Diversity of atrial local Ca2+ signalling: evidence from 2-D confocal imaging in Ca2+-buffered rat atrial myocytes

The ryanodine receptor microdomain in cardiomyocytes

The ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR) is a key player in Ca2+ handling during excitation-contraction coupling. During each heartbeat, RyR channels are responsible for linking the action potential with the contractile machinery of the cardiomyocyte by releasing Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. RyR function is fine-tuned by associated signalling molecules, arrangement in clusters and subcellular localization. These parameters together define RyR function within microdomains and are subject to disease remodelling. This review describes the latest findings on RyR microdomain organization, the alterations with disease which result in increased subcellular heterogeneity and emergence of microdomains with enhanced arrhythmogenic potential, and presents novel technologies that guide future research to study and target RyR channels within specific microdomains.

Mechanisms of spontaneous Ca2+ release-mediated arrhythmia in a novel 3D human atrial myocyte model: I. Transverse-axial tubule variation

Intracellular calcium (Ca2+ ) cycling is tightly regulated in the healthy heart ensuring effective contraction. This is achieved by transverse (t)-tubule membrane invaginations that facilitate close coupling of key Ca2+ -handling proteins such as the L-type Ca2+ channel and Na+ -Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) on the cell surface with ryanodine receptors (RyRs) on the intracellular Ca2+ store. Although less abundant and regular than in the ventricle, t-tubules also exist in atrial myocytes as a network of transverse invaginations with axial extensions known as the transverse-axial tubule system (TATS). In heart failure and atrial fibrillation, there is TATS remodelling that is associated with aberrant Ca2+ -handling and Ca2+ -induced arrhythmic activity; however, the mechanism underlying this is not fully understood. To address this, we developed a novel 3D human atrial myocyte model that couples electrophysiology and Ca2+ -handling with variable TATS organization and density. We extensively parameterized and validated our model against experimental data to build a robust tool examining TATS regulation of subcellular Ca2+ release. We found that varying TATS density and thus the localization of key Ca2+ -handling proteins has profound effects on Ca2+ handling. Following TATS loss, there is reduced NCX that results in increased cleft Ca2+ concentration through decreased Ca2+ extrusion. This elevated Ca2+ increases RyR open probability causing spontaneous Ca2+ releases and the promotion of arrhythmogenic waves (especially in the cell interior) leading to voltage instabilities through delayed afterdepolarizations. In summary, the present study demonstrates a mechanistic link between TATS remodelling and Ca2+ -driven proarrhythmic behaviour that probably reflects the arrhythmogenic state observed in disease. KEY POINTS: Transverse-axial tubule systems (TATS) modulate Ca2+ handling and excitation-contraction coupling in atrial myocytes, with TATS remodelling in heart failure and atrial fibrillation being associated with altered Ca2+ cycling and subsequent arrhythmogenesis. To investigate the poorly understood mechanisms linking TATS variation and spontaneous Ca2+ release, we built, parameterized and validated a 3D human atrial myocyte model coupling electrophysiology and spatially-detailed subcellular Ca2+ handling governed by the TATS. Simulated TATS loss causes diastolic Ca2+ and voltage instabilities through reduced Na+ -Ca2+ exchanger-mediated Ca2+ removal, cleft Ca2+ accumulation and increased ryanodine receptor open probability, resulting in spontaneous Ca2+ release and promotion of arrhythmogenic waves and delayed afterdepolarizations. At fast electrical rates typical of atrial tachycardia/fibrillation, spontaneous Ca2+ releases are larger and more frequent in the cell interior than at the periphery. Our work provides mechanistic insight into how atrial TATS remodelling can lead to Ca2+ -driven instabilities that may ultimately contribute to the arrhythmogenic state in disease.

Enhanced calcium release at specialised surface sites compensates for reduced t-tubule density in neonatal sheep atrial myocytes

Cardiac myocytes rely on transverse (t)-tubules to facilitate a rapid rise in calcium throughout the cell. However, despite their importance in triggering synchronous Ca²⁺ release, t-tubules are highly labile structures. They develop postnatally, increase in density during exercise training and are lost in diseases such as heart failure (HF). In the majority of settings, an absence of t-tubules decreases function. Here we show that despite reduced t-tubule density due to immature t-tubules, the newborn atrium is highly specialised to maintain Ca²⁺ release. To compensate for fewer t-tubules triggering a central rise in Ca²⁺, Ca²⁺ release at sites on the cell surface is enhanced in the newborn, exceeding that at all Ca²⁺ release sites in the adult. Using electron and super resolution microscopy to investigate myocyte ultrastructure, we found that newborn atrial cells had enlarged surface sarcoplasmic reticulum and larger, more closely spaced surface and central ryanodine receptor clusters. We suggest that these adaptations mediate enhanced Ca²⁺ release at the sarcolemma and aid propagation to compensate for reduced t-tubule density in the neonatal atrium.

The crosstalk between cardiomyocyte calcium and inflammasome signaling pathways in atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia in adults. The prevalence and incidence of AF is going to increase substantially over the next few decades. Because AF increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, dementia, and others, it severely impacts the quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Although the pathogenesis of AF is multifaceted and complex, focal ectopic activity and reentry are considered as the fundamental proarrhythmic mechanisms underlying AF development. Over the past 2 decades, large amount of evidence points to the key role of intracellular Ca²⁺ dysregulation in both initiation and maintenance of AF. More recently, emerging evidence reveal that NLRP3 (NACHT, LRR, PYD domain-containing 3) inflammasome pathway contributes to the substrate of both triggered activity and reentry, ultimately promoting AF. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge on Ca²⁺ signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activity in AF. We also discuss the potential crosstalk between these two quintessential contributors to AF promotion.

Multicellular In vitro Models of Cardiac Arrhythmias: Focus on Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice with a large socioeconomic impact due to its associated morbidity, mortality, reduction in quality of life and health care costs. Currently, antiarrhythmic drug therapy is the first line of treatment for most symptomatic AF patients, despite its limited efficacy, the risk of inducing potentially life-threating ventricular tachyarrhythmias as well as other side effects. Alternative, in-hospital treatment modalities consisting of electrical cardioversion and invasive catheter ablation improve patients' symptoms, but often have to be repeated and are still associated with serious complications and only suitable for specific subgroups of AF patients. The development and progression of AF generally results from the interplay of multiple disease pathways and is accompanied by structural and functional (e.g., electrical) tissue remodeling. Rational development of novel treatment modalities for AF, with its many different etiologies, requires a comprehensive insight into the complex pathophysiological mechanisms. Monolayers of atrial cells represent a simplified surrogate of atrial tissue well-suited to investigate atrial arrhythmia mechanisms, since they can easily be used in a standardized, systematic and controllable manner to study the role of specific pathways and processes in the genesis, perpetuation and termination of atrial arrhythmias. In this review, we provide an overview of the currently available two- and three-dimensional multicellular in vitro systems for investigating the initiation, maintenance and termination of atrial arrhythmias and AF. This encompasses cultures of primary (animal-derived) atrial cardiomyocytes (CMs), pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial-like CMs and (conditionally) immortalized atrial CMs. The strengths and weaknesses of each of these model systems for studying atrial arrhythmias will be discussed as well as their implications for future studies.

