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Synchronization of viscoelastically coupled excitable oscillators
Florian Spreckelsen1,2,3, Stefan Luther1,2,3,4, Ulrich Parlitz1,2,3
1Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Am Faßberg 17, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
Physical Review. E
|October 24, 2019
Summary
Mechanical coupling through the extracellular matrix (ECM) can synchronize cardiomyocytes. Synchronization depends on ECM stiffness, with stiffer matrices promoting synchronization and elastic coupling leading to antiphase chimera states.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Individual cardiomyocytes exhibit rhythmic beating.
- Cardiomyocytes are embedded within an extracellular matrix (ECM).
- Mechanical coupling via the ECM influences cardiomyocyte behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model viscoelastically coupled excitable oscillators representing cardiomyocytes.
- To investigate ECM's role in synchronizing cardiomyocyte beatings.
- To determine how ECM rheology affects synchronization.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing viscoelastically coupled excitable oscillators.
- Incorporating excitation-contraction coupling and electromechanical feedback.
- Analyzing synchronization in a linear chain of coupled oscillators.
Main Results:
- Synchronization occurs with increasing ECM stiffness.
- Purely elastic coupling results in antiphase chimera states.
- ECM rheological properties are critical for synchronization.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical coupling via the ECM is a key factor in cardiomyocyte synchronization.
- ECM stiffness dictates the transition to synchronized beating.
- Understanding ECM properties is crucial for cardiac function modeling.
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