# Calcium and Potassium Channels in Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Transient Global Ischemia

Authors: Marcel A. Kamp; Maxine Dibué; Toni Schneider; Hans-Jakob Steiger; Daniel Hänggi
Journal: Stroke Research and Treatment
 (2012)

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## Abstract

Healthy cerebrovascular myocytes express members of several different ion channel families which regulate resting membrane potential, vascular diameter, and vascular tone and are involved in cerebral autoregulation. In animal models, in response to subarachnoid blood, a dynamic transition of ion channel expression and function is initiated, with acute and long-term effects differing from each other. Initial hypoperfusion after exposure of cerebral vessels to oxyhemoglobin correlates with a suppression of voltage-gated potassium channel activity, whereas delayed cerebral vasospasm involves changes in other potassium channel and voltage-gated calcium channels expression and function. Furthermore, expression patterns and function of ion channels appear to differ between main and small peripheral vessels, which may be key in understanding mechanisms behind subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced vasospasm. Here, changes in calcium and potassium channel expression and function in animal models of subarachnoid hemorrhage and transient global ischemia are systematically reviewed and their clinical significance discussed.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Despite current treatment options, delayed cerebral ischemia following aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is still associated with a high morbidity and mortality [1]. The narrowing of cerebral blood vessels by vasospasm represents the main cause of delayed cerebral ischemia [2]. Because vasospastic smooth muscle cells are known to be depolarized compared to controls [3, 4], the expression and function of ion channels in these cells after SAH are of great interest. Furthermore, the inhibitor of L-type calcium channels nimodipine remains gold standard in treatment and prophylaxis of vasospasm after SAH.  However, recent studies have revealed that several ion channels of different subfamilies are impacted by SAH and may contribute to delayed vasospasm. The goal of the present analysis is to review ion channel expression and function in healthy cerebral blood vessels as well as after SAH.


## 2. Ion Channels Healthy Cerebral Vessels

### 2.1. Expression and Function of Potassium Channels in Healthy Cerebral Vessels

Membrane potential of cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells and thus dilation and constriction of cerebral arteries are directly dependent on potassium conductance [5, 6]. Members of four potassium superfamilies have been shown to be expressed in smooth muscle cells of healthy cerebral vessels:  inwardly rectifying (Kir), ATP-dependent-(KATP), voltage-gated (Kv), and large-conductance calcium-activated (BK) potassium channels. Kir2.1 mRNA and protein could be identified in basilar arteries of rats and dogs [7, 8], whereas the presence of KATP in cerebrovascular smooth muscle has been determined electrophysiologically [9] and reviewed in detail by Ploug et al. 2008 [10]. Transcripts of Kv channel subunits Kv1.1 to Kv1.6, Kv2.1, Kv2.2, were detected in healthy rat cerebral vessels and Kv3.1, Kv3.4, and Kv4.3 in healthy dog cerebral vessels but only protein of Kv1.2, Kv1.5, Kv2.1, and Kv2.2 subunits could be identified [7, 11, 12]. In situ hybridization revealed the presence of different BK channel splice variants (X1+24, X2+92, SS2+174 and SS4+81) in combination with β1, β2, and β4 subunits in rat cerebral arteries [13]. Transcripts of both Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 have been identified in cerebrovascular smooth muscle [14, 15], where they are thought to play an essential role in neurovascular coupling by mediating local vasodilation as a response to increased neuronal activity [16–18].Functional studies of the physiological role ofKv and BK channels in healthy cerebral vessels show that they contribute to vascular tone by regulating resting membrane potential of vascular myocytes, limiting depolarization by promoting K+ efflux [19]. BK channels are particularly vital in cerebral resistance arteries, where raised intracellular calcium at depolarization elicits outward BK currents representing a negative feedback loop, which antagonizes vasoconstriction [20, 21]. Furthermore, BK channels also play an important role in the principle vasorelaxation pathway (nitric oxide synthase pathway), as they are activated by cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), which is stimulated by the NO-induced increase of cGMP [22]. Interestingly, a recent study of mouse cerebral parenchymal arterioles found small-conductance (SK) and intermediate-conductance (IK) calcium-activated potassium currents in isolated endothelial cells in addition to the BK currents in isolated myocytes [23]. Both appear to contribute to vasorelaxation, as superfusion of the cerebral cortex with SK and IK channel inhibitors apamin and TRAM-34, respectively, reduces resting cortical CBF [23].In healthy cerebral blood vessels activation of KATP channels causes hyperpolarization of vascular myocytes and thus vasodilatation [5, 18, 19]. Several antihypertensive drugs like the vasodilators diazoxide, cromakalim, and pinacidil exert their therapeutic effect by activating KATP channels [24, 25]. KATP channels appear to play an important role in cerebral autoregulation, as in rats their inhibition impairs healthy autoregulatory vasomotor responses to hypotension and its reverse. Furthermore, KATP channel activation is also associated with several pathophysiological responses such as reactive hyperemia in cerebral circulation after hypoxia [26] (reviewed by Ko et al., 2008 [27]).


