Alpha 1-adrenergic receptor stimulation decreases maximum shortening velocity of skinned single ventricular myocytes from rats

Impact of diabetes mellitus on the contractile properties of the left and right atrial myofilaments

OBJECTIVES

The incidence of diabetes mellitus in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy is increasing. To evaluate the impact of diabetes mellitus on contractility, we examined the calcium-induced force in left and right atrial myofilaments of patients with and without diabetes.

METHODS

We included 149 patients (106 without diabetes, 43 with diabetes), scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting from August 2016 to June 2017. The left and right atria were excised and prepared for skinned fibre measurements (pCa-force curve). The unit for the force measurements is Millinewton (mN). Comprehensive demographic data as well as echocardiographic findings of the patients were collected.

RESULTS

We observed a significant decrease of left atrial force values in patients with diabetes, averaged over all calcium concentrations (patients with diabetes 0.50 ± 0.19 mN vs 0.68 ± 0.23 mN in patients without diabetes, P = 0.002) as well as in right atrial fibres (patients with diabetes 0.35 ± 0.17 mN vs 0.47 ± 0.21 mN in patients without diabetes, P = 0.005). There was a significant influence of repeated measurements (of the calcium concentrations) on force in left atrial myofilaments (P < 0.001). There was also a significant impact of diabetes on the force values of the different calcium concentrations in left atrial myofilaments (P 0.002). In right atrial myofilaments we also found a significant influence of repeated measurements (of the calcium concentrations) on force (P < 0.001). Additionally the impact of diabetes on the force values was significant (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that diabetes mellitus has a significantly negative impact on calcium-induced force development in left and right atrial myofilaments.

Ceramide-mediated depression in cardiomyocyte contractility through PKC activation and modulation of myofilament protein phosphorylation

Although ceramide accumulation in the heart is considered a major factor in promoting apoptosis and cardiac disorders, including heart failure, lipotoxicity and ischemia-reperfusion injury, little is known about ceramide's role in mediating changes in contractility. In the present study, we measured the functional consequences of acute exposure of isolated field-stimulated adult rat cardiomyocytes to C6-ceramide. Exogenous ceramide treatment depressed the peak amplitude and the maximal velocity of shortening without altering intracellular calcium levels or kinetics. The inactive ceramide analog C6-dihydroceramide had no effect on myocyte shortening or [Ca(2+)]i transients. Experiments testing a potential role for C6-ceramide-mediated effects on activation of protein kinase C (PKC) demonstrated evidence for signaling through the calcium-independent isoform, PKCε. We employed 2-dimensional electrophoresis and anti-phospho-peptide antibodies to test whether treatment of the cardiomyocytes with C6-ceramide altered myocyte shortening via PKC-dependent phosphorylation of myofilament proteins. Compared to controls, myocytes treated with ceramide exhibited increased phosphorylation of myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C), specifically at Ser273 and Ser302, and troponin I (cTnI) at sites apart from Ser23/24, which could be attenuated with PKC inhibition. We conclude that the altered myofilament response to calcium resulting from multiple sites of PKC-dependent phosphorylation contributes to contractile dysfunction that is associated with cardiac diseases in which elevations in ceramides are present.

Power output is linearly related to MyHC content in rat skinned myocytes and isolated working hearts

The amount of work the heart can perform during ejection is governed by the inherent contractile properties of individual myocytes. One way to alter contractile properties is to alter contractile proteins such as myosin heavy chain (MyHC), which is known to demonstrate isoform plasticity in response to disease states. The purpose of this study was to examine myocyte functionality over the complete range of MyHC expression in heart, from 100% alpha-MyHC to 100% beta-MyHC, using euthyroid and hypothyroid rats. Peak power output in skinned cardiac myocytes decreased as a nearly linear function of beta-MyHC expression during maximal (r2 = 0.85, n = 44 myocyte preparations) and submaximal (r2 = 0.82, n = 31 myocyte preparations) Ca2+ activation. To determine whether single myocyte function translated to the level of the whole heart, power output was measured in working heart preparations expressing varied ratios of MyHC. Left ventricular power output of isolated working heart preparations also decreased as a linear function of increasing beta-MyHC expression (r2 = 0.82, n = 34 myocyte preparations). These results demonstrate that power output is highly dependent on MyHC expression in single myocytes, and this translates to the performance of working left ventricles.

