Microscopy-based cellular contractility assay for adult, neonatal, and hiPSC cardiomyocytes
Sérgio Scalzo1, Carolina A T F Mendonça1, Christopher Kushmerick1
1Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
Insights
This protocol details acquiring high-quality cellular contractility data from cardiomyocytes. Optimized methods ensure accurate and reproducible measurements for studying cardiac diseases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cellular contractility is crucial for understanding cardiac pathologies.
- Acquiring accurate and reproducible contractility data from cardiomyocytes presents challenges.
- Existing methods may lack optimization for diverse cardiomyocyte types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a standardized protocol for acquiring high-quality cellular contractility data.
- To optimize data acquisition across adult, neonatal, and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.
- To enhance the reliability and accuracy of contractility measurements in cardiac research.
Main Methods:
- Detailed instructions for microscope and camera setup.
- Specific cellular selection criteria for different cardiomyocyte types.
- Utilizing CONTRACTIONWAVE software for data analysis.
Main Results:
- Acquisition of high-quality cellular contractility data.
- Demonstration of robust and reliable data through optimized steps.
- Successful analysis and presentation of optimized results using CONTRACTIONWAVE software.
Conclusions:
- The protocol enables reliable acquisition of cardiomyocyte contractility data.
- Optimized methods improve accuracy and reproducibility in cardiac research.
- This protocol serves as a valuable resource for studying cardiac function and disease.
Abstract:
This protocol provides instructions to acquire high-quality cellular contractility data from adult, neonatal, and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Contractility parameters are key to unravel mechanisms underlying cardiac pathologies, yet difficulties in acquiring data can compromise measurement accuracy and reproducibility. We provide optimized steps for microscope and camera setup, as well as cellular selection criteria for different cardiomyocyte cell types, aiming to obtain robust and reliable data. Moreover, we use CONTRACTIONWAVE software to analyze and show the optimized results. For complete details on the use and execution of this profile, please refer to Scalzo et al. (2021).
