Investigating dynamic protocol-dependence of hERG potassium channel inhibition at 37 °C: Cisapride versus dofetilide

IntroductionPharmacological inhibition of cardiac potassium channels encoded by hERG (human ether-à-go-go-related gene) is associated with QT interval prolongation and torsades de pointes arrhythmia. Electrophysiological assays of hERG channel inhibition are integral to the safety testing of novel drug candidates. This study was conducted to compare, for the high affinity hERG inhibitors dofetilide and cisapride, hERG blockade between action potential (AP) and conventional (step and step–ramp) screening waveforms. Furthermore, it evaluated dynamic (pulse-by-pulse) protocol-dependence of hERG channel inhibition by these drugs.MethodsWhole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made at 37 °C from hERG-expressing HEK 293 cells. Half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50 values) for IhERG blockade were obtained using conventional voltage clamp and action potential clamp, using previously digitised ventricular and Purkinje fibre (PF) AP waveforms.ResultsA more marked variation in IC50 values with different command waveforms was observed for cisapride (ranging from 7 to 72 nM) than for dofetilide (ranging from 4 to 15 nM), with higher IC50s obtained with AP than step or step–ramp commands. The two drugs differed little from one another in effects on voltage-dependent activation; however, IhERG blockade by each drug was initially voltage-dependent, but at steady-state was only voltage-dependent for cisapride. There was comparatively little difference between the two drugs in effects on IhERG availability or time constants of development of inactivation. Features of time-dependence of blockade and the use of protocols employing varying rest periods in drug or commands of alternating duration highlighted a pronounced ability of cisapride, but not dofetilide, to dissociate and reassociate from hERG on a pulse-by-pulse basis.DiscussionProtocols described here that demonstrated dynamic variation (drug dissociation/reassociation) in hERG channel current blockade at 37 °C for cisapride may have future value for investigating drug interactions with the hERG channel. Downloadable digitised ventricular and PF AP waveforms that can be used in AP clamp experiments also accompany this article.