Identification of and developmental changes in transient outward current in embryonic chick cardiomyocytes

Identification and developmental changes in the transient outward current (I(to)) in isolated embryonic chick ventricular cells (3, 10 and 17 days old) were examined using a whole-cell voltage clamp technique. Experiments were performed at room temperature (22 degrees C). Test pulses were applied between -40 and +50 mV from a holding potential of -60 mV. The I(to) was present (but small) and increased during development; the current density of I(to) at +40 mV was 3.5 +/- 0.5 pA/pF (n = 7) in 3-day cells, 4.2 +/- 0.9 pA/pF (n = 5) in 10-day cells, and 17.1 +/- 1.6 pA/pF (n = 5) in 17-day-old cells. The average capacitances also changed with developmental age; 12.0 +/- 2.0 pF (n = 8) in 3-day cells, 10.8 +/- 2.2 pF (n = 7) in 10-day cells, and 8.6 +/- 2.3 pF (n = 7) in 17-day cells. The I(to) was not always observed in all the prepared cells, and the number of cells possessing I(to) increased during development. The threshold potential was -30 mV in 17-day cells, and appeared to be displaced to more negative potential with developmental age. The time to peak decreased during development: 10.6 +/- 1.1 ms (n = 4) in 3-day cells, 6.7 +/- 0.5 ms (n = 5) in 10-day cells, and 5.4 +/- 0.6 ms (n = 5) in 17-day cells. The time decay of the inactivation phase for the I(to) had two exponentials; the fast component was increased by about 3-fold in 17-day cells, and the slow component was decreased by about 14% in both 10- and 17-day cells, as compared to 3-day cells. Addition of 3 mM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) inhibited I(to) at +50 mV by 81.9 +/- 2.3% (n = 4, P < 0.001). These results indicate that the I(to), voltage-dependent and 4-AP-sensitive, exists even in young embryonic cardiomyocytes (but not in all cells), and increases during development, resulting in modulation of the action potential configuration.