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cGMP-mediated inhibition of cardiac Ltype Ca[sup 2+] current by a monoclonal antibody against the M[sub 2] ACh receptor. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 281: C1251-C1258, 2001.—The effects of a monoclonal antibody (B8E5) directed against the second extracellular loop of the muscarinic M[sub 2] receptor were studied on the L-type Ca[sup 2+] currents (I[sub Ca,L]) of guinea pig ventricular myocytes using the whole cell patchclamp technique. Similar to carbachol, B8E5 reduced the isoproterenol (ISO)-stimulated 1[sub Ca,L] but did not significantly affect basal I[sub Ca,L]. Atropine blocked the inhibitory effect of B8E5. The electrophysiological parameters of ISO-stimulated I[sub Ca,L] were not modified in presence of B8E5. Inhibition of I[subs Ca,L] by B8E5 was still observed when intracellular cAMP was either enhanced by forskolin or maintained constant by using a hydrolysis-resistant cAMP analog (8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate) or by applying the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX. The effect of B8E5 was mimicked by 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, a potent stimulator of cGMP-dependent protein kinase, and prevented by a selective inhibitor of nitric oxide-sensitive guanylyl cyclase {1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quin-oxaline-l-one]. These results indicate that the antibody B8E5 inhibits the β-adrenergic-stimulated I[sub Ca,L] through activation of the M[sub 2] muscarinic receptor and further suggest that the antibody acts not via the classical pathway of decreasing intracellular cAMP, but rather by increasing cGMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) has been implicated in cardiac proarrhythmic signaling pathways including spontaneous diastolic Ca 2+ leak from sarcoplasmic reticulum and increased action potential duration (APD) in isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes. The action potential (AP) lengthening following acute EPAC activation is mainly due to a decrease of repolarizing steady-state K + current (IK SS ) but the mechanisms involved remain unknown. This study aimed to assess the role of EPAC1 and EPAC2 in the decrease of IK SS and to investigate the underlying signaling pathways. AP and K + currents were recorded with the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique in freshly isolated rat ventricular myocytes. EPAC1 and EPAC2 were pharmacologically activated with 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-2'- O -methyl-cAMP acetoxymethyl ester (8-CPTAM, 10 µmol/L) and inhibited with R-Ce3F4 and ESI-05, respectively. Inhibition of EPAC1 and EPAC2 significantly decreased the effect of 8-CPTAM on APD and IK SS showing that both EPAC isoforms are involved in these effects. Unexpectedly, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) inhibition by AIP or KN-93, and Ca 2+ chelation by intracellular BAPTA, did not impact the response to 8-CPTAM. However, inhibition of PLC/PKC and nitric oxide synthase (NOS)/PKG pathways partially prevents the 8-CPTAM-dependent decrease of IK SS . Finally, the cumulative inhibition of PKC and PKG blocked the 8-CPTAM effect, suggesting that these two actors work along parallel pathways to regulate IK SS upon EPAC activation. On the basis of such findings, we propose that EPAC1 and EPAC2 are involved in APD lengthening by inhibiting a K + current via both PLC/PKC and NOS/PKG pathways. This may have pathological implications since EPAC is upregulated in diseases such as cardiac hypertrophy. NEW & NOTEWORHTY Exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) proteins modulate ventricular electrophysiology at the cellular level. Both EPAC1 and EPAC2 isoforms participate in this effect. Mechanistically, PLC/PKC and nitric oxide synthase (NO)/PKG pathways are involved in regulating K + repolarizing current whereas the well-known downstream effector of EPAC, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), does not participate. This may have pathological implications since EPAC is upregulated in diseases such as cardiac hypertrophy. Thus, EPAC inhibition may be a new approach to prevent arrhythmias under pathological conditions.

Low-income countries carry approximately 90% of the global burden of visual impairment, and up to 80% of this could be prevented or cured. However, there are only a few studies on the prevalence of retinal disease in these countries. Easier access to retinal information would allow differential diagnosis and promote strategies to improve eye health, which are currently scarce. This pilot study aims to evaluate the functionality and usability of a tele-retinography system for the detection of retinal pathology, based on a low-cost portable retinal scanner, manufactured with 3D printing and controlled by a mobile phone with an application designed ad hoc. The study was conducted at the Manhiça Rural Hospital in Mozambique. General practitioners, with no specific knowledge of ophthalmology or previous use of retinography, performed digital retinographies on 104 hospitalized patients. The retinographies were acquired in video format, uploaded to a web platform, and reviewed centrally by two ophthalmologists, analyzing the image quality and the presence of retinal lesions. In our sample there was a high proportion of exudates and hemorrhages-8% and 4%, respectively. In addition, the presence of lesions was studied in patients with known underlying risk factors for retinal disease, such as HIV, diabetes, and/or hypertension. Our tele-retinography system based on a smartphone coupled with a simple and low-cost 3D printed device is easy to use by healthcare personnel without specialized ophthalmological knowledge and could be applied for the screening and initial diagnosis of retinal pathology.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The Exchange Protein directly Activated by cAMP (EPAC), has been implicated in pro-arrhythmic signaling pathways in the atria, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Methods: In this study, we investigated the involvement of EPAC1 and EPAC2 isoforms in the genesis of AF in wild type (WT) mice and knockout (KO) mice for EPAC1 or EPAC2. We also employed EPAC pharmacological modulators to selectively activate EPAC proteins (8-CPT-AM; 10 μM), or inhibit either EPAC1 (AM-001; 20 μM) or EPAC2 (ESI-05; 25 μM). Transesophageal stimulation was used to characterize the induction of AF in vivo in mice. Optical mapping experiments were performed on isolated mouse atria and cellular electrophysiology was examined by whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Results: In wild type mice, we found 8-CPT-AM slightly increased AF susceptibility and that this was blocked by the EPAC1 inhibitor AM-001 but not the EPAC2 inhibitor ESI-05. Consistent with this, in EPAC1 KO mice, occurrence of AF was observed in 3/12 (vs. 4/10 WT littermates) and 4/10 in EPAC2 KO (vs. 5/10 WT littermates). In wild type animals, optical mapping experiments revealed that 8-CPT-AM perfusion increased action potential duration even in the presence of AM-001 or ESI-05. Interestingly, 8-CPT-AM perfusion decreased conduction velocity, an effect blunted by AM-001 but not ESI-05. Patch-clamp experiments demonstrated action potential prolongation after 8-CPT-AM perfusion in both wild type and EPAC1 KO mice and this effect was partially prevented by AM-001 in WT. Conclusion: Together, these results indicate that EPAC1 and EPAC2 signaling pathways differentially alter atrial electrophysiology but only the EPAC1 isoform is involved in the genesis of AF. Selective blockade of EPAC1 with AM-001 prevents AF in mice., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Guillot, Boileve, Walton, Harfoush, Conte, Sainte-Marie, Charron, Bernus, Recalde, Sallé, Brette and Lezoualc’h.)

The emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to first-line antimalarials creates an imperative to identify and develop potent preclinical candidates with distinct modes of action. Here, we report the identification of MMV688533, an acylguanidine that was developed following a whole-cell screen with compounds known to hit high-value targets in human cells. MMV688533 displays fast parasite clearance in vitro and is not cross-resistant with known antimalarials. In a P. falciparum NSG mouse model, MMV688533 displays a long-lasting pharmacokinetic profile and excellent safety. Selection studies reveal a low propensity for resistance, with modest loss of potency mediated by point mutations in PfACG1 and PfEHD. These proteins are implicated in intracellular trafficking, lipid utilization, and endocytosis, suggesting interference with these pathways as a potential mode of action. This preclinical candidate may offer the potential for a single low-dose cure for malaria., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.)

Aldosterone plays a major role in atrial structural and electrical remodeling, in particular through Ca 2+ -transient perturbations and shortening of the action potential. The Ca 2+ -activated non-selective cation channel Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 4 (TRPM4) participates in atrial action potential. The aim of our study was to elucidate the interactions between aldosterone and TRPM4 in atrial remodeling and arrhythmias susceptibility. Hyperaldosteronemia, combined with a high salt diet, was induced in mice by subcutaneously implanted osmotic pumps during 4 weeks, delivering aldosterone or physiological serum for control animals. The experiments were conducted in wild type animals ( Trpm4 +/+ ) as well as Trpm4 knock-out animals ( Trpm4 -/- ). The atrial diameter measured by echocardiography was higher in Trpm4 -/- compared to Trpm4 +/+ animals, and hyperaldosteronemia-salt produced a dilatation in both groups. Action potentials duration and triggered arrhythmias were measured using intracellular microelectrodes on the isolated left atrium. Hyperaldosteronemia-salt prolong action potential in Trpm4 -/- mice but had no effect on Trpm4 +/+ mice. In the control group (no aldosterone-salt treatment), no triggered arrythmias were recorded in Trpm4 +/+ mice, but a high level was detected in Trpm4 -/- mice. Hyperaldosteronemia-salt enhanced the occurrence of arrhythmias (early as well as delayed-afterdepolarization) in Trpm4 +/+ mice but decreased it in Trpm4 -/- animals. Atrial connexin43 immunolabelling indicated their disorganization at the intercalated disks and a redistribution at the lateral side induced by hyperaldosteronemia-salt but also by Trpm4 disruption. In addition, hyperaldosteronemia-salt produced pronounced atrial endothelial thickening in both groups. Altogether, our results indicated that hyperaldosteronemia-salt and TRPM4 participate in atrial electrical and structural remodeling. It appears that TRPM4 is involved in aldosterone-induced atrial action potential shortening. In addition, TRPM4 may promote aldosterone-induced atrial arrhythmias, however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be explored.

Cardiac fibroblasts play an important role in cardiac matrix turnover and are involved in cardiac fibrosis development. Ca 2+ is a driving belt in this phenomenon. This study evaluates the functional expression and contribution of the Ca 2+ -activated channel TRPM4 in atrial fibroblast phenotype. Molecular and electrophysiological investigations were conducted in human atrial fibroblasts in primary culture and in atrial fibroblasts obtained from wild-type and transgenic mice with disrupted Trpm4 gene (Trpm4 -/- ). A typical TRPM4 current was recorded on human cells (equal selectivity for Na + and K + , activation by internal Ca 2+ , voltage sensitivity, conductance of 23.2 pS, inhibition by 9-phenanthrol (IC 50  = 6.1 × 10 -6  mol L -1 )). Its detection rate was 13% on patches at days 2-4 in culture but raised to 100% on patches at day 28. By the same time, a cell growth was observed. This growth was smaller when cells were maintained in the presence of 9-phenanthrol. Similar cell growth was measured on wild-type mice atrial fibroblasts during culture. However, this growth was minimized on Trpm4 -/- mice fibroblasts compared to control animals. In addition, the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin increased during culture of atrial fibroblasts from wild-type mice. This was not observed in Trpm4 -/- mice fibroblasts. It is concluded that TRPM4 participates in fibroblast growth and could thus be involved in cardiac fibrosis.