Axial Tubule Junctions Activate Atrial Ca2+ Release Across Species

Rationale: Recently, abundant axial tubule (AT) membrane structures were identified deep inside atrial myocytes (AMs). Upon excitation, ATs rapidly activate intracellular Ca²⁺ release and sarcomeric contraction through extensive AT junctions, a cell-specific atrial mechanism. While AT junctions with the sarcoplasmic reticulum contain unusually large clusters of ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) Ca²⁺ release channels in mouse AMs, it remains unclear if similar protein networks and membrane structures exist across species, particularly those relevant for atrial disease modeling.

Objective: To examine and quantitatively analyze the architecture of AT membrane structures and associated Ca²⁺ signaling proteins across species from mouse to human.

Methods and Results: We developed superresolution microscopy (nanoscopy) strategies for intact live AMs based on a new custom-made photostable cholesterol dye and immunofluorescence imaging of membraneous structures and membrane proteins in fixed tissue sections from human, porcine, and rodent atria. Consistently, in mouse, rat, and rabbit AMs, intact cell-wide tubule networks continuous with the surface membrane were observed, mainly composed of ATs. Moreover, co-immunofluorescence nanoscopy showed L-type Ca²⁺ channel clusters adjacent to extensive junctional RyR2 clusters at ATs. However, only junctional RyR2 clusters were highly phosphorylated and may thus prime Ca²⁺ release at ATs, locally for rapid signal amplification. While the density of the integrated L-type Ca²⁺ current was similar in human and mouse AMs, the intracellular Ca²⁺ transient showed quantitative differences. Importantly, local intracellular Ca²⁺ release from AT junctions occurred through instantaneous action potential propagation via transverse tubules (TTs) from the surface membrane. Hence, sparse TTs were sufficient as electrical conduits for rapid activation of Ca²⁺ release through ATs. Nanoscopy of atrial tissue sections confirmed abundant ATs as the major network component of AMs, particularly in human atrial tissue sections.

Conclusion: AT junctions represent a conserved, cell-specific membrane structure for rapid excitation-contraction coupling throughout a representative spectrum of species including human. Since ATs provide the major excitable membrane network component in AMs, a new model of atrial “super-hub” Ca²⁺ signaling may apply across biomedically relevant species, opening avenues for future investigations about atrial disease mechanisms and therapeutic targeting.

Calcium in the Pathophysiology of Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly associated with heart failure. A bidirectional relationship exists between the two-AF exacerbates heart failure causing a significant increase in heart failure symptoms, admissions to hospital and cardiovascular death, while pathological remodeling of the atria as a result of heart failure increases the risk of AF. A comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of AF is essential if we are to break this vicious circle. In this review, the latest evidence will be presented showing a fundamental role for calcium in both the induction and maintenance of AF. After outlining atrial electrophysiology and calcium handling, the role of calcium-dependent afterdepolarizations and atrial repolarization alternans in triggering AF will be considered. The atrial response to rapid stimulation will be discussed, including the short-term protection from calcium overload in the form of calcium signaling silencing and the eventual progression to diastolic calcium leak causing afterdepolarizations and the development of an electrical substrate that perpetuates AF. The role of calcium in the bidirectional relationship between heart failure and AF will then be covered. The effects of heart failure on atrial calcium handling that promote AF will be reviewed, including effects on both atrial myocytes and the pulmonary veins, before the aspects of AF which exacerbate heart failure are discussed. Finally, the limitations of human and animal studies will be explored allowing contextualization of what are sometimes discordant results.

An adaptation of astronomical image processing enables characterization and functional 3D mapping of individual sites of excitation-contraction coupling in rat cardiac muscle

In beating cardiomyocytes, synchronized localized Ca²⁺ transients from thousands of active excitation-contraction coupling sites (ECC couplons) comprising plasma and sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane calcium channels are important determinants of the heart's performance. Nevertheless, our knowledge about the properties of ECC couplons is limited by the lack of appropriate experimental and analysis strategies. We designed CaCLEAN to untangle the fundamental characteristics of ECC couplons by combining the astronomer's CLEAN algorithm with known properties of calcium diffusion. CaCLEAN empowers the investigation of fundamental properties of ECC couplons in beating cardiomyocytes without pharmacological interventions. Upon examining individual ECC couplons at the nanoscopic level, we reveal their roles in the negative amplitude-frequency relationship and in β-adrenergic stimulation, including decreasing and increasing firing reliability, respectively. CaCLEAN combined with 3D confocal imaging of beating cardiomyocytes provides a functional 3D map of active ECC couplons (on average, 17,000 per myocyte). CaCLEAN will further enlighten the ECC-couplon-remodelling processes that underlie cardiac diseases.

Regulation of cardiac Ca2+ and ion channels by shear mechanotransduction

Cardiac contraction is controlled by a Ca²⁺ signaling sequence that includes L-type Ca²⁺ current-gated opening of Ca²⁺ release channels (ryanodine receptors) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Local Ca²⁺ signaling in the atrium differs from that in the ventricle because atrial myocytes lack transverse tubules and have more abundant corbular SR. Myocardium is subjected to a variety of forces with each contraction, such as stretch, shear stress, and afterload, and adapts to those mechanical stresses. These mechanical stimuli increase in heart failure, hypertension, and valvular heart diseases that are clinically implicated in atrial fibrillation and stroke. In the present review, we describe distinct responses of atrial and ventricular myocytes to shear stress and compare them with other mechanical responses in the context of local and global Ca²⁺ signaling and ion channel regulation. Recent evidence suggests that shear mechanotransduction in cardiac myocytes involves activation of gap junction hemichannels, purinergic signaling, and generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Significant alterations in Ca²⁺ signaling and ionic currents by shear stress may be implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmia and failure.

