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The inotropic adaptation during late preconditioning against myocardial stunning is associated with an increase in FKBP12.6.

UNLABELLED: The inotropic adaptation during late preconditioning against myocardial stunning is associated with an increase in FKBP12.6. by Laurence Lucats, Laurent Vinet, Alain Bizé, Xavier Monnet, Didier Morin, Jin Bo Su, Patricia Rouet-Benzineb, Olivier Cazorla, Jean-Jacques Mercadier, Luc Hittinger, Alain Berdeaux, Bijan Ghaleh. OBJECTIVES: Late preconditioning reduces contractile dysfunction during myocardial stunning. Mechanisms involving adaptation of calcium handling during excitation-contraction coupling to late preconditioning remain to be established. Thus, we investigated whether the late preconditioned myocardium is associated with contractile adaptation and changes in the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) and its regulatory protein FKBP12.6. METHODS: Chronically instrumented conscious dogs (coronary occluder, ultrasonic crystals for sonomicrometry) underwent a 10-min coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion. They were studied 24 h later in the late preconditioned state (day 1). RESULTS: Maximal velocity of wall thickening at day 1 was increased as compared to corresponding baseline at day 0 (39+/-4 vs. 30+/-3 mm/s, p < 0.05) although systolic wall thickening was similar (2.8+/-0.2 vs. 2.9+/-0.2 mm), demonstrating a significant change in left ventricular inotropic state. Intracoronary infusion of ryanodine (0.5-6 microg) induced a dose-dependent decrease in wall thickening. In the late preconditioned state, this negative inotropic response was significantly reduced vs. control state, suggesting changes in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-release through RyR2. Immunoquantification of FKBP12.6 revealed a 2.8 fold ventricular increase after late preconditioning as compared to the control state. The amount of RyR2 and its phosphorylated state were similar and binding experiments did not reveal any alterations in B(max) or K(D) for RyR2. Calsequestrin, SERCA2a and phospholamban levels were not altered by late preconditioning. CONCLUSIONS: The late preconditioned myocardium is characterized by an adaptation of regional function associated with an increased expression of FKBP12.6. This demonstrates an adaptation of the SR Ca2+-release through RyR2 during late preconditioning.

Animals↗

Soluble organic matrix of two Scleractinian corals: partial and comparative analysis.

This study is a biochemical and molecular analysis of the soluble organic matrix (SOM) of two Scleractinian corals differing in their morphological characteristics: Stylophora pistillata, a branched robust coral and Pavona cactus, a leafy complex coral. Soluble organic matrix of both coral species were shown to contain high amounts of potentially acidic amino acids and glycine. However, proportions of glycosaminoglycans and SDS-PAGE analyses of soluble organic matrix proteins were very different. Three proteins of S. pistillata and at least five proteins of P. cactus were detected by silver staining, some of them being able to bind calcium. Internal peptide sequences of two matrix proteins (one from each species) were obtained. One sequence of S. pistillata is unusual because it contains a long poly-aspartate domain, as described in proteins belonging to the calsequestrin family and in proteins from molluscan species. This domain suggests an essential role for this protein in the control of mineralization.

Amino Acids↗

Mitochondria-to-nucleus stress signaling in mammalian cells: nature of nuclear gene targets, transcription regulation, and induced resistance to apoptosis.

Depletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or treatment with mitochondrial poison CCCP initiates mitochondrial stress signaling, which operates through altered Ca2+ homeostasis. In C2C12 rhabdomyoblasts and A549 human lung carcinoma cells mitochondrial stress signaling activates calcineurin and a number of Ca2+ responsive factors including ATF, NFAT, CEBP/delta and CREB. Additionally, PKC and MAP kinase are also activated. A number of nuclear gene targets including those involved in Ca2+ storage/release (RyR1, calreticulin, calsequestrin), glucose metabolism (hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, Glut4), oncogenesis (TGFbeta1, cathepsin L, IGFR1, melanoma antigen) and apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bid, Bad, p53) are upregulated. Mitochondrial stress in both C2C12 myoblasts and A549 cells induced morphological changes and invasive phenotypes. These cells also showed markedly increased resistance to etoposide-induced apoptosis that is a hallmark of highly invasive tumors. Our results describe a new mechanism of altered nuclear gene expression and phenotypic changes triggered by mitochondrial dysfunction and mtDNA damage.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Genotypic heterogeneity and phenotypic mimicry among unrelated patients referred for catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia genetic testing.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the RyR2-encoded cardiac ryanodine receptor/calcium release channel and in CASQ2-encoded calsequestrin cause catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT1 and CPVT2, respectively). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity among referrals for CPVT genetic testing. METHODS: Using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and DNA sequencing, mutational analysis of 23 RyR2 exons previously implicated in CPVT1, comprehensive analysis of all translated exons in CASQ2 (CPVT2), KCNQ1 (LQT1), KCNH2 (LQT2), SCN5A (LQT3), KCNE1 (LQT5), KCNE2 (LQT6), and KCNJ2 (Andersen-Tawil syndrome [ATS1], also annotated LQT7), and analysis of 10 ANK2 exons implicated in LQT4 were performed on genomic DNA from 11 unrelated patients (8 females) referred to Mayo Clinic's Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory explicitly for CPVT genetic testing. RESULTS: Overall, putative disease causing mutations were identified in 8 patients (72%). Only 4 patients (3 males) hosted CPVT1-associated RyR2 mutations: P164S, V186M, S3938R, and T4196A. Interestingly, 4 females instead possessed either ATS1- or LQT5-associated mutations. Mutations were absent in >400 reference alleles. CONCLUSION: Putative CPVT1-causing mutations in RyR2 were seen in <40% of unrelated patients referred with a diagnosis of CPVT and preferentially in males. Phenotypic mimicry is evident with the identification of ATS1- and LQT5-associated mutations in females displaying a normal QT interval and exercise-induced bidirectional VT, suggesting that observed exercise-induced polymorphic VT in patients may reflect disorders other than CPVT. Clinical consideration for either Andersen-Tawil syndrome or long QT syndrome and appropriate genetic testing may be warranted for individuals with RyR2 mutation-negative CPVT, particularly females.

Adolescent↗

Roles of cardiac ryanodine receptor in heart failure and sudden cardiac death.

Calcium (Ca2+) plays an important role as a messenger in the excitation-contraction coupling process of the myocardium. It is stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and released via a calcium release channel called the ryanodine receptor. Cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) controls Ca2+ release, which is essential for cardiac contractility. There are several molecules which bind and regulate the function of RyR2 including calstabin2, calmodulin, protein kinase A (PKA), phosphatase, sorcin and calsequestrin. Alteration of RyR2 and associated molecules can cause functional and/or structural changes of the heart, leading to heart failure and sudden cardiac death. In this review, the alteration of RyR2 and its regulatory proteins, and its roles in heart failure and sudden cardiac death, are discussed. Evidence of a possible novel therapy targeting RyR2 and its associated regulatory proteins, currently proposed by investigators, is also included in this article.

Action Potentials↗

Acute changes of biventricular gene expression in volume and right ventricular pressure overload.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of acute volume and RV pressure overload on biventricular function and gene expression of BNP, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-alpha), iNOS, growth factors (IGF-1, ppET-1), ACE and Ca2+-handling proteins (SERCA2a, phospholamban and calsequestrin). METHODS: Male Wistar rats (n=45) instrumented with pressure tip micromanometers in right (RV) and left ventricular (LV) cavities were assigned to one of three protocols: i) Acute RV pressure overload induced by pulmonary trunk banding in order to double RV peak systolic pressure, during 120 or 360 min; ii) acute volume overload induced by dextran40 infusion (5 ml/h), during 120 or 360 min; iii) Sham. RV and LV samples were collected for mRNA quantification. RESULTS: BNP upregulation was restricted to the overloaded ventricles. TNF-alpha, IL-6, ppET-1, SERCA2a and phospholamban gene activation was higher in volume than in pressure overload. IGF-1 overexpression was similar in both types of overload, but was limited to the RV. TNF-alpha and CSQ mRNA levels were increased in the non-overloaded LV after pulmonary trunk banding. No significant changes were detected in ACE or iNOS expression. RV end-diastolic pressures positively correlated with local expression of BNP, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IGF-1, ppET-1 and SERCA2a, while RV peak systolic pressures correlated only with local expression of IL-6, IGF-1 and ppET-1. CONCLUSIONS: Acute cardiac overload alters myocardial gene expression profile, distinctly in volume and pressure overload. These changes correlate more closely with diastolic than with systolic load. Nonetheless, gene activation is also present in the non-overloaded LV of selectively RV overloaded hearts.