Understanding the ecology and evolution of parasites is contingent on identifying the selection pressures they face across their infection landscape. Such a task is made challenging by the fact that these pressures will likely vary across time and space, as a result of seasonal and geographical differences in host susceptibility or transmission opportunities. Avian haemosporidian blood parasites are capable of infecting multiple co-occurring hosts within their ranges, yet whether their distribution across time and space varies similarly in their different host species remains unclear. Here, we applied a new PCR method to detect avian haemosporidia (genera Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Plasmodium ) and to determine parasite prevalence in two closely related and co-occurring host species, blue tits ( Cyanistes caeruleus, N  = 529) and great tits ( Parus major , N  = 443). Our samples were collected between autumn and spring, along an elevational gradient in the French Pyrenees and over a three-year period. Most parasites were found to infect both host species, and while these generalist parasites displayed similar elevational patterns of prevalence in the two host species, this was not always the case for seasonal prevalence patterns. For example, Leucocytozoon group A parasites showed inverse seasonal prevalence when comparing between the two host species, being highest in winter and spring in blue tits but higher in autumn in great tits. While Plasmodium relictum prevalence was overall lower in spring relative to winter or autumn in both species, spring prevalence was also lower in blue tits than in great tits. Together, these results reveal how generalist parasites can exhibit host-specific epidemiology, which is likely to complicate predictions of host-parasite co-evolution., Competing Interests: None declared., (© 2020 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Models on the evolution of bi-parental care typically assume that maternal investment in offspring production is fixed and predict subsequent contributions to offspring care by the pair are stabilized by partial compensation. While experimental tests of this prediction are supportive, exceptions are commonplace. Using wild blue tits ( Cyanistes caeruleus), we provide, to our knowledge, the first investigation into the effects of increasing maternal investment in offspring production for subsequent contributions to nestling provisioning by mothers and male partners. Females that were induced to lay two extra eggs provisioned nestlings 43% more frequently than controls, despite clutch size being made comparable between treatment groups at the onset of incubation. Further, experimental males did not significantly reduce provisioning rates as expected by partial compensation, and if anything contributed slightly (9%) more than controls. Finally, nestlings were significantly heavier in experimental nests compared with controls, suggesting that the 22% average increase in provisioning rates by experimental pairs was beneficial. Our results have potential implications for our understanding of provisioning rules, the maintenance of bi-parental care and the timescale over which current-future life-history trade-offs operate. We recommend greater consideration of female investment at the egg stage to more fully understand the evolutionary dynamics of bi-parental care.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are nonselective cationic channels that are generally Ca 2+ permeable and have a heterogeneous expression in the heart. In the myocardium, TRP channels participate in several physiological functions, such as modulation of action potential waveform, pacemaking, conduction, inotropy, lusitropy, Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ handling, store-operated Ca 2+ entry, embryonic development, mitochondrial function and adaptive remodelling. Moreover, TRP channels are also involved in various pathological mechanisms, such as arrhythmias, ischaemia-reperfusion injuries, Ca 2+ -handling defects, fibrosis, maladaptive remodelling, inherited cardiopathies and cell death. In this Review, we present the current knowledge of the roles of TRP channels in different cardiac regions (sinus node, atria, ventricles and Purkinje fibres) and cells types (cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts) and discuss their contribution to pathophysiological mechanisms, which will help to identify the best candidates for new therapeutic targets among the cardiac TRP family.

The microbiota has a broad range of impacts on host physiology and behaviour, pointing out the need to improve our comprehension of the drivers of host-microbiota composition. Of particular interest is whether the microbiota is acquired passively, or whether and to what extent hosts themselves shape the acquisition and maintenance of their microbiota. In birds, the uropygial gland produces oily secretions used to coat feathers that have been suggested to act as an antimicrobial defence mechanism regulating body feather microbiota. However, our comprehension of this process is still limited. In this study, we for the first time coupled high-throughput sequencing of the microbiota of both body feathers and the direct environment (i.e., the nest) in great tits with chemical analyses of the composition of uropygial gland secretions to examine whether host chemicals have either specific effects on some bacteria or nonspecific broad-spectrum effects on the body feather microbiota. Using a network approach investigating the patterns of co-occurrence or co-exclusions between chemicals and bacteria within the body feather microbiota, we found no evidence for specific promicrobial or antimicrobial effects of uropygial gland chemicals. However, we found that one group of chemicals was negatively correlated to bacterial richness on body feathers, and a higher production of these chemicals was associated with a poorer body feather bacterial richness compared to the nest microbiota. Our study provides evidence that chemicals produced by the host might function as a nonspecific broad-spectrum antimicrobial defence mechanism limiting colonization and/or maintenance of bacteria on body feathers, providing new insight about the drivers of the host's microbiota composition in wild organisms., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background and Purpose: Cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) damages remains a major concern during prehospital management of acute myocardial infarction. Noble gases have shown beneficial effects in preconditioning studies. Because emergency proceedings in the context of myocardial infarction require postconditioning strategies, we evaluated the effects of argon in such protocols on mammalian cardiac tissue., Experimental Approaches: In rat, cardiac I/R was induced in vivo by transient coronary artery ligature and cardiac functions were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. Hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R)-induced arrhythmias were evaluated in vitro using intracellular microelectrodes on both rat-isolated ventricle and a model of border zone in guinea pig ventricle. Hypoxia-reoxygenation loss of contractile force was assessed in human atrial appendages. In those models, postconditioning was induced by 5 minutes application of argon at the time of reperfusion., Key Results: In the in vivo model, I/R produced left ventricular ejection fraction decrease (24%) and wall motion score increase (36%) which was prevented when argon was applied in postconditioning. In vitro, argon postconditioning abolished H/R-induced arrhythmias such as early after depolarizations, conduction blocks, and reentries. Recovery of contractile force in human atrial appendages after H/R was enhanced in the argon group, increasing from 51% ± 2% in the nonconditioned group to 83% ± 7% in the argon-treated group ( P < .001). This effect of argon was abolished in the presence of wortmannin and PD98059 which inhibit prosurvival phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) and MEK/extracellular receptor kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2), respectively, or in the presence of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore opener atractyloside, suggesting the involvement of the reperfusion injury salvage kinase pathway., Conclusion and Implications: Argon has strong cardioprotective properties when applied in conditions of postconditioning and thus appears as a potential therapeutic tool in I/R situations.

