Preparation of viable adult ventricular myocardial slices from large and small mammals.
File(s)NP-P170289+Terracciano+%28Final%29.docx (165.35 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This protocol describes the preparation of highly viable adult ventricular myocardial slices from the hearts of small and large mammals, including rodents, pigs, dogs and humans. Adult ventricular myocardial slices are 100- to 400-μm-thick slices of living myocardium that retain the native multicellularity, architecture and physiology of the heart. This protocol provides a list of the equipment and reagents required alongside a detailed description of the methodology for heart explantation, tissue preparation, slicing with a vibratome and handling of myocardial slices. Supplementary videos are included to visually demonstrate these steps. A number of critical steps are addressed that must be followed in order to prepare highly viable myocardial slices. These include identification of myocardial fiber direction and fiber alignment within the tissue block, careful temperature control, use of an excitation-contraction uncoupler, optimal vibratome settings and correct handling of myocardial slices. Many aspects of cardiac structure and function can be studied using myocardial slices in vitro. Typical results obtained with hearts from a small mammal (rat) and a large mammal (human) with heart failure are shown, demonstrating myocardial slice viability, maximum contractility, Ca2+ handling and structure. This protocol can be completed in ∼4 h.
Date Issued
2017-11-30
Online Publication Date
2018-05-30T06:00:20Z
Date Acceptance
2017-11-01
ISSN
1750-2799
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Start Page
2623
End Page
2639
Journal / Book Title
Nature Protocols
Volume
12
Issue
12
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2017, Rights Managed by Nature Publishing Group
Source Database
pubmed
Sponsor
British Heart Foundation
Identifier
nprot.2017.139
Grant Number
FS/15/35/31529
Subjects
06 Biological Sciences
11 Medical And Health Sciences
03 Chemical Sciences
Bioinformatics
Publication Status
Published