Bile acids are recognised as bioactive signalling molecules. While they are known to influence arrhythmia susceptibility in cholestasis, there is limited knowledge about the underlying mechanisms. To ...delineate mechanisms underlying fetal heart rhythm disturbances in cholestatic pregnancy, we used FRET microscopy to monitor cAMP release and contraction measurements in isolated rodent neonatal cardiomyocytes. The unconjugated bile acids CDCA, DCA and UDCA and, to a lesser extent, CA were found to be relatively potent agonists for the GPBAR1 (TGR5) receptor and elicit cAMP release, whereas all glyco- and tauro- conjugated bile acids are weak agonists. The bile acid-induced cAMP production does not lead to an increase in contraction rate, and seems to be mediated by the RI isoform of adenylate cyclase, unlike adrenaline-dependent release which is mediated by the RII isoform. In contrast, bile acids elicited slowing of neonatal cardiomyocyte contraction indicating that other signalling pathways are involved. The conjugated bile acids were found to be partial agonists of the muscarinic M
but not sphingosin-1-phosphate-2, receptors, and act partially through the G
pathway. Furthermore, the contraction slowing effect of unconjugated bile acids may also relate to cytotoxicity at higher concentrations.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Current knowledge of the structural changes taking place during clathrin-mediated endocytosis is largely based on electron microscopy images of fixed preparations and x-ray crystallography data of ...purified proteins. In this paper, we describe a study of clathrin-coated pit dynamics in living cells using ion conductance microscopy to directly image the changes in pit shape, combined with simultaneous confocal microscopy to follow molecule-specific fluorescence. We find that 70% of pits closed with the formation of a protrusion that grew on one side of the pit, covered the entire pit, and then disappeared together with pit-associated clathrin-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and actin-binding protein-EGFP (Abp1-EGFP) fluorescence. This was in contrast to conventionally closing pits that closed and cleaved from flat membrane sheets and lacked accompanying Abp1-EGFP fluorescence. Scission of both types of pits was found to be dynamin-2 dependent. This technique now enables direct spatial and temporal correlation between functional molecule-specific fluorescence and structural information to follow key biological processes at cell surfaces.
The article discusses the features of monitoring the dynamic impact, processes of vibration driving and vibro-extraction of sheet piles in conditions of a large thickness of weak, water-saturated ...soils. Many years of development experience has shown that, with respect to reliability, it is not enough to carry out analysis with calculations only in the preparation of loadings. The generated vibration field has a negative impact on the structures located near. The analysis of the existing normative documents on the assessment of the dynamic impact on the construction site is given. It is noted that modern monitoring techniques make it possible to assess the impact of the surface Rayleigh wave, however, the development of additional deformations of buildings is caused by deep, body waves that affect the weak underlying soils of the base. Based on the results of numerical modeling and analysis of experimental studies of other authors, an alternative scheme for installing vibration sensors is proposed for assessing the dynamic impact during immersion and extraction of sheet piles.
BACKGROUND—Distinct subpopulations of L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) with different functional properties exist in cardiomyocytes. Disruption of cellular structure may affect LTCC in a ...microdomain-specific manner and contribute to the pathophysiology of cardiac diseases, especially in cells lacking organized transverse tubules (T-tubules) such as atrial myocytes (AMs).
METHODS AND RESULTS—Isolated rat and human AMs were characterized by scanning ion conductance, confocal, and electron microscopy. Half of AMs possessed T-tubules and structured topography, proportional to cell width. A bigger proportion of myocytes in the left atrium had organized T-tubules and topography than in the right atrium. Super-resolution scanning patch clamp showed that LTCCs distribute equally in T-tubules and crest areas of the sarcolemma, whereas, in ventricular myocytes, LTCCs primarily cluster in T-tubules. Rat, but not human, T-tubule LTCCs had open probability similar to crest LTCCs, but exhibited ≈40% greater current. Optical mapping of Ca transients revealed that rat AMs presented ≈3-fold as many spontaneous Ca release events as ventricular myocytes. Occurrence of crest LTCCs and spontaneous Ca transients were eliminated by either a caveolae-targeted LTCC antagonist or disrupting caveolae with methyl-β-cyclodextrin, with an associated ≈30% whole-cell ICa,L reduction. Heart failure (16 weeks post–myocardial infarction) in rats resulted in a T-tubule degradation (by ≈40%) and significant elevation of spontaneous Ca release events. Although heart failure did not affect LTCC occurrence, it led to ≈25% decrease in T-tubule LTCC amplitude.
