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Ohnemus S, Vierock J, Schneider-Warme F. Optogenetics meets physiology. Pflugers Arch 2023; 475:1369-1373. [PMID: 38047968 PMCID: PMC10730680 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-023-02887-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Ohnemus
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Franziska Schneider-Warme
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Leemann S, Schneider-Warme F, Kleinlogel S. Cardiac optogenetics: shining light on signaling pathways. Pflugers Arch 2023; 475:1421-1437. [PMID: 38097805 PMCID: PMC10730638 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-023-02892-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
In the early 2000s, the field of neuroscience experienced a groundbreaking transformation with the advent of optogenetics. This innovative technique harnesses the properties of naturally occurring and genetically engineered rhodopsins to confer light sensitivity upon target cells. The remarkable spatiotemporal precision offered by optogenetics has provided researchers with unprecedented opportunities to dissect cellular physiology, leading to an entirely new level of investigation. Initially revolutionizing neuroscience, optogenetics quickly piqued the interest of the wider scientific community, and optogenetic applications were expanded to cardiovascular research. Over the past decade, researchers have employed various optical tools to observe, regulate, and steer the membrane potential of excitable cells in the heart. Despite these advancements, achieving control over specific signaling pathways within the heart has remained an elusive goal. Here, we review the optogenetic tools suitable to control cardiac signaling pathways with a focus on GPCR signaling, and delineate potential applications for studying these pathways, both in healthy and diseased hearts. By shedding light on these exciting developments, we hope to contribute to the ongoing progress in basic cardiac research to facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic possibilities for treating cardiovascular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siri Leemann
- Institute of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, and Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Franziska Schneider-Warme
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, and Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sonja Kleinlogel
- Institute of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Translational Medicine Neuroscience, Basel, Switzerland
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3
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Simon-Chica A, Wülfers EM, Kohl P. Nonmyocytes as electrophysiological contributors to cardiac excitation and conduction. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 325:H475-H491. [PMID: 37417876 PMCID: PMC10538996 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00184.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Although cardiac action potential (AP) generation and propagation have traditionally been attributed exclusively to cardiomyocytes (CM), other cell types in the heart are also capable of forming electrically conducting junctions. Interactions between CM and nonmyocytes (NM) enable and modulate each other's activity. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of heterocellular electrical communication in the heart. Although cardiac fibroblasts were initially thought to be electrical insulators, recent studies have demonstrated that they form functional electrical connections with CM in situ. Other NM, such as macrophages, have also been recognized as contributing to cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis. Novel experimental tools have enabled the investigation of cell-specific activity patterns in native cardiac tissue, which is expected to yield exciting new insights into the development of novel or improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Simon-Chica
- Novel Arrhythmogenic Mechanisms Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eike M Wülfers
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Peter Kohl
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Ausra J, Madrid M, Yin RT, Hanna J, Arnott S, Brennan JA, Peralta R, Clausen D, Bakall JA, Efimov IR, Gutruf P. Wireless, fully implantable cardiac stimulation and recording with on-device computation for closed-loop pacing and defibrillation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabq7469. [PMID: 36288311 PMCID: PMC9604544 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq7469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring and control of cardiac function are critical for investigation of cardiovascular pathophysiology and developing life-saving therapies. However, chronic stimulation of the heart in freely moving small animal subjects, which offer a variety of genotypes and phenotypes, is currently difficult. Specifically, real-time control of cardiac function with high spatial and temporal resolution is currently not possible. Here, we introduce a wireless battery-free device with on-board computation for real-time cardiac control with multisite stimulation enabling optogenetic modulation of the entire rodent heart. Seamless integration of the biointerface with the heart is enabled by machine learning-guided design of ultrathin arrays. Long-term pacing, recording, and on-board computation are demonstrated in freely moving animals. This device class enables new heart failure models and offers a platform to test real-time therapeutic paradigms over chronic time scales by providing means to control cardiac function continuously over the lifetime of the subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jokubas Ausra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Micah Madrid
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Rose T. Yin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Jessica Hanna
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Suzanne Arnott
- Department of Surgery, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Jaclyn A. Brennan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Roberto Peralta
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - David Clausen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Jakob A. Bakall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Igor R. Efimov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611, USA
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Philipp Gutruf
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Bio5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Interdisciplinary Program (GIDP), The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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5
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Abstract
Computer simulations show how low-intensity illumination can be used to terminate cardiac arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike M Wülfers
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg – Bad KrozingenBad KrozingenGermany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Franziska Schneider-Warme
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg – Bad KrozingenBad KrozingenGermany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
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