Acute Disease↗

Reinnervation-induced alterations in rat skeletal muscle.

Denervation-induced myofiber atrophy can be reversed by reinnervation. Growing reinnervated myofibers upregulate numerous molecules, many of which determine the muscle fiber type. In the present study we aimed at identifying factors that might contribute specifically to myofiber growth after reinnervation. The common peroneal nerve of 15 male Wistar rats was cut and resutured without delay (9 animals) or with a delay of 4 weeks (6 animals). We studied the transcriptional repertoire of intact reinnervated tibialis anterior muscle by microarray gene analysis. We assessed SC activation by immunolabeling using anti-MyoD and -myogenin antibodies. The percentage of SC expressing MyoD reached up to 50% of M-cadherin+ cells whereas the percentage of SC expressing myogenin was normal (<10%) in all muscles examined. The values of ipsi- and contralateral muscles did not differ significantly from one another between right and left leg (p<0.05). Thirteen known genes were differentially regulated after reinnervation compared with contralateral muscles. Five of them determine the slow-twitch fiber type (four and a half LIM domains 3, cardiac beta-myosin heavy chain, calsequestrin 2, troponin C (slow), and heart myosin light chain), and three of them are neurally regulated (thrombospondin 4, transferrin receptor, cardiac ankyrin repeat protein). The results strengthen the notion that reinnervaton affects the molecular repertoire of the myofibers directly, leading to fiber type transformation and partial reversal of the denervation phenotype. By contrast, SC do not appear to be affected by reinnervation directly. They can be activated both in reinnervated and contralateral muscles, and they do not fully differentiate. This makes them unlikely to contribute to myofiber growth.

Animals↗

Disease-associated changes in the expression of ion channels, ion receptors, ion exchangers and Ca(2+)-handling proteins in heart hypertrophy.

The molecular pathology of cardiac hypertrophy is multifactorial with transcript regulation of ion channels, ion exchangers and Ca(2+)-handling proteins being speculative. We therefore investigated disease-associated changes in gene expression of various ion channels and their receptors as well as ion exchangers, cytoskeletal proteins and Ca(2+)-handling proteins in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. We also compared experimental findings with results from hypertrophic human hearts, previously published (Borlak, J., and Thum, T., 2003. Hallmarks of ion channel gene expression in end-stage heart failure. FASEB J. 17, 1592-1608). We observed significant (P < 0.05) induction in transcript level of ATP-driven ion exchangers (Atp1A1, NCX-1, SERCA2a), ion channels (L-type Ca(2+)-channel, K(ir)3.4, Na(v)1.5) and RyR-2 in hypertrophic hearts, while gene expression was repressed in diseased human hearts. Further, the genes coding for calreticulin and calmodulin, PMCA 1 and 4 as well as alpha-skeletal actin were significantly (P < 0.05) changed in hypertrophic human heart, but were unchanged in hypertrophic left ventricles of the rat heart. Notably, transcript level of alpha- and beta-MHC, calsequestrin, K(ir)6.1 (in the right ventricle only), phospholamban as well as troponin T were repressed in both diseased human and rat hearts. Our study enabled an identification of disease-associated candidate genes. Their regulation is likely to be the result of an imbalance between pressure load/stretch force and vascular tonus and the observed changes may provide a rational for the rhythm disturbances observed in patients with cardiac hypertrophy.

Animals↗

Macromolecular complexes regulating cardiac ryanodine receptor function.

The cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR) is the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca-release channel which is centrally involved in the myocyte excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling process and certain cardiac arrhythmias, and even contributes to pacemaker activity in the heart. The RyR is also the center of a massive macromolecular complex which includes numerous regulatory proteins which can modulate RyR function. This complex includes proteins that interact with the cytoplasmic part of the RyR directly or indirectly (e.g. calmodulin (CaM), FK-506-binding proteins, protein kinase A, Ca-CaM-dependent protein kinase, phosphatases 1 and 2A, mAKAP, spinophilin, PR130, sorcin, triadin, junctin, calsequestrin and Homer). Information is evolving in terms of understanding both the physical/molecular nature of the protein-protein interactions between RyR and these other proteins. There is also a slowly developing picture as to how this complex of proteins may be involved in the functional modulation of the RyR. This RyR complex exists in physical proximity to regulatory complexes associated with sarcolemmal Ca channels, which have some similar components. These complexes, and their relative independence emphasizes the importance of thinking about other aspects of very local molecular signaling, analogous to the local control of SR Ca-release at the heart of current (E-C) coupling theory.

