Developmental changes in the beta-adrenergic modulation of calcium currents in rabbit ventricular cells

Advancing physiological maturation in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac muscle by gene editing an inducible adult troponin isoform switch

Advancing maturation of stem cell-derived cardiac muscle represents a major barrier to progress in cardiac regenerative medicine. Cardiac muscle maturation involves a myriad of gene, protein, and cell-based transitions, spanning across all aspects of cardiac muscle form and function. We focused here on a key developmentally controlled transition in the cardiac sarcomere, the functional unit of the heart. Using a gene-editing platform, human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSCs) were engineered with a drug-inducible expression cassette driving the adult cardiac troponin I (cTnI) regulatory isoform, a transition shown to be a rate-limiting step in advancing sarcomeric maturation of hiPSC cardiac muscle (hiPSC-CM) toward the adult state. Findings show that induction of the adult cTnI isoform resulted in the physiological acquisition of adult-like cardiac contractile function in hiPSC-CMs in vitro. Specifically, cTnI induction accelerated relaxation kinetics at baseline conditions, a result independent of alterations in the kinetics of the intracellular Ca²⁺ transient. In comparison, isogenic unedited hiPSC-CMs had no cTnI induction and no change in relaxation function. Temporal control of adult cTnI isoform induction did not alter other developmentally regulated sarcomere transitions, including myosin heavy chain isoform expression, nor did it affect expression of SERCA2a or phospholamban. Taken together, precision genetic targeting of sarcomere maturation via inducible TnI isoform switching enables physiologically relevant adult myocardium-like contractile adaptations that are essential for beat-to-beat modulation of adult human heart performance. These findings have relevance to hiPSC-CM structure-function and drug-discovery studies in vitro, as well as for potential future clinical applications of physiologically optimized hiPSC-CM in cardiac regeneration/repair.

Postnatal developmental decline in IK1 in mouse ventricular myocytes isolated by the Langendorff perfusion method: comparison with the chunk method

Expression and function of cardiac ion channels exhibit postnatal developmental changes, which, however, has not yet been proven in ventricular myocytes isolated using similar techniques. In this study, ventricular myocytes were enzymatically dissociated from mouse heart at different postnatal ages (including postnatal day 0) by similar techniques using Langendorff perfusion. Whole-cell patch-clamp experiments were performed to record action potentials, I (K1), I (Kr), I (Kur), I (ss), and I (Ca,L), in ventricular myocytes freshly isolated from postnatal days 0, 7, and 14 and adult mice. Viable ventricular myocytes of day-0 mouse heart exhibited spindle-shaped appearance having cell length of approximately 50 μm, which gradually developed to a rod-shaped one having clear cross striation with cell length of approximately 120 μm (adult). The action potential duration markedly shortened, while the resting membrane potential depolarized to a small but significant extent during postnatal development. I (K1) density was maximal in postnatal day-0 ventricular myocytes and gradually decreased during development, which was accompanied by postnatal depolarization of resting membrane potential. However, I (K1) density was markedly decreased by approximately 80% in postnatal day-0 ventricular myocytes, when isolated by the chunk method. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analyses demonstrated higher Kir2.3 expression but lower expression levels of Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 in day-0 mouse ventricles, compared with those of day-14 and adult mouse ventricles. Whereas I (Kr) exhibited marked decrease during postnatal development, I (Kur), I (ss), and I (Ca,L) exhibited postnatal developmental increase. The present cell isolation method using the Langendorff perfusion thus found that, in mouse ventricles, I (K1) exhibited postnatal developmental decrease, associated with depolarization of resting potential.

Age- and chamber-specific differences in oxidative stress after ischemic injury

Each year, tens of thousands of children undergo cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to correct congenital heart defects. Although necessary for surgery, CPB involves stopping the heart and exposing it to ischemic conditions. On reoxygenation, the heart can experience effects similar to that of acute myocardial infarction. Although much is known about adult injury, little is known about the effects of global ischemia on newborn ventricles. We studied newborn (2 to 4 days old) and adult (>8 weeks old) rabbit hearts subjected to ischemia-reperfusion (30 min of ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion). Our data demonstrated chamber- and age-specific changes in oxidative stress. During ischemia, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) increased in both right-ventricular (RV) and left-ventricular (LV) myocytes of the newborn, although only the RV change was significant. In contrast, there was no significant increase in H(2)O(2) in either RV or LV myocytes of adults. There was a fivefold increase in H(2)O(2) formation in newborn RV myocytes compared with adults (P = 0.006). In whole-heart tissue, superoxide dismutase activity increased from sham versus ischemia in the left ventricle of both adult and newborn hearts, but it was increased only in the right ventricle of the newborn heart. Catalase activity was significantly increased after ischemia in both adult ventricles, whereas no increase was seen in newborn compared with sham hearts. In addition, catalase levels in newborns were significantly lower, indicating less scavenging potential. Nanoparticle-encapsulated ebselen, given as an intracardiac injection into the right or left ventricle of newborn hearts, significantly increased functional recovery of developed pressure only in the right ventricle, indicating the potential for localized antioxidant therapy during and after pediatric surgical procedures.

