Differences in expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase and Na+-Ca2+ exchanger genes between adjacent and remote noninfarcted myocardium after myocardial infarction.

Although cardiac failure can develop over time after myocardial infarction, the mechanism responsible for this is still unknown. The change of intracellular Ca2+ transport protein, such as sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase (SR-Ca2+), Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (Na+-Ca2+), or cardiac phenotypic modulation of contractile protein in noninfarcted myocardium may have a important role. However, the time course in gene expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase (SR-Ca2+), Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (Na+-Ca2+), and contractile protein in the adjacent and remote noninfarcted myocardium after myocardial infarction has not been examined. At 1, 3 weeks and 3 months after myocardial infarction, hemodynamics were measured and mRNA of the left ventricle was analyzed. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume and weight increased both with time. Ascites became apparent at 3 months after infarction. SR-Ca2+ mRNA levels in the adjacent noninfarcted myocardium were 0.7- (P<0.01), 0.9- (N.S.), and 0.7-fold (P<0.01) of control, and Na+-Ca2+ mRNA levels were 2.1- (P<0.01), 1.4- (P<0.01), and 0.8-fold (P<0.01) of control, at 1, 3 weeks and 3 months after infarction, respectively. beta-Myosin heavy chain (MHC) mRNA was increased to 2.1- (P<0.01), 1.5- (P<0.01), and 1.4-fold (P<0.01), and alpha-skeletal actin was increased to 2.4- (P<0.01), 3.8- (P<0.01), and 1.6-fold (P<0.01) control levels, at 1 week, 3 weeks and 3 months, respectively. In contrast, alpha-MHC mRNA level was decreased at 1 week and 3 months after infarction. alpha-cardiac actin mRNA level did not change over time after infarction. In the remote non-infarcted myocardium, beta-MHC, alpha-skeletal actin, and Na+-Ca2+ mRNA levels were increased, but SR-Ca2+, alpha-MHC, and alpha-cardiac actin mRNA did not change after infarction. These findings suggest that: (1) intracellular Ca2+ handling system after myocardial infarction may be different between adjacent and remote non-infarcted myocardium: and that (2) both decreased gene expression of SR Ca2+-ATPase and Na+-Ca2+ exchanger in the adjacent non-infarcted myocardium may progress cardiac dysfunction.