Ion Channel Expression (ion + channel_expression)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Atrial Fibrillation in the Goat Induces Changes in Monophasic Action Potential and mRNA Expression of Ion Channels Involved in Repolarization

JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2000
HUUB M.W. VAN DER VELDEN PH.D.
MAP Changes and Ion Channel Expression in Goat AF. Introduction: Sustained atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by a marked shortening of the atrial effective refractory period (AKRP) and a decrease or reversal of its physiolonic adaptation to heart rate. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the AF-induced changes in AKKP in the goat are associated with changes in the atrial monophasic action potential (MAP) and whether an abnormal expression of specific ion channels underlies such changes. Methods and Results: Following thoracotomy, MAPs were recorded from the free wall of the right atrium hoth before induction of AF (control) and after cardioversion of sustained AF (>2 months) in chronically instrumented goats. In control goats. MAP duration at 80% repolarization (MAPD80) shortened (P < 0.01) from 132 ± 4 msec during slow pacing (400-msec interval) to 86 ± 10 msec during fast pacing (180 msec). After cardioversion of sustained AF, the MAPD80, during slow pacing was as short as 67 ± 5 msec (electrical remodeling). Increasing the pacing rate resulted in prolongation (P = 0.02) of the MAPD80 to 91 ± 6 msec. Also. MAPD20 (20% repolarization) shortened (P = 0.05) from 32 ± 4 msec (400 msec) to 14 ± 7 msec (180 msec) in the control goats, whereas it prolonged (P = 0.03) from 20 ± 3 msec (400 msec) to 33 ± 5 msec (180 msec) in sustained AF, mRNA expression of the L-type Ca2+ channel ,1c gene and Kv1.5 potassium channel gene, which underlie Ica, and Ikur respectively, was reduced in sustained.AF compared with sinus rhythm hy 32% (P = 0.01) and 45% (P < 0.01). respectively. No significant changes were found in the mRNA levels of the rapid Na+ channel, the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, or the Kv4.2/4.3 channels responsible for I10. Conclusion: AF-induced electrical remodeling in the goat comprises shortening of MAPD and reversal of its physiologic rate adaptation. Changes in the time course of reploarization of the action potential are associated with changes in mRNA expression of the , subunit genes of the L.-type Ca2+ channel and the Kvl.5 potassium channel. [source]


,And the beat goes on' The cardiac conduction system: the wiring system of the heart

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 10 2009
Mark R. Boyett
The cardiac conduction system (CCS), consisting of the sino-atrial node, atrioventricular node and His,Purkinje system, is responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of the heart beat. In the last decade, our understanding of the CCS has been transformed. Immunohistochemistry, used in conjunction with anatomical techniques, has transformed our understanding of its anatomy; arguably, we now understand the position of the sino-atrial node (not the same as in medical textbooks), and our new understanding of the atrioventricular node anatomy means that we can compute its physiological and pathophysiological behaviour. Ion channel expression in the CCS has been shown to be fundamentally different from that in the working myocardium. Dysfunction of the CCS has previously been attributed to fibrosis, but it is now clear that remodelling of ion channels plays an important role in dysfunction during ageing, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Differences in ion channel expression may even be responsible for the bradycardia in the athlete and differences in heart rate among different species (such as humans and mice). Recent work has highlighted less well-known components of the CCS, including tricuspid, mitral and aortic rings and even a third (retro-aortic) node. These additional tissues do not participate in the initiation and co-ordination of the heart beat and instead they are likely to be the source of various life-threatening arrhythmias. During embryological development, all parts of the CCS have been shown to develop from the primary myocardium of the linear heart tube, partly under the influence of the transcription factor, Tbx3. [source]


Developmental expression of Na+ currents in mouse Purkinje neurons

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 9 2006
Mark Fry
Abstract As Purkinje neurons mature during postnatal development, they change from electrically quiescent to active and exhibit high frequency spontaneous action potentials. This change in electrical activity is determined by both alteration in ion channel expression and the acquisition of synaptic input. To gain a better understanding of the development the intrinsic electrical properties of these neurons, acutely isolated Purkinje neurons from mice aged postnatal day 4 (P4) to P18 were examined. This included recording action potential frequency, threshold, height and slope, and input resistance and capacitance. Changes in a number of these properties were observed, suggesting significant changes in voltage-gated Na+ currents. Because voltage-gated Na+ currents, including the transient, resurgent and persistent currents, are known to play important roles in generating spontaneous action potentials, the developmental changes in these currents were examined. A large increase in the density of transient current, resurgent current and persistent current was observed at times corresponding with changes in action potential properties. Interestingly, the developmental up-regulation of the persistent current and resurgent current occurred at rate which was faster than the up-regulation of the transient current. Moreover, the relative amplitudes of the persistent and resurgent currents increased in parallel, suggesting that they share a common basis. The data indicate that developmental up-regulation of Na+ currents plays a key role in the acquisition of Purkinje neuron excitability. [source]


Electrical and neurotransmitter activity of mature neurons derived from mouse embryonic stem cells by Sox-1 lineage selection and directed differentiation

