Calcium handling in embryonic stem cell-derived cardiac myocytes: Of mice and men

Ilanit Itzhaki, Jackie Schiller, Rafael Beyar, Jonathan Satin, Lior Gepstein

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Excitation-contraction (EC) coupling is fundamental to the function of cardiac myocytes (CMs). In mature myocytes plasma membrane (PM) L-type Ca 2+ channels function in close juxtaposition to ryanodine receptors (RyR) on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane. Action potentials (APs) cause the opening of PM L-type Ca2+ channels, which in turn provide trigger Ca2+ for a larger RyR-mediated SR Ca2+ release. In contrast, developing myocytes have a less well-developed SR. This incomplete development is observed in early stage and mid-maturation stages of murine embryonic stem cell-derived cardiac myocytes (ESC-CMs). Despite the absence of a well-developed t-tubule system, murine ESC-CMs use internal Ca2+ stores for EC coupling. Direct measures of Ca2+ handling, including pharmacological studies and investigation of genetically modified mouse ESC-CMs, established an important contribution of RyR-mediated internal Ca2+ store to cell function. Similarly, early-stage human ESC-CMs use internal Ca2+ store and partially share Ca2+ handling characteristics with murine ESC-CMs. For example, elementary Ca2+ release events are present in both murine and human ESC-CMs, and it is likely that Ca2+ handling contributes to automatic rhythm generation in these cells. However, in human ESC-CMs, a unique voltage-gated Na+ channel window current is critical for spontaneous, rhythmic depolarization. The advent of the murine and human ES cardiomyocyte differentiating systems has provided initial insights into the early steps of development of excitability and electromechanical coupling in the mammalian heart, including patterns of gene expression, myofibrillogenesis, ion channel development and function, and Ca2+ handling. Here we discuss the information gained from these models to describe the nexus of voltage-gated channel currents and Ca 2+ handling on rhythmic activity.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInteractive and Integrative Cardiology
Pages207-215
Number of pages9
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2006

Publication series

NameAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume1080
ISSN (Print)0077-8923
ISSN (Electronic)1749-6632

Keywords

  • Calcium channel
  • Cardiac electrophysiology
  • Excitation-contraction
  • Heart development
  • Ion channel
  • Voltage-gated ion channel

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • History and Philosophy of Science

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