This work was supported by grants of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81770322, 81870244, 81500254, 81870243, 81470465) and the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (No. 7192051). Author contributions: Bai and Liu designed and conceived the project. Wen and Ruan provided valuable advices for the experiments. Wu and Linling Li carried out the experimental work and played key roles in data acquisition, analysis and interpretation. Li participated in the Langendorff apparatus assembling. Peng, Zhang, Wang and Yang participated in preparation of the reagents and solutions before experiment. Wu wrote the article.

Adult male C57BL/6 mice weighing 20-30 g, 8-10 weeks of age were purchased from the Animal Centre of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. All experimental procedures were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of Capital Medical University and were performed in compliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals proposed by the Institute of Animal Resources and published by the National Institutes of Health. Excel and Origin 8.5 were used for data acquisition and analysis. Data are presented as means &#177; SD, for statistical evaluation, Student&#39;s t test was used and P &#60; 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
1. Solution and perfusion apparatus preparation
<ol>
	<li>Assemble a constant flow Langendorff apparatus (commercially available or self-made). Figure 1 provides a simple schematic.</li>
	<li>Prepare the solutions according to the reagents given in Table 1 and Table 2.</li>
	<li>Turn on the circulating water bath and adjust a suitable input temperature (42.7 &#176;C in our laboratory) to ensure that the perfusate circulation system&#39;s outflow from the cannula reaches 37 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Clean the perfusion system by circulating deionized water. If a sterile condition is required, run 75% ethanol through the perfusion system for 15 min, followed by deionized water (at least 10 cycles to avoid alcohol toxicity effects on the heart).</li>
	<li>Measure the time and volume for one cycle of the perfusate circulation system to determine how many milliliters of oxygenated Tyrode&#39;s solution to be loaded in the following perfusion step.</li>
	<li>Sterilize all the surgical tools in the desired method.</li>
	<li>Set the flow rate of the perfusate perfusion system at 4 mL/min.</li>
	<li>Prepare two clean 35 mm Petri dishes-one containing Tyrode&#39;s solution (Petri dish 1), the other containing solution 1 (Petri dish 2).</li>
	<li>Prepare a 1 mL syringe filled with solution 1 and a 20 G blunt steel cannula needle with a notch from where the distance is 1 mm to the tip. Prepare a loose knot with 3-0 suture to the cannula shaft. Regulate the viewing field of the stereomicroscope and ensure that the cannula tip is below the liquid surface of Petri dish 2.</li>
</ol>
2. Animal preparation
<ol>
	<li>Administer heparin (concentration, 1,000 IU/mL; 0.2 mL/mouse) intraperitoneally to the mice to avoid blood clots. After 10 min, anesthetize the mice with sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/kg, I.P. injection) and ensure that the mice stop responding to tail/toe pinches. Perform cervical dislocation 20 min after heparin administration.</li>
	<li>Transfer the mice onto the surgical platform, fix the mice in a supine position, sterilize the chest with 75% ethanol, and dry it with gauze or napkin.</li>
</ol>
3. Heart excision and aorta cannulation
<ol>
	<li>Lift the skin of the xiphoid with tissue forceps and make a minor lateral incision through the skin with tissue scissors. Perform a blunt dissection between the skin and fascia and extend the incision of the skin in a V-shape toward the axillae on both sides.
	<ol>
		<li>Continue the same incision trace through the rib cage, and then, deflect the rib cage upward by clamping the sternum with tissue forceps to fully expose the heart and lungs.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Peel off the pericardium using a curved forceps. Tear the thymus gland toward both sides by two curved forceps if it covers the great vessels. Gently pull the base of the heart toward the tail with curved forceps until a &#34;Y&#34;-shaped blood vessel (the aorta and its branch arteries) can be seen.</li>
	<li>To reserve different lengths of the aorta for cannulation and comparison, transect the aorta at the left common carotid artery (green line in Figure 2) and cut the brachiocephalic artery at the same time in some mice. Transect at the ascending aorta in other mice (black line in Figure 2). 
	NOTE: For those who are new to this procedure, this step can also be done under a stereoscopic microscope.</li>
	<li>Excise the heart, and immediately immerse in Petri dish 1 to wash and pump out the residual blood.</li>
	<li>Transfer the heart to Petri dish 2, and trim any surplus tissue using fine iris scissors if necessary. For those who are new to this procedure, do this step under the stereomicroscope to avoid erroneously cutting the aorta or other heart structures.</li>
	<li>Push the syringe to expel air bubbles before aorta cannulation. Perform retrograde aorta cannulation with the assistance of two straight tying forceps (smooth jaws) under the stereomicroscope. Ensure that the whole cannulation process is under the liquid surface.</li>
	<li>Avoid penetrating the aortic valves and adjust the depths to the ascending aorta (the mouse that the aorta was transected at the left common carotid artery) and the aortic root (the mouse that the aorta was transected at the ascending aorta), respectively. 
	NOTE: The depth of aorta cannulation (referred to as simply as depth) is defined here as the position where the cannula tip is in the aorta or where the aorta is ligated.</li>
	<li>Ligate the aorta with the pre-knot 3-0 suture to the cannula notch. Gently press the syringe content to rinse the residual blood. 
	NOTE: The blood will leave the coronary arteries and effuse from the dorsal veins If the depth is properly positioned. The heart and the atrial appendages will expand and become pale.</li>
	<li>Remove and connect the cannula to the Langendorff apparatus. Once again, take care to avoid any air bubbles entering the heart. 
	&#8203;NOTE: Be aware that the time from thoracotomy to initial perfusion should not exceed 5 min.</li>
</ol>
4. Heart perfusion
<ol>
	<li>First, prime and perfuse oxygenated Tyrode&#39;s solution for approximately 10 s (the volume of liquid running 10 s in the system used in this protocol is approximately 0.7 mL) if there is residual blood in the atria, and then switch to solution 1. However, just perfuse with solution 1 If there is no residual blood in the atria. Perfuse the heart for approximately 2 min.</li>
	<li>Switch to solution 3. Suck about 2.5 mL of solution 3 with a single-use sterile polyethylene pipet and prewarm it in the water bath for later use, with the remainder used for perfusion for approximately 11-12 min. Discard solution 3 perfused in the first 2 min. Recycle the rest to the perfusate reservoirs by the peristaltic pump for reuse until digestion is completed.</li>
	<li>Terminate the digestion when the heart becomes swollen and turns slightly pale and flaccid (spongy texture) or an imprint exists if the myocardium is gently pinched using a toothed forceps.</li>
</ol>
5. Cell isolation and calcium reintroduction
<ol>
	<li>Remove the ventricles and the atria with forceps, and place them in different Petri dishes. Add the prewarmed solution 3 to the Petri dishes.</li>
	<li>Triturate the tissue into a turbid texture with blunt forceps and gently pipette the tissue for even digestion. Avoid introducing air bubbles.</li>
	<li>Transfer the turbid digested tissue with the pipette into solution 4 to arrest the remaining enzyme activity, and then centrifuge for 20 s at 192&#215;g. Remove the supernatant and add solution 5 into the cell sediment and pipette to evenly disperse the cells.</li>
	<li>Reintroduce calcium in a stepwise manner in order to avoid calcium paradox and calcium overload. Gradually add in a total of 50 &#181;L 100 mM/L CaCl2 (at every 5 min interval of 5 &#181;L, 10 &#181;L, 15 &#181;L, and 20 &#181;L, respectively) to the cell suspension.</li>
</ol>
6. Cell storage
<ol>
	<li>For the patch clamp study, store the cells in Tyrode&#39;s solution. For other cellular studies, store the cells in solution 6.</li>
	<li>To ensure the accuracy of acute functional studies&#39; (e.g., Ca2+ sparks, Ca2+ waves, Ca2+ release, Ca2+ leak, and patch clamp recordings) results, finish these kinds of functional experiments within the next 6 h.</li>
</ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

