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Leemann S, Schneider-Warme F, Kleinlogel S. Cardiac optogenetics: shining light on signaling pathways. Pflugers Arch 2023; 475:1421-1437. [PMID: 38097805 PMCID: PMC10730638 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-023-02892-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
In the early 2000s, the field of neuroscience experienced a groundbreaking transformation with the advent of optogenetics. This innovative technique harnesses the properties of naturally occurring and genetically engineered rhodopsins to confer light sensitivity upon target cells. The remarkable spatiotemporal precision offered by optogenetics has provided researchers with unprecedented opportunities to dissect cellular physiology, leading to an entirely new level of investigation. Initially revolutionizing neuroscience, optogenetics quickly piqued the interest of the wider scientific community, and optogenetic applications were expanded to cardiovascular research. Over the past decade, researchers have employed various optical tools to observe, regulate, and steer the membrane potential of excitable cells in the heart. Despite these advancements, achieving control over specific signaling pathways within the heart has remained an elusive goal. Here, we review the optogenetic tools suitable to control cardiac signaling pathways with a focus on GPCR signaling, and delineate potential applications for studying these pathways, both in healthy and diseased hearts. By shedding light on these exciting developments, we hope to contribute to the ongoing progress in basic cardiac research to facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic possibilities for treating cardiovascular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siri Leemann
- Institute of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, and Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Franziska Schneider-Warme
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, and Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sonja Kleinlogel
- Institute of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Translational Medicine Neuroscience, Basel, Switzerland
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2
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Shi R, Reichardt M, Fiegle DJ, Küpfer LK, Czajka T, Sun Z, Salditt T, Dendorfer A, Seidel T, Bruegmann T. Contractility measurements for cardiotoxicity screening with ventricular myocardial slices of pigs. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:2469-2481. [PMID: 37934066 PMCID: PMC10651213 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Cardiotoxicity is one major reason why drugs do not enter or are withdrawn from the market. Thus, approaches are required to predict cardiotoxicity with high specificity and sensitivity. Ideally, such methods should be performed within intact cardiac tissue with high relevance for humans and detect acute and chronic side effects on electrophysiological behaviour, contractility, and tissue structure in an unbiased manner. Herein, we evaluate healthy pig myocardial slices and biomimetic cultivation setups (BMCS) as a new cardiotoxicity screening approach. METHODS AND RESULTS Pig left ventricular samples were cut into slices and spanned into BMCS with continuous electrical pacing and online force recording. Automated stimulation protocols were established to determine the force-frequency relationship (FFR), frequency dependence of contraction duration, effective refractory period (ERP), and pacing threshold. Slices generated 1.3 ± 0.14 mN/mm2 force at 0.5 Hz electrical pacing and showed a positive FFR and a shortening of contraction duration with increasing pacing rates. Approximately 62% of slices were able to contract for at least 6 days while showing stable ERP, contraction duration-frequency relationship, and preserved cardiac structure confirmed by confocal imaging and X-ray diffraction analysis. We used specific blockers of the most important cardiac ion channels to determine which analysis parameters are influenced. To validate our approach, we tested five drug candidates selected from the Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay list as well as acetylsalicylic acid and DMSO as controls in a blinded manner in three independent laboratories. We were able to detect all arrhythmic drugs and their respective mode of action on cardiac tissue including inhibition of Na+, Ca2+, and hERG channels as well as Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. CONCLUSION We systematically evaluate this approach for cardiotoxicity screening, which is of high relevance for humans and can be upscaled to medium-throughput screening. Thus, our approach will improve the predictive value and efficiency of preclinical cardiotoxicity screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runzhu Shi
- Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, 37073 Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- International Research Training Group 1816, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marius Reichardt
- Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, 37073 Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Institute for X-ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dominik J Fiegle
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Linda K Küpfer
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Titus Czajka
- Institute for X-ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Zhengwu Sun
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, Hospital of the University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tim Salditt
- Institute for X-ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence ‘Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells’ (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Dendorfer