Dopamine increases L-type calcium current more in newborn than adult rabbit cardiomyocytes via D1 and β2 receptors

Dopamine is used to treat heart failure, particularly after cardiac surgery in infants, but the mechanisms of action are unclear. We investigated differences in the effect of dopamine on L-type calcium current ( ICa) between newborn (NB, 1–4 days) and adult (AD, 3–4 mo) rabbit ventricular myocytes. Myocytes were enzymatically dissociated from NB and AD rabbit hearts. ICa was recorded by using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. mRNA levels of cardiac dopamine receptor type 1 (D1), type 2 (D2), and β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) were measured by real-time RT-PCR. Dopamine (100 μM) increased ICa more in NB (Emax 87 ± 10%) than in AD ventricular cells (Emax 21 ± 3%). Further investigation of this difference showed that mRNA levels of the D1 receptor were significantly higher in NB, and, with β-AR blockade, dopamine increased ICa more in NB than AD cells. Additionally, SKF-38393 (selective D1 receptor agonist) significantly increased ICa by 55 ± 4% in NB ( P < 0.05, n = 4) and by 11 ± 1% in AD ( P < 0.05, n = 6). Dopamine in the presence of SCH-23390 (D1 receptor antagonist) increased ICa in NB cells by 67 ± 5% and by 22 ± 2% in AD cells, suggesting a role for β-AR stimulation. Selective blockade of β1- or β2-receptors (with block of D1 receptors) showed that the β-AR action of dopamine in the NB was largely mediated via β2-AR activation. Dopamine produces a larger increase in ICa in NB cardiomyocytes compared with ADs. The mechanism of action is not only through β2-ARs but also due to higher expression of cardiac D1 receptor in NB.

β2-Adrenergic receptor agonists stimulate L-type calcium current independent of PKA in newborn rabbit ventricular myocytes

Selective stimulation of β2-adrenergic receptors (ARs) in newborn rabbit ventricular myocardium invokes a positive inotropic effect that is lost during postnatal maturation. The underlying mechanisms for this age-related stimulatory response remain unresolved. We examined the effects of β2-AR stimulation on L-type Ca2+ current ( ICa,L) during postnatal development. ICa,L was measured (37°C; either Ca2+ or Ba2+ as the charge carrier) using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in newborn (1 to 5 days old) and adult rabbit ventricular myocytes. Ca2+ transients were measured concomitantly by dialyzing the cell with indo-1. Activation of β2-ARs (with either 100 nM zinterol or 1 μM isoproterenol in the presence of the β1-AR antagonist, CGP20712A) stimulated ICa,L twofold in newborns but not in adults. The β2-AR-mediated increase in Ca2+ transient amplitude in newborns was due exclusively to the augmentation of ICa,L. Zinterol increased the rate of inactivation of ICa,L and increased the Ca2+ flux integral. The β2-AR inverse agonist, ICI-118551 (500 nM), but not the β1-AR antagonist, CGP20712A (500 nM), blocked the response to zinterol. Unexpectedly, the PKA blockers, H-89 (10 μM), PKI 6-22 amide (10 μM), and Rp-cAMP (100 μM), all failed to prevent the response to zinterol but completely blocked responses to selective β1-AR stimulation of ICa,L in newborns. Our results demonstrate that in addition to the conventional β1-AR/cAMP/PKA pathway, newborn rabbit myocardium exhibits a novel β2-AR-mediated, PKA-insensitive pathway that stimulates ICa,L. This striking developmental difference plays a major role in the age-related differences in inotropic responses to β2-AR agonists.

Developmental changes in time course of recovery from inactivation in L-type calcium currents of rabbit ventricular myocytes

The mechanisms of recovery from inactivation of the L-type calcium current ( ICa) are not well established, and recovery is affected by many experimental conditions. Little is known about developmental changes of recovery from inactivation of ICa. We studied developmental changes of recovery from inactivation in ICa using isolated adult and newborn (1–4 days) rabbit ventricular myocytes. We used broken-patch and perforated-patch techniques with physiological extracellular ionic concentrations of calcium and sodium and interpulse conditioning potentials of −80 or −50 mV. We also maximized ICa with forskolin. We found that recovery from inactivation did not differ between adult and newborn cells when either EGTA or BAPTA was used to buffer intracellular calcium. Maximizing ICa with forskolin slowed recovery from inactivation in newborn but not in adult cells. In contrast, when the intracellular buffering of the cell was left nearly intact (perforated patch), recovery from inactivation (half-time of recovery) in the newborn cells was significantly slower than for the adult cells when either a conditioning potential of −80 mV (140 ± 9 vs. 58 ± 4 ms, newborn vs. adult; P < 0.05) or −50 mV (641 ± 106 vs. 168 ± 15 ms, newborn vs. adult; P < 0.05) was used. Forskolin significantly increased half-time of recovery for both adult and newborn cells. Dialysis with no calcium buffer showed a slower recovery from inactivation in newborn cells. Intracellular dialysis with a calcium buffer masked differences in recovery from inactivation of ICa between newborn and adult rabbit ventricular cells.

L-type Ca2+channel function and expression in neonatal rabbit ventricular myocytes

L-type Ca2+channel-mediated, Ca2+-induced Ca2+release (CICR) is the dominant mode of excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling in the mature mammalian myocardium but is thought to be absent in the fetal and newborn mammalian myocardium. Furthermore, the characteristics and contributors of E-C coupling at the earliest developmental stages are poorly understood. In this study, we measured [3H](+)PN200-110 dihydropyridine binding capacity, functionality and expression of the L-type Ca2+channel, and cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) at various developmental stages (3, 6, 10, 20, and 56 days old) to characterize ontogenetic changes in E-C coupling. We found that 1) the whole cell L-type Ca2+channel peak current ( ICa) density increased slightly in parallel with cell growth, but the current-voltage relationship, the steady-state activation, and the maximum DHP binding and binding affinity did not exhibit significant developmental changes; 2) sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+dependence of inactivation rates of L-type Ca2+channel and peak of ICadensity were only observed after 10 days of age, which temporally coincides with transverse (T)-tubule formation; 3) the relationship between [Ca2+]iand voltage changed from a linear relationship at the earliest developmental stages to a “bell-shaped” relationship at the later developmental stages, presumably corresponding to a switch from reverse-mode Na/Ca exchange-dependent to ICa-dependent E-C coupling; and 4) the expression of two different splice variants of CaV1.2, IVS3A and IVS3B, switched from predominantly IVS3A at the earliest stages to IVS3B at the later developmental stages. Our data suggest that whereas the density of functional dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs) increases only slightly during ontogeny, the enhancement of functional coupling between DHPR and ryanodine receptor is dramatic between the second and third weeks after birth. Furthermore, we found that the differential expression of splice variants during development temporally correlated with the appearance of ICa-dependent E-C coupling and T-tubule formation.

Na(+)-channel modulation, a new principle of inotropic intervention: effects on hemodynamic and myocardial energetics in the immature rabbit heart

Na+-channel modulators exert their positive inotropic action without affecting the adenylate-cyclase pathway by an increase in the open probability of the sarcolemmal Na+ channels. Although inotropic effects in neonatal hearts are less pronounced compared with adult hearts, the Na+-channel modulator BDF 9148 increases contractility and relaxation velocity in immature myocardium. Effects on hemodynamics and myocardial energetics are not known. Therefore, we studied the Na+-channel modulator BDF 9148 in isolated antegrade perfused rabbit hearts of different ages (2-28 d) and compared the effects with isoproterenol, enoximone, and ouabain. ANOVA showed significant effects in the concentration response curves for heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and oxygen consumption but not for myocardial efficiency (p = 0.06). Age-dependent differences were observed for heart rate and stroke volume. Administration of BDF 9148 resulted in a maximal increase in stroke volume and cardiac output up to 25% in neonatal and 40% to 60% in adult preparations. Heart rate decreased by 15% in adult hearts only. Myocardial oxygen consumption was increased in a concentration-dependent manner between 25% in neonatal and 50% in adult hearts. Myocardial efficiency was increased by 35% in adult and by 10% in neonatal preparations. Although positive hemodynamic and energetic effects were less pronounced in immature compared with adult hearts, neonatal hearts also profited from the administration of the Na+-channel modulator BDF 9148. Further studies are necessary to clarify the risk of arrhythmia during application of Na+-channel modulators such as BDF 9148.

Ontogeny of excitation-contraction coupling in the mammalian heart

The neonate mammalian heart is phenotypically different from the adult heart in many respects. Understanding these phenotypic differences are a fundamental component of understanding the mechanisms of congenital heart disease and its treatment. Differences in excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling of the neonatal heart from that of the adult include less reliance on intercellular sources of Ca(2+) such as that from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Electron micrographs indicate that these immature cardiomyocytes lack transverse tubules and the SR is sparse. This paper focuses on the changes in the phenotype of E-C coupling during ontogeny in the mammalian heart and the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes.

Inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channel current in Xenopus oocytes by amiodarone

BACKGROUND

Although amiodarone has been referred to as a class III antiarrhythmic agent, it also possesses electrophysiologic characteristics of the three other classes (classes I and IV and minor class II effects). Previous studies have demonstrated that amiodarone inhibits Ca2+ channel current in intact cardiac myocytes. However, it is not clear whether this response reflects a pure class IV effect (direct Ca2+ channel inhibition) or a class II effect (beta-adrenergic receptor blockade) of amiodarone.

METHODS

In the current study, the effects of amiodarone on Ca2+ current were studied in the absence of sympathetic regulation using a Xenopus oocyte expression system. The L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1C subunit was coexpressed with the alpha2delta and beta2a subunits in enzymatically digested Xenopus oocytes. Ca2+ currents were recorded using the cut-open oocyte preparation.

