Functionally intact ventricular slices from embryonic mouse hearts exhibited normal histology and preserved adrenergic and muscarinic signaling for at least 24 hours.
Functionally intact heart slices can be generated from murine embryos, providing a viable model for physiological and pharmacological investigations.
BACKGROUND: In contrast to isolated cells, the anatomic and functional integrity of tissue slices remains preserved. Aim of the study was to establish the slice technique in embryonic mouse hearts in order to perform physiological and pharmacological investigations of wild-type mice and genetically engineered mouse models of heart disease. METHODS: Ventricular slices (thickness: 300 mum) were cut from agar-embedded embryonic mouse hearts (ED 16.5-18.5) with a vibratome. Histology, immunostaining with markers for apoptosis induction, intracellular recordings with sharp electrodes and field potential recordings using microelectrode arrays were performed to assess viability. RESULTS: Slices exhibited normal histology without prominent signs of apoptosis for at least 24 hours. Intracellular recordings revealed the typical electrophysiological fingerprint of ventricular cardiomyocytes. Field potential recordings proved that adrenergic and muscarinic signaling was preserved. CONCLUSION: Functionally intact heart slices can be generated from murine embryos.
Pillekamp et al. (2005) studied Embryonic mouse hearts. Ventricular slice preparation was evaluated on Viability, histology, and electrophysiological function. Functionally intact ventricular slices from embryonic mouse hearts exhibited normal histology and preserved adrenergic and muscarinic signaling for at least 24 hours.