investigating specific reactive hyperemia aspects alone, or can be combined into a computational framework to be used in (pre-)clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Coccarelli
- Zienkiewicz Centre for Computational Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.
| | - Michael D Nelson
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
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Murrant CL, Fletcher NM. Capillary communication: the role of capillaries in sensing the tissue environment, coordinating the microvascular, and controlling blood flow. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2022; 323:H1019-H1036. [PMID: 36149771 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00088.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Historically, capillaries have been viewed as the microvascular site for flux of nutrients to cells and removal of waste products. Capillaries are the most numerous blood vessel segment within the tissue, whose vascular wall consists of only a single layer of endothelial cells and are situated within microns of each cell of the tissue, all of which optimizes capillaries for the exchange of nutrients between the blood compartment and the interstitial space of tissues. There is, however, a growing body of evidence to support that capillaries play an important role in sensing the tissue environment, coordinating microvascular network responses, and controlling blood flow. Much of our growing understanding of capillaries stems from work in skeletal muscle and more recent work in the brain, where capillaries can be stimulated by products released from cells of the tissue during increased activity and are able to communicate with upstream and downstream vascular segments, enabling capillaries to sense the activity levels of the tissue and send signals to the microvascular network to coordinate the blood flow response. This review will focus on the emerging role that capillaries play in communication between cells of the tissue and the vascular network required to direct blood flow to active cells in skeletal muscle and the brain. We will also highlight the emerging central role that disruptions in capillary communication may play in blood flow dysregulation, pathophysiology, and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coral L Murrant
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole M Fletcher
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Christie JR, Kong I, Mawdsley L, Milkovich S, Doornekamp A, Baek J, Fraser GM, Ellis CG, Sové RJ. Optical method to determine in vivo capillary hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and 3-D network geometry in skeletal muscle. Microcirculation 2022; 29:e12751. [PMID: 35146836 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to develop a tool to visualize and quantify hemodynamic information, such as hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit, within microvascular networks recorded in vivo using intravital video microscopy. Additionally, we aimed to facilitate the 3-D reconstruction of the microvascular networks. METHODS Digital images taken from an intravital video microscopy preparation of the extensor digitorum longus muscle in rats for 25 capillary segments were used. The developed algorithm was used to delineate capillaries of interest, calculate the optical density for each pixel in the image, and reconstruct the 3-D capillary geometry using the calculated light path-lengths. Subsequently, the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit for these capillaries were calculated. We evaluated the hematocrit values determined by our methodology by comparing them to those obtained using a previously published method. RESULTS The hematocrit values from the proposed optical method were strongly correlated with those calculated using published methods r2 (25) = .92, p < .001, and demonstrated excellent agreement with a mean difference of 1.3% and a coefficient of variation (CV) of 11%. The average MCHC, hemoglobin concentration, and light path-lengths were 23.83 g/dl, 8.06 g/dl, and 3.92 µm, respectively. CONCLUSION The proposed methodology can quantify hemodynamic measurements and produce functional images for visualization of the microcirculation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaryd R Christie
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Isaac Kong
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, Juravinski Cancer Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura Mawdsley
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephanie Milkovich
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ande Doornekamp
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jason Baek
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Graham M Fraser
- Division of BioMedical Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Christopher G Ellis
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard J Sové
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Horn AG, Schulze KM, Weber RE, Barstow TJ, Musch TI, Poole DC, Behnke BJ. Post-occlusive reactive hyperemia and skeletal muscle capillary hemodynamics. Microvasc Res 2022; 140:104283. [PMID: 34822837 PMCID: PMC8830587 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2021.104283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) is an accepted diagnostic tool for assessing peripheral macrovascular function. While conduit artery hemodynamics have been well defined, the impact of PORH on capillary hemodynamics remains unknown, despite the microvasculature being the dominant site of vascular control. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of 5 min of feed artery occlusion on capillary hemodynamics in skeletal muscle. We tested the hypothesis that, upon release of arterial occlusion, there would be: 1) an increased red blood cell flux (fRBC) and red blood cell velocity (VRBC), and 2) a decreased proportion of capillaries supporting RBC flow compared to the pre-occlusion condition. METHODS In female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6), the spinotrapezius muscle was exteriorized for evaluation of capillary hemodynamics pre-occlusion, 5 min of feed artery occlusion (Occ), and 5 min of reperfusion (Post-Occ). RESULTS There were no differences in mean arterial pressure (MAP) or capillary diameter (Dc) between pre-occlusion and post-occlusion (P > 0.05). During 30 s of PORH, capillary fRBC was increased (pre: 59 ± 4 vs. 30 s-post: 77 ± 2 cells/s; P < 0.05) and VRBC was not changed (pre: 300 ± 24 vs. 30 s post: 322 ± 25 μm/s; P > 0.05). Capillary hematocrit (Hctcap) was unchanged across the pre- to post-occlusion conditions (P > 0.05). Following occlusion, there was a 20-30% decrease in the number of capillaries supporting RBC flow at 30 s and 300 s-post occlusion (pre: 92 ± 2%; 30 s-post: 66 ± 3%; 300 s-post: 72 ± 6%; both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Short-term feed artery occlusion (i.e. 5 min) resulted in a more heterogeneous capillary flow profile with the presence of capillary no-reflow, decreasing the percentage of capillaries supporting RBC flow. A complex interaction between myogenic and metabolic mechanisms at the arteriolar level may play a role in the capillary no-reflow with PORH. Measurements at the level of the conduit artery mask significant alterations in blood flow distribution in the microcirculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Horn
- Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America.
