Down-regulation of KCa2.3 channels causes erectile dysfunction in mice

Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 19;7(1):3839. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-04188-5.

Abstract

Modulation of endothelial calcium-activated K+ channels has been proposed as an approach to restore arterial endothelial cell function in disease. We hypothesized that small-conductance calcium-activated K+ channels (KCa2.3 or SK3) contributes to erectile function. The research was performed in transgenic mice with overexpression (KCa2.3 T/T(-Dox)) or down-regulation (KCa2.3 T/T(+Dox)) of the KCa2.3 channels and wild-type C57BL/6-mice (WT). QPCR revealed that KCa2.3 and KCa1.1 channels were the most abundant in mouse corpus cavernosum. KCa2.3 channels were found by immunoreactivity and electron microscopy in the apical-lateral membrane of endothelial cells in the corpus cavernosum. Norepinephrine contraction was enhanced in the corpus cavernosum of KCa2.3 T/T(+Dox) versus KCa2.3 T/T(-Dox) mice, while acetylcholine relaxation was only reduced at 0.3 µM and relaxations in response to the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside were unaltered. An opener of KCa2 channels, NS309 induced concentration-dependent relaxations of corpus cavernosum. Mean arterial pressure was lower in KCa2.3 T/T(-Dox) mice compared with WT and KCa2.3 T/T(+Dox) mice. In anesthetized mice, cavernous nerve stimulation augmented in frequency/voltage dependent manner erectile function being lower in KCa2.3 T/T(+Dox) mice at low frequencies. Our findings suggest that down-regulation of KCa2.3 channels contributes to erectile dysfunction, and that pharmacological activation of KCa2.3 channels may have the potential to restore erectile function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure
  • Down-Regulation
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / ultrastructure
  • Erectile Dysfunction / genetics*
  • Erectile Dysfunction / physiopathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / genetics*
  • Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / metabolism

Substances

  • Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels