1
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Ricci E, Mazhar F, Marzolla M, Severi S, Bartolucci C. Sinoatrial node heterogeneity and fibroblasts increase atrial driving capability in a two-dimensional human computational model. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1408626. [PMID: 39139481 PMCID: PMC11319284 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1408626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Cardiac pacemaking remains an unsolved matter from many perspectives. Extensive experimental and computational studies have been performed to describe the sinoatrial physiology across different scales, from the molecular to clinical levels. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which a heartbeat is generated inside the sinoatrial node and propagated to the working myocardium is not fully understood at present. This work aims to provide quantitative information about this fascinating phenomenon, especially regarding the contributions of cellular heterogeneity and fibroblasts to sinoatrial node automaticity and atrial driving. Methods: We developed a bidimensional computational model of the human right atrial tissue, including the sinoatrial node. State-of-the-art knowledge of the anatomical and physiological aspects was adopted during the design of the baseline tissue model. The novelty of this study is the consideration of cellular heterogeneity and fibroblasts inside the sinoatrial node for investigating the manner by which they tune the robustness of stimulus formation and conduction under different conditions (baseline, ionic current blocks, autonomic modulation, and external high-frequency pacing). Results: The simulations show that both heterogeneity and fibroblasts significantly increase the safety factor for conduction by more than 10% in almost all the conditions tested and shorten the sinus node recovery time after overdrive suppression by up to 60%. In the human model, especially under challenging conditions, the fibroblasts help the heterogeneous myocytes to synchronise their rate (e.g. -82% inσ C L under 25 nM of acetylcholine administration) and capture the atrium (with 25% L-type calcium current block). However, the anatomical and gap junctional coupling aspects remain the most important model parameters that allow effective atrial excitations. Conclusion: Despite the limitations to the proposed model, this work suggests a quantitative explanation to the astonishing overall heterogeneity shown by the sinoatrial node.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Ricci
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering “Guglielmo Marconi”, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Fazeelat Mazhar
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering “Guglielmo Marconi”, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Moreno Marzolla
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Stefano Severi
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering “Guglielmo Marconi”, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Chiara Bartolucci
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering “Guglielmo Marconi”, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
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2
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Chelu A, Cartwright EJ, Dobrzynski H. Empowering artificial intelligence in characterizing the human primary pacemaker of the heart at single cell resolution. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14041. [PMID: 38890395 PMCID: PMC11189420 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63542-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The sinus node (SN) serves as the primary pacemaker of the heart and is the first component of the cardiac conduction system. Due to its anatomical properties and sample scarcity, the cellular composition of the human SN has been historically challenging to study. Here, we employed a novel deep learning deconvolution method, namely Bulk2space, to characterise the cellular heterogeneity of the human SN using existing single-cell datasets of non-human species. As a proof of principle, we used Bulk2Space to profile the cells of the bulk human right atrium using publicly available mouse scRNA-Seq data as a reference. 18 human cell populations were identified, with cardiac myocytes being the most abundant. Each identified cell population correlated to its published experimental counterpart. Subsequently, we applied the deconvolution to the bulk transcriptome of the human SN and identified 11 cell populations, including a population of pacemaker cardiomyocytes expressing pacemaking ion channels (HCN1, HCN4, CACNA1D) and transcription factors (SHOX2 and TBX3). The connective tissue of the SN was characterised by adipocyte and fibroblast populations, as well as key immune cells. Our work unravelled the unique single cell composition of the human SN by leveraging the power of a novel machine learning method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Chelu
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Elizabeth J Cartwright
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Halina Dobrzynski
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
- Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-008, Kraków, Poland
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3