Molecular and integrated biology of thin filament protein phosphorylation in heart muscle

An increasing body of evidence points to posttranslational modifications of the thin filament regulatory proteins, cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) by protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation as important in both long- and short-term regulation of cardiac function and potentially implicated in the transition between compensated hypertrophy and decompensation. The main sites for PKC-dependent phosphorylation on cTnI are Ser43, Ser45, and Thr144 and on cTnT are Thr197, Ser201, Thr206, and Thr287 (mouse sequence). We analyzed the function of each phosphorylation residue using a phosphorylation mimic approach introducing glutamates (E) at PKC phosphorylation sites and then measuring the isometric tension of fiber bundles exchanged with these mutants. We also directly phosphorylated cTnI and cTnT by PKC, incorporated the phosphorylated troponins in the myofilament lattice, and determined the isometric tension at varying Ca(2+) concentrations. We followed the experimental data with computational analysis prediction of helical content of cTnI and cTnT peptides that undergo phosphorylation. Here we summarize our recent data on the specific functional role of PKC phosphorylation sites of cTnI and cTnT.

Adaptations in titin's spring elements in normal and cardiomyopathic hearts

The giant elastic protein titin contains an extensible segment that underlies the majority of physiological passive muscle stiffness. The extensible segment comprises mechanically distinct and serially-linked spring elements: the tandem Ig segments, the PEVK and the cardiac-specific N2B unique sequence. Under physiological conditions the tandem Ig segments are likely to largely consist of folded Ig domains whereas the N2B unique sequence and PEVK are largely unfolded and behave as wormlike chains with different persistence lengths. The mechanical characteristics of titin's extensible region may be tuned to match changing mechanical demands placed on muscle, using mechanisms that operate at different time scales and that include post-transcriptional and post-translational processes.

Protein kinase C and A sites on troponin I regulate myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity and ATPase activity in the mouse myocardium

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a phosphoprotein subunit of the troponin-tropomyosin complex that is thought to inhibit cardiac muscle contraction during diastole. To investigate the contributions of cTnI phosphorylation to cardiac regulation, transgenic mice were created with the phosphorylation sites of cTnI mutated to alanine. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by perfusion of hearts with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) or endothelin-1 (ET-1) inhibited the maximum ATPase rate by up to 25 % and increased the Ca2+ sensitivity of ATPase activity and of isometric tension by up to 0.15 pCa units. PKC activation no longer altered cTnI phosphorylation, depressed ATPase rates or enhanced myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in transgenic mice expressing cTnI that could not be phosphorylated on serines43/45 and threonine144 (PKC sites). Modest changes in myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation occurred in all mouse lines, but increases in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity required the presence of phosphorylatable cTnI. For comparison, the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol caused a 38 % increase in maximum ATPase rate and a 0.12 pCa unit decrease in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. These beta-adrenergic effects were absent in transgenic mice expressing cTnI that could not be phosphorylated on serines23/24 (protein kinase A, PKA, sites). Overall, the results indicate that PKC and PKA exert opposing effects on actomyosin function by phosphorylating cTnI on distinct sites. A primary role of PKC phosphorylation of cTnI may be to reduce the requirements of the contractile apparatus for both Ca2+ and ATP, thereby promoting efficient ATP utilisation during contraction.

Identification of a functionally critical protein kinase C phosphorylation residue of cardiac troponin T

Cardiac Troponin T (cTnT) is one prominent substrate through which protein kinase C (PKC) exerts its effect on cardiomyocyte function. To determine the specific functional effects of the cTnT PKC-dependent phosphorylation sites (Thr197, Ser201, Thr206, and Thr287) we first mutated these residues to glutamate (E) or alanine (A). cTnT was selectively mutated to generate single, double, triple, and quadruple mutants. Bacterially expressed mutants were evaluated in detergent-treated mouse left ventricular papillary muscle fiber bundles where the endogenous troponin was replaced with a recombinant troponin complex containing either cTnT phosphorylated by PKC-alpha or a mutant cTnT. We simultaneously determined isometric tension development and actomyosin Mg-ATPase activity of the exchanged fiber bundles as a function of Ca2+ concentration. Our systematic analysis of the functional role of the multiple PKC phosphorylation sites on cTnT identified a localized region that controls maximum tension, ATPase activity, and Ca2+ sensitivity of the myofilaments. An important and novel finding of our study was that Thr206 is a functionally critical cTnT PKC phosphorylation residue. Its exclusive phosphorylation by PKC-alpha or replacement by Glu (mimicking phosphorylation) significantly decreased maximum tension, actomyosin Mg-ATPase activity, myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, and cooperativity. On the other hand the charge modification of the other three residues together (T197/S201/T287-E) had no functional effect. Fibers bundles containing phosphorylated cTnT-wt (but not the T197/S201/T206/T287-E) exhibited a significant decrease of tension cost as compared with cTnT-wt.

Titin as a modular spring: emerging mechanisms for elasticity control by titin in cardiac physiology and pathophysiology

Titin is a giant elastic protein that functions as a molecular spring that develops passive muscle stiffness. Here we discuss the molecular basis of titin's extensibility, how titin's contribution to passive muscle stiffness may be adjusted and how adjustment of titin's stiffness may influence muscle contraction. We also focus on ligands that link titin to membrane channel activity, protein turnover and gene expression.