CONCLUSIONS—We provide the first direct evidence for the existence of 2 distinct subpopulations of functional LTCCs in rat and human AMs, with their biophysical properties modulated in heart failure in a microdomain-specific manner.
The article considers the issues of geotechnical substantiation and application of constructive and technological measures for the construction of underground space up to 4.4 m deep in the closed ...courtyard of the Palace built in the 18th century in conditions of weak water-saturated soils in the historical center of St. Petersburg. The underground space of 18.4 x 29.4 m was arranged in close proximity to the enclosing structures of civil buildings built in the 18th - 19th centuries. The article presents design solutions based on the finite element calculation method for strengthening the foundations of existing buildings, enclosing the pit and the foundations of the new structures, which comprehensively ensure compliance with the required safe additional deformations of the surrounding buildings. The results of geotechnical monitoring are presented in comparison with the results of a numerical calculation of the main load-bearing structures of new and existing buildings of the surrounding development during the construction process.
Cardiomyocytes from the apex but not the base of the heart increase their contractility in response to β2-adrenoceptor (β2AR) stimulation, which may underlie the development of Takotsubo ...cardiomyopathy. However, both cell types produce comparable cytosolic amounts of the second messenger cAMP. We investigated this discrepancy using nanoscale imaging techniques and found that, structurally, basal cardiomyocytes have more organized membranes (higher T-tubular and caveolar densities). Local membrane microdomain responses measured in isolated basal cardiomyocytes or in whole hearts revealed significantly smaller and more short-lived β2AR/cAMP signals. Inhibition of PDE4, caveolar disruption by removing cholesterol or genetic deletion of Cav3 eliminated differences in local cAMP production and equilibrated the contractile response to β2AR. We conclude that basal cells possess tighter control of cAMP because of a higher degree of signaling microdomain organization. This provides varying levels of nanostructural control for cAMP-mediated functional effects that orchestrate macroscopic, regional physiological differences within the heart.
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•Cardiomyocyte membrane organization varies in degree between regions of the heart•Differences in structural organization affect adrenergic signaling via β2AR•Reduced organization allows β2AR-cAMP to influence contractility in myocardial apex•Variability in cell structure may allow differential response of heart regions
Wright et al. present evidence that cardiomyocyte membrane organization (T-tubule regularity and caveolar number) varies between myocardial regions. The reduced membrane organization of cells from the myocardial apex allows β2AR-cAMP to influence PKA_RII domains. As a result, β2AR stimulation enhances apically but not basally derived cardiomyocyte contractility.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Arrhythmogenesis during heart failure is a major clinical problem. Regional electrical gradients produce arrhythmias, and cellular ionic transmembrane gradients are its originators. We investigated ...whether the nanoscale mechanosensitive properties of cardiomyocytes from failing hearts have a bearing upon the initiation of abnormal electrical activity. Hydrojets through a nanopipette indent specific locations on the sarcolemma and initiate intracellular calcium release in both healthy and heart failure cardiomyocytes, as well as in human failing cardiomyocytes. In healthy cells, calcium is locally confined, whereas in failing cardiomyocytes, calcium propagates. Heart failure progressively stiffens the membrane and displaces sub-sarcolemmal mitochondria. Colchicine in healthy cells mimics the failing condition by stiffening the cells, disrupting microtubules, shifting mitochondria, and causing calcium release. Uncoupling the mitochondrial proton gradient abolished calcium initiation in both failing and colchicine-treated cells. We propose the disruption of microtubule-dependent mitochondrial mechanosensor microdomains as a mechanism for abnormal calcium release in failing heart.