Single CM is a valuable and indispensable tool in cellular level studies of cardiac function and diseases20. Hence, the isolation of viable CMs from the hearts is the initial and most crucial step. Cell quality is one of the significant determinants of conducting successful experiments, especially in optical and electrophysiological experiments. Compared with the CMs of other animals, rodent CMs are more vulnerable to ischemia and hypoxia because of a higher concentration of intracellular sodium ions, which favors calcium influx through the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger21. Moreover, the number of AMs is far lesser than that of VMs; thus, successful isolation is extremely difficult to achieve. The Langendorff method is excellent for isolating mice VMs22, but the success rate in isolating AMs is low, and few reports are available. The proper depth of aorta cannulation is also an essential factor in yielding ideal VMs aside from temperature, enzyme activity, PH, and water quality used for buffer preparation. The principle of the Langendorff method relies on retrograde perfusion of the heart. Upon perfusion, the aortic valve is closed; thereby, the perfusate is forced into the coronary arteries, delivering enzyme solution through the vessel branches, and the myocardial tissue is evenly digested. To achieve this kind of circulation pattern, the aorta must reserve enough length for cannulation and ligation, also the cannula tip must not penetrate the aortic valves or block the CA ostium. Thus, it is reasonable to speculate that the depth of aorta cannulation is also associated with atria perfusion, which affects the digestion efficacy of the atria and the yields of AM in a similar way. The protocol presented here confirmed the hypothesis, and crucial steps for optimizing cell yield along with the suggestions are noted below.
In step 1.9, to better secure the aorta, a blunt 20 G cannula with a notch (or a circumferential groove) from where the distance is 1 mm to the tip is recommended. Based on our experiences, the cannula size that is a little bit larger than the diameter of the aorta was found to prevent the cannula tip from puncturing the aortic valves during cannulation because the aorta, relying on its intrinsic elasticity, can snugly fit into the cannula and produce friction, which acts as a protective factor when moving forward or backward adjusting the cannulation depth. In terms of the notch&#39;s position, the heart will easily slip off during cannulation because of gravity if it is too near the cannula tip. Conversely, the space for adjusting the cannulation depth and ligation position will be very confined if too far. Given these circumstances, transecting the aorta between the left common carotid artery (as the green line in Figure 2) to ensure the aorta is long enough and can be cannulated and ligated at the ascending aorta is better in step 3.3. Whereas transecting at the ascending aorta, the reserved length for cannulation at least could secure the cannula tip close to the aortic root and will not penetrate the aortic valves after ligation. The anatomy of the aorta and the measurement of the distance from the cannula tip to the CA ostium indicate that transecting the aorta between the left common carotid artery is an ideal position to achieve a proper aorta cannulation depth.
Cannulation depth was found to be associated with the atria&#39;s perfusion, which in turn acts as a depth indicator. Figure 4 shows that atria perfusion is good when the depth is at the ascending aorta, and both atrial appendages are inflated. However, atria perfusion is insufficient when the depth is at (or approaching) the aortic root and both atrial appendages are wizened. The total and viable count of AM yielded from the inflated atrial appendages were higher (Figure 8). These findings indicate that the aorta cannulation depth can affect the perfusion and digestion of the atria and atrial appendages in a certain way and finally affect AM yield and quality. The yield and quality of AM were inferred to be associated with the distribution of the vessels that supply the atria. The study of Fern&#225;ndez et al.23 has demonstrated various anomalies in the origin and course of mouse CA. They found that the CAs ostia were highly variable and were not all located in the aortic sinus. Some CAs may originate anomalously from above the aortic sinuses, named the high take-off ostium. Some CAs may originate from the same aortic sinus, and the ostium of the atrium vessel is just nearby. The anatomy of the aorta in the present study (Figure 10) is also consistent with the finding of Fern&#225;ndez. This may be the cause why attempts to isolate AM by the Langendorff method have been largely unsuccessful if the cannulation depth is not appropriate. Thus, the cannula tip will have a greater chance of blocking the atrium vessel ostium that is adjacent to the CA ostium if not enough space is available between the cannula tip and the CA ostium. By contrast, the perfusion and cell yield of the ventricle were hardly affected as long as the aortic valves were not penetrated by the cannula tip. This is probably because the CAs that supply blood to the ventricle have bigger ostia and more origins. If one ostium was occluded by the cannula, ventricle perfusion can be compensated by another CA or the collateral circulation, whereas the blood vessel that supplies the atrium is rather small and has no substitute. Thus, the influence of the depth in aorta cannulation is important.
Other noteworthy factors and trouble shootings in the digestion and cell storage process are listed as follows. First, consider perfusing oxygenated Tyrode&#39;s solution in step 4.1 to make the muscle contract and pump out residual blood if the blood in the atria has not been rushed out after aorta ligation. This can help avoid the adverse effect of ca2+ and other materials released from the damaged erythrocytes. Second, perfusing ca2+-free solution ahead of time to dissociate the connection and expand the space between cells can improve the efficacy of enzyme digestion because intercalated disks between CMs are calcium-dependent intercellular junctions. However, time should be limited to 3-5 min to avoid the calcium paradox phenomenon24. A mixed enzyme solution is recommended. Collagenase type II disrupts the extracellular matrix network, and trypsin helps clear the granular material that remains on the cell surface if collagenase II digestion is incomplete. This ensures a smooth cell surface, which is critical to forming a G&#937; seal in the patch clamp recording. Nevertheless, trypsin concentration should be controlled in the proper range to avoid over digestion and cell injury because it can degrade the membrane protein. Using collagenase type II alone to improve cell yield may often lead to tissue over digestion, and the isolated CMs will be calcium intolerant after prolonged collagenase exposure25. The use of 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM), a substance that prevents spontaneous contraction by inhibiting the myosin ATPase and preventing cross-bridge formation, is still controversial26,27,28,29. According to previous experience, adding BDM is necessary for this protocol. Enzyme solution is prepared with solution 1 although solution 1 does not contain calcium, and calcium is added to activate the enzyme. The benefit of adding BDM in the perfusion solution includes (1) inhibiting myocytes contraction and reducing oxygen consumption during enzyme solution perfusion and (2) preventing myocytes from hypoxia and improving the quality of the isolated myocytes. Some studies reported that BDM may have a potential adverse influence on cellular electrical properties. However, the results of the whole-cell patch clamp recording of the sodium current did not indicate an undesirable effect. In the cell storage step (step 6), numerous studies have chosen the KB buffer, a calcium-free but high potassium concentration solution, in which cells can maintain a better state because they are in polarized and low metabolic conditions. However, the glycocalyx of the cell membrane will separate from the lipid bilayer in the absence of exogenous calcium for a certain length of time and the membrane permeability will increase, affecting the subsequent functional analysis30,31,32.
All myocytes isolation techniques can be essentially categorized currently into either chunk (a small piece of tissue) digestion in an enzymatic solution or CA perfusion with enzymatic solution (the Langendorff perfusion)22. Compared with the Langendorff method, the chunk digestion method is easier to perform and is also routinely used for isolating CMs in many laboratories. However, this method normally produces a low yield of CMs of poor quality from adult tissues22. Moreover, cells isolated by this method may not be suitable for conducting comparative experiments. For example, when testing the cell type-specific drug effects between AM and VM, the impact of different isolation conditions cannot be neglected or excluded. This is because the myocardium and the tissue density of the ventricle are much thicker and denser than that of the atrium, resulting in differing digestion times and enzyme concentrations. Furthermore, excessive agitation and pipetting of the tissue during digestion will damage the cells and significantly impact functional studies. Moreover, many previous studies have shown that AMs are more vulnerable to calcium. However, AMs isolated by the current protocol can be tolerant of gradient calcium reintroduction probably because the tissue is easy to rupture at the end of the digestion process. Thus, mechanical damage is less, whereas cells would suffer more mechanical damages as steps of the chunk method need repeated rupture and centrifugal. More recently, Ackers et al.33 reported a simplified, Langendorff-free method for the isolation of viable cardiac myocytes and nonmyocytes. The VMs and the fibroblasts can be effectively isolated, but the amount of the AMs was not mentioned. However, this protocol has several limitations. First, the distribution of the heart blood vessels may have variations for individual differences and mice strain, and the recommended cannulation depth cannot guarantee a successful AMs isolation for each time. Second, for those who are new to this procedure may take a certain amount of time to practice aorta transection and retrograde aorta cannulation. Finally, this method was not tested in other heart disease models except in healthy and elderly mice. Hence, it will require adjustments in enzyme concentrations and time of digestion because of the heart&#39;s fibrosis extent. The disadvantage of different digestion conditions encountered in the chunk method will not be a problem in the Langendorff method in which the enzyme solution is evenly distributed to the tissue by the vessel beds.
In summary, the protocols for the simultaneous isolation of single AM and VM described here have demonstrated that the proper aorta cannulation depth can effectively improve atrium perfusion and AM yield. The CMs isolated by this method are of high quality, possess good calcium tolerance, and have been successfully applied to patch clamp recording and calcium handling (Ca2+ release and Ca2+ wave measurement by the IonOptix system) in the team34. It is anticipated that the isolation protocol can be used for cell preparation in a series of cellular and subcellular investigations, which will help deepen the understanding of cardiac physiology and pathology. Importantly, it will enable the discovery of more clinically relevant heart disease mechanisms and intervention methods.

