Dual ablation of the RyR2-Ser2808 and RyR2-Ser2814 sites increases propensity for pro-arrhythmic spontaneous Ca2+ releases.

During exercise or stress, the sympathetic system stimulates cardiac contractility via ß-adrenergic receptor (ß-AR) activation, resulting in phosphorylation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2). Three RyR2 phosphorylation sites have taken prominence in excitation-contraction coupling: S2808 and S2030 are described as protein kinase A specific and S2814 as a Ca2+/calmodulin kinase type-2-specific site. To examine the contribution of these phosphosites to Ca2+ signalling, we generated double knock-in (DKI) mice in which Ser2808 and Ser2814 phosphorylation sites have both been replaced by alanine (RyR2-S2808A/S2814A). These mice did not exhibit an overt phenotype. Heart morphology and haemodynamic parameters were not altered. However, they had a higher susceptibility to arrhythmias. We performed confocal Ca2+ imaging and electrophysiology experiments. Isoprenaline was used to stimulate ß-ARs. Measurements of Ca2+ waves and latencies in myocytes revealed an increased propensity for spontaneous Ca2+ releases in DKI myocytes, both in control conditions and during ß-AR stimulation. In DKI cells, waves were initiated from a lower threshold concentration of Ca2+ inside the sarcoplasmic reticulum, suggesting higher Ca2+ sensitivity of the RyRs. The refractoriness of Ca2+ spark triggering depends on the Ca2+ sensitivity of the RyR2. We found that RyR2-S2808A/S2814A channels were more Ca2+ sensitive in control conditions. Isoprenaline further shortened RyR refractoriness in DKI cardiomyocytes. Together, our results suggest that ablation of both the RyR2-Ser2808 and RyR2-S2814 sites increases the propensity for pro-arrhythmic spontaneous Ca2+ releases, as previously suggested for hyperphosphorylated RyRs. Given that the DKI cells present a full response to isoprenaline, the data suggest that phosphorylation of Ser2030 might be sufficient for ß-AR-mediated sensitization of RyRs. KEY POINTS: Phosphorylation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-release channels (ryanodine receptors, RyRs) is involved in the regulation of cardiac function. Ablation of both the RyR2-Ser2808 and RyR2-Ser2814 sites increases the propensity for pro-arrhythmic spontaneous Ca2+ releases, as previously suggested for hyperphosphorylated RyRs. The intra-sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ threshold for spontaneous Ca2+ wave generation is lower in RyR2-double-knock-in cells. The RyR2 from double-knock-in cells exhibits increased Ca2+ sensitivity. Phosphorylation of Ser2808 and Ser2814 might be important for basal activity of the channel. Phosphorylation of Ser2030 might be sufficient for a ß-adrenergic response.

The Effect of Acidic Residues on the Binding between Opicalcin1 and Ryanodine Receptor from the Structure-Functional Analysis.

Calcin is a group ligand with high affinity and specificity for the ryanodine receptors (RyRs). Little is known about the effect of its acidic residues on the spacial structure as well as the interaction with RyRs. We screened the opicalcin1 acidic mutants and investigated the effect of mutation on activity. The results indicated that all acidic mutants maintained the structural features, but their surface charge distribution underwent significant changes. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations were used to analyze the interaction between opicalcin1 mutants and RyRs, which demonstrated that all opicalcin1 mutants effectively bound to the channel domain of RyR1. This stable binding induced a pronounced asymmetry in the structure of the RyR tetramer, exhibiting a high degree of structural dissimilarity. [3H]Ryanodine binding to RyR1 was enhanced in D2A and D15A, which was similar to opicalcin1, but that effect was suppressed in E12A and E29A and reversed for the DE-4A, thereby inhibiting ryanodine binding. Opicalcin1 and DE-4A also exhibited the ability to form stable docking structures with RyR2. Acidic residues play a crucial role in the structure of calcin and its functional interaction with RyRs that is beneficial for the calcin optimization to develop more active peptide lead compounds for RyR-related diseases.