### 2.2. Expression and Function of Calcium Channels in Healthy Cerebral Vessels

L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) were traditionally believed to predominantly control Ca2+ influx in cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells; however recent studies have revealed expression of various Ca2+ channels and their isoforms. Protein and transcripts of the alpha1 subunit of the Cav1.2 (L-type) VGCC are expressed strongly in basilar arteries of the dog [28] and the rat [29]. Interestingly, however, in the rat basilar artery (and lateral branches), transcripts of the low-voltage activated channel Cav3.1 were the strongest expressed VGCCs, exceeding relative mRNA levels of the other four identified VGCCs in the following order: Cav3.1 (T-type) >Cav1.2 (L-type) >Cav1.3 (L-type) >Cav3.2  (T-type) >Cav2.3 (R-type). The same study found that, at the protein level, Cav3.1 and Cav1.2 were both clearly expressed basilar artery smooth muscle cells, while Cav3.2 protein expression was much lower, Cav2.3 protein was confined to the surface of the vessel, and Cav1.3 protein was not detectable at all. However, the authors did not find evidence for Cav2.2 (N-type) VGCC protein or mRNA expression as was found in basilar arteries of the dog [28]. In dogs inhibition of L- and T-type Ca2+ channels with nimodipine and mibefradil, respectively leads to a relaxation of healthy arteries under isometric tension, whereas blockade, of N-type Ca2+ channel has no effect [30].It is notable that expression of VGCCs appears to be heterogeneous in cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells: in the dog basilar artery low-voltage activated (LVA) current made up more than 50% of the total current in 12% of myocytes, less than 10% in 26% of myocytes, and between 10% and 50% in 62% of myocytes [28]. Additionally VGCC expression may vary depending on vessel size: Kuo and coworkers [31] described a high-voltage-activated Ca2+ current showing T-type channel kinetics, which is insensitive to nifedipine and nimodipine and is blocked by the T-type blocker mibefradil. Interestingly, the fraction of this current is higher in smaller vessels and decreases with vessel size.  These currents could represent low-voltage-activated T-type currents, but also “intermediate-voltage-” activated R-type currents, which are insensitive to dihydropyridines but are also antagonized by mibefradil [32]. This vessel-size-dependent difference of expression patterns of VGCCs in cerebral blood vessels implies that the contribution of L-type VGCCs to vasoconstriction is greatest in large basal cerebral vessels, while dihydropyridine-insensitive VGCCs play a more important role in smaller vessels. Other investigators suggest that L-type Ca2+ channels could be responsible for vasomotion, while non-L-type Ca2+ channels control vascular tone [29].


## 2.1. Expression and Function of Potassium Channels in Healthy Cerebral Vessels

Membrane potential of cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells and thus dilation and constriction of cerebral arteries are directly dependent on potassium conductance [5, 6]. Members of four potassium superfamilies have been shown to be expressed in smooth muscle cells of healthy cerebral vessels:  inwardly rectifying (Kir), ATP-dependent-(KATP), voltage-gated (Kv), and large-conductance calcium-activated (BK) potassium channels. Kir2.1 mRNA and protein could be identified in basilar arteries of rats and dogs [7, 8], whereas the presence of KATP in cerebrovascular smooth muscle has been determined electrophysiologically [9] and reviewed in detail by Ploug et al. 2008 [10]. Transcripts of Kv channel subunits Kv1.1 to Kv1.6, Kv2.1, Kv2.2, were detected in healthy rat cerebral vessels and Kv3.1, Kv3.4, and Kv4.3 in healthy dog cerebral vessels but only protein of Kv1.2, Kv1.5, Kv2.1, and Kv2.2 subunits could be identified [7, 11, 12]. In situ hybridization revealed the presence of different BK channel splice variants (X1+24, X2+92, SS2+174 and SS4+81) in combination with β1, β2, and β4 subunits in rat cerebral arteries [13]. Transcripts of both Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 have been identified in cerebrovascular smooth muscle [14, 15], where they are thought to play an essential role in neurovascular coupling by mediating local vasodilation as a response to increased neuronal activity [16–18].Functional studies of the physiological role ofKv and BK channels in healthy cerebral vessels show that they contribute to vascular tone by regulating resting membrane potential of vascular myocytes, limiting depolarization by promoting K+ efflux [19]. BK channels are particularly vital in cerebral resistance arteries, where raised intracellular calcium at depolarization elicits outward BK currents representing a negative feedback loop, which antagonizes vasoconstriction [20, 21]. Furthermore, BK channels also play an important role in the principle vasorelaxation pathway (nitric oxide synthase pathway), as they are activated by cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), which is stimulated by the NO-induced increase of cGMP [22]. Interestingly, a recent study of mouse cerebral parenchymal arterioles found small-conductance (SK) and intermediate-conductance (IK) calcium-activated potassium currents in isolated endothelial cells in addition to the BK currents in isolated myocytes [23]. Both appear to contribute to vasorelaxation, as superfusion of the cerebral cortex with SK and IK channel inhibitors apamin and TRAM-34, respectively, reduces resting cortical CBF [23].In healthy cerebral blood vessels activation of KATP channels causes hyperpolarization of vascular myocytes and thus vasodilatation [5, 18, 19]. Several antihypertensive drugs like the vasodilators diazoxide, cromakalim, and pinacidil exert their therapeutic effect by activating KATP channels [24, 25]. KATP channels appear to play an important role in cerebral autoregulation, as in rats their inhibition impairs healthy autoregulatory vasomotor responses to hypotension and its reverse. Furthermore, KATP channel activation is also associated with several pathophysiological responses such as reactive hyperemia in cerebral circulation after hypoxia [26] (reviewed by Ko et al., 2008 [27]).


