Macaskill, C. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2022

A dual-clock-driven model emulating the effects of either Ano1 or IP3R knock-out on lymphatic muscle cell pace-making

Lymphoedema, a common dysfunction of the lymphatic system, results in fluid accumulating between cells. Fluid return through the lymphatic vascular system is primarily provided by contractions of muscle cells in the walls of lymphatic vessels, driven by electrochemical oscillations causing rhythmic action potentials and associated surges in intracellular calcium ion concentration. There is incomplete understanding of the mechanisms involved in these repeated events, restricting the development of pharmacological treatments for dysfunction. Previously, we proposed a model where autonomous oscillations in the membrane potential (M-clock) drove passive oscillations in the calcium concentration (C-clock). In this paper, to model more accurately what is known about the underlying physiology, we extend this model to the case where the M-clock and the C-clock oscillators are both active but coupled together, and thus both driving the action potentials. This extension results from modifications to the model for the IP3 receptor, a key C-clock mechanism. The synchronized dual-driving clock behaviour enables the model to match IP3 receptor knock-out data, resolving an issue with previous models. We also use phase-plane analysis to explain the mechanisms for the dual-clock coupling. The model has the potential to help determine mechanisms and find targets for pharmacological treatment of lymphoedema.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2021

Modelling the coupling of the M-clock and C-clock in lymphatic muscle cells

Lymphoedema develops due to chronic dysfunction of the lymphatic vascular system which results in fluid accumulation between cells. The condition is commonly acquired secondary to diseases such as cancer or the therapies associated with it. The primary driving force for fluid return through the lymphatic vasculature is provided by contractions of the muscularized lymphatic collecting vessels, driven by electrical oscillations. However, there is an incomplete understanding of the molecular and bioelectric mechanisms involved in lymphatic muscle cell excitation, hampering the development and use of pharmacological therapies. Modelling in silico has contributed greatly to understanding the contributions of specific ion channels to the cardiac action potential, but modelling of these processes in lymphatic muscle remains limited. Here, we propose a model of oscillations in the membrane voltage (M-clock) and intracellular calcium concentrations (C-clock) of lymphatic muscle cells. We modify a model by Imtiaz and colleagues to enable the M-clock to drive the C-clock oscillations. This approach differs from typical models of calcium oscillators in lymphatic and related cell types, but is required to fit recent experimental data. We include an additional voltage dependence in the gating variable control for the L-type calcium channel, enabling the M-clock to oscillate independently of the C-clock. We use phase-plane analysis to show that these M-clock oscillations are qualitatively similar to those of a generalised FitzHugh-Nagumo model. We also provide phase plane analysis to understand the interaction of the M-clock and C-clock oscillations. The model and methods have the potential to help determine mechanisms and find targets for pharmacological treatment of lymphoedema.

biophysics↗