Clive M. Baumgarten

Using gadolinium to identify stretch-activated channels: technical considerations

Gadolinium (Gd3+) blocks cation-selective stretch-activated ion channels (SACs) and thereby inhibits a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Gd3+ sensitivity has become a simple and widely used method for detecting the involvement of SACs, and, conversely, Gd3+insensitivity has been used to infer that processes are not dependent on SACs. The limitations of this approach are not adequately appreciated, however. Avid binding of Gd3+ to anions commonly present in physiological salt solutions and culture media, including phosphate- and bicarbonate-buffered solutions and EGTA in intracellular solutions, often is not taken into account. Failure to detect an effect of Gd3+ in such solutions may reflect the vanishingly low concentrations of free Gd3+ rather than the lack of a role for SACs. Moreover, certain SACs are insensitive to Gd3+, and Gd3+ also blocks other ion channels. Gd3+ remains a useful tool for studying SACs, but appropriate care must be taken in experimental design and interpretation to avoid both false negative and false positive conclusions.

Stretch of β1 Integrin Activates an Outwardly Rectifying Chloride Current via FAK and Src in Rabbit Ventricular Myocytes

Osmotic swelling of cardiac myocytes and other types of cells activates an outwardly rectifying, tamoxifen-sensitive Cl− current, ICl,swell, but it is unclear whether Cl− currents also are activated by direct mechanical stretch. We tested whether specific stretch of β1-integrin activates a Cl− current in rabbit left ventricular myocytes. Paramagnetic beads (4.5-μm diameter) coated with mAb to β1-integrin were applied to the surface of myocytes and pulled upward with an electromagnet while recording whole-cell current. In solutions designed to isolate anion currents, β1-integrin stretch elicited an outwardly rectifying Cl− current with biophysical and pharmacological properties similar to those of ICl,swell. Stretch-activated Cl− current activated slowly (t1/2 = 3.5 ± 0.1 min), partially inactivated at positive voltages, reversed near ECl, and was blocked by 10 μM tamoxifen. When stretch was terminated, 64 ± 8% of the stretch-induced current reversed within 10 min. Mechanotransduction involved protein tyrosine kinase. Genistein (100 μM), a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor previously shown to suppress ICl,swell in myocytes, inhibited stretch-activated Cl− current by 62 ± 6% during continued stretch. Because focal adhesion kinase and Src are known to be activated by cell swelling, mechanical stretch, and clustering of integrins, we tested whether these tyrosine kinases mediated the response to β1-integrin stretch. PP2 (10 μM), a selective blocker of focal adhesion kinase and Src, fully inhibited the stretch-activated Cl− current as well as part of the background Cl− current, whereas its inactive analogue PP3 (10 μM) had no significant effect. In addition to activating Cl− current, stretch of β1-integrin also appeared to activate a nonselective cation current and to suppress IK1. Integrins are the primary mechanical link between the extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton. The present results suggest that integrin stretch may contribute to mechano-electric feedback in heart, modulate electrical activity, and influence the propensity for arrhythmogenesis.

Angiotensin II (AT1) Receptors and NADPH Oxidase Regulate Cl− Current Elicited by β1 Integrin Stretch in Rabbit Ventricular Myocytes

Direct stretch of β1 integrin activates an outwardly rectifying, tamoxifen-sensitive Cl− current (Cl− SAC) via focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and/or Src. The characteristics of Cl− SAC resemble those of the volume-sensitive Cl− current, ICl,swell. Because myocyte stretch releases angiotensin II (AngII), which binds AT1 receptors (AT1R) and stimulates FAK and Src in an autocrine-paracrine loop, we tested whether AT1R and their downstream signaling cascade participate in mechanotransduction. Paramagnetic beads coated with mAb for β1-integrin were applied to myocytes and pulled upward with an electromagnet while recording whole-cell anion current. Losartan (5 μM), an AT1R competitive antagonist, blocked Cl− SAC but did not significantly alter the background Cl− current in the absence of integrin stretch. AT1R signaling is mediated largely by H2O2 produced from superoxide generated by sarcolemmal NADPH oxidase. Diphenyleneiodonium (DPI, 60 μM), a potent NADPH oxidase inhibitor, rapidly and completely blocked both Cl− SAC elicited by stretch and the background Cl− current. A structurally unrelated NADPH oxidase inhibitor, 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF, 0.5 and 2 mM), also rapidly and completely blocked Cl− SAC as well as a large fraction of the background Cl− current. With continuing integrin stretch, Cl− SAC recovered upon washout of AEBSF (2 mM). In the absence of stretch, exogenous AngII (5 nM) activated an outwardly rectifying Cl− current that was rapidly and completely blocked by DPI (60 μM). Moreover, exogenous H2O2 (10, 100, and 500 μM), the eventual product of NADPH oxidase activity, also activated Cl− SAC in the absence of stretch, whereas catalase (1,000 U/ml), an H2O2 scavenger, attenuated the response to stretch. Application of H2O2 during NADPH oxidase inhibition by either DPI (60 μM) or AEBSF (0.5 mM) did not fully reactivate Cl− SAC, however. These results suggest that stretch of β1-integrin in cardiac myocytes elicits Cl− SAC by activating AT1R and NADPH oxidase and, thereby, producing reactive oxygen species. In addition, NADPH oxidase may be intimately coupled to the channel responsible for Cl− SAC, providing a second regulatory pathway.

