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HIV transgene expression impairs K+ channel function in the pulmonary vasculature

Mondejar-Parreño, Gema, Morales-Cano, Daniel, Barreira, Bianca, Callejo, Maria, Ruiz-Cabello, Jesus, Moreno, Laura, Esquivel-Ruiz, Sergio, Mathie, Alistair, Butrous, Ghazwan S., Perez-Vizcaino, Francisco, and others. (2018) HIV transgene expression impairs K+ channel function in the pulmonary vasculature. American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, 315 (5). L711-L723. ISSN 1040-0605. (doi:10.1152/ajplung.00045.2018) (KAR id:69063)

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is an established risk factor for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), however the pathogenesis of HIV-related PAH remains unclear. Since K+ channel dysfunction is a common marker in most forms of PAH, our aim was to analyse if the expression of HIV proteins is associated with impairment of K+ channel function in the pulmonary vascular bed. HIV transgenic mice (Tg26) expressing seven of the nine HIV viral proteins and wild type (Wt) mice were used. Hemodynamic assessment was performed by echocardiography and catheterization. Vascular reactivity was studied in endothelium-intact pulmonary arteries (PA). K+ currents were recorded in freshly isolated PA smooth muscle cells (PASMC) using the patch-clamp technique. Gene expression was assessed using RT-PCR. PASMC from Tg26 mice had reduced K+ currents and were more depolarized that those from Wt. While Kv1.5 currents were preserved, pH-sensitive non-inactivating background currents (IKN) were nearly abolished in PASMC from Tg26 mice. Tg26 mice had reduced lung expression of Kv7.1 and Kv7.4 channels and decreased responses to the Kv7.1 channel activator L634,373 assessed by vascular reactivity and patch-clamp experimental approaches. While we found pulmonary vascular remodelling and endothelial dysfunction in Tg26 mice, this was not accompanied by changes in hemodynamic parameters. In conclusion, the expression of HIV proteins in vivo impairs pH-sensitive IKN and Kv7 currents. This negative impact of HIV proteins in K+ channels, was not sufficient to induce PAH, at least in mice, but may play a permissive or accessory role in the pathophysiology of HIV-associated PAH.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1152/ajplung.00045.2018
Uncontrolled keywords: HIV, pulmonary hypertension, potassium channels, Kv7, TASK channels
Subjects: Q Science
Q Science > QR Microbiology
R Medicine
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Medway School of Pharmacy
Depositing User: Alistair Mathie
Date Deposited: 11 Sep 2018 14:54 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 16:21 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/69063 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Mathie, Alistair.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6094-2890
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Butrous, Ghazwan S..

Creator's ORCID:
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