Cardiac myofilaments: mechanics and regulation

The mechanical properties of the cardiac myofilament are an important determinant of pump function of the heart. This report is focused on the regulation of myofilament function in cardiac muscle. Calcium ions form the trigger that induces activation of the thin filament which, in turn, allows for cross-bridge formation, ATP hydrolysis, and force development. The structure and protein-protein interactions of the cardiac sarcomere that are responsible for these processes will be reviewed. The molecular mechanism that underlies myofilament activation is incompletely understood. Recent experimental approaches have been employed to unravel the mechanism and regulation of myofilament mechanics and energetics by activator calcium and sarcomere length, as well as contractile protein phosphorylation mediated by protein kinase A. Central to these studies is the question whether such factors impact on muscle function simply by altering thin filament activation state, or whether modulation of cross-bridge cycling also plays a part in the responses of muscle to these stimuli.

Phosphorylation or glutamic acid substitution at protein kinase C sites on cardiac troponin I differentially depress myofilament tension and shortening velocity

There is evidence that multi-site phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) by protein kinase C is important in both long- and short-term regulation of cardiac function. To determine the specific functional effects of these phosphorylation sites (Ser-43, Ser-45, and Thr-144), we measured tension and sliding speed of thin filaments in reconstituted preparations in which endogenous cTnI was replaced with cTnI phosphorylated by protein kinase C-epsilon or mutated to cTnI-S43E/S45E/T144E, cTnI-S43E/S45E, or cTnI-T144E. We used detergent-skinned mouse cardiac fiber bundles to measure changes in Ca(2+)-dependence of force. Compared with controls, fibers reconstituted with phosphorylated cTnI, cTnI-S43E/S45E/T144E, or cTnI-S43E/S45E were desensitized to Ca(2+), and maximum tension was as much as 27% lower, whereas fibers reconstituted with cTnI-T144E showed no change. In the in vitro motility assay actin filaments regulated by troponin complexes containing phosphorylated cTnI or cTnI-S43E/S45E/T144E showed both a decrease in Ca(2+) sensitivity and maximum sliding speed compared with controls, whereas filaments regulated by cTnI-S43E/S45E showed only decreased maximum sliding speed and filaments regulated by cTnI-T144E demonstrated only desensitization to Ca(2+). Our results demonstrate novel site specificity of effects of PKC phosphorylation on cTnI function and emphasize the complexity of modulation of the actin-myosin interaction by specific changes in the thin filament.

alpha-Adrenergic response and myofilament activity in mouse hearts lacking PKC phosphorylation sites on cardiac TnI

Protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated phosphorylation of cardiac myofilament (MF) proteins has been shown to depress the actomyosin interaction and may be important during heart failure. Biochemical studies indicate that phosphorylation of Ser(43) and Ser(45) of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) plays a substantial role in the PKC-mediated depression. We studied intact and detergent-extracted papillary muscles from nontransgenic (NTG) and transgenic (TG) mouse hearts that express a mutant cTnI (Ser43Ala, Ser45Ala) that lacks specific PKC-dependent phosphorylation sites. Treatment of NTG papillary muscles with phenylephrine (PE) resulted in a transient increase and a subsequent 62% reduction in peak twitch force. TG muscles showed no transient increase and only a 45% reduction in force. There was a similar difference in maximum tension between NTG and TG fiber bundles that had been treated with a phorbol ester and had received subsequent detergent extraction. Although levels of cTnI phosphorylation correlated with these differences, the TG fibers also demonstrated a decrease in phosphorylation of cardiac troponin T. The PKC-specific inhibitor chelerythrine inhibited these responses. Our data provide evidence that specific PKC-mediated phosphorylation of Ser(43) and Ser(45) of cTnI plays an important role in regulating force development in the intact myocardium.

Effects of volatile anesthetics on elastic stiffness in isometrically contracting ferret ventricular myocardium

The effects of halothane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane on elastic stiffness, which reflects the degree of cross-bridge attachment, were studied in intact cardiac muscle. Electrically stimulated (0.25 Hz, 25 degrees C), isometrically twitching right ventricular ferret papillary muscles (n = 15) at optimal length (L(max)) were subjected to sinusoidal length oscillations (40 Hz, 0.25- 0.50% of L(max) peak to peak). The amplitude and phase relationship with the resulting force oscillations was decomposed into elastic and viscous components of total stiffness in real time. Increasing extracellular Ca(2+) concentration in the presence of anesthetics to produce peak force equal to control increased elastic stiffness during relaxation, which suggests a direct effect of halothane and sevoflurane on cross bridges.