EGFR kinase regulates volume-sensitive chloride current elicited by integrin stretch via PI-3K and NADPH oxidase in ventricular myocytes

Stretch of β1 integrins activates an outwardly rectifying, tamoxifen-sensitive Cl− current (Cl− SAC) via AT1 receptors, NADPH oxidase, and reactive oxygen species, and Cl− SAC resembles the volume-sensitive Cl− current (ICl,swell). Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase undergoes transactivation upon stretch, integrin engagement, and AT1 receptor activation and, in turn, stimulates NADPH oxidase. Therefore, we tested whether Cl− SAC is regulated by EGFR kinase signaling and is volume sensitive. Paramagnetic beads coated with mAb for β1 integrin were attached to myocytes and pulled with an electromagnet. Stretch activated a Cl− SAC that was 1.13 ± 0.10 pA/pF at +40 mV. AG1478 (10 μM), an EGFR kinase blocker, inhibited 93 ± 13% of Cl− SAC, and intracellular pretreatment with 1 μM AG1478 markedly suppressed Cl− SAC activation. EGF (3.3 nM) directly activated an outwardly rectifying Cl− current (0.81 ± 0.05 pA/pF at +40 mV) that was fully blocked by 10 μM tamoxifen, an ICl,swell blocker. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) is downstream of EGFR kinase. Wortmannin (500 nM) and LY294002 (100 μM), blockers of PI-3K, inhibited Cl− SAC by 67 ± 6% and 91 ± 25% respectively, and the EGF-induced Cl− current also was fully blocked by LY294002. Furthermore, gp91ds-tat (500 nM), a cell-permeable, chimeric peptide that specifically blocks NADPH oxidase assembly, profoundly inhibited the EGF-induced Cl− current. Inactive permeant and active impermeant control peptides had no effect. Myocyte shrinkage with hyperosmotic bathing media inhibited the Cl− SAC and EGF-induced Cl− current by 88 ± 9% and 127 ± 11%, respectively. These results suggest that β1 integrin stretch activates Cl− SAC via EGFR, PI-3K, and NADPH oxidase, and that both the Cl− SAC and the EGF-induced Cl− currents are likely to be the volume-sensitive Cl− current, ICl,swell.

Differential Effects of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors on Volume-sensitive Chloride Current in Human Atrial Myocytes: Evidence for Dual Regulation by Src and EGFR Kinases

To determine whether protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) modulates volume-sensitive chloride current (ICl.vol) in human atrial myocytes and to identify the PTKs involved, we studied the effects of broad-spectrum and selective PTK inhibitors and the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitor orthovanadate (VO4 −3). ICl.vol evoked by hyposmotic bath solution (0.6-times isosmotic, 0.6T) was enhanced by genistein, a broad-spectrum PTK inhibitor, in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 = 22.4 μM); 100 μM genistein stimulated ICl.vol by 122.4 ± 10.6%. The genistein-stimulated current was inhibited by DIDS (4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid, 150 μM) and tamoxifen (20 μM), blockers of ICl.vol. Moreover, the current augmented by genistein was volume dependent; it was abolished by hyperosmotic shrinkage in 1.4T, and genistein did not activate Cl− current in 1T. In contrast to the stimulatory effects of genistein, 100 μM tyrphostin A23 (AG 18) and A25 (AG 82) inhibited ICl.vol by 38.2 ± 4.9% and 40.9 ± 3.4%, respectively. The inactive analogs, daidzein and tyrphostin A63 (AG 43), did not alter ICl.vol. In addition, the PTP inhibitor VO4 −3 (1 mM) reduced ICl.vol by 53.5 ± 4.5% (IC50 = 249.6 μM). Pretreatment with VO4 −3 antagonized genistein-induced augmentation and A23- or A25-induced suppression of ICl.vol. Furthermore, the selective Src-family PTK inhibitor PP2 (5 μM) stimulated ICl.vol, mimicking genistein, whereas the selective EGFR (ErbB-1) kinase inhibitor tyrphostin B56 (AG 556, 25 μM) reduced ICl.vol, mimicking A23 and A25. The effects of both PP2 and B56 also were substantially antagonized by pretreatment with VO4 −3. The results suggest that ICl.vol is regulated in part by the balance between PTK and PTP activity. Regulation is complex, however. Src and EGFR kinases, distinct soluble and receptor-mediated PTK families, have opposing effects on ICl.vol, and multiple target proteins are likely to be involved.