RESULTS

We found that perfusion of 10 microM isoproterenol produced no significant change in peak Ca2+ current (from 223+/-33 to 210+/-29 nA, mean+/-SEM, n=5, P=not significant), indicating the absence of a functional stimulatory sympathetic signal pathway in these oocytes. After 10 minutes of exposure to 10 microM amiodarone, Ca2+ current amplitude was significantly decreased from 174+/-33 to 100+/-26 nA (n=8, P<0.01; control group: 220+/-33 to 212+/-29 nA, n=5, P=not significant). These effects were similar to those of 10 microM nifedipine (201+/-48 to 108+/-48 nA, n=6, P<0.05), a typical Ca2+ channel blocker. On the other hand, neither amiodarone nor nifedipine significantly altered the Ca2+ current activation or inactivation kinetics.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that amiodarone inhibits Ca2+ current in the absence of a functional intrinsic beta-adrenergic stimulatory system and, therefore, represents a true class IV effect.

Increased sensitivity of neonate atrial myocytes to adenosine A1 receptor stimulation in regulation of the L-type Ca2+ current

Adenosine has cardioprotective effects against ischemia, and newborn hearts show high resistance to ischemia. The effects of purinoceptor stimulation by adenosine and ATP on the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) were examined in atrial cells from neonate and adult rabbits. ICa was measured by the membrane-perforated patch method. Adenosine inhibited the isoproterenol-stimulated ICa more potently in neonate cells than in adult cells. The high sensitivity of neonate myocytes to adenosine was accompanied not only by an increased maximum response but also by a lower IC50 concentration. ATP also inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated ICa. The effect of ATP on neonate cells was stronger than that on adult cells at high concentrations (greater than or = 100 microM). The effect of adenosine was antagonized by an A1 adenosine receptor antagonist, 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX). DPCPX or an ecto-5'-nucleosidase inhibitor (alpha,beta-methylene-ADP) blocked most (approximately 60%) of the effect of ATP (30 microM), and co-addition of DPCPX and suramin (P2 receptor blocker) abolished the effect of ATP. Suramin alone did not reduce the effect of ATP significantly in neonate cells. Both the effects of adenosine and ATP were eliminated by pre-treatment with pertussis toxin or by superfusion with forskolin plus 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). Inhibitors of the nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway did not affect the adenosine inhibition of ICa. In summary, neonatal myocardial cells are highly sensitive to adenosine A1 receptor stimulation. ATP stimulates both the adenosine A1 and P2 receptors. Adenosine A1 receptor stimulation, as a result of hydrolysis of ATP, predominantly mediates the effect of ATP, and the role of P2 receptors in the ATP inhibition of ICa is relatively small in neonate cells. The high sensitivity to adenosine may contribute to the ischemic tolerance of newborn hearts.

Laminin acts via beta 1 integrin signalling to alter cholinergic regulation of L-type Ca(2+) current in cat atrial myocytes

A perforated patch recording method was used to determine how plating cells on laminin (20 microg ml(-1); >2 h) alters cholinergic regulation of L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca,L)) in atrial myocytes. Acetylcholine (ACh; 1 microm)-induced inhibition of basal I(Ca,L) was not different between cells on glass and laminin. However, stimulation of I(Ca,L) elicited by ACh withdrawal was significantly smaller in cells on laminin (10 +/- 2 %) than on glass (48 +/- 5 %) (P < 0.001). Stimulation of I(Ca,L) induced by either spermine-NO (200 microm), milrinone (10 microm), IBMX (100 microm) or forskolin (1 microm) was significantly smaller in cells plated on laminin than on glass. However, stimulation of I(Ca,L) by 100 microm 8-CPT-cAMP or intracellular dialysis with 50 microM cAMP was not different between cells plated on laminin or glass. Basal, forskolin- and IBMX-stimulated cAMP content was significantly smaller in cells plated on laminin than on glass. Stimulation of I(Ca,L) by ACh withdrawal was significantly smaller in cells plated on an alpha beta 1-integrin antibody (10 +/- 4 %) than on glass (3 +/- 6 %; P < 0.001). In cells on laminin, prior exposure to 100 microg ml-1 YIGSR, a laminin receptor-binding peptide, restored ACh-induced stimulation of I(Ca,L) (58 +/- 14 %)laminin alone (7 +/- 2 %; P < 0. 05). Addition of 20 microm cytochalasin D or 1 microM latrunculin A, agents that prevent actin polymerization, to cells on laminin restored ACh-induced stimulation of I(Ca,L). We conclude that laminin binding to beta 1 integrins acts in association with the actin-based cytoskeleton to attenuate adenylate cyclase activity. As a result, laminin inhibits NO-mediated stimulation of I(Ca,L) elicited by ACh withdrawal. Laminin-integrin signalling may be relevant to changes in autonomic regulation that occur during cardiac development and/or disease.

Suppression of beta-adrenergic responsiveness of L-type Ca2+ current by IL-1beta in rat ventricular myocytes

The possible mechanism by which interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) affects beta-adrenergic responsiveness of L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) was examined in adult rat ventricular myocytes by use of whole cell patch-clamp techniques. In the presence of isoproterenol (Iso), exposure for 3 min to IL-1beta suppressed the Iso-activated ICa,L. In the presence of IL-1beta, the response of ICa,L to Iso was decreased, and the EC50 for Iso stimulation was increased. However, IL-1beta had no effect on [3H]CGP-12177 binding, displacement of [3H]CGP-12177 binding by Iso, or on basal and Iso-enhanced cAMP content. When ICa,L was activated by extracellular application of forskolin or 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP, a membrane-permeable cAMP analog, or by intracellular dialysis with cAMP, IL-1beta had little effect on ICa,L. In contrast, in the presence of cAMP, IL-1beta still suppressed the Iso-enhanced ICa,L. These results show that the IL-1beta-induced decrease in beta-adrenergic responsiveness of ICa,L does not result from inhibition of beta-adrenoceptor binding, adenylyl cyclase activity, or cAMP-mediated pathways, suggesting a cAMP-independent mechanism.

