Interventricular differences in myofilament function in experimental congestive heart failure

This study was conducted to identify molecular mechanisms which explain interventricular differences in myofilament function in experimental congestive heart failure (CHF). CHF was induced in rats by chronic aortic banding or myocardial infarction for 32-36 weeks. Right and left ventricular (RV, LV) myocytes were mechanically isolated, triton-skinned, and attached to a force transducer and motor arm. Myofilament force-[Ca(2+)] relations assessed maximal Ca(2+)-saturated force (F (max)) and the [Ca(2+)] at 50% of F (max) (EC(50)). Myofilament protein phosphorylation was determined via ProQ diamond phospho-staining. Protein kinase C (PKC)-α expression/activation and site-specific phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) were measured via immunoblotting. Relative to controls, failing RV myocytes displayed a ~45% decrease in F (max) with no change in EC(50), whereas failing LV myocytes displayed a ~45% decrease in F (max) and ~50% increase in EC(50). Failing LV myofilaments were less Ca(2+)-sensitive (37% increase in EC(50)) than failing RV myofilaments. Expression and activation of PKC-α was increased twofold in failing RV myocardium and relative to the RV, PKC-α was twofold higher in the failing LV, while PKC-β expression was unchanged by CHF. PKC-α-dependent phosphorylation and PP1-mediated dephosphorylation of failing RV myofilaments increased EC(50) and increased F (max), respectively. Phosphorylation of cTnI and cTnT was greater in failing LV myofilaments than in failing RV myofilaments. RV myofilament function is depressed in experimental CHF in association with increased PKC-α signaling and myofilament protein phosphorylation. Furthermore, myofilament dysfunction is greater in the LV compared to the RV due in part to increased PKC-α activation and phosphorylation of cTnI and cTnT.