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, Hospital of the University Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Centre of Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Seidel
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Bruegmann
- Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, 37073 Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence ‘Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells’ (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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3
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Song Q, Alvarez-Laviada A, Schrup SE, Reilly-O'Donnell B, Entcheva E, Gorelik J. Opto-SICM framework combines optogenetics with scanning ion conductance microscopy for probing cell-to-cell contacts. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1131. [PMID: 37938652 PMCID: PMC10632396 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05509-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a novel framework, Opto-SICM, for studies of cellular interactions in live cells with high spatiotemporal resolution. The approach combines scanning ion conductance microscopy, SICM, and cell-type-specific optogenetic interrogation. Light-excitable cardiac fibroblasts (FB) and myofibroblasts (myoFB) were plated together with non-modified cardiomyocytes (CM) and then paced with periodic illumination. Opto-SICM reveals the extent of FB/myoFB-CM cell-cell contacts and the dynamic changes over time not visible by optical microscopy. FB-CM pairs have lower gap junctional expression of connexin-43 and higher contact dynamism compared to myoFB-CM pairs. The responsiveness of CM to pacing via FB/myoFB depends on the dynamics of the contact but not on the area. The non-responding pairs have higher net cell-cell movement at the contact. These findings are relevant to cardiac disease states, where adverse remodeling leads to abnormal electrical excitation of CM. The Opto-SICM framework can be deployed to offer new insights on cellular and subcellular interactions in various cell types, in real-time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Song
- Imperial College London, Du Cane road, W12 0NN, London, UK
| | | | - Sarah E Schrup
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Julia Gorelik
- Imperial College London, Du Cane road, W12 0NN, London, UK.
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4
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Gruber A, Edri O, Glatstein S, Goldfracht I, Huber I, Arbel G, Gepstein A, Chorna S, Gepstein L. Optogenetic Control of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiac Tissue Models. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e021615. [PMID: 35112880 PMCID: PMC9245811 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.021615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Background Optogenetics, using light‐sensitive proteins, emerged as a unique experimental paradigm to modulate cardiac excitability. We aimed to develop high‐resolution optogenetic approaches to modulate electrical activity in 2‐ and 3‐dimensional cardiac tissue models derived from human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)‐derived cardiomyocytes. Methods and Results To establish light‐controllable cardiac tissue models, opsin‐carrying HEK293 cells, expressing the light‐sensitive cationic‐channel CoChR, were mixed with hiPSC‐cardiomyocytes to generate 2‐dimensional hiPSC‐derived cardiac cell‐sheets or 3‐dimensional engineered heart tissues. Complex illumination patterns were designed with a high‐resolution digital micro‐mirror device. Optical mapping and force measurements were used to evaluate the tissues' electromechanical properties. The ability to optogenetically pace and shape the tissue's conduction properties was demonstrated by using single or multiple illumination stimulation sites, complex illumination patterns, or diffuse illumination. This allowed to establish in vitro models for optogenetic‐based cardiac resynchronization therapy, where the electrical activation could be synchronized (hiPSC‐derived cardiac cell‐sheets and engineered heart tissue models) and contractile properties improved (engineered heart tissues). Next, reentrant activity (rotors) was induced in the hiPSC‐derived cardiac cell‐sheets and engineered heart tissue models through optogenetics programmed‐ or cross‐field stimulations. Diffuse illumination protocols were then used to terminate arrhythmias, demonstrating the potential to study optogenetics cardioversion mechanisms and to identify optimal illumination parameters for arrhythmia termination. Conclusions By combining optogenetics and hiPSC technologies, light‐controllable human cardiac tissue models could be established, in which tissue excitability can be modulated in a functional, reversible, and localized manner. This approach may bring a unique value for physiological/pathophysiological studies, for disease modeling, and for developing optogenetic‐based cardiac pacing, resynchronization, and defibrillation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Gruber
- Sohnis Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative MedicineThe Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research InstituteTechnion‒Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Oded Edri
- Sohnis Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative MedicineThe Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research InstituteTechnion‒Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Shany Glatstein
- Sohnis Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative MedicineThe Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research InstituteTechnion‒Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Idit Goldfracht
