Dynamic Expression of Hyperpolarization-activated Cyclic Nucleotide-gated Cation Channel 4 Involved in Microwave Induced Pacemaker Cell Injuries

To investigate the mechanisms of microwave induced pacemaker cell injuries, Wistar rats and the primary pacemaker cells of newborn Wistar rats were exposed to microwave at average power density of 50 mW/cm2. Slower spontaneous beating rate, intercellular Ca2＋ aggregation and cell membrane perforation were detected immediately after the exposure. Moreover, hyperpolarizationactivated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel 4 （HCN4） was down-regulated immediately after the exposure and up-regulated at 12 h after the exposure. In the sinoatrial node （SAN） of the rats,

Electrophysiology of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotidegated cation channel 2 and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel 4 expressed in HEK293 cells

The action potential of pacemaker cells in the sino-atrial node forms the automatic rhythm of the heart. The automatic depolarization in phase 4 is me DaSlS of the automaticity in pacemaker cells. Many currents are included in phase 4, such as calcium current, TTX-sensitive sodium current, sustained inward current （Isi）, decay of delayed rectifier potassium current, etc. Funny current （If） has long been recognized as important in this phase and is activated at hyperpolarized potentials during cell diastole and in turn activates other currents to form automatic depolarization.

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 2 contributes to electroacupuncture analgesia on lumbar disc herniation-induced radicular pain through activation of microglia in spinal dorsal horn

OBJECTIVE:To explore the mechanisms of dorsal root ganglia and spinal microglia cascade cross in electroacupuncture(EA)analgesia in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.METHODS:A rat model of lumbar disc herniation(LDH)was established,EA was administered at Huantiao(GB30)acupoint 30 min once a day,for 3 d.Before and after modeling,and after EA,mechanical allodynia thresholds were detected.Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 2(HCN2)in dorsal root ganglia was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)and Western blot.C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1(CX3CL1)and activity of microglia in spinal cord was observed separately via qPCR and immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:The mechanical allodynia threshold of the right planta of model rats was significantly reduced(P<0.01),EA increased the mechanical pain threshold of rats(P<0.01),and decreased HCN2 mRNA,and protein expression,reduced the expression of CX3CL1 and the activation of microglia.ZD7288(a blocker of HCN channel)reduced the analgesic effect of EA from 1.83±0.84 to 0.74±0.20(P<0.05),and the expression of CX3CL1 in the spinal cord decreased from 0.52±0.11 to 0.15±0.05(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:EA analgesia on the radicular pain of LDH is definite.EA reduced the expression of HCN2 channel in the dorsal root ganglion,thereby decreasing the noxious stimulation entered to microglia in spinal dorsal horn.Our work supports EA is an effective treatment for radicular pain of LDH.

The effects of rises in external K^+ on the hyperpolarization-activated cation current I_h in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

The effects of rises in external K+(Kext) were examined on the hyperpolarization-activated cation current(Ih) in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons using the whole-cell patch clamp technique.The results showed that Kext increased Ih in a certain concentration and voltage-dependent manner.At the basal Kext level(4 mmol/L),Ih had a maximal amplitude of 1085 ± 340 pA which was enhanced by ～45% and ～92% at 8 and 16 mmol/L Kext,respectively.The midpoint activation voltage was significantly shifted from -98 mV in the hyperpolarizing direction by 8 and 12 mV at 8 and 16 mmol/L Kext,respectively with alteration of the activation course of Ih.The short time constants of activation became longer with the increasing amplitude of the command potential upon rises in Kext.The long time constants became shorter.The reversal potentials were shifted in the positive direction without significant alterations upon rises in Kext.According to the functional role of Ih,Kext increased Ih,resulting in an enhanced neuronal excitability,which might produce activation potential abnormality and perhaps neuropathic pain involved.

Use of Rats Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modified with mHCN2 Gene to Create Biologic Pacemakers

The possibility of rats mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) modified with murine hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 2 (mHCN2) gene as biological pacemakers in vitro was studied. The cultured MSCs were transfected with pIRES2-EGFP plasmid carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene and mHCN2 gene. The identification using restriction enzyme and sequencing indicated that the mHCN2 gene was inserted to the pIRES2-EGFP. Green fluorescence could be seen in MSCs after transfection for 24–48 h. The expression of mHCN2 mRNA and protein in the transfected cells was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, and the quantity of mHCN2 mRNA and protein expression in transfected MSCs was 5.31 times and 7.55 times higher than that of the non-transfected MSCs respectively (P<0.05, P<0.05). IHCN2 was recorded by whole-cell patch clamp method. The effect of Cs+, a specific blocker of pacemaker current, was measured after perfusion by patch clamp. The results of inward current indicated that there was no inward current recording in non-transfected MSCs and a large voltage-dependent inward and Cs+-sensitive current activated on hyperpolarizations presented in the transfected MSCs. IHCN2 was fully activated around–140 mV with an activation threshold of –60 mV. The midpoint (V50) was –95.1±0.9 mV (n=9). The study demonstrates that mHCN2 mRNA and protein can be expressed and the currents of HCN2 channels can be detected in genetically modified MSCs. The gene-modified MSCs present a novel method for pacemaker genes into the heart or other electrical syncytia.