Animals↗

Phospholamban ablation by RNA interference increases Ca2+ uptake into rat cardiac myocyte sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Phospholamban (PLB) inhibits SR Ca(2+)-ATPase 2 (SERCA2) Ca(2+) uptake and is a potential therapeutic target in the context of heart failure. RNA interference (RNAi) is a technique that produces sequence-specific, post-transcriptional gene silencing through the use of double-stranded RNA directed against the homologous target gene. The goal of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of the RNAi method for ablation of PLB gene expression and restoration of Ca(2+) uptake function in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes in which SERCA2 protein levels were decreased. Myocytes were transfected with 21-nucleotide duplexes of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting PLB (30 nmol/l) or with scramble sequence using a haemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) envelope vector. Administration of PLB siRNA resulted in the reduction of PLB mRNA level to approximately 6% of that observed after administration of scramble siRNA group at 12 h after transfection. Further, PLB protein levels in the PLB siRNA groups were 12% of that in cells treated with scramble siRNA on day 2, and the mRNA and protein levels for SERCA2 and calsequestrin were not affected. In addition, Ca(2+) uptake affinity was increased in total homogenates from the PLB siRNA group (a 29% decrease in EC(50) value when compared with scramble siRNA group). Finally, PLB siRNA restored Ca(2+) uptake affinity following hydrogen peroxide-induced decreases in SERCA2 and PLB mRNA expression. These results demonstrate that PLB-targeted RNAi inhibited endogenous PLB expression in neonatal rat myocytes and restored Ca(2+) uptake affinity in cardiac myocytes in which SERCA2 protein levels were decreased. This technique may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for heart failure.

Animals↗

Comparative analysis of the isoform expression pattern of Ca(2+)-regulatory membrane proteins in fast-twitch, slow-twitch, cardiac, neonatal and chronic low-frequency stimulated muscle fibers.

Although all muscle cells generate contractile forces by means of organized filament systems, isoform expression patterns of contractile and regulatory proteins in heart are not identical compared to developing, conditioned or mature skeletal muscles. In order to determine biochemical parameters that may reflect functional variations in the Ca(2+)-regulatory membrane systems of different muscle types, we performed a comparative immunoblot analysis of key membrane proteins involved in ion homeostasis. Cardiac isoforms of the alpha(1)-dihydropyridine receptor, Ca(2+)-ATPase and calsequestrin are also present in skeletal muscle and are up-regulated in chronic low-frequency stimulated fast muscle. In contrast, the cardiac RyR2 isoform of the Ca(2+)-release channel was not found in slow muscle but was detectable in neonatal skeletal muscle. Up-regulation of RyR2 in conditioned muscle was probably due to degeneration-regeneration processes. Fiber type-specific differences were also detected in the abundance of auxiliary subunits of the dihydropyridine receptor, the ryanodine receptor and the Ca(2+)-ATPase, as well as triad markers and various Ca(2+)-binding and ion-regulatory proteins. Hence, the variation in innervation of different types of muscle appears to have a profound influence on the levels and pattern of isoform expression of Ca(2+)-regulatory membrane proteins reflecting differences in the regulation of Ca(2+)-homeostasis. However, independent of the muscle cell type, key Ca(2+)-regulatory proteins exist as oligomeric complexes under native conditions.

Animals↗

A mathematical model of cardiocyte Ca(2+) dynamics with a novel representation of sarcoplasmic reticular Ca(2+) control.