- Sohnis Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative MedicineThe Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research InstituteTechnion‒Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Irit Huber
- Sohnis Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative MedicineThe Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research InstituteTechnion‒Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Gil Arbel
- Sohnis Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative MedicineThe Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research InstituteTechnion‒Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Amira Gepstein
- Sohnis Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative MedicineThe Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research InstituteTechnion‒Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Snizhanna Chorna
- Sohnis Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative MedicineThe Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research InstituteTechnion‒Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Lior Gepstein
- Sohnis Research Laboratory for Cardiac Electrophysiology and Regenerative MedicineThe Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research InstituteTechnion‒Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
- Cardiology DepartmentRambam Health Care CampusHaifaIsrael
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5
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Müllenbroich MC, Kelly A, Acker C, Bub G, Bruegmann T, Di Bona A, Entcheva E, Ferrantini C, Kohl P, Lehnart SE, Mongillo M, Parmeggiani C, Richter C, Sasse P, Zaglia T, Sacconi L, Smith GL. Novel Optics-Based Approaches for Cardiac Electrophysiology: A Review. Front Physiol 2021; 12:769586. [PMID: 34867476 PMCID: PMC8637189 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.769586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Optical techniques for recording and manipulating cellular electrophysiology have advanced rapidly in just a few decades. These developments allow for the analysis of cardiac cellular dynamics at multiple scales while largely overcoming the drawbacks associated with the use of electrodes. The recent advent of optogenetics opens up new possibilities for regional and tissue-level electrophysiological control and hold promise for future novel clinical applications. This article, which emerged from the international NOTICE workshop in 2018, reviews the state-of-the-art optical techniques used for cardiac electrophysiological research and the underlying biophysics. The design and performance of optical reporters and optogenetic actuators are reviewed along with limitations of current probes. The physics of light interaction with cardiac tissue is detailed and associated challenges with the use of optical sensors and actuators are presented. Case studies include the use of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and super-resolution microscopy to explore the micro-structure of cardiac cells and a review of two photon and light sheet technologies applied to cardiac tissue. The emergence of cardiac optogenetics is reviewed and the current work exploring the potential clinical use of optogenetics is also described. Approaches which combine optogenetic manipulation and optical voltage measurement are discussed, in terms of platforms that allow real-time manipulation of whole heart electrophysiology in open and closed-loop systems to study optimal ways to terminate spiral arrhythmias. The design and operation of optics-based approaches that allow high-throughput cardiac electrophysiological assays is presented. Finally, emerging techniques of photo-acoustic imaging and stress sensors are described along with strategies for future development and establishment of these techniques in mainstream electrophysiological research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Allen Kelly
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Corey Acker
- Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Gil Bub
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Tobias Bruegmann
- Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Anna Di Bona
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | | | - Peter Kohl
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center and Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stephan E. Lehnart
- Heart Research Center Göttingen, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells” (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marco Mongillo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Richter
- German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Sasse
- Institute of Physiology I, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tania Zaglia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Leonardo Sacconi
- European Laboratory for Nonlinear Spectroscopy, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center and Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, Florence, Italy
| | - Godfrey L. Smith
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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6
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Nicin L, Wagner JUG, Luxán G, Dimmeler S. Fibroblast-mediated intercellular crosstalk in the healthy and diseased heart. FEBS Lett 2021; 596:638-654. [PMID: 34787896 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac fibroblasts constitute a major cell population in the heart. They secrete extracellular matrix components and various other factors shaping the microenvironment of the heart. In silico analysis of intercellular communication based on single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that fibroblasts are the source of the majority of outgoing signals to other cell types. This observation suggests that fibroblasts play key roles in orchestrating cellular interactions that maintain organ homeostasis but that can also contribute to disease states. Here, we will review the current knowledge of fibroblast interactions in the healthy, diseased, and aging heart. We focus on the interactions that fibroblasts establish with other cells of the heart, specifically cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells and immune cells, and particularly those relying on paracrine, electrical, and exosomal communication modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luka Nicin
