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Baines O, Sha R, Kalla M, Holmes AP, Efimov IR, Pavlovic D, O’Shea C. Optical mapping and optogenetics in cardiac electrophysiology research and therapy: a state-of-the-art review. Europace 2024; 26:euae017. [PMID: 38227822 PMCID: PMC10847904 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae017] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
State-of-the-art innovations in optical cardiac electrophysiology are significantly enhancing cardiac research. A potential leap into patient care is now on the horizon. Optical mapping, using fluorescent probes and high-speed cameras, offers detailed insights into cardiac activity and arrhythmias by analysing electrical signals, calcium dynamics, and metabolism. Optogenetics utilizes light-sensitive ion channels and pumps to realize contactless, cell-selective cardiac actuation for modelling arrhythmia, restoring sinus rhythm, and probing complex cell-cell interactions. The merging of optogenetics and optical mapping techniques for 'all-optical' electrophysiology marks a significant step forward. This combination allows for the contactless actuation and sensing of cardiac electrophysiology, offering unprecedented spatial-temporal resolution and control. Recent studies have performed all-optical imaging ex vivo and achieved reliable optogenetic pacing in vivo, narrowing the gap for clinical use. Progress in optical electrophysiology continues at pace. Advances in motion tracking methods are removing the necessity of motion uncoupling, a key limitation of optical mapping. Innovations in optoelectronics, including miniaturized, biocompatible illumination and circuitry, are enabling the creation of implantable cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators with optoelectrical closed-loop systems. Computational modelling and machine learning are emerging as pivotal tools in enhancing optical techniques, offering new avenues for analysing complex data and optimizing therapeutic strategies. However, key challenges remain including opsin delivery, real-time data processing, longevity, and chronic effects of optoelectronic devices. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in optical mapping and optogenetics and outlines the promising future of optics in reshaping cardiac electrophysiology and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Baines
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbastion, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Rina Sha
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbastion, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Manish Kalla
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbastion, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Andrew P Holmes
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbastion, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Igor R Efimov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbastion, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Christopher O’Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbastion, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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2
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Wells SP, Raaijmakers AJ, Curl CL, O’Shea C, Hayes S, Mellor KM, Kalman JM, Kirchhof P, Pavlovic D, Delbridge LM, Bell JR. Localized cardiomyocyte lipid accumulation is associated with slowed epicardial conduction in rats. J Gen Physiol 2023; 155:e202213296. [PMID: 37787979 PMCID: PMC10547601 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202213296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transmural action potential duration differences and transmural conduction gradients aid the synchronization of left ventricular repolarization, reducing vulnerability to transmural reentry and arrhythmias. A high-fat diet and the associated accumulation of pericardial adipose tissue are linked with conduction slowing and greater arrhythmia vulnerability. It is predicted that cardiac adiposity may more readily influence epicardial conduction (versus endocardial) and disrupt normal transmural activation/repolarization gradients. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether transmural conduction gradients are modified in a rat model of pericardial adiposity. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were fed control/high-fat diets for 15 wk. Left ventricular 300 µm tangential slices were generated from the endocardium to the epicardium, and conduction was mapped using microelectrode arrays. Slices were then histologically processed to assess fibrosis and cardiomyocyte lipid status. Conduction velocity was significantly greater in epicardial versus endocardial slices in control rats, supporting the concept of a transmural conduction gradient. High-fat diet feeding increased pericardial adiposity and abolished the transmural conduction gradient. Slowed epicardial conduction in epicardial slices strongly correlated with an increase in cardiomyocyte lipid content, but not fibrosis. The positive transmural conduction gradient reported here represents a physiological property of the ventricular activation sequence that likely protects against reentry. The absence of this gradient, secondary to conduction slowing and cardiomyocyte lipid accumulation, specifically in the epicardium, indicates a novel mechanism by which pericardial adiposity may exacerbate ventricular arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon P. Wells
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Claire L. Curl
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Christopher O’Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sarah Hayes
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Kimberley M. Mellor
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan M. Kalman
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Sciences (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Lea M.D. Delbridge
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - James R. Bell
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
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3
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Ross AJ, Krumova I, Tunc B, Wu Q, Wu C, Camelliti P. A novel method to extend viability and functionality of living heart slices. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1244630. [PMID: 37881724 PMCID: PMC10597746 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1244630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Living heart slices have recently emerged as a powerful experimental model for fundamental cardiac research. By retaining the structure and function of the native myocardium while maintaining the simplicity of cell culture models, heart slices can be easily employed in electrophysiological, pharmacological, biochemical, and structural investigations. One single heart yields many slices (>20 slices for rodents, >100 slices for porcine or human hearts), however due to the low throughput of most assays and rapid slice degeneration within 24 h of preparation, many slices remain unused and are discarded at the end of the preparation day. Here we present a novel method to extend viability and functionality of living heart slices, enabling their use in experiments over several consecutive days following preparation. By combining hypothermic conditions with inhibition of myosin II ATPase using 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM), slices prepared from the left ventricle of porcine hearts remain viable and exhibit preserved contractile function and morphology for up to 6 days. Electrophysiological function was also confirmed over the 6 days by extracellular field potentials recordings. This simple method not only maximizes the use of slices prepared from one single heart, thus reducing the number of animals required, but also increases data reproducibility by allowing multiple electrophysiological, pharmacological, biochemical, and structural studies to be performed from the same heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail J. Ross
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Iva Krumova
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Berfin Tunc
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Qin Wu
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, China
| | - Changhao Wu
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Patrizia Camelliti
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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4
