Identifies X-ROS signaling as a microtubule-dependent mechanism linking mechanical stretch to NOX2-mediated ROS production and RyR sensitization, contributing to arrhythmogenic Ca2+ release in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
We report that in heart cells, physiologic stretch rapidly activates reduced-form nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 2 (NOX2) to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a process dependent on microtubules (X-ROS signaling). ROS production occurs in the sarcolemmal and t-tubule membranes where NOX2 is located and sensitizes nearby ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). This triggers a burst of Ca(2+) sparks, the elementary Ca(2+) release events in heart. Although this stretch-dependent "tuning" of RyRs increases Ca(2+) signaling sensitivity in healthy cardiomyocytes, in disease it enables Ca(2+) sparks to trigger arrhythmogenic Ca(2+) waves. In the mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, hyperactive X-ROS signaling contributes to cardiomyopathy through aberrant Ca(2+) release from the SR. X-ROS signaling thus provides a mechanistic explanation for the mechanotransduction of Ca(2+) release in the heart and offers fresh therapeutic possibilities.
Prosser et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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