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Identification of functional voltage-gated Na+ channels in cultured human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

  • Ion Channels, Transporters
  • Published:
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Abstract

Electrical excitability, which plays an important role in excitation–contraction coupling in the pulmonary vasculature, is regulated by transmembrane ion flux in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC). This study aimed to characterize the electrophysiological properties and molecular identities of voltage-gated Na+ channels in cultured human PASMC. We recorded tetrodotoxin (TTX) sensitive and rapidly inactivating Na+ currents with properties similar to those described in cardiac myocytes. Using RT-PCR, we detected transcripts of seven Na+ channel α genes (SCN2A, 3A, 4A, 7A, 8A, 9A, and 11A), and two β subunit genes (SCN1B and 2B). Our results demonstrate that human PASMC express TTX-sensitive voltage-gated Na+ channels. Their physiological functions remain unresolved, although our data suggest that Na+ channel activity does not directly influence membrane potential, intracellular Ca2+ release, or proliferation in normal human PASMC. Whether their expression and/or activity are heightened in the pathological state is discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (HL 64945, HL 66012, and HL 54043). We thank Ann Nicholson, M.S. for technical assistance.

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Author notes

  1. Ivana Fantozzi

    Present address: CNRS UMR6543, Center A. Lacassagne, Institute of Signaling, Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Nice, 06189, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0725, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0725, USA

    Oleksandr Platoshyn, Carmelle V. Remillard, Ivana Fantozzi, Tiffany Sison & Jason X.-J. Yuan

Authors
  1. Oleksandr Platoshyn
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  2. Carmelle V. Remillard
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  3. Ivana Fantozzi
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  4. Tiffany Sison
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  5. Jason X.-J. Yuan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jason X.-J. Yuan.

Additional information

Oleksandr Platoshyn, Carmelle V. Remillard, and Ivana Fantozzi equally contributed to the work.

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Platoshyn, O., Remillard, C.V., Fantozzi, I. et al. Identification of functional voltage-gated Na+ channels in cultured human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Pflugers Arch - Eur J Physiol 451, 380–387 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00424-005-1478-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00424-005-1478-3

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