Heterogeneity of transverse-axial tubule system in mouse atria: Remodeling in atrial-specific Na+-Ca2+ exchanger knockout mice

Transverse-axial tubules (TATs) are commonly assumed to be sparse or absent in atrial myocytes from small animals. Atrial myocytes from rats, cats and rabbits lack TATs, which results in a characteristic "V"-shaped Ca release pattern in confocal line-scan recordings due to the delayed rise of Ca in the center of the cell. To examine TAT expression in isolated mouse atrial myocytes, we loaded them with the membrane dye Di-4-ANEPPS to label TATs. We found that >80% of atrial myocytes had identifiable TATs. Atria from male mice had a higher TAT density than female mice, and TAT density correlated with cell width. Using the fluorescent Ca indicator Fluo-4-AM and confocal imaging, we found that wild type (WT) mouse atrial myocytes generate near-synchronous Ca transients, in contrast to the "V"-shaped pattern typically reported in other small animals such as rat. In atrial-specific Na-Ca exchanger (NCX) knockout (KO) mice, which develop sinus node dysfunction and atrial hypertrophy with dilation, we found a substantial loss of atrial TATs in isolated atrial myocytes. There was a greater loss of transverse tubules compared to axial tubules, resulting in a dominance of axial tubules. Consistent with the overall loss of TATs, NCX KO atrial myocytes displayed a "V"-shaped Ca transient with slower and reduced central (CT) Ca release and uptake in comparison to subsarcolemmal (SS) Ca release. We compared chemically detubulated (DT) WT cells to KO, and found similar slowing of CT Ca release and uptake. However, SS Ca transients in the WT DT cells had faster uptake kinetics than KO cells, consistent with the presence of NCX and normal sarcolemmal Ca efflux in the WT DT cells. We conclude that the remodeling of NCX KO atrial myocytes is accompanied by a loss of TATs leading to abnormal Ca release and uptake that could impact atrial contractility and rhythm.

Axial tubule junctions control rapid calcium signaling in atria

The canonical atrial myocyte (AM) is characterized by sparse transverse tubule (TT) invaginations and slow intracellular Ca2+ propagation but exhibits rapid contractile activation that is susceptible to loss of function during hypertrophic remodeling. Here, we have identified a membrane structure and Ca2+-signaling complex that may enhance the speed of atrial contraction independently of phospholamban regulation. This axial couplon was observed in human and mouse atria and is composed of voluminous axial tubules (ATs) with extensive junctions to the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) that include ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) clusters. In mouse AM, AT structures triggered Ca2+ release from the SR approximately 2 times faster at the AM center than at the surface. Rapid Ca2+ release correlated with colocalization of highly phosphorylated RyR2 clusters at AT-SR junctions and earlier, more rapid shortening of central sarcomeres. In contrast, mice expressing phosphorylation-incompetent RyR2 displayed depressed AM sarcomere shortening and reduced in vivo atrial contractile function. Moreover, left atrial hypertrophy led to AT proliferation, with a marked increase in the highly phosphorylated RyR2-pS2808 cluster fraction, thereby maintaining cytosolic Ca2+ signaling despite decreases in RyR2 cluster density and RyR2 protein expression. AT couplon "super-hubs" thus underlie faster excitation-contraction coupling in health as well as hypertrophic compensatory adaptation and represent a structural and metabolic mechanism that may contribute to contractile dysfunction and arrhythmias.

Cellular Hypertrophy and Increased Susceptibility to Spontaneous Calcium-Release of Rat Left Atrial Myocytes Due to Elevated Afterload

Atrial remodeling due to elevated arterial pressure predisposes the heart to atrial fibrillation (AF). Although abnormal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function has been associated with AF, there is little information on the effects of elevated afterload on atrial Ca²⁺-handling. We investigated the effects of ascending aortic banding (AoB) on Ca²⁺-handling in rat isolated atrial myocytes in comparison to age-matched sham-operated animals (Sham). Myocytes were either labelled for ryanodine receptor (RyR) or loaded with fluo-3-AM and imaged by confocal microscopy. AoB myocytes were hypertrophied in comparison to Sham controls (P<0.0001). RyR labeling was localized to the z-lines and to the cell edge. There were no differences between AoB and Sham in the intensity or pattern of RyR-staining. In both AoB and Sham, electrical stimulation evoked robust SR Ca²⁺-release at the cell edge whereas Ca²⁺ transients at the cell center were much smaller. Western blotting showed a decreased L-type Ca channel expression but no significant changes in RyR or RyR phosphorylation or in expression of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger, SR Ca²⁺ ATPase or phospholamban. Mathematical modeling indicated that [Ca²⁺]_i transients at the cell center were accounted for by simple centripetal diffusion of Ca²⁺ released at the cell edge. In contrast, caffeine (10 mM) induced Ca²⁺ release was uniform across the cell. The caffeine-induced transient was smaller in AoB than in Sham, suggesting a reduced SR Ca²⁺-load in hypertrophied cells. There were no significant differences between AoB and Sham cells in the rate of Ca²⁺ extrusion during recovery of electrically-stimulated or caffeine-induced transients. The incidence and frequency of spontaneous Ca²⁺-transients following rapid-pacing (4 Hz) was greater in AoB than in Sham myocytes. In conclusion, elevated afterload causes cellular hypertrophy and remodeling of atrial SR Ca²⁺-release.

Dependence of cardiac transverse tubules on the BAR domain protein amphiphysin II (BIN-1)

RATIONALE

Transverse tubules (t-tubules) regulate cardiac excitation-contraction coupling and exhibit interchamber and interspecies differences in expression. In cardiac disease, t-tubule loss occurs and affects the systolic calcium transient. However, the mechanisms controlling t-tubule maintenance and whether these factors differ between species, cardiac chambers, and in a disease setting remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the role of the Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs domain protein amphiphysin II (AmpII) in regulating t-tubule maintenance and the systolic calcium transient.

METHODS AND RESULTS

T-tubule density was assessed by di-4-ANEPPS, FM4-64 or WGA staining using confocal microscopy. In rat, ferret, and sheep hearts t-tubule density and AmpII protein levels were lower in the atrium than in the ventricle. Heart failure (HF) was induced in sheep using right ventricular tachypacing and ferrets by ascending aortic coarctation. In both HF models, AmpII protein and t-tubule density were decreased in the ventricles. In the sheep, atrial t-tubules were also lost in HF and AmpII levels decreased. Conversely, junctophilin 2 levels did not show interchamber differences in the rat and ferret nor did they change in HF in the sheep or ferret. In addition, in rat atrial and sheep HF atrial cells where t-tubules were absent, junctophilin 2 had sarcomeric intracellular distribution. Small interfering RNA-induced knockdown of AmpII protein reduced t-tubule density, calcium transient amplitude, and the synchrony of the systolic calcium transient.

CONCLUSIONS

AmpII is intricately involved in t-tubule maintenance. Reducing AmpII protein decreases t-tubule density, reduces the amplitude, and increases the heterogeneity of the systolic calcium transient.

Variable t-tubule organization and Ca2+ homeostasis across the atria

Although t-tubules have traditionally been thought to be absent in atrial cardiomyocytes, recent studies have suggested that t-tubules exist in the atria of large mammals. However, it is unclear whether regional differences in t-tubule organization exist that define cardiomyocyte function across the atria. We sought to investigate regional t-tubule density in pig and rat atria and the consequences for cardiomyocyte Ca(2+) homeostasis. We observed t-tubules in approximately one-third of rat atrial cardiomyocytes, in both tissue cryosections and isolated cardiomyocytes. In a minority (≈10%) of atrial cardiomyocytes, the t-tubular network was well organized, with a transverse structure resembling that of ventricular cardiomyocytes. In both rat and pig atrial tissue, we observed higher t-tubule density in the epicardium than in the endocardium. Consistent with high variability in the distribution of t-tubules and Ca(2+) channels among cells, L-type Ca(2+) current amplitude was also highly variable and steeply dependent on capacitance and t-tubule density. Accordingly, Ca(2+) transients showed great variability in Ca(2+) release synchrony. Simultaneous imaging of the cell membrane and Ca(2+) transients confirmed t-tubule functionality. Results from mathematical modeling indicated that a transmural gradient in t-tubule organization and Ca(2+) release kinetics supports synchronization of contraction across the atrial wall and may underlie transmural differences in the refractory period. In conclusion, our results indicate that t-tubule density is highly variable across the atria. We propose that higher t-tubule density in cells localized in the epicardium may promote synchronization of contraction across the atrial wall.

Diversity of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ signaling in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes: evidence from a genetically directed Ca²⁺ probe, mitycam-E31Q

I(Ca)-gated Ca(2+) release (CICR) from the cardiac SR is the main mechanism mediating the rise of cytosolic Ca(2+), but the extent to which mitochondria contribute to the overall Ca(2+) signaling remains controversial. To examine the possible role of mitochondria in Ca(2+) signaling, we developed a low affinity mitochondrial Ca(2+) probe, mitycam-E31Q (300-500 MOI, 48-72h) and used it in conjunction with Fura-2AM to obtain simultaneous TIRF images of mitochondrial and cytosolic Ca(2+) in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Mitycam-E31Q staining of adult feline cardiomyocytes showed the typical mitochondrial longitudinal fluorescent bandings similar to that of TMRE staining, while neonatal rat cardiomyocytes had a disorganized tubular or punctuate appearance. Caffeine puffs produced rapid increases in cytosolic Ca(2+) while simultaneously measured global mitycam-E31Q signals decreased more slowly (increased mitochondrial Ca(2+)) before decaying to baseline levels. Similar, but oscillating mitycam-E31Q signals were seen in spontaneously pacing cells. Withdrawal of Na(+) increased global cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca(2+) signals in one population of mitochondria, but unexpectedly decreased it (release of Ca(2+)) in another mitochondrial population. Such mitochondrial Ca(2+) release signals were seen not only during long lasting Na(+) withdrawal, but also when Ca(2+) loaded cells were exposed to caffeine-puffs, and during spontaneous rhythmic beating. Thus, mitochondrial Ca(2+) transients appear to activate with a delay following the cytosolic rise of Ca(2+) and show diversity in subpopulations of mitochondria that could contribute to the plasticity of mitochondrial Ca(2+) signaling.

Ca2+ signaling in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPS-CM) from normal and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)-afflicted subjects

Derivation of cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS-CMs) allowed us to probe the Ca(2+)-signaling parameters of human iPS-CMs from healthy- and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT1)-afflicted individuals carrying a novel point mutation p.F2483I in ryanodine receptors (RyR2). iPS-CMs were dissociated on day 30-40 of differentiation and patch-clamped within 3-6 days. Calcium currents (ICa) averaged ∼8pA/pF in control and mutant iPS-CMs. ICa-induced Ca(2+)-transients in control and mutant cells had bell-shaped voltage-dependence similar to that of ICa, consistent with Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+)-release (CICR) mechanism. The ratio of ICa-activated to caffeine-triggered Ca(2+)-transients was ∼0.3 in both cell types. Caffeine-induced Ca(2+)-transients generated significantly smaller Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger current (INCX) in mutant cells, reflecting their smaller Ca(2+)-stores. The gain of CICR was voltage-dependent as in adult cardiomyocytes. Adrenergic agonists enhanced ICa, but differentially altered the CICR gain, diastolic Ca(2+), and Ca(2+)-sparks in mutant cells. The mutant cells, when Ca(2+)-overloaded, showed longer and wandering Ca(2+)-sparks that activated adjoining release sites, had larger CICR gain at -30mV yet smaller Ca(2+)-stores. We conclude that control and mutant iPS-CMs express the adult cardiomyocyte Ca(2+)-signaling phenotype. RyR2 F2483I mutant myocytes have aberrant unitary Ca(2+)-signaling, smaller Ca(2+)-stores, higher CICR gains, and sensitized adrenergic regulation, consistent with functionally altered Ca(2+)-release profile of CPVT syndrome.

Calcium signalling microdomains and the t-tubular system in atrial mycoytes: potential roles in cardiac disease and arrhythmias

The atria contribute 25% to ventricular stroke volume and are the site of the commonest cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (AF). The initiation of contraction in the atria is similar to that in the ventricle involving a systolic rise of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). There are, however, substantial inter-species differences in the way systolic Ca(2+) is regulated in atrial cells. These differences are a consequence of a well-developed and functionally relevant transverse (t)-tubule network in the atria of large mammals, including humans, and its virtual absence in smaller laboratory species such as the rat. Where T-tubules are absent, the systolic Ca(2+) transient results from a 'fire-diffuse-fire' sequential recruitment of Ca(2+) release sites from the cell edge to the centre and hence marked spatiotemporal heterogeneity of systolic Ca(2+). Conversely, the well-developed T-tubule network in large mammals ensures a near synchronous rise of [Ca(2+)](i). In addition to synchronizing the systolic rise of [Ca(2+)](i), the presence of T-tubules in the atria of large mammals, by virtue of localization of the L-type Ca(2+) channels and Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger antiporters on the T-tubules, may serve to, respectively, accelerate changes in the amplitude of the systolic Ca(2+) transient during inotropic manoeuvres and lower diastolic [Ca(2+)](i). On the other hand, the presence of T-tubules and hence wider cellular distribution of the Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger may predispose the atria of large mammals to Ca(2+)-dependent delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs); this may be a determining factor in why the atria of large mammals spontaneously develop and maintain AF.