Developmental changes in modulation of cardiac repolarization by sympathetic stimulation: the role of beta- and alpha-adrenergic receptors

INTRODUCTION

Our goals were to study the role of development in determining the cardiac effects of sympathetic neural activation, and to identify the roles of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated pathways in modulating the effects of sympathetic stimulation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We compared responses of young and adult canine hearts in situ to right, left, and bilateral stellate ganglion stimulation. We focused on changes in heart rate, rhythm, QT interval, rate-corrected QT interval (QTc), and T wave amplitude. Right stellate stimulation (RSS) induced more pronounced sinus tachycardia in adult than young animals. Left stellate stimulation (LSS) induced junctional tachycardia in adult more than young animals. In adults, LSS and RSS prolonged QTc (LSS > RSS), whereas 1-week-olds manifested QTc shortening with RSS. LSS also increased T wave amplitude, most markedly in adults. In all studies, bilateral stellate stimulation induced responses intermediate between those seen with RSS and LSS. beta-Adrenergic blockade (propranolol) abolished all responses to LSS in adult hearts, but alpha-blockade (prazosin) attenuated only the LSS-induced prolongation in QTc.

CONCLUSION

In the postnatal modulation of cardiac rhythm, rate, and repolarization by the sympathetic nervous system, beta-adrenergic receptors play a major role at all ages, whereas alpha-adrenergic receptors play a lesser role, which is manifested only in adults. Moreover, expression of junctional tachycardias, which are beta-adrenergically modulated, is seen only in the adults.

[Inotropic effect of isoprenaline and noradrenaline on chick embryo heart]

Isolated ventricles of developing chick embryo heart, paced at 1 Hz, were used to assess the positive inotropic responses to isoprenaline and noradrenaline in order to characterize the adrenergic receptors involved in these effects. In 7 day-old-chick embryo heart ventricle, isoprenaline and noradrenaline exhibited similar potencies and efficacies. Moreover, propranolol (1 microM) inhibited the positive inotropic effect of isoprenaline and noradrenaline, while pentholamine (3 microM) failed to affect the latter response; in addition, phenylephrine (1 microM-1 mM) had no positive inotropic effect. It was therefore concluded that isoprenaline and noradrenaline induce their effect via stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors. The efficacy of isoprenaline and noradrenaline and the potency of isoprenaline increased from the 7th to 10th day while the potency of noradrenaline decreased. The decrease in noradrenaline potency with age was attributed to its uptake, while the increase in isoprenaline potency was attributed to the increase in beta-adrenergic receptors. However, the increase in efficacy of both isoprenaline and noradrenaline with age might be due to the higher density and/or higher maturity of contractile proteins.

Differences in isoproterenol stimulation of Ca2+ current of rat ventricular myocytes in neonatal compared to adult

The developmental changes in the isoproterenol stimulation of the L-type calcium current (ICa(L)) were studied in freshly isolated neonatal (3-5-day-old) and adult (2-3-month-old) rat ventricular myocytes using whole-cell voltage clamp (at room temperature). ICa(L) was measured as the peak inward current at a test potential of +10 mV (or +20 mV) by applying a 300 ms pulse from a holding potential of -40 mV. The pipette solution was Cs(+)-rich and Ca(2+)-free. The external solution was Na(+)-free and K(+)-free. Isoproterenol stimulated ICa(L) in a dose-dependent manner. The concentrations of isoproterenol for half-maximal effect were 6.8 nM in neonatal and 13.3 nM in adult. The maximal stimulation of ICa(L) was 147 +/- 14% in neonatal and 97 +/- 7% in adult. The steady-state inactivation curves were not affected by isoproterenol, whereas the steady-state activation curve was shifted to the left in both neonatal and adult. Forskolin (10 microM) increased ICa(L) by 105 +/- 10% in neonatal and 90 +/- 12% in adult. After stimulating ICa(L) by forskolin, the addition of isoproterenol produced a further increase of ICa(L) by 99 +/- 27% in neonatal, but only by 19 +/- 3% in adult. The presence of an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the pipette did not affect this marked difference between neonatal (87 +/- 23%) and adult (11 +/- 8%). We conclude that, in rat ventricular myocytes, (1) stimulation of ICa(L) by the beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoproterenol, is already fully developed in the neonatal stage and actually decreases during development; (2) there is evidence for a cAMP-independent stimulation of Ca2+ channels by isoproterenol, and this is greater in neonatal than in adult. We believe that the cAMP-independent pathway is the direct pathway mediated by Gs alpha protein.

