Xiao-Qiu Tan

Function of BKCa channels is reduced in human vascular smooth muscle cells from Han Chinese patients with hypertension.

Chronic hypertension is associated with an impaired vascular relaxation caused by an increased vascular tone; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood in human patients. The present study was to investigate whether large-conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ (BKCa) channels are involved in dysfunctional relaxation of artery in Han Chinese patients with hypertension using the perforated patch clamp, inside-out single-channel, and macromembrane patch recording techniques to determine whole-cell current, spontaneous transient outward current, open probability, and Ca2+ sensitivity and the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis to examine the gene and protein expression of &agr;-subunit (KCa1.1) and &bgr;1-subunit (KCNMB1) of BKCa channels in isolated human vascular smooth muscle cells and mesenteric arteries from normotensive and hypertensive patients. It was found that whole-cell current density, spontaneous transient outward current, and Ca2+ sensitivity, but not single-channel open probability and slope conductance, were significantly decreased in vascular smooth muscle cells from patients with hypertension. Interestingly, mRNA and protein levels of KCNMB1, but not KCa1.1, were reduced in the arterial tissue from patients with hypertension. These results demonstrate for the first time that whole-cell current, spontaneous transient outward current, and Ca2+ sensitivity of BKCa channels are reduced in human vascular smooth muscle cells, which resulted from downregulation of &bgr;1-subunit of the channel. This may account, at least in part, for the dysfunction of artery relaxation in Han Chinese patients with primary hypertension.

Unique action of sodium tanshinone II-A sulfonate (DS-201) on the Ca2+ dependent BKCa activation in mouse cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells

Sodium tanshinone II-A sulfonate (DS-201) is a water-soluble derivative of tanshinone IIA, a main active constituent of Salvia miltiorrhiza which has been used for treatments of cardio- and cerebro-vascular diseases. DS-201 activates large conductance Ca(2+)-sensitive K(+) channels (BK(Ca)) in arterial smooth muscle cells, and reduces the vascular tone. Here we investigated the effect of DS-201 on the BK(Ca) channel kinetics by analyzing single channel currents. Smooth muscle cells were freshly isolated from mouse cerebral arteries. Single channel currents of BK(Ca) were recorded by patch clamp. DS-201 increased the total open probability (NPo) of BK(Ca) in a concentration-dependent manner. But this action required intracellular Ca(2+), and the effect depended on the Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](free)). DS-201 activated BK(Ca) with the half maximal effective concentration (EC(50)) of 111.5μM at 0.01μM [Ca(2+)](free), and 68.5μM at 0.1μM [Ca(2+)](free.) The effect of DS-201 on NPo was particularly strong in the range of [Ca(2+)](free) between 0.1 and 1μM. Analysis of the channel kinetics revealed that DS-201 had only the effect on the channel closing without affecting the channel opening, which was a striking contrast to the effect of [Ca(2+)](free), that is characterized by changing the channel opening without changing the channel closing. DS-201 may be bound to the open state of BK(Ca), and have an inhibitory effect on the transition from the open to closed state. By this way DS-201 may enhance the activity of BK(Ca), and exhibit a strong vasodilating effect against vasoconstriction in the range of [Ca(2+)](free) between 0.1 and 1μM.

IP3 decreases coronary artery tone via activating the BKCa channel of coronary artery smooth muscle cells in pigs

Large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (BKCa) is a potential target for coronary artery-relaxing medication, but its functional regulation is largely unknown. Here, we report that inositol trisphosphate (IP3) activated BKCa channels in isolated porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells and by which decreased the coronary artery tone. Both endogenous and exogenous IP3 increased the spontaneous transient outward K(+) currents (STOC, a component pattern of BKCa currents) in perforated and regular whole-cell recordings, which was dependent on the activity of IP3 receptors. IP3 also increased the macroscopic currents (MC, another component pattern of BKCa currents) via an IP3 receptor- and sarcoplasmic Ca(2+) mobilization-independent pathway. In inside-out patch recordings, direct application of IP3 to the cytosolic side increased the open probability of single BKCa channel in an IP3 receptor-independent manner. We conclude that IP3 is an activator of BKCa channels in porcine coronary smooth muscle cells and exerts a coronary artery-relaxing effect. The activation of BKCa channels by IP3 involves the enhancement of STOCs via IP3 receptors and stimulation of MC by increasing the Ca(2+) sensitivity of the channels.

