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Calcium Buffering in the Heart in Health and Disease

Godfrey L Smith1, David A Eisner2

  • 1Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK (G.L.S.).

Circulation
|May 15, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac calcium (Ca2+) buffering significantly impacts myocyte function. Understanding buffer properties is crucial for interpreting Ca2+ signaling, contractility, and arrhythmias in heart failure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Intracellular Ca2+ concentration changes regulate cardiac myocyte function.
  • Approximately 99% of cytoplasmic calcium in cardiac myocytes is bound to buffers.
  • Buffer properties critically influence Ca2+ signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the fundamental properties and identities of cardiac calcium buffers.
  • To review methods for measuring these buffers.
  • To assess the effects of buffering on the systolic Ca2+ transient.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on calcium buffer properties and measurement techniques.
  • Analysis of the impact of buffering on Ca2+ transients.
  • Examination of physiological and pathological conditions affecting buffering.

Main Results:

  • Strong buffering of cytoplasmic calcium is a key feature of cardiac myocytes.
  • Buffering influences the systolic Ca2+ transient under physiological and pathological conditions.
  • Altered buffering is relevant to heart failure and arrhythmias.

Conclusions:

  • The significant impact of calcium buffering on cardiac function may be underestimated.
  • A comprehensive understanding of buffer properties is essential for cardiac calcium cycling and contractility.
  • Further research into cardiac calcium buffers is needed.

Keywords:
arrhythmias, cardiacbufferscalciumheart failure

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