Sorcin promotes migration in cancer and regulates the EGF-dependent EGFR signaling pathways.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the main tumor drivers and is an important therapeutic target for many cancers. Calcium is important in EGFR signaling pathways. Sorcin is one of the most important calcium sensor proteins, overexpressed in many tumors, that promotes cell proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, malignant progression and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. The present work elucidates a functional mechanism that links calcium homeostasis to EGFR signaling in cancer. Sorcin and EGFR expression are significantly correlated and associated with reduced overall survival in cancer patients. Mechanistically, Sorcin directly binds EGFR protein in a calcium-dependent fashion and regulates calcium (dys)homeostasis linked to EGF-dependent EGFR signaling. Moreover, Sorcin controls EGFR proteostasis and signaling and increases its phosphorylation, leading to increased EGF-dependent migration and invasion. Of note, silencing of Sorcin cooperates with EGFR inhibitors in the regulation of migration, highlighting calcium signaling pathway as an exploitable target to enhance the effectiveness of EGFR-targeting therapies.

The Impact of Extracellular Histones and Absence of Toll-like Receptors on Cardiac Functional and Electrical Disturbances in Mouse Hearts.

In polymicrobial sepsis, the extracellular histones, mainly released from activated neutrophils, significantly contribute to cardiac dysfunction (septic cardiomyopathy), as demonstrated in our previous studies using Echo-Doppler measurements. This study aims to elucidate the roles of extracellular histones and their interactions with Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in cardiac dysfunction. Through ex vivo assessments of ECG, left ventricle (LV) function parameters, and in vivo Echo-Doppler studies in mice perfused with extracellular histones, we aim to provide comprehensive insights into the mechanisms underlying sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction. Langendorff-perfused hearts from both wild-type and TLR2, TLR3, or TLR4 knockout (KO) mice were examined. Paced mouse hearts were perfused with histones to assess contractility and relaxation. Echo-Doppler studies evaluated cardiac dysfunction after intravenous histone injection. Histone perfusion caused defects in contractility and relaxation, with TLR2 and TLR3 KO mice being partially protected. Specifically, TLR2 KO mice exhibited the greatest reduction in Echo-Doppler abnormalities, while TLR4 KO exacerbated cardiac dysfunction. Among individual histones, H1 induced the most pronounced abnormalities in cardiac function, apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, and LDH release. Our data highlight significant interactions between histones and TLRs, providing insights into histones especially H1 as potential therapeutic targets for septic cardiomyopathy. Further studies are needed to explore specific histone-TLR interactions and their mechanisms.

Impaired Binding to Junctophilin-2 and Nanostructural Alteration in CPVT Mutation.

[Figure: see text].

Preserved cardiac performance and adrenergic response in a rabbit model with decreased ryanodine receptor 2 expression.

Ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) is an ion channel in the heart responsible for releasing into the cytosol most of the Ca2+ required for contraction. Proper regulation of RyR2 is critical, as highlighted by the association between channel dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmia. Lower RyR2 expression is also observed in some forms of heart disease; however, there is limited information on the impact of this change on excitation-contraction (e-c) coupling, Ca2+-dependent arrhythmias, and cardiac performance. We used a constitutive knock-out of RyR2 in rabbits (RyR2-KO) to assess the extent to which a stable decrease in RyR2 expression modulates Ca2+ handling in the heart. We found that homozygous knock-out of RyR2 in rabbits is embryonic lethal. Remarkably, heterozygotes (KO+/-) show ~50% loss of RyR2 protein without developing an overt phenotype at the intact animal and whole heart levels. Instead, we found that KO+/- myocytes show (1) remodeling of RyR2 clusters, favoring smaller groups in which channels are more densely arranged; (2) lower Ca2+ spark frequency and amplitude; (3) slower rate of Ca2+ release and mild but significant desynchronization of the Ca2+ transient; and (4) a significant decrease in the basal phosphorylation of S2031, likely due to increased association between RyR2 and PP2A. Our data show that RyR2 deficiency, although remarkable at the molecular and subcellular level, has only a modest impact on global Ca2+ release and is fully compensated at the whole-heart level. This highlights the redundancy of RyR2 protein expression and the plasticity of the e-c coupling apparatus.

