InsP3R-RyR channel crosstalk augments sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release and arrhythmogenic activity in post-MI pig cardiomyocytes.

Ca2+ transients (CaT) underlying cardiomyocyte (CM) contraction require efficient Ca2+ coupling between sarcolemmal Ca2+ channels and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) ryanodine receptor Ca2+ channels (RyR) for their generation; reduced coupling in disease contributes to diminished CaT and arrhythmogenic Ca2+ events. SR Ca2+ release also occurs via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (InsP3R) in CM. While this pathway contributes negligeably to Ca2+ handling in healthy CM, rodent studies support a role in altered Ca2+ dynamics and arrhythmogenic Ca2+ release involving InsP3R crosstalk with RyRs in disease. Whether this mechanism persists in larger mammals with lower T-tubular density and coupling of RyRs is not fully resolved. We have recently shown an arrhythmogenic action of InsP3-induced Ca2+ release (IICR) in end stage human heart failure (HF), often associated with underlying ischemic heart disease (IHD). How IICR contributes to early stages of disease is however not determined but highly relevant. To access this stage, we chose a porcine model of IHD, which shows substantial remodelling of the area adjacent to the infarct. In cells from this region, IICR preferentially augmented Ca2+ release from non-coupled RyR clusters that otherwise showed delayed activation during the CaT. IICR in turn synchronised Ca2+ release during the CaT but also induced arrhythmogenic delayed afterdepolarizations and action potentials. Nanoscale imaging identified co-clustering of InsP3Rs and RyRs, thereby allowing Ca2+-mediated channel crosstalk. Mathematical modelling supported and further delineated this mechanism of enhanced InsP3R-RyRs coupling in MI. Our findings highlight the role of InsP3R-RyR channel crosstalk in Ca2+ release and arrhythmia during post-MI remodelling.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors in cardiomyocyte physiology and disease.

The contraction of cardiac muscle underlying the pumping action of the heart is mediated by the process of excitation-contraction coupling (ECC). While triggered by Ca2+ entry across the sarcolemma during the action potential, it is the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) intracellular Ca2+ store via ryanodine receptors (RyRs) that plays the major role in induction of contraction. Ca2+ also acts as a key intracellular messenger regulating transcription underlying hypertrophic growth. Although Ca2+ release via RyRs is by far the greatest contributor to the generation of Ca2+ transients in the cardiomyocyte, Ca2+ is also released from the SR via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptors (InsP3Rs). This InsP3-induced Ca2+ release modifies Ca2+ transients during ECC, participates in directing Ca2+ to the mitochondria, and stimulates the transcription of genes underlying hypertrophic growth. Central to these specific actions of InsP3Rs is their localization to responsible signalling microdomains, the dyad, the SR-mitochondrial interface and the nucleus. In this review, the various roles of InsP3R in cardiac (patho)physiology and the mechanisms by which InsP3 signalling selectively influences the different cardiomyocyte cell processes in which it is involved will be presented. This article is part of the theme issue 'The cardiomyocyte: new revelations on the interplay between architecture and function in growth, health, and disease'.

Ca2+ release via InsP3Rs enhances RyR recruitment during Ca2+ transients by increasing dyadic [Ca2+] in cardiomyocytes.

Excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) relies on temporally synchronized sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release via ryanodine receptors (RyRs) at dyadic membrane compartments. Neurohormones, such as endothelin-1 (ET-1), that act via Gαq-associated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) modulate Ca2+ dynamics during ECC and induce SR Ca2+ release events involving Ca2+ release via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptors (InsP3Rs). How the relatively modest Ca2+ release via InsP3Rs elicits this action is not resolved. Here, we investigated whether the actions of InsP3Rs on Ca2+ handling during ECC were mediated by a direct influence on dyadic Ca2+ levels and whether this mechanism contributes to the effects of ET-1. Using a dyad-targeted genetically encoded Ca2+ reporter, we found that InsP3R activation augmented dyadic Ca2+ fluxes during Ca2+ transients and increased Ca2+ sparks. RyRs were required for these effects. These data provide the first direct demonstration of GPCR and InsP3 effects on dyadic Ca2+, and support the notion that Ca2+ release via InsP3Rs influences Ca2+ transients during ECC by facilitating the activation and recruitment of proximal RyRs. We propose that this mechanism contributes to neurohormonal modulation of cardiac function. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

Calcium Signaling in Cardiomyocyte Function.

