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Electromechanical Assessment of Optogenetically Modulated Cardiomyocyte Activity
Published on: March 5, 2020
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Optogenetic Engineering of Atrial Cardiomyocytes
Iolanda Feola1, Alexander Teplenin1, Antoine A F de Vries1,2
1Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Heart Lung Center Leiden, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|March 12, 2016
Summary
Optogenetics enables precise control of cardiac cell electrical activity using light-sensitive proteins. This study details modifying atrial cardiomyocytes in rats with lentiviral vectors and activating them with light-emitting diodes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Optogenetics is an innovative technique for controlling cell function with light.
- It offers high spatiotemporal resolution for studying biological processes.
- Its application in cardiology is a rapidly developing area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the optogenetic modification of atrial cardiomyocytes (aCMCs).
- To detail the use of lentiviral vector (LV) technology for this modification.
- To explain the subsequent activation of light-sensitive proteins using light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Main Methods:
- Utilizing lentiviral vector (LV) technology for gene delivery.
- Optogenetically modifying atrial cardiomyocytes (aCMCs) from young Wistar rats.
- Employing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to activate light-sensitive ion channels.
Main Results:
- Successful optogenetic modification of aCMCs was achieved.
- Light-sensitive proteins were effectively introduced into cardiac cells.
- Controlled activation of these proteins via light stimulation was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Optogenetics provides a powerful tool for manipulating cardiac cell electrophysiology.
- This chapter provides a methodological framework for optogenetic studies in cardiology.
- The described methods facilitate precise investigation of cardiac functions.