Region-specific distribution of transversal-axial tubule system organization underlies heterogeneity of calcium dynamics in the right atrium.

The atrial myocardium demonstrates the highly heterogeneous organization of the transversal-axial tubule system (TATS), although its anatomical distribution and region-specific impact on Ca2+ dynamics remain unknown. Here, we developed a novel method for high-resolution confocal imaging of TATS in intact live mouse atrial myocardium and applied a custom-developed MATLAB-based computational algorithm for the automated analysis of TATS integrity. We observed a twofold higher (P < 0.01) TATS density in the right atrial appendage (RAA) than in the intercaval regions (ICR, the anatomical region between the superior vena cava and atrioventricular junction and between the crista terminalis and interatrial septum). Whereas RAA predominantly consisted of well-tubulated myocytes, ICR showed partially tubulated/untubulated cells. Similar TATS distribution was also observed in healthy human atrial myocardium sections. In both mouse atrial preparations and isolated mouse atrial myocytes, we observed a strong anatomical correlation between TATS distribution and Ca2+ transient synchronization and rise-up time. This region-specific difference in Ca2+ transient morphology disappeared after formamide-induced detubulation. ICR myocytes showed a prolonged action potential duration at 80% of repolarization as well as a significantly lower expression of RyR2 and Cav1.2 proteins but similar levels of NCX1 and Cav1.3 compared with RAA tissue. Our findings provide a detailed characterization of the region-specific distribution of TATS in mouse and human atrial myocardium, highlighting the structural foundation for anatomical heterogeneity of Ca2+ dynamics and contractility in the atria. These results could indicate different roles of TATS in Ca2+ signaling at distinct anatomical regions of the atria and provide mechanistic insight into pathological atrial remodeling.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Mouse and human atrial myocardium demonstrate high variability in the organization of the transversal-axial tubule system (TATS), with more organized TATS expressed in the right atrial appendage. TATS distribution governs anatomical heterogeneity of Ca2+ dynamics and thus could contribute to integral atrial contractility, mechanics, and arrhythmogenicity.

The V2475F CPVT1 mutation yields distinct RyR2 channel populations that differ in their responses to cytosolic Ca2+ and Mg2.

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia type 1 (CPVT1) is a lethal genetic disease causing arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in children and young adults and is linked to mutations in the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2). The effects of CPVT1 mutations on RyR2 ion-channel function are often investigated using purified recombinant RyR2 channels homozygous for the mutation. However, CPVT1 patients are heterozygous for the disease, so this approach does not reveal the true changes to RyR2 function across the entire RyR2 population of channels in the heart. We therefore investigated the native cardiac RyR2 single-channel abnormalities in mice heterozygous for the CPVT1 mutation, V2475F(+/-)-RyR2, and applied molecular modelling techniques to investigate the possible structural changes that could initiate any altered function. We observed that increased sensitivity of cardiac V2475F(+/-)-RyR2 channels to both activating and inactivating levels of cytosolic Ca2+ , plus attenuation of Mg2+ inhibition, were the most marked changes. Severity of abnormality was not uniform across all channels, giving rise to multiple sub-populations with differing functional characteristics. For example, 46% of V2475F(+/-)-RyR2 channels exhibited reduced Mg2+ inhibition and 23% were actually activated by Mg2+ . Using homology modelling, we discovered that V2475 is situated at a hinge between two regions of the RyR2 helical domain 1 (HD1). Our model proposes that detrimental functional changes to RyR2 arise because mutation at this critical site reduces the angle between these regions. Our results demonstrate the necessity of characterising the total heterozygous population of CPVT1-mutated channels in order to understand CPVT1 phenotypes in patients. KEY POINTS: RyR2 mutations can cause type-1 catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT1), a lethal, autosomal-dominant arrhythmic disease. However, the changes in RyR2 ion-channel function that result from the many different patient mutations are rarely investigated in detail and often only recombinant RyR2, homozygous for the mutation, is studied. As CPVT1 is a heterozygous disease and the tetrameric RyR2 channels expressed in the heart will contain varying numbers of mutated monomers, we have investigated the range of RyR2 single-channel abnormalities found in the hearts of mice heterozygous for the CPVT1 mutation, V2475F(+/-)-RyR2. Specific alterations to ligand regulation of V2475F(+/-)-RyR2 were observed. Multiple sub-populations of channels exhibited varying degrees of abnormality. In particular, an increased sensitivity to activating and inactivating cytosolic [Ca2+ ], and reduced sensitivity to Mg2+ inhibition were evident. Our results provide mechanistic insight into the changes to RyR2 gating that destabilise sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -release causing life-threatening arrhythmias in V2475F(+/-)-CPVT1 patients.

