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Lilliu E, Hackl B, Zabrodska E, Gewessler S, Karge T, Marksteiner J, Sauer J, Putz EM, Todt H, Hilber K, Koenig X. Cell size induced bias of current density in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. Channels (Austin) 2024; 18:2361416. [PMID: 38836323 PMCID: PMC11155701 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2024.2361416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in ion channel expression and function known as "electrical remodeling" contribute to the development of hypertrophy and to the emergence of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. However, comparing current density values - an electrophysiological parameter commonly utilized to assess ion channel function - between normal and hypertrophied cells may be flawed when current amplitude does not scale with cell size. Even more, common routines to study equally sized cells or to discard measurements when large currents do not allow proper voltage-clamp control may introduce a selection bias and thereby confound direct comparison. To test a possible dependence of current density on cell size and shape, we employed whole-cell patch-clamp recording of voltage-gated sodium and calcium currents in Langendorff-isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes and Purkinje myocytes, as well as in cardiomyocytes derived from trans-aortic constriction operated mice. Here, we describe a distinct inverse relationship between voltage-gated sodium and calcium current densities and cell capacitance both in normal and hypertrophied cells. This inverse relationship was well fit by an exponential function and may be due to physiological adaptations that do not scale proportionally with cell size or may be explained by a selection bias. Our study emphasizes the need to consider cell size bias when comparing current densities in cardiomyocytes of different sizes, particularly in hypertrophic cells. Conventional comparisons based solely on mean current density may be inadequate for groups with unequal cell size or non-proportional current amplitude and cell size scaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lilliu
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benjamin Hackl
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Zabrodska
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Stefanie Gewessler
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tobias Karge
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research at the Center for Biomedical Research and Translational Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jessica Marksteiner
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jakob Sauer
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva M. Putz
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannes Todt
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karlheinz Hilber
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Xaver Koenig
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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2
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Weinberg SH. Sodium channel subpopulations with distinct biophysical properties and subcellular localization enhance cardiac conduction. J Gen Physiol 2023; 155:e202313382. [PMID: 37285024 PMCID: PMC10250552 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202313382] [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: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sodium (Na+) current is responsible for the rapid depolarization of cardiac myocytes that triggers the cardiac action potential upstroke. Recent studies have illustrated the presence of multiple pools of Na+ channels with distinct biophysical properties and subcellular localization, including clustering of channels at the intercalated disk and along the lateral membrane. Computational studies predict that Na+ channel clusters at the intercalated disk can regulate cardiac conduction via modulation of the narrow intercellular cleft between electrically coupled myocytes. However, these studies have primarily focused on the redistribution of Na+ channels between intercalated disk and lateral membranes and have not considered the distinct biophysical properties of the Na+ channel subpopulations. In this study, we use computational modeling to simulate computational models of single cardiac cells and one-dimensional cardiac tissues and predict the function of distinct Na+ channel subpopulations. Single-cell simulations predict that a subpopulation of Na+ channels with shifted steady-state activation and inactivation voltage dependency promotes an earlier action potential upstroke. In cardiac tissues that account for distinct subcellular spatial localization, simulations predict that shifted Na+ channels contribute to faster and more robust conduction in response to changes in tissue structure (i.e., cleft width), gap junctional coupling, and rapid pacing rates. Simulations predict that the intercalated disk-localized shifted Na+ channels contribute proportionally more to total Na+ charge than lateral membrane-localized Na+ channels. Importantly, our work supports the hypothesis that Na+ channel redistribution may be a critical mechanism by which cells can respond to perturbations to support fast and robust conduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth H. Weinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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3
