Chemokine ligand 9 modulates cardiac repolarization via Cxcr3 receptor binding

Abstract

Inflammation influences various disease etiologies and evidence is accumulating that it may also affect risk for arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death [1], [2], [3]. However, knowledge concerning the underlying mechanisms is scarce, and while a direct effect of inflammatory mediators on cardiomyocyte electrophysiological properties is plausible, this is as yet unexplored. The possibility of a direct effect of inflammatory mediators on cardiomyocte electrical properties draws support from previous findings in neurons, where cytokines and chemokines have been recognized as modulators of neuronal excitability. Here, we studied the direct functional effects of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (Cxcl9), a small type-II interferon inducible chemotactic factor that signals via the G-protein coupled receptor Cxcr3, on the electrophysiological properties of mouse ventricular myocytes.