A functional role for transverse (t-) tubules in the atria

Mammalian ventricular myocytes are characterised by the presence of an extensive transverse (t-) tubule network which is responsible for the synchronous rise of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) during systole. Disruption to the ventricular t-tubule network occurs in various cardiac pathologies and leads to heterogeneous changes of [Ca(2+)]i which are thought to contribute to the reduced contractility and increased susceptibility to arrhythmias of the diseased ventricle. Here we review evidence that, despite the long-held dogma of atrial cells having no or very few t-tubules, there is indeed an extensive and functionally significant t-tubule network present in atrial myocytes of large mammals including human. Moreover, the atrial t-tubule network is highly plastic in nature and undergoes far more extensive remodelling in heart disease than is the case in the ventricle with profound consequences for the resulting systolic Ca(2+) transient. In addition to considering the functional role of the t-tubule network in the healthy and diseased atria we also provide an overview of recent data concerning the putative factors controlling the formation of t-tubules and conclude by posing some important questions that currently remain to be addressed and whether or not targeting t-tubules offers potential novel therapeutic possibilities for heart disease.

Ca(2+) release events in cardiac myocytes up close: insights from fast confocal imaging

The spatio-temporal properties of Ca²⁺ transients during excitation-contraction coupling and elementary Ca²⁺ release events (Ca²⁺ sparks) were studied in atrial and ventricular myocytes with ultra-fast confocal microscopy using a Zeiss LSM 5 LIVE system that allows sampling rates of up to 60 kHz. Ca²⁺ sparks which originated from subsarcolemmal junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (j-SR) release sites in atrial myocytes were anisotropic and elongated in the longitudinal direction of the cell. Ca²⁺ sparks in atrial cells originating from non-junctional SR and in ventricular myocytes were symmetrical. Ca²⁺ spark recording in line scan mode at 40,000 lines/s uncovered step-like increases of [Ca²⁺]_i. 2-D imaging of Ca²⁺ transients revealed an asynchronous activation of release sites and allowed the sequential recording of Ca²⁺ entry through surface membrane Ca²⁺ channels and subsequent activation of Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release. With a latency of 2.5 ms after application of an electrical stimulus, Ca²⁺ entry could be detected that was followed by SR Ca²⁺ release after an additional 3 ms delay. Maximum Ca²⁺ release was observed 4 ms after the beginning of release. The timing of Ca²⁺ entry and release was confirmed by simultaneous [Ca²⁺]_i and membrane current measurements using the whole cell voltage-clamp technique. In atrial cells activation of discrete individual release sites of the j-SR led to spatially restricted Ca²⁺ release events that fused into a peripheral ring of elevated [Ca²⁺]_i that subsequently propagated in a wave-like fashion towards the center of the cell. In ventricular myocytes asynchronous Ca²⁺ release signals from discrete sites with no preferential subcellular location preceded the whole-cell Ca²⁺ transient. In summary, ultra-fast confocal imaging allows investigation of Ca²⁺ signals with a time resolution similar to patch clamp technique, however in a less invasive fashion.

Noise-Free Visualization of Microscopic Calcium Signaling by Pixel-Wise Fitting

Rationale:

Our insights into physiological and pathophysiological cardiac excitation-contraction coupling has greatly benefited from significant advancement in optical technologies such as high-speed confocal microscopy. This has pushed pixel dwell times into the time domain of nanoseconds, resulting in low signal-to-noise ratios, which have limited data analysis and interpretation.

Objective:

Line scan imaging has been and still is dominant in high speed confocal recording. It allows analysis only of a small fraction of a cell's cross section (1.5%), but the appreciation of spatiotemporal fine details of excitation-contraction coupling is instrumental for the further understanding of pathological mechanisms. We aim to provide a novel analysis tool to extract otherwise hidden fine details in cardiac excitation-contraction coupling from high-speed 2-dimensional confocal image series.

Methods and Results:

We demonstrate that high-speed 2-dimensional confocal data (150 frames/s) can be analyzed quantitatively by a pixel-wise fitting approach, using a mathematical formalism to phenomenologically describe local calcium transients. Such an approach produces virtually noise-free fluorescence data originating from minute volumes (0.025 femtoliter) and allows extraction of detailed and most importantly quantitative and mechanistically novel information on microscopic calcium signaling and excitation-contraction coupling in a robust manner.

Conclusions:

Pixel-wise fitting provides novel insights into cardiac excitation-contraction coupling. Specifically, it revealed microscopic calcium alternans on the level of individual coupling sites. Microscopic calcium alternans is an early precursor of cellular alternans and as such will shed more light onto this mechanism leading to cardiac arrhythmia.

Transverse tubules are a common feature in large mammalian atrial myocytes including human

Transverse (t) tubules are surface membrane invaginations that are present in all mammalian cardiac ventricular cells. The apposition of L-type Ca(2+) channels on t tubules with the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) constitutes a "calcium release unit" and allows close coupling of excitation to the rise in systolic Ca(2+). T tubules are virtually absent in the atria of small mammals, and therefore Ca(2+) release from the SR occurs initially at the periphery of the cell and then propagates into the interior. Recent work has, however, shown the occurrence of t tubules in atrial myocytes from sheep. As in the ventricle, Ca(2+) release in these cells occurs simultaneously in central and peripheral regions. T tubules in both the atria and the ventricle are lost in disease, contributing to cellular dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine if the occurrence of t tubules in the atrium is restricted to sheep or is a more general property of larger mammals including humans. In atrial tissue sections from human, horse, cow, and sheep, membranes were labeled using wheat germ agglutinin. As previously shown in sheep, extensive t-tubule networks were present in horse, cow, and human atrial myocytes. Analysis shows half the volume of the cell lies within 0.64 ± 0.03, 0.77 ± 0.03, 0.84 ± 0.03, and 1.56 ± 0.19 μm of t-tubule membrane in horse, cow, sheep, and human atrial myocytes, respectively. The presence of t tubules in the human atria may play an important role in determining the spatio-temporal properties of the systolic Ca(2+) transient and how this is perturbed in disease.