## 2.2. Expression and Function of Calcium Channels in Healthy Cerebral Vessels

L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) were traditionally believed to predominantly control Ca2+ influx in cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells; however recent studies have revealed expression of various Ca2+ channels and their isoforms. Protein and transcripts of the alpha1 subunit of the Cav1.2 (L-type) VGCC are expressed strongly in basilar arteries of the dog [28] and the rat [29]. Interestingly, however, in the rat basilar artery (and lateral branches), transcripts of the low-voltage activated channel Cav3.1 were the strongest expressed VGCCs, exceeding relative mRNA levels of the other four identified VGCCs in the following order: Cav3.1 (T-type) >Cav1.2 (L-type) >Cav1.3 (L-type) >Cav3.2  (T-type) >Cav2.3 (R-type). The same study found that, at the protein level, Cav3.1 and Cav1.2 were both clearly expressed basilar artery smooth muscle cells, while Cav3.2 protein expression was much lower, Cav2.3 protein was confined to the surface of the vessel, and Cav1.3 protein was not detectable at all. However, the authors did not find evidence for Cav2.2 (N-type) VGCC protein or mRNA expression as was found in basilar arteries of the dog [28]. In dogs inhibition of L- and T-type Ca2+ channels with nimodipine and mibefradil, respectively leads to a relaxation of healthy arteries under isometric tension, whereas blockade, of N-type Ca2+ channel has no effect [30].It is notable that expression of VGCCs appears to be heterogeneous in cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells: in the dog basilar artery low-voltage activated (LVA) current made up more than 50% of the total current in 12% of myocytes, less than 10% in 26% of myocytes, and between 10% and 50% in 62% of myocytes [28]. Additionally VGCC expression may vary depending on vessel size: Kuo and coworkers [31] described a high-voltage-activated Ca2+ current showing T-type channel kinetics, which is insensitive to nifedipine and nimodipine and is blocked by the T-type blocker mibefradil. Interestingly, the fraction of this current is higher in smaller vessels and decreases with vessel size.  These currents could represent low-voltage-activated T-type currents, but also “intermediate-voltage-” activated R-type currents, which are insensitive to dihydropyridines but are also antagonized by mibefradil [32]. This vessel-size-dependent difference of expression patterns of VGCCs in cerebral blood vessels implies that the contribution of L-type VGCCs to vasoconstriction is greatest in large basal cerebral vessels, while dihydropyridine-insensitive VGCCs play a more important role in smaller vessels. Other investigators suggest that L-type Ca2+ channels could be responsible for vasomotion, while non-L-type Ca2+ channels control vascular tone [29].


## 3. Early Ion Channel Dysfunction after SAH

In addition to delayed cerebral vasospasms, acute hypoperfusion immediately after rupture of an aneurysm causing subarachnoid blood represents another characteristic of SAH pathology [33–35]. Relative hypovolemia, impaired cerebral circulation due to elevated intracranial pressure, abnormal autoregulation, as well as early vasospasm have been discussed as possible etiologies behind acute hypoperfusion after SAH [33, 35–38]. Some insights into the underlying molecular mechanism could be gained from animal experiments. Data from a rat SAH model found evidence for acute vasoconstriction after even minor subarachnoid hemorrhage [35]. In cultured primate cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells a significant increase of free intracellular Ca2+ is observed as early as 2 minutes after exposure to oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) and sustains for 7 days [39]. Similarly Takenaka and colleagues found that endothelin, oxyHb, 5-hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and leukotrienes C4 and D4 but not bilirubin  produced acute dose-dependent increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration [40] in cultured cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, Takenaka and coworkers report that the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil does not inhibit the oxyHb-induced rise in intracellular Ca2+, implying non-L-type calcium channels in acute vasoconstriction after exposure of the vessel to blood [41]. This finding may be explained by data from Ishiguro and coworkers [42] that demonstrates that, in isolated cerebral arteries, acute oxyHb exposure induces vasoconstriction and suppression of Kv currents but does not influence VGCCs. Long-term (5 days) oxyHb exposure on the other hand enhanced expression of VGCCs, pointing toward important roles of Kv channels in acute vasoconstriction and VGCCs in delayed vasoconstriction after SAH.


## 4. Changes in Ion Channel Expression and Function in Delayed Cerebral Vasospasm

### 4.1. The Pathophysiological Role of Potassium Channels in the Genesis of Delayed Cerebral Vasospasm

#### 4.1.1. Voltage-Gated Potassium (Kv) Channels in SAH

Reduced K+ conductance causing depolarization of cerebrovascular myocytes was amongst the earliest hypotheses behind delayed cerebral vasospasm after SAH, and indeed many modern studies support this model [43–45]. However, it has become increasingly evident that members of different potassium channel families are affected in different ways after SAH, raising many new questions. Several authors emphasize a loss of functional voltage-gated K+ channel (Kv) in response to SAH, as mainly responsible for the disturbance of K+ conductance. Seven days after SAH, Kv2.2, and Kv2.1 transcripts and protein were found to be reduced in basilar arteries of dogs [7, 43]. Immunohistochemical staining of rabbit cerebral arteries revealed a reduction of surface-expressed Kv1.5 protein 5 days after oxyHb exposure [46]. Furthermore, Ishiguro describes redistribution of Kv1.5 protein after oxyHb exposure: in unexposed vessels Kv1.5 was observed within large defined regions of the cell membrane and was associated with phosphotyrosine-rich vesicular compartments adjacent to the plasma membrane, whereas OxyHb exposure caused a decrease in Kv1.5 surface staining and a redistribution of the remaining Kv1.5 into smaller foci that appeared fused with phosphotyrosine-enriched vesicles. This stands in support of the hypothesis that oxyHb-induced suppression of Kv1.5 channels is mediated by a mechanism involving increased tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent trafficking of the channel from the cell surface [46].


