Impact of RyR2 potentiation on myocardial function.

This perspective attempts to shed light on an old and not yet solved controversy in cardiac physiology, i.e., the impact of increasing ryanodine receptor (RyR)2 open probability on myocardial function. Based on an already proven myocyte model, it was shown that increasing RyR2 open probability results in a purely short-lived increase in Ca2+ transient amplitude, and, therefore, it does not increase cardiac contractility. However, potentiation of RyR2 activity permanently enhances fractional Ca2+ release, shifting the intracellular Ca2+ transient versus sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content curve to a new state of higher efficiency. This would allow the heart to maintain a given contractility despite a decrease in SR Ca2+ content, to enhance contractility if SR Ca2+ content is simultaneously preserved or to successfully counteract the effects of a negative inotropic intervention.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Increasing ryanodine receptor (RyR)2 open probability does not increase cardiac contractility. However, RyR2 potentiation shifts the intracellular Ca2+ transient-sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content relationship toward an enhanced efficiency state, which may contribute to a positive inotropic effect, preserve contractility despite decreased SR Ca2+ content, or successfully counteract the effects of a negative inotropic action.

Phospholamban ablation rescues the enhanced propensity to arrhythmias of mice with CaMKII-constitutive phosphorylation of RyR2 at site S2814.

KEY POINTS: Mice with Ca(2+) -calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII) constitutive pseudo-phosphorylation of the ryanodine receptor RyR2 at Ser2814 (S2814D(+/+) mice) exhibit a higher open probability of RyR2, higher sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) leak in diastole and increased propensity to arrhythmias under stress conditions. We generated phospholamban (PLN)-deficient S2814D(+/+) knock-in mice by crossing two colonies, S2814D(+/+) and PLNKO mice, to test the hypothesis that PLN ablation can prevent the propensity to arrhythmias of S2814D(+/+) mice. PLN ablation partially rescues the altered intracellular Ca(2+) dynamics of S2814D(+/+) hearts and myocytes, but enhances SR Ca(2+) sparks and leak on confocal microscopy. PLN ablation diminishes ventricular arrhythmias promoted by CaMKII phosphorylation of S2814 on RyR2. PLN ablation aborts the arrhythmogenic SR Ca(2+) waves of S2814D(+/+) and transforms them into non-propagating events. A mathematical human myocyte model replicates these results and predicts the increase in SR Ca(2+) uptake required to prevent the arrhythmias induced by a CaMKII-dependent leaky RyR2. ABSTRACT: Mice with constitutive pseudo-phosphorylation at Ser2814-RyR2 (S2814D(+/+) ) have increased propensity to arrhythmias under ß-adrenergic stress conditions. Although abnormal Ca(2+) release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) has been linked to arrhythmogenesis, the role played by SR Ca(2+) uptake remains controversial. We tested the hypothesis that an increase in SR Ca(2+) uptake is able to rescue the increased arrhythmia propensity of S2814D(+/+) mice. We generated phospholamban (PLN)-deficient/S2814D(+/+) knock-in mice by crossing two colonies, S2814D(+/+) and PLNKO mice (SD(+/+) /KO). SD(+/+) /KO myocytes exhibited both increased SR Ca(2+) uptake seen in PLN knock-out (PLNKO) myocytes and diminished SR Ca(2+) load (relative to PLNKO), a characteristic of S2814D(+/+) myocytes. Ventricular arrhythmias evoked by catecholaminergic challenge (caffeine/adrenaline) in S2814D(+/+) mice in vivo or programmed electric stimulation and high extracellular Ca(2+) in S2814D(+) /(-) hearts ex vivo were significantly diminished by PLN ablation. At the myocyte level, PLN ablation converted the arrhythmogenic Ca(2+) waves evoked by high extracellular Ca(2+) provocation in S2814D(+/+) mice into non-propagated Ca(2+) mini-waves on confocal microscopy. Myocyte Ca(2+) waves, typical of S2814D(+/+) mice, could be evoked in SD(+/+) /KO cells by partially inhibiting SERCA2a. A mathematical human myocyte model replicated these results and allowed for predicting the increase in SR Ca(2+) uptake required to prevent the arrhythmias induced by a Ca(2+) -calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII)-dependent leaky RyR2. Our results demonstrate that increasing SR Ca(2+) uptake by PLN ablation can prevent the arrhythmic events triggered by SR Ca(2+) leak due to CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation of the RyR2-S2814 site and underscore the benefits of increasing SERCA2a activity on SR Ca(2+) -triggered arrhythmias.