Disruption of Ca2+i Homeostasis and Connexin 43 Hemichannel Function in the Right Ventricle Precedes Overt Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy in Plakophilin-2-Deficient Mice.

BACKGROUND: Plakophilin-2 (PKP2) is classically defined as a desmosomal protein. Mutations in PKP2 associate with most cases of gene-positive arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. A better understanding of PKP2 cardiac biology can help elucidate the mechanisms underlying arrhythmic and cardiomyopathic events consequent to PKP2 deficiency. Here, we sought to capture early molecular/cellular events that can act as nascent arrhythmic/cardiomyopathic substrates. METHODS: We used multiple imaging, biochemical and high-resolution mass spectrometry methods to study functional/structural properties of cells/tissues derived from cardiomyocyte-specific, tamoxifen-activated, PKP2 knockout mice (PKP2cKO) 14 days post-tamoxifen injection, a time point preceding overt electrical or structural phenotypes. Myocytes from right or left ventricular free wall were studied separately. RESULTS: Most properties of PKP2cKO left ventricular myocytes were not different from control; in contrast, PKP2cKO right ventricular (RV) myocytes showed increased amplitude and duration of Ca2+ transients, increased Ca2+ in the cytoplasm and sarcoplasmic reticulum, increased frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ release events (sparks) even at comparable sarcoplasmic reticulum load, and dynamic Ca2+ accumulation in mitochondria. We also observed early- and delayed-after transients in RV myocytes and heightened susceptibility to arrhythmias in Langendorff-perfused hearts. In addition, ryanodine receptor 2 in PKP2cKO-RV cells presented enhanced Ca2+ sensitivity and preferential phosphorylation in a domain known to modulate Ca2+ gating. RNAseq at 14 days post-tamoxifen showed no relevant difference in transcript abundance between RV and left ventricle, neither in control nor in PKP2cKO cells. Instead, we found an RV-predominant increase in membrane permeability that can permit Ca2+ entry into the cell. Connexin 43 ablation mitigated the membrane permeability increase, accumulation of cytoplasmic Ca2+, increased frequency of sparks and early stages of RV dysfunction. Connexin 43 hemichannel block with GAP19 normalized [Ca2+]i homeostasis. Similarly, protein kinase C inhibition normalized spark frequency at comparable sarcoplasmic reticulum load levels. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of PKP2 creates an RV-predominant arrhythmogenic substrate (Ca2+ dysregulation) that precedes the cardiomyopathy; this is, at least in part, mediated by a Connexin 43-dependent membrane conduit and repressed by protein kinase C inhibitors. Given that asymmetric Ca2+ dysregulation precedes the cardiomyopathic stage, we speculate that abnormal Ca2+ handling in RV myocytes can be a trigger for gross structural changes observed at a later stage.