Background: Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited arrhythmic disorder characterized by prolongation of the QT interval, a risk of syncope, and sudden death. There are already a number of causal genes in LQTS, but not all LQTS patients have an identified mutation, which suggests LQTS unknown genes., Methods: A cohort of 178 LQTS patients, with no mutations in the 3 major LQTS genes (KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A), was screened for mutations in the transient potential melastatin 4 gene (TRPM4)., Results: Four TRPM4 variants (2.2% of the cohort) were found to change highly conserved amino-acids and were either very rare or absent from control populations. Therefore, these four TRPM4 variants were predicted to be disease causing. Furthermore, no mutations were found in the DNA of these TRPM4 variant carriers in any of the 13 major long QT syndrome genes. Two of these variants were further studied by electrophysiology (p.Val441Met and p.Arg499Pro). Both variants showed a classical TRPM4 outward rectifying current, but the current was reduced by 61 and 90% respectively, compared to wild type TRPM4 current., Conclusions: This study supports the view that TRPM4 could account for a small percentage of LQTS patients. TRPM4 contribution to the QT interval might be multifactorial by modulating whole cell current but also, as shown in Trpm4 -/- mice, by modulating cardiomyocyte proliferation. TRPM4 enlarges the subgroup of LQT genes (KCNJ2 in Andersen syndrome and CACNA1C in Timothy syndrome) known to increase the QT interval through a more complex pleiotropic effect than merely action potential alteration.

Key Points: The transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) inhibitor 9-phenanthrol reduces action potential duration in rabbit Purkinje fibres but not in ventricle. TRPM4-like single channel activity is observed in isolated rabbit Purkinje cells but not in ventricular cells. The TRPM4-like current develops during the notch and early repolarization phases of the action potential in Purkinje cells., Abstract: Transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) Ca(2+)-activated non-selective cation channel activity has been recorded in cardiomyocytes and sinus node cells from mammals. In addition, TRPM4 gene mutations are associated with human diseases of cardiac conduction, suggesting that TRPM4 plays a role in this aspect of cardiac function. Here we evaluate the TRPM4 contribution to cardiac electrophysiology of Purkinje fibres. Ventricular strips with Purkinje fibres were isolated from rabbit hearts. Intracellular microelectrodes recorded Purkinje fibre activity and the TRPM4 inhibitor 9-phenanthrol was applied to unmask potential TRPM4 contributions to the action potential. 9-Phenanthrol reduced action potential duration measured at the point of 50 and 90% repolarization with an EC50 of 32.8 and 36.1×10(-6) mol l(-1), respectively, but did not modulate ventricular action potentials. Inside-out patch-clamp recordings were used to monitor TRPM4 activity in isolated Purkinje cells. TRPM4-like single channel activity (conductance = 23.8 pS; equal permeability for Na(+) and K(+); sensitivity to voltage, Ca(2+) and 9-phenanthrol) was observed in 43% of patches from Purkinje cells but not from ventricular cells (0/16). Action potential clamp experiments performed in the whole-cell configuration revealed a transient inward 9-phenanthrol-sensitive current (peak density = -0.65 ± 0.15 pA pF(-1); n = 5) during the plateau phases of the Purkinje fibre action potential. These results show that TRPM4 influences action potential characteristics in rabbit Purkinje fibres and thus could modulate cardiac conduction and be involved in triggering arrhythmias., (© 2015 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2015 The Physiological Society.)

TRPM4 forms a non-selective cation channel activated by internal Ca(2+). Its functional expression was demonstrated in cardiomyocytes of several mammalian species including humans, but the channel is also present in many other tissues. The recent characterization of the TRPM4 inhibitor 9-phenanthrol, and the availability of transgenic mice have helped to clarify the role of TRPM4 in cardiac electrical activity, including diastolic depolarization from the sino-atrial node cells in mouse, rat, and rabbit, as well as action potential duration in mouse cardiomyocytes. In rat and mouse, pharmacological inhibition of TRPM4 prevents cardiac ischaemia-reperfusion injuries and decreases the occurrence of arrhythmias. Several studies have identified TRPM4 mutations in patients with inherited cardiac diseases including conduction blocks and Brugada syndrome. This review identifies TRPM4 as a significant actor in cardiac electrophysiology., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2015. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

In ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) context, clinical studies have shown the deleterious effect of high aldosterone levels on ventricular arrhythmia occurrence and cardiac mortality. Previous in vitro reports showed that during ischemia-reperfusion, aldosterone modulates K+ currents involved in the holding of the resting membrane potential (RMP). The aim of this study was to assess the electrophysiological impact of aldosterone on IK1 current during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. We used an in vitro model of "border zone" using right rabbit ventricle and standard microelectrode technique followed by cell-attached recordings from freshly isolated rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes. In microelectrode experiments, aldosterone (10 and 100 nmol/L, n=7 respectively) increased the action potential duration (APD) dispersion at 90% between ischemic and normoxic zones (from 95±4 ms to 116±6 ms and 127±5 ms respectively, P<0.05) and reperfusion-induced sustained premature ventricular contractions occurrence (from 2/12 to 5/7 preparations, P<0.05). Conversely, potassium canrenoate 100 nmol/L and RU 28318 1 μmol/l alone did not affect AP parameters and premature ventricular contractions occurrence (except Vmax which was decreased by potassium canrenoate during simulated-ischemia). Furthermore, aldosterone induced a RMP hyperpolarization, evoking an implication of a K+ current involved in the holding of the RMP. Cell-attached recordings showed that aldosterone 10 nmol/L quickly activated (within 6.2±0.4 min) a 30 pS K+-selective current, inward rectifier, with pharmacological and biophysical properties consistent with the IK1 current (NPo =1.9±0.4 in control vs NPo=3.0±0.4, n=10, P<0.05). These deleterious effects persisted in presence of RU 28318, a specific MR antagonist, and were successfully prevented by potassium canrenoate, a non specific MR antagonist, in both microelectrode and patch-clamp recordings, thus indicating a MR-independent IK1 activation. In this ischemia-reperfusion context, aldosterone induced rapid and MR-independent deleterious effects including an arrhythmia substrate (increased APD90 dispersion) and triggered activities (increased premature ventricular contractions occurrence on reperfusion) possibly related to direct IK1 activation.

Cardiomyocyte contraction depends on rapid changes in intracellular Ca(2+). In mammals, Ca(2+) influx as L-type Ca(2+) current (ICa) triggers the release of Ca(2+) from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) is critical for excitation-contraction coupling. In fish, the relative contribution of external and internal Ca(2+) is unclear. Here, we characterized the role of ICa to trigger SR Ca(2+) release in rainbow trout ventricular myocytes using ICa regulation by Ca(2+) as an index of CICR. ICa was recorded with a slow (EGTA) or fast (BAPTA) Ca(2+) chelator in control and isoproterenol conditions. In the absence of β-adrenergic stimulation, the rate of ICa inactivation was not significantly different in EGTA and BAPTA (27.1 ± 1.8 vs. 30.3 ± 2.4 ms), whereas with isoproterenol (1 μM), inactivation was significantly faster with EGTA (11.6 ± 1.7 vs. 27.3 ± 1.6 ms). When barium was the charge carrier, inactivation was significantly slower in both conditions (61.9 ± 6.1 vs. 68.0 ± 8.7 ms, control, isoproterenol). Quantification revealed that without isoproterenol, only 39% of ICa inactivation was due to Ca(2+), while with isoproterenol, inactivation was Ca(2+)-dependent (∼65%) and highly reliant on SR Ca(2+) (∼46%). Thus, SR Ca(2+) is not released in basal conditions, and ICa is the main trigger of contraction, whereas during a stress response, SR Ca(2+) is an important source of cytosolic Ca(2+). This was not attributed to differences in SR Ca(2+) load because caffeine-induced transients were not different in both conditions. Therefore, Ca(2+) stored in SR of trout cardiomyocytes may act as a safety mechanism, allowing greater contraction when higher contractility is required, such as stress or exercise., (Copyright © 2014 the American Physiological Society.)

Objective: To assess the electrophysiological impact of aldosterone during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion., Methods: We used an in vitro model of "border zone" using rabbit right ventricle and standard microelectrodes., Results: Aldosterone (10 and 100 nmol/L) shortened ischemic action potential [action potential duration at 90% of repolarization (APD90), from 55 ± 3 to 39 ± 1 ms and 36 ± 3 ms, respectively, P < 0.05] and induced resting membrane potential (RMP) hyperpolarization in the nonischemic zone (from -83 ± 1 to -93 ± 7 mV and -94 ± 3 mV, respectively, P < 0.05) and in the ischemic zone during reperfusion (from -81 ± 2 to -88 ± 2 mV and -91 ± 2 mV, respectively, P < 0.05). Bimakalim, an ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel opener, also induced RMP hyperpolarization and APD90 shortening. Aldosterone (10 and 100 nmol/L) increased APD90 dispersion between ischemic and nonischemic zones (from 96 ± 3 to 117 ± 5 ms and 131 ± 6 ms, respectively, P < 0.05) and reperfusion-induced severe premature ventricular contraction occurrence (from 18% to 67% and 75%, respectively, P < 0.05). Adding glibenclamide, a nonspecific K(ATP) antagonist, to aldosterone superfusion abolished these effects different to sodium 5-hydroxydecanoate, a mitochondrial-K(ATP) antagonist., Conclusions: In this in vitro rabbit model of border zone, aldosterone induced RMP hyperpolarization and decreased ischemic APD90 evoking the modulation of K currents. Glibenclamide prevented these effects different to 5-hydroxydecanoate, suggesting that sarcolemmal-K(ATP) channels may be involved in this context.

This chapter describes appropriate methods to investigate mammalian cardiac channels properties at the single channel level. Cell isolation is performed from new born or adult heart by enzymatic digestion on minced tissue or using the Langendorff apparatus. Isolation proceeding is suitable for rabbit, rat, and mouse hearts. In addition, isolation of human atrial cardiomyocytes is described. Such freshly isolated cells or cells maintained in primary culture are suitable for patch-clamp studies. Here we describe the single channel variants of the patch-clamp technique (cell-attached, inside-out, outside-out) used to investigate channel properties. Proceedings for the evaluation of biophysical properties such as conductance, ionic selectivity, regulations by extracellular and intracellular mechanisms are described. To illustrate the study, we provide an example by the characterization of a calcium-activated non-selective cation channel (TRPM4).