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Maltsev AV, Stern MD, Lakatta EG, Maltsev VA. A novel conceptual model of heart rate autonomic modulation based on a small-world modular structure of the sinoatrial node. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1276023. [PMID: 38148905 PMCID: PMC10750401 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1276023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The present view on heartbeat initiation is that a primary pacemaker cell or a group of cells in the sinoatrial node (SAN) center paces the rest of the SAN and the atria. However, recent high-resolution imaging studies show a more complex paradigm of SAN function that emerges from heterogeneous signaling, mimicking brain cytoarchitecture and function. Here, we developed and tested a new conceptual numerical model of SAN organized similarly to brain networks featuring a modular structure with small-world topology. In our model, a lower rate module leads action potential (AP) firing in the basal state and during parasympathetic stimulation, whereas a higher rate module leads during β-adrenergic stimulation. Such a system reproduces the respective shift of the leading pacemaker site observed experimentally and a wide range of rate modulation and robust function while conserving energy. Since experimental studies found functional modules at different scales, from a few cells up to the highest scale of the superior and inferior SAN, the SAN appears to feature hierarchical modularity, i.e., within each module, there is a set of sub-modules, like in the brain, exhibiting greater robustness, adaptivity, and evolvability of network function. In this perspective, our model offers a new mainframe for interpreting new data on heterogeneous signaling in the SAN at different scales, providing new insights into cardiac pacemaker function and SAN-related cardiac arrhythmias in aging and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Victor A. Maltsev
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, United States
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4
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Zhao J, Sharma R, Kalyanasundaram A, Kennelly J, Bai J, Li N, Panfilov A, Fedorov VV. Mechanistic insight into the functional role of human sinoatrial node conduction pathways and pacemaker compartments heterogeneity: A computer model analysis. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011708. [PMID: 38109436 PMCID: PMC10760897 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The sinoatrial node (SAN), the primary pacemaker of the heart, is responsible for the initiation and robust regulation of sinus rhythm. 3D mapping studies of the ex-vivo human heart suggested that the robust regulation of sinus rhythm relies on specialized fibrotically-insulated pacemaker compartments (head, center and tail) with heterogeneous expressions of key ion channels and receptors. They also revealed up to five sinoatrial conduction pathways (SACPs), which electrically connect the SAN with neighboring right atrium (RA). To elucidate the role of these structural-molecular factors in the functional robustness of human SAN, we developed comprehensive biophysical computer models of the SAN based on 3D structural, functional and molecular mapping of ex-vivo human hearts. Our key finding is that the electrical insulation of the SAN except SACPs, the heterogeneous expression of If, INa currents and adenosine A1 receptors (A1R) across SAN pacemaker-conduction compartments are required to experimentally reproduce observed SAN activation patterns and important phenomena such as shifts of the leading pacemaker and preferential SACP. In particular, we found that the insulating border between the SAN and RA, is required for robust SAN function and protection from SAN arrest during adenosine challenge. The heterogeneity in the expression of A1R within the human SAN compartments underlies the direction of pacemaker shift and preferential SACPs in the presence of adenosine. Alterations of INa current and fibrotic remodelling in SACPs can significantly modulate SAN conduction and shift the preferential SACP/exit from SAN. Finally, we show that disease-induced fibrotic remodeling, INa suppression or increased adenosine make the human SAN vulnerable to pacing-induced exit blocks and reentrant arrhythmia. In summary, our computer model recapitulates the structural and functional features of the human SAN and can be a valuable tool for investigating mechanisms of SAN automaticity and conduction as well as SAN arrhythmia mechanisms under different pathophysiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jichao Zhao
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Roshan Sharma
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anuradha Kalyanasundaram
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia; The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - James Kennelly
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jieyun Bai
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia; The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - Vadim V. Fedorov
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia; The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
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5
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Ricci E, Bartolucci C, Severi S. The virtual sinoatrial node: What did computational models tell us about cardiac pacemaking? PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 177:55-79. [PMID: 36374743 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Since its discovery, the sinoatrial node (SAN) has represented a fascinating and complex matter of research. Despite over a century of discoveries, a full comprehension of pacemaking has still to be achieved. Experiments often produced conflicting evidence that was used either in support or against alternative theories, originating intense debates. In this context, mathematical descriptions of the phenomena underlying the heartbeat have grown in importance in the last decades since they helped in gaining insights where experimental evaluation could not reach. This review presents the most updated SAN computational models and discusses their contribution to our understanding of cardiac pacemaking. Electrophysiological, structural and pathological aspects - as well as the autonomic control over the SAN - are taken into consideration to reach a holistic view of SAN activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Ricci
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi", University of Bologna, Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Chiara Bartolucci
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi", University of Bologna, Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Stefano Severi
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi", University of Bologna, Cesena (FC), Italy.
