The sarcolemmal Ca2+ efflux pathways, Na+-Ca2+-exchanger (NCX) and Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA), play a crucial role in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ load and Ca2+ transient in cardiomyocytes. The distribution of these pathways between the t-tubular and surface membrane of ventricular cardiomyocytes varies between species and is not clear in human. Moreover, several studies suggest that this distribution changes during the development and heart diseases. However, the consequences of NCX and PMCA redistribution in human ventricular cardiomyocytes have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to address this point by using a mathematical model of the human ventricular myocyte incorporating t-tubules, dyadic spaces, and subsarcolemmal spaces. Effects of various combinations of t-tubular fractions of NCX and PMCA were explored, using values between 0.2 and 1 as reported in animal experiments under normal and pathological conditions. Small variations in the action potential duration (≤ 2%), but significant changes in the peak value of cytosolic Ca2+ transient (up to 17%) were observed at stimulation frequencies corresponding to the human heart rate at rest and during activity. The analysis of model results revealed that the changes in Ca2+ transient induced by redistribution of NCX and PMCA were mainly caused by alterations in Ca2+ concentrations in the subsarcolemmal spaces and cytosol during the diastolic phase of the stimulation cycle. The results suggest that redistribution of both transporters between the t-tubular and surface membranes contributes to changes in contractility in human ventricular cardiomyocytes during their development and heart disease and may promote arrhythmogenesis.
- MeSH
- akční potenciály MeSH
- biologické modely MeSH
- buněčná membrána metabolismus MeSH
- kardiomyocyty * metabolismus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- modely kardiovaskulární MeSH
- pumpa pro výměnu sodíku a vápníku * metabolismus MeSH
- sarkolema * metabolismus MeSH
- srdeční komory * metabolismus MeSH
- vápník * metabolismus MeSH
- vápníková signalizace MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The ratio between Na+-Ca2+ exchange current densities in t-tubular and surface membranes of rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (JNaCa-ratio) estimated from electrophysiological data published to date yields strikingly different values between 1.7 and nearly 40. Possible reasons for such divergence were analysed by Monte Carlo simulations assuming both normal and log-normal distribution of the measured data. The confidence intervals CI95 of the mean JNaCa-ratios computed from the reported data showed an overlap of values between 1 and 3, and between 0.3 and 4.3 in the case of normal and log-normal distribution, respectively. Further analyses revealed that the published high values likely result from a large scatter of data due to transmural differences in JNaCa, dispersion of cell membrane capacitances and variability in incomplete detubulation. Taking into account the asymmetric distribution of the measured data, the reduction of mean current densities after detubulation and the substantially smaller CI95 of lower values of the mean JNaCa-ratio, the values between 1.6 and 3.2 may be considered as the most accurate estimates. This implies that 40 to 60% of Na+-Ca2+ exchanger is located at the t-tubular membrane of adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes.
- MeSH
- kardiomyocyty * metabolismus MeSH
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- pumpa pro výměnu sodíku a vápníku MeSH
- sarkolema metabolismus MeSH
- sodík metabolismus MeSH
- srdeční komory metabolismus MeSH
- vápník * metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Alcohol consumption may result in electrocardiographic changes and arrhythmias, at least partly due to effects of ethanol on cardiac ionic currents. Contractility and intracellular Ca(2+) dynamics seem to be altered as well. In this study, we integrated the available (mostly animal) experimental data into previously published models of the rat and human ventricular myocytes to assess the share of ionic current components in ethanol-induced changes in AP configuration and cytosolic Ca(2+) transient in ventricular cardiomyocytes. The rat model reproduced well the experimentally observed changes in AP duration (APD) under ethanol (slight prolongation at 0.8 mM and shortening at ≥8 mM). These changes were almost exclusively caused by the ethanol-induced alterations of I K1. The cytosolic Ca(2+) transient decreased gradually with the increasing ethanol concentration as a result of the ethanol-induced inhibition of I Ca. In the human model, ethanol produced a dose-dependent APD lengthening, dominated by ethanol effect on I Kr, the key repolarising current in human ventricles. This effect might contribute to the clinically observed proarrhythmic effects of ethanol in predisposed individuals.