#### 4.1.2. Inwardly Rectifying Potassium (Kir) Channels in SAH

Next toKv channels, expression of an inwardly rectifying potassium channel is found to be influenced by SAH. Seven days after SAH, dog basilar artery myocytes display enhanced expression of Kir2.1 protein and transcripts [7, 45]. Accordingly, blockage of Kir2.1 channels in arteries under isometric tension produced a greater contraction in SAH than in control arteries. It is thus possible that increased expression of Kir2.1 channels after SAH may represent an adaptive response reducing disturbance of the cellular K+ balance and consecutively cerebral vasospasm.


#### 4.1.3. Large Conductance Calcium-Activated (BK) Potassium Channels in SAH

Whether BK channels are impacted by SAH and contribute to vasospasm is a matter of debate, as data on this subject has proven to be somewhat contradictory. It has been reported that in dog basilar artery myocytes, BK current density, kinetics, Ca2+ and voltage sensitivity, single-channel conductance, and apparent Ca2+ affinity are unaffected by SAH [44]. Aihara et al. report that although the expression of the BK channel alpha subunit is unchanged after SAH, expression of BK channel β1 subunit mRNA (but not protein) is reduced 7 days after SAH in dog basilar artery myocytes and correlates with the degree of vasospasm [7]. Koide et al. found that although SAH does not alter BK channel density or single channel properties in rabbits, SAH does cause a distinct reduction in Ca2+ spark-induced transient BK currents, corresponding to decreased expression of ryanodine receptor type-2 protein [47].  Ca2+ sparks are focal Ca2+ releases through ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), which oppose the contractile actions of global cytosolic Ca2+ by activation of BK channels leading to hyperpolarization and decreased Ca2+ influx through VGCCs [48, 49]. Findings by Koide et al. suggest that impaired subcellular signaling from the SR to BK channels at the cell surface, due to reduced expression of RyRs causing less focal Ca2+ spark discharges, could be a key mechanism in vasospasm after SAH.


#### 4.1.4. ATP-Dependent (KATP) Potassium Channels in SAH

An important role of KATP channels in animal models of SAH-induced vasospasm appears likely, as several experimental studies have shown that pharmacologic activation of KATP channels can significantly attenuate vasospasm. The KATP channel activator levcromakalim increased vasorelaxation in rabbit basilar arteries three days after SAH [4] and in dog basilar arteries seven days after SAH [50]. Furthermore, the endogenous KATP channel activator calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) displayed therapeutic effects reversing vasospasm after SAH in rabbits and monkeys [51, 52] but failed to significantly attenuate vasospasm to a greater degree than standard of care (nimodipine) in a clinical trial comprising 117 patients [53].


#### 4.1.5. VGCCs in SAH

The role of VGCCs in vasospasm may seem obvious in clinical practice where L-type Ca2+ channel blockers, such as nimodipine, are the gold standard of prophylaxis and treatments of cerebral vasospasm. This is indeed reflected in experimental investigations offering evidence in support of a large contribution of L-type VGCCs to vasoconstriction in certain cerebral blood vessels. However, recent findings have revealed the importance of R-type and T-type channels in vasospasm. Although typically classed with the high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels, R-type calcium channels are activated at potentials between those of low and high VGCCs, representing an intermediate VGCC. This channel is of interest in vasospasm, as its expression is directly linked to SAH and it may be available for opening at the depolarized resting potential of vasospastic cerebrovascular myocytes.Intravenous administration of nimodipine five minutes after SAH improves circulation and attenuates vasospasm in rats [54]. Nicardipine (dihydropyridine) pellets positioned next to the basal arteries have been shown to reduce the occurrence of angiographic vasospasm in a dose-dependent manner in patients suffering from SAH [55, 56]. However, L-type antagonists alone cannot reverse SAH-induced vasospasm completely. In this regard, the finding is that although L-type VGCC antagonists abolish cerebral artery constriction and block VGCC currents in cerebral artery myocytes from healthy rabbits, the lack of their efficacy in rabbits after SAH corresponds to an increase in R-type currents  and alpha1E (Cav2.3 pore forming subunit) protein and mRNA [57]. This is in line with recent findings by Nikitina et al. who observed that high-voltage-activated (HVA) Ca2+ channel currents were significantly decreased and low-voltage-activated (LVA) currents increased during vasospasm 4, 7, and 21 days after SAH in dogs [28]. This study revealed an increase in protein expression of T-type (Cav3.1 and Cav3.3 alpha subunits) and R-type VGCCs and a decrease in L-type (Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 alpha subunits) VGCCs in dog basilar arteries after SAH. Interestingly however, differently to Nikitina et al., Ishiguro et al. could not observe an increase in R-type protein and mRNA in the basilar artery or other larger diameter vessels after SAH, but only in smaller vessels. Several authors suggest that the functional significance of R-type channels may lie within small diameter blood vessels and that blood vessels of different sizes are impacted differently by SAH [58]. Furthermore, exposure of organ cultured rabbit cerebral arteries to oxyHb induces the expression of R-type VGCC mRNA in small vessels rendering the vessels sensitive to SNX-482 (R-type antagonist) and less sensitive to diltiazem [59]. SNX-482 was also found to attenuate CBF reduction after SAH in rats [60].In addition to R-type VGCCs, the low-voltage-activated (T-type) channelsCav3.1 and Cav3.3  have been shown to be upregulated in the dog basilar artery after SAH [28]; however the functional significance of this finding is a matter of debate: the increased expression of T-type VGCC channels was proposed to be functionally irrelevant because these channels should be inactivated in depolarized cells. In fact, T-type channels were reported to inactivate at resting membrane potentials of most smooth muscle cells at about −75 to −65 mV [17]. Cisternal application of nicardipine but not of the T-type antagonist mibefradil reduced CT angiography measured vasospasm in cynomolgus macaques [61], which is in agreement with the functional insignificance of T-type VGCCs in depolarized cells.