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Wu Q, Ross AJ, Ipek T, Thompson GH, Johnson RD, Wu C, Camelliti P. Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin alter the contractility of living porcine heart slices. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1127388. [PMID: 37214466 PMCID: PMC10196358 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1127388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The cardiotoxicity risk of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin (AZM) has been the subject of intensive research triggered by safety concerns in COVID-19 patients. HCQ and AZM have been associated with QT interval prolongation and drug-induced arrhythmias, however other cardiotoxicity mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Our group has pioneered the living heart slice preparation, an ex-vivo platform that maintains native cardiac tissue architecture and physiological electrical and contractile properties. Here, we evaluated the cardiotoxic effect of HCQ and AZM applied alone or in combination on cardiac contractility by measuring contractile force and contraction kinetics in heart slices prepared from porcine hearts. Our results show that clinically relevant concentrations of HCQ monotherapy (1-10 µM) reduced contractile force and contraction kinetics in porcine slices in a dose-dependent manner. However, AZM monotherapy decreased contractile force and contraction kinetics only at higher concentrations (30 µM). Combination of HCQ and AZM induced a dose-dependent effect similar to HCQ alone. Furthermore, pre-treating porcine heart slices with the L-type calcium channel agonist Bay K8644 prevented the effect of both drugs, while administration of Bay K8644 after drugs interventions largely reversed the effects, suggesting a mechanism involving inhibition of L-type calcium channels. These findings indicate that HCQ and AZM alter cardiac function beyond QT prolongation with significant contractile dysfunction in intact cardiac tissue. Our porcine heart slices provide a powerful platform to investigate mechanisms of drug cardiotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Wu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, China
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Abigail J. Ross
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Tugce Ipek
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Georgina H. Thompson
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert D. Johnson
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Changhao Wu
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Patrizia Camelliti
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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5
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Marchiano S, Nakamura K, Reinecke H, Neidig L, Lai M, Kadota S, Perbellini F, Yang X, Klaiman JM, Blakely LP, Karbassi E, Fields PA, Fenix AM, Beussman KM, Jayabalu A, Kalucki FA, Potter JC, Futakuchi-Tsuchida A, Weber GJ, Dupras S, Tsuchida H, Pabon L, Wang L, Knollmann BC, Kattman S, Thies RS, Sniadecki N, MacLellan WR, Bertero A, Murry CE. Gene editing to prevent ventricular arrhythmias associated with cardiomyocyte cell therapy. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:396-414.e9. [PMID: 37028405 PMCID: PMC10283080 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) offer a promising cell-based therapy for myocardial infarction. However, the presence of transitory ventricular arrhythmias, termed engraftment arrhythmias (EAs), hampers clinical applications. We hypothesized that EA results from pacemaker-like activity of hPSC-CMs associated with their developmental immaturity. We characterized ion channel expression patterns during maturation of transplanted hPSC-CMs and used pharmacology and genome editing to identify those responsible for automaticity in vitro. Multiple engineered cell lines were then transplanted in vivo into uninjured porcine hearts. Abolishing depolarization-associated genes HCN4, CACNA1H, and SLC8A1, along with overexpressing hyperpolarization-associated KCNJ2, creates hPSC-CMs that lack automaticity but contract when externally stimulated. When transplanted in vivo, these cells engrafted and coupled electromechanically with host cardiomyocytes without causing sustained EAs. This study supports the hypothesis that the immature electrophysiological prolife of hPSC-CMs mechanistically underlies EA. Thus, targeting automaticity should improve the safety profile of hPSC-CMs for cardiac remuscularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Marchiano
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Kenta Nakamura
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Hans Reinecke
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Lauren Neidig
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Shin Kadota
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Regenerative Science and Medicine, Shinshu University, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
| | | | - Xiulan Yang
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jordan M Klaiman
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Leslie P Blakely
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Elaheh Karbassi
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Paul A Fields
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | - Aidan M Fenix
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Kevin M Beussman
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 3720 15(th) Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Anu Jayabalu
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Sana Biotechnology, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | - Faith A Kalucki
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Sana Biotechnology, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | - Jennifer C Potter
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Sana Biotechnology, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | - Akiko Futakuchi-Tsuchida
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Sana Biotechnology, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | - Gerhard J Weber
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sarah Dupras
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Sana Biotechnology, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | - Hiroshi Tsuchida
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Sana Biotechnology, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | - Lil Pabon
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Sana Biotechnology, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | - Lili Wang
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Björn C Knollmann
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Steven Kattman
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Sana Biotechnology, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | - R Scott Thies
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Sana Biotechnology, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | - Nathan Sniadecki
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 3720 15(th) Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - W Robb MacLellan
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Alessandro Bertero
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Charles E Murry
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Brotman Building Room 453, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Sana Biotechnology, Seattle, WA 98102, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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6
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Biomimetic cultivation of atrial tissue slices as novel platform for in-vitro atrial arrhythmia studies. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3648. [PMID: 36871094 PMCID: PMC9985600 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30688-8] [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: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Living myocardial slices (LMS) are beating sections of intact human myocardium that maintain 3D microarchitecture and multicellularity, thereby overcoming most limitations of conventional myocardial cell cultures. We introduce a novel method to produce LMS from human atria and apply pacing modalities to bridge the gap between in-vitro and in-vivo atrial arrhythmia studies. Human atrial biopsies from 15 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were dissected to tissue blocks of ~ 1 cm2 and cut to 300 µm thin LMS with a precision-cutting vibratome. LMS were placed in a biomimetic cultivation chamber, filled with standard cell culture medium, under diastolic preload (1 mN) and continuous electrical stimulation (1000 ms cycle length (CL)), resulting in 68 beating LMS. Atrial LMS refractory period was determined at 192 ± 26 ms. Fixed rate pacing with a CL of 333 ms was applied as atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) model. This novel state-of-the-art platform for AT research can be used to investigate arrhythmia mechanisms and test novel therapies.