Pretransplant CD4 Count Influences Immune Reconstitution and Risk of Infectious Complications in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Kidney Allograft Recipients.

In current practice, human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV(+) ) candidates with CD4 >200 cells/mm(3) are eligible for kidney transplantation; however, the optimal pretransplant CD4 count above this threshold remains to be defined. We evaluated clinical outcomes in patients with baseline CD4 >350 and <350 cells/mm(3) among 38 anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG)-treated HIV-negative to HIV(+) kidney transplants performed at our center between 2006 and 2013. Median follow-up was 2.6 years. Rates of acute rejection and patient and graft survival were not different between groups. Occurrence of severe CD4 lymphopenia (<200 cells/mm(3) ), however, was more common among patients with a baseline CD4 count 200-349 cells/mm(3) compared with those transplanted at higher counts (75% vs. 30% at 4 weeks [p = 0.04] and 71% vs. 5% at 52 weeks [p = 0.001], respectively, after transplant). After adjusting for age, baseline CD4 count of 200-349 cells/mm(3) was an independent predictor of severe CD4 lymphopenia at 4 weeks (relative risk [RR] 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-5.1) and 52 weeks (RR 14.3; 95% CI 2-100.4) after transplant. Patients with CD4 <200 cells/mm(3) at 4 weeks had higher probability of serious infections during first 6 months after transplant (19% vs. 50%; log-rank p = 0.05). These findings suggest that ATG must be used with caution in HIV(+) kidney allograft recipients with a pretransplant CD4 count <350 cells/mm(3) .

Kidney allograft survival of African American and Caucasian American recipients with lupus.

BACKGROUND: African Americans with lupus who receive kidney transplants have high prevalence of predictors of allograft failure, which can explain their poor outcomes. METHODS: Of 1223 African Americans and 1029 Caucasian Americans with lupus who received kidney transplants from deceased donors between 1987 and 2006 with complete records in the UNOS program, 741 pairs were matched in 16 predictors employing a predicted probability of group membership. The primary outcome was allograft failure. Main secondary outcomes were rejection, allograft failure due to rejection, and mortality. RESULTS: Matched pairs were predominantly women (82%) with a mean age of 39 years. Twenty-four percent of recipients received kidneys from expanded criteria donors. African Americans and Caucasian Americans matched well (p ≥ 0.05): donor age, gender and race; recipient age, gender, education and insurance; dialysis prior to transplant, kidneys from expanded criteria donors, cold ischemia time, history of prior kidney transplant, panel reactive antibodies, human leukocyte antigens mismatch, blood type compatibility, transplant Era, and follow-up time. Contrary to the unmatched cohort with significantly higher allograft failure rate (events per 100 patient-years) in African Americans compared to Caucasian Americans (10.49 vs 6.18, p<0.001), matched pairs had similar allograft failure rates (8.41 vs 7.81, p=0.418). Matched pairs also had similar rates of rejections (9.82 vs 9.39, p=0.602), allograft failure due to rejection (6.19 vs 5.71, p=0.453), and mortality (2.79 vs 3.52, p=0.097). CONCLUSION: In lupus recipients of kidney transplants from deceased donors, African American and Caucasian Americans have similar allograft failure rates when predictors are matched between groups.

Advantage of rapamycin over mycophenolate mofetil when used with tacrolimus for simultaneous pancreas kidney transplants: randomized, single-center trial at 10 years.