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6
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Maltsev AV, Stern MD, Maltsev VA. Disorder in Ca2+ release unit locations confers robustness but cuts flexibility of heart pacemaking. J Gen Physiol 2022; 154:e202113061. [PMID: 35943725 PMCID: PMC9366202 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202113061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Excitation-contraction coupling kinetics is dictated by the action potential rate of sinoatrial-nodal cells. These cells generate local Ca releases (LCRs) that activate Na/Ca exchanger current, which accelerates diastolic depolarization and determines the pace. LCRs are generated by clusters of ryanodine receptors, Ca release units (CRUs), residing in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. While CRU distribution exhibits substantial heterogeneity, its functional importance remains unknown. Using numerical modeling, here we show that with a square lattice distribution of CRUs, Ca-induced-Ca-release propagation during diastolic depolarization is insufficient for pacemaking within a broad range of realistic ICaL densities. Allowing each CRU to deviate randomly from its lattice position allows sparks to propagate, as observed experimentally. As disorder increases, the CRU distribution exhibits larger empty spaces and simultaneously CRU clusters, as in Poisson clumping. Propagating within the clusters, Ca release becomes synchronized, increasing action potential rate and reviving pacemaker function of dormant/nonfiring cells. However, cells with fully disordered CRU positions could not reach low firing rates and their β-adrenergic-receptor stimulation effect was substantially decreased. Inclusion of Cav1.3, a low-voltage activation L-type Ca channel isoform into ICaL, strongly increases recruitment of CRUs to fire during diastolic depolarization, increasing robustness of pacemaking and complementing effects of CRU distribution. Thus, order/disorder in CRU locations along with Cav1.3 expression regulates pacemaker function via synchronization of CRU firing. Excessive CRU disorder and/or overexpression of Cav1.3 boosts pacemaker function in the basal state, but limits the rate range, which may contribute to heart rate range decline with age and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna V. Maltsev
- School of Mathematics, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Michael D. Stern
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Victor A. Maltsev
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD
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7
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Komosa ER, Wolfson DW, Bressan M, Cho HC, Ogle BM. Implementing Biological Pacemakers: Design Criteria for Successful. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2021; 14:e009957. [PMID: 34592837 PMCID: PMC8530973 DOI: 10.1161/circep.121.009957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Each heartbeat that pumps blood throughout the body is initiated by an electrical impulse generated in the sinoatrial node (SAN). However, a number of disease conditions can hamper the ability of the SAN's pacemaker cells to generate consistent action potentials and maintain an orderly conduction path, leading to arrhythmias. For symptomatic patients, current treatments rely on implantation of an electronic pacing device. However, complications inherent to the indwelling hardware give pause to categorical use of device therapy for a subset of populations, including pediatric patients or those with temporary pacing needs. Cellular-based biological pacemakers, derived in vitro or in situ, could function as a therapeutic alternative to current electronic pacemakers. Understanding how biological pacemakers measure up to the SAN would facilitate defining and demonstrating its advantages over current treatments. In this review, we discuss recent approaches to creating biological pacemakers and delineate design criteria to guide future progress based on insights from basic biology of the SAN. We emphasize the need for long-term efficacy in vivo via maintenance of relevant proteins, source-sink balance, a niche reflective of the native SAN microenvironment, and chronotropic competence. With a focus on such criteria, combined with delivery methods tailored for disease indications, clinical implementation will be attainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R Komosa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering (E.R.K., B.M.O.), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis
- Stem Cell Institute (E.R.K., B.M.O.), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis
| | - David W Wolfson
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta (D.W.W., H.C.C.)
| | - Michael Bressan
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (M.B.), University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
- McAllister Heart Institute (M.B.), University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
| | - Hee Cheol Cho
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta (D.W.W., H.C.C.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA (H.C.C.)
| | - Brenda M Ogle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering (E.R.K., B.M.O.), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis
- Stem Cell Institute (E.R.K., B.M.O.), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis
- Department of Pediatrics (B.M.O), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis
- Lillehei Heart Institute (B.M.O), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis
- Institute for Engineering in Medicine (B.M.O), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis
- Masonic Cancer Center (B.M.O), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis
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8
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Thomas K, Henley T, Rossi S, Costello MJ, Polacheck W, Griffith BE, Bressan M. Adherens junction engagement regulates functional patterning of the cardiac pacemaker cell lineage. Dev Cell 2021; 56:1498-1511.e7. [PMID: 33891897 PMCID: PMC8137639 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac pacemaker cells (CPCs) rhythmically initiate the electrical impulses that drive heart contraction. CPCs display the highest rate of spontaneous depolarization in the heart despite being subjected to inhibitory electrochemical conditions that should theoretically suppress their activity. While several models have been proposed to explain this apparent paradox, the actual molecular mechanisms that allow CPCs to overcome electrogenic barriers to their function remain poorly understood. Here, we have traced CPC development at single-cell resolution and uncovered a series of cytoarchitectural patterning events that are critical for proper pacemaking. Specifically, our data reveal that CPCs dynamically modulate adherens junction (AJ) engagement to control characteristics including surface area, volume, and gap junctional coupling. This allows CPCs to adopt a structural configuration that supports their overall excitability. Thus, our data have identified a direct role for local cellular mechanics in patterning critical morphological features that are necessary for CPC electrical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kandace Thomas
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Trevor Henley
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Simone Rossi
- Department of Mathematics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - M Joseph Costello
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - William Polacheck
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Boyce E Griffith
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Departments of Mathematics, Applied Physical Sciences, and Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Carolina Center for Interdisciplinary Applied Mathematics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Computational Medicine Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michael Bressan
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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9
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Assembly of the Cardiac Pacemaking Complex: Electrogenic Principles of Sinoatrial Node Morphogenesis. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:jcdd8040040. [PMID: 33917972 PMCID: PMC8068396 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8040040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac pacemaker cells located in the sinoatrial node initiate the electrical impulses that drive rhythmic contraction of the heart. The sinoatrial node accounts for only a small proportion of the total mass of the heart yet must produce a stimulus of sufficient strength to stimulate the entire volume of downstream cardiac tissue. This requires balancing a delicate set of electrical interactions both within the sinoatrial node and with the downstream working myocardium. Understanding the fundamental features of these interactions is critical for defining vulnerabilities that arise in human arrhythmic disease and may provide insight towards the design and implementation of the next generation of potential cellular-based cardiac therapeutics. Here, we discuss physiological conditions that influence electrical impulse generation and propagation in the sinoatrial node and describe developmental events that construct the tissue-level architecture that appears necessary for sinoatrial node function.
