Increasing T-type calcium channel activity by β-adrenergic stimulation contributes to β-adrenergic regulation of heart rates

Cav3.1 T-type Ca²⁺ channel current (I_Ca-T ) contributes to heart rate genesis but is not known to contribute to heart rate regulation by the sympathetic/β-adrenergic system (SAS). We show that the loss of Cav3.1 makes the beating rates of the heart in vivo and perfused hearts ex vivo, as well as sinoatrial node cells, less sensitive to β-adrenergic stimulation; it also renders less conduction acceleration through the atrioventricular node by β-adrenergic stimulation. Increasing Cav3.1 in cardiomyocytes has the opposite effects. I_Ca-T in sinoatrial nodal cells can be upregulated by β-adrenergic stimulation. The results of the present study add a new contribution to heart rate regulation by the SAS system and provide potential new mechanisms for the dysregulation of heart rate and conduction by the SAS in the heart. T-type Ca²⁺ channel can be a target for heart disease treatments that aim to slow down the heart rate ABSTRACT: Cav3.1 (α_1G ) T-type Ca²⁺ channel (TTCC) is expressed in mouse sinoatrial node cells (SANCs) and atrioventricular (AV) nodal cells and contributes to heart rate (HR) genesis and AV conduction. However, its role in HR regulation and AV conduction acceleration by the β-adrenergic system (SAS) is unclear. In the present study, L- (I_Ca-L ) and T-type (I_Ca-T ) Ca²⁺ currents were recorded in SANCs from Cav3.1 transgenic (TG) and knockout (KO), and control mice. I_Ca-T was absent in KO SANCs but enhanced in TG SANCs. In anaesthetized animals, different doses of isoproterenol (ISO) were infused via the jugular vein and the HR was recorded. The EC₅₀ of the HR response to ISO was lower in TG mice but higher in KO mice, and the maximal percentage of HR increase by ISO was greater in TG mice but less in KO mice. In Langendorff-perfused hearts, ISO increased HR and shortened PR intervals to a greater extent in TG but to a less extent in KO hearts. KO SANCs had significantly slower spontaneous beating rates than control SANCs before and after ISO; TG SANCs had similar basal beating rates as control SANCs probably as a result of decreased I_Ca-L but a greater response to ISO than control SANCs. I_Ca-T in SANCs was significantly increased by ISO. I_Ca-T upregulation by β-adrenergic stimulation contributes to HR and conduction regulation by the SAS. TTCC can be a target for slowing the HR.