Cardiac disease is one of the leading global causes of mortality1. To address this burden on the healthcare system, an in-depth understanding of the heart&#39;s physiology and pathology is essential. Besides whole animal and intact heart preparation, cellular preparation is another indispensable tool for functional and disease study2. By applying the patch clamp, calcium imaging, molecular biology, and other advanced technologies, researchers can obtain more information on the electrophysiological properties, calcium homeostasis, signaling pathways, metabolic states, and gene transcriptions in a single cardiomyocyte (CM). This is extremely helpful in revealing the physiological and pathological mechanisms of the cardiac disease process3,4,5,6,7. For animal research, species ranging from small (e.g., mice, rats, and guinea pigs) to large (e.g., rabbits and dogs) animals can be used. Small animals are usually preferred, particularly mice, because they are amenable to genetic and disease model manipulation8,9,10.
Techniques of acutely isolated CMs have undergone a long development period and are still evolving11. The Langendorff retrograde perfusion is the most successful and reproducible CMs isolation method applied in rats and mice, especially for isolating ventricular myocytes (VMs)12,13,14,15. However, reports of successfully isolated atrial myocytes (AMs) are scarce16,17,18. Further investigations on both levels of the whole organ/system and the cellular/subcellular to reveal the mechanisms and explore new therapeutic approaches are warranted because atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of arrhythmia, is increasingly becoming prevalent globally, and current treatment modalities in both pharmacological therapies and cardiac ablation remain ineffective in approximately 40%-50% of AF patients19. Successful adult mouse CMs isolation is the first step for cellular study. Two primary isolation methods can be used: the chunk and Langendorff methods. In the Langendorff perfusion method, tissue digestion depends on the enzyme solution delivered by the coronary arteries and their branches to the capillary beds. A proper aorta cannulation depth that can avoid penetrating the aortic valves and blocking the coronary artery ostia is the prerequisite of achieving such a perfusion pattern, which is also the essential step for efficient digestion and ideal VM yield. Hence, it is reasonable to assume that the aorta cannulation&#39;s depth may similarly affect the atria vessel&#39;s perfusion and finally affect the AM yield. To test this hypothesis, aorta cannulation at different depths was performed and the corresponding AM yields were compared. The data showed that the aorta cannulation depth is directly relevant to the AM yield. Herein, a protocol to isolate AMs and VMs simultaneously is introduced.

