Myosin heavy chain and cardiac troponin T damage is associated with impaired myofibrillar ATPase activity contributing to sarcomeric dysfunction in Ca2+-paradox rat hearts

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the potential contribution of myofibrils to contractile dysfunction in Ca²⁺-paradox hearts. Isolated rat hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution (Control), followed by Ca²⁺-depletion, and then Ca²⁺-repletion after Ca²⁺-depletion (Ca²⁺-paradox) by Langendorff method. During heart perfusion left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), rate of pressure development (+ dP/dt), and pressure decay (-dP/dt) were registered. Control LVDP (127.4 ± 6.1 mmHg) was reduced during Ca²⁺-depletion (9.8 ± 1.3 mmHg) and Ca²⁺-paradox (12.9 ± 1.3 mmHg) with similar decline in +dP/dt and -dP/dt. LVEDP was increased in both Ca²⁺-depletion and Ca²⁺-paradox. Compared to Control, myofibrillar Ca²⁺-stimulated ATPase activity was decreased in the Ca²⁺-depletion group (12.08 ± 0.57 vs. 8.13 ± 0.19 µmol P_i/mg protein/h), besides unvarying Mg²⁺ ATPase activity, while upon Ca²⁺-paradox myofibrillar Ca²⁺-stimulated ATPase activity was decreased (12.08 ± 0.57 vs. 8.40 ± 0.22 µmol P_i/mg protein/h), but Mg²⁺ ATPase activity was increased (3.20 ± 0.25 vs. 7.21 ± 0.36 µmol P_i/mg protein/h). In force measurements of isolated cardiomyocytes at saturating [Ca²⁺], Ca²⁺-depleted cells had lower rate constant of force redevelopment (k _tr,max, 3.85 ± 0.21) and unchanged active tension, while those in Ca²⁺-paradox produced lower active tension (12.12 ± 3.19 kN/m²) and k _tr,max (3.21 ± 23) than cells of Control group (25.07 ± 3.51 and 4.61 ± 22 kN/m², respectively). In biochemical assays, α-myosin heavy chain and cardiac troponin T presented progressive degradation during Ca²⁺-depletion and Ca²⁺-paradox. Our results suggest that contractile impairment in Ca²⁺-paradox partially resides in deranged sarcomeric function and compromised myofibrillar ATPase activity as a result of myofilament protein degradation, such as α-myosin heavy chain and cardiac troponin T. Impaired relaxation seen in Ca²⁺-paradoxical hearts is apparently not related to titin, rather explained by the altered myofibrillar ATPase activity.

Keywords: Calcium paradox; Isolated cardiomyocytes; Myofibrillar ATPase activity; Myofilament protein degradation.