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10
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RNAseq shows an all-pervasive day-night rhythm in the transcriptome of the pacemaker of the heart. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3565. [PMID: 33574422 PMCID: PMC7878777 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82202-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Physiological systems vary in a day-night manner anticipating increased demand at a particular time. Heart is no exception. Cardiac output is primarily determined by heart rate and unsurprisingly this varies in a day-night manner and is higher during the day in the human (anticipating increased day-time demand). Although this is attributed to a day-night rhythm in post-translational ion channel regulation in the heart's pacemaker, the sinus node, by the autonomic nervous system, we investigated whether there is a day-night rhythm in transcription. RNAseq revealed that ~ 44% of the sinus node transcriptome (7134 of 16,387 transcripts) has a significant day-night rhythm. The data revealed the oscillating components of an intrinsic circadian clock. Presumably this clock (or perhaps the master circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus) is responsible for the rhythm observed in the transcriptional machinery, which in turn is responsible for the rhythm observed in the transcriptome. For example, there is a rhythm in transcripts responsible for the two principal pacemaker mechanisms (membrane and Ca2+ clocks), transcripts responsible for receptors and signalling pathways known to control pacemaking, transcripts from genes identified by GWAS as determinants of resting heart rate, and transcripts from genes responsible for familial and acquired sick sinus syndrome.
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11
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Galanin VV. Similitude Methods and Three-Dimensional Simulation of the Electrical Activity of the Rabbit Sinoatrial Node and Adjacent Atrial Myocardium. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s000635092101019x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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12
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Boyett M, Lundby A. A New Window onto the Pacemaker of the Heart, the Sinus Node, Provided by Quantitative Proteomics and Single-Nucleus Transcriptomics. JOURNAL OF CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 2:38-41. [PMID: 32342062 PMCID: PMC7186080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Boyett
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, 2200, Denmark
| | - Alicia Lundby
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, 2200, Denmark,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, 2200, Denmark
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13
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Linscheid N, Logantha SJRJ, Poulsen PC, Zhang S, Schrölkamp M, Egerod KL, Thompson JJ, Kitmitto A, Galli G, Humphries MJ, Zhang H, Pers TH, Olsen JV, Boyett M, Lundby A. Quantitative proteomics and single-nucleus transcriptomics of the sinus node elucidates the foundation of cardiac pacemaking. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2889. [PMID: 31253831 PMCID: PMC6599035 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10709-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The sinus node is a collection of highly specialised cells constituting the heart’s pacemaker. The molecular underpinnings of its pacemaking abilities are debated. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, we here quantify >7,000 proteins from sinus node and neighbouring atrial muscle. Abundances of 575 proteins differ between the two tissues. By performing single-nucleus RNA sequencing of sinus node biopsies, we attribute measured protein abundances to specific cell types. The data reveal significant differences in ion channels responsible for the membrane clock, but not in Ca2+ clock proteins, suggesting that the membrane clock underpins pacemaking. Consistently, incorporation of ion channel expression differences into a biophysically-detailed atrial action potential model result in pacemaking and a sinus node-like action potential. Combining our quantitative proteomics data with computational modeling, we estimate ion channel copy numbers for sinus node myocytes. Our findings provide detailed insights into the unique molecular make-up of the cardiac pacemaker. The sinus node generates rhythmic heartbeat but the molecular basis of pacemaking is still under debate. Here, the authors combine quantitative proteomics and single-nucleus transcriptomics to characterize the molecular composition of the sinus node and provide insights into the underpinnings of pacemaking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Linscheid
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, 2200, Denmark
| | | | - Pi Camilla Poulsen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, 2200, Denmark
| | - Shanzhuo Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Haerbin Shi, 150006, China
| | - Maren Schrölkamp
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, 2200, Denmark
| | - Kristoffer Lihme Egerod
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, 2200, Denmark
| | - Jonatan James Thompson
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, 2200, Denmark
| | - Ashraf Kitmitto
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9NT, UK
| | - Gina Galli
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9NT, UK
| | - Martin J Humphries
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Henggui Zhang
- Biological Physics Group, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Tune H Pers
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, 2200, Denmark
| | - Jesper Velgaard Olsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, 2200, Denmark
| | - Mark Boyett
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9NT, UK.
| | - Alicia Lundby
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, 2200, Denmark. .,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, 2200, Denmark.