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7
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Amesz JH, Zhang L, Everts BR, De Groot NMS, Taverne YJHJ. Living myocardial slices: Advancing arrhythmia research. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1076261. [PMID: 36711023 PMCID: PMC9880234 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1076261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Living myocardial slices (LMS) are ultrathin (150-400 µm) sections of intact myocardium that can be used as a comprehensive model for cardiac arrhythmia research. The recent introduction of biomimetic electromechanical cultivation chambers enables long-term cultivation and easy control of living myocardial slices culture conditions. The aim of this review is to present the potential of this biomimetic interface using living myocardial slices in electrophysiological studies outlining advantages, disadvantages and future perspectives of the model. Furthermore, different electrophysiological techniques and their application on living myocardial slices will be discussed. The developments of living myocardial slices in electrophysiology research will hopefully lead to future breakthroughs in the understanding of cardiac arrhythmia mechanisms and the development of novel therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorik H. Amesz
- Translational Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands,Translational Electrophysiology, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lu Zhang
- Translational Electrophysiology, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bian R. Everts
- Translational Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Natasja M. S. De Groot
- Translational Electrophysiology, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Yannick J. H. J. Taverne
- Translational Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Yannick J. H. J. Taverne,
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8
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Ripplinger CM, Glukhov AV, Kay MW, Boukens BJ, Chiamvimonvat N, Delisle BP, Fabritz L, Hund TJ, Knollmann BC, Li N, Murray KT, Poelzing S, Quinn TA, Remme CA, Rentschler SL, Rose RA, Posnack NG. Guidelines for assessment of cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias in small animals. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2022; 323:H1137-H1166. [PMID: 36269644 PMCID: PMC9678409 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00439.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although recent advances in cell-based models, including human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CM), are contributing to our understanding of electrophysiology and arrhythmia mechanisms, preclinical animal studies of cardiovascular disease remain a mainstay. Over the past several decades, animal models of cardiovascular disease have advanced our understanding of pathological remodeling, arrhythmia mechanisms, and drug effects and have led to major improvements in pacing and defibrillation therapies. There exist a variety of methodological approaches for the assessment of cardiac electrophysiology and a plethora of parameters may be assessed with each approach. This guidelines article will provide an overview of the strengths and limitations of several common techniques used to assess electrophysiology and arrhythmia mechanisms at the whole animal, whole heart, and tissue level with a focus on small animal models. We also define key electrophysiological parameters that should be assessed, along with their physiological underpinnings, and the best methods with which to assess these parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal M. Ripplinger
- 1Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California
| | - Alexey V. Glukhov
- 2Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Matthew W. Kay
- 3Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Bastiaan J. Boukens
- 4Department Physiology, University Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands,5Department of Medical Biology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nipavan Chiamvimonvat
- 1Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California,6Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California,7Veterans Affairs Northern California Healthcare System, Mather, California
| | - Brian P. Delisle
- 8Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- 9University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf with DZHK Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Germany,10Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas J. Hund
- 11Department of Internal Medicine, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio,12Department of Biomedical Engineering, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Bjorn C. Knollmann
- 13Vanderbilt Center for Arrhythmia Research and Therapeutics, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Na Li
- 14Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Katherine T. Murray
- 15Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Steven Poelzing
- 16Virginia Tech Carilon School of Medicine, Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia,17Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - T. Alexander Quinn
- 18Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada,19School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Carol Ann Remme
- 20Department of Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Heart Failure and Arrhythmias Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stacey L. Rentschler
- 21Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Robert A. Rose
- 22Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada,23Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nikki G. Posnack
- 24Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia,25Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia
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9
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Maselli D, Matos RS, Johnson RD, Martella D, Caprettini V, Chiappini C, Camelliti P, Campagnolo P. Porcine Organotypic Epicardial Slice Protocol: A Tool for the Study of Epicardium in Cardiovascular Research. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:920013. [PMID: 35924218 PMCID: PMC9339655 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.920013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The epicardium has recently gained interest in the cardiovascular field due to its capacity to support heart regeneration after ischemic injury. Models to study the epicardium of large animals in vitro are limited and mainly based on epicardial cell isolation/differentiation from stem cells, followed by 2D cells culture. In this method paper, we describe the procedure to obtain and culture 3D organotypic heart slices presenting an intact epicardium, as a novel model to study the epicardial physiology and activation. Epicardial slices are obtained from porcine hearts using a high-precision vibratome and retain a healthy epicardial layer embedded in its native extracellular environment and connected with other cardiac cells (cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, vascular cells etc.). Epicardial slices can be cultured for 72 h, providing an ideal model for studying the epicardium physiology or perform pharmacological interventions/gene therapy approaches. We also report on methods to assesses the viability and composition of the epicardial slices, and evaluate their architecture in 3D through tissue decoloration. Finally, we present a potential application for a nanomaterial-based gene transfer method for tracking of epicardial cells within the slice. Crucially, given the similarity in morphology and physiology of porcine heart with its human counterpart, our system provides a platform for translational research while providing a clinically relevant and ethical alternative to the use of small animals in this type of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Maselli
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Rolando S. Matos
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert D. Johnson
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Davide Martella
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valeria Caprettini
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ciro Chiappini
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patrizia Camelliti
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Campagnolo
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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10
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O'Shea C, Winter J, Kabir SN, O'Reilly M, Wells SP, Baines O, Sommerfeld LC, Correia J, Lei M, Kirchhof P, Holmes AP, Fabritz L, Rajpoot K, Pavlovic D. High resolution optical mapping of cardiac electrophysiology in pre-clinical models. Sci Data 2022; 9:135. [PMID: 35361792 PMCID: PMC8971487 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01253-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Optical mapping of animal models is a widely used technique in pre-clinical cardiac research. It has several advantages over other methods, including higher spatial resolution, contactless recording and direct visualisation of action potentials and calcium transients. Optical mapping enables simultaneous study of action potential and calcium transient morphology, conduction dynamics, regional heterogeneity, restitution and arrhythmogenesis. In this dataset, we have optically mapped Langendorff perfused isolated whole hearts (mouse and guinea pig) and superfused isolated atria (mouse). Raw datasets (consisting of over 400 files) can be combined with open-source software for processing and analysis. We have generated a comprehensive post-processed dataset characterising the baseline cardiac electrophysiology in these widely used pre-clinical models. This dataset also provides reference information detailing the effect of heart rate, clinically used anti-arrhythmic drugs, ischaemia-reperfusion and sympathetic nervous stimulation on cardiac electrophysiology. The effects of these interventions can be studied in a global or regional manner, enabling new insights into the prevention and initiation of arrhythmia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher O'Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| | - James Winter
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - S Nashitha Kabir
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Molly O'Reilly
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Simon P Wells
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Olivia Baines
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Laura C Sommerfeld
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, UKE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joao Correia
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ming Lei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Centre, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, UKE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrew P Holmes
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Centre, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, UKE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kashif Rajpoot
- School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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11
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Yang B, Jiang Q, He S, Li T, Ou X, Chen T, Fan X, Jiang F, Zeng X, Huang CLH, Lei M, Tan X. Ventricular SK2 upregulation following angiotensin II challenge: Modulation by p21-activated kinase-1. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2022; 164:110-125. [PMID: 34774547 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Effects of hypertrophic challenge on small-conductance, Ca2+-activated K+(SK2) channel expression were explored in intact murine hearts, isolated ventricular myocytes and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs). An established experimental platform applied angiotensin II (Ang II) challenge in the presence and absence of reduced p21-activated kinase (PAK1) (PAK1cko vs. PAK1f/f, or shRNA-PAK1 interference) expression. SK2 current contributions were detected through their sensitivity to apamin block. Ang II treatment increased such SK2 contributions to optically mapped action potential durations (APD80) and their heterogeneity, and to patch-clamp currents. Such changes were accentuated in PAK1cko compared to PAK1f/f, intact hearts and isolated cardiomyocytes. They paralleled increased histological and echocardiographic hypertrophic indices, reduced cardiac contractility, and increased SK2 protein expression, changes similarly greater with PAK1cko than PAK1f/f. In NRCMs, Ang II challenge replicated such increases in apamin-sensitive SK patch clamp currents as well as in real-time PCR and western blot measures of SK2 mRNA and protein expression and cell hypertrophy. Furthermore, the latter were enhanced by shRNA-PAK1 interference and mitigated by the PAK1 agonist FTY720. Increased CaMKII and CREB phosphorylation accompanied these effects. These were rescued by both FTY720 as well as the CaMKII inhibitor KN93, but not its inactive analogue KN92. Such CREB then specifically bound to the KCNN2 promoter sequence in luciferase assays. These findings associate Ang II induced hypertrophy with increased SK2 expression brought about by a CaMKII/CREB signaling convergent with the PAK1 pathway thence upregulating the KCNN2 promoter activity. SK2 may then influence cardiac electrophysiology under conditions of cardiac hypertrophy and failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of the Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China; Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration Laboratory, The Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Qin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of the Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China; Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Shicheng He
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of the Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China; Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Tao Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of the Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Xianhong Ou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of the Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Tangting Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of the Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Xuehui Fan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of the Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Xiaorong Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of the Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Christopher L-H Huang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of the Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China; Physiological Laboratory and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Ming Lei
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of the Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China; Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK.