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Julian U G Wagner
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Guillermo Luxán
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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7
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Li J, Li H, Rao P, Luo J, Wang X, Wang L. Shining light on cardiac electrophysiology: From detection to intervention, from basic research to translational applications. Life Sci 2021; 274:119357. [PMID: 33737082 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias are an important group of cardiovascular diseases, which can occur alone or in association with other cardiovascular diseases. The development of cardiac arrhythmias cannot be separated from changes in cardiac electrophysiology, and the investigation and clarification of cardiac electrophysiological changes are beneficial for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. However, electrical energy-based pacemakers and defibrillators, which are widely used to treat arrhythmias, still have certain disadvantages. Thereby, optics promises to be used for optical manipulation and its use in biomedicine is increasing. Since visible light is readily absorbed and scattered in living tissues and tissue penetration is shallow, optical modulation for cells and tissues requires conversion media that convert light energy into bioelectrical activity. In this regard, fluorescent dyes, light-sensitive ion channels, and optical nanomaterials can assume this role, the corresponding optical mapping technology, optogenetics technology, and optical systems based on luminescent nanomaterials have been introduced into the research in cardiovascular field and are expected to be new tools for the study and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, infrared and near-infrared light has strong tissue penetration, which is one of the excellent options of external trigger for achieving optical modulation, and is also widely used in the study of optical modulation of biological activities. Here, the advantages of optical applications are summarized, the research progresses and emerging applications of optical-based technologies as detection and intervention tools for cardiac electrophysiological are highlighted. Moreover, the prospects for future applications of optics in clinical diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyi Li
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Haitao Li
- Department of Cardiology, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570311, PR China
| | - Panpan Rao
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Junmiao Luo
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China.
| | - Long Wang
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China.
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8
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Kostecki GM, Shi Y, Chen CS, Reich DH, Entcheva E, Tung L. Optogenetic current in myofibroblasts acutely alters electrophysiology and conduction of co-cultured cardiomyocytes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4430. [PMID: 33627695 PMCID: PMC7904933 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83398-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions between cardiac myofibroblasts and myocytes may slow conduction and generate spontaneous beating in fibrosis, increasing the chance of life-threatening arrhythmia. While co-culture studies have shown that myofibroblasts can affect cardiomyocyte electrophysiology in vitro, the extent of myofibroblast-myocyte electrical conductance in a syncytium is unknown. In this neonatal rat study, cardiac myofibroblasts were transduced with Channelrhodopsin-2, which allowed acute and selective increase of myofibroblast current, and plated on top of cardiomyocytes. Optical mapping revealed significantly decreased conduction velocity (- 27 ± 6%, p < 10-3), upstroke rate (- 13 ± 4%, p = 0.002), and action potential duration (- 14 ± 7%, p = 0.004) in co-cultures when 0.017 mW/mm2 light was applied, as well as focal spontaneous beating in 6/7 samples and a decreased cycle length (- 36 ± 18%, p = 0.002) at 0.057 mW/mm2 light. In silico modeling of the experiments reproduced the experimental findings and suggested the light levels used in experiments produced excess current similar in magnitude to endogenous myofibroblast current. Fitting the model to experimental data predicted a tissue-level electrical conductance across the 3-D interface between myofibroblasts and cardiomyocytes of ~ 5 nS/cardiomyocyte, and showed how increased myofibroblast-myocyte conductance, increased myofibroblast/myocyte capacitance ratio, and increased myofibroblast current, which occur in fibrosis, can work in tandem to produce pro-arrhythmic increases in conduction and spontaneous beating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geran M Kostecki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 720 Rutland Ave., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yu Shi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Christopher S Chen
- Biological Design Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel H Reich
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Leslie Tung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 720 Rutland Ave., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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