<table><tbody><tr><td>2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM)</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>31550</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bull Serum Albumin (BSA)</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>A2153</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>CaCl&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>C4901</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Collagenase type II</td><td>Worthington</td><td>43D14160</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Excel</td><td></td><td></td><td>data acquisition and analysis</td></tr><tr><td>Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)</td><td>Zhejiang Tianhang Biotechnology</td><td>150207</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Glucose</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>G7528</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>HEPES</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>H3375</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>HEPES</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>H3375</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>KCl</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>P9333</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>KH&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;PO&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>P5655</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>KHCO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>237205</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MgCl&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>M8266</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MgSO&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>M7506</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Na&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;HPO&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>S7907</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>NaCl</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>S7653</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>NaHCO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>S5761</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Origin 8.5</td><td>OriginLab, Northampton, MA,US</td><td></td><td>data acquisition and analysis</td></tr><tr><td>Peristaltic pump</td><td>Longerpump</td><td>BT100-2J</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sodium pentobarbital</td><td>Shanghai Reagent Factory</td><td>810923</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Taurine</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>T0625</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Trypan blue</td><td>Solarbio</td><td>C0040</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Trypsin</td><td>Invitrogen</td><td>15090046</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Water bath</td><td>JULABO</td><td>ED (v.2)</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

modifications of the langendorff method for simultaneous isolation of atrial and ventricular myocytes from adult mice

A single cardiomyocyte is a vital tool in the cellular and subcellular level studies of cardiac biology and diseases as a fundamental unit of contraction and electrical activity. Hence, isolating viable, high-quality cardiomyocytes from the heart is the initial and most crucial experimental step. Comparing the various protocols for isolating the cardiomyocytes of adult mice, the Langendorff retrograde perfusion is the most successful and reproducible method reported in the literature, especially for isolating ventricular myocytes. However, isolating quality atrial myocytes from the perfused heart remains challenging, and few successful isolation reports are available. Solving this complicated problem is extremely important because apart from ventricular disease, atrial disease accounts for a large part of heart diseases. Therefore, further investigations on the cellular level to reveal the mechanisms are warranted. In this paper, a protocol based on the Langendorff retrograde perfusion method is introduced and some modifications in the depth of aorta cannulation and the steps that may affect the digestion process to isolate atrial and ventricular myocytes were simultaneously made. Moreover, the isolated cardiomyocytes are confirmed to be amenable to patch clamp investigation.