| | - Xiaoqiu Tan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of the Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China; Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China.
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12
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Cumberland MJ, Riebel LL, Roy A, O’Shea C, Holmes AP, Denning C, Kirchhof P, Rodriguez B, Gehmlich K. Basic Research Approaches to Evaluate Cardiac Arrhythmia in Heart Failure and Beyond. Front Physiol 2022; 13:806366. [PMID: 35197863 PMCID: PMC8859441 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.806366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with heart failure often develop cardiac arrhythmias. The mechanisms and interrelations linking heart failure and arrhythmias are not fully understood. Historically, research into arrhythmias has been performed on affected individuals or in vivo (animal) models. The latter however is constrained by interspecies variation, demands to reduce animal experiments and cost. Recent developments in in vitro induced pluripotent stem cell technology and in silico modelling have expanded the number of models available for the evaluation of heart failure and arrhythmia. An agnostic approach, combining the modalities discussed here, has the potential to improve our understanding for appraising the pathology and interactions between heart failure and arrhythmia and can provide robust and validated outcomes in a variety of research settings. This review discusses the state of the art models, methodologies and techniques used in the evaluation of heart failure and arrhythmia and will highlight the benefits of using them in combination. Special consideration is paid to assessing the pivotal role calcium handling has in the development of heart failure and arrhythmia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max J. Cumberland
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Leto L. Riebel
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ashwin Roy
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher O’Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P. Holmes
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Denning
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, Biodiscovery Institute, British Heart Foundation Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- University Heart and Vascular Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Blanca Rodriguez
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Katja Gehmlich
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford and British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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13
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Maselli D, Matos RS, Johnson RD, Chiappini C, Camelliti P, Campagnolo P. Epicardial slices: an innovative 3D organotypic model to study epicardial cell physiology and activation. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:7. [PMID: 35039552 PMCID: PMC8764051 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-021-00202-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The epicardium constitutes an untapped reservoir for cardiac regeneration. Upon heart injury, the adult epicardium re-activates, leading to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and differentiation. While interesting mechanistic and therapeutic findings arose from lower vertebrates and rodent models, the introduction of an experimental system representative of large mammals would undoubtedly facilitate translational advancements. Here, we apply innovative protocols to obtain living 3D organotypic epicardial slices from porcine hearts, encompassing the epicardial/myocardial interface. In culture, our slices preserve the in vivo architecture and functionality, presenting a continuous epicardium overlaying a healthy and connected myocardium. Upon thymosin β4 treatment of the slices, the epicardial cells become activated, upregulating epicardial and EMT genes, resulting in epicardial cell mobilization and differentiation into epicardial-derived mesenchymal cells. Our 3D organotypic model enables to investigate the reparative potential of the adult epicardium, offering an advanced tool to explore ex vivo the complex 3D interactions occurring within the native heart environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Maselli
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences & Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - R S Matos
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences & Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - R D Johnson
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences & Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - C Chiappini
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, SE1 9RT, London, United Kingdom
| | - P Camelliti
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences & Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - P Campagnolo
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences & Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK.
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14
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He S, Kou K, O'Shea C, Chen T, Mu-U-Min R, Dong R, Ren H, Zhou X, Fan Z, Tan X, Pavlovic D, Ou X, Lei M. A dataset of dual calcium and voltage optical mapping in healthy and hypertrophied murine hearts. Sci Data 2021; 8:314. [PMID: 34916511 PMCID: PMC8677726 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-021-01085-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological hypertrophy underlies sudden cardiac death due to its high incidence of occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias. The alteration of transmural electrophysiological properties in hypertrophic cardiac murine tissue has never been explored previously. In this dataset, we have for the first time conducted high-throughput simultaneous optical imaging of transmembrane potential and calcium transients (CaT) throughout the entire hypertrophic murine hearts at high temporal and spatial resolution. Using ElectroMap, we have conducted multiple parameters analysis including action potential duration/calcium transient duration, conduction velocity, alternans and diastolic interval. Voltage-calcium latency was measured as time difference between action potential and CaT peak. The dataset therefore provides the first high spatial resolution transmural electrophysiological profiling of the murine heart, allowing interrogation of mechanisms driving ventricular arrhythmias associated with pathological hypertrophy. The dataset allows for further reuse and detailed analyses of geometrical, topological and functional analyses and reconstruction of 2-dimensional and 3-dimentional models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shicheng He
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Kun Kou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Christopher O'Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Tangting Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Razik Mu-U-Min
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ruirui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Huiying Ren
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhongcai Fan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqiu Tan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Xianhong Ou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
| | - Ming Lei
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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15
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Borysova L, Ng YYH, Wragg ES, Wallis LE, Fay E, Ascione R, Dora KA. High spatial and temporal resolution Ca 2+ imaging of myocardial strips from human, pig and rat. Nat Protoc 2021; 16:4650-4675. [PMID: 34400840 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-021-00590-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ca2+ handling within cardiac myocytes underpins coordinated contractile function within the beating heart. This protocol enables high spatial and temporal Ca2+ imaging of ex vivo multicellular myocardial strips. The endocardial surface is retained, and strips of 150-300-µm thickness are dissected, loaded with Ca2+ indicators and mounted within 1.5 h. A list of the equipment and reagents used and the key methodological aspects allowing the use of this technique on strips from any chamber of the mammalian heart are described. We have successfully used this protocol on human, pig and rat biopsy samples. On use of this protocol with intact endocardial endothelium, we demonstrated that the myocytes develop asynchronous spontaneous Ca2+ events, which can be ablated by electrically evoked Ca2+ transients, and subsequently redevelop spontaneously after cessation of stimulation. This protocol thus offers a rapid and reliable method for studying the Ca2+ signaling underpinning cardiomyocyte contraction, in both healthy and diseased tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyudmyla Borysova
- Vascular Pharmacology Group, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Y Y Hanson Ng
- Vascular Pharmacology Group, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Edward S Wragg
