Key result
AF drives nucleoplasmic Ca2+ overload via IP3R1, promoting CaMKII-HDAC4 signaling and L-type calcium current downregulation.
Why the study?
The mechanisms underlying AF are poorly understood, and the nature and significance of nuclear Ca2+ changes in AF remain largely unknown.
This study identifies a novel mechanism of atrial fibrillation-induced remodeling involving nuclear calcium dysregulation via IP3R1 and miR-26a, offering potential new therapeutic targets.
Rationale: The mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common clinical arrhythmia, are poorly understood. Nucleoplasmic Ca 2+ regulates gene expression, but the nature and significance of nuclear Ca 2+ -changes in AF are largely unknown. Objective: To elucidate mechanisms by which AF alters atrial-cardiomyocyte nuclear Ca 2+ ([Ca 2+ ] Nuc ) and CaMKII (Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-II)-related signaling. Methods and Results: Atrial cardiomyocytes were isolated from control and AF dogs (kept in AF by atrial tachypacing [600 bpm × 1 week]). [Ca 2+ ] Nuc and cytosolic [Ca 2+ ] ([Ca 2+ ] Cyto ) were recorded via confocal microscopy. Diastolic [Ca 2+ ] Nuc was greater than [Ca 2+ ] Cyto under control conditions, while resting [Ca 2+ ] Nuc was similar to [Ca 2+ ] Cyto ; both diastolic and resting [Ca 2+ ] Nuc increased with AF. IP 3 R (Inositol-trisphosphate receptor) stimulation produced larger [Ca 2+ ] Nuc increases in AF versus control cardiomyocytes, and IP 3 R-blockade suppressed the AF-related [Ca 2+ ] Nuc differences. AF upregulated nuclear protein expression of IP 3 R1 (IP 3 R-type 1) and of phosphorylated CaMKII (immunohistochemistry and immunoblot) while decreasing the nuclear/cytosolic expression ratio for HDAC4 (histone deacetylase type-4). Isolated atrial cardiomyocytes tachypaced at 3 Hz for 24 hours mimicked AF-type [Ca 2+ ] Nuc changes and L-type calcium current decreases versus 1-Hz-paced cardiomyocytes; these changes were prevented by IP 3 R knockdown with short-interfering RNA directed against IP 3 R1. Nuclear/cytosolic HDAC4 expression ratio was decreased by 3-Hz pacing, while nuclear CaMKII phosphorylation was increased. Either CaMKII-inhibition (by autocamtide-2-related peptide) or IP 3 R-knockdown prevented the CaMKII-hyperphosphorylation and nuclear-to-cytosolic HDAC4 shift caused by 3-Hz pacing. In human atrial cardiomyocytes from AF patients, nuclear IP 3 R1-expression was significantly increased, with decreased nuclear/nonnuclear HDAC4 ratio. MicroRNA-26a was predicted to target ITPR1 (confirmed by luciferase assay) and was downregulated in AF atrial cardiomyocytes; microRNA-26a silencing reproduced AF-induced IP 3 R1 upregulation and nuclear diastolic Ca 2+ -loading. Conclusions: AF increases atrial-cardiomyocyte nucleoplasmic [Ca 2+ ] by IP 3 R1-upregulation involving miR-26a, leading to enhanced IP 3 R1-CaMKII-HDAC4 signaling and L-type calcium current downregulation. Graphic Abstract: A graphic abstract is available for this article.
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Qi et al. (2020) studied Atrial fibrillation (n=86). Atrial tachypacing-induced atrial fibrillation vs. Control (sinus rhythm) was evaluated on Nucleoplasmic Ca2+ levels and IP3R1-CaMKII-HDAC4 signaling. Atrial fibrillation increases atrial-cardiomyocyte nucleoplasmic Ca2+ by IP3R1-upregulation involving miR-26a, leading to enhanced IP3R1-CaMKII-HDAC4 signaling and L-type calcium current downregulation.
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