Cardiac Kir2.1 and NaV1.5 Channels Traffic Together to the Sarcolemma to Control Excitability.

RATIONALE: In cardiomyocytes, NaV1.5 and Kir2.1 channels interact dynamically as part of membrane bound macromolecular complexes. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test whether NaV1.5 and Kir2.1 preassemble during early forward trafficking and travel together to common membrane microdomains. METHODS AND RESULTS: In patch-clamp experiments, coexpression of trafficking-deficient mutants Kir2.1Δ314-315 or Kir2.1R44A/R46A with wild-type (WT) NaV1.5WT in heterologous cells reduced inward sodium current compared with NaV1.5WT alone or coexpressed with Kir2.1WT. In cell surface biotinylation experiments, expression of Kir2.1Δ314-315 reduced NaV1.5 channel surface expression. Glycosylation analysis suggested that NaV1.5WT and Kir2.1WT channels associate early in their biosynthetic pathway, and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments demonstrated that coexpression with Kir2.1 increased cytoplasmic mobility of NaV1.5WT, and vice versa, whereas coexpression with Kir2.1Δ314-315 reduced mobility of both channels. Viral gene transfer of Kir2.1Δ314-315 in adult rat ventricular myocytes and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes reduced inward rectifier potassium current and inward sodium current, maximum diastolic potential and action potential depolarization rate, and increased action potential duration. On immunostaining, the AP1 (adaptor protein complex 1) colocalized with NaV1.5WT and Kir2.1WT within areas corresponding to t-tubules and intercalated discs. Like Kir2.1WT, NaV1.5WT coimmunoprecipitated with AP1. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that NaV1.5WT channels interact with AP1 through the NaV1.5Y1810 residue, suggesting that, like for Kir2.1WT, AP1 can mark NaV1.5 channels for incorporation into clathrin-coated vesicles at the trans-Golgi. Silencing the AP1 ϒ-adaptin subunit in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes reduced inward rectifier potassium current, inward sodium current, and maximum diastolic potential and impaired rate-dependent action potential duration adaptation. CONCLUSIONS: The NaV1.5-Kir2.1 macromolecular complex pre-assembles early in the forward trafficking pathway. Therefore, disruption of Kir2.1 trafficking in cardiomyocytes affects trafficking of NaV1.5, which may have important implications in the mechanisms of arrhythmias in inheritable cardiac diseases.

Increased mitochondrial nanotunneling activity, induced by calcium imbalance, affects intermitochondrial matrix exchanges.

Exchanges of matrix contents are essential to the maintenance of mitochondria. Cardiac mitochondrial exchange matrix content in two ways: by direct contact with neighboring mitochondria and over longer distances. The latter mode is supported by thin tubular protrusions, called nanotunnels, that contact other mitochondria at relatively long distances. Here, we report that cardiac myocytes of heterozygous mice carrying a catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia-linked RyR2 mutation (A4860G) show a unique and unusual mitochondrial response: a significantly increased frequency of nanotunnel extensions. The mutation induces Ca2+ imbalance by depressing RyR2 channel activity during excitation-contraction coupling, resulting in random bursts of Ca2+ release probably due to Ca2+ overload in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. We took advantage of the increased nanotunnel frequency in RyR2A4860G+/- cardiomyocytes to investigate and accurately define the ultrastructure of these mitochondrial extensions and to reconstruct the overall 3D distribution of nanotunnels using electron tomography. Additionally, to define the effects of communication via nanotunnels, we evaluated the intermitochondrial exchanges of matrix-targeted soluble fluorescent proteins, mtDsRed and photoactivable mtPA-GFP, in isolated cardiomyocytes by confocal microscopy. A direct comparison between exchanges occurring at short and long distances directly demonstrates that communication via nanotunnels is slower.

Sorcin ablation plus ß-adrenergic stimulation generate an arrhythmogenic substrate in mouse ventricular myocytes.