Simultaneous pancreas kidney transplantation (SPKT) is the treatment of choice for patients with type 1 diabetes and end-stage renal disease. Rapamycin and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) have been used for maintenance immunosuppression with tacrolimus in SPKT; however, long-term outcomes are lacking. From September 2000 through December 2009, 170 SPKT recipients were enrolled in a randomized, prospective trial receiving Rapamycin (n = 84) or MMF (n = 86). All patients received dual induction therapy with thymoglobulin and daclizumab, and low-dose maintenance tacrolimus and corticosteroids. Compared to MMF, rates of freedom from first biopsy-proven acute kidney or pancreas rejection were superior for Rapamycin at year 1 (kidney: 100% vs. 88%; P = 0.001; pancreas: 99% vs. 92%; P = 0.04) and at year 10 (kidney: 88% vs. 71%, P = 0.01; pancreas: 99% vs. 89%, P = 0.01). The higher rates of rejection were associated with withholding MMF (vs. Rapamycin, p = 0.009), generally for gastrointestinal or bone marrow toxicity. There was no significant difference in creatinine, proteinuria, c-peptide, viral infections, lymphoproliferative disorders or posttransplant diabetes. HbA1C and lipid levels were normal in both groups, although higher in the Rapamycin arm. There were no significant differences in patient or allograft survival. In this 10-year SPKT study, Rapamycin in combination with tacrolimus was better tolerated and more effective than MMF. Overall, the patient and allograft survival were equivalent.

Predisposing factors of diminished survival in simultaneous liver/kidney transplantation.

Since the adoption of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, simultaneous liver/kidney transplants (SLKT) have substantially increased. Recently, unfavorable outcomes have been reported yet contributing factors remain unclear. We retrospectively reviewed 74 consecutive adult SLKT performed at our center from 2000 to 2010 and compared with kidney transplant alone (KTA, N = 544). In SLKT, patient and death-censored kidney graft survival rates were 64 ± 6% and 81 ± 5% at 5 years, respectively (median follow-up, 47 months). Multivariable analyses revealed three independent risk factors affecting patient survival: hepatitis C virus positive (HCV+, hazard ratio [HR] 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-7.9), panel reactive antibody (PRA) > 20% (HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1-7.2) and female donor gender (HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1-7.9). For death-censored kidney graft survival, delayed graft function was the strongest negative predictor (HR 8.3, 95% CI 2.5-27.9), followed by HCV+ and PRA > 20%. The adjusted risk of death-censored kidney graft loss in HCV+ SLKT patients was 5.8 (95% CI 1.6-21.6) compared with HCV+ KTA (p = 0.008). Recurrent HCV within 1 year after SLKT correlated with early kidney graft failure (p = 0.004). Careful donor/recipient selection and innovative approaches for HCV+ SLKT patients are critical to further improve long-term outcomes.

Kidney transplantation outcomes in African-, Hispanic- and Caucasian-Americans with lupus.

African-American recipients of kidney transplants with lupus have high allograft failure risk. We studied their risk adjusting for: (1) socio-demographic factors: donor age, gender and race-ethnicity; recipient age, gender, education and insurance; donor-recipient race-ethnicity match; (2) immunologic factors: donor type, panel reactive antibodies, HLA mismatch, ABO blood type compatibility, pre-transplant dialysis, cytomegalovirus risk and delayed graft function (DGF); (3) rejection and recurrent lupus nephritis (RLN). Two thousand four hundred and six African-, 1132 Hispanic-, and 2878 Caucasian-Americans were followed for 12 years after transplantation. African- versus Hispanic- and Caucasian-Americans received more kidneys from deceased donors (71.6%, 57.3% and 55.1%) with higher two HLA loci mismatches for HLA-A (50%, 39.6% and 32.4%), HLA-B (52%, 42.8% and 35.6%) and HLA-DR (30%, 24.5% and 21.1%). They developed more DGF (19.5%, 13.6% and 13.4%). More African- versus Hispanic- and Caucasian-Americans developed rejection (41.7%, 27.6% and 35.9%) and RLN (3.2, 1.8 and 1.8%). 852 African-, 265 Hispanic-, and 747 Caucasian-Americans had allograft failure (p < 0.0001). After adjusting for transplant era, socio-demographic-immunologic differences, rejection and RLN, the increased hazard ratio for allograft failure of African- compared with Caucasian-Americans became non-significant (1.26 [95% confidence interval 0.78-2.04]). African-Americans with lupus have high prevalence of risk factors for allograft failure that can explain poor outcomes.

