The Role of Mechanosensitive Fibroblasts in the Heart: Evidence from Acutely Isolated Single Cells, Cultured Cells and from Intracellular Microelectrode Recordings on Multicellular Preparations from Healthy and Diseased Cardiac Tissue

摘要: Cardiac fibroblasts are electrically non-excitable cells that respond to mechanical deformation of the with typical changes their membrane potential. These potential determined by operation mechano-gated channel (MGCs). Two types MGCs conductances 43 pS and 87 were observed during direct fresh isolated cells. Cell compression augment whole-cell MG currents increase frequency duration single MGC openings. Both (with conductance levels pS) displayed linear current-voltage relationships reversal around 0 mv. stretch inactivated abolished activity MGCs. channels, mainly permeable for sodium ions, activated cell leading depolarization, stretch, which in turn leads hyperpolarization. Cultured cardiac preserve up 5 days without special flexible substrates possess electrophysiological properties freshly Thus, function as mechano-electric transducers heart represent cellular substrate a mechano-electrical feedback mechanism. spontaneous contractions myocardium rhythmical resting This phenomenon is referred mechanically induced (MIP) thought participate mechanism heart. Enhanced sensitivity increasing age hypertrophy. It contributing electrical instability arrhythmia after myocardial infarction. Recent findings indicate these processes involve transfer signals via gap junctions. In this article we will discuss recent progress electrophysiology role healthy diseased hearts.