Effects of kappa-opioid receptor activation on myocardium

Kappa-opioid receptor stimulation of the heart transiently increases twitch amplitude and decreases Ca2+-dependent actomyosin Mg2+-ATPase activity through an undetermined mechanism. One purpose of the present study was to determine if the increase in twitch amplitude is due to changes in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. We also wanted to determine if kappa-opioid receptor activation alters maximum actin-myosin ATPase activity and Ca2+ sensitivity of tension in a way consistent with protein kinase A or protein kinase C (PKC) action. Rat hearts were treated with U50,488H (a kappa-opioid receptor agonist), phenylephrine plus propranolol (alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation), isoproterenol (a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist), or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, receptor independent activator of PKC) or were untreated (control), and myofibrils were isolated. U50,488H, phenylephrine plus propranolol, and PMA all decreased maximum Ca2+-dependent actomyosin Mg2+-ATPase activity, whereas isoproterenol treatment increased maximum Ca2+-dependent actomyosin Mg2+- ATPase activity. Untreated myofibrils exposed to exogenous PKC-epsilon, but not PKC-delta, decreased maximum actomyosin Mg2+-ATPase activity. Langendorff-perfused hearts treated with U50,488H, phenylephrine plus propranolol, or isoproterenol had significantly higher ventricular ATP levels compared with control hearts. PKC inhibitors abolished the effects of U50,488H on Ca2+-dependent actomyosin Mg2+-ATPase activity and myocardial ATP levels. U50,488H and PMA treatment of isolated ventricular myocytes increased Ca2+ sensitivity of isometric tension compared with control myocytes at pH 7.0. The U50,488H-dependent increase in Ca2+ sensitivity of tension was retained at pH 6.6. Together, these findings are consistent with the hypotheses that 1) the positive inotropy associated with kappa-opioid receptor activation may be due in part to a PKC-mediated increase in myofilament Ca2+-sensitivity of tension and 2) the kappa-opioid receptor-PKC pathway is a modulator of myocardial energy status through reduction of actomyosin ATP consumption.

Alpha1-adrenoceptor-Gq-RhoA signaling is upregulated to increase myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity in failing hearts

Alpha1-adrenergic stimulation, coupled to Gq, has been shown to promote heart failure. However, the role of alpha1-adrenergic signaling in the regulation of myocardial contractility in failing myocardium is still poorly understood. To investigate this, we observed 1) the effect of phenylephrine on myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity in alpha-toxin-skinned cardiomyocytes, and 2) protein expression of Gq, RhoA, and myosin light chain phosphorylation using tachypacing-induced canine failing hearts. Phenylephrine significantly increased myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity in failing but not in normal cardiomyocytes. Whereas Y-27632 (Rho kinase inhibitor) blocked the phenylephrine-induced Ca2+ sensitization in the failing myocytes, calphostin C (protein kinase C inhibitor) had no effect on Ca2+ sensitization. The protein expression of Galpha(q) and RhoA and the phosphorylation level of regulatory myosin light chain significantly increased in the failing myocardium. Our results suggest that alpha1-adrenoceptor-Gq signaling is upregulated in the failing myocardium to increase the myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity mainly through the RhoA-Rho kinase pathway rather than through the protein kinase C pathway.

Exercise training increases the Ca(2+) sensitivity of tension in rat cardiac myocytes

The heart is known to respond to a program of chronic exercise in ways that enhance cardiac function. However, the cellular mechanisms involved in training-induced improvements in the contractile function of the myocardium are not known. In this study we tested the hypothesis that increased contractility of the myocardium associated with exercise training is due, in part, to increases in the Ca(2+) sensitivity of steady-state tension. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sedentary control (C) and exercise-trained (T) groups. The T rats underwent 11 wk of progressive treadmill exercise (1 h/day, 5 days/wk, 26 m/min, 20% grade). Evidence of training effect included a 5.9% increase in heart mass, increases in heart weight-to-body weight ratio, and a 60% increase in skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity in T rats compared with C rats. After the training program, cardiac myocytes were isolated from T and C hearts. Myocytes were chemically skinned (i.e., the sarcolemma was removed) and attached to a force transducer, and steady-state tension was determined in solutions of various Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)]). Myocytes isolated from the hearts of T rats showed a significantly (P < 0.01) increased sensitivity of tension to [Ca(2+)]. The [Ca(2+)] giving 50% of maximal tension (pCa(50)) was 5.90 +/- 0.033 and 5.82 +/- 0.023 (SD) in T and C myocytes, respectively (n = 70 myocytes/group). This result suggests that exercise training affects the myofibrillar proteins, such that Ca(2+) sensitivity is increased, and that this may be the mechanism that underlies, at least in part, the effect of training to increase myocardial contractility.

