Mei Ling A Joiner

A Dynamic Pathway for Calcium-Independent Activation of CaMKII by Methionine Oxidation

Calcium/calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) couples increases in cellular Ca2+ to fundamental responses in excitable cells. CaMKII was identified over 20 years ago by activation dependence on Ca2+/CaM, but recent evidence shows that CaMKII activity is also enhanced by pro-oxidant conditions. Here we show that oxidation of paired regulatory domain methionine residues sustains CaMKII activity in the absence of Ca2+/CaM. CaMKII is activated by angiotensin II (AngII)-induced oxidation, leading to apoptosis in cardiomyocytes both in vitro and in vivo. CaMKII oxidation is reversed by methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA), and MsrA-/- mice show exaggerated CaMKII oxidation and myocardial apoptosis, impaired cardiac function, and increased mortality after myocardial infarction. Our data demonstrate a dynamic mechanism for CaMKII activation by oxidation and highlight the critical importance of oxidation-dependent CaMKII activation to AngII and ischemic myocardial apoptosis.

CaMKII determines mitochondrial stress responses in heart

Myocardial cell death is initiated by excessive mitochondrial Ca2+ entry causing Ca2+ overload, mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening and dissipation of the mitochondrial inner membrane potential (ΔΨm). However, the signalling pathways that control mitochondrial Ca2+ entry through the inner membrane mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) are not known. The multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is activated in ischaemia reperfusion, myocardial infarction and neurohumoral injury, common causes of myocardial death and heart failure; these findings suggest that CaMKII could couple disease stress to mitochondrial injury. Here we show that CaMKII promotes mPTP opening and myocardial death by increasing MCU current (IMCU). Mitochondrial-targeted CaMKII inhibitory protein or cyclosporin A, an mPTP antagonist with clinical efficacy in ischaemia reperfusion injury, equivalently prevent mPTP opening, ΔΨm deterioration and diminish mitochondrial disruption and programmed cell death in response to ischaemia reperfusion injury. Mice with myocardial and mitochondrial-targeted CaMKII inhibition have reduced IMCU and are resistant to ischaemia reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction and neurohumoral injury, suggesting that pathological actions of CaMKII are substantially mediated by increasing IMCU. Our findings identify CaMKII activity as a central mechanism for mitochondrial Ca2+ entry in myocardial cell death, and indicate that mitochondrial-targeted CaMKII inhibition could prevent or reduce myocardial death and heart failure in response to common experimental forms of pathophysiological stress.

Oxidation of CaMKII determines the cardiotoxic effects of aldosterone

Excessive activation of the β-adrenergic, angiotensin II (Ang II) and aldosterone signaling pathways promotes mortality after myocardial infarction, and antagonists targeting these pathways are core therapies for treating this condition. Catecholamines and Ang II activate the multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), the inhibition of which prevents isoproterenol-mediated and Ang II–mediated cardiomyopathy. Here we show that aldosterone exerts direct toxic actions on myocardium by oxidative activation of CaMKII, causing cardiac rupture and increased mortality in mice after myocardial infarction. Aldosterone induces CaMKII oxidation by recruiting NADPH oxidase, and this oxidized and activated CaMKII promotes matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) expression in cardiomyocytes. Myocardial CaMKII inhibition, overexpression of methionine sulfoxide reductase A (an enzyme that reduces oxidized CaMKII) or NADPH oxidase deficiency prevented aldosterone-enhanced cardiac rupture after myocardial infarction. These findings show that oxidized myocardial CaMKII mediates the cardiotoxic effects of aldosterone on the cardiac matrix and establish CaMKII as a nodal signal for the neurohumoral pathways associated with poor outcomes after myocardial infarction.

