The endocardial endothelium: function and electrophysiology

Basic electrophysiological properties of cultured endocardial endothelial (EE) cells from the porcine right ventricle were studied by the conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique. In isotonic conditions, the major membrane current in resting EE cells was an inwardly rectifying K-current (I-K) responsible for the negative value of the resting potential (-50 to -70mV). Outwardly directed currents at positive clamp potentials were small. In hypotonic conditions (hypertonic pipette solution), cells depolarized and an outwardly rectifying Cl-current was activated. The volume-activated current was inactivated by returning to isotonic conditions and was inhibited by DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2' disulfonic acid, 100-300 mu M) or flufenamic acid 50-100 mu M. A possible role of the Cl-current in EE cells is discussed.

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