- Vascular Pharmacology Group, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lillian E Wallis
- Vascular Pharmacology Group, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Emily Fay
- Vascular Pharmacology Group, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Raimondo Ascione
- Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Royal Infirmary, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kim A Dora
- Vascular Pharmacology Group, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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16
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Fusco-Allison G, Li DK, Hunter B, Jackson D, Bannon PG, Lal S, O'Sullivan JF. Optimizing the discovery and assessment of therapeutic targets in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. ESC Heart Fail 2021; 8:3643-3655. [PMID: 34342166 PMCID: PMC8497375 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.13504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for models that faithfully replicate heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), now recognized as the most common form of heart failure in the world. In vitro approaches have several shortcomings, most notably the immature nature of stem cell‐derived human cardiomyocytes [induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)] and the relatively short lifespan of primary cardiomyocytes. Three‐dimensional ‘organoids’ incorporating mature iPSCs with other cell types such as endothelial cells and fibroblasts are a significant advance, but lack the complexity of true myocardium. Animal models can replicate many features of human HFpEF, and rodent models are the most common, and recent attempts to incorporate haemodynamic, metabolic, and ageing contributions are encouraging. Differences relating to species, physiology, heart rate, and heart size are major limitations for rodent models. Porcine models mitigate many of these shortcomings and approximate human physiology more closely, but cost and time considerations limit their potential for widespread use. Ex vivo analysis of failing hearts from animal models offer intriguing possibilities regarding cardiac substrate utilisation, but are ultimately subject to the same constrains as the animal models from which the hearts are obtained. Ex vivo approaches using human myocardial biopsies can uncover new insights into pathobiology leveraging myocardial energetics, substrate turnover, molecular changes, and systolic/diastolic function. In collaboration with a skilled cardiothoracic surgeon, left ventricular endomyocardial biopsies can be obtained at the time of valvular surgery in HFpEF patients. Critically, these tissues maintain their disease phenotype, preserving inter‐relationship of myocardial cells and extracellular matrix. This review highlights a novel approach, where ultra‐thin myocardial tissue slices from human HFpEF hearts can be used to assess changes in myocardial structure and function. We discuss current approaches to modelling HFpEF, describe in detail the novel tissue slice model, expand on exciting opportunities this model provides, and outline ways to improve this model further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Fusco-Allison
- Precision Cardiovascular Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Heart Research Institute, Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Desmond K Li
- Precision Cardiovascular Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Heart Research Institute, Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Benjamin Hunter
- Precision Cardiovascular Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dan Jackson
- Precision Cardiovascular Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Discipline of Surgery, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul G Bannon
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Discipline of Surgery, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sean Lal
- Precision Cardiovascular Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John F O'Sullivan
- Precision Cardiovascular Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Heart Research Institute, Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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17
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Dries E, Bardi I, Nunez-Toldra R, Meijlink B, Terracciano CM. CaMKII inhibition reduces arrhythmogenic Ca2+ events in subendocardial cryoinjured rat living myocardial slices. J Gen Physiol 2021; 153:212078. [PMID: 33956073 PMCID: PMC8105719 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202012737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous Ca2+ release (SCR) can cause triggered activity and initiate arrhythmias. Intrinsic transmural heterogeneities in Ca2+ handling and their propensity to disease remodeling may differentially modulate SCR throughout the left ventricular (LV) wall and cause transmural differences in arrhythmia susceptibility. Here, we aimed to dissect the effect of cardiac injury on SCR in different regions in the intact LV myocardium using cryoinjury on rat living myocardial slices (LMS). We studied SCR under proarrhythmic conditions using a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator and high-resolution imaging in LMS from the subendocardium (ENDO) and subepicardium (EPI). Cryoinjury caused structural remodeling, with loss in T-tubule density and an increased time of Ca2+ transients to peak after injury. In ENDO LMS, the Ca2+ transient amplitude and decay phase were reduced, while these were not affected in EPI LMS after cryoinjury. The frequency of spontaneous whole-slice contractions increased in ENDO LMS without affecting EPI LMS after injury. Cryoinjury caused an increase in foci that generates SCR in both ENDO and EPI LMS. In ENDO LMS, SCRs were more closely distributed and had reduced latencies after cryoinjury, whereas this was not affected in EPI LMS. Inhibition of CaMKII reduced the number, distribution, and latencies of SCR, as well as whole-slice contractions in ENDO LMS, but not in EPI LMS after cryoinjury. Furthermore, CaMKII inhibition did not affect the excitation–contraction coupling in cryoinjured ENDO or EPI LMS. In conclusion, we demonstrate increased arrhythmogenic susceptibility in the injured ENDO. Our findings show involvement of CaMKII and highlight the need for region-specific targeting in cardiac therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eef Dries
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Lab of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ifigeneia Bardi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Bram Meijlink
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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18
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Biasci V, Sacconi L, Cytrynbaum EN, Pijnappels DA, De Coster T, Shrier A, Glass L, Bub G. Universal mechanisms for self-termination of rapid cardiac rhythm. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2020; 30:121107. [PMID: 33380016 DOI: 10.1063/5.0033813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Excitable media sustain circulating waves. In the heart, sustained circulating waves can lead to serious impairment or even death. To investigate factors affecting the stability of such waves, we have used optogenetic techniques to stimulate a region at the apex of a mouse heart at a fixed delay after the detection of excitation at the base of the heart. For long delays, rapid circulating rhythms can be sustained, whereas for shorter delays, there are paroxysmal bursts of activity that start and stop spontaneously. By considering the dependence of the action potential and conduction velocity on the preceding recovery time using restitution curves, as well as the reduced excitability (fatigue) due to the rapid excitation, we model prominent features of the dynamics including alternation of the duration of the excited phases and conduction times, as well as termination of the bursts for short delays. We propose that this illustrates universal mechanisms that exist in biological systems for the self-termination of such activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Biasci
- Division of Physiology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Leonardo Sacconi
- National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Eric N Cytrynbaum
- Department of Mathematics, UBC, Vancouver British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Daniël A Pijnappels
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tim De Coster
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alvin Shrier
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Leon Glass
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Gil Bub
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
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19