Oxidized CaMKII causes cardiac sinus node dysfunction in mice

Sinus node dysfunction (SND) is a major public health problem that is associated with sudden cardiac death and requires surgical implantation of artificial pacemakers. However, little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms that cause SND. Most SND occurs in the setting of heart failure and hypertension, conditions that are marked by elevated circulating angiotensin II (Ang II) and increased oxidant stress. Here, we show that oxidized calmodulin kinase II (ox-CaMKII) is a biomarker for SND in patients and dogs and a disease determinant in mice. In wild-type mice, Ang II infusion caused sinoatrial nodal (SAN) cell oxidation by activating NADPH oxidase, leading to increased ox-CaMKII, SAN cell apoptosis, and SND. p47-/- mice lacking functional NADPH oxidase and mice with myocardial or SAN-targeted CaMKII inhibition were highly resistant to SAN apoptosis and SND, suggesting that ox-CaMKII-triggered SAN cell death contributed to SND. We developed a computational model of the sinoatrial node that showed that a loss of SAN cells below a critical threshold caused SND by preventing normal impulse formation and propagation. These data provide novel molecular and mechanistic information to understand SND and suggest that targeted CaMKII inhibition may be useful for preventing SND in high-risk patients.

CaV1.2 β-subunit coordinates CaMKII-triggered cardiomyocyte death and afterdepolarizations

Excessive activation of calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) causes arrhythmias and heart failure, but the cellular mechanisms for CaMKII-targeted proteins causing disordered cell membrane excitability and myocardial dysfunction remain uncertain. Failing human cardiomyocytes exhibit increased CaMKII and voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (CaV1.2) activity, and enhanced expression of a specific CaV1.2 β-subunit protein isoform (β2a). We recently identified CaV1.2 β2a residues critical for CaMKII phosphorylation (Thr 498) and binding (Leu 493), suggesting the hypothesis that these amino acids are crucial for cardiomyopathic consequences of CaMKII signaling. Here we show WT β2a expression causes cellular Ca2+ overload, arrhythmia-triggering cell membrane potential oscillations called early afterdepolarizations (EADs), and premature death in paced adult rabbit ventricular myocytes. Prevention of intracellular Ca2+ release by ryanodine or global cellular CaMKII inhibition reduced EADs and improved cell survival to control levels in WT β2a-expressing ventricular myocytes. In contrast, expression of β2a T498A or L493A mutants mimicked the protective effects of ryanodine or global cellular CaMKII inhibition by reducing Ca2+ entry through CaV1.2 and inhibiting EADs. Furthermore, CaV1.2 currents recorded from cells overexpressing CaMKII phosphorylation- or binding-incompetent β2a subunits were incapable of entering a CaMKII-dependent high-activity gating mode (mode 2), indicating that β2a Thr 498 and Leu 493 are required for CaV1.2 activation by CaMKII in native cells. These data show that CaMKII binding and phosphorylation sites on β2a are concise but pivotal components of a molecular and biophysical and mechanism for EADs and impaired survival in adult cardiomyocytes.

The mitochondrial uniporter controls fight or flight heart rate increases

Heart rate increases are a fundamental adaptation to physiological stress, while inappropriate heart rate increases are resistant to current therapies. However, the metabolic mechanisms driving heart rate acceleration in cardiac pacemaker cells remain incompletely understood. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) facilitates calcium entry into the mitochondrial matrix to stimulate metabolism. We developed mice with myocardial MCU inhibition by transgenic expression of a dominant negative (DN) MCU. Here we show that DN-MCU mice had normal resting heart rates but were incapable of physiological fight or flight heart rate acceleration. We found MCU function was essential for rapidly increasing mitochondrial calcium in pacemaker cells and that MCU enhanced oxidative phoshorylation was required to accelerate reloading of an intracellular calcium compartment prior to each heartbeat. Our findings show the MCU is necessary for complete physiological heart rate acceleration and suggest MCU inhibition could reduce inappropriate heart rate increases without affecting resting heart rate.