Background: The transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) channel is expressed in the sinoatrial node, but its physiologic roles in this tissue with cardiac pacemaker properties remain unknown. This Ca(2+)-activated nonselective cation channel (NSCCa) induces cell depolarization at negative potentials. It is implicated in burst generation in neurons and participates in induction of ectopic beating in cardiac ventricular preparations submitted to hypoxia/reoxygenation. Accordingly, TRPM4 may participate in action potential (AP) triggering in the sinoatrial node., Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of TRPM4 on spontaneous heart beating., Methods: Spontaneous APs were recorded using intracellular microelectrodes in mouse, rat, and rabbit isolated right atria., Results: In the spontaneously beating mouse atrium, superfusion of the TRPM4-specific inhibitor 9-phenanthrol produced a concentration-dependent reduction in AP rate (maximal reduction = 62% that of control; EC50 = 8 × 10(-6) mol●L(-1)) without affecting other AP parameters. These effects were absent in TRPM4(-/-) mice. 9-Phenanthrol exerted a rate-dependent reduction with a higher effect at low rates. Similar results were obtained in rat. Moreover, application of 9-phenanthrol produced a reduction in diastolic depolarization slope in rabbit sinus node pacemaker cells., Conclusion: These data showed that TRPM4 modulates beating rate. Pacemaker activity in the sinoatrial node results from the slow diastolic depolarization slope due to the "funny" current, Na/Ca exchange, and a Ca(2+)-activated nonselective cation current, which can be attributable in part to TRPM4 that may act against bradycardia., (© 2013 Heart Rhythm Society. All rights reserved.)

Sympathetic stimulation is an important modulator of cardiac function via the classic cAMP-dependent signaling pathway, PKA. Recently, this paradigm has been challenged by the discovery of a family of guanine nucleotide exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (Epac), acting in parallel to the classic signaling pathway. In cardiac myocytes, Epac activation is known to modulate Ca(2+) cycling yet their actions on cardiac ionic currents remain poorly characterized. This study attempts to address this paucity of information using the patch clamp technique to record action potential (AP) and ionic currents on rat ventricular myocytes. Epac was selectively activated by 8-CPT-AM (acetoxymethyl ester form of 8-CPT). AP amplitude, maximum depolarization rate and resting membrane amplitude were unaltered by 8-CPT-AM, strongly suggesting that Na(+) current and inward rectifier K(+) current are not regulated by Epac. In contrast, AP duration was significantly increased by 8-CPT-AM (prolongation of duration at 50% and 90% of repolarization by 41±10% and 43±8% respectively, n=11). L-type Ca(2+) current density was unaltered by 8-CPT-AM (n=16) so this cannot explain the action potential lengthening. However, the steady state component of K(+) current was significantly inhibited by 8-CPT-AM (-38±6%, n=15), while the transient outward K(+) current was unaffected by 8-CPT-AM. These effects were PKA-independent since they were observed in the presence of PKA inhibitor KT5720. Isoprenaline (100nM) induced a significant prolongation of AP duration, even in the presence of KT5720. This study provides the first evidence that the cAMP-binding protein Epac critically modulates cardiac AP duration by decreasing steady state K(+) current. These observations may be relevant to diseases in which Epac is upregulated, like cardiac hypertrophy., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

I(Ks) blockade might be a promising way to treat tachyarrhythmia because of the accumulation of activated potassium channels. However, I(Ks) blockade during ischemia/reperfusion has not been investigated. Thus, the electrophysiological effects of two I(Ks) blockers, chromanol 293B (10 μm) and HMR 1556 (1 μm), were assessed in an in vitro model of border zone between normal and ischemic/reperfused right ventricular myocardium from guinea-pigs, and classic electrophysiological parameters and the incidence of arrhythmias were studied. HMR 1556 and chromanol 293B exhibited slight conventional class III effects on action potential duration in the normal zone (NZ) (APD(90) : -2 ± 5%, not significant (NS); +6 ± 3%, NS; and +5 ± 1%, P < 0.05, respectively, in control, HMR 1556, and chromanol 293B groups) but failed to oppose its decrease after 30 min of simulated ischemic superfusion (APD(90) : -52 ± 5%, P < 0.01; -64 ± 5%, P < 0.01; and -61 ± 3%, P < 0.01, respectively, in control, HMR 1556, and chromanol 293B groups), leading to repolarization dispersion between normal and ischemic zones. Chromanol 293B and HMR 1556 prolonged APD(90) during reperfusion, respectively, by +11 ± 1%, P < 0.01 and +25 ± 4%, P < 0.01 in the NZ and by +13 ± 3%, NS and +31 ± 2%, P < 0.01 in the simulated ischemic zone. Both compounds exhibited neutral arrhythmogenic effects during ischemia or reperfusion. Thus, I(Ks) blockade was neutral on the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias during ischemia and reperfusion in guinea-pig ventricular tissue., (© 2011 The Authors Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology © 2011 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.)

