Expression and Function of a Biological Pacemaker in Canine Heart

• DOI: 10.1161/01.cir.0000059939.97249.2c
• Publication Date: 2003-03-03T22:04:04Z
• Authors: Jihong Qu; Alexei N. Plotnikov; Peter Danilo; Iryna Shlapakova; Ira S. Cohen; Richard B. Robinson; Michael R. Rosen
• Keywords: Expression (computer science)

Background— We hypothesized that localized overexpression of the hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN2) pacemaker current isoform in canine left atrium (LA) would constitute a novel biological pacemaker. Methods and Results— Adenoviral constructs mouse HCN2 green fluorescent protein (GFP) or GFP alone were injected into LA, terminal studies performed 3 to 4 days later, hearts removed, myocytes examined for native expressed ( I f ). Spontaneous LA rhythms occurred after vagal stimulation-induced sinus arrest HCN2+GFP dogs 0 P <0.05). Native nonexpressed atrial was 7±4 pA at −130 mV (n=5), whereas had ) 3823±713 −125 (n=10) 768±365 −85 mV. Conclusions— provides an -based sufficient drive heart when region atrium, offering promising gene therapy disease.