Cardioprotective actions of the sodium-activated potassium channel Slack (aka Slo2.2, KNa1.1 or KCNT1)

Background

Sodium-activated potassium channels (KNa) Slack (sequence like a calcium-activated potassium channel, aka Slo 2.2, KNa1.1 or KCNT1) are widely expressed throughout neuronal tissue, whereas their presence and function in the cardiovascular system is not well understood. Due to high intracellular sodium concentrations ([Na+]i) necessary to induce half-maximal channel activation, we hypothesized that Slack function is attributed to pathophysiological conditions such as myocardial ischemia.

Purpose

To elucidate the putative functions of Slack in the murine heart and in cardiomyocytes (CMs) and to explore whether the ischemia and reperfusion (I/R)-induced cardiac damage is affected by endogenous Slack channel activity.

Methods

I/R injury was evaluated in global and CM-specific Slack knockout mice (Slack gKO, CM Slack KO) and compared to litter-matched controls (Slack gWT, CM Slack CTR) by applying an in vivo model of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Infarct size (IS) was assessed at baseline, after ischemic pre- (iPre) and postconditioning (iPost) and in response to cinaciguat (CIN), a cGMP-elevating agent. Moreover, Slack expression and function in CMs was studied by biochemical and electrophysiological means and by utilizing the newly developed FRET-based K+ probe GEPII 1.0.

Results

IS in Slack gKO mice was increased in comparison to gWT littermates. In addition, the cardioprotection afforded by iPost was attenuated in the absence of Slack. To test if the increased vulnerability to I/R injury of the Slack gKO mouse model was originating from Slack activity in CMs, we subjected CM-specific Slack CTR and KO mutants to an identical MI procedure. IS measurements confirmed increased cardiac damage at baseline and reduced cardioprotective effects afforded by iPre and iPost in CM Slack KO mice. Interestingly, CIN (i.p., 30 min prior to I/R) reduced IS to a similar extent in both genotypes, suggesting that Slack functions in a cGMP-independent manner. Whole-cell patch clamp experiments on CMs demonstrated a reduction of the KNa-inhibitors clofilium- and chinidine-sensitive K+ outward currents in Slack gKO CM. Extracellular potassium ([K+]ex) accumulation measured with GEPII 1.0 was lower in Slack gKO versus gWT CM pools exposed to membrane permeabilizing agent digitonin. Accordingly, [K+]ex evoked by the Slack activators niclosamide and bithionol was lower in the absence of functional Slack in CMs.

Conclusion

The presented findings establish an important role of Slack channels for cardioprotective signalling mechanisms during I/R in vivo and for mediating beneficial effects of mechanical conditioning on IS. Corroborating in vitro studies on adult CMs exhibit an impaired [K+]ex dynamic in response to genetic or pharmacological modulation of Slack activity. Thus, we conclude that Slack-dependent K+ signalling pathways in CMs may represent a promising drug target that renders the heart muscle less vulnerable to the I/R-induced damage.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Work in the authors' laboratories is supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) (to R.L.) and the DFG Research Unit 2060, “cGMP Signaling in Cell Growth and Survival” (to R.L. and P.R.).