T-type calcium channel expression in cultured human neuroblastoma cells

Human neuroblastoma cells （SH-SY5Y） have similar structures and functions as neural cells and have been frequently used for cell culture studies of neural cell functions.Previous studies have revealed L-and N-type calcium channels in SH-SY5Y cells.However,the distribution of the low-voltage activated calcium channel （namely called T-type calcium channel,including Cav3.1,Cav3.2,and Cav3.3） in SH-SY5Y cells remains poorly understood.The present study detected mRNA and protein expres-sion of the T-type calcium channel （Cav3.1,Cav3.2,and Cav3.3） in cultured SH-SY5Y cells using real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and western blot analysis.Results revealed mRNA and protein expression from all three T-type calcium channel subtypes in SH-SY5Y cells.Moreover,Cav3.1 was the predominant T-type calcium channel subtype in SH-SY5Y cells.

Calcium channels and iron uptake into the heart

Iron overload can lead to iron deposits in many tissues,particularly in the heart.It has also been shown to be associated with elevated oxidative stress in tissues.Elevated cardiac iron deposits can lead to iron overload cardiomyopathy,a condition which provokes mortality due to heart failure in iron-overloaded patients.Currently,the mechanism of iron uptake into cardiomyocytes is still not clearly understood.Growing evidence suggests L-type Ca2+channels(LTCCs)as a possible pathway for ferrous iron(Fe2+)uptake into cardiomyocytes under iron overload conditions.Nevertheless,controversy still exists since some findings on pharmacological interventions and those using different cell types do not support LTCC’s role as a portal for iron uptake in cardiac cells.Recently,T-type Ca2+channels (TTCC)have been shown to play an important role in the diseased heart.Although TTCC and iron uptake in cardiomyocytes has not been investigated greatly,a recent finding indicated that TTCC could be an important portal in thalassemic hearts.In this review,comprehensive findings collected from previous studies as well as a discussion of the controversy regarding iron uptake mechanisms into cardiomyocytes via calcium channels are presented with the hope that understanding the cellular iron uptake mechanism in cardiomyocytes will lead to improved treatment and prevention strategies,particularly in iron-overloaded patients.

Formaldehyde increases intracellular calcium concentration in primary cultured hippocampal neurons partly through NMDA receptors and T-type calcium channels

Objective Formaldehyde at high concentrations is a contributor to air pollution. It is also an endogenous metabolic product in cells, and when beyond physiological concentrations, has pathological effects on neurons. Formaldehyde induces mis-folding and aggregation of neuronal tau protein, hippocampal neuronal apoptosis, cognitive impairment and loss of memory functions, as well as excitation of peripheral nociceptive neurons in cancer pain models. Intracellular calcium （[Ca2＋]i） is an important intracellular messenger, and plays a key role in many pathological processes. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of formaldehyde on [Ca2＋]i and the possible involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors （NMDARs） and T-type Ca2＋ channels on the cell membrane. Methods Using primary cultured hippocampal neurons as a model, changes of [Ca2＋]i in the presence of formaldehyde at a low concentration were detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results Formaldehyde at 1 mmol/L approximately doubled [Ca2＋]i. （2R）-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate （AP5, 25 μmol/L, an NMDAR antagonist） and mibefradil （MIB, 1 μmol/L, a T-type Ca2＋ channel blocker）, given 5 min after formaldehyde perfusion, each partly inhibited the formaldehyde-induced increase of [Ca：＋]i, and this inhibitory effect was reinforced by combined application of AP5 and MIB. When applied 3 min before formaldehyde perfusion, AP5 （even at 50μmol/L） did not inhibit the formaldehyde-induced increase of [Ca2＋]i, but MIB （1 μmol/L） significantly inhibited this increase by 70%. Conclusion These results suggest that formaldehyde at a low concentration increases [Ca2＋]i in cultured hippocampal neurons; NMDARs and T-type Ca2＋ channels may be involved in this process.