Pulse electrophoresis of muscle myosin heavy chains in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels

We have developed a new method that provides enhanced resolution of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms by sodium dodecyl sulfate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The key feature of this protocol involves the application of current to slab SDS gels in a pulsatile, repetitive manner rather than continuously as in standard gel systems. This protocol, designated pulse electrophoresis, was achieved by means of a device that intermittently gates the output of a conventional power supply. When used in long (32 cm) separating gels, pulse electrophoresis not only significantly improves the resolution of MHC isoforms compared to conventional systems, but also reduces common artifacts associated with long running times, such as blurred bands and comingling of closely spaced bands. In addition to the increased resolution of protein bands, pulse electrophoresis also allows detection of bands corresponding to previously unidentified MHC isoforms in mammalian and avian tissue. In rat myocardium, for example, pulse electrophoresis revealed three MHC isoform bands, two of which appeared to correspond to two alpha-MHC subspecies. Alternative splicing of the rat alpha-MHC gene is known to generate two isoform species differing by inclusion (or exclusion) of a single glutamine residue, whose relative levels of expression correspond nicely with the amounts of each band identified in this study. Therefore, we cannot rule out that the system presented here may be sufficiently sensitive to differentiate between high molecular weight proteins differing in a single amino acid.

Kinetic differences in cardiac myosins with identical loop 1 sequences

The kinetics of nucleotide turnover vary considerably among isoforms of vertebrate type II myosin, possibly due to differences in the rate of ADP release from the nucleotide binding pocket. Current ideas about likely mechanisms by which ADP release is regulated have focused on the hyperflexible surface loops of myosin, i.e. loop 1 (ATPase loop) and loop 2 (actin binding loop). In the present study, we investigated the kinetic properties of rat and pig beta-myosin heavy chains (beta-MHC) in which we have found the sequences of loop 1 (residues 204-216) to be virtually identical, i.e. DQSKKDSQTPKG, with a single conservative substitution (rat E210D pig). Pig myocardium normally expresses 100% beta-MHC, whereas rat myocardium was induced to express 100% beta-MHC by surgical thyroidectomy and subsequent treatment with propylthiouracil. Slack test measurements at 15 degrees C yielded unloaded shortening velocities of 1.1 +/- 0.8 muscle lengths/s in rat skinned ventricular myocytes and 0.35 +/- 0.05 muscle lengths/s in pig skinned myocytes. Similarly, solution measurements at the same temperature showed that actin-activated ATPase activity was 2.9-fold greater for rat beta-myosin than for pig beta-myosin. Stopped-flow methods were then used to assess the rates of acto-myosin dissociation by MgATP both in the presence and absence of MgADP. Although the rates of MgATP-induced dissociation of acto-heavy meromyosin (acto-HMM) were virtually identical for the two myosins, the rate of ADP dissociation was approximately 3.8-fold faster for rat beta-myosin (135 s(-)(1)) than for pig beta-myosin (35 s(-)(1)). ATP cleavage rates were nearly 30% faster for rat beta-myosin. Thus, whereas loop 1 appears from other studies to be involved in nucleotide turnover in the pocket, our results show that loop 1 does not account for large differences in turnover kinetics in these two myosin isoforms. Instead, the differences appear to be due to sequence differences in other parts of the MHC backbone.

Cardioprotection with kappa-opioid receptor stimulation is associated with a slowing of cross-bridge cycling

Opioid and alpha-adrenergic receptor activation protect the heart from ischemic damage. One possible intracellular mechanism to explain this is that an improvement in ATP availability contributes to cardioprotection. We tested this hypothesis by correlating postischemic left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and myofibrillar Ca(2+)-dependent actomyosin Mg(2+)-ATPase from isolated rat hearts treated with the kappa-opioid receptor agonist U-50488H (1 microM) or the alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist phenylephrine (10 microM) + propranolol (3 microM). Preischemic treatment with U-50488H or phenylephrine + propranolol improved postischemic LVDP recovery by 25-30% over control hearts. Ca(2+)-dependent actomyosin Mg(2+)-ATPase was found to be 20% lower in both U-50488H- and phenylephrine + propranolol-treated hearts compared with control hearts. The kappa-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (1 microM) abolished the effects of U-50488H on postischemic LVDP and actomyosin Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. Reduced actomyosin ATP utilization was also suggested in single ventricular myocytes treated with either U-50488H or the protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), because U-50488H and PMA lowered maximum velocity of unloaded shortening by 15-25% in myocytes. U-50488H and phenylephrine + propranolol treatment both resulted in increased phosphorylation of troponin I and C protein. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that kappa-opioid and alpha-adrenergic receptors decrease actin-myosin cycling rate, leading to a conservation of ATP and cardioprotection during ischemia.

