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Computer‐Aided Measurement of Cell Shortening and Calcium Transients in Adult Cardiac Myocytes
Author(s) -
Bramlage Peter,
Joss Greg,
Staudt Alexander,
Jarrin Andres,
Podlowski Svenia,
Baumann Gert,
Stangl Karl,
Felix Stephan B.,
Stangl Verena
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
biotechnology progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6033
pISSN - 8756-7938
DOI - 10.1021/bp010080q
Subject(s) - calcium , myocyte , intracellular , biophysics , calcium in biology , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , organic chemistry
Abstract The contractile cycle of the cardiac myocyte is essentially controlled by the concentration of intracellular calcium ([Ca 2+ ] i ). Measurement of [Ca 2+ ] i using Ca 2+ ‐dependent fluorescence and simultaneous monitoring of cell dynamics enable characterization of a variety of substances interacting with ion channels and contractile proteins. In this report we describe a novel method featuring up to 480 frames/s for monitoring rapid changes in cellular calcium and cell length, in which every individual cycle allows effective evaluation of major cell parameters. Computers aid in determination of time to peak (in ms), time to 50% decrease (ms), diastolic Ca 2+ (relative fluorescence units, rfu), systolic Ca 2+ (rfu), Ca 2+ transients (rfu), ΔCa 2+ /Δ t rise (rfu/s), and ΔCa 2+ /Δ t fall (rfu/s). Contractile parameters are as follows: maximum cell length (μm), minimum cell length (μm), absolute cell shortening (μm), peak Δ L /Δ t shortening (μm/s), and peak Δ L /Δ t relaxation (μm/s). In summary, we succeeded in demonstrating that this system is a unique and valuable tool that allows simultaneous and accurate assessment of contractile parameters and of calcium movements of isolated adult cardiac myocytes.