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14
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Schulze ML, Lemoine MD, Fischer AW, Scherschel K, David R, Riecken K, Hansen A, Eschenhagen T, Ulmer BM. Dissecting hiPSC-CM pacemaker function in a cardiac organoid model. Biomaterials 2019; 206:133-145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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15
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Ashton JL, Trew ML, LeGrice IJ, Paterson DJ, Paton JF, Gillis AM, Smaill BH. Shift of leading pacemaker site during reflex vagal stimulation and altered electrical source-to-sink balance. J Physiol 2019; 597:3297-3313. [PMID: 31087820 DOI: 10.1113/jp276876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Vagal reflexes slow heart rate and can change where the heartbeat originates within the sinoatrial node (SAN). The mechanisms responsible for this process - termed leading pacemaker (LP) shift - have not been investigated fully. We used optical mapping to measure the effects of baroreflex, chemoreflex and carbachol on pacemaker entrainment and electrical conduction across the SAN. All methods of stimulation triggered shifts in LP site from the central SAN to one or two caudal pacemaker regions. These shifts were associated with reduced current generation capacity centrally and increased electrical load caudally. Previous studies suggest LP shift is a rate-dependent phenomenon whereby acetylcholine slows central pacemaker rate disproportionately, enabling caudal cells that are less acetylcholine sensitive to assume control. However, our findings indicate the LP region is defined by both pacemaker rate and capacity to drive activation. Shifts in LP site provide an important homeostatic mechanism for rapid switches in heart rate. ABSTRACT Reflex vagal activity causes abrupt heart rate slowing with concomitant caudal shifts of the leading pacemaker (LP) site within the sinoatrial node (SAN). However, neither the mechanisms responsible nor their dynamics have been investigated fully. Therefore, the objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms driving cholinergic LP shift. Optical maps of right atrial activation were acquired in a rat working heart-brainstem preparation during baroreflex and chemoreflex stimulation or with carbachol. All methods of stimulation triggered shifts in LP site from the central SAN to caudal pacemaker regions, which were positive for HCN4 and received uniform cholinergic innervation. During baroreflex onset, the capacity of the central region to drive activation declined with a decrease in amplitude and gradient of optical action potentials (OAPs) in the surrounding myocardium. Accompanying this decline, there was altered entrainment in the caudal SAN as shown by decreased conduction velocity, OAP amplitude, gradient and activation time. Atropine abolished these responses. Chemoreflex stimulation produced similar effects but central capacity to drive activation was preserved before the LP shift. In contrast, carbachol produced a prolonged period of reduced capacity to drive and altered entrainment. Previous studies suggest LP shift is a rate-dependent phenomenon whereby acetylcholine slows central pacemaker rate disproportionately, enabling caudal cells that are less acetylcholine sensitive to assume control. Our findings indicate that cholinergic LP shifts are also determined by altered electrical source-to-sink balance in the SAN. We conclude that the LP region is defined by both rate and capacity to drive atrial activation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark L Trew
- University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | - Anne M Gillis
- University of Calgary - Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Galanin VV. Mathematical Simulation of the Rabbit Heterogeneous Intact Sinoatrial Node Using Similitude Theory. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006350919030072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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17
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Ly C, Weinberg SH. Analysis of heterogeneous cardiac pacemaker tissue models and traveling wave dynamics. J Theor Biol 2018; 459:18-35. [PMID: 30248329 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2018.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The sinoatrial-node (SAN) is a complex heterogeneous tissue that generates a stable rhythm in healthy hearts, yet a general mechanistic explanation for when and how this tissue remains stable is lacking. Although computational and theoretical analyses could elucidate these phenomena, such methods have rarely been used in realistic (large-dimensional) gap-junction coupled heterogeneous pacemaker tissue models. In this study, we adapt a recent model of pacemaker cells (Severi et al., 2012), incorporating biophysical representations of ion channel and intracellular calcium dynamics, to capture physiological features of a heterogeneous population of pacemaker cells, in particular "center" and "peripheral" cells with distinct intrinsic frequencies and action potential morphology. Large-scale simulations of the SAN tissue, represented by a heterogeneous tissue structure of pacemaker cells, exhibit a rich repertoire of behaviors, including complete synchrony, traveling waves of activity originating from periphery to center, and transient traveling waves originating from the center. We use phase reduction methods that do not require fully simulating the large-scale model to capture these observations. Moreover, the phase reduced models accurately predict key properties of the tissue electrical dynamics, including wave frequencies when synchronization occurs, and wave propagation direction in a variety of tissue models. With the reduced phase models, we analyze the relationship between cell distributions and coupling strengths and the resulting transient dynamics. Further, the reduced phase model predicts parameter regimes of irregular electrical dynamics. Thus, we demonstrate that phase reduced oscillator models applied to realistic pacemaker tissue is a useful tool for investigating the spatial-temporal dynamics of cardiac pacemaker activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Ly
- Department of Statistical Sciences & Operations Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA.