The heart and development

The perspective from which the developing heart is viewed can lead to differing conclusions about the effects of development on cardiac function. The hearts of the embryo, fetus and adult, viewed from a global perspective, sustain the circulation through the same basic mechanisms of developing pressure and ejecting blood. The failure of the embryonic heart to perform these tasks results in growth failure, edema, and embryonic death, just as in the infant and adult such failure results in premature death. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of gross anatomy, following embryonic morphogenesis, the developing and adult hearts appear in general to be structurally similar, differing only in size and mass. However, a closer view shows, in the molecular and structural makeup of the myocardium, richly complex changes that can modulate the basic physiological properties of the cardiac myocyte. This article focuses on how these changes and the effects of birth and development alter ventricular function.

Altered pharmacologic responsiveness of reduced L-type calcium currents in myocytes surviving in the infarcted heart

The pharmacologic responses of macroscopic L-type calcium channel currents to the dihydropyridine agonist, Bay K 8644, and beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation by isoproterenol were studied in myocytes enzymatically dissociated from the epicardial border zone of the arrhythmic 5-day infarcted canine heart (IZs). Calcium currents were recorded at 36 degrees to 37 degrees C using the whole cell, patch clamp method and elicited by applying step depolarizations from a holding potential of -40 mV to various test potentials for 250-msec duration at 8-second intervals. A Cs+ -rich and 10 mM EGTA-containing pipette solution and a Na+ -and K+ -free external solutions were used to isolate calcium currents from other contaminating currents. During control, peak ICa,L density was found to be significantly less in IZs (4.0 +/- 1.1 pA/pF) than in myocytes dispersed from the epicardium of the normal noninfarcted heart (NZs; 6.5 +/- 1.8 pA/pF). Bay K 8644 (1 micro M) significantly increased peak ICa,L density 3.5-fold above control levels in both NZs (to 22.5 +/- 6.2 pA/pF; n = 7) and IZs (to 12.8 +/- 3.0 pA/pF; n = 5), yet peak ICa,L density in the presence of drug was significantly less in IZs than NZs. The effects of Bay K 8644 on kinetics of current decay and steady-state inactivation relations of peak ICa,L were similar in the two cell types. In contrast, the response of peak L-type current density to isoproterenol (1 micro M) was significantly diminished in IZs compared to NZs regardless of whether Ba2+ or Ca2+ ions carried the current. Thus, these results indicate an altered responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation in cells that survive in the infarcted heart. Furthermore, application of forskolin (1 micro M and 10 micro M) or intracellular cAMP (200 micro M), agents known to act downstream of the beta-receptor, also produced a smaller increase in peak IBa density in IZs versus NZs, suggesting that multiple defects exist in the beta-adrenergic signaling pathway of IZs. In conclusion, these studies illustrate that reduced macroscopic calcium currents of cells in the infarcted heart exhibit an altered pharmacologic profile that has important implications in the development of drugs for the diseased heart.

Regulatory role of ATP at developing neuromuscular junctions

Neuronal factors co-released with neurotransmitters may play an important role in synaptic development and function. Extracellular application of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), a substance co-stored and co-released with acetylcholine (ACh) in peripheral nervous systems, potentiated the spontaneous secretion of ACh at developing neuromuscular synapses in Xenopus 1-day-old cell cultures, as shown by a marked increase in the frequency of spontaneous synaptic currents recorded in the post-synaptic muscle cell. ATP also increased the frequency of miniature endplate potentials in the isolated tails of 2-week-old Xenopus tadpoles, with much smaller effect than that observed in cell cultures. The potentiation effect of ATP on ACh release in Xenopus cell cultures was inhibited by L-type Ca2+ channel blockers, suggesting that the L-type Ca2+ channel is responsible for the positive regulation of spontaneous ACh secretion by ATP at the developing neuromuscular synapses. The frequency of spontaneous synaptic events was found to vary greatly from cell to cell in the culture, over two orders of magnitude. Synapses with high frequency events are probably under the influence of endogenously released ATP. In addition, ATP was shown to potentiate the responses of isolated myocytes to iontophoretically-applied ACh. Local application of ATP to one region of the elongated myocyte surface resulted in potentiated ACh responses only at the ATP-treated region. Single channel recording showed that ATP specifically increased the open time and opening frequency of embryonic-type, low conductance ACh channels. Pharmacological experiments suggest that ATP exerted both its pre- and post-synaptic effects by binding to P2-purinoceptors and activating protein kinase C. Moreover, the potentiation effects of ATP were restricted to the early stages of embryos. Taken together, these results suggest that ATP co-released with ACh or released from stimulated myocytes may promote synaptic development by potentiating pre-synaptic ACh release and post-synaptic ACh channel activity during the early phase of synaptogenesis.