Role of T-type Calcium Channels in Generating Hyperexcitatory Behaviors during Emergence from Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Neonatal Rats

In the current study,we sought to investigate whether T-type Ca^(2+)channels(TCCs)in the brain are involved in generating post-anesthetic hyperexcitatory behaviors(PAHBs).We found that younger rat pups(postnatal days 9-11)had a higher incidence of PAHBs and higher PAHB scores than older pups(postnatal days16-18)during emergence from sevoflurane anesthesia.The power spectrum of the theta oscillations(4 Hz-8 Hz)in the prefrontal cortex was significantly enhanced in younger pups when PAHBs occurred,while there were no significant changes in older pups.Both the power of theta oscillations and the level of PAHBs were significantly reduced by the administration of TCC inhibitors.Moreover,the sensitivity of TCCs in the medial dorsal thalamic nucleus to sevoflurane was found to increase with age by investigating the kinetic properties of TCCs in vitro.TCCs were activated by potentiated GABAergic depolarization with a sub-anesthetic dose of sevoflurane(1%).These data suggest that(1)TCCs in the brain contribute to the generation of PAHBs and the concomitant electroencephalographic changes;(2)the stronger inhibitory effect of sevoflurane contributes to the lack of PAHBs in older rats;and(3)the contribution of TCCs to PAHBs is not mediated by a direct effect of sevoflurane on TCCs.

Adjuvant role of a T-type calcium channel blocker, TTA-A2, in lung cancer treatment with paclitaxel

Aim:Chemoresistance is a prevalent issue in cancer treatment.Paclitaxel(PTX)is a microtubule-binding anticancer drug used in various cancer treatments.However,cancer cells often show chemoresistance against PTX with the help of P-glycoprotein(Pgp)-a drug efflux pump.It has also been observed that overexpressed T-type calcium channels(TTCCs)maintain calcium homeostasis in cancer cells,and calcium has a role in chemoresistance.Therefore,the aim of this study was to test the adjuvant role of TTA-A2,a TTCC blocker,in enhancing the anticancer effect of PTX on the A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line.Methods:Morphology assay,calcium imaging assay,clonogenic assay,apoptosis assay,and real-time polymerase chain reaction(real-time PCR)were performed to find the adjuvant role of TTA-A2.Samples were treated with PTX at 10 nM concentration and TTA-A2 at 50 and 100 nM concentrations.PTX and TTA-A2 were used in the combination treatment at 10 and 100 nM concentrations,respectively.Results:Immunocytochemistry confirmed the expression of TTCC in A549 cells.Morphology assay showed altered morphology of A549 cells.The adjuvant role of TTA-A2 was observed in the calcium imaging assay in spheroids,in the clonogenic assay in monolayers,and in the apoptosis assay in both cultures.With real-time PCR,it was observed that,even though cells express the mRNA of Pgp,it is non-significant upon treatment with PTX and TTA-A2.Conclusion:TTA-A2 can be used as an adjuvant to reduce chemoresistance in cancer cells as well as to enhance the anticancer effect of the standard anticancer drug PTX.Being a potent TTCC inhibitor,TTA-A2 may also enhance the anticancer effects of other anticancer drugs.

Sex Differences in Electrophysiological Properties of Mouse Medial Preoptic Area Neurons Revealed by In Vitro Whole-cell Recordings

Despite extensive characterization of sex differences in the medial preoptic area(mPOA)of the hypothalamus,we know surprisingly little about whether or how male and female mPOA neurons differ electrophysiologically,especially in terms of neuronal firing and behavioral pattern generation.In this study,by performing whole-cell patch clamp recordings of the mPOA,we investigated the influences of sex,cell type,and gonadal hormones on the electrophysiological properties of mPOA neurons.Notably,we uncovered significant sex differences in input resistance(male>female)and in the percentage of neurons that displayed post-inhibitory rebound(male>female).Furthermore,we found that the current mediated by the T-type Ca^(2+)channel(IT),which is known to underlie post-inhibitory rebound,was indeed larger in male mPOA neurons.Thus,we have identified salient electrophysiological properties of mPOA neurons,namely IT and post-inhibitory rebound,that are male-biased and likely contribute to the sexually dimorphic display of behaviors.