Calcium-calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII): a main signal responsible for early reperfusion arrhythmias.

To explore whether CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation events mediate reperfusion arrhythmias, Langendorff perfused hearts were submitted to global ischemia/reperfusion. Epicardial monophasic or transmembrane action potentials and contractility were recorded. In rat hearts, reperfusion significantly increased the number of premature beats (PBs) relative to pre-ischemic values. This arrhythmic pattern was associated with a significant increase in CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation of Ser2814 on Ca(2+)-release channels (RyR2) and Thr17 on phospholamban (PLN) at the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). These phenomena could be prevented by the CaMKII-inhibitor KN-93. In transgenic mice with targeted inhibition of CaMKII at the SR membranes (SR-AIP), PBs were significantly decreased from 31±6 to 5±1 beats/3min with a virtually complete disappearance of early-afterdepolarizations (EADs). In mice with genetic mutation of the CaMKII phosphorylation site on RyR2 (RyR2-S2814A), PBs decreased by 51.0±14.7%. In contrast, the number of PBs upon reperfusion did not change in transgenic mice with ablation of both PLN phosphorylation sites (PLN-DM). The experiments in SR-AIP mice, in which the CaMKII inhibitor peptide is anchored in the SR membrane but also inhibits CaMKII regulation of L-type Ca(2+) channels, indicated a critical role of CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation of SR proteins and/or L-type Ca(2+) channels in reperfusion arrhythmias. The experiments in RyR2-S2814A further indicate that up to 60% of PBs related to CaMKII are dependent on the phosphorylation of RyR2-Ser2814 site and could be ascribed to delayed-afterdepolarizations (DADs). Moreover, phosphorylation of PLN-Thr17 and L-type Ca(2+) channels might contribute to reperfusion-induced PBs, by increasing SR Ca(2+) content and Ca(2+) influx.

The importance of the Thr17 residue of phospholamban as a phosphorylation site under physiological and pathological conditions.

The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) is under the control of an SR protein named phospholamban (PLN). Dephosphorylated PLN inhibits SERCA2a, whereas phosphorylation of PLN at either the Ser16 site by PKA or the Thr17 site by CaMKII reverses this inhibition, thus increasing SERCA2a activity and the rate of Ca2+ uptake by the SR. This leads to an increase in the velocity of relaxation, SR Ca2+ load and myocardial contractility. In the intact heart, beta-adrenoceptor stimulation results in phosphorylation of PLN at both Ser16 and Thr17 residues. Phosphorylation of the Thr17 residue requires both stimulation of the CaMKII signaling pathways and inhibition of PP1, the major phosphatase that dephosphorylates PLN. These two prerequisites appear to be fulfilled by beta-adrenoceptor stimulation, which as a result of PKA activation, triggers the activation of CaMKII by increasing intracellular Ca2+, and inhibits PP1. Several pathological situations such as ischemia-reperfusion injury or hypercapnic acidosis provide the required conditions for the phosphorylation of the Thr17 residue of PLN, independently of the increase in PKA activity, i.e., increased intracellular Ca2+ and acidosis-induced phosphatase inhibition. Our results indicated that PLN was phosphorylated at Thr17 at the onset of reflow and immediately after hypercapnia was established, and that this phosphorylation contributes to the mechanical recovery after both the ischemic and acidic insults. Studies on transgenic mice with Thr17 mutated to Ala (PLN-T17A) are consistent with these results. Thus, phosphorylation of the Thr17 residue of PLN probably participates in a protective mechanism that favors Ca2+ handling and limits intracellular Ca2+ overload in pathological situations.