## 4.1. The Pathophysiological Role of Potassium Channels in the Genesis of Delayed Cerebral Vasospasm

### 4.1.1. Voltage-Gated Potassium (Kv) Channels in SAH

Reduced K+ conductance causing depolarization of cerebrovascular myocytes was amongst the earliest hypotheses behind delayed cerebral vasospasm after SAH, and indeed many modern studies support this model [43–45]. However, it has become increasingly evident that members of different potassium channel families are affected in different ways after SAH, raising many new questions. Several authors emphasize a loss of functional voltage-gated K+ channel (Kv) in response to SAH, as mainly responsible for the disturbance of K+ conductance. Seven days after SAH, Kv2.2, and Kv2.1 transcripts and protein were found to be reduced in basilar arteries of dogs [7, 43]. Immunohistochemical staining of rabbit cerebral arteries revealed a reduction of surface-expressed Kv1.5 protein 5 days after oxyHb exposure [46]. Furthermore, Ishiguro describes redistribution of Kv1.5 protein after oxyHb exposure: in unexposed vessels Kv1.5 was observed within large defined regions of the cell membrane and was associated with phosphotyrosine-rich vesicular compartments adjacent to the plasma membrane, whereas OxyHb exposure caused a decrease in Kv1.5 surface staining and a redistribution of the remaining Kv1.5 into smaller foci that appeared fused with phosphotyrosine-enriched vesicles. This stands in support of the hypothesis that oxyHb-induced suppression of Kv1.5 channels is mediated by a mechanism involving increased tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent trafficking of the channel from the cell surface [46].


### 4.1.2. Inwardly Rectifying Potassium (Kir) Channels in SAH

Next toKv channels, expression of an inwardly rectifying potassium channel is found to be influenced by SAH. Seven days after SAH, dog basilar artery myocytes display enhanced expression of Kir2.1 protein and transcripts [7, 45]. Accordingly, blockage of Kir2.1 channels in arteries under isometric tension produced a greater contraction in SAH than in control arteries. It is thus possible that increased expression of Kir2.1 channels after SAH may represent an adaptive response reducing disturbance of the cellular K+ balance and consecutively cerebral vasospasm.


### 4.1.3. Large Conductance Calcium-Activated (BK) Potassium Channels in SAH

Whether BK channels are impacted by SAH and contribute to vasospasm is a matter of debate, as data on this subject has proven to be somewhat contradictory. It has been reported that in dog basilar artery myocytes, BK current density, kinetics, Ca2+ and voltage sensitivity, single-channel conductance, and apparent Ca2+ affinity are unaffected by SAH [44]. Aihara et al. report that although the expression of the BK channel alpha subunit is unchanged after SAH, expression of BK channel β1 subunit mRNA (but not protein) is reduced 7 days after SAH in dog basilar artery myocytes and correlates with the degree of vasospasm [7]. Koide et al. found that although SAH does not alter BK channel density or single channel properties in rabbits, SAH does cause a distinct reduction in Ca2+ spark-induced transient BK currents, corresponding to decreased expression of ryanodine receptor type-2 protein [47].  Ca2+ sparks are focal Ca2+ releases through ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), which oppose the contractile actions of global cytosolic Ca2+ by activation of BK channels leading to hyperpolarization and decreased Ca2+ influx through VGCCs [48, 49]. Findings by Koide et al. suggest that impaired subcellular signaling from the SR to BK channels at the cell surface, due to reduced expression of RyRs causing less focal Ca2+ spark discharges, could be a key mechanism in vasospasm after SAH.


### 4.1.4. ATP-Dependent (KATP) Potassium Channels in SAH

An important role of KATP channels in animal models of SAH-induced vasospasm appears likely, as several experimental studies have shown that pharmacologic activation of KATP channels can significantly attenuate vasospasm. The KATP channel activator levcromakalim increased vasorelaxation in rabbit basilar arteries three days after SAH [4] and in dog basilar arteries seven days after SAH [50]. Furthermore, the endogenous KATP channel activator calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) displayed therapeutic effects reversing vasospasm after SAH in rabbits and monkeys [51, 52] but failed to significantly attenuate vasospasm to a greater degree than standard of care (nimodipine) in a clinical trial comprising 117 patients [53].