Background and Purpose: Hypoxia and subsequent re-oxygenation are associated with cardiac arrhythmias such as early afterdepolarizations (EADs), which may be partly explained by perturbations in cytosolic calcium concentration. Transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4), a calcium-activated non-selective cation channel, is functionally expressed in the heart. Based on its biophysical properties, it is likely to participate in EADs. Hence, modulators of TRPM4 activity may influence arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible anti-arrhythmic effect of 9-phenanthrol, a TRPM4 inhibitor in a murine heart model of hypoxia and re-oxygenation-induced EADs., Experimental Approach: Mouse heart was removed, and the right ventricle was pinned in a superfusion chamber. After a period of normoxia, the preparation was superfused for 2 h with a hypoxic solution and then re-oxygenated. Spontaneous electrical activity was investigated by intracellular microelectrode recordings., Key Results: In normoxic conditions, the ventricle exhibited spontaneous action potentials. Application of the hypoxia and re-oxygenation protocol unmasked hypoxia-induced EADs, the occurrence of which increased under re-oxygenation. The frequency of these EADs was reduced by superfusion with either flufenamic acid, a blocker of Ca(2+) -dependent cation channels or with 9-phenanthrol. Superfusion with 9-phenanthrol (10(-5) or 10(-4)  mol·L(-1) ) caused a dramatic dose-dependent abolition of EADs., Conclusions and Implications: Hypoxia and re-oxygenation-induced EADs can be generated in the mouse heart model. 9-Phenanthrol abolished EADs, which strongly suggests the involvement of TRPM4 in the generation of EAD. This identifies non-selective cation channels inhibitors as new pharmacological candidates in the treatment of arrhythmias., (© 2011 The Authors. British Journal of Pharmacology © 2011 The British Pharmacological Society.)

The electrophysiological (standard intracellular microelectrode technique) and pro-arrhythmic (occurrence of early after-depolarization) effects of five class III agents acting on delayed rectifier current (I(K)), rapid (I(Kr)), and/or slow (I(Ks)) components have been studied in rabbit Purkinje fibers taken near the septum and submitted in vitro to reduced stimulation rate (from 1 to 0.5 Hz) in the absence or presence of epinephrine (10 nm) during normoxic conditions. There were two I(Kr) blockers (d-sotalol and dofetilide), two I(Ks) blockers (chromanol 293B and HMR 1556), and a non-selective I(K) blocker (azimilide). d-sotalol, dofetilide, and azimilide lengthened APD(60) and APD(90) in a concentration-dependent manner. Both d-sotalol and dofetilide showed pro-arrhythmia at highest concentrations and in the presence of epinephrine and lower stimulation rate. Despite azimilide markedly lengthened APD(90), it was globally less pro-arrhythmic than dofetilide. Thus, in normoxic rabbit Purkinje fibers, I(Kr) blockade prolonged action potential duration (APD) and increased the incidence of early after-depolarizations, particularly so in the presence of adrenergic stimulation and bradycardia, I(Ks) blockade did neither, and non-selective I(K) blockade (by azimilide) behaved principally as I(Kr) blockade. It is concluded that in normoxic rabbit Purkinje fibers, I(Ks) blockade was neutral, whereas I(Kr) blockade was pro-arrhythmic, which may make a difference worth exploration in more complex models., (© 2010 The Authors Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology © 2010 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.)

Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) proteins are non-selective cationic channels with a consistent Ca(2+)-permeability, except for TRPM4 and TRPM5 that are not permeable to this ion. However, Ca(2+) is a major regulator of their activity since both channels are activated by a rise in internal Ca(2+). Thus TRPM4 and TRPM5 are responsible for most of the Ca(2+)-activated non-selective cationic currents (NSC(Ca)) recorded in a large variety of tissues. Their activation induces cell-membrane depolarization that modifies the driving force for ions as well as activity of voltage gated channels and thereby strongly impacts cell physiology. In the last few years, the ubiquitously expressed TRPM4 channel has been implicated in insulin secretion, the immune response, constriction of cerebral arteries, the activity of inspiratory neurons and cardiac dysfunction. Conversely, TRPM5 whose expression is more restricted, has until now been mainly implicated in taste transduction.

Background: Etomidate and ketamine are used during induction of anesthesia in high-risk patients. However, their effects on action potential (AP) variables and ischemia/reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and conduction blocks are unknown., Methods: Guinea pig right ventricular muscle strips were mounted in a 5-mL double chamber bath with the strips separated into two zones by an impermeable latex membrane. One-half (normal zone) was exposed to normal perfusate while the other half (altered zone) was exposed to hypoxia, hyperkalemia, acidosis, and lack of glucose. AP variables were recorded continuously in the normal and altered zones. Spontaneous arrhythmias and conduction blocks were noted. Etomidate (10(-7), 10(-6), and 10(-5) M) and ketamine (10(-6), 10(-5), and 10(-4) M) were superfused into the bath throughout the experiment and the electrophysiologic effects compared with the control group., Results: We found that under control conditions, etomidate and ketamine did not modify resting membrane potential, maximal upstroke velocity, AP amplitude, or AP duration at 90% of repolarization (APD90). Ketamine (10(-4) M), but not weaker concentrations and none of the concentration of etomidate, reversed the ischemia-induced shortening of APD90 and APD dispersion. Etomidate and ketamine did not modify the occurrence of conduction block during simulated ischemia. In contrast, ketamine (25% at 10(-6) M, 13% at 10(-5) M, and 13% at 10(-4) M vs 90% in the control group, P < 0.05) but not etomidate (38% at 10(-7) M, 63% at 10(-6) M, and 63% at 10(-5) M vs 90% in the control group, NS) decreased the incidence of reperfusion-induced spontaneous arrhythmias., Conclusions: In guinea pig myocardium, our data suggest that ketamine, in clinically relevant concentrations, decreases ischemia-induced AP shortening and spontaneous reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias. Further study is required to precisely determine the effect of etomidate on reperfusion-induced arrhythmias.

