Age-dependent changes in electrophysiology and calcium handling: implications for pediatric cardiac research

Abstract

RationaleThe heart continues to develop and mature after birth and into adolescence. Accordingly, cardiac maturation is likely to include a progressive refinement in both organ morphology and function during the postnatal period. Yet, age-dependent changes in cardiac electrophysiology and calcium handling have not yet been fully characterized.\n\nObjectiveThe objective of this study, was to examine the relationship between cardiac maturation, electrophysiology, and calcium handling throughout postnatal development in a rat model.\n\nMethodsPostnatal rat cardiac maturation was determined by measuring the expression of genes involved in cell-cell coupling, electrophysiology, and calcium handling. In vivo electrocardiograms were recorded from neonatal, juvenile, and adult animals. Simultaneous dual optical mapping of transmembrane voltage and calcium transients was performed on isolated, Langendorff-perfused rat hearts (postnatal day 0-3, 4-7, 8-14, adult).\n\nResultsYounger, immature hearts displayed slowed electrical conduction, prolonged action potential duration and increased ventricular refractoriness. Slowed calcium handling in the immature heart increased the propensity for calcium transient alternans which corresponded to alterations in the expression of genes encoding calcium handling proteins. Developmental changes in cardiac electrophysiology were associated with the altered expression of genes encoding potassium channels and intercalated disc proteins.\n\nConclusionUsing an intact whole heart model, this study highlights chronological changes in cardiac electrophysiology and calcium handling throughout postnatal development. Results of this study can serve as a comprehensive baseline for future studies focused on pediatric cardiac research, safety assessment and/or preclinical testing using rodent models.