Role of protein kinase C in mediating alpha-1-adrenoceptor-induced negative inotropic response in rat ventricles

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of protein kinase C (PKC) activation on intracellular Ca(2+) transient and its relation to alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (alpha(1)-AR)-stimulated negative inotropic response in rat ventricles. The electromechanical responses to phenylephrine (PE) in rat ventricular muscles were concomitantly examined using the conventional microelectrode method. The responses of intracellular Ca(2+) transient and cell contractions to PE in the absence of certain pharmacological interventions were ascertained in fura-2-loaded myocytes. The influence of PE on L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca,L)) was also examined using a voltage clamp in a whole-cell configuration. PE did not alter the action potential parameters during the negative inotropic phase. The negative inotropic effect (NIE) was inhibited by prazosin, chloroethylclonidine (CEC) and staurosporine, but was insensitive to pertussis toxin. Desensitization of PKC after prolonged pretreatment of rat ventricles with PDBu also abolished the NIE of PE. Caffeine modulated the NIE, but thapsigargin did not. The evoked intracellular Ca(2+) transient and cell contraction were initially decreased by PE, while I(Ca,L) was not altered. Prazosin and staurosporine significantly inhibited the responses. Our data indicated that alpha(1)AR-mediated NIE in rat ventricular muscles was due to the decrease of intracellular Ca(2+) transients by the modulation of PKC on Ca(2+)-releasing channels signaling through a CEC-sensitive alpha(1)AR subtype.

Effects of 1- or -adrenoceptor stimulation on work-loop and isometric contractions of isolated rat cardiac trabeculae

1. We studied the effects of alpha1- or beta-adrenoceptor stimulation on the contractility of isolated rat ventricular trabeculae at 24 degrees C using the work-loop technique, which simulates the cyclical changes in length and force that occur during the cardiac cycle. Some muscles were injected with fura-2 to monitor the intracellular Ca2+ transient. 2. Comparison of twitch records revealed that peak force was greater and was reached earlier in work-loop contractions than in corresponding isometric contractions. This was attributed to the changes in muscle length and velocity during work-loop contractions, since the Ca2+ transients were largely unaffected by the length changes. 3. Stimulation of alpha1-adrenoceptors (with 100 microM phenylephrine) increased net work, power production, the frequency for maximum work, and the frequency for maximum power production (fopt). The increase in net work was due to the positive inotropic effect of phenylephrine, which was similar at all frequencies investigated (0. 33-4.5 Hz). The increase in fopt was attributed to an abbreviation of twitch duration induced by alpha1-stimulation at higher frequencies (> 1 Hz), even though the twitch became longer at 0.33 Hz. 4. beta-Adrenoceptor stimulation (with 5 microM isoprenaline) produced marked increases in net work, power output, the frequency for net work, and fopt. These effects were attributed both to the positive inotropic effect of beta-stimulation, which was greater at higher frequencies, and to the reduction in twitch duration. beta-stimulation also abolished the frequency-dependent acceleration of twitch duration. 5. The increase in power output and fopt with alpha1- as well as beta-adrenoceptor stimulation suggested that both receptor types may contribute to the effects of catecholamines, released during stress or exercise, although the greater effects of beta-stimulation are likely to predominate.

Overexpression of alpha1B-adrenergic receptor induces left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of hypertrophy

The stimulation of cardiac alpha1-adrenergic receptors (AR) modulates the heart's inotropic response and plays a role in the induction of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We have analyzed transgenic mouse lines overexpressing a wild-type alpha1B-AR specifically in the heart. Basal level systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) contractile function was depressed both in the anesthetized closed-chest mouse and the perfused working-heart preparation. Intrinsic LV function was further characterized under controlled preload and afterload conditions using the perfusion model. Contractile parameters were restored by chronic treatment with the alpha-AR antagonist prazosin. In ventricular function curves, the load-dependent force increases (length-tension effects) remained intact, although the transgenic curve was shifted to lower levels. The basal level contractile deficits were paralleled by a decrease in calcium transients in isolated LV cardiomyocytes. LV function comparable to controls was restored by isoproterenol stimulation. The physiological changes occurred in the absence of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. This transgenic model will be useful for studying the potential role of alpha1-AR in cardiac contractility and hypertrophy.

Force production in mechanically isolated cardiac myocytes from human ventricular muscle tissue

OBJECTIVE

The expression of contractile isoforms changes during various pathological conditions but little is known about the consequences of these changes for the mechanical properties in human ventricular muscle. We investigated the feasibility of simultaneous determination of protein composition and isometric force development in single cardiac myocytes from human ventricular muscle tissue obtained from small biopsies taken during open heart surgery.