Endothelin signalling regulates volume-sensitive Cl− current via NADPH oxidase and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species

AIMS We assessed regulation of volume-sensitive Cl(-) current (I(Cl,swell)) by endothelin-1 (ET-1) and characterized the signalling pathway responsible for its activation in rabbit atrial and ventricular myocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS ET-1 elicited I(Cl,swell) under isosmotic conditions. Outwardly rectified Cl(-) current was blocked by the I(Cl,swell)-selective inhibitor DCPIB or osmotic shrinkage and involved ET(A) but not ET(B) receptors. ET-1-induced current was abolished by inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase or phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI-3K), indicating that these kinases were downstream. Regarding upstream events, activation of I(Cl,swell) by osmotic swelling or angiotensin II (AngII) was suppressed by ET(A) blockade, whereas AngII AT(1) receptor blockade failed to alter ET-1-induced current. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by NADPH oxidase (NOX) stimulate I(Cl,swell). As expected, blockade of NOX suppressed ET-1-induced I(Cl,swell), but blockade of mitochondrial ROS production with rotenone also suppressed I(Cl,swell). I(Cl,swell) was activated by augmenting complex III ROS production with antimycin A or diazoxide; in this case, I(Cl,swell) was insensitive to NOX inhibitors, indicating that mitochondria were downstream from NOX. ROS generation in HL-1 cardiomyocytes measured by flow cytometry confirmed the electrophysiological findings. ET-1-induced ROS production was inhibited by blocking either NOX or mitochondrial complex I, whereas complex III-induced ROS production was insensitive to NOX blockade. CONCLUSION ET-1-ET(A) signalling activated I(Cl,swell) via EGFR kinase, PI-3K, and NOX ROS production, which triggered mitochondrial ROS production. ET(A) receptors were downstream effectors when I(Cl,swell) was elicited by osmotic swelling or AngII. These data suggest that ET-1-induced ROS-dependent I(Cl,swell) is likely to participate in multiple physiological and pathophysiological processes.

HIV protease inhibitors elicit volume-sensitive Cl− current in cardiac myocytes via mitochondrial ROS

HIV protease inhibitors (HIV PI) reduce morbidity and mortality of HIV infection but cause multiple untoward effects. Because certain HIV PI evoke production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and volume-sensitive Cl(-) current (I(Cl,swell)) is activated by ROS, we tested whether HIV PI stimulate I(Cl,swell) in ventricular myocytes. Ritonavir and lopinavir elicited outwardly rectifying Cl(-) currents under isosmotic conditions that were abolished by the selective I(Cl,swell)-blocker DCPIB. In contrast, amprenavir, nelfinavir, and raltegravir, an integrase inhibitor, did not modulate I(Cl,swell) acutely. Ritonavir also reduced action potential duration, but amprenavir did not. I(Cl,swell) activation was attributed to ROS because ebselen, an H(2)O(2) scavenger, suppressed ritonavir- and lopinavir-induced I(Cl,swell). Major ROS sources in cardiomyocytes are sarcolemmal NADPH oxidase and mitochondria. The specific NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin failed to block ritonavir- or lopinavir-induced currents, although it blocks I(Cl,swell) elicited by osmotic swelling or stretch. In contrast, rotenone, a mitochondrial e(-) transport inhibitor, suppressed both ritonavir- and lopinavir-induced I(Cl,swell). ROS production was measured in HL-1 cardiomyocytes with C-H(2)DCFDA-AM and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ(m)) with JC-1. Flow cytometry confirmed that ritonavir and lopinavir but not amprenavir, nelfinavir, or raltegravir augmented ROS production, and HIV PI-induced ROS production was suppressed by rotenone but not NADPH oxidase blockade. Moreover, ritonavir, but not amprenavir, depolarized ΔΨ(m). These data suggest ritonavir and lopinavir activated I(Cl,swell) via mitochondrial ROS production that was independent of NADPH oxidase. ROS-dependent modulation of I(Cl,swell) and other ion channels by HIV PI may contribute to some of their actions in heart and perhaps other tissues.