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 12 2004
R. J. Lang
Abstract Sx1TV2/16C is a mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell line in which one copy of the Sox1 gene, an early neuroectodermal marker, has been targeted with a neomycin (G418) selection cassette. A combination of directed differentiation with retinoic acid and G418 selection results in an enriched neural stem cell population that can be further differentiated into neurons. After 6,7 days post-plating (D6,7PP) most neurons readily fired tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive action potentials due to the expression of TTX-sensitive Na+ and tetraethylammonium (TEA)-sensitive K+ channels. Neurons reached their maximal cell capacitance after D6,7PP; however, ion channel expression continued until at least D21PP. The percentage of cells receiving spontaneous synaptic currents (s.s.c.) increased with days in culture until 100% of cells received a synaptic input by D20PP. Spontaneous synaptic currents were reduced in amplitude and frequency by TTX, or upon exposure to a Ca2+ -free, 2.5 mm Mg2+ saline. S.s.c. of rapid decay time constants were preferentially blocked by the nonNMDA glutamatergic receptor antagonists CNQX or NBQX. Ca2+ levels within ES cell-derived neurons increased in response to glutamate receptor agonists l -glutamate, AMPA, N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) and kainic acid and to acetylcholine, ATP and dopamine. ES cell-derived neurons also generated cationic and Cl, -selective currents in response to NMDA and glycine or GABA, respectively. It was concluded that ES-derived neurons fire action potentials, receive excitatory and inhibitory synaptic input and respond to various neurotransmitters in a manner akin to primary central neurons. [source]


,And the beat goes on' The cardiac conduction system: the wiring system of the heart

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 10 2009
Mark R. Boyett
The cardiac conduction system (CCS), consisting of the sino-atrial node, atrioventricular node and His,Purkinje system, is responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of the heart beat. In the last decade, our understanding of the CCS has been transformed. Immunohistochemistry, used in conjunction with anatomical techniques, has transformed our understanding of its anatomy; arguably, we now understand the position of the sino-atrial node (not the same as in medical textbooks), and our new understanding of the atrioventricular node anatomy means that we can compute its physiological and pathophysiological behaviour. Ion channel expression in the CCS has been shown to be fundamentally different from that in the working myocardium. Dysfunction of the CCS has previously been attributed to fibrosis, but it is now clear that remodelling of ion channels plays an important role in dysfunction during ageing, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Differences in ion channel expression may even be responsible for the bradycardia in the athlete and differences in heart rate among different species (such as humans and mice). Recent work has highlighted less well-known components of the CCS, including tricuspid, mitral and aortic rings and even a third (retro-aortic) node. These additional tissues do not participate in the initiation and co-ordination of the heart beat and instead they are likely to be the source of various life-threatening arrhythmias. During embryological development, all parts of the CCS have been shown to develop from the primary myocardium of the linear heart tube, partly under the influence of the transcription factor, Tbx3. [source]


Sex Modulates the Arrhythmogenic Substrate in Prepubertal Rabbit Hearts with Long QT 2

JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2005
Ph.D., TONG LIU M.D.
Females have a greater susceptibility to Torsade de Pointes in congenital and drug-induced long QT syndrome (LQTS) that has been attributed to the modulation of ion channel expression by sex hormones. However, little is known regarding sex differences in pre-puberty, that is, before the surge of sexual hormones. In patients with congenital LQTS types 1 and 2, male children tend to have a greater occurrence of adverse events, especially in 10,15 year olds, than their female counterpart. To evaluate whether the rabbit model of drug-acquired LQTS exhibits similar age dependences, hearts of prepubertal rabbits were perfused, mapped optically to record action potentials (APs) and treated with an IKr blocker, E4031 to elicit LQTS2. As expected, AP durations (APD) were significantly longer in female (n = 18) than male hearts (n = 10), at long cycle length. Surprisingly, E4031 (50,250 nM) induced a greater prolongation of APDs in male than in female hearts, and in both genders reversed the direction of repolarization (apex , base to base , apex), enhancing dispersions of repolarization. Furthermore, in male hearts, E4031 (0.5 ,M) elicited early afterdepolarizations (EADs) that progressed to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) (n = 7/10) and were interrupted by isoproterenol (40 nM) and prevented by propranolol (0.5,2.5 ,M). In female hearts, E4031 (0.5 ,M) produced marked prolongations of APDs yet few EADs with no progression to PVT (n = 16/18). Thus, sex differences are opposite in prepubertal versus adult rabbits with respect to E4031-induced APD prolongation, EADs and PVT, underscoring the fact that APD prolongation alone is insufficient to predict arrhythmia susceptibility. [source]


New Expression Profiles of Voltage-gated Ion Channels in Arteries Exposed to High Blood Pressure

MICROCIRCULATION, Issue 4 2002
Robert H. Cox
The diameters of small arteries and arterioles are tightly regulated by the dynamic interaction between Ca2+ and K+ channels in the vascular smooth muscle cells. Calcium influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels induces vasoconstriction, whereas the opening of K+ channels mediates hyperpolarization, inactivation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, and vasodilation. Three types of voltage-sensitive ion channels have been highly implicated in the regulation of resting vascular tone. These include the L-type Ca2+ (CaL) channels, voltage-gated K+ (KV) channels, and high-conductance voltage- and Ca2+ -sensitive K+ (BKCa) channels. Recently, abnormal expression profiles of these ion channels have been identified as part of the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension and other vasospastic diseases. An increasing number of studies suggest that high blood pressure may trigger cellular signaling cascades that dynamically alter the expression profile of arterial ion channels to further modify vascular tone. This article will briefly review the properties of CaL, KV, and BKCa channels, present evidence that their expression profile is altered during systemic hypertension, and suggest potential mechanisms by which the signal of elevated blood pressure may result in altered ion channel expression. A final section will discuss emerging concepts and opportunities for the development of new vasoactive drugs, which may rely on targeting disease-specific changes in ion channel expression as a mechanism to lower vascular tone during hypertensive diseases. [source]