Sorcin, a penta-EF hand Ca2+-binding protein expressed in cardiomyocytes, is known to interact with ryanodine receptors and other Ca2+ regulatory proteins. To investigate sorcin's influence on cardiac excitation-contraction coupling and its role in the development of cardiac malfunctions, we generated a sorcin knockout (KO) mouse model. Sorcin KO mice presented ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death when challenged by acute stress induced by isoproterenol plus caffeine. Chronic stress, which was induced by transverse aortic constriction, significantly decreased the survival rate of sorcin KO mice. Under isoproterenol stimulation, spontaneous Ca2+ release events were frequently observed in sorcin KO cardiomyocytes. Sorcin KO hearts of adult, but not young mice developed overexpression of L-type Ca2+ channel and Na+-Ca2+ exchanger, which enhanced ICa and INCX. Consequently, spontaneous Ca2+ release events in sorcin KO cardiomyocytes were more likely to induce arrhythmogenic delayed afterdepolarizations. Our study demonstrates sorcin deficiency may trigger cardiac ventricular arrhythmias due to Ca2+ disturbances, and evidences the critical role of sorcin in maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis, especially during the adrenergic response of the heart.

Arrhythmogenesis in a catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia mutation that depresses ryanodine receptor function.

Current mechanisms of arrhythmogenesis in catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) require spontaneous Ca(2+) release via cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) channels affected by gain-of-function mutations. Hence, hyperactive RyR2 channels eager to release Ca(2+) on their own appear as essential components of this arrhythmogenic scheme. This mechanism, therefore, appears inadequate to explain lethal arrhythmias in patients harboring RyR2 channels destabilized by loss-of-function mutations. We aimed to elucidate arrhythmia mechanisms in a RyR2-linked CPVT mutation (RyR2-A4860G) that depresses channel activity. Recombinant RyR2-A4860G protein was expressed equally as wild type (WT) RyR2, but channel activity was dramatically inhibited, as inferred by [(3)H]ryanodine binding and single channel recordings. Mice heterozygous for the RyR2-A4860G mutation (RyR2-A4860G(+/-)) exhibited basal bradycardia but no cardiac structural alterations; in contrast, no homozygotes were detected at birth, suggesting a lethal phenotype. Sympathetic stimulation elicited malignant arrhythmias in RyR2-A4860G(+/-) hearts, recapitulating the phenotype originally described in a human patient with the same mutation. In isoproterenol-stimulated ventricular myocytes, the RyR2-A4860G mutation decreased the peak of Ca(2+) release during systole, gradually overloading the sarcoplasmic reticulum with Ca(2+). The resultant Ca(2+) overload then randomly caused bursts of prolonged Ca(2+) release, activating electrogenic Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger activity and triggering early afterdepolarizations. The RyR2-A4860G mutation reveals novel pathways by which RyR2 channels engage sarcolemmal currents to produce life-threatening arrhythmias.

Ablation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor phospho-site Ser2808 does not alter the adrenergic response or the progression to heart failure in mice. Elimination of the genetic background as critical variable.

BACKGROUND: Phosphorylation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) phospho-site S2808 has been touted by the Marks group as a hallmark of heart failure (HF) and a critical mediator of the physiological fight-or-flight response of the heart. In support of this hypothesis, mice unable to undergo phosphorylation at RyR2-S2808 (S2808A) were significantly protected against HF and displayed a blunted response to adrenergic stimulation. However, the issue remains highly controversial because several groups have been unable to reproduce these findings. An important variable not considered before is the genetic background of the mice used to obtain these divergent results. METHODS AND RESULTS: We backcrossed a RyR2-S2808A mouse into a congenic C57Bl/6 strain, the same strain used by the Marks group to conduct their experiments. We then performed several key experiments to confirm or discard the genetic background of the mouse as a relevant variable, including induction of HF by myocardial infarction and tests of integrity of adrenergic response. Congenic C57Bl/6 harboring the S2808A mutation showed similar echocardiographic parameters that indicated identical progression towards HF compared to wild type controls, and had a normal response to adrenergic stimulation in whole animal and cellular experiments. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic background of the different mouse models is unlikely to be the source of the divergent results obtained by the Marks group in comparison to several other groups. Cardiac adrenergic response and progression towards HF proceed unaltered in mice harboring the RyR2-S2808A mutation. Preventing RyR2-S2808 phosphorylation does not preclude a normal sympathetic response nor mitigates the pathophysiological consequences of MI.