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Liu Z, Klose K, Neuber S, Jiang M, Gossen M, Stamm C. Comparative analysis of adeno-associated virus serotypes for gene transfer in organotypic heart slices. J Transl Med 2020; 18:437. [PMID: 33208161 PMCID: PMC7673099 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02605-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vectors derived from adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are widely used for gene transfer both in vitro and in vivo and have gained increasing interest as shuttle systems to deliver therapeutic genes to the heart. However, there is little information on their tissue penetration and cytotoxicity, as well as the optimal AAV serotype for transferring genes to diseased hearts. Therefore, we aimed to establish an organotypic heart slice culture system for mouse left ventricular (LV) myocardium and use this platform to analyze gene transfer efficiency, cell tropism, and toxicity of different AAV serotypes. Methods LV tissue slices, 300 µm thick, were prepared from 15- to 17-day-old transgenic alpha-myosin heavy-chain-mCherry mice using a vibrating microtome. Tissue slice viability in air-liquid culture was evaluated by calcein-acetoxymethyl ester staining, mCherry fluorescence intensity, and the tetrazolium assay. Four recombinant AAV serotypes (1, 2, 6, 8) expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the CAG promoter were added to the slice surface. Gene transfer efficiency was quantified as the number of GFP-positive cells per slice. AAV cell tropism was examined by comparing the number of GFP-positive cardiomyocytes (CMs) and fibroblasts within heart slices. Results Slices retained viability in in vitro culture for at least 5 days. After adding AAV particles, AAV6-infected slices showed the highest number of GFP-expressing cells, almost exclusively CMs. Slice incubation with AAV1, 2, and 8 resulted in fewer GFP-positive cells, with AAV2 having the lowest gene transfer efficiency. None of the AAV serotypes tested caused significant cytotoxicity when compared to non-infected control slices. Conclusions We have established a readily available mouse organotypic heart slice culture model and provided evidence that AAV6 may be a promising gene therapy vector for heart failure and other cardiac diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihou Liu
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristin Klose
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Neuber
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Meng Jiang
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manfred Gossen
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Biomaterial Science, Teltow, Germany
| | - Christof Stamm
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. .,Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany. .,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany. .,Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Biomaterial Science, Teltow, Germany.
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20
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Oliván-Viguera A, Pérez-Zabalza M, García-Mendívil L, Mountris KA, Orós-Rodrigo S, Ramos-Marquès E, Vallejo-Gil JM, Fresneda-Roldán PC, Fañanás-Mastral J, Vázquez-Sancho M, Matamala-Adell M, Sorribas-Berjón F, Bellido-Morales JA, Mancebón-Sierra FJ, Vaca-Núñez AS, Ballester-Cuenca C, Marigil MÁ, Pastor C, Ordovás L, Köhler R, Diez E, Pueyo E. Minimally invasive system to reliably characterize ventricular electrophysiology from living donors. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19941. [PMID: 33203905 PMCID: PMC7673124 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77076-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac tissue slices preserve the heterogeneous structure and multicellularity of the myocardium and allow its functional characterization. However, access to human ventricular samples is scarce. We aim to demonstrate that slices from small transmural core biopsies collected from living donors during routine cardiac surgery preserve structural and functional properties of larger myocardial specimens, allowing accurate electrophysiological characterization. In pigs, we compared left ventricular transmural core biopsies with transmural tissue blocks from the same ventricular region. In humans, we analyzed transmural biopsies and papillary muscles from living donors. All tissues were vibratome-sliced. By histological analysis of the transmural biopsies, we showed that tissue architecture and cellular organization were preserved. Enzymatic and vital staining methods verified viability. Optically mapped transmembrane potentials confirmed that action potential duration and morphology were similar in pig biopsies and tissue blocks. Action potential morphology and duration in human biopsies and papillary muscles agreed with published ranges. In both pigs and humans, responses to increasing pacing frequencies and β-adrenergic stimulation were similar in transmural biopsies and larger tissues. We show that it is possible to successfully collect and characterize tissue slices from human myocardial biopsies routinely extracted from living donors, whose behavior mimics that of larger myocardial preparations both structurally and electrophysiologically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Oliván-Viguera
- Biomedical Signal Interpretation and Computational Simulation (BSICoS) Group, Aragón, Institute of Engineering Research (I3A) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, University of Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - María Pérez-Zabalza
- Biomedical Signal Interpretation and Computational Simulation (BSICoS) Group, Aragón, Institute of Engineering Research (I3A) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, University of Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura García-Mendívil
- Biomedical Signal Interpretation and Computational Simulation (BSICoS) Group, Aragón, Institute of Engineering Research (I3A) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, University of Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Konstantinos A Mountris
- Biomedical Signal Interpretation and Computational Simulation (BSICoS) Group, Aragón, Institute of Engineering Research (I3A) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, University of Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sofía Orós-Rodrigo
- Biomedical Signal Interpretation and Computational Simulation (BSICoS) Group, Aragón, Institute of Engineering Research (I3A) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, University of Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Estel Ramos-Marquès
- Biomedical Signal Interpretation and Computational Simulation (BSICoS) Group, Aragón, Institute of Engineering Research (I3A) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, University of Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - José María Vallejo-Gil
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Javier Fañanás-Mastral
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Manuel Vázquez-Sancho
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Marta Matamala-Adell
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Laura Ordovás
- Biomedical Signal Interpretation and Computational Simulation (BSICoS) Group, Aragón, Institute of Engineering Research (I3A) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, University of Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.,Aragón Agency for Research and Development (ARAID), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ralf Köhler
- Aragón Institute of Health Sciences (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain.,Aragón Agency for Research and Development (ARAID), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Emiliano Diez
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Biology of Cuyo (IMBECU), CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Esther Pueyo
- Biomedical Signal Interpretation and Computational Simulation (BSICoS) Group, Aragón, Institute of Engineering Research (I3A) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, University of Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.,Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain
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21
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O'Shea C, Kabir SN, Holmes AP, Lei M, Fabritz L, Rajpoot K, Pavlovic D. Cardiac optical mapping - State-of-the-art and future challenges. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2020; 126:105804. [PMID: 32681973 PMCID: PMC7456775 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2020.105804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac optical mapping is a fluorescent imaging method to study electrical behaviour and calcium handling in the heart. Optical mapping provides higher spatio-temporal resolution than electrode techniques, allowing unique insights into cardiac electrophysiology in health and disease from a variety of pre-clinical models. Both transmembrane voltage and intracellular calcium dynamics can be studied with the use of appropriate fluorescent dyes. Optical mapping has traditionally required the use of mechanical uncouplers, however computational and technical developments have lessened the requirement for these agents. Novel fluorescent dyes have been developed to optimise spectral properties, experimental timescales, biological compatibility and fluorescence output. The combination of these developments has made possible novel mapping experiments, including recent in vivo application of the technique.
