Cardiac PDGFRα+ interstitial cells generate spontaneous inward currents that contribute to excitability in the heart. Issue 5 (22nd April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zheng, Haifeng; Peri, Lauren; Ward, Grace K.; Sanders, Kenton M.; Ward, Sean M.
• Is Part Of: FASEB journal. Volume 37:Issue 5(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2023-04-22
• Subjects: adrenoreceptor -- cardiac excitability -- NSCC -- PDGFRα+ interstitial cells; Biology -- Periodicals; Biology, Experimental -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201712R
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-6638

Abstract

Abstract: The cell types and conductance that contribute to normal cardiac functions remain under investigation. We used mice that express an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)‐histone 2B fusion protein driven off the cell‐specific endogenous promoter for Pdgfra to investigate the distribution and functional role of PDGFRα + cells in the heart. Cardiac PDGFRα + cells were widely distributed within the endomysium of atria, ventricle, and sino‐atrial node (SAN) tissues. PDGFRα + cells formed a discrete network of cells, lying in close apposition to neighboring cardiac myocytes in mouse and Cynomolgus monkey ( Macaca fascicularis ) hearts. Expression of eGFP in nuclei allowed unequivocal identification of these cells following enzymatic dispersion of muscle tissues. FACS purification of PDGFRα + cells from the SAN and analysis of gene transcripts by qPCR revealed that they were a distinct population of cells that expressed gap junction transcripts, Gja1 and Gjc1 . Cardiac PDGFRα + cells generated spontaneous transient inward currents (STICs) and spontaneous transient depolarizations (STDs) that reversed at 0 mV. Reversal potential was maintained when E Cl = −40 mV. [Na + ]o replacement and FTY720 abolished STICs, suggesting they were due to a non‐selective cation conductance (NSCC) carried by TRPM7. PDGFRα + cells also express β2 ‐adrenoceptor gene transcripts, Adrb2 . Zinterol, a selective β2 ‐receptor agonist, increased the amplitude and frequency of STICs, suggesting these cells could contribute to adrenergic regulation of cardiac excitability. PDGFRα + cells in cardiac muscles generate inward currents via an NSCC. STICs generated by these cells may contribute to the integrated membrane potentials of cardiac muscles, possibly affecting the frequency of pacemaker activity. Abstract : Model hypothesis for the role of PDGFRα + cells in the SAN. PDGFRα + cells generate spontaneous electrical inward currents (STICs) and depolarizations (STDs) via NSCC, which regulate the generation of action potentials in myocytes via gap junctions (connexins). PDGFRα + cells also express β2‐adrenoceptor gene transcripts and these cells may contribute to adrenergic regulation of cardiac excitability.