Molecular and functional characterization of a new potassium conductance in mouse ventricular fibroblasts

The protective effect of ursodeoxycholic acid in an in vitro model of the human fetal heart occurs via targeting cardiac fibroblasts

“…Subsequently, they recorded current carried by the Kir6.1/SUR2 channel complex, which was shown to be sensitive to both pinacidil and glibenclamide. They demonstrated a connection between K ATP channel activation by pinacidil and fibroblast proliferation (Benamer et al, 2009). Interestingly, K ATP subunits were detected not earlier than day 7 of fibroblast culture, and their expression increased progressively alongside αSMA.…”

“…Although K ATP channel subunits are abundant in cardiomyocytes, Benamer et al (2009Benamer et al ( , 2013 reported mRNA and protein expression of SUR2 and Kir6.1 as the two most prominently expressed subunits in mouse and rat ventricular fibroblasts (Benamer et al, 2013(Benamer et al, , 2009). Subsequently, they recorded current carried by the Kir6.1/SUR2 channel complex, which was shown to be sensitive to both pinacidil and glibenclamide.…”

“…Equally, hypoxic/ischaemic environments can cause down-regulation of ion channels involved in maintaining RMP (Benamer et al, 2013(Benamer et al, , 2009). In our study we saw a significant positive shift of membrane potential in human fetal fibroblasts [ Figure 8B], which is indicative of channel subunit reduction.…”

Functional Alterations of Ion Channels From Cardiac Fibroblasts in Heart Diseases

“…27 The mechanisms by which these channels become functional during the fibroblast transdifferentiation process are not known. ATP-sensitive K + currents (Kir6.2) are also present in CFs, 25 however, little is known about their role in cardiac pathology. Attenuation of atrial CF proliferation by sodium hydrogen sulphide (an activator of KATP) following inhibition of KATP channels by glibenclamide suggests that KATP channels are less likely to play any role, at least regarding proliferation.…”

Fibroblast KATP currents modulate myocyte electrophysiology in infarcted hearts

“…Moreover, fibroblasts also express calcium-dependent potassium channels (52) and other nonselective channels (8, 9, 19 -21, 43). Recent studies have indicated fibroblasts isolated from normal hearts and maintained in culture express K ATP channel subunits (1,7,26). Patch clamp studies also demonstrate that K ATP currents appear progressively over time in culture and are associated with the differentiation of fibroblasts into an in vitro myofibroblast phenotype as determined by the expression of ␣-smooth muscle actin.…”