### 4.1.5. VGCCs in SAH

The role of VGCCs in vasospasm may seem obvious in clinical practice where L-type Ca2+ channel blockers, such as nimodipine, are the gold standard of prophylaxis and treatments of cerebral vasospasm. This is indeed reflected in experimental investigations offering evidence in support of a large contribution of L-type VGCCs to vasoconstriction in certain cerebral blood vessels. However, recent findings have revealed the importance of R-type and T-type channels in vasospasm. Although typically classed with the high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels, R-type calcium channels are activated at potentials between those of low and high VGCCs, representing an intermediate VGCC. This channel is of interest in vasospasm, as its expression is directly linked to SAH and it may be available for opening at the depolarized resting potential of vasospastic cerebrovascular myocytes.Intravenous administration of nimodipine five minutes after SAH improves circulation and attenuates vasospasm in rats [54]. Nicardipine (dihydropyridine) pellets positioned next to the basal arteries have been shown to reduce the occurrence of angiographic vasospasm in a dose-dependent manner in patients suffering from SAH [55, 56]. However, L-type antagonists alone cannot reverse SAH-induced vasospasm completely. In this regard, the finding is that although L-type VGCC antagonists abolish cerebral artery constriction and block VGCC currents in cerebral artery myocytes from healthy rabbits, the lack of their efficacy in rabbits after SAH corresponds to an increase in R-type currents  and alpha1E (Cav2.3 pore forming subunit) protein and mRNA [57]. This is in line with recent findings by Nikitina et al. who observed that high-voltage-activated (HVA) Ca2+ channel currents were significantly decreased and low-voltage-activated (LVA) currents increased during vasospasm 4, 7, and 21 days after SAH in dogs [28]. This study revealed an increase in protein expression of T-type (Cav3.1 and Cav3.3 alpha subunits) and R-type VGCCs and a decrease in L-type (Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 alpha subunits) VGCCs in dog basilar arteries after SAH. Interestingly however, differently to Nikitina et al., Ishiguro et al. could not observe an increase in R-type protein and mRNA in the basilar artery or other larger diameter vessels after SAH, but only in smaller vessels. Several authors suggest that the functional significance of R-type channels may lie within small diameter blood vessels and that blood vessels of different sizes are impacted differently by SAH [58]. Furthermore, exposure of organ cultured rabbit cerebral arteries to oxyHb induces the expression of R-type VGCC mRNA in small vessels rendering the vessels sensitive to SNX-482 (R-type antagonist) and less sensitive to diltiazem [59]. SNX-482 was also found to attenuate CBF reduction after SAH in rats [60].In addition to R-type VGCCs, the low-voltage-activated (T-type) channelsCav3.1 and Cav3.3  have been shown to be upregulated in the dog basilar artery after SAH [28]; however the functional significance of this finding is a matter of debate: the increased expression of T-type VGCC channels was proposed to be functionally irrelevant because these channels should be inactivated in depolarized cells. In fact, T-type channels were reported to inactivate at resting membrane potentials of most smooth muscle cells at about −75 to −65 mV [17]. Cisternal application of nicardipine but not of the T-type antagonist mibefradil reduced CT angiography measured vasospasm in cynomolgus macaques [61], which is in agreement with the functional insignificance of T-type VGCCs in depolarized cells.


## 4.1.1. Voltage-Gated Potassium (Kv) Channels in SAH

Reduced K+ conductance causing depolarization of cerebrovascular myocytes was amongst the earliest hypotheses behind delayed cerebral vasospasm after SAH, and indeed many modern studies support this model [43–45]. However, it has become increasingly evident that members of different potassium channel families are affected in different ways after SAH, raising many new questions. Several authors emphasize a loss of functional voltage-gated K+ channel (Kv) in response to SAH, as mainly responsible for the disturbance of K+ conductance. Seven days after SAH, Kv2.2, and Kv2.1 transcripts and protein were found to be reduced in basilar arteries of dogs [7, 43]. Immunohistochemical staining of rabbit cerebral arteries revealed a reduction of surface-expressed Kv1.5 protein 5 days after oxyHb exposure [46]. Furthermore, Ishiguro describes redistribution of Kv1.5 protein after oxyHb exposure: in unexposed vessels Kv1.5 was observed within large defined regions of the cell membrane and was associated with phosphotyrosine-rich vesicular compartments adjacent to the plasma membrane, whereas OxyHb exposure caused a decrease in Kv1.5 surface staining and a redistribution of the remaining Kv1.5 into smaller foci that appeared fused with phosphotyrosine-enriched vesicles. This stands in support of the hypothesis that oxyHb-induced suppression of Kv1.5 channels is mediated by a mechanism involving increased tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent trafficking of the channel from the cell surface [46].


## 4.1.2. Inwardly Rectifying Potassium (Kir) Channels in SAH

Next toKv channels, expression of an inwardly rectifying potassium channel is found to be influenced by SAH. Seven days after SAH, dog basilar artery myocytes display enhanced expression of Kir2.1 protein and transcripts [7, 45]. Accordingly, blockage of Kir2.1 channels in arteries under isometric tension produced a greater contraction in SAH than in control arteries. It is thus possible that increased expression of Kir2.1 channels after SAH may represent an adaptive response reducing disturbance of the cellular K+ balance and consecutively cerebral vasospasm.


## 4.1.3. Large Conductance Calcium-Activated (BK) Potassium Channels in SAH

Whether BK channels are impacted by SAH and contribute to vasospasm is a matter of debate, as data on this subject has proven to be somewhat contradictory. It has been reported that in dog basilar artery myocytes, BK current density, kinetics, Ca2+ and voltage sensitivity, single-channel conductance, and apparent Ca2+ affinity are unaffected by SAH [44]. Aihara et al. report that although the expression of the BK channel alpha subunit is unchanged after SAH, expression of BK channel β1 subunit mRNA (but not protein) is reduced 7 days after SAH in dog basilar artery myocytes and correlates with the degree of vasospasm [7]. Koide et al. found that although SAH does not alter BK channel density or single channel properties in rabbits, SAH does cause a distinct reduction in Ca2+ spark-induced transient BK currents, corresponding to decreased expression of ryanodine receptor type-2 protein [47].  Ca2+ sparks are focal Ca2+ releases through ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), which oppose the contractile actions of global cytosolic Ca2+ by activation of BK channels leading to hyperpolarization and decreased Ca2+ influx through VGCCs [48, 49]. Findings by Koide et al. suggest that impaired subcellular signaling from the SR to BK channels at the cell surface, due to reduced expression of RyRs causing less focal Ca2+ spark discharges, could be a key mechanism in vasospasm after SAH.