METHODS

Small biopsies of about 3 mg wet weight were taken during open heart surgery from patients with aortic valve stenosis. These biopsies were divided in two parts. One part (approximately 2 mg) was used for mechanical isolation of single myocytes and subsequent force measurement while the remaining part was used, in aliquots of 1 microgram dry weight, for protein analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The myocytes were attached with silicon glue to a sensitive force transducer and a piezoelectric motor, mounted on an inverted microscope and permeabilized by means of Triton X-100. Force development was studied at various free calcium concentrations.

RESULTS

From all biopsies, myocytes could be obtained and the composition of contractile proteins could be determined. The average isometric force (+/- s.e.m.) at saturating calcium concentration obtained on 20 myocytes from 5 patients amounted to 51 +/- 8 kN/m2. Force was half maximal at a calcium concentration of 2.47 +/- 0.10 microM.

CONCLUSION

These measurements indicate that it is possible to study the correlation between mechanical properties and protein composition in small biopsies from human ventricular muscle.

End-systolic stress-velocity and pressure-dimension relationships by transthoracic echocardiography in mice

The purposes of this study were to assess load-independent, end-systolic relationships in mice and compare these relationships to ejection phase indexes in assessing contractility. In 13 mice, ejection phase indexes (shortening fraction and velocity of fiber shortening) and end-systolic relationships [pressure-dimension relationship (ESPDR) and stress-velocity relationship (ESSVR)] were determined using M-mode echocardiography and simultaneous left ventricular pressure. Load was altered with phenylephrine and nitroprusside. Contractility was increased with dobutamine and decreased by induction of hypothyroidism. Ejection phase indexes increased with dobutamine infusion but were not significantly decreased with hypothyroidism. However, end-systolic relationships changed significantly with both dobutamine (gamma-intercepts: ESPDR from 22 to 48 mmHg, ESSVR from 3.7 to 6.6 circ/s, P < 0.05) and hypothyroidism (gamma-intercepts: ESPDR from 22 to 11 mmHg, ESSVR from 3.7 to 3.2 circ/s, P < 0.05). We conclude that end-systolic indexes can be accurately measured in the intact mouse by echocardiography with simultaneous left ventricular pressure recording and appear to be more sensitive to inotropic state than ejection phase indexes.

Possible mechanism of the negative inotropic effect of alpha1-adrenoceptor agonists in rat isolated left atria after exposure to free radicals

1. This study was designed to investigate the mechanism(s) of the negative inotropic effects of alpha1-adrenoceptor agonists observed in rat isolated left atria after exposure to free radicals. 2. Ouabain and calphostin C were used in contraction experiments to block the sodium pump and protein kinase C. Methoxamine-induced phospholipase C and Na+/K+ ATPase activities were measured. 3. Methoxamine (300 microM) increased contractile force by 1.6 +/- 0.2 mN in control atria but decreased contractile force in electrolysis-treated atria by 2.0 +/- 0.1 mN (P < 0.05), as determined 10 min after methoxamine addition. In contrast, the positive inotropic effects of endothelin-1 (30 nM) and isoprenaline (10 microM) were reduced from 2.6 +/- 0.3 to 1.3 +/- 0.1 mN and from 2.6 +/- 0.3 to 1.7 +/- 0.2 mN, respectively, by electrolysis treatment (P < 0.05), but not converted into a negative inotropic action. 4. In an inositol phosphate assay we observed that the stimulation of phospholipase C by methoxamine was attenuated by electrolysis when the (electrolyzed) medium from the organ bath was used, but the phospholipase C responses were restored by the use of fresh medium. However, fresh medium did not counteract the negative inotropic effect of methoxamine. Accordingly, the negative inotropic effect of methoxamine is not directly related to the impaired phospholipase C responses seen in atria subjected to electrolysis. 5. Ouabain (10 microM) and the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C (50 nM), completely prevented the negative inotropic effect of 300 microM methoxamine in electrolysis-treated atria. 6. Measurement of the Na+/K+ ATPase activity, revealed that in control atria, alpha1-adrenoceptor stimulation with 300 microM methoxamine, decreased the Na+/K+ ATPase activity by 14.4 +/- 7.7%. In contrast, methoxamine increased the Na+/K+ ATPase activity by 48.8 +/- 8.9% (P < 0.05) in electrolysis-treated atria. Interestingly, this increase in Na+/K+ ATPase activity was completely counteracted by calphostin C (1.4 +/- 0.1% over basal). 7. These results indicate that the negative inotropic effects of alpha1-adrenoceptor agonists, observed in rat isolated left atria exposed to free radicals, are likely to be caused by protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation and subsequent activation of the Na+/K+ ATPase.