Genetic Inhibition of Na+-Ca2+ Exchanger Current Disables Fight or Flight Sinoatrial Node Activity Without Affecting Resting Heart Rate

Rationale: The sodium–calcium exchanger 1 (NCX1) is predominantly expressed in the heart and is implicated in controlling automaticity in isolated sinoatrial node (SAN) pacemaker cells, but the potential role of NCX1 in determining heart rate in vivo is unknown. Objective: To determine the role of Ncx1 in heart rate. Methods and Results: We used global myocardial and SAN-targeted conditional Ncx1 knockout (Ncx1−/−) mice to measure the effect of the NCX current on pacemaking activity in vivo, ex vivo, and in isolated SAN cells. We induced conditional Ncx1−/− using a Cre/loxP system. Unexpectedly, in vivo and ex vivo hearts and isolated SAN cells showed that basal rates in Ncx1−/− (retaining ≈20% of control level NCX current) and control mice were similar, suggesting that physiological NCX1 expression is not required for determining resting heart rate. However, increases in heart rate and SAN cell automaticity in response to isoproterenol or the dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel agonist BayK8644 were significantly blunted or eliminated in Ncx1−/− mice, indicating that NCX1 is important for fight or flight heart rate responses. In contrast, the pacemaker current and L-type Ca2+ currents were equivalent in control and Ncx1−/− SAN cells under resting and isoproterenol-stimulated conditions. Ivabradine, a pacemaker current antagonist with clinical efficacy, reduced basal SAN cell automaticity similarly in control and Ncx1−/− mice. However, ivabradine decreased automaticity in SAN cells isolated from Ncx1−/− mice more effectively than in control SAN cells after isoproterenol, suggesting that the importance of NCX current in fight or flight rate increases is enhanced after pacemaker current inhibition. Conclusions: Physiological Ncx1 expression is required for increasing sinus rates in vivo, ex vivo, and in isolated SAN cells, but not for maintaining resting heart rate.

Mitochondria-targeting particles

Mitochondria are a promising therapeutic target for the detection, prevention and treatment of various human diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, ischemia-reperfusion injury, diabetes and obesity. To reach mitochondria, therapeutic molecules need to not only gain access to specific organs, but also to overcome multiple barriers such as the cell membrane and the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes. Cellular and mitochondrial barriers can be potentially overcome through the design of mitochondriotropic particulate carriers capable of transporting drug molecules selectively to mitochondria. These particulate carriers or vectors can be made from lipids (liposomes), biodegradable polymers, or metals, protecting the drug cargo from rapid elimination and degradation in vivo. Many formulations can be tailored to target mitochondria by the incorporation of mitochondriotropic agents onto the surface and can be manufactured to desired sizes and molecular charge. Here, we summarize recently reported strategies for delivering therapeutic molecules to mitochondria using various particle-based formulations.

Differential control of calcium homeostasis and vascular reactivity by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II.

The multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) is activated by vasoconstrictors in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), but its impact on vasoconstriction remains unknown. We hypothesized that CaMKII inhibition in VSMC decreases vasoconstriction. Using novel transgenic mice that express the inhibitor peptide CaMKIIN in smooth muscle (TG SM-CaMKIIN), we investigated the effect of CaMKII inhibition on L-type Ca2+ channel current (ICa), cytoplasmic and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+, and vasoconstriction in mesenteric arteries. In mesenteric VSMC, CaMKII inhibition significantly reduced action potential duration and the residual ICa 50 ms after peak amplitude, indicative of loss of L-type Ca2+ channel–dependent ICa facilitation. Treatment with angiotensin II or phenylephrine increased the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in wild-type but not TG SM-CaMKIIN VSMC. The difference in intracellular Ca2+ concentration was abolished by pretreatment with nifedipine, an L-type Ca2+ channel antagonist. In TG SM-CaMKIIN VSMC, the total sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content was reduced as a result of diminished sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase activity via impaired derepression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase inhibitor phospholamban. Despite the differences in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, CaMKII inhibition did not alter myogenic tone or vasoconstriction of mesenteric arteries in response to KCl, angiotensin II, and phenylephrine. However, it increased myosin light chain kinase activity. These data suggest that CaMKII activity maintains intracellular calcium homeostasis but is not required for vasoconstriction of mesenteric arteries.

