The role of Na-Ca exchange current in cardiac pacemaker cells

心率是由心脏内的一小群起搏器细胞控制的。起搏器细胞自发放电，这种内在速率由自主神经系统的交感神经和副交感神经调节。我们正在研究起搏器细胞中的一种新电流，它有助于控制放电速率。这种新的电流是由细胞内的钙控制的，所以我们也在研究当自主神经系统活跃时，细胞内钙是如何变化的。该项目将为这一小群关键细胞的功能提供新的见解，并可能允许治疗一些心律失常，而无需使用人工起搏器的费用和手术。

The heart rate is controlled by a small group of pacemaker cells within the heart. The pacemaker cells fire spontaneously and this intrinsic rate is modified by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves of the autonomic nervous system. We are studying a new current in the pacemaker cells which helps to control the firing rate. This new current is controlled by the intracellular calcium inside the cells so we are also studying the way in which intracellular calcium changes when the autonomic nervous system is active. This project will provide new insights into the function of this small group of critical cells and may allow treatment of some cardiac arrhythmias without the expense and surgery involved in the use of artificial pacemakers.