Species-dependent differences in inotropic effects and phosphoinositide hydrolysis induced by endothelin-3 in mammalian ventricular myocardium

1. Species-dependent variations in the positive inotropic effect (PIE) of endothelin-3 (ET-3), and the relationships between the PIE and specific binding sites for [125I]-ET-3 and the PIE and the acceleration of phosphoinositide hydrolysis by ET-3, were studied in ventricular muscles from the rat, guinea-pig, rabbit, ferret and dog. 2. ET-3 in the presence of (+/-)-bupranolol (0.3 microM) and prazosin (0.3 microM) elicited a concentration-dependent PIE in the ventricular muscle from the rat, guinea-pig, rabbit and ferret. The potency of ET-3 and its efficacy in inducing a PIE were highest in the rabbit, intermediate in the rat and guinea-pig and lowest in the ferret. ET-3 did not have any inotropic effect on ventricular muscle from the dog. 3. Specific high-affinity binding of [125I]-ET-3 was observed with membrane fractions derived from the ventricular muscle of the five species. The maximal specific binding (Bmax) of ET-3 was highest in the rat and guinea-pig, intermediate in the rabbit and ferret and lowest in the dog. The values of KD in the rabbit and dog (33 and 52 pM) were lower than those in the rat, guinea-pig and ferret (141-221 pM). 4. In slices of ventricular muscle from all five species, ET-3 increased the accumulation of [3H]-inositol monophosphate (IP1) in a concentration-dependent manner. The extent of accumulation of IP1 was highest in the rat, intermediate in the guinea-pig and rabbit and lowest in the ferret and dog. 5. The results demonstrate the wide range of variations in the PIE of ET-3 on mammalian ventricular muscles. The variations in the coupling processes subsequent to the acceleration of the hydrolysis of PI, triggered by the binding of ET-3 to its receptor, might be important in these species-dependent differences in the PIE of ET-3.

Myocardial alpha1-adrenoceptor: inotropic effect and physiologic and pathologic implications

Alpha1-adrenergic receptors have been found in myocardium of all mammalian species. Although the exact underlying mechanisms have not been conclusively determined, it would appear that the myocardial effects of alpha1-adrenoceptors may vary in importance according to the pathophysiologic process involved. In physiological conditions, this receptor system plays a role in cardiac growth, cardiac contraction, and has both an antiarrhythmic function as well as a role in cardiac adaptation to various situations. This system is also involved in some pathological processes such as ischemia/reperfusion, ischemic preconditioning, and cardiac hypertrophy. The role of alpha1-adrenoceptors in heart failure is somewhat controversial. Experimental evidence suggests that myocardial alpha1-adrenoceptors can have either beneficial or deleterious effects on the heart. It thus seems possible that the development of agents specific to certain subtypes of alpha1-adrenoceptor and a better understanding of their role in pathophysiologic states could be clinically relevant.

Endothelial cell regulation of contractility of the heart

Endocardial and coronary vascular endothelial cells release substances that modify the contraction of cardiac myocytes. The major and possibly the sole up-regulating substance is endothelin. Several down-regulating substances are secreted, but none has yet been specifically identified. The relative amounts of up- and down-regulating substances are related to tissue oxygen tension. As pO2 rises, the concentration of up- and down-regulating substances, respectively, increases and decreases. Endothelin increases isometric force and decreases actomyosin ATPase activity thus increasing the economy of conversion of chemical to hydrodynamic energy. Beta-adrenergic agonists increase ATPase activity through an endothelial cell-dependent mechanism, leading to decreased economy. Therefore, two endothelial cell-dependent systems exist for regulating contractile efficiency: One involving endothelin appears to optimize the contraction for efficiency; the other, the beta-adrenergic-mediated system, optimizes for power.

Methoxamine-induced inhibition of the positive inotropic effect of endothelin via alpha1-adrenoceptors in the rabbit heart

The influence of methoxamine on the positive inotropic effect of endothelin was assessed in the isolated rabbit ventricular myocardium. Methoxamine by itself elicited a positive inotropic effect and it simultaneously inhibited the positive inotropic effects of endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 without affecting the acceleration of the hydrolysis of phosphoinositide that was induced by the endothelin isopeptides. By contrast, the positive inotropic effects induced by elevation of concentration of external Ca2+ ions, by Bay k 8644 (methyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)-pyridine-5- carboxylate), by dihydroouabain and by forskolin were unaffected by methoxamine. The inhibitory action of methoxamine was abolished by alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists, such as prazosin, WB 4101 (2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl)aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane hydrochloride) and (+/-)-tamsulosin; and it was inhibited to a lesser extent by chlorethylclonidine. In addition, methoxamine did not modify the specific binding of [125I]endothelin-3 to ventricular membrane fraction. These results indicate that methoxamine antagonizes the positive inotropic effect of endothelin isopeptides at the level of the signal-transduction process, subsequent to acceleration of the hydrolysis of phosphoinositide, via activation of alpha1-adrenoceptors in the rabbit ventricular myocardium.