## 4.1.4. ATP-Dependent (KATP) Potassium Channels in SAH

An important role of KATP channels in animal models of SAH-induced vasospasm appears likely, as several experimental studies have shown that pharmacologic activation of KATP channels can significantly attenuate vasospasm. The KATP channel activator levcromakalim increased vasorelaxation in rabbit basilar arteries three days after SAH [4] and in dog basilar arteries seven days after SAH [50]. Furthermore, the endogenous KATP channel activator calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) displayed therapeutic effects reversing vasospasm after SAH in rabbits and monkeys [51, 52] but failed to significantly attenuate vasospasm to a greater degree than standard of care (nimodipine) in a clinical trial comprising 117 patients [53].


## 4.1.5. VGCCs in SAH

The role of VGCCs in vasospasm may seem obvious in clinical practice where L-type Ca2+ channel blockers, such as nimodipine, are the gold standard of prophylaxis and treatments of cerebral vasospasm. This is indeed reflected in experimental investigations offering evidence in support of a large contribution of L-type VGCCs to vasoconstriction in certain cerebral blood vessels. However, recent findings have revealed the importance of R-type and T-type channels in vasospasm. Although typically classed with the high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels, R-type calcium channels are activated at potentials between those of low and high VGCCs, representing an intermediate VGCC. This channel is of interest in vasospasm, as its expression is directly linked to SAH and it may be available for opening at the depolarized resting potential of vasospastic cerebrovascular myocytes.Intravenous administration of nimodipine five minutes after SAH improves circulation and attenuates vasospasm in rats [54]. Nicardipine (dihydropyridine) pellets positioned next to the basal arteries have been shown to reduce the occurrence of angiographic vasospasm in a dose-dependent manner in patients suffering from SAH [55, 56]. However, L-type antagonists alone cannot reverse SAH-induced vasospasm completely. In this regard, the finding is that although L-type VGCC antagonists abolish cerebral artery constriction and block VGCC currents in cerebral artery myocytes from healthy rabbits, the lack of their efficacy in rabbits after SAH corresponds to an increase in R-type currents  and alpha1E (Cav2.3 pore forming subunit) protein and mRNA [57]. This is in line with recent findings by Nikitina et al. who observed that high-voltage-activated (HVA) Ca2+ channel currents were significantly decreased and low-voltage-activated (LVA) currents increased during vasospasm 4, 7, and 21 days after SAH in dogs [28]. This study revealed an increase in protein expression of T-type (Cav3.1 and Cav3.3 alpha subunits) and R-type VGCCs and a decrease in L-type (Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 alpha subunits) VGCCs in dog basilar arteries after SAH. Interestingly however, differently to Nikitina et al., Ishiguro et al. could not observe an increase in R-type protein and mRNA in the basilar artery or other larger diameter vessels after SAH, but only in smaller vessels. Several authors suggest that the functional significance of R-type channels may lie within small diameter blood vessels and that blood vessels of different sizes are impacted differently by SAH [58]. Furthermore, exposure of organ cultured rabbit cerebral arteries to oxyHb induces the expression of R-type VGCC mRNA in small vessels rendering the vessels sensitive to SNX-482 (R-type antagonist) and less sensitive to diltiazem [59]. SNX-482 was also found to attenuate CBF reduction after SAH in rats [60].In addition to R-type VGCCs, the low-voltage-activated (T-type) channelsCav3.1 and Cav3.3  have been shown to be upregulated in the dog basilar artery after SAH [28]; however the functional significance of this finding is a matter of debate: the increased expression of T-type VGCC channels was proposed to be functionally irrelevant because these channels should be inactivated in depolarized cells. In fact, T-type channels were reported to inactivate at resting membrane potentials of most smooth muscle cells at about −75 to −65 mV [17]. Cisternal application of nicardipine but not of the T-type antagonist mibefradil reduced CT angiography measured vasospasm in cynomolgus macaques [61], which is in agreement with the functional insignificance of T-type VGCCs in depolarized cells.