Electrophysiological properties of neonatal mouse cardiac myocytes in primary culture

1. The increasing utility of transgenic mice in molecular studies of the cardiovascular system has motivated us to characterize the ionic currents in neonatal mouse ventricular myocytes. 2. Cell capacitance measurements (30 +/- 1 pF, n = 73) confirmed visual impressions that neonatal mouse ventricular myocytes in primary culture are considerably smaller than freshly isolated adult ventricular myocytes. With the use of electron microscopy, mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum were found in close association with myofibrils, but transverse tubules were not observed. 3. Action potential durations, measured at 50 and 90% repolarization, were 23 +/- 1 and 42 +/- 2 ms respectively (n = 46). Application of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP; 5 mM) prolonged action potential duration at 50% repolarization by 26 +/- 5% (n = 3). The brevity of the action potential is explained by the rapid activation of a transient outward K+ current upon voltage-clamp depolarization to plateau potentials. 4. Potassium currents identified include an inward rectifier, a large 4-AP-sensitive transient outward, a slowly inactivating 4-AP-insensitive outward, a slowly activating delayed rectifier and a small rapidly activating E-4031 (10 microM)-sensitive delayed rectifier K+ current. 5. Sodium currents (-305 +/- 50 pA pF-1, n = 21) were recorded in 40 mM Na+ with Ni2+ (1 mM) to block Ca2+ currents and with K+ replaced by Cs+. The relative insensitivity of the Na+ current to block by tetrodotoxin (IC50 = 2.2 +/- 0.3 microM, n = 4) is distinctive of the cardiac Na+ channel isoform. 6. Nitrendipine-insensitive (10 microM) Ba2+ currents elicited during steps from -90 to -30 mV measured -25 +/- 5 pA pF-1 (n = 7, 30 mM Ba2+). Decay of these currents was complete during 180 ms depolarizations, even with Ba2+ as the charge carrier. These currents were not present when the holding potential was set at -50 mV. These data support the presence of a low threshold, T-type Ca2+ current. 7. The maximal nitrendipine-sensitive L-type Ca2+ current density was -10 +/- 2 pA pF-1 (n = 8) in 2 mM Ca2+ and -38 +/- 5 pA pF-1 (n = 9) in 30 mM Ba2+. Exposure to isoprenaline (1 microM) resulted in an 82% increase (n = 3) in the amplitude of the Ba2+ currents elicited at 0 mV. 8. Neonatal mouse cardiac myocytes in primary culture possess surprisingly large inward currents given the brevity of their action potentials.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enhancement of the positive inotropic effect mediated by alpha 1-adrenoceptors in pertussis toxin-treated rabbit papillary muscles

1. In rabbit papillary muscles, pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PTX) significantly increased the positive inotropic response to isoprenaline and abolished the inhibitory action of carbachol on the isoprenaline response. 2. Phenylephrine in the presence of propranolol produced a positive inotropic effect and prolonged action potential duration through activation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors. Both of the effects of phenylephrine were significantly enhanced by PTX pretreatment. 3. Accumulation of [3H]inositol monophosphate (IP1) in papillary muscles prelabeled with myo-[3H]inositol was increased by phenylephrine in a concentration-dependent manner, which was antagonized by prazosin. Although PTX pretreatment significantly elevated the basal level of [3H]IP1 formation, the phenylephrine-induced increase in [3H]IP1 formation was unaffected. 4. It is concluded that the cardiac responses to alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation studied in these experiments are not transduced by a PTX sensitive G protein (Gi). However, the positive inotropic effect and prolongation of action potential duration mediated by alpha 1-adrenoceptor may be negatively regulated by Gi.

Developmental changes in the actions of phosphatase inhibitors on calcium current of rabbit heart cells

We used whole-cell voltage clamp to compare the modulation of calcium current density (ICa, picoampere per picofarad) of freshly isolated, adult and newborn rabbit heart in response to intracellular application of microcystin and okadaic acid, both of which block phosphatase activity of phosphatase type 1 and 2A. Newborn cells showed a much larger response to the intracellular application of either microcystin or okadaic acid than did adult cells. In newborn cells, the application of microcystin produced an increase in ICa which appeared to maximize ICa, as shown by the rise in ICa to levels which could be reached by application of 10 microM forskolin or by the intracellular application of 200 microM 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). In adult cells, the maximal response to microcystin was considerably less than that obtainable with forskolin or cAMP. After achieving a maximal response with microcystin, the addition of forskolin increased ICa further in adult cells but elicited no additional response in newborn cells. The treatment of cells with 0.1 microM isoproterenol, a concentration approximately equal to that required for a half-maximal response, strongly potentiated the effect of microcystin in newborn cells, but not in adult cells. We propose that newborn rabbit heart cells compared with adult rabbit heart cells have a greater level of protein phosphatase activity (perhaps combined with a somewhat greater kinase activity), a greater proportion of the protein phosphatase activity in the form of protein phosphatase type 1 (which is inhibited by isoproterenol) and a greater dependence on the inhibition of protein phosphatase as a mechanism of action of isoproterenol, compared with the increase in kinase activity on calcium channels.

