This review highlights the utility of optical mapping techniques in connexin knockout mice for understanding the role of intercellular coupling in cardiac arrhythmias.
Optical mapping in connexin models advances arrhythmia mechanism research; leaves open clinical translation of coupling-targeted therapies.
The conduction of electrical impulses in the heart depends on the ability to efficiently transfer excitatory current between individual myocytes. Several recent studies have focused on the use of optical mapping techniques to determine the electrophysiological consequences and the proarrhythmic effects of reducing intercellular coupling in newly developed connexin knockout mice. This work has begun to unravel important questions regarding the role of connexins in intercellular coupling and propagation of electrical impulses in the heart. The purpose of this review is to discuss the techniques and unique issues involved in imaging electrical wave propagation in the heart. In addition, we will review recent experimental studies that address the role of intercellular communication in the development of cardiac arrhythmias.
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Morley et al. (2001) studied this question.
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