Genotype-Dependent and -Independent Calcium Signaling Dysregulation in Human Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Aberrant calcium signaling may contribute to arrhythmias and adverse remodeling in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Mutations in sarcomere genes may distinctly alter calcium handling pathways. METHODS: We analyzed gene expression, protein levels, and functional assays for calcium regulatory pathways in human HCM surgical samples with (n=25) and without (n=10) sarcomere mutations compared with control hearts (n=8). RESULTS: Gene expression and protein levels for calsequestrin, L-type calcium channel, sodium-calcium exchanger, phospholamban, calcineurin, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II (CaMKII) were similar in HCM samples compared with controls. CaMKII protein abundance was increased only in sarcomere-mutation HCM (P<0.001). The CaMKII target pT17-phospholamban was 5.5-fold increased only in sarcomere-mutation HCM (P=0.01), as was autophosphorylated CaMKII (P<0.01), suggestive of constitutive activation. Calcineurin (PPP3CB) mRNA was not increased, nor was RCAN1 mRNA level, indicating a lack of calcineurin activation. Furthermore, myocyte enhancer factor 2 and nuclear factor of activated T cell transcription factor activity was not increased in HCM, suggesting that calcineurin pathway activation is not an upstream cause of increased CAMKII protein abundance or activation. SERCA2A mRNA transcript levels were reduced in HCM regardless of genotype, as was sarcoplasmic endoplasmic reticular calcium ATPase 2/phospholamban protein ratio (45% reduced; P=0.03). 45Ca sarcoplasmic endoplasmic reticular calcium ATPaseuptake assay showed reduced uptake velocity in HCM regardless of genotype (P=0.01). The cardiac ryanodine receptor was not altered in transcript, protein, or phosphorylated (pS2808, pS2814) protein abundance, and [3H]ryanodine binding was not different in HCM, consistent with no major modification of the ryanodine receptor. CONCLUSIONS: Human HCM demonstrates calcium mishandling through both genotype-specific and common pathways. Posttranslational activation of the CaMKII pathway is specific to sarcomere mutation-positive HCM, whereas sarcoplasmic endoplasmic reticular calcium ATPase 2 abundance and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca uptake are depressed in both sarcomere mutation-positive and -negative HCM.

Constitutive Intracellular Na+ Excess in Purkinje Cells Promotes Arrhythmogenesis at Lower Levels of Stress Than Ventricular Myocytes From Mice With Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia.

BACKGROUND: In catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), cardiac Purkinje cells (PCs) appear more susceptible to Ca(2+) dysfunction than ventricular myocytes (VMs). The underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Using a CPVT mouse (RyR2(R4496C+/Cx40eGFP)), we tested whether PC intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) dysregulation results from a constitutive [Na(+)]i surplus relative to VMs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Simultaneous optical mapping of voltage and [Ca(2+)]i in CPVT hearts showed that spontaneous Ca(2+) release preceded pacing-induced triggered activity at subendocardial PCs. On simultaneous current-clamp and Ca(2+) imaging, early and delayed afterdepolarizations trailed spontaneous Ca(2+) release and were more frequent in CPVT PCs than CPVT VMs. As a result of increased activity of mutant ryanodine receptor type 2 channels, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) load, measured by caffeine-induced Ca(2+) transients, was lower in CPVT VMs and PCs than respective controls, and sarcoplasmic reticulum fractional release was greater in both CPVT PCs and VMs than respective controls. [Na(+)]i was higher in both control and CPVT PCs than VMs, whereas the density of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger current was not different between PCs and VMs. Computer simulations using a PC model predicted that the elevated [Na(+)]i of PCs promoted delayed afterdepolarizations, which were always preceded by spontaneous Ca(2+) release events from hyperactive ryanodine receptor type 2 channels. Increasing [Na(+)]i monotonically increased delayed afterdepolarization frequency. Confocal imaging experiments showed that postpacing Ca(2+) spark frequency was highest in intact CPVT PCs, but such differences were reversed on saponin-induced membrane permeabilization, indicating that differences in [Na(+)]i played a central role. CONCLUSIONS: In CPVT mice, the constitutive [Na(+)]i excess of PCs promotes triggered activity and arrhythmogenesis at lower levels of stress than VMs.