| | - Kiana M Schulze
- Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Ramona E Weber
- Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Thomas J Barstow
- Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Timothy I Musch
- Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - David C Poole
- Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Bradley J Behnke
- Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America; Johnson Cancer Research Center, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
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Afas KC, Goldman D. A two-layer continuously distributed capillary O 2 transport model applied to blood flow regulation in resting skeletal muscle. J Theor Biol 2022; 539:111058. [PMID: 35181287 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2022.111058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The microcirculation is the site of direct oxygen transfer from blood to tissue, and also of oxygen delivery control via regulation of local blood flow. In addition, a number of diseases including type II diabetes mellitus (DMII) and sepsis are known to produce microcirculatory dysfunction in their early phases. Given the complexity of microvascular structure and physiology, and the difficulty of measuring tissue oxygenation at the micro-scale, mathematical modelling has been necessary for understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of O2 transport in the microcirculation and for interpreting in vivo experiments. To advance this area, a model of blood-tissue O2 transport in skeletal muscle was recently developed which uses continuously distributed capillaries and includes O2 diffusion, convection, and consumption. The present work extends this model to two adjacent layers of skeletal muscle with different blood flow rates and applies it to study steady-state O2 transport when flow regulation is stimulated using an O2 exchange chamber. To generate a model which may be validated through in vivo experiments, an overlying O2 permeable membrane is included. The model is solved using traditional methods including separation of variables and Fourier decomposition, and to ensure smooth profiles at the muscle-muscle and muscle-membrane interfaces matching conditions are developed. The study presents qualitative verification for the model, using visualizations of tissue PO2 distributions for varying capillary density (CD), and presents capillary velocity response values in the near layer for varying chamber PO2 under the assumption that outlet capillary O2 saturation is equalized between adjacent layers. These compensatory velocity profiles, along with effective 'no-flux' chamber PO2 values, are presented for varying CD and tissue O2 consumption values. Insights gained from the two-layer model provide guidance for interpreting and planning future in-vivo experiments, and also provide motivation for further development of the model to improve understanding of the interaction between O2 transport and blood flow regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Christian Afas
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, N6G1G8, Ontario, CA
| | - Daniel Goldman
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, N6G1G8, Ontario, CA; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, N6A5C1, Ontario, CA; Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Western Ontario, London, N6A5C1, Ontario, CA.
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Mendelson AA, Ho E, Scott S, Vijay R, Hunter T, Milkovich S, Ellis CG, Goldman D. Capillary module hemodynamics and mechanisms of blood flow regulation in skeletal muscle capillary networks: Experimental and computational analysis. J Physiol 2022; 600:1867-1888. [DOI: 10.1113/jp282342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Asher A Mendelson
- Department of Medicine Section of Critical Care Medicine Rady Faculty of Health Sciences University of Manitoba Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
| | - Edward Ho
- Department of Medical Biophysics Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University London Ontario Canada
| | - Shayla Scott
- Department of Medical Biophysics Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University London Ontario Canada
| | - Raashi Vijay
- Department of Medical Biophysics Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University London Ontario Canada
| | - Timothy Hunter
- Department of Medical Biophysics Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University London Ontario Canada
| | - Stephanie Milkovich
- Department of Medical Biophysics Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University London Ontario Canada
- Robarts Research Institute London Ontario Canada
| | - Christopher G Ellis
- Department of Medical Biophysics Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University London Ontario Canada
- Robarts Research Institute London Ontario Canada
| | - Daniel Goldman
- Department of Medical Biophysics Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University London Ontario Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering Western University London Ontario Canada
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