Electrophysiology of human cardiac atrial and ventricular telocytes.
Telocytes (TCs) with exceptionally long cellular processes of telopodes have been described in human epicardium to act as structural supporting cells in the heart. We examined myocardial chamber-specific TCs identified in atrial and ventricular fibroblast culture using immunocytochemistry and studied their electrophysiological property by whole-cell patch clamp. Atrial and ventricular TCs with extended telopodes and alternating podoms and podomers that expressed CD34, c-Kit and PDGFR-β were identified. These cells expressed large conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ current (BK(Ca)) and inwardly rectifying K⁺ current (IK(ir)), but not transient outward K⁺ current (I(to)) and ATP-sensitive potassium current (K(ATP)). The active channels were functionally competent with demonstrated modulatory response to H2 S and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 whereby H₂S significantly inhibited the stimulatory effect of TGF-β1 on current density of both BKCa and IK(ir). Furthermore, H₂S attenuated TGF-β1-stimulated KCa1.1/Kv1.1 (encode BK(Ca)) and Kir2.1 (encode IK(ir)) expression in TCs. Our results show that functionally competent K⁺ channels are present in human atrial and ventricular TCs and their modulation may have significant implications in myocardial physiopathology.
Research and Development Unit, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore.
Jingwei
J
Sheng
Winston
W
Shim
Jun
J
Lu
Sze Yun
SY
Lim
Boon Hean
BH
Ong
Tien Siang
TS
Lim
Reginald
R
Liew
Yeow Leng
YL
Chua
Philip
P
Wong
D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000494:pharmacology; D051037:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000494:pharmacology
D018952:Antigens, CD34; C494841:KCNMA1 protein, human; D051037:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide
Telocyte; fibrosis; hydrogen sulphide; potassium channel