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Multiparametric Optical Mapping of the Langendorff-perfused Rabbit Heart
Published on: September 13, 2011
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Optical mapping of optogenetically shaped cardiac action potentials.
Sarah A Park1, Shin-Rong Lee2, Leslie Tung2
1Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Scientific Reports
|August 20, 2014
Summary
This study introduces an all-optical system for precise cardiac optogenetics control and action potential mapping. This advancement offers new possibilities for studying cardiac excitability and developing novel therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Optogenetics
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cardiac optogenetics offers a promising complement to traditional electrical stimulation for studying and treating heart conditions.
- Current methods for cardiac optogenetics lack simultaneous high spatio-temporal resolution for both signal acquisition and control.
- Advancing cardiac optogenetics requires integrated systems for real-time optical monitoring and manipulation of cardiac electrical activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an all-optical system for simultaneous optical mapping of action potentials and optogenetic manipulation of cardiac excitability.
- To investigate the efficacy of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and halorhodopsin (eNpHR3.0) in controlling cardiac myocyte activity.
- To explore the potential of ChR2 and eNpHR3.0 in modulating action potential waveforms for studying cardiac arrhythmias like QT syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Combined optical mapping of action potentials with concurrent optogenetic activation of ChR2 and eNpHR3.0 in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM).
- Utilized an all-optical system for simultaneous light-based control and recording of cellular electrical activity.
- Applied the system to monolayers of NRVM to assess spatio-temporal control and waveform modulation.
Main Results:
- Successfully demonstrated simultaneous optical acquisition of action potentials and optogenetic control using an all-optical system.
- Showcased the ability of ChR2 and eNpHR3.0 to modulate cardiac action potential waveforms.
- Validated the system's capability for precise temporal optogenetic manipulation of cardiac excitability in NRVM.
Conclusions:
- The developed all-optical system provides a powerful platform for high spatio-temporal resolution studies in cardiac optogenetics.
- This technology offers enhanced flexibility for investigating cardiac electrophysiology and potential therapeutic interventions.
- The system holds promise for advancing the study of cardiac arrhythmias and developing novel light-based therapies.