Cardiac optical mapping utilises fluorescent dyes to directly image the electrical function of the heart at a high spatio-temporal resolution which far exceeds electrode techniques. It has therefore become an invaluable tool in cardiac electrophysiological research to map the propagation of heterogeneous electrical signals across the myocardium. In this review, we introduce the principles behind cardiac optical mapping and discuss some of the challenges and state of the art in the field. Key advancements discussed include newly developed fluorescent indicators, tools for the analysis of complex datasets, panoramic imaging systems and technical and computational approaches to realise optical mapping in freely beating hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher O'Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - S Nashitha Kabir
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Andrew P Holmes
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ming Lei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Department Cardiology, University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Kashif Rajpoot
- School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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22
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Pitoulis FG, Watson SA, Perbellini F, Terracciano CM. Myocardial slices come to age: an intermediate complexity in vitro cardiac model for translational research. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 116:1275-1287. [PMID: 31868875 PMCID: PMC7243278 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvz341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although past decades have witnessed significant reductions in mortality of heart failure together with advances in our understanding of its cellular, molecular, and whole-heart features, a lot of basic cardiac research still fails to translate into clinical practice. In this review we examine myocardial slices, a novel model in the translational arena. Myocardial slices are living ultra-thin sections of heart tissue. Slices maintain the myocardium's native function (contractility, electrophysiology) and structure (multicellularity, extracellular matrix) and can be prepared from animal and human tissue. The discussion begins with the history and current advances in the model, the different interlaboratory methods of preparation and their potential impact on results. We then contextualize slices' advantages and limitations by comparing it with other cardiac models. Recently, sophisticated methods have enabled slices to be cultured chronically in vitro while preserving the functional and structural phenotype. This is more timely now than ever where chronic physiologically relevant in vitro platforms for assessment of therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. We interrogate the technological developments that have permitted this, their limitations, and future directions. Finally, we look into the general obstacles faced by the translational field, and how implementation of research systems utilizing slices could help in resolving these.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fotios G Pitoulis
- Laboratory of Cell Electrophysiology, Department of Myocardial Function, Imperial College London, National Heart and Lung Institute, 4th Floor ICTEM Building Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Samuel A Watson
- Laboratory of Cell Electrophysiology, Department of Myocardial Function, Imperial College London, National Heart and Lung Institute, 4th Floor ICTEM Building Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Filippo Perbellini
- Laboratory of Cell Electrophysiology, Department of Myocardial Function, Imperial College London, National Heart and Lung Institute, 4th Floor ICTEM Building Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover, Germany
| | - Cesare M Terracciano
- Laboratory of Cell Electrophysiology, Department of Myocardial Function, Imperial College London, National Heart and Lung Institute, 4th Floor ICTEM Building Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
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23
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Wells SP, Waddell HM, Sim CB, Lim SY, Bernasochi GB, Pavlovic D, Kirchhof P, Porrello ER, Delbridge LMD, Bell JR. Cardiomyocyte functional screening: interrogating comparative electrophysiology of high-throughput model cell systems. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2019; 317:C1256-C1267. [PMID: 31577512 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00306.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias of both atrial and ventricular origin are an important feature of cardiovascular disease. Novel antiarrhythmic therapies are required to overcome current drug limitations related to effectiveness and pro-arrhythmia risk in some contexts. Cardiomyocyte culture models provide a high-throughput platform for screening antiarrhythmic compounds, but comparative information about electrophysiological properties of commonly used types of cardiomyocyte preparations is lacking. Standardization of cultured cardiomyocyte microelectrode array (MEA) experimentation is required for its application as a high-throughput platform for antiarrhythmic drug development. The aim of this study was to directly compare the electrophysiological properties and responses to isoproterenol of three commonly used cardiac cultures. Neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs), immortalized atrial HL-1 cells, and custom-generated human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) were cultured on microelectrode arrays for 48-120 h. Extracellular field potentials were recorded, and conduction velocity was mapped in the presence/absence of the β-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol (1 µM). Field potential amplitude and conduction velocity were greatest in NRVMs and did not differ in cardiomyocytes isolated from male/female hearts. Both NRVMs and hiPSC-CMs exhibited longer field potential durations with rate dependence and were responsive to isoproterenol. In contrast, HL-1 cells exhibited slower conduction and shorter field potential durations and did not respond to 1 µM isoproterenol. This is the first study to compare the intrinsic electrophysiologic properties of cultured cardiomyocyte preparations commonly used for in vitro electrophysiology assessment. These findings offer important comparative data to inform methodological approaches in the use of MEA and other techniques relating to cardiomyocyte functional screening investigations of particular relevance to arrhythmogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon P Wells
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Helen M Waddell
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Choon Boon Sim
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shiang Y Lim
- St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.,Departments of Medicine and Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gabriel B Bernasochi
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Departments of Cardiology, University Hospitals Birmingham and Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals National Health Service Trusts, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Enzo R Porrello
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lea M D Delbridge
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - James R Bell
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
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24
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Two-photon excitation of FluoVolt allows improved interrogation of transmural electrophysiological function in the intact mouse heart. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 154:11-20. [PMID: 31492464 PMCID: PMC7322535 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2019.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Two-photon excitation of voltage sensitive dyes (VSDs) can measure rapidly changing electrophysiological signals deep within intact cardiac tissue with improved three-dimensional resolution along with reduced photobleaching and photo-toxicity compared to conventional confocal microscopy. Recently, a category of VSDs has emerged which records membrane potentials by photo-induced electron transfer. FluoVolt is a novel VSD in this category which promises fast response and a 25% fractional change in fluorescence per 100 mV, making it an attractive optical probe for action potential (AP) recordings within intact cardiac tissue. The purpose of this study was to characterize the fluorescent properties of FluoVolt as well as its utility for deep tissue imaging. METHODS Discrete tissue layers throughout the left ventricular wall of isolated perfused murine hearts loaded with FluoVolt or di-4-ANEPPS were sequentially excited with two-photon microscopy. RESULTS FluoVolt loaded hearts suffered significantly fewer episodes of atrio-ventricular block compared to di-4-ANEPPS loaded hearts, indicating comparatively low toxicity of FluoVolt in the intact heart. APs recorded with FluoVolt were characterized by a lower signal-to-noise ratio and a higher dynamic range compared to APs recorded with di-4-ANEPPS. Although both depolarization and repolarization parameters were similar in APs recorded with either dye, FluoVolt allowed deeper tissue excitation with improved three-dimensional resolution due to reduced out-of-focus fluorescence generation under two-photon excitation. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate several advantages of two-photon excitation of FluoVolt in functional studies in intact heart preparations, including reduced toxicity and improved fluorescent properties.