| | - Seth H Weinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University USA. http://www.shweinberglab.com
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Galanin VV. Mathematical Simulation of the Pacemaker Activity of Rabbit Sinoatrial Node Cells Using Similitude Theory. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2018. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006350918010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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19
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Bai X, Wang K, Yuan Y, Li Q, Dobrzynski H, Boyett MR, Hancox JC, Zhang H. Mechanism underlying impaired cardiac pacemaking rhythm during ischemia: A simulation study. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2017; 27:093934. [PMID: 28964153 DOI: 10.1063/1.5002664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ischemia in the heart impairs function of the cardiac pacemaker, the sinoatrial node (SAN). However, the ionic mechanisms underlying the ischemia-induced dysfunction of the SAN remain elusive. In order to investigate the ionic mechanisms by which ischemia causes SAN dysfunction, action potential models of rabbit SAN and atrial cells were modified to incorporate extant experimental data of ischemia-induced changes to membrane ion channels and intracellular ion homeostasis. The cell models were incorporated into an anatomically detailed 2D model of the intact SAN-atrium. Using the multi-scale models, the functional impact of ischemia-induced electrical alterations on cardiac pacemaking action potentials (APs) and their conduction was investigated. The effects of vagal tone activity on the regulation of cardiac pacemaker activity in control and ischemic conditions were also investigated. The simulation results showed that at the cellular level ischemia slowed the SAN pacemaking rate, which was mainly attributable to the altered Na+-Ca2+ exchange current and the ATP-sensitive potassium current. In the 2D SAN-atrium tissue model, ischemia slowed down both the pacemaking rate and the conduction velocity of APs into the surrounding atrial tissue. Simulated vagal nerve activity, including the actions of acetylcholine in the model, amplified the effects of ischemia, leading to possible SAN arrest and/or conduction exit block, which are major features of the sick sinus syndrome. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into understanding the mechanisms by which ischemia alters SAN function, identifying specific conductances as contributors to bradycardia and conduction block.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyun Bai
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Kuanquan Wang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yongfeng Yuan
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Qince Li
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Halina Dobrzynski
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Manchester, M13 9PL Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mark R Boyett
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Manchester, M13 9PL Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jules C Hancox
- Biological Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Manchester, M13 9PL Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Henggui Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
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Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Currently available therapeutic options lack sufficient efficacy and safety. Gene therapy has been proposed for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. This review will discuss the current state of development for arrhythmia gene therapy. So far, all published studies are short-term, proof-of-concept animal studies. Potential replacement of cardiac pacemakers has been shown for combination gene therapy using the HCN2 gene and either the gene for adenylate cyclase, the skeletal muscle isoform of the sodium channel, or a dominant negative mutant of the potassium channel responsible for resting membrane potential. Atrial fibrillation has been prevented by gene transfer of either a dominant negative mutant of a repolarizing potassium channel, a gap junction, or an siRNA directed against caspase 3. Inherited arrhythmia syndromes have been corrected by replacement of the causative genes. Post-infarct ventricular tachycardia has been reduced by gene therapy with the skeletal muscle sodium channel and connexins and eliminated with the dominant negative mutant of the potassium channel responsible for resting membrane potential. These ideas show considerable promise. Long-term efficacy and safety studies are required to see if they can become viable therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kevin Donahue
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Division of Cardiology, 55 Lake Ave. North, Worcester, MA 01655, United States.
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21
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López Garza G, Castellanos NP, Godínez R. Cell-to-cell modeling of the interface between atrial and sinoatrial anisotropic heterogeneous nets. Comput Biol Chem 2017; 68:245-259. [PMID: 28460307 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2017.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The transition between sinoatrial cells and atrial cells in the heart is not fully understood. Here we focus on cell-to-cell mathematical models involving typical sinoatrial cells and atrial cells connected with experimentally observed conductance values. We are interested mainly in the geometry of the microstructure of the conduction paths in the sinoatrial node. We show with some models that appropriate source-sink relationships between atrial and sinoatrial cells may occur according to certain geometric arrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel López Garza
- Mathematics Department, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, M. City, Mexico.
