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Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 292: C1053-C1060, 2007. First published October 11, 2006; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00053.2006 Free Article
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RECEPTORS AND SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION

VOCCs and TREK-1 ion channel expression in human tenocytes

Merzesh Magra,1,2 Steven Hughes,1 Alicia J. El Haj,1 and Nicola Maffulli1,2

1Institute of Science and Technology in Medicine and 2Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Keele University School of Medicine, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom

Submitted 6 February 2006 ; accepted in final form 27 September 2006

Mechanosensitive and voltage-gated ion channels are known to perform important roles in mechanotransduction in a number of connective tissues, including bone and muscle. It is hypothesized that voltage-gated and mechanosensitive ion channels also may play a key role in some or all initial responses of human tenocytes to mechanical stimulation. However, to date there has been no direct investigation of ion channel expression by human tenocytes. Human tenocytes were cultured from patellar tendon samples harvested from five patients undergoing routine total knee replacement surgery (mean age: 66 yr; range: 63–73 yr). RT-PCR, Western blotting, and whole cell electrophysiological studies were performed to investigate the expression of different classes of ion channels within tenocytes. Human tenocytes expressed mRNA and protein encoding voltage-operated calcium channel (VOCC) subunits (Ca {alpha}1A, Ca {alpha}1C, Ca {alpha}1D, Ca {alpha}2{delta}1) and the mechanosensitive tandem pore domain potassium channel (2PK+) TREK-1. They exhibit whole cell currents consistent with the functional expression of these channels. In addition, other ionic currents were detected within tenocytes consistent with the expression of a diverse array of other ion channels. VOCCs and TREK channels have been implicated in mechanotransduction signaling pathways in numerous connective tissue cell types. These mechanisms may be present in human tenocytes. In addition, human tenocytes may express other channel currents. Ion channels may represent potential targets for the pharmacological management of chronic tendinopathies.

tendon; mechanosensitive; calcium; potassium; patch clamping; voltage-operated calcium channels


Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: A. J. El Haj, Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele Univ. School of Medicine, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7QB, UK (e-mail: bea17{at}keele.ac.uk)






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