PDGFRalpha+ fibroblast-like cells contribute to cardiac excitability

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Project Summary Recent studies have identified a novel “fibroblast-like” cell in several organs that express the receptor tyrosine kinase, PDGFRa (platelet-derived growth factor receptor-a). Using a mouse strain (Pdgfratm11(EGFP)Sor/J) in which PDGFRα+ cells are constitutively labeled by expression of a transgene encoding a histone 2B-eGFP fusion protein driven by the endogenous, cell-specific promoter for Pdgfra, we are able to isolate, purify, and study the function and phenotype of fibroblast-like cells from a variety of organs, including the heart. We have demonstrated that these cells are excitable and respond to agonists with rapid activation of large ionic currents. We have further confirmed that the eGFP reporter is exclusive to PDGFRa+ cells by immunodetection using antibodies against PDGFRα, thus definitively establishing these fibroblast-like cells as PDGFRα+ cells. In preliminary studies for this proposal, we found that PDGFRα+ cells are widely distributed in cardiac muscles, especially in sinoatrial nodal (SAN) and atrial tissues. A significant population of PDGFRa+ cells expresses the classical fibroblast marker, vimentin, and the same population is labeled by PDGFRa antibodies in the primate heart, indicating that this population corresponds to the cardiac fibroblast-like cells (CFCs) of the heart. Using the eGFP reporter, we isolated and purified cardiac PDGFRa+ cells by FACS from SAN and atrial tissues. Our subsequent characterization of PDGFRa+ cells in the SAN revealed that these cells are excitable and are capable of generating spontaneous pacemaker activity through activation of a nonselective cation channel (NSCC). Notably, we found that these cells form gap junctions with neighboring myocytes. Further investigation of the automaticity of PDGFRa+ cells and more extensive characterization of the phenotypes of these cells will be pursued in two Specific Aims: 1) Determine the genetic transcript signature of cardiac PDGFRα+ cells that determine this cellular phenotype. 2) Determine the role(s) of NSCCs in generating spontaneous inward currents in PDGFRα+ CFCs and in modulating cardiac AP waveform. Novel insights provided by successful completion of this research proposal will facilitate a better understanding of the automaticity and phenotype of PDGFRa+ CFCs in SAN and atrial tissues and may support the development of novel therapeutic targets for pacemaker deficiencies.