Catecholamine-Independent Heart Rate Increases Require Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II

Background —Catecholamines increase heart rate by augmenting the cAMP responsive HCN4 9pacemaker current9 ( I f ) and/or by promoting inward Na + /Ca 2+ exchanger current ( I NCX ), by a 9Ca 2+ clock mechanism in sinoatrial nodal cells (SANCs). The importance, identity and function of signals that connect I f and Ca 2+ clock mechanisms are uncertain and controversial, but the multifunctional Ca 2+ and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is required for physiological heart rate responses to β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation. The aim of this stuy is to measure the contribution of the Ca 2+ clock and CaMKII to cardiac pacing independent of β-AR agonist stimulation. Methods and Results —We used the L-type Ca 2+ channel agonist BayK 8644 (BayK) to activate the SANC Ca 2+ clock. BayK and isoproterenol were similarly effective in increasing rates in SANCs and Langendorff-perfused hearts from WT control mice. In contrast, SANCs and isolated hearts from mice with CaMKII inhibition by transgenic expression of an inhibitory peptide (AC3-I) were resistant to rate increases by BayK. BayK only activated CaMKII in control SANCs, but increased I Ca equally in all SANCs, indicating that increasing I Ca was insufficient and suggesting CaMKII activation was required for heart rate increases by BayK. BayK did not increase I f or protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent phosphorylation of phospholamban (at Ser16), indicating that increased SANC Ca 2+ by BayK did not augment cAMP/PKA signaling at these targets. Late diastolic intracellular Ca 2+ release and I NCX were significantly reduced in AC3-I SANCs and the response to BayK was eliminated by ryanodine in all groups. Conclusions —The Ca 2+ clock is capable of supporting physiological fight or flight responses, independent of β-AR stimulation or I f increases. Complete Ca 2+ clock and β-AR stimulation responses require CaMKII.Background—Catecholamines increase heart rate by augmenting the cAMP-responsive hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 4 pacemaker current (If) and by promoting inward Na+/Ca2+ exchanger current (INCX) by a “Ca2+ clock” mechanism in sinoatrial nodal cells (SANCs). The importance, identity, and function of signals that connect If and Ca2+ clock mechanisms are uncertain and controversial, but the multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is required for physiological heart rate responses to &bgr;-adrenergic receptor (&bgr;-AR) stimulation. The aim of this study was to measure the contribution of the Ca2+ clock and CaMKII to cardiac pacing independent of &bgr;-AR agonist stimulation. Methods and Results—We used the L-type Ca2+ channel agonist Bay K8644 (BayK) to activate the SANC Ca2+ clock. BayK and isoproterenol were similarly effective in increasing rates in SANCs and Langendorff-perfused hearts from wild-type control mice. In contrast, SANCs and isolated hearts from mice with CaMKII inhibition by transgenic expression of an inhibitory peptide (AC3-I) were resistant to rate increases by BayK. BayK only activated CaMKII in control SANCs but increased L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) equally in all SANCs, indicating that increasing ICa was insufficient and suggesting that CaMKII activation was required for heart rate increases by BayK. BayK did not increase If or protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of phospholamban (at Ser16), indicating that increased SANC Ca2+ by BayK did not augment cAMP/protein kinase A signaling at these targets. Late-diastolic intracellular Ca2+ release and INCX were significantly reduced in AC3-I SANCs, and the response to BayK was eliminated by ryanodine in all groups. Conclusions—The Ca2+ clock is capable of supporting physiological fight-or-flight responses, independent of &bgr;-AR stimulation or If increases. Complete Ca2+ clock and &bgr;-AR stimulation responses require CaMKII.