Relevance of calmodulin/CaMKII activation for arrhythmogenesis in the AV block dog

Vincent J. A. Bourgonje*, Marieke Schoenmakers, Jet D. M. Beekman, Roel van der Nagel, Marien J. C. Houtman, Lars F. Miedema, Gudrun Antoons, Karin Sipido, Leon J. de Windt, Toon A. B. van Veen, Marc A. Vos

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND The calcium-dependent signaling molecules calcineurin and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) both have been linked to decompensated hypertrophy and arrhythmias. CaMKII is also believed to be involved in acute modulation of ion channels. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the role of calcineurin and CaMKII in a dog model of compensated hypertrophy and a long QT phenotype. METHODS AV block was created in dogs to induce ventricular remodeling, including enhanced susceptibility to dofetilide-induced torsades de pointes arrhythmias. Dogs were treated with cyclosporin A for 3 weeks, which reduced calcineurin activity, as determined by mRNA expression levels of regulator of calcineurin 1 exon 4, but which was unable to prevent structural, contractile, or electrical remodeling and arrhythmias. Biopsies were taken before and at 2 or 9 weeks after AV block. Western blots were performed against phosphorylated and total CaMKII, phospholamban, Akt, and histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4). RESULTS Chronic AV block showed an increase in Akt, CaMKII and phospholamban phosphorylation levels, but HDAC4 phosphorylation remained unaltered. Dofetilide induced torsades de pointes in vivo and early afterdepolarizations in cardiomyocytes, and increased [Ca2+](i) and CaMKII autophosphorylation. Both W-7 and KN-93 treatment counteracted this. CONCLUSION The calcineurin pathway seems not to be involved in long-term cardiac remodeling of the chronic AV block dog. Although CaMKII is chronically activated, this does not translate to HDAC4 phosphorylation. However, acute CaMKII overactivation is able to initiate arrhythmias based on triggered activity.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1875-1883.e2
JournalHeart Rhythm
Volume9
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2012

Keywords

  • Arrhythmias
  • Calcineurin
  • CaMKII
  • Chronic AV block dog
  • Ventricular remodeling

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Relevance of calmodulin/CaMKII activation for arrhythmogenesis in the AV block dog'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this