JTV-519

Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) created from patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia 1 (CPVT1) have been used to study CPVT1 arrhythmia.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Ca²⁺ signaling aberrancies and pharmacological sensitivities of 3 CRISPR/Cas9-introduced CPVT1 mutations located in different molecular domains of ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2).

CRISPR/Cas9-engineered hiPSC-CMs carrying RyR2 mutations-R420Q, Q4201R, and F2483I-were voltage clamped, and their electrophysiology, pharmacology, and Ca²⁺ signaling phenotypes measured using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy.

R420Q and Q4201R mutant hiPSC-CMs exhibit irregular, long-lasting, spatially wandering Ca²⁺ sparks and aberrant Ca²⁺ releases similar to F2483I unlike the wild-type myocytes. Large sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ leaks and smaller SR Ca²⁺ contents were detected in cells expressing Q4201R and F2483I, but not R420Q. Fractional Ca²⁺ release and calcium-induced calcium release gain were higher in Q4201R than in R420Q and F2483I hiPSC-CMs. JTV519 was equally effective in suppressing Ca²⁺ sparks, waves, and SR Ca²⁺ leaks in hiPSC-CMs derived from all 3 mutant lines. Flecainide and dantrolene similarly suppressed SR Ca²⁺ leaks, but were less effective in decreasing spark frequency and durations.

CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing of hiPSCs provides a novel approach in studying CPVT1-associated RyR2 mutations and suggests that Ca²⁺-signaling aberrancies and drug sensitivities may vary depending on the mutation site.

Mucociliary clearance is an innate immune process of the airways, essential for removal of respiratory pathogens. It depends on ciliary beat and ion and fluid homeostasis of the epithelium. We have shown that nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) activate ion transport in mouse tracheal epithelium. Yet the receptor subtypes and signalling pathways involved remained unknown.

Transepithelial short circuit currents (I_SC ) of freshly isolated mouse tracheae were recorded using the Ussing chamber technique. Changes in [Ca²⁺ ]_i were studied on freshly dissociated mouse tracheal epithelial cells.

Apical application of the nAChR agonist nicotine transiently increased I_SC . The nicotine effect was abolished by the nAChR antagonist mecamylamine. α-Bungarotoxin (α7 antagonist) had no effect. The agonists epibatidine (α3β2, α4β2, α4β4 and α3β4) and A-85380 (α4β2 and α3β4) increased I_SC . The antagonists dihydro-β-erythroidine (α4β2, α3β2, α4β4 and α3β4), α-conotoxin MII (α3β2) and α-conotoxin PnIA (α3β2) reduced the nicotine effect. Nicotine- and epibatidine-induced currents were unaltered in β2^-/- mice, but in β4^-/- mice no increase was observed. In the presence of thapsigargin (endoplasmatic reticulum Ca²⁺ -ATPase inhibitor) or the ryanodine receptor antagonists JTV-519 and dantrolene there was a reduction in the nicotine-effect, indicating involvement of Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores. Additionally, the PKA inhibitor H-89 and the TMEM16A (Ca²⁺ -activated chloride channel) inhibitor T16Ainh-A01 significantly reduced the nicotine-effect.

α3β4 nAChRs are responsible for the nicotine-induced current changes via Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores, PKA and ryanodine receptor activation. These nAChRs might be possible targets to stimulate chloride transport via TMEM16A.