Alteration of calcium signalling in cardiomyocyte induced by simulated microgravity and hypergravity

Cardiac Ca²⁺ signalling plays an essential role in regulating excitation-contraction coupling and cardiac remodelling. However, the response of cardiomyocytes to simulated microgravity and hypergravity and the effects on Ca²⁺ signalling remain unknown. Here, we elucidate the mechanisms underlying the proliferation and remodelling of HL-1 cardiomyocytes subjected to rotation-simulated microgravity and 4G hypergravity.

The cardiomyocyte cell line HL-1 was used in this study. A clinostat and centrifuge were used to study the effects of microgravity and hypergravity, respectively, on cells. Calcium signalling was detected with laser scanning confocal microscopy. Protein and mRNA levels were detected by Western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was used to analyse cell size.

Our data showed that spontaneous calcium oscillations and cytosolic calcium concentration are both increased in HL-1 cells after simulated microgravity and 4G hypergravity. Increased cytosolic calcium leads to activation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II/histone deacetylase 4 (CaMKII/HDAC4) signalling and upregulation of the foetal genes ANP and BNP, indicating cardiac remodelling. WGA staining indicated that cell size was decreased following rotation-simulated microgravity and increased following 4G hypergravity. Moreover, HL-1 cell proliferation was increased significantly under hypergravity but not rotation-simulated microgravity.

Our study demonstrates for the first time that Ca²⁺ /CaMKII/HDAC4 signalling plays a pivotal role in myocardial remodelling under rotation-simulated microgravity and hypergravity.