Patients with Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS) mostly have mutations on the KCNJ2 gene producing loss of function or dominant-negative suppression of the inward rectifier K(+) channel Kir2.1. However, clinical manifestations of ATS including dysmorphic features, periodic paralysis (hypo-, hyper-, or normokalemic), long QT, and ventricular arrhythmias (VA) are considerably variable. Using a modified dynamic Luo-Rudy simulation model of cardiac ventricular myocyte, we elucidate the mechanisms of VA in ATS. We adopted a kinetic model of KCNJ2 in which channel block by Mg(+2) and spermine was incorporated. In this study, we attempt to examine the effects of KCNJ2 mutations on the ventricular action potential (AP), single-channel Markovian models were reformulated and incorporated into the dynamic Luo-Rudy model for rapidly and slowly delayed rectifying K(+) currents and KCNJ2 channel. During pacing at 1.0 Hz with [K(+)]o at 5.4 mM, a stepwise 10% reduction of Kir2.1 channel conductance progressively prolonged the terminal repolarization phase of AP along with gradual depolarization of the resting membrane potential (RMP). At 90% reduction, early after- depolarizations (EADs) became inducible and RMP was depolarized to -55.0 mV (control: -90.1 mV) followed by emergence of spontaneous action potentials (SAP). Both EADs and SAP were facilitated by a decrease in [K(+)]o and suppressed by increase in [K(+)]o. beta-adrenergic stimulation enhanced delayed after-depolarizations (DADs) and could also facilitate EADs as well as SAP in the setting of low [K(+)]o and reduced Kir2.1 channel conductance. In conclusion, the spectrum of VA in ATS includes (1) triggered activity mediated by EADs and/or DADs, and (2) abnormal automaticity manifested as SAP. These VA can be aggravated by a decrease in [K(+)]o and beta-adrenergic stimulation, and may potentially induce torsades de pointes and cause sudden death. In patients with ATS, the hypokalemic form of periodic paralysis should have the highest propensity to VA especially during physical activities.
Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell; Electrogenic pump
Cell Type(s): Heart cell
Currents: I Na,t; I L high threshold; I T low threshold; I K; I Mixed; I Potassium; Na/K pump
Transmitters: Ions
Model Concept(s): Activity Patterns; Ion Channel Kinetics; Action Potentials; Heart disease; Long-QT; Sodium pump
Simulation Environment: C or C++ program
Implementer(s): Wu, Sheng-Nan [snwu at mail.ncku.edu.tw]; Chang, Han-Dong
References:
Sung RJ, Wu SN, Wu JS, Chang HD, Luo CH. (2006). Electrophysiological mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias in relation to Andersen-Tawil syndrome under conditions of reduced IK1: a simulation study. American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology. 291 [PubMed]