| | - Norma P Castellanos
- Electric Engineering Department, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, M. City, Mexico
| | - Rafael Godínez
- Electric Engineering Department, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, M. City, Mexico
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22
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Saito Y, Nakamura K, Yoshida M, Sugiyama H, Ohe T, Kurokawa J, Furukawa T, Takano M, Nagase S, Morita H, Kusano KF, Ito H. Enhancement of Spontaneous Activity by HCN4 Overexpression in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes - A Possible Biological Pacemaker. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138193. [PMID: 26384234 PMCID: PMC4575154 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Establishment of a biological pacemaker is expected to solve the persisting problems of a mechanical pacemaker including the problems of battery life and electromagnetic interference. Enhancement of the funny current (If) flowing through hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels and attenuation of the inward rectifier K+ current (IK1) flowing through inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels are essential for generation of a biological pacemaker. Therefore, we generated HCN4-overexpressing mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and induced cardiomyocytes that originally show poor IK1 currents, and we investigated whether the HCN4-overexpressing mESC-derived cardiomyocytes (mESC-CMs) function as a biological pacemaker in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS The rabbit Hcn4 gene was transfected into mESCs, and stable clones were selected. mESC-CMs were generated via embryoid bodies and purified under serum/glucose-free and lactate-supplemented conditions. Approximately 90% of the purified cells were troponin I-positive by immunostaining. In mESC-CMs, expression level of the Kcnj2 gene encoding Kir2.1, which is essential for generation of IK1 currents that are responsible for stabilizing the resting membrane potential, was lower than that in an adult mouse ventricle. HCN4-overexpressing mESC-CMs expressed about a 3-times higher level of the Hcn4 gene than did non-overexpressing mESC-CMs. Expression of the Cacna1h gene, which encodes T-type calcium channel and generates diastolic depolarization in the sinoatrial node, was also confirmed. Additionally, genes required for impulse conduction including Connexin40, Connexin43, and Connexin45 genes, which encode connexins forming gap junctions, and the Scn5a gene, which encodes sodium channels, are expressed in the cells. HCN4-overexpressing mESC-CMs showed significantly larger If currents and more rapid spontaneous beating than did non-overexpressing mESC-CMs. The beating rate of HCN4-overexpressing mESC-CMs responded to ivabradine, an If inhibitor, and to isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist. Co-culture of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) with aggregates composed of mESC-CMs resulted in synchronized contraction of the cells. The beating rate of hiPSC-CMs co-cultured with aggregates of HCN4-overexpressing mESC-CMs was significantly higher than that of non-treated hiPSC-CMs and that of hiPSC-CMs co-cultured with aggregates of non-overexpressing mESC-CMs. CONCLUSIONS We generated HCN4-overexpresssing mESC-CMs expressing genes required for impulse conduction, showing rapid spontaneous beating, responding to an If inhibitor and beta-adrenergic receptor agonist, and having pacing ability in an in vitro co-culture system with other excitable cells. The results indicated that these cells could be applied to a biological pacemaker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Saito
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kazufumi Nakamura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Masashi Yoshida
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hiroki Sugiyama
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Tohru Ohe
- Sakakibara Heart Institute of Okayama, Okayama, Japan
| | - Junko Kurokawa
- Department of Bio-informational Pharmacology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsushi Furukawa
- Department of Bio-informational Pharmacology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Takano
- Department of Physiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nagase
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Morita
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Cardiovascular Therapeutics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kengo F. Kusano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ito
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
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23
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Yaniv Y, Lakatta EG, Maltsev VA. From two competing oscillators to one coupled-clock pacemaker cell system. Front Physiol 2015; 6:28. [PMID: 25741284 PMCID: PMC4327306 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2015.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
At the beginning of this century, debates regarding “what are the main control mechanisms that ignite the action potential (AP) in heart pacemaker cells” dominated the electrophysiology field. The original theory which prevailed for over 50 years had advocated that the ensemble of surface membrane ion channels (i.e., “M-clock”) is sufficient to ignite rhythmic APs. However, more recent experimental evidence in a variety of mammals has shown that the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) acts as a “Ca2+-clock” rhythmically discharges diastolic local Ca2+ releases (LCRs) beneath the cell surface membrane. LCRs activate an inward current (likely that of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger) that prompts the surface membrane “M-clock” to ignite an AP. Theoretical and experimental evidence has mounted to indicate that this clock “crosstalk” operates on a beat-to-beat basis and determines both the AP firing rate and rhythm. Our review is focused on the evolution of experimental definition and numerical modeling of the coupled-clock concept, on how mechanisms intrinsic to pacemaker cell determine both the heart rate and rhythm, and on future directions to develop further the coupled-clock pacemaker cell concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Yaniv
- Biomedical Engineering Faculty, Technion-IIT Haifa, Israel
| | - Edward G Lakatta
