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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Murine Short Axis Ventricular Heart Slices for Electrophysiological Studies
Published on: June 4, 2017
Ventricular slices of adult mouse hearts--a new multicellular in vitro model for electrophysiological studies
Marcel Halbach1, Frank Pillekamp, Konrad Brockmeier
1Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Cologne, Germany.
Aim:
We established a preparation of adult murine ventricular slices suitable for electrophysiological recordings as a new in vitro model of adult myocardium with preserved in vivo tissue structure.
Methods:
Short axis slices (thickness: 150 microm) of adult murine ventricles were prepared with a microtome. Sharp glass electrodes were used for measurements of action potentials (APs) at stimulation frequencies of 2 Hz and 10 Hz. Field potential (FP) recordings by means of microelectrode arrays (MEAs) were performed to map excitation spread.
Results:
APs showed the characteristics of adult murine ventricular APs: (i) a stable resting membrane potential, (ii) a fast upstroke and (iii) a fast phase 1 repolarization. Application of the Na+ channel blocker lidocaine (30 microM) led to a decline of upstroke slope, amplitude and conduction speed. The unspecific K+ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (5 mM) caused a prolongation of APD50. The excitation spread was homogenous throughout the ventricular wall.
Conclusion:
Adult murine ventricular slices are electrophysiologically intact and respond physiologically to cardioactive drugs. Thus, they provide a new multicellular in vitro model of adult cardiac tissue suitable for electrophysiological investigations, which in future could be used to study the functional integration of stem cells transplanted in infarcted hearts in vivo.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel in vitro model using adult murine ventricular slices for electrophysiological studies. This model accurately reflects in vivo cardiac tissue properties and drug responses.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- In Vitro Modeling
Background:
- Adult myocardium electrophysiology is crucial for understanding cardiac function.
- Existing in vitro models often lack the structural integrity of native tissue.
- A need exists for reliable models to study cardiac tissue responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish an in vitro model of adult murine ventricular myocardium.
- To ensure the model preserves in vivo tissue structure for electrophysiological recordings.
- To validate the model's physiological responsiveness to cardioactive drugs.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of short-axis adult murine ventricular slices (150 µm thickness).
- Electrophysiological recordings of action potentials (APs) using sharp glass electrodes.
- Field potential (FP) mapping of excitation spread with microelectrode arrays (MEAs).
Main Results:
- Murine ventricular slices exhibited characteristic adult ventricular APs.
- Pharmacological agents (lidocaine, 4-aminopyridine) produced expected electrophysiological changes.
- Homogenous excitation spread was observed throughout the ventricular wall slices.
Conclusions:
- Adult murine ventricular slices represent a viable, electrophysiologically intact in vitro model.
- The model demonstrates physiological responses to cardioactive drugs.
- This model can be utilized for future investigations, including studying stem cell integration in infarcted hearts.