Fe2O3 nanoparticles suppress Kv1.3 channels via affecting the redox activity of Kvβ2 subunit in Jurkat T cells

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are promising nanomaterials in medical practice due to their special magnetic characteristics and nanoscale size. However, their potential impacts on immune cells are not well documented. This study aims to investigate the effects of Fe2O3 nanoparticles (Fe2O3-NPs) on the electrophysiology of Kv1.3 channels in Jurkat T cells. Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we demonstrate that incubation of Jurkat cells with Fe2O3-NPs dose- and time-dependently decreased the current density and shifted the steady-state inactivation curve and the recovery curve of Kv1.3 channels to a rightward direction. Fe2O3-NPs increased the NADP level but decreased the NADPH level of Jurkat cells. Direct induction of NADPH into the cytosole of Jurkat cells via the pipette abolished the rightward shift of the inactivation curve. In addition, transmission electron microscopy showed that Fe2O3-NPs could be endocytosed by Jurkat cells with relatively low speed and capacity. Fe2O3-NPs did not significantly affect the viability of Jurkat cells, but suppressed the expressions of certain cytokines (TNFα, IFNγ and IL-2) and interferon responsive genes (IRF-1 and PIM-1), and the time courses of Fe2O3-NPs endocytosis and effects on the expressions of cytokines and interferon responsive genes were compatible. We conclude that Fe2O3-NPs can be endocytosed by Jurkat cells and act intracellularly. Fe2O3-NPs decrease the current density and delay the inactivation and recovery kinetics of Kv1.3 channels in Jurkat cells by oxidizing NADPH and therefore disrupting the redox activity of the Kvβ2 auxiliary subunit, and as a result, lead to changes of the Kv1.3 channel function. These results suggest that iron oxide nanoparticles may affect T cell function by disturbing the activity of Kv1.3 channels. Further, the suppressing effects of Fe2O3-NPs on the expressions of certain inflammatory cytokines and interferon responsive genes suggest that iron oxide nanoparticles may exert modulatory effects on T cell immune activities and anti-inflammation effects.

Tanshinone II-A sodium sulfonate (DS-201) enhances human BKCa channel activity by selectively targeting the pore-forming α subunit.

Aim:Tanshinone II-A sodium sulfonate (DS-201), a water-soluble derivative of Tanshinone II-A, has been found to induce vascular relaxation and activate BKCa channels. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms underlying the action of DS-201 on BKCa channels.Methods:Human BKCa channels containing α subunit alone or α plus β1 subunits were expressed in HEK293 cells. BKCa currents were recorded from the cells using patch-clamp technique. The expression and trafficking of BKCa subunits in HEK293 cells or vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were detected by Western blotting, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.Results:DS-201 (40–160 μmol/L) concentration-dependently increased the total open probability of BKCa channels in HEK293 cells, associated with enhancements of Ca2+ and voltage dependence as well as a delay in deactivation. Coexpression of β1 subunit did not affect the action of DS-201: the values of EC50 for BKCa channels containing α subunit alone and α plus β1 subunit were 66.6±1.5 and 62.0±1.1 μmol/L, respectively. In both HEK293 cells and VSMCs, DS-201 (80 μmol/L) markedly increased the expression of α subunit without affecting β1 subunit. In HEK293 cells, DS-201 enriched the membranous level of α subunit, likely by accelerating the trafficking and suppressing the internalization of α subunit. In both HEK293 cells and VSMCs, DS-201 (≥320 μmol/L) induced significant cytotoxicity.Conclusion:DS-201 selectively targets the pore-forming α subunit of human BKCa channels, thus enhancing the channel activities and increasing the subunit expression and trafficking, whereas the β1 subunit does not contribute to the action of DS-201.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes impair Kv4.2/4.3 channel activities, delay membrane repolarization and induce bradyarrhythmias in the rat.