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Biomedical Research Center, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Victor A Maltsev
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Biomedical Research Center, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health Baltimore, MD, USA
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24
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Mesirca P, Torrente AG, Mangoni ME. Functional role of voltage gated Ca(2+) channels in heart automaticity. Front Physiol 2015; 6:19. [PMID: 25698974 PMCID: PMC4313592 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2015.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pacemaker activity of automatic cardiac myocytes controls the heartbeat in everyday life. Cardiac automaticity is under the control of several neurotransmitters and hormones and is constantly regulated by the autonomic nervous system to match the physiological needs of the organism. Several classes of ion channels and proteins involved in intracellular Ca(2+) dynamics contribute to pacemaker activity. The functional role of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in heart automaticity and impulse conduction has been matter of debate for 30 years. However, growing evidence shows that VGCCs are important regulators of the pacemaker mechanisms and play also a major role in atrio-ventricular impulse conduction. Incidentally, studies performed in genetically modified mice lacking L-type Cav1.3 (Cav1.3(-/-)) or T-type Cav3.1 (Cav3.1(-/-)) channels show that genetic inactivation of these channels strongly impacts pacemaking. In cardiac pacemaker cells, VGCCs activate at negative voltages at the beginning of the diastolic depolarization and importantly contribute to this phase by supplying inward current. Loss-of-function of these channels also impairs atrio-ventricular conduction. Furthermore, inactivation of Cav1.3 channels promotes also atrial fibrillation and flutter in knockout mice suggesting that these channels can play a role in stabilizing atrial rhythm. Genomic analysis demonstrated that Cav1.3 and Cav3.1 channels are widely expressed in pacemaker tissue of mice, rabbits and humans. Importantly, human diseases of pacemaker activity such as congenital bradycardia and heart block have been attributed to loss-of-function of Cav1.3 and Cav3.1 channels. In this article, we will review the current knowledge on the role of VGCCs in the generation and regulation of heart rate and rhythm. We will discuss also how loss of Ca(2+) entry through VGCCs could influence intracellular Ca(2+) handling and promote atrial arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Mesirca
- Laboratory of Excellence in Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics, Département de Physiologie, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle Montpellier, France ; UMR-5203, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Universités de Montpellier 1 and 2 Montpellier, France ; INSERM U 1191, Département de Physiologie, Universités de Montpellier 1 and 2 Montpellier, France
| | - Angelo G Torrente
- Laboratory of Excellence in Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics, Département de Physiologie, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle Montpellier, France ; UMR-5203, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Universités de Montpellier 1 and 2 Montpellier, France ; INSERM U 1191, Département de Physiologie, Universités de Montpellier 1 and 2 Montpellier, France
| | - Matteo E Mangoni
- Laboratory of Excellence in Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics, Département de Physiologie, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle Montpellier, France ; UMR-5203, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Universités de Montpellier 1 and 2 Montpellier, France ; INSERM U 1191, Département de Physiologie, Universités de Montpellier 1 and 2 Montpellier, France
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25
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Unudurthi SD, Wolf RM, Hund TJ. Role of sinoatrial node architecture in maintaining a balanced source-sink relationship and synchronous cardiac pacemaking. Front Physiol 2014; 5:446. [PMID: 25505419 PMCID: PMC4244803 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal heart rhythm (sinus rhythm) depends on regular activity of the sinoatrial node (SAN), a heterogeneous collection of specialized myocytes in the right atrium. SAN cells, in general, possess a unique electrophysiological profile that promotes spontaneous electrical activity (automaticity). However, while automaticity is required for normal pacemaking, it is not necessarily sufficient. Less appreciated is the importance of the elaborate structure of the SAN complex for proper pacemaker function. Here, we review the important structural features of the SAN with a focus on how these elements help manage a precarious balance between electrical charge generated by the SAN (“source”) and the charge needed to excite the surrounding atrial tissue (“sink”). We also discuss how compromised “source-sink” balance due, for example to fibrosis, may promote SAN dysfunction, characterized by slow and/or asynchronous pacemaker activity and even failure, in the setting of cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart failure, atrial fibrillation). Finally, we discuss implications of the “source-sink” balance in the SAN complex for cell and gene therapies aimed at creating a biological pacemaker as replacement or bridge to conventional electronic pacemakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathya D Unudurthi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA ; The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Roseanne M Wolf
- Department of Mathematics, The University of Dubuque Dubuque, IA, USA
| | - Thomas J Hund
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA ; The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Columbus, OH, USA ; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Columbus, OH, USA
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Zhao D, Liu Q, Ji Y, Wang G, He X, Tian W, Xu H, Lei T, Wang Y. Correlation between nitric oxide and early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Int J Neurosci 2014; 125:531-9. [DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2014.951442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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