Cardiac contraction and relaxation dynamics result from a set of simultaneously interacting Ca(2+) regulatory mechanisms. In this study, cardiocyte Ca(2+) dynamics were modeled using a set of six differential equations that were based on theories, equations, and parameters described in previous studies. Among the unique features of the model was the inclusion of bidirectional modulatory interplay between the sarcoplasmic reticular Ca(2+) release channel (SRRC) and calsequestrin (CSQ) in the SR lumen, where CSQ acted as a dynamic rather than simple Ca(2+) buffer, and acted as a Ca(2+) sensor in the SR lumen as well. The inclusion of this control mechanism was central in overcoming a number of assumptions that would otherwise have to be made about SRRC kinetics, SR Ca(2+) release rates, and SR Ca(2+) release termination when the SR lumen is assumed to act as a simple, buffered Ca(2+) sink. The model was sufficient to reproduce a graded Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) response, CICR with high gain, and a system with reasonable stability. As constructed, the model successfully replicated the results of several previously published experiments that dealt with the Ca(2+) dependence of the SRRC (, J. Gen. Physiol. 85:247-289), the refractoriness of the SRRC (, Am. J. Physiol. 270:C148-C159), the SR Ca(2+) load dependence of SR Ca(2+) release (, Am. J. Physiol. 268:C1313-C1329;, J. Biol. Chem. 267:20850-20856), SR Ca(2+) leak (, J. Physiol. (Lond.). 474:463-471;, Biophys. J. 68:2015-2022), SR Ca(2+) load regulation by leak and uptake (, J. Gen. Physiol. 111:491-504), the effect of Ca(2+) trigger duration on SR Ca(2+) release (, Am. J. Physiol. 258:C944-C954), the apparent relationship that exists between sarcoplasmic and sarcoplasmic reticular calcium concentrations (, Biophys. J. 73:1524-1531), and a variety of contraction frequency-dependent alterations in sarcoplasmic [Ca(2+)] dynamics that are normally observed in the laboratory, including rest potentiation, a negative frequency-[Ca(2+)] relationship, and extrasystolic potentiation. Furthermore, under the condition of a simulated Ca(2+) overload, an alternans-like state was produced. In summary, the current model of cardiocyte Ca(2+) dynamics provides an integrated theoretical framework of fundamental cellular Ca(2+) regulatory processes that is sufficient to predict a broad array of observable experimental outcomes.

Animals↗

Model of calcium movements during activation in the sarcomere of frog skeletal muscle.

A model of calcium movement during activation of frog skeletal muscle is described. The model was based on the half sarcomere of a myofibril and included compartments representing the terminal cisternae, the longitudinal sarcoplasmic reticulum, the extramyofibrillar space, and the myofibrillar space. The calcium-binding proteins troponin, parvalbumin, and calsequestrin were present in appropriate locations and with realistic binding kinetics. During activation a time-dependent permeability in the terminal cisternal wall led to calcium release into the myoplasm and its diffusion through the myoplasm longitudinally and radially was computed. After adjustment of three parameters, the model produced a myoplasmic free-calcium concentration that was very similar to those recorded experimentally with calcium indicators. The model has been used to demonstrate the importance of parvalbumin in the relaxation of skeletal muscle, to describe the time course and magnitude of calcium gradients associated with diffusion across the sarcomere, and to estimate the errors associated with the use of aequorin as an intracellular calcium indicator in muscle.

Aequorin↗

Chronic therapy with an ET(A/B) receptor antagonist in conscious dogs during progression of congestive heart failure. Intracellular Ca(2+) regulation and nitric oxide mediated coronary relaxation.

BACKGROUND: Although it is known that endothelin (ET-1) is elevated in heart failure (HF), it remains unclear if chronic ET(A/B) receptor antagonism affects the progression of HF, particularly by affecting coronary vasoactivity and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. METHODS: We examined the effects of an ET(A/B) receptor antagonist, L-753,037 (oral bid for 6 weeks, n=7), and vehicle (n=8) in conscious dogs with previously implanted aortic, coronary sinus and left atrial catheters, LV pressure gauge, aortic flow probe, LV dimension crystals and pacers. RESULTS: Baseline hemodynamics were similar in the two groups. During the development of rapid pacing-induced HF, treatment with the ET(A/B) antagonist significantly reduced total peripheral resistance and increased cardiac output compared to vehicle. After 2 weeks of pacing, LV diastolic function (tau) was improved (P<0.05) in the ET(A/B) antagonist group (+6+/-2 ms) compared to the vehicle group (+12+/-2 ms). In addition, ET(A/B) antagonist treatment attenuated the increase in mean left atrial pressure and LV end-diastolic pressure that occurred during heart failure in vehicle-treated animals. However, LV systolic function (LV dP/dt, fractional shortening and Vcfc) neither at rest nor in response to dobutamine was altered by ET(A/B) antagonist treatment. Also, ET(A/B) antagonist treatment did not affect the progressive increases in LV dimension. After 6 weeks of pacing, maximal Ca(2+) transport in isolated cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was reduced (P<0.02) in the vehicle-treated compared to the ET(A/B) antagonist-treated dogs (1.34+/-0.09 vs. 1.60+/-0.06 micromol/mg/min, respectively). The improvement in SR function in the ET(A/B) antagonist-treated dogs was associated with a significant attenuation of the reduction in protein expression of SERCA2a and calsequestrin observed in the vehicle-treated dogs. Coronary arteries isolated from the dogs treated with the ET(A/B) antagonist exhibited enhanced (P<0.01) coronary endothelium-dependent relaxation compared to the vehicle group, while coronary responses to an NO donor were identical in the two groups. Plasma NO levels in the coronary sinus during the late stage of HF were higher (P<0.05) in the ET(A/B) antagonist group (40+/-2 microM) compared to the vehicle group (18+/-2 microM). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in conscious dogs during the development of HF induced by rapid pacing, chronic inhibition of ET(A/B) receptors does not affect resting myocardial contractile function nor reserve, but reduces vascular resistance and improves LV diastolic function. After 6 weeks of pacing, the reduction in intracellular Ca(2+) regulation by the SR is also attenuated, and endothelium-dependent coronary relaxation is improved, which appears to be related to the preservation of coronary NO levels.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗

Enhanced protein phosphorylation in hypertensive hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic pressure overload in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) is accompanied by heart hypertrophy and signs of heart failure. Since there is growing evidence for a possible pathophysiological role of altered protein phosphorylation in heart hypertrophy and failure, we studied here cardiac regulatory phosphoproteins and the kinases and phosphatases which regulate their phosphorylation state. METHODS: The experiments were performed in ventricles of SHR (12-13 weeks old) and age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). RESULTS: Basal as well as isoproterenol (Iso)-stimulated force of contraction (FOC) was markedly decreased in isolated electrically driven papillary muscles of SHR. Iso (3 micromol/l, 10 min) increased FOC by 0.91+/-0.20 mN in SHR and by 3.88+/-0.52 mN in WKY, respectively. Ca(2+)-uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) at low ionized Ca(2+)-concentration was increased in homogenates from SHR. This was not due to altered expression of phospholamban (PLB), SR-Ca(2+)-ATPase and calsequestrin. However, PLB-phosphorylation at threonine-17 (PLB-PT-17) and the activity of Ca(2+)/calmodulin dependent protein kinase (Ca(2+)/Cam-PK) was increased in SHR. In addition, we found an enhanced protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent phosphorylation of the inhibitory subunit of troponin (TnI). In contrast, there was no difference in the activity or expression (protein- and mRNA-level) of protein phosphatases type 1 or type 2A between SHR and WKY. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that increased Ca(2+)/Cam-PK-activity with resulting increase of PLB-PT-17 enhanced SR-Ca(2+)-uptake in SHR and might contribute to the pathophysiological changes in cardiac hypertrophy of SHR.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Atrial fibrillation-induced atrial contractile dysfunction: a tachycardiomyopathy of a different sort.