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Nguyen HX, Wu T, Needs D, Zhang H, Perelli RM, DeLuca S, Yang R, Pan M, Landstrom AP, Henriquez C, Bursac N. Engineered bacterial voltage-gated sodium channel platform for cardiac gene therapy. Nat Commun 2022; 13:620. [PMID: 35110560 PMCID: PMC8810800 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28251-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapies for cardiac arrhythmias could greatly benefit from approaches to enhance electrical excitability and action potential conduction in the heart by stably overexpressing mammalian voltage-gated sodium channels. However, the large size of these channels precludes their incorporation into therapeutic viral vectors. Here, we report a platform utilizing small-size, codon-optimized engineered prokaryotic sodium channels (BacNav) driven by muscle-specific promoters that significantly enhance excitability and conduction in rat and human cardiomyocytes in vitro and adult cardiac tissues from multiple species in silico. We also show that the expression of BacNav significantly reduces occurrence of conduction block and reentrant arrhythmias in fibrotic cardiac cultures. Moreover, functional BacNav channels are stably expressed in healthy mouse hearts six weeks following intravenous injection of self-complementary adeno-associated virus (scAAV) without causing any adverse effects on cardiac electrophysiology. The large diversity of prokaryotic sodium channels and experimental-computational platform reported in this study should facilitate the development and evaluation of BacNav-based gene therapies for cardiac conduction disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung X Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tianyu Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Daniel Needs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Hengtao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Robin M Perelli
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cardiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sophia DeLuca
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rachel Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Michael Pan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Andrew P Landstrom
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cardiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Craig Henriquez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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4
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Montnach J, Lorenzini M, Lesage A, Simon I, Nicolas S, Moreau E, Marionneau C, Baró I, De Waard M, Loussouarn G. Computer modeling of whole-cell voltage-clamp analyses to delineate guidelines for good practice of manual and automated patch-clamp. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3282. [PMID: 33558601 PMCID: PMC7870888 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82077-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The patch-clamp technique and more recently the high throughput patch-clamp technique have contributed to major advances in the characterization of ion channels. However, the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique presents certain limits that need to be considered for robust data generation. One major caveat is that increasing current amplitude profoundly impacts the accuracy of the biophysical analyses of macroscopic ion currents under study. Using mathematical kinetic models of a cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel and a cardiac voltage-gated potassium channel, we demonstrated how large current amplitude and series resistance artefacts induce an undetected alteration in the actual membrane potential and affect the characterization of voltage-dependent activation and inactivation processes. We also computed how dose-response curves are hindered by high current amplitudes. This is of high interest since stable cell lines frequently demonstrating high current amplitudes are used for safety pharmacology using the high throughput patch-clamp technique. It is therefore critical to set experimental limits for current amplitude recordings to prevent inaccuracy in the characterization of channel properties or drug activity, such limits being different from one channel type to another. Based on the predictions generated by the kinetic models, we draw simple guidelines for good practice of whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Montnach
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Maxime Lorenzini
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Adrien Lesage
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Isabelle Simon
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Sébastien Nicolas
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Eléonore Moreau
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000, Nantes, France
- Laboratoire Signalisation Fonctionnelle des Canaux Ioniques et des Récepteurs (SiFCIR), UPRES EA 2647, USC INRA 1330, SFR QUASAV 4207, UFR Sciences, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Céline Marionneau
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Isabelle Baró
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Michel De Waard
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000, Nantes, France
- LabEx "Ion Channels, Science & Therapeutics", 06560, Valbonne, France
| | - Gildas Loussouarn
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, F-44000, Nantes, France.
