Rationale Disruption in subcellular targeting of Ca2+ signaling complexes secondary to changes in cardiac myocyte structure may contribute to the pathophysiology of a variety of cardiac diseases, including heart failure (HF) and certain arrhythmias. Objective To explore microdomain-targeted remodeling of ventricular L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs) in HF. Methods and Results Super-resolution scanning patch-clamp, confocal and fluorescence microscopy were used to explore distribution of single LTCCs in different membrane microdomains of non-failing and failing human and rat ventricular myocytes. Disruption of membrane structure in both species led to re-distribution of functional LTCCs from their canonical location in transversal tubules (T-tubules) to the non-native crest of the sarcolemma, where their open probability (Po) was dramatically increased (0.034±0.011 vs 0.154±0.027, P<0.001). High Po was linked to enhanced calcium-calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII)-mediated phosphorylation in non-native microdomains and resulted in an elevated ICa,L window current which contributed to the development of early afterdepolarizations (EADs). A novel model of LTCC function in HF was developed; following its validation with experimental data, the model was used to ascertain how HF–induced T-tubule loss led to altered LTCC function and EADs. The HF myocyte model was then implemented in a 3D left ventricle model, demonstrating that such EADs can propagate and initiate reentrant arrhythmias. Conclusion Microdomain-targeted remodeling of LTCC properties is an important event in pathways that may contribute to ventricular arrhythmogenesis in the settings of HF-associated remodeling. This extends beyond the classical concept of electrical remodelling in HF and adds a new dimension to cardiovascular disease.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether caveolin-3 (Cav3) regulates localization of β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) and its cAMP signaling in healthy or failing cardiomyocytes. We co-expressed wildtype Cav3 or its dominant-negative mutant (Cav3DN) together with the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based cAMP sensor Epac2-camps in adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVMs). FRET and scanning ion conductance microscopy were used to locally stimulate β2AR and to measure cytosolic cAMP. Cav3 overexpression increased the number of caveolae and decreased the magnitude of β2AR-cAMP signal. Conversely, Cav3DN expression resulted in an increased β2AR-cAMP response without altering the whole-cell L-type calcium current. Following local stimulation of Cav3DN-expressing ARVMs, β2AR response could only be generated in T-tubules. However, the normally compartmentalized β2AR-cAMP signal became diffuse, similar to the situation observed in heart failure. Finally, overexpression of Cav3 in failing myocytes led to partial β2AR redistribution back into the T-tubules. In conclusion, Cav3 plays a crucial role for the localization of β2AR and compartmentation of β2AR-cAMP signaling to the T-tubules of healthy ARVMs, and overexpression of Cav3 in failing myocytes can partially restore the disrupted localization of these receptors.

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