Agonist-independent effects of muscarinic antagonists on Ca2+ and K+ currents in frog and rat cardiac cells

1. The whole-cell patch clamp and intracellular perfusion techniques were used for studying the effects of atropine and other muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) antagonists on the L-type calcium currents (ICa) in frog and rat ventricular myocytes, and on the mAChR-activated K+ current (IK(ACh)) in frog atrial myocytes. 2. In frog ventricular myocytes, atropine (0.1 nM to 1 microM) reversed the inhibitory effect of acetylcholine (ACh, 1 nM) on ICa previously stimulated by isoprenaline (Iso, 2 microM), a beta-adrenergic agonist. However, in the concomitant presence of Iso, ACh and atropine, ICa was > 50% larger than in Iso alone. 3. The effects of atropine were then examined in the absence of mAChR agonists. After a preliminary stimulation of ICa with Iso (0.1 or 2 microM), atropine induced a dose-dependent stimulation of ICa. EC50 (i.e. the concentration of atropine at which the response was 50% of the maximum) and Emax (i.e. maximal stimulation of ICa expressed as percentage increase in ICa with respect to the level in Iso alone) were respectively 0.6 nM and 35%. The stimulatory effect of atropine on ICa was not voltage dependent. 4. Atropine (1 microM) had no effect on frog ICa (i) under basal conditions, (ii) upon stimulation of ICa by the dihydropyridine agonist (-)-Bay K 8644 (1 microM), or (iii) when ICa had been previously stimulated by intracellular perfusion with cyclic AMP (3 microM). However, atropine increased ICa after a stimulation by forskolin (0.3 microM). Therefore, an increased adenylyl cyclase activity was required for atropine to produce its stimulatory effect on ICa. 5. The order of potency of mAChR antagonists to reverse the inhibitory effect of ACh on Iso elevated ICa in frog ventricle was atropine > AF-DX 116 >> pirenzepine. In the absence of ACh, mAChR antagonists produced their stimulatory effect on Iso elevated ICa with the same order of potency. 6. Intracellular substitution of Gpp(NH)p (5'-guanylylimidiphosphate) for GTP (420 microM) induced a strong inhibition of frog ICa in the presence of Iso (2 microM). This effect was attributed earlier to the spontaneous and irreversible activation of the GTP-binding regulatory protein (G protein), Gi, responsible for adenylyl cyclase inhibition. Atropine (1 microM) slowed down by a factor of 2 the rate of ICa inhibition induced by Gpp(NH)p. 7. In frog atrial myocytes, intracellular perfusion with 1 mM Gpp(NH)p induces spontaneous activation of IK(ACh). This effect was attributed earlier to the spontaneous and irreversible activation of the G protein, GK.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Potentiation of miniature endplate potential frequency by ATP in Xenopus tadpoles

1. Extracellular application of ATP (1 mM), a substance co-stored and co-released with acetylcholine in peripheral nervous systems, potentiated the spontaneous secretion of acetylcholine (ACh) but had no effect on the amplitude and decay time constant of miniature endplate potentials (m.e.p.ps) at neuromuscular synapses in Xenopus tadpoles. 2. alpha,beta-Methylene ATP (0.3 mM) and GTP (1 mM) were also effective in increasing m.e.p.p. frequency. On the other hand, ADP, AMP and adenosine (all at 1 mM) decreased m.e.p.p. frequency. 3. Unlike the transient effect of ATP analogue and GTP on m.e.p.p. frequency, the phorbol ester TPA (2 microM) which is a protein kinase C activator, increased m.e.p.p. frequency consistently and the effects lasted as long as the presence of TPA. 4. Staurosporine (0.5 microM) and H-7 (10 microM), which are protein kinase C inhibitors, each decreased the basal level of m.e.p.p. frequency and markedly inhibited the effects of both ATP and TPA. 5. These results suggest that there is a basal activity of cytosolic protein kinases in the nerve terminals of Xenopus tadpoles and the effect of ATP is probably mediated by the binding of membrane surface purinoceptors which in turn activates cytosolic protein kinases and increases ACh release.

Mechanism of hyperthyroidism-induced modulation of the L-type Ca2+ current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes

The positive inotropic effects of thyroid hormone in the heart, increased force and velocity of contraction have been mostly attributed to modulation of myosin ATPase isoenzymes (V1, V2 and V3), and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pumping activity. In addition, we have suggested that the effects on ventricular contraction result from a thyroid hormone-induced increase in L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L). Due to the central role of ICa,L in excitation-contraction coupling, we studied mechanisms whereby thyroid hormone augments this current. Since thyroid hormone modulates adenylate cyclase activity in various tissues, we tested the hypothesis that the hormone activates adenylate cyclase, leading to increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, protein kinase A activation, Ca2+ channel phosphorylation and increased ICa,L. We therefore stimulated or inhibited different sites along the "adenylate cyclase cascade", and measured ICa,L and isometric twitch in ventricular myocytes and papillary muscles from euthyroid and hyperthyroid guinea pigs. Our major findings were as follows. In euthyroid myocytes, 0.1 microM isoproterenol (Iso) increased ICa,L (at VM = 0 mV) from -7.04 +/- 0.72 to -22.26 +/- 1.88 pA/pF, P < 0.05, while in hyperthyroid myocytes (ICa,L = -21.48 +/- 2.94 pA/pF), Iso was ineffective. In euthyroid myocytes, intracellular application of cAMP (50 microM) was as potent as Iso, but ineffective in hyperthyroid myocytes. In hyperthyroid myocytes, a protein kinase A inhibitor (2 microM) lowered ICa,L from -26.82 +/- 1.54 to -10.17 +/- 1.70 pApF (P < 0.05), but had no effect in euthyroid myocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)