There goes the neighborhood: pathological alterations in T-tubule morphology and consequences for cardiomyocyte Ca2+ handling

T-tubules are invaginations of the cardiomyocyte membrane into the cell interior which form a tortuous network. T-tubules provide proximity between the electrically excitable cell membrane and the sarcoplasmic reticulum, the main intracellular Ca²⁺ store. Tight coupling between the rapidly spreading action potential and Ca²⁺ release units in the SR membrane ensures synchronous Ca²⁺ release throughout the cardiomyocyte. This is a requirement for rapid and powerful contraction. In recent years, it has become clear that T-tubule structure and composition are altered in several pathological states which may importantly contribute to contractile defects in these conditions. In this review, we describe the “neighborhood” of proteins in the dyadic cleft which locally controls cardiomyocyte Ca²⁺ homeostasis and how alterations in T-tubule structure and composition may alter this neighborhood during heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Based on this evidence, we propose that T-tubules have the potential to serve as novel therapeutic targets.

Developmental aspects of cardiac Ca(2+) signaling: interplay between RyR- and IP(3)R-gated Ca(2+) stores

The dominant mode of intracellular Ca(2+) release in adult mammalian heart is gated by ryanodine receptors (RyRs), but it is less clear whether inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3))-gated Ca(2+) release channels (IP(3)Rs), which are important during embryogenesis, play a significant role during early postnatal development. To address this question, we measured confocal two-dimensional Ca(2+) dependent fluorescence images in acutely isolated neonatal (days 1 to 2) and juvenile (days 8-10) rat cardiomyocytes, either voltage-clamped or permeabilized, where rapid exchange of solution could be used to selectively activate the two types of Ca(2+) release channel. Targeting RyRs with caffeine produced large and rapid Ca(2+) signals throughout the cells. Application of ATP and endothelin-1 to voltage-clamped, or IP(3) to permeabilized, cells produced smaller and slower Ca(2+) signals that were most prominent in subsarcolemmal regions and were suppressed by either the IP(3)R-blocker 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate or replacement of the biologically active form of IP(3) with its L-stereoisomer. Such IP(3)R-gated Ca(2+) releases were amplified by Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) via RyRs since they were also reduced by compounds that block the RyRs (tetracaine) or deplete the Ca(2+) pools they gate (caffeine, ryanodine). Spatial analysis revealed both subsarcolemmal and perinuclear origins for the IP(3)-mediated Ca(2+) release events RyR- and IP(3)R-gated Ca(2+) signals had larger magnitudes in juvenile than in neonatal cardiomyocytes. Ca(2+) signaling was generally quite similar in atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes but showed divergent development of IP(3)-mediated regulation in juveniles. Our data suggest that an intermediate stage of Ca(2+) signaling may be present in developing cardiomyocytes, where, in addition to RyR-gated Ca(2+) pools, IP(3)-gated Ca(2+) release is sufficiently large in magnitude and duration to trigger or contribute to activation of CICR and cardiac contraction.

Ultrastructural and Functional Remodeling of the Coupling Between Ca 2+ Influx and Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca 2+ Release in Right Atrial Myocytes From Experimental Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Rationale : Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with structural and electric remodeling and reduced contractile function.

Objective : To unravel mechanisms underlying reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca 2+ release in persistent AF.

Methods : We studied cell shortening, membrane currents, and [Ca 2+ ] i in right atrial myocytes isolated from sheep with persistent AF (duration 129±39 days, N=16), compared to matched control animals (N=21). T-tubule density, ryanodine receptor (RyR) distribution, and local [Ca 2+ ] i transients were examined in confocal imaging.

Results : Myocyte shortening and underlying [Ca 2+ ] i transients were profoundly reduced in AF (by 54.8% and 62%, P <0.01). This reduced cell shortening could be corrected by increasing [Ca 2+ ] i . SR Ca 2+ content was not different. Calculated fractional SR Ca 2+ release was reduced in AF (by 20.6%, P <0.05). Peak Ca 2+ current density was modestly decreased (by 23.9%, P <0.01). T-tubules were present in the control atrial myocytes at low density and strongly reduced in AF (by 45%, P <0.01), whereas the regular distribution of RyR was unchanged. Synchrony of SR Ca 2+ release in AF was significantly reduced with increased areas of delayed Ca 2+ release. Propagation between RyR was unaffected but Ca 2+ release at subsarcolemmal sites was reduced. Rate of Ca 2+ extrusion by Na + /Ca 2+ exchanger was increased.

Conclusions : In persistent AF, reduced SR Ca 2+ release despite preserved SR Ca 2+ content is a major factor in contractile dysfunction. Fewer Ca 2+ channel–RyR couplings and reduced efficiency of the coupling at subsarcolemmal sites, possibly related to increased Na + /Ca 2+ exchanger, underlie the reduction in Ca 2+ release.

Characterization of an extensive transverse tubular network in sheep atrial myocytes and its depletion in heart failure

BACKGROUND

In ventricular myocytes, the majority of structures that couple excitation to the systolic rise of Ca(2+) are located at the transverse tubular (t-tubule) membrane. In the failing ventricle, disorganization of t-tubules disrupts excitation contraction coupling. The t-tubule membrane is virtually absent in the atria of small mammals resulting in spatiotemporally distinct profiles of intracellular Ca(2+) release on stimulation in atrial and ventricular cells. The aims of this study were to determine (i) whether atrial myocytes from a large mammal (sheep) possess t-tubules, (ii) whether these are functionally important, and (iii) whether they are disrupted in heart failure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sheep left atrial myocytes were stained with di-4-ANEPPS. Nearly all control cells had an extensive t-tubule network resulting in each voxel in the cell being nearer to a membrane (sarcolemma or t-tubule) than would otherwise be the case. T-tubules decrease the distance of 50% of voxels from a membrane from 3.35 + or - 0.15 to 0.88 + or- 0.04 microm. During depolarization, intracellular Ca(2+) rises simultaneously at the cell periphery and center. In heart failure induced by rapid ventricular pacing, there was an almost complete loss of atrial t-tubules. The distance of 50% of voxels from a membrane increased to 2.04 + or - 0.08 microm, and there was a loss of early Ca(2+) release from the cell center.

CONCLUSIONS

Sheep atrial myocytes possess a substantial t-tubule network that synchronizes the systolic Ca(2+) transient. In heart failure, this network is markedly disrupted. This may play an important role in changes of atrial function in heart failure.

