Abstract
Key points
Heart failure is a pro-arrhythmic state and arrhythmias are a major cause of death. At the cellular level, Ca2+ waves resulting in delayed after-depolarisations are a key trigger of arrhythmias. Ca2+ waves arise when the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) becomes overloaded with Ca2+. We investigate the mechanism by which raising external Ca2+ causes waves, and how this is modified in heart failure. We demonstrate that a novel sarcolemmal background Ca2+ influx via the TRPC6 channel is responsible for SR Ca2+ overload and Ca2+ waves. The increased propensity for Ca2+ waves in heart failure results from an increase of background influx, and a lower threshold SR content. The results of the present study highlight a novel mechanism by which Ca2+ waves may arise in heart failure, providing a basis for future work and novel therapeutic targets.
Abstract
Ventricular arrhythmias can cause death in heart failure (HF). A trigger is the occurrence of Ca2+ waves which activate a Na+-Ca2+ exchange (NCX) current, leading to delayed after-depolarisations and triggered action potentials. Waves arise when sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content reaches a threshold and are commonly induced experimentally by raising external Ca2+, although the mechanism by which this causes waves is unclear and was the focus of this study.
Intracellular Ca2+ was measured in voltage-clamped ventricular myocytes from both control sheep and those subjected to rapid pacing to produce HF. Threshold SR Ca2+ content was determined by applying caffeine (10 mM) following a wave and integrating wave and caffeine-induced NCX currents.
Raising external Ca2+ induced waves in a greater proportion of HF cells than control. The associated increase of SR Ca2+ content was smaller in HF due to a lower threshold. Raising external Ca2+ had no effect on total influx via ICa-L, and increased efflux on NCX. Analysis of sarcolemmal fluxes revealed substantial background Ca2+ entry which sustains Ca2+ efflux during waves in the steady state. Wave frequency and background Ca2+ entry were decreased by Gd3+ or the TRPC6 inhibitor BI 749327. These agents also blocked Mn2+ entry. Inhibiting connexin hemi-channels, TRPC1/4/5, L-type channels or NCX had no effect on background entry.
In conclusion, raising external Ca2+ induces waves via a background Ca2+ influx through TRPC6 channels. The greater propensity to waves in HF results from increased background entry and decreased threshold SR content.
Abstract figure legend Raising external Ca2+ (1) leads to a background Ca2+ influx via TRPC6 channels (2). This Ca2+ is pumped into the sarcoplasmic reticulum via SERCA leading to a rise in SR Ca2+ content (3). When SR Ca2+ content reaches a threshold, spontaneous Ca2+ release leads to propagating Ca2+ waves (4). In heart failure, the background Ca2+ influx is increased and SR threshold decreased, resulting in a greater propensity to Ca2+ waves.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Heart failure is a pro-arrhythmic state and arrhythmias are a major cause of death. At the cellular level, Ca2+ waves resulting in delayed after-depolarisations are a key trigger of arrhythmias. Ca2+ waves arise when the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) becomes overloaded with Ca2+. We investigate the mechanism by which raising external Ca2+ causes waves, and how this is modified in heart failure. We demonstrate that a novel sarcolemmal background Ca2+ influx via the TRPC6 channel is responsible for SR Ca2+ overload and Ca2+ waves. The increased propensity for Ca2+ waves in heart failure results from an increase of background influx, and a lower threshold SR content. The results of the present study highlight a novel mechanism by which Ca2+ waves may arise in heart failure, providing a basis for future work and novel therapeutic targets.
Abstract
Ventricular arrhythmias can cause death in heart failure (HF). A trigger is the occurrence of Ca2+ waves which activate a Na+-Ca2+ exchange (NCX) current, leading to delayed after-depolarisations and triggered action potentials. Waves arise when sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content reaches a threshold and are commonly induced experimentally by raising external Ca2+, although the mechanism by which this causes waves is unclear and was the focus of this study.
Intracellular Ca2+ was measured in voltage-clamped ventricular myocytes from both control sheep and those subjected to rapid pacing to produce HF. Threshold SR Ca2+ content was determined by applying caffeine (10 mM) following a wave and integrating wave and caffeine-induced NCX currents.
Raising external Ca2+ induced waves in a greater proportion of HF cells than control. The associated increase of SR Ca2+ content was smaller in HF due to a lower threshold. Raising external Ca2+ had no effect on total influx via ICa-L, and increased efflux on NCX. Analysis of sarcolemmal fluxes revealed substantial background Ca2+ entry which sustains Ca2+ efflux during waves in the steady state. Wave frequency and background Ca2+ entry were decreased by Gd3+ or the TRPC6 inhibitor BI 749327. These agents also blocked Mn2+ entry. Inhibiting connexin hemi-channels, TRPC1/4/5, L-type channels or NCX had no effect on background entry.
In conclusion, raising external Ca2+ induces waves via a background Ca2+ influx through TRPC6 channels. The greater propensity to waves in HF results from increased background entry and decreased threshold SR content.
Abstract figure legend Raising external Ca2+ (1) leads to a background Ca2+ influx via TRPC6 channels (2). This Ca2+ is pumped into the sarcoplasmic reticulum via SERCA leading to a rise in SR Ca2+ content (3). When SR Ca2+ content reaches a threshold, spontaneous Ca2+ release leads to propagating Ca2+ waves (4). In heart failure, the background Ca2+ influx is increased and SR threshold decreased, resulting in a greater propensity to Ca2+ waves.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 17332515 |
| Journal | JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2022 |