Purpose The potential hazardous effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on cardiac electrophysiology are seldom evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of MWCNTs on the Kv4/I to channel, action potential and heart rhythm and the underlying mechanisms. Methods HEK293 cells were engineered to express Kv4.2 or Kv4.3 with or without KChIP2 expression. A series of approaches were introduced to analyze the effects of MWCNTs on Kv4/I to channel kinetics, current densities, expression and trafficking. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to observe the internalization of MWCNTs in HEK293 cells and rat cardiomyocytes. Current clamp was employed to record the action potentials of isolated rat cardiomyocytes. Surface ECG and epicardial monophasic action potentials were recorded to monitor heart rhythm in rats in vivo. Vagal nerve discharge monitoring and H&E staining were also performed. Results Induction of MWCNTs into the cytosole through pipette solution soon accelerated the decay of I Kv4 in HEK293 cells expressing Kv4.2/4.3 and KChIP2, and promoted the recovery from inactivation when Kv4.2 or Kv4.3 was expressed alone. Longer exposure (6 h) to MWCNTs decreased the I Kv4.2 density, Kv4.2/Kv4.3 (but not KChIP2) expression and trafficking towards the plasma membrane in HEK293 cells. In acutely isolated rat ventricular myocytes, pipette MWCNTs also quickly accelerated the decay of I Kv4 and prolonged the action potential duration (APD). Intravenous infusion of MWCNTs (2 mg/rat) induced atrioventricular (AV) block and even cardiac asystole. No tachyarrhythmia was observed after MWCNTs administration. MWCNTs did not cause coronary clot but induced myocardial inflammation and increased vagus discharge. Conclusions MWCNTs suppress Kv4/I to channel activities likely at the intracellular side of plasma membrane, delay membrane repolarization and induce bradyarrhythmia. The delayed repolarization, increased vagus output and focal myocardial inflammation may partially underlie the occurrence of bradyarrhythmias induced by MWCNTs. The study warns that MWCNTs are hazardous to cardiac electrophysiology.

Different Effects of Hypertension and Age on the Function of Large Conductance Calcium‐ and Voltage‐Activated Potassium Channels in Human Mesentery Artery Smooth Muscle Cells

Background Large‐conductance calcium‐ and voltage‐activated potassium channels (BKC a channels) play important roles in the maintenance of vascular tone, and their dysregulation is associated with abnormal vascular relaxation and contraction. We tested the changes in BKC a channel properties in patients at different ages to assess the effects of hypertension and aging on the functional changes of BKC a channels. Methods and Results Patch clamp was performed to detect the activities of BKC a channels in freshly isolated human mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells from younger patients (aged ≤45 years) without hypertension, older patients (aged ≥65 years) without hypertension, and older patients with hypertension. The expression of mRNA and protein from BKC a channels was evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results showed that the whole‐cell current density, spontaneous transient outward current, and Ca2+ sensitivity of the artery smooth muscle cells were significantly decreased in the older patients with hypertension; the decreases were insignificant in the older patients without hypertension, although a clear tendency to have spontaneous transient outward current was detected in these patients. The expression of both mRNA and protein of BKC a subunits α and β1 was significantly decreased in the older patients with hypertension but not in the older patients without hypertension compared with the younger patients without hypertension. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate for the first time that hypertension is an important factor for the pathological alteration of the properties of BKC a channels in human mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells, and aging itself may also be a factor in these changes in the cells.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes act as a chemokine and recruit macrophages by activating the PLC/IP3/CRAC channel signaling pathway