Recombinant expression of Intrepicalcin from the scorpion Vaejovis intrepidus and its effect on skeletal ryanodine receptors.

BACKGROUND: Scorpion venoms contain toxins that modulate ionic channels, among which are the calcins, a small group of short, basic peptides with an Inhibitor Cystine Knot (ICK) motif that target calcium release channels/ryanodine receptors (RyRs) with high affinity and selectivity. Here we describe the heterologous expression of Intrepicalcin, identified by transcriptomic analysis of venomous glands from Vaejovis intrepidus. METHODS: Recombinant Intrepicalcin was obtained in Escherichia coli BL21-DE3 (periplasm) by fusing the Intrepicalcin gene to sequences coding for signal-peptide, thioredoxin, His-tag and enterokinase cleavage site. RESULTS: [3H]Ryanodine binding, used as a functional index of RyR activity, revealed that recombinant Intrepicalcin activates skeletal RyR (RyR1) dose-dependently with Kd=17.4±4.0nM. Intrepicalcin significantly augments the bell-shaped [Ca2+]-[3H]ryanodine binding curve at all [Ca2+] ranges, as is characteristic of the calcins. In single channel recordings, Intrepicalcin induces the appearance of a subconductance state in RyR1 with a fractional value ∼55% of the full conductance state, very close to that of Vejocalcin. Furthermore, Intrepicalcin stimulates Ca2+ release at an initial dose=45.3±2.5nM, and depletes ~50% of Ca2+ load from skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that active recombinant Intrepicalcin was successfully obtained without the need of manual oxidation, enabling it to target RyR1s with high affinity. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first calcin heterologously expressed in the periplasma of Escherichia coli BL21-DE3, shown to be pharmacologically effective, thus paving the way for the generation of Intrepicalcin variants that are required for structure-function relationship studies of calcins and RyRs.

Role of extracellular histones in the cardiomyopathy of sepsis.

The purpose of this study was to define the relationship in polymicrobial sepsis (in adult male C57BL/6 mice) between heart dysfunction and the appearance in plasma of extracellular histones. Procedures included induction of sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture and measurement of heart function using echocardiogram/Doppler parameters. We assessed the ability of histones to cause disequilibrium in the redox status and intracellular [Ca(2+)]i levels in cardiomyocytes (CMs) (from mice and rats). We also studied the ability of histones to disturb both functional and electrical responses of hearts perfused with histones. Main findings revealed that extracellular histones appearing in septic plasma required C5a receptors, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), and the Nacht-, LRR-, and PYD-domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. In vitro exposure of CMs to histones caused loss of homeostasis of the redox system and in [Ca(2+)]i, as well as defects in mitochondrial function. Perfusion of hearts with histones caused electrical and functional dysfunction. Finally, in vivo neutralization of histones in septic mice markedly reduced the parameters of heart dysfunction. Histones caused dysfunction in hearts during polymicrobial sepsis. These events could be attenuated by histone neutralization, suggesting that histones may be targets in the setting of sepsis to reduce cardiac dysfunction.