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25
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Dong R, Mu-u-min R, Reith AJM, O’Shea C, He S, Duan K, Kou K, Grassam-Rowe A, Tan X, Pavlovic D, Ou X, Lei M. A Protocol for Dual Calcium-Voltage Optical Mapping in Murine Sinoatrial Preparation With Optogenetic Pacing. Front Physiol 2019; 10:954. [PMID: 31456689 PMCID: PMC6698704 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the animal models for studying the molecular basis of atrial and sinoatrial node (SAN) biology and disease, the mouse is a widely used species due to its feasibility for genetic modifications in genes encoding ion channels or calcium handling and signaling proteins in the heart. It is therefore highly valuable to develop robust methodologies for studying SAN and atrial electrophysiological function in this species. Here, we describe a protocol for performing dual calcium-voltage optical mapping on mouse sinoatrial preparation (SAP), in combination with an optogenetic approach, for studying SAP membrane potential, intracellular Ca2+ transients, and pacemaker activity. The protocol includes the details for preparing the intact SAP, robust tissue dual-dye loading, light-programmed pacing, and high-resolution optical mapping. Our protocol provides an example of use of the combination of optogenetic and optical mapping techniques for investigating SAP membrane potential and intracellular Ca2+ transients and pacemaker activity with high temporal and spatial resolution in specific cardiac tissues. Thus, our protocol provides a useful tool for studying SAP physiology and pathophysiology in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruirui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Razik Mu-u-min
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Christopher O’Shea
- Institute for Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Shicheng He
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Kaizhong Duan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kun Kou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | | | - Xiaoqiu Tan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute for Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Xianhong Ou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Ming Lei
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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He S, Wen Q, O’Shea C, Mu-u-min R, Kou K, Grassam-Rowe A, Liu Y, Fan Z, Tan X, Ou X, Camelliti P, Pavlovic D, Lei M. A Protocol for Transverse Cardiac Slicing and Optical Mapping in Murine Heart. Front Physiol 2019; 10:755. [PMID: 31293436 PMCID: PMC6603341 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Thin living tissue slices have recently emerged as a new tissue model for cardiac electrophysiological research. Slices can be produced from human cardiac tissue, in addition to small and large mammalian hearts, representing a powerful in vitro model system for preclinical and translational heart research. In the present protocol, we describe a detailed mouse heart transverse slicing and optical imaging methodology. The use of this technology for high-throughput optical imaging allows study of electrophysiology of murine hearts in an organotypic pseudo two-dimensional model. The slices are cut at right angles to the long axis of the heart, permitting robust interrogation of transmembrane potential (Vm) and calcium transients (CaT) throughout the entire heart with exceptional regional precision. This approach enables the use of a series of slices prepared from the ventricles to measure Vm and CaT with high temporal and spatial resolution, allowing (i) comparison of successive slices which form a stack representing the original geometry of the heart; (ii) profiling of transmural and regional gradients in Vm and CaT in the ventricle; (iii) characterization of transmural and regional profiles of action potential and CaT alternans under stress (e.g., high frequency pacing or β-adrenergic stimulation) or pathological conditions (e.g., hypertrophy). Thus, the protocol described here provides a powerful platform for innovative research on electrical and calcium handling heterogeneity within the heart. It can be also combined with optogenetic technology to carry out optical stimulation; aiding studies of cellular Vm and CaT in a cell type specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. He
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Q. Wen
- Institute of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - C. O’Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - R. Mu-u-min
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - K. Kou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - A. Grassam-Rowe
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Y. Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Z. Fan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - X. Tan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - X. Ou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - P. Camelliti
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - D. Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - M. Lei
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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27
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O’Shea C, Holmes AP, Winter J, Correia J, Ou X, Dong R, He S, Kirchhof P, Fabritz L, Rajpoot K, Pavlovic D. Cardiac Optogenetics and Optical Mapping - Overcoming Spectral Congestion in All-Optical Cardiac Electrophysiology. Front Physiol 2019; 10:182. [PMID: 30899227 PMCID: PMC6416196 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetic control of the heart is an emergent technology that offers unparalleled spatio-temporal control of cardiac dynamics via light-sensitive ion pumps and channels (opsins). This fast-evolving technique holds broad scope in both clinical and basic research setting. Combination of optogenetics with optical mapping of voltage or calcium fluorescent probes facilitates 'all-optical' electrophysiology, allowing precise optogenetic actuation of cardiac tissue with high spatio-temporal resolution imaging of action potential and calcium transient morphology and conduction patterns. In this review, we provide a synopsis of optogenetics and discuss in detail its use and compatibility with optical interrogation of cardiac electrophysiology. We briefly discuss the benefits of all-optical cardiac control and electrophysiological interrogation compared to traditional techniques, and describe mechanisms, unique features and limitations of optically induced cardiac control. In particular, we focus on state-of-the-art setup design, challenges in light delivery and filtering, and compatibility of opsins with fluorescent reporters used in optical mapping. The interaction of cardiac tissue with light, and physical and computational approaches to overcome the 'spectral congestion' that arises from the combination of optogenetics and optical mapping are discussed. Finally, we summarize recent preclinical work applications of combined cardiac optogenetics and optical mapping approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher O’Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Physical Sciences for Health, School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P. Holmes
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - James Winter
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Joao Correia
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Xianhong Ou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease/Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Ruirui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease/Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Shicheng He
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease/Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Cardiology, UHB NHS Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Cardiology, UHB NHS Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kashif Rajpoot
- School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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28
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Ripplinger CM. The best thing since sliced bread? Optical mapping of transverse cardiac slices in the mouse heart. J Physiol 2018; 596:3825-3826. [PMID: 29974471 PMCID: PMC6117585 DOI: 10.1113/jp276669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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