Pilot Randomized Trial of Tacrolimus/Everolimus vs Tacrolimus/Enteric-Coated Mycophenolate Sodium in Adult, Primary Kidney Transplant Recipients at a Single Center.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that the combination of tacrolimus (TAC) and everolimus (EVL) could become a viable option for use as standard maintenance immunosuppression in non-highly sensitized kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, open-label, randomized pilot trial comparing two maintenance immunosuppression regimens in non-highly sensitized, adult, primary kidney transplant recipients: (TAC/EVL, Group A) vs our standard maintenance regimen of TAC plus enteric-coated mycophenolate mofetil (TAC/EC-MPS, Group B). In both treatment arms, dual induction therapy consisting of anti-thymocyte globulin (Thymoglobulin) and basiliximab was given. Early corticosteroid withdrawal (by 7-10 days posttransplantation) was also planned in both arms. There were 30 study participants, 15 per treatment arm. Results during the first 12 months posttransplantation are reported here. RESULTS: Between 1 month and 12 months posttransplantation, mean TAC trough levels ranged between 5 and 8 ng/mL in both arms. Mean trough EVL level in Group A ranged between 4 and 6 ng/mL, and mean EC-MPS dose in Group B ranged from 1440 mg at 1 month to 945 mg at 12 months. One patient in Group A vs three patients in Group B experienced a first biopsy-proven acute rejection during the first 12 months posttransplantation (P = .32). Four patients in each group experienced biopsy-proven chronic allograft injury (interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy) (P = .99). There was a slight trend toward more favorable renal function in Group A at months 1-3 posttransplantation (P = .06, .10, and .18 for estimated glomerular filtration rate, respectively). No graft failures or deaths were observed in either group during the first 12 months posttransplantation. Four patients in each group developed an infection during the first 12 months posttransplantation. Two patients in Group A developed new-onset diabetes after transplant during the 12-month follow-up period, vs no patients in Group B (P = .13). CONCLUSION: TAC/EVL may be a viable alternative to TAC/EC-MPS for use as standard maintenance immunosuppression in non-highly sensitized kidney transplant recipients and should be given further consideration.

Shortening fraction: its dependence on the Starling mechanism.

The influence of increasing muscle length (ML) from L0 to 15 to 20% of L0 and calcium concentration (Ca2+) from 1.34 to 10 mmol . litre-1 on shortening fraction has been analysed in cat papillary muscles. Shortening fraction was calculated by dividing the amount of shortening by the muscle length at which that shortening occurred. When the muscle shortened at contrast total load, increasing muscle length from approximately or equal to L0 to approximately or equal to 15% above L0, increased the shortening fraction from 0.2 +/- 0.1% to 7.1 +/- 0.7% (P less than 0.01) and from 1.0 +/- 0.5% to 12.2 +/- 0.5% (P less than 0.01) at low and high (Ca2+) respectively. The highest shortening fraction values obtained (7 and 12%) correspond to calculated ejection fraction values of 20 and 32% respectively. At a given muscle length, increasing (Ca2+) significantly increased the shortening fraction (P less than 0.01). At constant afterload the shortening fraction increased from 3.5 +/- 1% to 9.1 +/- 1.9% when the muscle length changed from approximately or equal to 5% to approximately or equal to 20% above L0 and from 3,3 +/- 1.6% to 14.3 +/- 0.7% when the muscle was stretched from L0 to approximately or equal to 20% above L0 at low and high calcium respectively. Shortening fraction values of 9 and 14% correspond to calculated ejection fraction values of 25 and 37% respectively. The results indicate that the shortening fraction is altered not only by changes in cardiac contractility but also by the Starling mechanism.

Calcium sensitivity of isometric tension in intact papillary muscles and chemically skinned trabeculae in different models of hypertensive hypertrophy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE - The aim was to examine the contractile state, the inotropic response to [Ca2+]e and the Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile proteins in different models of hypertensive hypertrophy in an early stage of evolution (3-4 weeks). DESIGN - Renal hypertension was induced by placing a silver clip around the left renal artery. The contralateral kidney was either removed (1K-1C) or left untouched (2K-1C). Hypertension through sodium overload was produced by administration of deoxycorticosterone and 1% NaCl drinking water. (DOCA rats). Active and passive length-tension curves were performed to evaluate basal contractility at Lmax and passive stiffness of cardiac muscle. The inotropic responsiveness to [Ca2+]e and the Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile proteins were also evaluated. EXPERIMENTAL MATERIAL - Papillary muscles and skinned trabeculae from the left ventricle of male Wistar hypertensive and age matched normotensive rats were used. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS - Cardiac hypertrophy was similar in all hypertensive groups. In 2K-1C and 1K-1C rats, basal contractility was not significantly different from controls. In DOCA rats, developed tension and time to peak tension (TTP) were significantly greater than controls. The inotropic response to [Ca2+]e was depressed in 2K-1C and increased in DOCA rats. In DOCA rats, increasing [Ca2+]e produced an increase in TTP greater than in controls. No differences were detected in muscle passive stiffness or in Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractility proteins among the different groups. CONCLUSIONS - In the earlier stages of hypertensive hypertrophy, differences in basal contractile state and/or inotropic responsiveness appear to be more related to the initiating cause of hypertensive hypertrophy than to the degree of hypertrophy itself. These differences cannot be attributed to changes in Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile system.

