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Quantitative measurement of calcium transients in perfused mouse heart using Rhod-2 fluorometry

  • Congwu Du
  • , Guy A. MacGowan
  • , Daniel L. Farkas
  • , Alan P. Koretsky
  • Carnegie Mellon University

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present a technique for optical detection of calcium transients in perfused mouse heart labeled with the calcium sensitive fluorescent dye Rhod-2. The isolated mouse-heart is placed in a water-jacketed chamber at 37°C, and is stimulated at 8 Hz, with 100μg of Rhod-2 bolused through the perfusate. After a 25-minute washout period, approx. 6 fold increase in fluorescence above background can be detected spectrofluorimetrically at 589 nm when excited at 524 nm. Both of these wavelengths are isobestic with regard to O 2, thus minimizing interference due to changes in tissue oxygenation. Ca 2+-dependent fluorescence transients are measured, as well as the corresponding left ventricular pressure signal. Our calcium transient signals represent 33±9% of diastolic fluorescence intensity. As the fluorescence emission is attenuated with the washout of Rhod-2 through the perfusate, the reflected absorbance between 524 nm (Rhod-2 sensitive) and 589 nm (Rhod-2 insensitive) is used as a measure of dye concentration in tissue. The fluorescence-to-absorbance ratio measured from the perfused heart is verified to be insensitive to dye concentration, and thus can be used to determine the calcium concentration of the heart. Maximal calcium dependent fluorescence is calibrated in situ using high calcium and a SR Ca-ATP ase inhibitor to tetanize the heart. The calculated cytosolic calcium concentrations for perfused mouse heart are 368±68nM and 654±164nM in diastole and systole, respectively. An effective method of minimizing changes in tissue scattering in the calcium quantification is also discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Pages214-219
Number of pages6
StatePublished - 1999
EventProceedings of the 1999 Advances in Fluorescence Sensing Technology - San Jose, CA, USA
Duration: Jan 24 1999Jan 27 1999

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume3602
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceProceedings of the 1999 Advances in Fluorescence Sensing Technology
CitySan Jose, CA, USA
Period01/24/9901/27/99

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