Pharmacological changes in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis parallel initiation of atrial arrhythmogenesis in murine Langendorff-perfused hearts

1. Intracellular Ca(2+) overload has been associated with established atrial arrhythmogenesis. The present experiments went on to correlate acute initiation of atrial arrhythmogenesis in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts with changes in Ca(2+) homeostasis in isolated atrial myocytes following pharmacological procedures that modified the storage or release of sarcoplasmic reticular (SR) Ca(2+) or inhibited entry of extracellular Ca(2+). 2. Caffeine (1 mmol/L) elicited diastolic Ca(2+) waves in regularly stimulated atrial myocytes immediately following addition. This was followed by a decline in the amplitude of the evoked transients and the disappearance of such diastolic events, suggesting partial SR Ca(2+) depletion. 3. Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA; 0.15 micromol/L) produced more gradual reductions in evoked Ca(2+) transients and abolished diastolic Ca(2+) events produced by the further addition of caffeine. 4. Nifedipine (0.5 micromol/L) produced immediate reductions in evoked Ca(2+) transients. Further addition of caffeine produced an immediate increase followed by a decline in the amplitude of the evoked Ca(2+) transients, without eliciting diastolic Ca(2+) events. 5. These findings correlated with changes in spontaneous and provoked atrial arrhythmogenecity in mouse isolated Langendorf-perfused hearts. Thus, caffeine was pro-arrhythmogenic immediately following but not > 5 min after application and both CPA and nifedipine pretreatment inhibited such arrhythmogenesis. 6. Together, these findings relate acute atrial arrhythmogenesis in intact hearts to diastolic Ca(2+) events in atrial myocytes that, in turn, depend upon a finite SR Ca(2+) store and diastolic Ca(2+) release following Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release initiated by the entry of extracellular Ca(2+).

Calcium sparks

The calcium ion (Ca(2+)) is the simplest and most versatile intracellular messenger known. The discovery of Ca(2+) sparks and a related family of elementary Ca(2+) signaling events has revealed fundamental principles of the Ca(2+) signaling system. A newly appreciated "digital" subsystem consisting of brief, high Ca(2+) concentration over short distances (nanometers to microns) comingles with an "analog" global Ca(2+) signaling subsystem. Over the past 15 years, much has been learned about the theoretical and practical aspects of spark formation and detection. The quest for the spark mechanisms [the activation, coordination, and termination of Ca(2+) release units (CRUs)] has met unexpected challenges, however, and raised vexing questions about CRU operation in situ. Ample evidence shows that Ca(2+) sparks catalyze many high-threshold Ca(2+) processes involved in cardiac and skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling, vascular tone regulation, membrane excitability, and neuronal secretion. Investigation of Ca(2+) sparks in diseases has also begun to provide novel insights into hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, and muscular dystrophy. An emerging view is that spatially and temporally patterned activation of the digital subsystem confers on intracellular Ca(2+) signaling an exquisite architecture in space, time, and intensity, which underpins signaling efficiency, stability, specificity, and diversity. These recent advances in "sparkology" thus promise to unify the simplicity and complexity of Ca(2+) signaling in biology.

T-tubule formation in cardiacmyocytes: two possible mechanisms?

We have followed the differentiation of transverse (T) tubules and of the associations between sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and either the plasmalemma (peripheral couplings) or the T tubules (dyads) in postnatal rat ventricular myocytes using electron microscopy. Dyads and peripheral couplings are collectively called Ca(2+) Release Units (CRUs) because they are the sites at which Ca(2+) is released from the SR. Profiles of T tubules, caveolae and dyads are mostly at the cell edge in early postnatal days and are found with increased frequency in the cell interior during the first two postnatal weeks. Using ferritin to trace continuity of T tubules lumen with the extracellular space, we find that some of T tubules (between approximately 6 and 25%), either singly or within dyads, lack ferritin in their lumen. The percentage of tubules that do not contain ferritin decreases slightly during postnatal differentiation and is not very different at the cells' edges and interior. We propose that T tubules form as invaginations of the plasmalemma that penetrate inward driven by accrual of membrane lipids and specific proteins. This occurs by a dual mechanism: either by the independent flow of SR and T tubule proteins into the two separate membranes or by the fusion of preformed vesicle tandems into the dyads. Most of the CRUs (approximately 86%) are constituted by peripheral couplings and ferritin containing dyads, thus constituting CRUs in which Ca(2+ )release from the SR is initiated by a membrane depolarization. In the remaining CRUs, activation of Ca(2+) release must be dependent on some other mechanisms.

Multidimensional detection and analysis of Ca2+ sparks in cardiac myocytes

Examining calcium spark morphology and its relationship to the structure of the cardiac myocyte offers a direct means of understanding excitation-contraction coupling mechanisms. Traditional confocal line scanning achieves excellent temporal spark resolution but at the cost of spatial information in the perpendicular dimension. To address this, we developed a methodology to identify and analyze sparks obtained via two-dimensional confocal or charge-coupled device microscopy. The technique consists of nonlinearly subtracting the background fluorescence, thresholding the data on the basis of noise level, and then localizing the spark peaks via a generalized extrema test, while taking care to detect and separate adjacent peaks. In this article, we describe the algorithm, compare its performance to a previously validated spark detection algorithm, and demonstrate it by applying it to both a synthetic replica and an experimental preparation of a two-dimensional isotropic myocyte monolayer exhibiting sparks during a calcium transient. We find that our multidimensional algorithm provides better sensitivity than the conventional method under conditions of temporally heterogeneous background fluorescence, and the inclusion of peak segmentation reduces false negative rates when spark density is high. Our algorithm is robust and can be effectively used with different imaging modalities and allows spark identification and quantification in subcellular, cellular, and tissue preparations.

Diversity of Ca2+ signaling in developing cardiac cells

During embryonic and postnatal development, the mammalian heart undergoes rapid morphological changes with cellular differentiation that at the ultrastructural level encompasses altered expression and organization of the proteins and organelles associated with Ca(2+) signaling. Here the development and roles of the releasable Ca(2+) stores located within the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum and possibly within the nuclear envelopes are addressed. Confocal Ca(2+) imaging experiments were carried out on (i) neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, (ii) pluripotent P19 stem cells, differentiated to a cardiac phenotype by culturing with 1% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in hanging droplets, and (iii) mouse embryonic cardiomyocytes isolated for short-time culture at embryonic day 9-18. The Ca(2+) release channels in neonatal and "cardiac" P19 cell were activated versus inhibited by targeting ryanodine (Ry) receptors with caffeine versus Ry and IP(3) receptors with adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) or histamine versus U-73122, a phospholipase c (PLC) inhibitor. The neonatal cells displayed four recognizable phenotypes, of which two had specialized Ca(2+) stores releasable via either Ry or IP(3) receptors, and two had both types of receptors, either controlling functionally separate stores or with some degree of overlap, so that caffeine could deplete the stores releasable by ATP. The P19 cells showed variable presence of IP(3)-mediated Ca(2+) stores, and caffeine releasable stores that gained prominence in the "cardiac" phenotype, but were absent in a "neuronal" phenotype. The different roles of Ca(2+) stores were seen clearly in the mouse embryonic cells. Some cells from early stages of development (E 9-10) had Ca(2+) waves that increased in intensity during the diastolic interval and could trigger synchronous electrical excitation (via Na-Ca exchanger [NCX] and excitatory Ca(2+) and Na(+) channels). At later stages of development (E 18) we observed diastolic Ca(2+) sparks that appeared to originate from the nuclear envelope, while the Ca(2+) signals during excitation were faster and stronger in the nuclear region than in the surrounding cytoplasmic regions. However, we also found cells where the nuclear Ca(2+) signals were weaker and showed afterglow compared to the cytosolic Ca(2+) transients. We conclude that the Ca(2+) stores in cardiac cells during embryogenesis and postnatal development, that is, before the maturation of the t-tubular system and in stem cells with cardiac phenotype, show considerable diversity with respect to the pharmacology of the release channels and that regional differences in Ca(2+) signaling are observed centered in, at, and around the nucleus. We suggest that the causal relationship excitation and subcellular Ca(2+) signals in developing cardiac cells is different from that of adult cells and that the developing cardiomyocytes show a diversity that in later stages of development may be reflected in the different properties of atrial, ventricular, and pacemaker cells.