Lack of effect of hypercapnic acidosis on elasticity of cat papillary muscles.

Chages in external pH from 7.40 to 6.95 obtained by changing the pCO2 of the medium at constant bicarbonate concentration produced in cat papillary muscles a significant decrease in isometric tension with no changes in time to peak tension. Active and resting stiffness, as determined by two different methods, did not change under conditions of hypercapnic acidosis.

Rested-state contractions and rest potentiation in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

To gain further insight into the excitation-contraction coupling mechanisms in hypertrophy, we studied rested-state contractions, rest decay curves, and rest potentiation under different experimental conditions using papillary muscles of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age-matched normotensive Wistar and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Under constant stimulation at 1.1 Hz, contractility and relaxation were not significantly different in hypertensive when compared with normotensive animals. Rested-state contraction (the first beat after a rest interval of 15 minutes) increased to 159.2 +/- 23% and 123.5 +/- 7.5% of prerest values in Wistar and WKY rats, respectively, whereas in SHR it did not differ from prerest values (92.8 +/- 9.8%). Ryanodine, used to preferentially inhibit sarcoplasmic reticulum function, eliminated the differences in rested-state contractions observed between hypertensive and normotensive rats. Maximal rest potentiation (the first beat after a rest interval of 1 minute) was also significantly higher in Wistar and WKY rats than in SHR. These differences persisted at low extracellular Na+, when Ca2+ efflux via the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger was inhibited. Rest decay curves (the decay in contractility from maximal rest potentiation to rested-state contraction) showed a similar pattern in the three rat strains. The results suggest that the altered inotropic responses of the SHR arise from an alteration in calcium handling by the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Experiments on saponin-skinned trabeculae indicated that fractional calcium release induced by caffeine was significantly reduced in the SHR. We conclude that the altered inotropic response observed in SHR may reflect a diminished release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Depression of human myocardial contractility with "respiratory" and "metabolic" acidosis.

The effect of a similar degree of "respiratory" and "metabolic" acidosis was studied in seven isolated in vitro human pectinate muscles and eight ventricular muscle bundles. Either "respiratory" or "metabolic" acidosis (from 7.36 plus or minus 0.03 to 7.01 plus or minus 0.02 and 6.98 plus or minus 0.03, respectively) depressed in vitro contractility in human atrial or ventricular muscle to a similar extent. Previous contradictory responses of myocardial tissue to alterations in pH appear to be the result of species differences.

Positive inotropic effect of angiotensin II. Increases in intracellular Ca2+ or changes in myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness?

Although it is well known that Angiotensin II (Ang II) has a direct positive inotropic effect in several species, the mechanisms of this action are still poorly understood. The aim of this review is to analyze the possible subcellular mechanisms underlying Ang II-induced positive inotropic action. The binding of Ang II to its receptor triggers a complex signal transduction cascade that stimulates the intracellular formation of two second messengers, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3), and 1,2, diacylglycerol (DAG). IP3 triggers the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores in several cell types and has been shown to increase myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. DAG activates protein kinase C (PKC), an enzyme that catalyzes the phosphorylation of different cellular proteins, including several proteins of the myofibrils. Distinct ionic transporters, like the Na+/H+ antiporter and the Na(+)-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchanger, implicated in the regulation of intracellular pH, and the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger which contribute to the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, have been shown to be activated by a PKC-dependent mechanism. Thus, either one of the Ang II-induced second messengers, that is, IP3 and DAG, has the potential to affect myocardial contractility by modifying either intracellular Ca2+, myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness, or both. As described herein, the available data do not allow a definitive single model to explain the mechanism of the Ang II-induced positive inotropic effect. Moreover, it is possible that the final action of Ang II on myocardial inotropism is the end product of a complex interaction of several of the mechanisms triggered by the hormone.