OBJECTIVE: Although AF-induced atrial contractile dysfunction has significant clinical implications the underlying intracellular mechanisms are poorly understood. METHODS: From the right atrial appendages of 59 consecutive patients undergoing mitral valve surgery (31 in SR, 28 in chronic AF) thin muscle preparations (diameter<0.7 mm) were isolated. Isometric force of contraction was measured in the presence of different concentrations of Ca(2+) and isoprenaline. To assess the function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, the force-frequency relationship and the post-rest potentiation were studied. The myocardial density of the ryanodine-sensitive calcium release channel (CRC) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum was determined by [3H]ryanodine binding. Myocardial content of SR-Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA), phospholamban (Plb), calsequestrin (Cals) and the Na(+)/Ca(2+)-exchanger (NCX) were analyzed by Western blot analysis. Adenylyl cyclase activity was measured with a radiolabeled bioassay using [32P]ATP as a tracer. RESULTS: In 72 muscle preparations of SR patients contractile force was 10.9+/-1.8 mN/mm(2) compared to 3.3+/-0.9 mN/mm(2) (n=48, P<0.01) in AF patients. The positive inotropic effect of isoprenaline was diminished but the stimulatory effect on relaxation and the adenylyl cyclase were not altered in AF patients. The force-frequency relation and the post-rest potentiation were enhanced in atrial myocardium of AF patients. The protein levels of CRC, SERCA, Plb, and Cals were not different between the two groups. In contrast, the Na(+)/Ca(2+)-exchanger was upregulated by 67% in atria of AF patients. CONCLUSIONS: AF-induced atrial contractile dysfunction is not due to beta-adrenergic desensitization or dysfunction of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and thus is based on different cellular mechanisms than a ventricular tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. Instead, downregulation or altered function of the L-type Ca(2+)-channel and an increased Ca(2+) extrusion via the Na(+)/Ca(2+)-exchanger seem to be responsible for the depressed contractility in remodeled atria.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Biochemical mechanisms of hibernation and stunning in the human heart.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial hibernation and stunning are characterized by depressed cardiac function in the presence of reduced or normal coronary blood flow. The underlying biochemical mechanisms are widely unknown and only limited data are available in human hearts. METHODS AND RESULTS: Left ventricular transmural myocardial biopsies were obtained from normal and dysfunctional segments of patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. Segments were classified as hibernating (n=10) or stunned (n=9) using contrast ventriculography and echocardiography, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET). In each patient, biopsies from normal myocardial segments were used as controls (n=19). Compared to control myocardium, levels of cAMP (3'-5'cyclic adenosine monophosphate, in fmol/mg wet weight, means+/-S.E.M.) were higher in hibernating (673+/-76 versus 518+/-47, P<0.05) but unchanged in stunned myocardium (513+/-73 versus 466+/-97, P>0.05). Protein expression of phospholamban, sarcoendoplasmic Ca(2+)-ATPase 2a, calsequestrin, the inhibitory subunit of troponin, as well as the activation of p38 MAP kinase were not different when compared to controls. However, heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) was increased 55% in stunned (2.89+/-0.58 versus 1.86+/-0.32, P<0.05) but not in hibernating myocardium (1.68+/-0.34 versus 1.67+/-0.29, P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data from the present study suggest different pathophysiological mechanisms for myocardial hibernation and stunning. Alterations in the homeostasis of cAMP might be a compensatory mechanism in myocardial hibernation, whereas expression of Hsp72 appears to be cardioprotective in human myocardial stunning. Future studies should further elucidate these mechanisms and their potential impact on future therapeutic interventions.

Aged↗

Injury to the Ca2+ ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in anesthetized dogs contributes to myocardial reperfusion injury.

OBJECTIVE: Sarcoplasmic reticulum dysfunction may contribute to calcium (Ca2+) overload during myocardial reperfusion. The aim of this study was to investigate its role in reperfusion injury. METHODS: Open chest dogs undergoing 15 min of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion and 3 h of reperfusion were randomized to intracoronary infusions of 0.9% saline, vehicle, or the Ca2+ channel antagonist, nifedipine (50 micrograms/min from 2 minutes before to 5 minutes after reperfusion). After each experiment, transmural myocardial biopsies were removed from ischemic/reperfused and nonischemic myocardium in the beating state and analyzed for (i) sarcoplasmic reticulum protein content (Ca2+ ATPase, phospholamban, and calsequestrin) by immunoblotting and (ii) Ca2+ uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles with and without 300 micromolar ryanodine or the Ca2+ ATPase activator, antiphospholamban (2D12) antibody. RESULTS: Contractile function did not recover in controls and vehicle-treated dogs after ischemia and reperfusion (mean systolic shortening, -2 +/- 2%), but completely recovered in nifedipine-treated dogs (17 +/- 2%, p = NS vs. baseline, p < 0.01 vs. control). Ventricular fibrillation occurred in 50% of controls and vehicle dogs and 0% of nifedipine-treated dogs (p < 0.01). Ca2+ uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles was severely reduced in ischemic/reperfused myocardium of controls and vehicle dogs (p < 0.01 vs. nonischemic). Ryanodine and the 2D12 antibody improved, but did not reverse the low Ca2+ uptake. Protein content was similar in ischemic/reperfused and nonischemic myocardium. In contrast, Ca2+ uptake and the responses to ryanodine and 2D12 antibody were normal in ischemic/reperfused myocardium from nifedipine-treated dogs. CONCLUSION: Dysfunction of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase pump correlates with reperfusion injury. Reactivation of Ca2+ channels at reperfusion contributed to Ca2+ pump dysfunction. Ca2+ pump injury may be a critical event in myocardial reperfusion injury.

Animals↗