The impact of nanomaterials on immune cells is gaining attention but is not well documented. Here, we report a novel stimulating effect of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (c-MWCNTs) on the migration of macrophages and uncover the underlying mechanisms, especially the upstream signaling, using a series of techniques including transwell migration assay, patch clamp, ELISA and confocal microscopy. c-MWCNTs dramatically stimulated the migration of RAW264.7 macrophages when endocytosed, and this effect was abolished by inhibiting phospholipase C (PLC) with U-73122, antagonizing the IP3 receptor with 2-APB, and blocking calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels with SK&F96365. c-MWCNTs directly activated PLC and increased the IP3 level and [Ca2+]i level in RAW264.7 cells, promoted the translocation of the ER-resident stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) towards the membranous calcium release-activated calcium channel modulator 1 (Orai1), and increased CRAC current densities in both RAW264.7 cells and HEK293 cells stably expressing the CRAC channel subunits Orai1 and STIM1. c-MWCNTs also induced dramatic spatial polarization of KCa3.1 channels in the RAW264.7 cells. We conclude that c-MWCNT is an activator of PLC and strongly recruits macrophages via the PLC/IP3/CRAC channel signaling cascade. These novel findings may provide a fundamental basis for the impact of MWCNTs on the immune system.

Synaptobrevin-2 facilitates the trafficking and function of atrial SK2 channel

Small conductance Ca2+-activated potassium (SK) channels are widely expressed in various tissues and play a unique role in regulating cell function by integrating cytosolic Ca2+ levels and membrane potential (Adelman et al., 2012). Xu et al. first identified SK channels in the heart and found that SK channels, particularly the SK2 channel, are preferentially expressed in human and mouse atrial myocytes but not in ventricular myocytes (Xu et al., 2003). This suggests that the SK channel modulates the repolarization of atrial action potentials and may be an ideal therapeutic target for treating atrial arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AF) without interfering with ventricular function. These results were further supported by the finding that either overexpression or knockout of SK channels increased the risk of atrial arrhythmias, including AF. Synthesized ion channel proteins must be transferred to the cell membrane to function. Therefore, SK channel trafficking is important for channel function tomaintain normal atrial electrophysiology. Changes in atrial electric activity may affect channel trafficking; Ozgen et al. showed that atrial rapid pacing accelerated trafficking of the SK2 channel protein to-

Bidirectional Regulatory Effects of Dexmedetomidine on Porcine Coronary Tone In Vitro

Background Studies in vivo have shown that dexmedetomidine (DEX) could protect the myocardium and modulate the coronary blood flow. This study aimed to investigate the direct and concentration-dependent effects of DEX on the tone of porcine coronary artery in vitro and the underlying mechanisms. Material/Methods Distal branches of the porcine anterior descending coronary arteries were dissected and cut into 3–5 mm rings. The tones of coronary rings in response to cumulative DEX were measured using the PowerLab system. Coronary rings were divided into three groups: 1) endothelium-intact coronary rings without drug pretreatment (control); 2) endothelium-intact coronary rings pretreated with either yohimbine, tetraethylamine (TEA) or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME); and 3) endothelium-denuded coronary rings pretreated with either yohimbine or TEA. Results DEX induced coronary ring relaxation at lower concentrations (10−9 to 10−7 M) followed by constriction at higher concentrations (10−6 to 10−5 M). The coronary constrictive effect of higher DEX (10−5 M) was greater in the endothelium-denuded rings than in the endothelium-intact rings. Yohimbine reduced the coronary constrictive effect of DEX at higher concentrations (10−6 to 10−5 M). TEA and L-NAME significantly reduced the coronary relaxing effect of DEX at lower concentrations (10−9 to 10−7 M) in endothelium-intact rings. TEA attenuated the coronary relaxation induced by DEX in endothelium-denuded rings. Conclusions DEX exerts bidirectional effects on porcine coronary tone. The coronary relaxing effect of DEX at lower concentrations is likely associated with endothelium integrity, NO synthesis and BKCa channel activation, while the coronary constrictive effect of DEX at higher concentrations is mediated by α2 adrenoceptors in the coronary smooth muscle cells.