Temporal patterns of electrical remodeling in canine ventricular hypertrophy: focus on IKs downregulation and blunted beta-adrenergic activation

Milan Stengl, Christian Ramakers, Dirk W. Donker, Ashish Nabar, Andrew V. Rybin, Roel L. H. M. G. Spätjens, Theo van der Nagel, Will K. W. H. Wodzig, Karin R. Sipido, Gudrun Antoons, Antoon F. M. Moorman, Marc A. Vos, Paul G. A. Volders

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Electrical remodeling in cardiac hypertrophy often involves the downregulation of K+ currents, including beta-adrenergic (beta-A)-sensitive IKs. Temporal patterns of ion-channel downregulation are poorly resolved. In dogs with complete atrioventricular block (AVB), we examined (1) the time course of molecular alterations underlying IKs downregulation from acute to chronic hypertrophy; and (2) concomitant changing responses of repolarization to beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) stimulation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serial left-ventricular (LV) biopsies were collected from anesthetized dogs during sinus rhythm (SR; control) and at 3, 7 and 30 days of AVB. KCNQ1 mRNA and protein decreased within 3 days (protein expression 58 +/- 10% of control), remaining low thereafter. beta1-AR mRNA and protein decreased more gradually to 53 +/- 8% at 7 days. In chronic-AVB LV myocytes, IKs -tail density was reduced: 1.4 +/- 0.3 pA/pF versus 2.6 +/- 0.4 pA/pF in controls. beta-A enhancement of IKs was reduced. Isoproterenol shortened action-potential duration in control cells, while causing heterogeneous repolarization responses in chronic AVB. beta-A early afterdepolarizations were induced in 4 of 13 chronic-AVB cells, but not in controls. In intact conscious dogs, isoproterenol shortened QTc at SR (by -8 +/- 3% from 295 ms), left it unaltered at 3 days AVB (+1 +/- 3% from 325 ms) and prolonged QTc at 30 days (+6 +/- 3% from 365 ms). CONCLUSIONS: Profound decrease of KCNQ1 occurs within days after AVB induction and is followed by a more gradual decrease of beta1-AR expression. Downregulation and blunted beta-A activation of IKs contribute to the loss of beta-A-induced shortening of ventricular repolarization, favoring proarrhythmia. Provocation testing with isoproterenol identifies repolarization instability based on acquired channelopathy
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)90-100
JournalCardiovascular research
Volume72
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

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