This paper, where the cannula tip is positioned in the aorta, which is defined as the depth of aorta cannulation (referred to simply as depth), also represents where the aorta is ligated. The AM and VM isolated from a heart that was cannulated and ligated at the ascending aorta are represented as AMAA and VMAA, respectively. Moreover, AM and VM isolated from a heart that was cannulated and ligated at the aortic root are represented as AMAR and VMAR, respectively. Figure 2 shows the overview of the aorta and the transection positions. Also, Figure&#160;3 shows the depths and the ligation places that correspond to the aorta transection positions. Depth was associated with the atria and atrial appendages&#39; perfusion. Both atrial appendages are inflated when the cannula tip is at the ascending aorta, indicating sufficient atria perfusion. However, when at the aortic root, atria perfusion is insufficient and both atrial appendages are wizened (Figure 4). The CM morphology and viability that are isolated from the cannulated hearts at different depths after calcium reintroduction (Figure 5). Cell morphologies of AMAA, AMAR, VMAA, and VMAR are under the confocal microscope before and after calcium reintroduction. AMs are spindle-shaped, whereas VMs are rod-shaped with rectangular ends. Moreover, AMs and VMs have intact membranes, clear contours, clear striated sarcomeres, and smooth-surfaced (Figure 6). Cell viability was assessed via trypan blue staining. Normal cells with intact membranes can exclude trypan blue and will not be stained, whereas cells loss activity will intracellularly quickly accumulate trypan blue (Figure 7). AMs and VMs were placed in different object slides to perform cell counting. The total yields of AM and the percentage of viable spindle-shaped CMs (survival rate) were determined by transferring 10 &#181;L of the cell suspension to an object slide and counted under an inverted phase-contrast microscope at 4 &#215; 10 fields of view. The same method was used to determine the total yields of VMs (rod-shaped) and the percentage of viable VMs. This method is preferred over using a hemocytometer, because the CMs did not easily distribute into the counting area of the hemocytometer because of their size and shape.&#160;A bar graph (Figure 8) shows the survival rates of AMAA, AMAR, VMAA, and VMAR before and after calcium reintroduction. Each value represents the mean &#177; SD from 10 mice. Before calcium reintroduction, the survival rates of AMAA are significantly higher than those of AMAR (70.9% &#177; 2.8% and 41.0% &#177; 5.2%, respectively; p &#60; 0.01). After calcium reintroduction, the survival rates of AMAA are significantly higher than those of AMAR (69.4% &#177; 3.0% and 37.7% &#177; 4.9%, respectively; p &#60; 0.01).
The VMAA survival rates did not differ from those of the VMAR (89.5% &#177; 2.7% vs 88.1% &#177; 2.6%, respectively; p &#62; 0.05) before calcium reintroduction. Similarly, the VMAA survival rates did not differ from those of the VMAR (82.2% &#177; 1.9% vs 82.9% &#177; 1.6%, respectively; p &#62; 0.05) after calcium reintroduction.
A heart cannulated at depth as this protocol recommended (at the ascending aorta), a viable VMs and AMs yield of approximately 4.1 million and approximately 180,000, respectively, after calcium reintroduction. The whole-cell patch clamp recording of the sodium current (Figure 9A, B) and current densities (Figure 9C) in the isolated AM and VM confirm that the cell quality has met the requirements for electrophysiological experiments. The anatomy of the aorta (Figure 10) shows that the ostium of the atrial vessel is near the aortic root and is adjacent to the ostium of the coronary artery (CA). Table 3 shows the distance from the cannula tip to the CA ostium of hearts cannulated and ligated at the ascending aorta and the aortic root, respectively.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig01.jpg" /> 
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of an assembled modified Langendorff system. This system is economical and portable for the users. It has two parts of plastic tubing-one for the water (inner diameter, 8 mm) and one for the perfusate (inner diameter, 1.5 mm)-of which the distal end is connected to a PE medical three-way stopcock with a Luer lock. A glass bottle containing water and with a rubber stopper form as a heat exchanger. The perfusate is pumped into the plastic tubing in the heat exchanger by the peristaltic pump and comes out from the three-way stopcock connected to the cannula. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 2" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig02.jpg" /> 
Figure 2.&#160;Aorta and tissues around. A &#34;Y&#34;-shaped blood vessel structure is the aorta and its branches: the brachiocephalic artery (arrow 1) and the left common carotid artery (arrow 2). Transect the aorta between the left common carotid artery (green line) and simultaneously cut the brachiocephalic artery in some mice; transect at the ascending aorta (black line) in other mice (stereomicroscope 10 &#215; 2 magnification). <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig02large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 3" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig03.jpg" /> 
Figure 3. Frontal view of the cannulated heart. The black curved line represents the incisal edge of the aorta that was transected between the left common carotid artery. The red curved line represents the incisal edge of the aorta transected at the ascending aorta. The straight line represents where the aorta was ligated: black at the ascending aorta and red at the aortic root (stereomicroscope 10 &#215; 2 magnification). <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig03large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 4" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig04.jpg" /> 
Figure 4. Perfusion state of the cannulated hearts. The atria are sufficiently perfused, and both atrial appendages are inflated in the heart (A) cannulated and ligated at the ascending aorta. However, both atrial appendages are wizened in the heart (B) cannulated and ligated at the aortic root, indicating poor atria perfusion. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig04large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 5" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig05.jpg" /> 
Figure 5. Cell morphology and viability evaluation after calcium reintroduction. AMs (A) and VMs (B) isolated from the heart cannulated and ligated at the ascending aorta are represented as AMAAs and VMAAs, respectively. AMs (C) and VMs (D) isolated from the heart cannulated and ligated at the aortic root are represented as AMARs and VMARs, respectively. High-quality CMs are quiescent and have intact membranes, clear contours, clear striated sarcomeres, and a smooth cell surface. AMs are spindle-shaped, whereas VMs are rod or brick-shaped with rectangular ends. CMs that spontaneously contract or contain blebs in the membrane are of poor quality, and those that shrink into a spherical shape are dead cells. A random field of view (fluorescence microscope, 10 &#215; 10 magnification; scale bars, 100 &#181;m). AM = atrial myocyte, VM = ventricular myocyte. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig05large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 6" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig06.jpg" /> 
Figure 6. Cell morphology under a confocal microscope before and after calcium reintroduction. Before calcium reintroduction, AMAA (A) and AMAR (C) are spindle-shaped with clear contours, striated sarcomeres, and smooth membrane surfaces. After calcium reintroduction, AMAA (B) and AMAR (D) are also spindle-shaped with clear contours, striated sarcomeres, and smooth membrane surfaces. Before calcium reintroduction, VMAA (E) and VMAR (G) are rod- or brick-shaped with clear contours, striate sarcomeres, and smooth membrane surfaces with rectangular ends. After calcium reintroduction, VMAA (F) and VMAR (H) are also rod- or brick-shaped with clear contours, striated sarcomeres, and smooth membrane surfaces with rectangular ends (confocal microscope oil, 63 &#215; 10 magnification; scale bars, 50 &#181;m). <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig06large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 7" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig07.jpg" /> 
Figure 7. Cell viability assessment. Damaged cells that lose activity are stained by trypan blue. In contrast, viable cells cannot be stained by trypan blue (fluorescence microscope, 4 &#215; 10 magnification; scale bars, 100 &#181;m). <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig07large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 8" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig08.jpg" /> 
Figure 8. Bar graph showing the survival rates of AMAA, AMAR, VMAA, and VMAR before and after calcium reintroduction. CR = calcium reintroduction. Each value represents the mean &#177; SD from 10 mice. ***p &#60; 0.01. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig08large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Solution</td>
			<td>Contents (final concentration in mmol/L, if not specified differently)</td>
			<td>noted</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Perfusion solution (solution 1)</td>
			<td>113 NaCl, 4.7 KCl, 0.6 KH2PO4, 0.6 Na2HPO4, 1.2 MgSO4, 12 NaHCO3, 10 KHCO3, 10 HEPES, 15 Taurine, 5 Glucose, 10 2,3-butanedione monoxime(BDM)</td>
			<td>Which can be stored for 3 days at 4 &#176;C. Glucose, Taurine and BDM are added on the day of experiment. Prepare 200 mL of perfusion solution for each heart.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tyrode&#8217;s solution (solution 2)</td>
			<td>140 NaCl, 4 KCl, 1 MgCl2, 10 HEPES, 1 CaCl2, 5 Glucose</td>
			<td>Which can be stored for 3 days at 4 &#176;C. CaCl2 and Glucose are added on the day of experiment, adjust pH to 7.3-7.4 with saturated NaOH at room temperature (28-30&#176;C) with a PH meter.</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Table 1. Solutions for adult mouse CM isolation.
<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Solution</td>
			<td>Contents&#160;</td>
			<td>noted</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Digestion solution(solution 3)</td>
			<td>25 mL solution 1, 6&#956;L 100 mM/L CaCl2, 25mg collagenase II, 50&#956;L (2.5 % 10&#215;) trypsin</td>
			<td>for each heart</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stop solution 1(solution 4)</td>
			<td>9 mL solution 1, 1 mL FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum), 4&#956;L 100 mM/L CaCl2</td>
			<td>for each heart</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stop solution 2(solution 5)</td>
			<td>9.5 mL solution 1, 0.5 mL FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum), 4&#956;L 100 mM/L CaCl2</td>
			<td>for each heart</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell resuspension solution(solution 6)</td>
			<td>13 mL solution 1, 7&#956;L 1M/L CaCl2, BSA (Bull Serum Albumin) at a dose that can form a thin layer covering the surface of the liquid</td>
			<td>for each heart</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Table 2. Solutions for adult mouse CM isolation and storage.
<img alt="Figure 9" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig09.jpg" /> 
Figure 9. Current-voltage curves of the sodium channels.&#160;Whole-cell patch clamp techniques were used to record sodium currents of the isolated cardiomyocytes in the voltage clamp mode. The voltage clamp protocol is shown in the inset. Sodium currents recorded from the AM (A) and VM (B) are shown. The current densities at potentials of &#8722;45mV, &#8722;40mV, and &#8722;35 mV are significantly higher in AM (&#8722;32.71 &#177; 1.597 pA/pF, &#8722;31.49 &#177; 1.820 pA/pF, and &#8722;29.34 &#177; 1.939 pA/pF, respectively; n = 10) than in VM (&#8722;17.66 pA/pF &#177; 1.976 pA/pF, &#8722;21.09 &#177; 1.560 pA/pF, and &#8722;21.86 &#177; 1.381 pA/pF, respectively; n = 8; P &#60; 0.05). (C) The I-V curves show the sodium current densities that were normalized to cell capacitance.&#160;<a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig09large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 10" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig10.jpg" /> 
Figure 10. Origin and distribution of the atrial vessel. The atrial vessel (arrow 1) and the CA (arrow 2) in panel A. Panel B is a closer look at the atrial vessel (arrow 3). (C) Two different-sized ostia exist; one (arrow 4) corresponds to the atrial vessel that irrigated the atrial appendages, and the other one (arrow 5) corresponds to the CA (stereomicroscope 10 &#215; 5 magnification). CA = coronary artery. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62514/62514fig10large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="3">The serial number of the mice</td>
			<td>1</td>
			<td>2</td>
			<td>3</td>
			<td>4</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>6</td>
			<td>7</td>
			<td>8</td>
			<td>9</td>
			<td>10</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="3">The depth of aorta cannulation is at the ascending aorta</td>
			<td>0.5</td>
			<td>0.6</td>
			<td>0.3</td>
			<td>0.4</td>
			<td>0.8</td>
			<td>0.3</td>
			<td>0.8</td>
			<td>0.7</td>
			<td>0.5</td>
			<td>0.7</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="3">The depth of aorta cannulation is at the aortic root</td>
			<td>0.2</td>
			<td>-0.1</td>
			<td>0.1</td>
			<td>0</td>
			<td>-0.1</td>
			<td>0.1</td>
			<td>-0.2</td>
			<td>0</td>
			<td>-0.1</td>
			<td>0</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Table 3. Distance from the cannula tip to the coronary artery ostium. The hearts of C57BL/6 mice (n = 20) were used to cannulate and ligate the aorta at depths of the ascending aorta and the aortic root, respectively. The aorta is anatomized, and the distance from the cannula tip to the CA ostium was measured. The distance is measured in millimeters, and positive or negative signs represent the cannula tip above and below the CA ostium, respectively.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Modifications of the Langendorff Method for Simultaneous Isolation of Atrial and Ventricular Myocytes from Adult Mice at JoVE.com