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5
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Hoeker GS, James CC, Tegge AN, Gourdie RG, Smyth JW, Poelzing S. Attenuating loss of cardiac conduction during no-flow ischemia through changes in perfusate sodium and calcium. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020; 319:H396-H409. [PMID: 32678707 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00112.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Myocardial ischemia leads to conduction slowing, cell-to-cell uncoupling, and arrhythmias. We previously demonstrated that varying perfusate sodium (Na+) and calcium (Ca2+) attenuates conduction slowing and arrhythmias during simulated ischemia with continuous perfusion. Cardioprotection was selectively associated with widening of the perinexus, a gap junction adjacent nanodomain important to ephaptic coupling. It is unknown whether perfusate composition affects the perinexus or ischemic conduction during nonsimulated ischemia, when coronary flow is reduced or halted. We hypothesized that altering preischemic perfusate composition could facilitate perinexal expansion and attenuate conduction slowing during global ischemia. To test this hypothesis, ex vivo guinea pig hearts (n = 49) were Langendorff perfused with 145 or 153 mM Na+ and 1.25 or 2.0 mM Ca2+ and optically mapped during 30 min of no-flow ischemia. Altering Na+ and Ca2+ did not substantially affect baseline conduction. Increasing Na+ and decreasing Ca2+ both lowered pacing thresholds, whereas increasing Ca2+ narrowed perinexal width (Wp). A least squares mean estimate revealed that reduced perfusate Na+ and Ca2+ resulted in the most severe conduction slowing during ischemia. Increasing Na+ alone modestly attenuated conduction slowing, yet significantly delayed the median time to conduction block (10 to 16 min). Increasing both Na+ and Ca2+ selectively widened Wp during ischemia (22.7 vs. 15.7 nm) and attenuated conduction slowing to the greatest extent. Neither repolarization nor levels of total or phosphorylated connexin43 correlated with conduction slowing or block. Thus, perfusate-dependent widening of the perinexus preserved ischemic conduction and may be an adaptive response to ischemic stress.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Conduction slowing during acute ischemia creates an arrhythmogenic substrate. We have shown that extracellular ionic concentrations can alter conduction by modulating ephaptic coupling. Here, we demonstrate increased extracellular sodium and calcium significantly attenuate conduction slowing during no-flow ischemia. This effect was associated with selective widening of the perinexus, an intercalated disc nanodomain and putative cardiac ephapse. These findings suggest that acute changes in ephaptic coupling may serve as an adaptive response to ischemic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory S Hoeker
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Carissa C James
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia.,Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Allison N Tegge
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia.,Department of Statistics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Robert G Gourdie
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia.,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - James W Smyth
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia.,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia.,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Steven Poelzing
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia.,Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia.,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
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6
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Vermij SH, Rougier JS, Agulló-Pascual E, Rothenberg E, Delmar M, Abriel H. Single-Molecule Localization of the Cardiac Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Reveals Different Modes of Reorganization at Cardiomyocyte Membrane Domains. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2020; 13:e008241. [PMID: 32536203 PMCID: PMC7368852 DOI: 10.1161/circep.119.008241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in the gene encoding the cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.5 cause various cardiac arrhythmias. This variety may arise from different determinants of Nav1.5 expression between cardiomyocyte domains. At the lateral membrane and T-tubules, Nav1.5 localization and function remain insufficiently characterized. METHODS We used novel single-molecule localization microscopy and computational modeling to define nanoscale features of Nav1.5 localization and distribution at the lateral membrane, the lateral membrane groove, and T-tubules in cardiomyocytes from wild-type (N=3), dystrophin-deficient (mdx; N=3) mice, and mice expressing C-terminally truncated Nav1.5 (ΔSIV; N=3). We moreover assessed T-tubules sodium current by recording whole-cell sodium currents in control (N=5) and detubulated (N=5) wild-type cardiomyocytes. RESULTS We show that Nav1.5 organizes as distinct clusters in the groove and T-tubules which density, distribution, and organization partially depend on SIV and dystrophin. We found that overall reduction in Nav1.5 expression in mdx and ΔSIV cells results in a nonuniform redistribution with Nav1.5 being specifically reduced at the groove of ΔSIV and increased in T-tubules of mdx cardiomyocytes. A T-tubules sodium current could, however, not be demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS Nav1.5 mutations may site-specifically affect Nav1.5 localization and distribution at the lateral membrane and T-tubules, depending on site-specific interacting proteins. Future research efforts should elucidate the functional consequences of this redistribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Vermij
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland (S.H.V., J.-S.R., H.A.)
| | - Jean-Sébastien Rougier
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland (S.H.V., J.-S.R., H.A.)
| | | | - Eli Rothenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology (E.R.), New York University School of Medicine, NY
| | - Mario Delmar
- Department of Cardiology (M.D.), New York University School of Medicine, NY
| | - Hugues Abriel
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland (S.H.V., J.-S.R., H.A.)
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