The β4-Subunit of the Large-Conductance Potassium Ion Channel KCa1.1 Regulates Outflow Facility in Mice.
Bertrand Jacques A, Schicht Martin, Stamer W Daniel, Baker David, Sherwood Joseph M, Lütjen-Drecoll Elke, Selwood David L, Overby Darryl R
AI Summary
This study found the β4-subunit of KCa1.1 channels significantly regulates aqueous humor outflow, suggesting targeting these channels could be a novel glaucoma treatment to lower intraocular pressure.
Abstract
Purpose
The large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel KCa1.1 (BKCa, maxi-K) influences aqueous humor outflow facility, but the contribution of auxiliary β-subunits to KCa1.1 activity in the outflow pathway is unknown.
Methods
Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we measured expression of β-subunit genes in anterior segments of C57BL/6J mice (Kcnmb1-4) and in cultured human trabecular meshwork (TM) and Schlemm's canal (SC) cells (KCNMB1-4). We also measured expression of Kcnma1/KCNMA1 that encodes the pore-forming α-subunit. Using confocal immunofluorescence, we visualized the distribution of β4 in the conventional outflow pathway of mice. Using iPerfusion, we measured outflow facility in enucleated mouse eyes in response to 100 or 500 nM iberiotoxin (IbTX; N = 9) or 100 nM martentoxin (MarTX; N = 12). MarTX selectively blocks β4-containing KCa1.1 channels, whereas IbTX blocks KCa1.1 channels that lack β4.
Results
Kcnmb4 was the most highly expressed β-subunit in mouse conventional outflow tissues, expressed at a level comparable to Kcnma1. β4 was present within the juxtacanalicular TM, appearing to label cellular processes connecting to SC cells. Accordingly, KCNMB4 was the most highly expressed β-subunit in human TM cells, and the sole β-subunit in human SC cells. To dissect functional contribution, MarTX decreased outflow facility by 35% (27%, 42%; mean, 95% confidence interval) relative to vehicle-treated contralateral eyes, whereas IbTX reduced outflow facility by 16% (6%, 25%).
Conclusions
The β4-subunit regulates KCa1.1 activity in the conventional outflow pathway, significantly influencing outflow function. Targeting β4-containing KCa1.1 channels may be a promising approach to lower intraocular pressure to treat glaucoma.
MeSH Terms
Shields Classification
Key Concepts5
Kcnmb4 was the most highly expressed β-subunit in mouse conventional outflow tissues, expressed at a level comparable to Kcnma1, as measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in anterior segments of C57BL/6J mice.
β4 was present within the juxtacanalicular TM, appearing to label cellular processes connecting to SC cells, as visualized using confocal immunofluorescence in the conventional outflow pathway of mice.
KCNMB4 was the most highly expressed β-subunit in human TM cells and the sole β-subunit in human SC cells, as measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in cultured human trabecular meshwork (TM) and Schlemm's canal (SC) cells.
Martentoxin (MarTX) decreased outflow facility by 35% (27%, 42%; mean, 95% confidence interval) relative to vehicle-treated contralateral eyes in enucleated mouse eyes (N = 12), as measured using iPerfusion.
Iberiotoxin (IbTX) reduced outflow facility by 16% (6%, 25%) in enucleated mouse eyes (N = 9), as measured using iPerfusion.
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