Modifications of the Langendorff Method for Simultaneous Isolation of Atrial and Ventricular Myocytes from Adult Mice

This protocol describes modifications of the Langendorff method including the depth of aorta cannulation for simultaneous Isolation of atrial and ventricular myocytes from adult mice.

A single cardiomyocyte is a vital tool in the cellular and subcellular level studies of cardiac biology and diseases as a fundamental unit of contraction ...

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5.3K Views.  Capital Medical University. This protocol describes modifications of the Langendorff method including the depth of aorta cannulation for simultaneous Isolation of atrial and ventricular myocytes from adult mice. 

Video: Modifications of the Langendorff Method for Simultaneous Isolation of Atrial and Ventricular Myocytes from Adult Mice

A Method for Murine Islet Isolation and Subcapsular Kidney Transplantation

Since the early pioneering work of Ballinger and Reckard demonstrating that transplantation of islets of Langerhans into diabetic rodents could normalize their blood glucose levels, islet transplantation has been proposed to be a potential treatment for type 1 diabetes 1,2. More recently, advances in human islet transplantation have further strengthened this view 1,3. However, two major limitations prevent islet transplantation from being a widespread clinical reality: (a) the requirement for large numbers of islets per patient, which severely reduces the number of potential recipients, and (b) the need for heavy immunosuppression, which significantly affects the pediatric population of patients due to their vulnerability to long-term immunosuppression. Strategies that can overcome these limitations have the potential to enhance the therapeutic utility of islet transplantation.
Islet transplantation under the mouse kidney capsule is a widely accepted model to investigate various strategies to improve islet transplantation. This experiment requires the isolation of high quality islets and implantation of islets to the diabetic recipients. Both procedures require surgical steps that can be better demonstrated by video than by text. Here, we document the detailed steps for these procedures by both video and written protocol. We also briefly discuss different transplantation models: syngeneic, allogeneic, syngeneic autoimmune, and allogeneic autoimmune.

Transplantation of isolated islets has been proposed to be a potential treatment for type 1 diabetes. Here we describe a method to isolate islets from mouse pancreata and transplant them to the subcapsular space of the kidney.

Since the early pioneering work of Ballinger and Reckard demonstrating that transplantation of islets of Langerhans into diabetic rodents could normalize ...

Isolation, Culture, and Functional Characterization of Adult Mouse Cardiomyoctyes

The use of primary cardiomyocytes (CMs) in culture has provided a powerful complement to murine models of heart disease in advancing our understanding of heart disease. In particular, the ability to study ion homeostasis, ion channel function, cellular excitability and excitation-contraction coupling and their alterations in diseased conditions and by disease-causing mutations have led to significant insights into cardiac diseases. Furthermore, the lack of an adequate immortalized cell line to mimic adult CMs, and the limitations of neonatal CMs (which lack many of the structural and functional biomechanics characteristic of adult CMs) in culture have hampered our understanding of the complex interplay between signaling pathways, ion channels and contractile properties in the adult heart strengthening the importance of studying adult isolated cardiomyocytes. Here, we present methods for the isolation, culture, manipulation of gene expression by adenoviral-expressed proteins, and subsequent functional analysis of cardiomyocytes from the adult mouse. The use of these techniques will help to develop mechanistic insight into signaling pathways that regulate cellular excitability, Ca2+ dynamics and contractility and provide a much more physiologically relevant characterization of cardiovascular disease.

Here we describe the isolation of adult mouse cardiomyoctyes using a Langendorff perfusion system. The resulting cells are Ca2+-tolerant, electrically quiescent and can be cultured and transfected with adeno- or lentiviruses to manipulate gene expression. Their functionality can also be analyzed using the MMSYS system and patch clamp techniques.

The use of primary cardiomyocytes (CMs) in culture has provided a powerful complement to murine models of heart disease in advancing our understanding of ...