Rhythmic increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration underlie the contractile function of the heart. These heart muscle-wide changes in intracellular Ca2+ are induced and coordinated by electrical depolarization of the cardiomyocyte sarcolemma by the action potential. Originating at the sinoatrial node, conduction of this electrical signal throughout the heart ensures synchronization of individual myocytes into an effective cardiac pump. Ca2+ signaling pathways also regulate gene expression and cardiomyocyte growth during development and in pathology. These fundamental roles of Ca2+ in the heart are illustrated by the prevalence of altered Ca2+ homeostasis in cardiovascular diseases. Indeed, heart failure (an inability of the heart to support hemodynamic needs), rhythmic disturbances, and inappropriate cardiac growth all share an involvement of altered Ca2+ handling. The prevalence of these pathologies, contributing to a third of all deaths in the developed world as well as to substantial morbidity makes understanding the mechanisms of Ca2+ handling and dysregulation in cardiomyocytes of great importance.

Contractile responses to endothelin-1 are regulated by PKC phosphorylation of cardiac myosin binding protein-C in rat ventricular myocytes.

The shortening of sarcomeres that co-ordinates the pump function of the heart is stimulated by electrically-mediated increases in [Ca2+]. This process of excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) is subject to modulation by neurohormonal mediators that tune the output of the heart to meet the needs of the organism. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent modulator of cardiac function with effects on contraction amplitude, chronotropy and automaticity. The actions of ET-1 are evident during normal adaptive physiological responses and increased under pathophysiological conditions, such as following myocardial infarction and during heart failure, where ET-1 levels are elevated. In myocytes, ET-1 acts through ETA- or ETB-G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Although well studied in atrial myocytes, the influence and mechanisms of action of ET-1 upon ECC in ventricular myocytes are not fully resolved. We show in rat ventricular myocytes that ET-1 elicits a biphasic effect on fractional shortening (initial transient negative and sustained positive inotropy) and increases the peak amplitude of systolic Ca2+ transients in adult rat ventricular myocytes. The negative inotropic phase was ETB receptor-dependent, whereas the positive inotropic response and increase in peak amplitude of systolic Ca2+ transients required ETA receptor engagement. Both effects of ET-1 required phospholipase C (PLC)-activity, although distinct signalling pathways downstream of PLC elicited the effects of each ET receptor. The negative inotropic response involved inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) signalling and protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε). The positive inotropic action and the enhancement in Ca2+ transient amplitude induced by ET-1 were independent of InsP3 signalling, but suppressed by PKCε. Serine 302 in cardiac myosin binding protein-C was identified as a PKCε substrate that when phosphorylated contributed to the suppression of contraction and Ca2+ transients by PKCε following ET-1 stimulation. Thus, our data provide a new role and mechanism of action for InsP3 and PKCε in mediating the negative inotropic response and in restraining the positive inotropy and enhancement in Ca2+ transients following ET-1 stimulation.

Silica nanoparticles inhibit the cation channel TRPV4 in airway epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have numerous beneficial properties and are extensively used in cosmetics and food industries as anti-caking, densifying and hydrophobic agents. However, the increasing exposure levels experienced by the general population and the ability of SiNPs to penetrate cells and tissues have raised concerns about possible toxic effects of this material. Although SiNPs are known to affect the function of the airway epithelium, the molecular targets of these particles remain largely unknown. Given that SiNPs interact with the plasma membrane of epithelial cells we hypothesized that they may affect the function of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), a cation-permeable channel that regulates epithelial barrier function. The main aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of SiNPs on the activation of TRPV4 and to determine whether these alter the positive modulatory action of this channel on the ciliary beat frequency in airway epithelial cells. RESULTS: Using fluorometric measurements of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) we found that SiNPs inhibit activation of TRPV4 by the synthetic agonist GSK1016790A in cultured human airway epithelial cells 16HBE and in primary cultured mouse tracheobronchial epithelial cells. Inhibition of TRPV4 by SiNPs was confirmed in intracellular Ca2+ imaging and whole-cell patch-clamp experiments performed in HEK293T cells over-expressing this channel. In addition to these effects, SiNPs were found to induce a significant increase in basal [Ca2+]i, but in a TRPV4-independent manner. SiNPs enhanced the activation of the capsaicin receptor TRPV1, demonstrating that these particles have a specific inhibitory action on TRPV4 activation. Finally, we found that SiNPs abrogate the increase in ciliary beat frequency induced by TRPV4 activation in mouse airway epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that SiNPs inhibit TRPV4 activation, and that this effect may impair the positive modulatory action of the stimulation of this channel on the ciliary function in airway epithelial cells. These findings unveil the cation channel TRPV4 as a primary molecular target of SiNPs.