1
|
Junge S, Ricci Signorini ME, Al Masri M, Gülink J, Brüning H, Kasperek L, Szepes M, Bakar M, Gruh I, Heisterkamp A, Torres-Mapa ML. A micro-LED array based platform for spatio-temporal optogenetic control of various cardiac models. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19490. [PMID: 37945622 PMCID: PMC10636122 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46149-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics relies on dynamic spatial and temporal control of light to address emerging fundamental and therapeutic questions in cardiac research. In this work, a compact micro-LED array, consisting of 16 × 16 pixels, is incorporated in a widefield fluorescence microscope for controlled light stimulation. We describe the optical design of the system that allows the micro-LED array to fully cover the field of view regardless of the imaging objective used. Various multicellular cardiac models are used in the experiments such as channelrhodopsin-2 expressing aggregates of cardiomyocytes, termed cardiac bodies, and bioartificial cardiac tissues derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. The pacing efficiencies of the cardiac bodies and bioartificial cardiac tissues were characterized as a function of illumination time, number of switched-on pixels and frequency of stimulation. To demonstrate dynamic stimulation, steering of calcium waves in HL-1 cell monolayer expressing channelrhodopsin-2 was performed by applying different configurations of patterned light. This work shows that micro-LED arrays are powerful light sources for optogenetic control of contraction and calcium waves in cardiac monolayers, multicellular bodies as well as three-dimensional artificial cardiac tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Junge
- Institute of Quantum Optics, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University, 30167, Hannover, Germany
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maria Elena Ricci Signorini
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic-, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Masa Al Masri
- Institute of Quantum Optics, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University, 30167, Hannover, Germany
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Gülink
- QubeDot GmbH, Wilhelmsgarten 3, 38100, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Heiko Brüning
- QubeDot GmbH, Wilhelmsgarten 3, 38100, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Leon Kasperek
- Institute of Quantum Optics, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University, 30167, Hannover, Germany
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Monika Szepes
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic-, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mine Bakar
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic-, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ina Gruh
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic-, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexander Heisterkamp
- Institute of Quantum Optics, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University, 30167, Hannover, Germany
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maria Leilani Torres-Mapa
- Institute of Quantum Optics, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University, 30167, Hannover, Germany.
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Buchan S, Kar R, John M, Post A, Razavi M. Electrical Stimulation for Low-Energy Termination of Cardiac Arrhythmias: a Review. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2023; 37:323-340. [PMID: 34363570 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-021-07236-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world, estimated to be responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. Our understanding of the electrophysiological mechanisms of such arrhythmias has grown since they were formally characterized in the late nineteenth century, and this has led to the development of numerous devices and therapies that have markedly improved outcomes for patients affected by such conditions. Despite these advancements, the application of a single large shock remains the clinical standard for treating deadly tachyarrhythmias. Such defibrillating shocks are undoubtedly effective in terminating such arrhythmias; however, they are applied without forewarning, contributing to the patient's stress and anxiety; they can be intensely painful; and they can have adverse psychological and physiological effects on patients. In recent years, there has been interest in developing defibrillation protocols that can terminate arrhythmias without crossing the human pain threshold for energy delivery, generally estimated to be between 0.1 and 1 J. In this article, we review existing literature on the development of such low-energy defibrillation methods and their underlying mechanisms, in an attempt to broadly describe the current landscape of these technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Skylar Buchan
- Electrophysiology Clinical Research and Innovations, Texas Heart Institute, 6770 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ronit Kar
- Electrophysiology Clinical Research and Innovations, Texas Heart Institute, 6770 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas At Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Mathews John
- Electrophysiology Clinical Research and Innovations, Texas Heart Institute, 6770 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Allison Post
- Electrophysiology Clinical Research and Innovations, Texas Heart Institute, 6770 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Mehdi Razavi
- Electrophysiology Clinical Research and Innovations, Texas Heart Institute, 6770 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li J, Li H, Rao P, Luo J, Wang X, Wang L. Shining light on cardiac electrophysiology: From detection to intervention, from basic research to translational applications. Life Sci 2021; 274:119357. [PMID: 33737082 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias are an important group of cardiovascular diseases, which can occur alone or in association with other cardiovascular diseases. The development of cardiac arrhythmias cannot be separated from changes in cardiac electrophysiology, and the investigation and clarification of cardiac electrophysiological changes are beneficial for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. However, electrical energy-based pacemakers and defibrillators, which are widely used to treat arrhythmias, still have certain disadvantages. Thereby, optics promises to be used for optical manipulation and its use in biomedicine is increasing. Since visible light is readily absorbed and scattered in living tissues and tissue penetration is shallow, optical modulation for cells and tissues requires conversion media that convert light energy into bioelectrical activity. In this regard, fluorescent dyes, light-sensitive ion channels, and optical nanomaterials can assume this role, the corresponding optical mapping technology, optogenetics technology, and optical systems based on luminescent nanomaterials have been introduced into the research in cardiovascular field and are expected to be new tools for the study and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, infrared and near-infrared light has strong tissue penetration, which is one of the excellent options of external trigger for achieving optical modulation, and is also widely used in the study of optical modulation of biological activities. Here, the advantages of optical applications are summarized, the research progresses and emerging applications of optical-based technologies as detection and intervention tools for cardiac electrophysiological are highlighted. Moreover, the prospects for future applications of optics in clinical diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianyi Li
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Haitao Li
- Department of Cardiology, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570311, PR China
| | - Panpan Rao
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Junmiao Luo
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China.
| | - Long Wang
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gundelach LA, Hüser MA, Beutner D, Ruther P, Bruegmann T. Towards the clinical translation of optogenetic skeletal muscle stimulation. Pflugers Arch 2020; 472:527-545. [PMID: 32415463 PMCID: PMC7239821 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-020-02387-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Paralysis is a frequent phenomenon in many diseases, and to date, only functional electrical stimulation (FES) mediated via the innervating nerve can be employed to restore skeletal muscle function in patients. Despite recent progress, FES has several technical limitations and significant side effects. Optogenetic stimulation has been proposed as an alternative, as it may circumvent some of the disadvantages of FES enabling cell type–specific, spatially and temporally precise stimulation of cells expressing light-gated ion channels, commonly Channelrhodopsin2. Two distinct approaches for the restoration of skeletal muscle function with optogenetics have been demonstrated: indirect optogenetic stimulation through the innervating nerve similar to FES and direct optogenetic stimulation of the skeletal muscle. Although both approaches show great promise, both have their limitations and there are several general hurdles that need to be overcome for their translation into clinics. These include successful gene transfer, sustained optogenetic protein expression, and the creation of optically active implantable devices. Herein, a comprehensive summary of the underlying mechanisms of electrical and optogenetic approaches is provided. With this knowledge in mind, we substantiate a detailed discussion of the advantages and limitations of each method. Furthermore, the obstacles in the way of clinical translation of optogenetic stimulation are discussed, and suggestions on how they could be overcome are provided. Finally, four specific examples of pathologies demanding novel therapeutic measures are discussed with a focus on the likelihood of direct versus indirect optogenetic stimulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili A Gundelach
- Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marc A Hüser
- Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Beutner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Patrick Ruther
- Microsystem Materials Laboratory, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- BrainLinks-BrainTools Cluster of Excellence at the University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Bruegmann
- Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany.
- DZHK e.V. (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|