Biology

Isolation of Atrial Cardiomyocytes from a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome-related Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

In this article, we describe an optimized, Langendorff-based procedure for the isolation of single-cell atrial cardiomyocytes (ACMs) from a rat model of metabolic syndrome (MetS)-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The prevalence of MetS-related HFpEF is rising, and atrial cardiomyopathies associated with atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation are clinically highly relevant as atrial remodeling is an independent predictor of mortality. Studies with isolated single-cell cardiomyocytes are frequently used to corroborate and complement in vivo findings. Circulatory vessel rarefication and interstitial tissue fibrosis pose a potentially limiting factor for the successful single-cell isolation of ACMs from animal models of this disease.
We have addressed this issue by employing a device capable of manually regulating the intraluminal pressure of cardiac cavities during the isolation procedure, substantially increasing the yield of morphologically and functionally intact ACMs. The acquired cells can be used in a variety of different experiments, such as cell culture and functional Calcium imaging (i.e., excitation-contraction-coupling).
We provide the researcher with a step-by-step protocol, a list of optimized solutions, thorough instructions to prepare the necessary equipment, and a comprehensive troubleshooting guide. While the initial implementation of the procedure might be rather difficult, a successful adaptation will allow the reader to perform state-of-the-art ACM isolations in a rat model of MetS-related HFpEF for a broad spectrum of experiments.

Here, we describe an optimized, Langendorff-based procedure for the isolation of single-cell atrial cardiomyocytes from a rat model of metabolic syndrome-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. A manual regulation of intraluminal pressure of cardiac cavities is implemented to yield functionally intact myocytes suitable for excitation-contraction-coupling studies.

In this article, we describe an optimized, Langendorff-based procedure for the isolation of single-cell atrial cardiomyocytes (ACMs) from a rat model of ...

Isolation of Atrial Myocytes from Adult Mice

The electrophysiological properties of atrial myocytes importantly affect overall cardiac function. Alterations in the underlying ionic currents responsible for the action potential can cause pro-arrhythmic substrates that underlie arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, which are highly prevalent in many conditions and disease states. Isolating adult mouse atrial cardiomyocytes for use in patch-clamp experiments has greatly advanced our knowledge and understanding of the cellular electrophysiology in the healthy atrial myocardium and in the setting of atrial pathophysiology. In addition, studies using genetic mouse models have elucidated the role of a vast array of proteins in regulating atrial electrophysiology. Here we provide a detailed protocol for the isolation of cardiomyocytes from the atrial appendages of adult mice using a combination of enzymatic digestion and mechanical dissociation of these tissues. This approach consistently and reliably yields isolated atrial cardiomyocytes that can then be used to characterize cellular electrophysiology by measuring action potentials and ionic currents in patch-clamp experiments under a number of experimental conditions.

This protocol is used to isolate single atrial cardiomyocytes from the adult mouse heart using a chunk digestion approach. This approach is used to isolate right or left atrial myocytes that can be used to characterize atrial myocyte electrophysiology in patch-clamp studies.

The electrophysiological properties of atrial myocytes importantly affect overall cardiac function. Alterations in the underlying ionic currents ...

Methods for the Isolation, Culture, and Functional Characterization of Sinoatrial Node Myocytes from Adult Mice

Sinoatrial node myocytes (SAMs) act as the natural pacemakers of the heart, initiating each heart beat by generating spontaneous action potentials (APs). These pacemaker APs reflect the coordinated activity of numerous membrane currents and intracellular calcium cycling. However the precise mechanisms that drive spontaneous pacemaker activity in SAMs remain elusive. Acutely isolated SAMs are an essential preparation for experiments to dissect the molecular basis of cardiac pacemaking. However, the indistinct anatomy, complex microdissection, and finicky enzymatic digestion conditions have prevented widespread use of acutely isolated SAMs. In addition, methods were not available until recently to permit longer-term culture of SAMs for protein expression studies. Here we provide a step-by-step protocol and video demonstration for the isolation of SAMs from adult mice. A method is also demonstrated for maintaining adult mouse SAMs in vitro and for expression of exogenous proteins via adenoviral infection. Acutely isolated and cultured SAMs prepared via these methods are suitable for a variety of electrophysiological and imaging studies.

Methods are demonstrated for the isolation of sinoatrial node myocytes (SAMs) from adult mice for patch clamp electrophysiology or imaging studies. Isolated cells can be used directly or can be maintained in culture to permit expression of proteins of interest, such as genetically encoded reporters.

Sinoatrial node myocytes (SAMs) act as the natural pacemakers of the heart, initiating each heart beat by generating spontaneous action potentials (APs). ...

A Simple and Effective Method to Consistently Isolate Mouse Cardiomyocytes

The need for reproducible yet technically simple methods yielding high-quality cardiomyocytes is essential for research in cardiac biology. Cellular and molecular functional experiments (e.g., contraction, electrophysiology, calcium cycling, etc.) on cardiomyocytes are the gold standard for establishing mechanism(s) of disease. The mouse is the species of choice for functional experiments and the described technique is specifically for the isolation of mouse cardiomyocytes. Previous methods requiring a Langendorff apparatus require high levels of training and precision for aortic cannulation, often resulting in ischemia. The field is shifting toward Langendorff-free isolation methods that are simple, are reproducible, and yield viable myocytes for physiological data acquisition and culture. These methods greatly diminish ischemia time compared to aortic cannulation and result in reliably obtained cardiomyocytes. Our adaptation to the Langendorff-free method includes an initial perfusion with ice-cold clearing solution, use of a stabilizing platform that ensures a steady needle during perfusion, and additional digestion steps to ensure reliably obtained cardiomyocytes for use in functional measurements and culture. This method is simple and quick to perform and requires little technical skill.

The gold standard in cardiology for cellular and molecular functional experiments are cardiomyocytes. This article describes adaptations to the non-Langendorff technique to isolate mouse cardiomyocytes.

The need for reproducible yet technically simple methods yielding high-quality cardiomyocytes is essential for research in cardiac biology. Cellular and ...

