Bioelectrical impulses intrinsically generated within the sinoatrial node (SAN) trigger the contraction of the heart in mammals. Though discovered over a century ago, the molecular and cellular features of the SAN that underpin its critical function in the heart are uncharted territory. Here, we identify four distinct transcriptional clusters by single-cell RNA sequencing in the mouse SAN. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes identifies a core cell cluster enriched in the electrogenic genes. The similar cellular features are also observed in the SAN from both rabbit and cynomolgus monkey. Notably, Vsnl1, a core cell cluster marker in mouse, is abundantly expressed in SAN, but is barely detectable in atrium or ventricle, suggesting that Vsnl1 is a potential SAN marker. Importantly, deficiency of Vsnl1 not only reduces the beating rate of human induced pluripotent stem cell - derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) but also the heart rate of mice. Furthermore, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) unveiled the core gene regulation network governing the function of the SAN in mice. Overall, these findings reveal the whole transcriptome profiling of the SAN at single-cell resolution, representing an advance toward understanding of both the biology and the pathology of SAN.
Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) is a Wnt co-receptor in the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling. Here, we report the scaffold function of LRP6 in gap junction formation of cardiomyocytes. Cardiac LRP6 is spatially restricted to intercalated discs and binds to gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43). A deficiency in LRP6 disrupts Cx43 gap junction formation and thereby impairs the cell-to-cell coupling, which is independent of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. The defect in Cx43 gap junction resulting from LRP6 reduction is attributable to the defective traffic of de novo Cx43 proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus, leading to the lysosomal degradation of Cx43 proteins. Accordingly, the hearts of conditional cardiac-specific Lrp6-knockout mice consistently exhibit overt reduction of Cx43 gap junction plaques without any abnormality in Wnt signalling and are predisposed to lethal arrhythmias. These findings uncover a distinct role of LRP6 as a platform for intracellular protein trafficking.
Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is an inevitable forerunner of heart failure. Regardless of the etiology of cardiac hypertrophy, cardiomyocyte mitochondrial alterations are always observed in this context. The translocases of mitochondrial outer membrane (Tom) complex governs the import of mitochondrial precursor proteins to maintain mitochondrial function under pathophysiological conditions; however, its role in the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. Here, we showed that Tom70 was downregulated in pathological hypertrophic hearts from humans and experimental animals. The reduction in Tom70 expression produced distinct pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy both in vivo and in vitro. The defective mitochondrial import of Tom70-targeted optic atrophy-1 triggered intracellular oxidative stress, which led to a pathological cellular response. Importantly, increased Tom70 levels provided cardiomyocytes with full resistance to diverse pro-hypertrophic insults. Together, these results reveal that Tom70 acts as a molecular switch that orchestrates hypertrophic stresses and mitochondrial responses to determine pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Keywords: pathological cardiac hypertrophy; translocases of mitochondrial outer membrane; optic atrophy-1; oxidative stress Cell Research (2014) 24:977-993.
Rationale: Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) is constitutively expressed at low levels across various tissues. It is rapidly upregulated by multiple stresses, underlying a general role for CIRP in organic adaptations to pathophysiological conditions. However, the role of CIRP in the heart remains unclear. Objective: To examine the biofunctions of CIRP in the mammalian heart. Methods and Results: Rats with targeted disruption of Cirp were generated using the TALEN (transcription activator-like effector nucleases)-based genome editing technique. The Cirp -knockout rats had structurally and functionally normal hearts. Resting ECG recordings revealed a short rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval in Cirp -null rats without any abnormalities in PR interval, RR interval or QRS waves as compared to wild-type animals. The shortened QTc interval from Cirp ablation was tightly linked to an abbreviated action potential duration in cardiac myocytes, which was attributable to increased transient outward potassium current ( I to ). Furthermore, our findings uncovered that CIRP protein selectively bonded to KCND2 and KCND3 mRNAs encoding the functional α-subunits of I to channel proteins. CIRP deficiency did not change the transcriptional activity of KCND2 or KCND3 , but it facilitated their translation. Cirp knockout had no effect on the functional expression of ion channels other than I to channels. Conclusions: CIRP modulates cardiac repolarization by negatively adjusting the expression and function of I to channels. Our study may open a window to decipher the potential function of RNA-binding proteins in bioelectric activity.
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulatory molecules involved in a variety of biological processes and human diseases. However, the pathological effects of lncRNAs on primary varicose great saphenous veins (GSVs) remain unclear. The purpose of the present study was to identify aberrantly expressed lncRNAs involved in the prevalence of GSV varicosities and predict their potential functions. Using microarray with 33,045 lncRNA and 30,215 mRNA probes, 557 lncRNAs and 980 mRNAs that differed significantly in expression between the varicose great saphenous veins and control veins were identified in six pairs of samples. These lncRNAs were sub-grouped and mRNAs expressed at different levels were clustered into several pathways with six focused on metabolic pathways. Quantitative real-time PCR replication of nine lncRNAs was performed in 32 subjects, validating six lncRNAs (AF119885, AK021444, NR_027830, G36810, NR_027927, uc.345-). A coding-non-coding gene co-expression network revealed that four of these six lncRNAs may be correlated with 11 mRNAs and pathway analysis revealed that they may be correlated with another 8 mRNAs associated with metabolic pathways. In conclusion, aberrantly expressed lncRNAs for GSV varicosities were here systematically screened and validated and their functions were predicted. These findings provide novel insight into the physiology of lncRNAs and the pathogenesis of varicose veins for further investigation. These aberrantly expressed lncRNAs may serve as new therapeutic targets for varicose veins. The Human Ethnics Committee of Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine approved the study (NO.: 2011-DF-53).