Heart rate is an essential determinant of cardiac performance. In rat ventricular myocytes, a sudden increase in rate yields to a prolongation of the action potential duration (APD). The mechanism underlying this prolongation is controversial: it has been proposed that the longer APD is due to either: (1) a decrease in K+ currents only or (2) an increase in Ca2+ current only. The aim of this study was to quantitatively investigate the contribution of Ca2+ and K+ currents in the adaptation of APD to pacing rate. Simulation using a mathematical model of ventricular rat cardiac cell model [Pandit, S.V., Clark, R.B., Giles, W.R., Demir, S.S., 2001. A mathematical model of action potential heterogeneity in adult rat left ventricular myocytes. Biophys. J. 81, 3029-3051] predicted a role in the prolongation of APD for K+ currents only. In patch clamp experiments, increasing the pacing rate leads to a significant increase in APD in both control and detubulated myocytes, although it was more marked in control than detubulated myocytes. Supporting the model prediction, we observed that increasing stimulation frequency leads to a decrease in K+ currents in voltage clamped rat ventricular myocytes (square and action potential waveforms), and to a similar extent in both cell types. We have also observed that frequency-dependent facilitation of Ca2+ current occurred in control cells but not in detubulated cells (square and action potential waveforms). From these experiments, we calculated that the relative contribution of Ca2+ and K+ currents to the longer APD following an increase in pacing rate is approximately 65% and approximately 35%, respectively. Therefore, in contrast to the model prediction, Ca2+ current has a significant role in the adaptation of APD to pacing rate. Finally, we have introduced a simplistic modification to the Pandit's model to account for the frequency-dependent facilitation of Ca2+ current.

The sarcolemmal membrane of mammalian ventricular cardiomyocytes are characterised by the presence of invaginations called transverse tubules (T-tubules) which constitute a network, the transverse tubule system. T-tubules occur at the Z line as transverse elements with also longitudinal extensions. While the existence of T-tubules has been known since a long time, recent studies have suggested their structure and function can be more complex than previously believed. Many of the proteins involved in excitation-contraction coupling process are concentrated within the T-tubular network, suggesting T-tubules are a highly specialized membrane system. Thus, T-tubules are a key determinant of cardiac cell function. The fundamental role of T-tubules is emphasized by changes in their structure and protein expression occurring during pathologies such as cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. This review summarizes recent studies which highlight the key-role of the T-tubules in the regulation of cardiac function. Changes observed in pathological conditions are also discussed.

Calcium is a ubiquitous second messenger which plays key roles in numerous physiological functions. In cardiac myocytes, Ca2+ crosses the plasma membrane via specialized voltage-gated Ca2+ channels which have two main functions: (i) carrying depolarizing current by allowing positively charged Ca2+ ions to move into the cell; (ii) triggering Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Recently, it has been suggested than Ca2+ channels also participate in excitation-transcription coupling. The purpose of this review is to discuss the physiological roles of Ca2+ currents in cardiac myocytes. Next, we describe local regulation of Ca2+ channels by cyclic nucleotides. We also provide an overview of recent studies investigating the structure-function relationship of Ca2+ channels in cardiac myocytes using heterologous system expression and transgenic mice, with descriptions of the recently discovered Ca2+ channels alpha(1D) and alpha(1E). We finally discuss the potential involvement of Ca2+ currents in cardiac pathologies, such as diseases with autoimmune components, and cardiac remodeling.

To evaluate class III effects of clinically relevant concentrations of dofetilide (5 and 10 nmol/l) and the effects of extracellular potassium [K+]o modulation of arrhythmias onset at the level of the "border zone," we used a previously reported in vitro model whereby normoxic and ischemic/reperfused zones were studied. Guinea-pig right ventricular strips (driven at 1 Hz at 36.5+/-0.5 degrees C) were superfused with Tyrode's solution in oxygenated (HCO3- 25 mmol/l, K+ 4 mmol/l, pH 7.35+/-0.05, glucose 5.5 mmol/l: normal zone) and ischemia-simulating conditions (HCO3- 9 mmol/l, pH 6.90+/-0.05, no oxygen and no glucose: altered zone) having either [K+]o 4 (n=20), 8 (n=20) or 12 (n=20) mmol/l. Action potentials in normal and altered zones were recorded simultaneously during 30 min of simulated-ischemia and after 30 min of reperfusion with oxygenated Tyrode's solution. Each preparation served as control for successive phases of dofetilide studies (at 5 and 10 nmol/l) and action potential values were normalized to those present at the beginning of the experiment. During simulated-ischemia, the higher the [K+]o the worse were action potential changes, although full recovery was seen upon 30 min of reperfusion in all [K+]o groups. A high incidence of ischemia/reperfusion arrhythmias was observed in 4 and 12 mmol/l [K+]o groups as opposed to a low incidence of arrhythmias in 8 mmol/l [K+]o group. Dofetilide at 5 and 10 nmol/l with all [K+]o explored: (i) exhibited class III effects, (ii) was effective (or neutral) against ventricular arrhythmias during both simulated-ischemia and reperfusion, and (iii) did not globally increase the dispersion of action potential durations between normal and altered zones. Different arrhythmogenic mechanisms are involved in this model at different [K+]o with 8 mmol/l providing relative protection. Class III effects of dofetilide are evident in the normal zone when in the ischemic-like zone [K+]o ranges from 4 to 12 mmol/l. Thus dofetilide did not increase dispersion of repolarization and had either an antiarrhythmic or a neutral effect during ischemia/reperfusion.