Camera-based Measurements of Intracellular [Na+] in Murine Atrial Myocytes

Intracellular sodium concentration ([Na+]i) is an important regulator of intracellular Ca2+. Its study provides insight into the activation of the sarcolemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, the behavior of voltage-gated Na+ channels and the Na+,K+-ATPase. Intracellular Ca2+ signaling is altered in atrial diseases such as atrial fibrillation. While many of the mechanisms underlying altered intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis are characterized, the role of [Na+]i and its dysregulation in atrial pathologies is poorly understood. [Na+]i in atrial myocytes increases in response to increasing stimulation rates. Responsiveness to external field stimulation is therefore crucial for [Na+]i measurements in these cells. In addition, the long preparation (dye-loading) and experiment duration (calibration) require an isolation protocol that yields atrial myocytes of exceptional quality. Due to the small size of mouse atria and the composition of the intercellular matrix, the isolation of high quality adult murine atrial myocytes is difficult. Here, we describe an optimized Langendorff-perfusion based isolation protocol that consistently delivers a high yield of high quality atrial murine myocytes.
Sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate (SBFI) is the most commonly used fluorescent Na+ indicator. SBFI can be loaded into the cardiac myocyte either in its salt form through a glass pipette or as an acetoxymethyl (AM) ester that can penetrate the myocyte&#8217;s sarcolemmal membrane. Intracellularly, SBFI-AM is de-esterified by cytosolic esterases. Due to variabilities in membrane penetration and cytosolic de-esterification each cell has to be calibrated in situ. Typically, measurements of [Na+]i using SBFI whole-cell epifluorescence are performed using a photomultiplier tube (PMT). This experimental set-up allows for only one cell to be measured at one time. Due to the length of myocyte dye loading and the calibration following each experiment data yield is low. We therefore developed an EMCCD camera-based technique to measure [Na+]i. This approach permits simultaneous [Na+]i measurements in multiple myocytes thus significantly increasing experimental yield.

The intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) in cardiac myocytes is altered during cardiac diseases. [Na+]i is an important regulator of intracellular Ca2+. We introduce a novel approach to measure [Na+]i in freshly isolated murine atrial myocytes using an electron multiplying charged coupled device (EMCCD) camera and a rapid, controllable illuminator.

Intracellular sodium concentration ([Na+]i) is an important regulator of intracellular Ca2+. Its study provides insight into the activation of the ...

Simultaneous Isolation and Culture of Atrial Myocytes, Ventricular Myocytes, and Non-Myocytes from an Adult Mouse Heart

The isolation and culturing of cardiac myocytes from mice has been essential for furthering the understanding of cardiac physiology and pathophysiology. While isolating myocytes from neonatal mouse hearts is relatively straightforward, myocytes from the adult murine heart are preferred. This is because compared to neonatal cells, adult myocytes more accurately recapitulate cell function as it occurs in the adult heart in vivo. However, it is technically difficult to isolate adult mouse cardiac myocytes in the necessary quantities and viability, which contributes to an experimental impasse. Furthermore, published procedures are specific for the isolation of either atrial or ventricular myocytes at the expense of atrial and ventricular non-myocyte cells. Described here is a detailed method for isolating both atrial and ventricular cardiac myocytes, along with atrial and ventricular non-myocytes, simultaneously from a single mouse heart. Also provided are the details for optimal cell-specific culturing methods, which enhance cell viability and function. This protocol aims not only to expedite the process of adult murine cardiac cell isolation, but also to increase the yield and viability of cells for investigations of atrial and ventricular cardiac cells.

A method is described for the simultaneous isolation of myocytes and non-myocytes from both the atria and ventricles of a single adult mouse heart. This protocol results in consistent yields of highly viable cardiac myocytes and non-myocytes and details optimal cell-specific culture conditions for phenotyping and in vitro analysis.

The isolation and culturing of cardiac myocytes from mice has been essential for furthering the understanding of cardiac physiology and pathophysiology. ...

An Antegrade Perfusion Method for Cardiomyocyte Isolation from Mice

In basic research using mouse heart, isolating viable individual cardiomyocytes is a crucial technical step to overcome. Traditionally, isolating cardiomyocytes from rabbits, guinea pigs or rats has been performed via retrograde perfusion of the heart with enzymes using a Langendorff apparatus. However, a high degree of skill is required when this method is used with a small mouse heart. An antegrade perfusion method that does not use a Langendorff apparatus was recently reported for the isolation of mouse cardiomyocytes. We herein report a complete protocol for the improved antegrade perfusion of the excised heart to isolate individual heart cells from adult mice (8 - 108 weeks old). Antegrade perfusion is performed by injecting perfusate near the apex of the left ventricle of the excised heart, the aorta of which was clamped, using an infusion pump. All procedures are carried out on a pre-warmed heater mat under a microscope, which allows for the injection and perfusion processes to be monitored. The results suggest that ventricular and atrial myocytes, and fibroblasts can be well isolated from a single adult mouse simultaneously.

We developed a simple method for isolating high quality individual mouse heart cells by the antegrade perfusion technique. This method is Langendorff-free and useful for isolating ventricular and atrial myocytes or interstitial cells, such as cardiac fibroblasts or progenitors.

In basic research using mouse heart, isolating viable individual cardiomyocytes is a crucial technical step to overcome. Traditionally, isolating ...

Isolation of High Quality Murine Atrial and Ventricular Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and L-Type Calcium Current

Mouse models play a crucial role in arrhythmia research and allow studying key mechanisms of arrhythmogenesis including altered ion channel function and calcium handling. For this purpose, atrial or ventricular cardiomyocytes of high quality are necessary to perform patch-clamp measurements or to explore calcium handling abnormalities. However, the limited yield of high-quality cardiomyocytes obtained by current isolation protocols does not allow both measurements in the same mouse. This article describes a method to isolate high-quality murine atrial and ventricular myocytes via retrograde enzyme-based Langendorff perfusion, for subsequent simultaneous measurements of calcium transients and L-type calcium current from one animal. Mouse hearts are obtained, and the aorta is rapidly cannulated to remove blood. Hearts are then initially perfused with a calcium-free solution (37 &#176;C) to dissociate the tissue at the level of intercalated discs and afterwards with an enzyme solution containing little calcium to disrupt extracellular matrix (37 &#176;C). The digested heart is subsequently dissected into atria and ventricles. Tissue samples are chopped into small pieces and dissolved by carefully pipetting up and down. The enzymatic digestion is stopped, and cells are stepwise reintroduced to physiologic calcium concentrations. After loading with a fluorescent Ca2+-indicator, isolated cardiomyocytes are prepared for simultaneous measurement of calcium currents and transients. Additionally, isolation pitfalls are discussed and patch-clamp protocols and representative traces of L-type calcium currents with simultaneous calcium transient measurements in atrial and ventricular murine myocytes isolated as described above are provided.

Isolation of High Quality Murine Atrial and Ventricular Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and L-Type Calcium Current

Mouse models allow studying key mechanisms of arrhythmogenesis. For this purpose, high quality cardiomyocytes are necessary to perform patch-clamp measurements. Here, a method to isolate murine atrial and ventricular myocytes via retrograde enzyme-based Langendorff perfusion, which allows simultaneous measurements of calcium-transients and L-type calcium current, is described.

Mouse models play a crucial role in arrhythmia research and allow studying key mechanisms of arrhythmogenesis including altered ion channel function and ...