Regulation of Voltage-Gated K Channels in Smooth Muscle Cells by a Mitochondrial Redox Sensor

Functional closure of the human ductus arteriosus (DA) is initiated within minutes of birth by O2 constriction. It occurs by an incompletely understood mechanism that is intrinsic to the DA smooth muscle cell (DASMC). We hypothesized that O2 alters the function of an O2 sensor (the mitochondrial electron transport chain, ETC) thereby increasing production of a diffusible redox-mediator (H2O2), thus triggering an effector mechanism (inhibition of DASMC voltage-gated K channels, Kv). O2 constriction was evaluated in 26 human DAs (12 female, aged 962 days) studied in their normal hypoxic state or after normoxic tissue culture. In fresh, hypoxic DAs, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), a Kv inhibitor, and O2 cause similar constriction and K 1 current inhibition (IK). Tissue culture for 72 hours, particularly in normoxia, causes ionic remodeling, characterized by decreased O2 and 4-AP constriction in DA rings and reduced O2and 4-AP–sensitive IK in DASMCs. Remodeled DAMSCs are depolarized and express less O2-sensitive channels (including Kv2.1, Kv1.5, Kv9.3, Kv4.3, and BKCa). Kv2.1 adenoviral gene-transfer significantly reverses ionic remodeling, partially restoring both the electrophysiological and tone responses to 4-AP and O2. In fresh DASMCs, ETC inhibitors (rotenone and antimycin) mimic hypoxia, increasing IK and reversing constriction to O2, but not phenylephrine. O2 increases, whereas hypoxia and ETC inhibitors decrease H2O2 production by altering mitochondrial membrane potential (DCm). H2O2, like O2, inhibits IK and depolarizes DASMCs. We conclude that O2 controls human DA tone by modulating the function of the mitochondrial ETC thereby varying DCm and the production of H2O2, which regulates DASMC Kv channel activity and DA tone. (Circ Res. 2002;91:●●●-●●●.)