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•Nanomechanical pressure application changes mechanosensitivity in failing heart cells•Microtubular network disorganization mediates the change in mechanosensitivity•Mitochondria are displaced from their original location and trigger calcium release•Uncoupling the mitochondrial proton gradient completely abolishes the phenomena
Miragoli et al. show that failing heart cells have altered sensitivity to nanomechanical stimuli mediated by changes in the alignment of microtubules. The microtubule network disorganization leads to displacement of mitochondria and alterations in calcium release.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
(1) Pulmonary hypertension (PH)-associated right ventricular (RV) failure is linked to a reduction in pulmonary vasodilators. Treprostinil has shown effectiveness in PAH patients with cardiac ...decompensation, hinting at potential cardiac benefits. We investigated treprostinil's synergy with isoprenaline in RV and LV cardiomyocytes. We hypothesised that disease-related RV structural changes in cardiomyocytes would reduce contractile responses and cAMP/PKA signalling activity. (2) We induced PH in male Sprague Dawley rats using monocrotaline and isolated their ventricular cardiomyocytes. The effect of in vitro treprostinil and isoprenaline stimulation on contraction was assessed. FRET microscopy was used to study PKA activity associated with treprostinil stimulation in AKAR3-NES FRET-based biosensor-expressing cells. (3) RV cells exhibited maladaptive remodelling with hypertrophy, impaired contractility, and calcium transients compared to control and LV cardiomyocytes. Combining treprostinil and isoprenaline failed to enhance inotropy in PH RV cardiomyocytes. PH RV cardiomyocytes displayed an aberrant contractile behaviour, which the combination treatment could not rectify. Finally, we observed decreased PKA activity in treprostinil-treated PH RV cardiomyocytes. (4) PH-associated RV cardiomyocyte remodelling reduced treprostinil sensitivity, inotropic support, and impaired relaxation. Overall, this study highlights the complexity of RV dysfunction in advanced PH and suggests the need for alternative therapeutic strategies.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The ability to differentiate induced-pluripotent stem cells into cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) has opened up novel avenues for potential cardiac therapies. However, iPSC-CMs exhibit a range of somewhat ...immature functional properties. This study explored the development of the beta-adrenergic receptor (βAR) pathway, which is crucial in regulating contraction and signifying the health and maturity of myocytes. We explored the compartmentation of β2AR-signalling and phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in caveolae, as functional nanodomains supporting the mature phenotype. Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) microscopy was used to study the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in iPSC-CMs at day 30, 60, and 90 following βAR subtype-specific stimulation. Subsequently, the PDE2, PDE3, and PDE4 activity was investigated using specific inhibitors. Cells were treated with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) to remove cholesterol as a method of decompartmentalising β2AR. As iPSC-CMs mature with a prolonged culture time, the caveolae density is increased, leading to a reduction in the overall cytoplasmic cAMP signal stimulated through β2AR (but not β1AR). Pan-phosphodiesterase inhibition or caveolae depletion leads to an increase in the β2AR-stimulated cytoplasmic cAMP. Moreover, with time in culture, the increase in the βAR-dependent cytoplasmic cAMP becomes more sensitive to cholesterol removal. The regulation of the β2AR response by PDE2 and 4 is similarly increased with the time in culture. We conclude that both the β2AR and PDEs are restricted to the caveolae nanodomains, and thereby exhibit a tighter spatial restriction over the cAMP signal in late-stage compared to early iPSC-CMs.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The therapeutic benefit of stimulating the cGMP pathway as a form of treatment to combat heart failure, as well as other fibrotic pathologies, has become well established. However, the development ...and signal compartmentation of this crucial pathway has so far been overlooked. We studied how the three main cGMP pathways, namely, nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP, natriuretic peptide (NP)-cGMP, and β
-adrenoreceptor (AR)-cGMP, mature over time in culture during cardiomyocyte differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC-CMs). After introducing a cGMP sensor for Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) microscopy, we used selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibition to reveal cGMP signal compartmentation in hPSC-CMs at various times of culture. Methyl-β-cyclodextrin was employed to remove cholesterol and thus to destroy caveolae in these cells, where physical cGMP signaling compartmentalization is known to occur in adult cardiomyocytes. We identified PDE3 as regulator of both the NO-cGMP and NP-cGMP pathway in the early stages of culture. At the late stage, the role of the NO-cGMP pathway diminished, and it was predominantly regulated by PDE1, PDE2, and PDE5. The NP-cGMP pathway shows unrestricted locally and unregulated cGMP signaling. Lastly, we observed that maturation of the β
-AR-cGMP pathway in prolonged cultures of hPSC-CMs depends on the accumulation of caveolae. Overall, this study highlighted the importance of structural development for the necessary compartmentation of the cGMP pathway in maturing hPSC-CMs.
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