Functional Interaction of the SNARE Protein NtSyp121 in Ca^2＋ Channel Gating, Ca^2＋ Transientsand ABA Signalling of Stomatal Guard Cells

There is now growing evidence that membrane vesicle trafficking proteins, especially of the superfamily of SNAREs, are critical for cellular signalling in plants. Work from this laboratory first demonstrated that a soluble, inhibitory （dominant-negative） fragment of the SNARE NtSyp121 blocked K^＋ and CI^- channel responses to the stress-related hormone abscisic acid （ABA）, but left open a question about functional impacts on signal intermediates, especially on Ca^2＋-mediated signalling events. Here, we report one mode of action for the SNARE mediated directly through alterations in Ca^2＋ channel gating and its consequent effects on cytosolic-free [Ca^2＋] （[Ca^2＋]i） elevation. We find that expressing the same inhibitory fragment of NtSyp121 blocks ABA-evoked stomatal closure, but only partially suppresses stomatal closure in the presence of the NO donor, SNAP, which promotes [Ca^2＋]i elevation independently of the plasma membrane Ca^2＋ channels. Consistent with these observations, Ca^2＋ channel gating at the plasma membrane is altered by the SNARE fragment in a manner effective in reducing the potential for triggering a rise in [Ca^2＋]i, and we show directly that its expression in vivo leads to a pronounced suppression of evoked [Ca^2＋]i transients. These observations offer primary evidence for the functional coupling of the SNARE with Ca^2＋ channels at the plant cell plasma membrane and, because [Ca^2＋]i plays a key role in the control of K^＋ and CI^- channel currents in guard cells, they underscore an important mechanism for SNARE integration with ion channel regulation during stomatal closure.

Overexpression of connexin 45 in rat mesenchymal stem cells improves the function as cardiac biological pacemakers

Background Extensive research toward creating a biological pacemaker by enhancement of inward depolarizing current has been performed. However, studies have mainly focused on inducing spontaneous activity and have not adequately addressed ways to improve pacemaker function. In this study we attempted to improve pacemaker function by altering connexin expression in rat mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） to a phenotype similar to native sinus node pacemaker cells. Methods To generate a biological pacemaker, MSCs were transduced with a cardiac pacemaker gene- hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 4 （HCN4）, via transfection with a lentiviral vector. Funny current （If） in HCN4~ MSCs was recorded by voltage-clamp. Overexpression of connexin 45 （gene Gja7） in MSCs was achieved by transfection with the plasmid pDsRED2-N1-Gja7-RFP. Double-immunolabelling with anti-connexin 43 and anti-connexin 45 antibodies were used to identify the gap junction channels. The effects of the genetically modified MSCs on cardiomyocyte excitability were determined in MSCs cocultured with neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Spontaneous action potentials of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were recorded by current-clamp. Results High level time- and voltage-dependent inward hyperpolarization current that was sensitive to 4 mmol/L Cs＋ was detected in HCN4＋ MSCs, confirming that HCN4 acted as Ir channels in MSCs. Connexin 43 and connexin 45 were simultaneously detected in CX45＋ MSCs. Beating frequency was （82±8） beats per minute （n=-5） in myocytes cocultured with non-transfected control MSCs, versus （129±11） beats per minute （n=-5） in myocytes cocultured with HCN4＋ MSCs. Myocytes cocultured with MSCs cotransfected with HCN4 and connexin 45 had the highest beating frequency at （147±9） beats per minute （n=5）. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that overexpression of connexin 45 and subsequent formation of heteromeric connexin 45/connexin 43 gap junction channels in HCN4 expressing MSCs can improve their function as cardiac biological pacemakers in vitro.

Effects of Shensong Yangxin capsule on pacemaker channels encoded by human HCN4 gene

Shensong Yangxin （SSYX） is one of the compound recipes of Chinese materia medica including 12ingredients such as Panax ginseng, dwarf lilyturf tuber,nardostachys root, etc. Small-scale randomized multi-centre clinical trials suggested that SSYX reduced the number of ventricular extrasystoles in patients with or without structural heart disease.1 Besides excellent antiarrhythmic efficacy,2 SSYX also improved bradycardia in some patients, which was evidenced by animal studies3 as well.