Physiologic and pharmacologic factors that affect myocardial relaxation.

Evaluation of the myocardial relaxation has become important in the last years. An impaired relaxation may precede contractile dysfunctions and even cause heart failure. To treat this impaired lusitropism it is necessary to properly assess the lusitropic state of the heart and understand how drugs affect the cellular mechanisms underlying myocardial relaxation (sarcoplasmic reticulum function, Ca2+ fluxes through the sarcolemma and myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity). Current information regarding these issues is provided in this review. The relative usefulness of the mechanical parameters used to evaluate the lusitropic state of the heart in experimental models applied in pharmacology will also be discussed.

Myocardial contractility recovery during hypercapnic acidosis: its dissociation from recovery in pHi by ryanodine.

Myocardial contractility falls quickly during respiratory acidosis but if acidosis is maintained a slow gradual return towards control state is detected. In cat papillary muscle, changes in developed tension (DT) during isometric contractions (pacing rate 0.2 Hz) and intracellular pH (pHi) were continuously monitored before and during hypercapnia to study the contribution of pHi recovery to the recovery of contractility. On exposure to hypercapnia (extracellular pH [pHo] = 6.90) DT fell to 50.33 +/- 2.20% of control and pHi decreased from 7.21 +/- 0.05 to 6.90 +/- 0.02. After 30 mins of hypercapnia DT recovered to 64.66 +/- 4.05% of control, but no significant recovery in pHi was detected. Intracellular sodium concentration slowly rose to 61.05 +/- 23.79% over basal level 10 mins after the onset of hypercapnia and it remained elevated for 10 mins before gradually returning to control levels. When pHo was kept at 7.40 during hypercapnia by increasing sodium bicarbonate concentration, DT recovered to 79.11 +/- 6.94% of control after 30 mins of hypercapnia, while a significant recovery of pHi (0.12 +/- 0.02 pH units) was detected. Low extracellular sodium concentration diminished contractility recovery during hypercapnia without changing the initial decrease in DT. 5-[N-ethyl-N-isopropyl] amiloride (EIPA) (5 microM) increased the initial fall in DT to 34.33 +/- 8.68% of control and abolished the recovery. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) inhibition by ryanodine (0.5 microM) markedly reduced the recovery of contractility without altering the recovery in pHi.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pauses, steps, and the mechanism of contraction.

Despite widespread controversy still surrounding the phenomenon, stepwise shortening has now been confirmed by five independent methods in this laboratory, and by several other methods in different laboratories. In this paper we offer preliminary evidence obtained with the most recent method--measurement of 'isotonic muscle length transients'. We find that the muscle length inflections observed after quick release to an isotonic load correspond to pauses and steps at the sarcomere level. Thus, pauses and steps are reflected not only in sarcomere length and segment length signals, but in the muscle length signal as well. We review several of the more illuminating features of stepwise shortening, as well as new ultrastructural observations which, taken together, point to an hypothesis for the generation of steps. The steps may be generated by shortening of one or another of the sarcomere's filaments: connecting filaments in the unactivated myofibril and thick filaments in the activated myofibril. Supporting evidence is considered.

Daclizumab as induction therapy in kidney and simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation.

Acute rejection still remains a major problem in organ transplantation and is a significant risk factor for chronic rejection, and chronic rejection is one of the most important causes of late graft loss. Current new immunosuppressive drugs such as tacrolimus, rapamycin and mycophenolate mofetil have been developed to reduce acute rejection and to improve renal allograft survival. More recently, antihuman antibodies, either monoclonal or polyclonal, have been developed to use for induction therapy at the time of transplantation or to treat rejection. Daclizumab, a new engineered human immunoglobulin monoclonal antibody to the interleukin-2 receptor a-subunit was approved to prevent acute rejection after solid organ transplantation. Data from clinical trials show daclizumab to be well tolerated in solid organ transplantation. It does not increase the incidence of infection, including cytomegalovirus infection.