- MeSH
- akční potenciály účinky léků MeSH
- biologické modely MeSH
- ethanol farmakologie MeSH
- intracelulární prostor účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- kardiomyocyty účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- počítačová simulace * MeSH
- sarkoplazmatické retikulum účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- srdeční komory cytologie MeSH
- vápník metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
We have used a previously published computer model of the rat cardiac ventricular myocyte to investigate the effect of changing the distribution of Ca(2+) efflux pathways (SERCA, Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange, and sarcolemmal Ca(2+) ATPase) between the dyad and bulk cytoplasm and the effect of adding exogenous Ca(2+) buffers (BAPTA or EGTA), which are used experimentally to differentially buffer Ca(2+) in the dyad and bulk cytoplasm, on cellular Ca(2+) cycling. Increasing the dyadic fraction of a particular Ca(2+) efflux pathway increases the amount of Ca(2+) removed by that pathway, with corresponding changes in Ca(2+) efflux from the bulk cytoplasm. The magnitude of these effects varies with the proportion of the total Ca(2+) removed from the cytoplasm by that pathway. Differences in the response to EGTA and BAPTA, including changes in Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation of the L-type Ca(2+) current, resulted from the buffers acting as slow and fast "shuttles," respectively, removing Ca(2+) from the dyadic space. The data suggest that complex changes in dyadic Ca(2+) and cellular Ca(2+) cycling occur as a result of changes in the location of Ca(2+) removal pathways or the presence of exogenous Ca(2+) buffers, although changing the distribution of Ca(2+) efflux pathways has relatively small effects on the systolic Ca(2+) transient.
- MeSH
- biologické modely MeSH
- časové faktory MeSH
- EGTA analogy a deriváty farmakologie MeSH
- gating iontového kanálu účinky léků MeSH
- intracelulární prostor účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- kardiomyocyty účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- kompartmentace buňky MeSH
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- počítačová simulace MeSH
- pufry MeSH
- pumpa pro výměnu sodíku a vápníku metabolismus MeSH
- sarkolema účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- srdeční komory cytologie MeSH
- vápník metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
The t-tubules of mammalian ventricular myocytes are invaginations of the surface membrane that form a complex network within the cell, with restricted diffusion to the bulk extracellular space. The trans-sarcolemmal flux of many ions, including Ca(2+), occurs predominantly across the t-tubule membrane and thus into and out of this restricted diffusion space. It seems possible, therefore, that ion concentration changes may occur in the t-tubule lumen, which would alter ion flux across the t-tubule membrane. We have used a computer model of the ventricular myocyte, incorporating a t-tubule compartment and experimentally determined values for diffusion between the t-tubule lumen and bulk extracellular space, and ion fluxes across the t-tubule membrane, to investigate this possibility. The results show that influx and efflux of different ion species across the t-tubule membrane are similar, but not equal. Changes of ion concentration can therefore occur close to the t-tubular membrane, thereby altering trans-sarcolemmal ion flux and thus cell function, although such changes are reduced by diffusion to the bulk extracellular space. Slowing diffusion results in larger changes in luminal ion concentrations. These results provide a deeper understanding of the role of the t-tubules in normal cell function, and are a basis for understanding the changes that occur in heart failure as a result of changes in t-tubule structure and ion fluxes.
