K2P2.1 (TREK-1) potassium channel activation protects against hyperoxia-induced lung injury

Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 15;10(1):22011. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-78886-y.

Abstract

No targeted therapies exist to counteract Hyperoxia (HO)-induced Acute Lung Injury (HALI). We previously found that HO downregulates alveolar K2P2.1 (TREK-1) K+ channels, which results in worsening lung injury. This decrease in TREK-1 levels leaves a subset of channels amendable to pharmacological intervention. Therefore, we hypothesized that TREK-1 activation protects against HALI. We treated HO-exposed mice and primary alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) with the novel TREK-1 activators ML335 and BL1249, and quantified physiological, histological, and biochemical lung injury markers. We determined the effects of these drugs on epithelial TREK-1 currents, plasma membrane potential (Em), and intracellular Ca2+ (iCa) concentrations using fluorometric assays, and blocked voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (CaV) as a downstream mechanism of cytokine secretion. Once-daily, intra-tracheal injections of HO-exposed mice with ML335 or BL1249 improved lung compliance, histological lung injury scores, broncho-alveolar lavage protein levels and cell counts, and IL-6 and IP-10 concentrations. TREK-1 activation also decreased IL-6, IP-10, and CCL-2 secretion from primary AECs. Mechanistically, ML335 and BL1249 induced TREK-1 currents in AECs, counteracted HO-induced cell depolarization, and lowered iCa2+ concentrations. In addition, CCL-2 secretion was decreased after L-type CaV inhibition. Therefore, Em stabilization with TREK-1 activators may represent a novel approach to counteract HALI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Acute Lung Injury / etiology*
  • Acute Lung Injury / metabolism*
  • Alveolar Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Alveolar Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Hyperoxia / complications*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Intracellular Space / metabolism
  • Ion Channel Gating* / drug effects
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain / metabolism*
  • Protective Agents / metabolism*
  • Tetrahydronaphthalenes / pharmacology
  • Tetrazoles / pharmacology

Substances

  • (5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-(2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl)amine
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain
  • Protective Agents
  • Tetrahydronaphthalenes
  • Tetrazoles
  • potassium channel protein TREK-1
  • Calcium