As an excitatory transmitter system, the glutamatergic transmitter system controls excitability and conductivity of neurons. Since both cardiomyocytes and neurons are excitable cells, we hypothesized that cardiomyocytes may also be regulated by a similar system. Here, we have demonstrated that atrial cardiomyocytes have an intrinsic glutamatergic transmitter system, which regulates the generation and propagation of action potentials. First, there are abundant vesicles containing glutamate beneath the plasma membrane of rat atrial cardiomyocytes. Second, rat atrial cardiomyocytes express key elements of the glutamatergic transmitter system, such as the glutamate metabolic enzyme, ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs), and glutamate transporters. Third, iGluR agonists evoke iGluR-gated currents and decrease the threshold of electrical excitability in rat atrial cardiomyocytes. Fourth, iGluR antagonists strikingly attenuate the conduction velocity of electrical impulses in rat atrial myocardium both in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of GRIA3 or GRIN1, two highly expressed iGluR subtypes in atria, drastically decreased the excitatory firing rate and slowed down the electrical conduction velocity in cultured human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived atrial cardiomyocyte monolayers. Finally, iGluR antagonists effectively prevent and terminate atrial fibrillation in a rat isolated heart model. In addition, the key elements of the glutamatergic transmitter system are also present and show electrophysiological functions in human atrial cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, our data reveal an intrinsic glutamatergic transmitter system directly modulating excitability and conductivity of atrial cardiomyocytes through controlling iGluR-gated currents. Manipulation of this system may open potential new avenues for therapeutic intervention of cardiac arrhythmias.
BackgroundHeart failure is a complex syndrome characterized by cardiac contractile impairment with high mortality. Defective intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis is the central cause under this scenario and tightly links to ultrastructural rearrangements of sarcolemmal transverse tubules and the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR); however, the modulators of the SR architecture remain unknown. The SR has been thought to be a specialized endoplasmic reticulum membrane system. Receptor accessory proteins (REEPs)/DP1/Yop1p are responsible for shaping high‐curvature endoplasmic reticulum tubules. This study aimed to determine the role of REEPs in SR membrane shaping and thus cardiac function.Methods and ResultsWe identified REEP5 (receptor accessory protein 5) as more highly expressed than other REEP members in adult rat ventricular myocardium, and it was downregulated in the failing hearts. Targeted inactivation of REEP5 in rats specially deformed the cardiac SR membrane without affecting transverse tubules, and this was visualized by focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy–based 3‐dimensional reconstruction. Accordingly, simultaneous recordings of depolarization‐induced Ca2+ currents and Ca2+ transients in REEP5‐null cardiomyocytes revealed normal L‐type Ca2+ channel currents but a depressed SR Ca2+ release. Consequently, the excitation–contraction coupling gain of cardiomyocytes and consequent cardiac contractility were compromised. REEP5 deficiency did not alter the expression of major proteins involved in Ca2+ handling in the heart.Conclusions REEP5 modulates cardiac function by shaping the SR. REEP5 defect deforms the SR architecture to depress cardiac contractility. REEP5‐dependent SR shaping might have potential as a therapeutic target for heart failure.
Activation of the heart normally begins in the sinoatrial node (SAN). Electrical impulses spontaneously released by SAN pacemaker cells (SANPCs) trigger the contraction of the heart. However, the cellular nature of SANPCs remains controversial. Here, we report that SANPCs exhibit glutamatergic neuron-like properties. By comparing the single-cell transcriptome of SANPCs with that of cells from primary visual cortex in mouse, we found that SANPCs co-clustered with cortical neurons. Tissue and cellular imaging confirmed that SANPCs contained key elements of glutamatergic neurotransmitter system, expressing genes encoding glutamate synthesis pathway (Gls), ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors (Grina, Gria3, Grm1 and Grm5), and glutamate transporters (Slc17a7). SANPCs highly expressed cell markers of glutamatergic neurons (Snap25 and Slc17a7), whereas Gad1, a marker of GABAergic neurons, was negative. Functional studies revealed that inhibition of glutamate receptors or transporters reduced spontaneous pacing frequency of isolated SAN tissues and spontaneous Ca2+ transients frequency in single SANPC. Collectively, our work suggests that SANPCs share dominant biological properties with glutamatergic neurons, and the glutamatergic neurotransmitter system may act as an intrinsic regulation module of heart rhythm, which provides a potential intervention target for pacemaker cell-associated arrhythmias.
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