Amyloid peptide regulates calcium homoeostasis and arrhythmogenesis in pulmonary vein cardiomyocytes

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (6): 589598 Abstract Background Amyloid peptides modulate cardiac calcium homoeostasis and play an important role in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation. Pulmonary veins (PVs) are critical in the genesis of atrial fibrillation and contain abundant amyloid peptides. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate whether amyloid peptides may change the PV electrical activity through regulating calcium homoeostasis. Methods and results The channel and calcium-handling protein expressions, intracellular calcium and ionic currents were studied in isolated rabbit PV cardiomyocytes in the presence and absence (control) of beta-amyloid (A beta 2535) for 46 h, using Western blot analysis, indo-1 fluorimetric ratio and whole-cell patch clamp techniques. A beta 2535 decreased the expressions of CaV1.2, total or Ser16-phosphorylated phospholamban (p-PLB), p-PLB/PLB ratio, sodium/calcium exchanger, but did not change ryanodine receptor, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) ATPase and K+ channel proteins (Kir2.1, Kir2.3, Kv1.4, Kv1.5 and Kv4.2). A beta 2535-treated cardiomyocytes had smaller calcium transient, SR calcium store, L-type calcium current and sodium/calcium exchanger current than control cardiomyocytes. Moreover, A beta 2535-treated cardiomyocytes (n = 20) had shorter 90% of the action potential duration (82 +/- 3 vs. 93 +/- 5 ms, P < 0.05) than control cardiomyocytes (n = 16). Conclusion A beta 2535 has direct electrophysiological effects on PV cardiomyocytes.