- MeSH
- difuze MeSH
- ionty analýza MeSH
- kardiomyocyty cytologie fyziologie MeSH
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- membránové potenciály MeSH
- modely kardiovaskulární MeSH
- počítačová simulace MeSH
- sarkolema fyziologie MeSH
- sarkoplazmatické retikulum fyziologie MeSH
- vápník analýza MeSH
- výpočetní biologie metody MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
A model of the guinea-pig cardiac ventricular myocyte has been developed that includes a representation of the transverse-axial tubular system (TATS), including heterogeneous distribution of ion flux pathways between the surface and tubular membranes. The model reproduces frequency-dependent changes of action potential shape and intracellular ion concentrations and can replicate experimental data showing ion diffusion between the tubular lumen and external solution in guinea-pig myocytes. The model is stable at rest and during activity and returns to rested state after perturbation. Theoretical analysis and model simulations show that, due to tight electrical coupling, tubular and surface membranes behave as a homogeneous whole during voltage and current clamp (maximum difference 0.9 mV at peak tubular INa of -38 nA). However, during action potentials, restricted diffusion and ionic currents in TATS cause depletion of tubular Ca2+ and accumulation of tubular K+ (up to -19.8% and +3.4%, respectively, of bulk extracellular values, at 6 Hz). These changes, in turn, decrease ion fluxes across the TATS membrane and decrease sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ load. Thus, the TATS plays a potentially important role in modulating the function of guinea-pig ventricular myocyte in physiological conditions.
The transverse (t-) tubules of cardiac ventricular myocytes are invaginations of the surface membrane that form a complex network within the cell. Many of the key proteins involved in excitation-contraction coupling appear to be located predominantly at the t-tubule membrane. Despite their importance, the fraction of cell membrane within the t-tubules remains unclear: measurement of cell capacitance following detubulation suggests approximately 32%, whereas optical measurements suggest up to approximately 65%. We have, therefore, investigated the factors that may account for this discrepancy. Calculation of the combinations of t-tubule radius, length and density that produce t-tubular membrane fractions of 32% or 56% suggest that the true fraction is at the upper end of this range. Assessment of detubulation using confocal and electron microscopy suggests that incomplete detubulation can account for some, but not all of the difference. High cholesterol, and a consequent decrease in specific capacitance, in the t-tubule membrane, may also cause the t-tubule fraction calculated from the loss of capacitance following detubulation to be underestimated. Correcting for both of these factors results in an estimate that is still lower than that obtained from optical measurements suggesting either that optical methods overestimate the fraction of membrane in the t-tubules, or that other, unknown, factors, reduce the apparent fraction obtained by detubulation. A biophysically realistic computer model of a rat ventricular myocyte, incorporating a t-tubule network, is used to assess the effect of the altered estimates of t-tubular membrane fraction on the calculated distribution of ion flux pathways.
- MeSH
- financování organizované MeSH
- kardiomyocyty chemie metabolismus MeSH
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- proteiny analýza metabolismus MeSH
- sarkolema chemie metabolismus MeSH
- sarkoplazmatické retikulum chemie metabolismus MeSH
- srdeční komory cytologie chemie metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- přehledy MeSH
The transverse-axial tubular system (TATS) of cardiac ventricular myocytes is a complex network of tubules that arises as invaginations of the surface membrane; it appears to form a specialised region of cell membrane that is particularly important for excitation-contraction coupling. However, much remains unknown about the structure and role of the TATS. In this brief review we use experimental data and computer modelling to address the following key questions: (i) What fraction of the cell membrane is within the TATS? (ii) Is the composition of the TATS membrane the same as the surface membrane? (iii) How good is electrical coupling between the surface and TATS membranes? (iv) What fraction of each current is within the TATS? (v) How important is the complex structure of the TATS network? (vi) What is the effect of current inhomogeneity on lumenal ion concentrations? (vii) Does the TATS contribute to the functional changes observed in heart failure? Although there are many areas in which experimental evidence is lacking, computer models provide a method to assess and predict the possible function of the TATS; such models suggest that although the surface and TATS membranes are electrically well coupled, concentration of ion flux pathways within the TATS, coupled to restricted diffusion, may result in the ionic composition in the TATS lumen being different from that in the bulk extracellular space, and varying with activity and in pathological conditions.
- MeSH
- draslíkové kanály fyziologie účinky léků MeSH
- elektrická stimulace metody MeSH
- financování organizované MeSH
- gating iontového kanálu fyziologie MeSH
- ionty MeSH
- kardiomyocyty fyziologie MeSH
- morčata MeSH
- počítačová simulace využití MeSH
- sodíkové kanály fyziologie účinky léků MeSH
- teoretické modely MeSH
- vápníkové kanály fyziologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- morčata MeSH