External site for local anesthetic block of cardiac Na+ channels.

We report patch clamp studies of single Na+ channels from cardiac ventricular and Purkinje cells that support the hypothesis that local anesthetics can act from the outside of the membrane, and that demonstrate some aspects of their mechanism of action. Inclusion of lidocaine (0.1 mM) or QX-314 (0.5 mM), a membrane-impermeant, quaternary ammonium derivative of lidocaine, in the pipette solution for on-cell single channel recording demonstrated four important findings. (1) The open probability of the channel is reduced by drug in a use-dependent way. (2) Late openings are preferentially reduced. (3) Mean open time is shortened. (4) Hyperpolarization enhances recovery of the drug-bound channels. These findings are consistent with a hyperpolarizing shift of the transition rates for drug-bound channel. Further, we postulate that there is a drug-bound channel conformation which conducts current. At least some of the properties of local anesthetic interaction with the cardiac Na+ channels may be the result of kinetic effects mediated by binding to an external site.

Hypercholesterolemia induces up-regulation of KACh cardiac currents via a mechanism independent of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and Gβγ.

Background: KACh channels play a key role in controlling the heart rate. Results: KACh currents are enhanced by cholesterol enrichment and high cholesterol diet. Conclusion: Cholesterol plays a critical role in modulating IK,ACh in atrial cardiomyocytes. Significance: The increase in IK,ACh following cholesterol enrichment is likely to play a critical role in hypercholesterolemia-induced dysfunction of the heart. Hypercholesterolemia is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In the heart, activation of KACh mediates the vagal (parasympathetic) negative chronotropic effect on heart rate. Yet, the effect of cholesterol on KACh is unknown. Here we show that cholesterol plays a critical role in modulating KACh currents (IK,ACh) in atrial cardiomyocytes. Specifically, cholesterol enrichment of rabbit atrial cardiomyocytes led to enhanced channel activity while cholesterol depletion suppressed IK,ACh. Moreover, a high-cholesterol diet resulted in up to 3-fold increase in IK,ACh in rodents. In accordance, elevated currents were observed in Xenopus oocytes expressing the Kir3.1/Kir3.4 heteromer that underlies IK,ACh. Furthermore, our data suggest that cholesterol affects IK,ACh via a mechanism which is independent of both PI(4,5)P2 and Gβγ. Interestingly, the effect of cholesterol on IK,ACh is opposite to its effect on IK1 in atrial myocytes. The latter are suppressed by cholesterol enrichment and by high-cholesterol diet, and facilitated following cholesterol depletion. These findings establish that cholesterol plays a critical role in modulating IK,ACh in atrial cardiomyocytes via a mechanism independent of the channels major modulators.

Transient complex I inhibition at the onset of reperfusion by extracellular acidification decreases cardiac injury

A reversible inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by complex I inhibition at the onset of reperfusion decreases injury in buffer-perfused hearts. Administration of acidic reperfusate for a brief period at reperfusion decreases cardiac injury. We asked if acidification treatment decreased cardiac injury during reperfusion by inhibiting complex I. Exposure of isolated mouse heart mitochondria to acidic buffer decreased the complex I substrate-stimulated respiration, whereas respiration with complex II substrates was unaltered. Evidence of the rapid and reversible inhibition of complex I by an acidic environment was obtained at the level of isolated complex, intact mitochondria and in situ mitochondria in digitonin-permeabilized cardiac myocytes. Moreover, ischemia-damaged complex I was also reversibly inhibited by an acidic environment. In the buffer-perfused mouse heart, reperfusion with pH 6.6 buffer for the initial 5 min decreased infarction. Compared with untreated hearts, acidification treatment markedly decreased the mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species and improved mitochondrial calcium retention capacity and inner mitochondrial membrane integrity. The decrease in infarct size achieved by acidic reperfusion approximates the reduction obtained by a reversible, partial blockade of complex I at reperfusion. Extracellular acidification decreases cardiac injury during reperfusion in part via the transient and reversible inhibition of complex I, leading to a reduction of oxyradical generation accompanied by a decreased susceptibility to mitochondrial permeability transition during early reperfusion.