Calcium signalling during excitation-contraction coupling in mammalian atrial myocytes

Atrial cardiomyocytes make an important contribution to the refilling of ventricles with blood, which enhances the subsequent ejection of blood from the heart. The dependence of cardiac function on the contribution of atria becomes increasingly important with age and exercise. We know much less about the calcium signals that link electrical depolarisation to contraction within atrial myocytes in comparison with ventricular myocytes. Nevertheless, recent work has shed new light on calcium signalling in atrial cells. At an ultrastructural level, atrial and ventricular myocytes have many similarities. However, a few key structural differences, in particular the lack of transverse tubules (;T-tubules') in atrial myocytes, make these two cell types display vastly different calcium patterns in response to depolarisation. The lack of T-tubules in atrial myocytes means that depolarisation provokes calcium signals that largely originate around the periphery of the cells. To engage the contractile machinery, the calcium signal must propagate centripetally deeper into the cells. This inward movement of calcium is ultimately controlled by hormones that can promote or decrease calcium release within the myocytes. Enhanced centripetal movement of calcium in atrial myocytes leads to increased contraction and a more substantial contribution to blood pumping. The calcium signalling paradigm within atrial cells applies to other cardiac cell types that also do not express T-tubules, such as neonatal ventricular myocytes, and Purkinje cells that aid in the spread of electrical depolarisation. Furthermore, during heart failure ventricular myocytes progressively lose their regular T-tubule expression, and their pattern of response resembles that of atrial cells.

Modulation of local Ca2+ release sites by rapid fluid puffing in rat atrial myocytes

Atrial myocytes that lack t-tubules appear to have two functionally separate sarcoplasmic Ca2+ stores: a peripheral store associated with plasmalemmal L-type calcium channels and a central store with no apparent proximity to L-type calcium channels. Here we describe a set of calcium sparks and waves that are triggered by puffing of pressurized (200-400 mmH2O) bathing solutions onto resting isolated rat atrial myocytes. Puffing of pressurized (200 mmH2O) solutions, identical to those bathing the myocytes from distances of approximately 150 microm onto the surface of a single myocyte triggered or enhanced spontaneously occurring peripheral sparks by five- to six-fold and central Ca2+ sparks by two- to three-fold, without altering the unitary spark properties. Exposure to higher pressure flows (400 mmH2O) often triggered longitudinally spreading Ca2+ waves. These results suggest that pressurized flows may directly modulate Ca2+ signaling of atrial myocytes by activating the intracellular Ca2+ release sites.

Regional differences in spontaneous Ca2+ spark activity and regulation in cat atrial myocytes

Calcium sparks result from the concerted opening of a small number of Ca2+ release channels (ryanodine receptors, RyRs) organized in clusters in the membrane of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Calcium sparks represent the elementary events of SR Ca2+ release in cardiac myocytes, and their spatial and temporal summation results in whole-cell [Ca2+]i transients observed during excitation-contraction coupling (ECC). Atrial myocytes generally lack transverse tubules; however, during ECC Ca2+ release is initiated from junctional SR (j-SR) in the cell periphery from where activation propagates inwardly through Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) from non-junctional SR (nj-SR). Despite the structural differences in the microdomains of RyRs of j-SR and nj-SR, spontaneous Ca2+ sparks are observed from both types of SR, albeit at different frequencies. In cells that showed spontaneous Ca2+ sparks from j-SR and nj-SR, subsarcolemmal (SS) Ca2+ sparks from the j-SR were 3-4 times more frequent than central (CTR) Ca2+ sparks occurring from nj-SR. Subsarcolemmal Ca2+ sparks had a slightly higher amplitude, but were essentially identical in their spatial spread and duration when compared to CTR Ca2+ sparks. Sensitization of RyRs with a low concentration (0.1 mM) of caffeine led to a 107% increase in the frequency of CTR Ca2+ sparks, whereas the SS Ca2+ spark frequency increased by only 58%, suggesting that the nj-SR is capable of much higher Ca2+ spark activity than observed normally in unstimulated cells. The L-type Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil reduced SS Ca2+ spark frequency to 38% of control values, whereas Ca2+ spark activity from nj-SR was reduced by only 19%, suggesting that SS Ca2+ sparks are under the control of Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ eliminated SS Ca2+ sparks completely, whereas Ca2+ sparks from the nj-SR continued, albeit at a lower frequency. In membrane-permeabilized (saponin-treated) atrial myocytes, where [Ca2+] can be experimentally controlled throughout the entire myocyte, j-SR and nj-SR Ca2+ spark frequencies were identical, and Ca2+ sparks could be observed spaced at sarcomeric distances throughout the entire cell, suggesting that all release sites of the nj-SR can become active. Measurement of SR Ca2+ load (10 mM caffeine) revealed no difference between j-SR and nj-SR. The data suggest that in atrial myocytes, which lack a t-tubular system, the nj-SR is fully equipped with a three-dimensional array of functional SR Ca2+ release sites; however, in intact cells under resting conditions, peripheral RyR clusters have a higher probability of activation owing to their association with surface membrane Ca2+ channels, leading to higher spontaneous Ca2+ spark activity. In conclusion, Ca2+ sparks originating from both j-SR and nj-SR are rather stereotypical and show little differences in their spatiotemporal properties. In intact cells, however, the higher frequency of spontaneous SS Ca2+ sparks arises from the structural arrangement of sarcolemma and j-SR membrane and thus from the difference in the trigger mechanism.