## 5. Changes of Ion Channel Expression and Function following Transient Global Ischemia after SAH

Increased ICP and decreased CPP immediately following SAB cause a transient global ischemia (TGI) [62–64]. Distinguishing which molecular changes can be attributed to subarachnoid blood and which to TGI is difficult; however studies of TGI (without SAH) can be of assistance. Very little is known about changes in ion channel expression and function in cerebral vessels following transient global ischemia. The only study describing direct impact of TGI on ion channels in cerebral arteries found that in piglets arteriolar response (i.e., dilation) of KATP channels to their activators aprikalim and iloprost  is impaired 1 hour after TGI but normalizes over 2–4 hours [65]. Interestingly, this reduction of cerebral arteriolar dilation to activation of KATP channels could be prevented with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin. In addition to this acute provasoconstrictive effect, TGI has recently been described to have a delayed provasoconstrictive effect. In the two-vessel carotid artery occlusion model, transient forebrain ischemia caused a functional upregulation of ETB and 5-HT1B receptors in the ACA and MCA of the rat 48 hours after the insult [66]. In the case of SAH-induced TGI, an upregulation of vasoconstrictor receptors could contribute to vasospasm and thus to delayed cerebral ischemia.More is known about the effects of TGI on neuronal ion channels. Transient forebrain ischemia in rats leads to a downregulation of L-type VGCCs in vulnerable hippocampal CA1 neurons by oxidation modulation, whereas L-type Ca2+ channels in the CA3 are not affected [67]. Interestingly, blockade of L-type but not of N- or P-/Q-type VGCCs worsened neuronal survival, while, more importantly, L-type calcium-channel agonists applied after reperfusion significantly decreased neuronal injury in rats subjected to forebrain ischemia [67]. These results stand in strong contrast to the widely accepted view of excitotoxic mechanisms after brain ischemia, which make glutamate-induced intracellular calcium overloading responsible for induction of apoptotic proteins and toxic molecules [68, 69], but shed light on possible region-specific involvement of calcium signaling in cell survival. Indeed other studies give weight to this hypothesis of L-type downregulation after ischemia and may ultimately lead to a modification of the view of calcium-mediated neurotoxicity [70–72]. R-type VGCCs may also mediate neuroprotection in focal ischemia, as mice lacking the R-type VGCC display larger infarct volume size than wild-type mice after occlusion of the MCA [73]. Although N-type VGCCs (but also L-type, P/Q-type) have been reported to be upregulated in the hippocampus and cortex after global ischemia [74, 75], neuroprotective effectiveness of their inhibitors is a matter of debate, as evidence is contradictory [76]. Furthermore, pharmacologic inhibition of T-type VGCCs has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect in hippocampal neurons after global ischemia in rats and also an in vitro model of ischemia-induced delayed cell death in rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures [77, 78]. However, a 2012 meta-analysis of effectivity of calcium channel antagonists on ischemic stroke including 7731 patients in 34 trials concluded that calcium channel antagonists have no effect on primary outcome or survival after stroke but that nimodipine at high doses is associated with poorer outcome [79].


## 6. Conclusions

It is apparent that the decrease of K+ conductance and the shift from HVA Ca2+ currents to LVA Ca2+ in cerebrovascular myocytes represent key phenomena in SAH-induced vasospasm; however we have yet to put together the pieces to establish a model of the complex mechanisms behind SAH pathology. This paper focuses on ion channels and thus on processes at the cell surface, but one must not overlook the downstream effects of ion channel signaling via interacting proteins like protein kinase C (PKC), an important regulator of VGCCs. Several VGCCs and nearly all K+ channels are highly regulated by PKC. After SAH, hemoglobin alters expression levels of different PKC isoforms and induces their translocation from the cytosol to the plasma membrane (PKC-δ on day 4 and PKC-α on day 7) [80]. It has been suggested that PKC-δ is involved in initiation of SAH-induced vasospasm whereas PKC-α plays a role in its endurance [81, 82]. PKC phosphorylates the Cav1.2 subunit of L-type calcium channels and leads to dual modulation with inhibitory and stimulatory effects in vascular smooth muscle cells. R-type VGCCs also underlie PKC-mediated Ca2+-dependent stimulation [83, 84]. But also calmodulin, another regulatory protein of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, is significantly impacted by SAH, displaying a decrease within the first 48 hours after SAH [85]. One may speculate that imbalance of calmodulin-mediated inactivation and PKC-mediated Ca2+-dependent stimulation of R-type Ca2+ channels might lead to self-perpetuating Ca2+ influx during vasospasm. The calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine was demonstrated to reduce severity of cerebral vasospasm following SAH but at doses far in excess of the normal accepted therapeutic range in humans [86].Transient global ischemia after SAH may contribute to neurologic injury by downregulation of L-type VGCCs in the CA1 region of the hippocampus [67] but also may contribute to the occurrence of vasospasm by the increase of vasoconstrictor receptors and the functional impairment of KATP channels in cerebrovascular myocytes [65, 66].In the effort of developing better pharmacologic therapies and prophylaxes of vasospasm, it is very likely that patients will ultimately benefit fromin vitro studies investigating ion-channel signaling and protein interaction partners in great detail. As in every disease, identifying exact targets in order to develop specific modulators is key, and the lack thereof may be the root of difficulties in treating vasospasms with L-type antagonists, such as nicardipine or nimodipine, which also have substantial modulatory effects on several other ion channels [87, 88]. Furthermore, the extent to which vasospasm contributes to poor outcome after SAH remains a matter of debate. Although several authors falsely cite CONSCIOUS-1 as evidence that vasospasm does not contribute to poor outcome (the study was not powered to detect changes in morbidity, mortality, or clinical outcome), recent evidence showing that a reduction of cerebral infarction but not of vasospasm correlated with better neurological outcome [89] fuels the debate on causality of the pathological phenomena following SAH. In this regard, it may be necessary to consider further mechanisms by which nimodipine enhances clinical outcome. Several experimental studies of different animal models of cerebral ischemia have found neuroprotective effects of nimodipine [90–92]; however clinical studies remain inconclusive. Although nimodipine was found to have no effect on primary outcome or survival after stroke in a recent meta-analysis of 34 clinical trials, one study has found nimodipine to reduce relative risk of the frequency of CT-scan-documented cerebral infarction and of ischemic neurologic deficit after aneurysmal SAH but not of angiographically detected cerebral vasospasm [93]. Taken together, these results underline the need for both experimental and clinical investigations of the molecular mechanisms behind the therapeutic effect of nimodipine and thus calcium channel blockade.



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*Source: 382146-2012-12-03.xml*